Davidson Seamount Taxonomic Guide

Davidson Seamount is one of the largest seamounts in U.S. waters and the first to be characterized as a “seamount.” In 2002 and 2006, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) led two multi-institutional expeditions to characterize the geology and natural history of Davidson Seamount. Results from these expeditions to Davidson Seamount are adding to the scientific knowledge of seamounts, including the discovery of new species. In November 2008, the MBNMS boundary was expanded to include the Davidson Seamount. In addition, a management plan for Davidson Seamount was created to develop resource protection, education, and research strategies for the area. The purpose of this taxonomic guide is to create an inventory of benthic and mid-water organisms observed at the Davidson Seamount to provide a baseline taxonomic characterization. At least 237 taxa were observed and are presented in this guide; including 15 new or undescribed species (8 sponges, 3 corals, 1 ctenophore, 1 nudibranch, 1 polychaete, 1 tunicate) recently or currently being described by taxonomic experts. This is the first taxonomic guide to Davidson Seamount, and is intended to be revised in the future as we learn more about the seamount and the organisms that live there. (PDF has 145 pages.

Walrus feeding: a re-examination

Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1997A new approach for analyzing walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) diet was examined. Controlled gastric digestion experiments determined the relative rates at which different kinds of food items became unidentifiable. The ability to identify prey items varied within and among prey types. The laboratory experiments provided a new basis for examining diet data by characterizing the condition of stomach samples based on the rates at which different prey types were digested. Stomach content data acquired during 1952-1991 from 798 Pacific walruses were compiled, and interpretations about feeding habits were re-examined. Walruses regularly consumed a wider assortment of benthic prey than was previously thought. The diet of the Pacific walrus varied seasonally and regionally. Males and females consumed essentially the same food items when in the same location.Biological Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Marine Mammals Management office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servic