CEPHALOPODS IN THE DIET OF THE STRIPED DOLPHIN STENELLA-COERULEOALBA FROM THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN DURING AN EPIZOOTIC IN 1990

Fifteen cephalopod species from 28 stomach contents of striped dolphin s, Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen, 1833), stranded during an epizootic o n the western Mediterranean coast in summer 1990, were analysed. Albra liopsis pfefferi, Onychoteuthis banksii, Todarodes sagittatus and Brac hioteuthis riisei are species showing higher relative importance indic es. Composition and characteristics of cephalopod preys were discussed and compared to the scarce literature for this cetacean. The data sho wed a mixed diet of muscular and gelatinous body squids, mainly consis ting of oceanic and pelagic or bathypelagic species.