How to translate text using browser tools
11 January 2016 Size, mass, and occurrence of gastroliths in juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)
C. R. Shuert, J. E. Mellish
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Gastroliths, or stones found in the digestive tract of some pinnipeds, were gathered (n = 128) from temporarily captive juvenile Steller sea lions (n = 23, Eumetopias jubatus) at the Alaska SeaLife Center and characterized by their size and mass. Blubber depth and season were significant predictors of gastrolith mass and also positively associated with larger animals. From this, we conclude that they are likely actively ingested for a functional use rather than incidental.

© 2016 American Society of Mammalogists, www.mammalogy.org
C. R. Shuert and J. E. Mellish "Size, mass, and occurrence of gastroliths in juvenile Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus)," Journal of Mammalogy 97(2), 639-643, (11 January 2016). https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyv211
Received: 14 March 2015; Accepted: 15 December 2015; Published: 11 January 2016
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top