Julius Nielsen, Rasmus B. Hedeholm, Malene Simon, John F. Steffensen
Distribution and feeding ecology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus
microcephalus) in Greenland waters
Polar Biology
January 2014, Volume 37, Issue 1, pp 37-46
DOI 10.1007/s00300-013-1408-3
Abstract
Greenland sharks are widely distributed and most likely a highly
abundant predator in arctic waters. Greenland sharks have previously
been considered scavengers, but recent studies suggest that Greenland
sharks also predate on live prey. In this study, distribution and
feeding ecology in Greenland waters were investigated. Based on data
from 25 years of surveys, Greenland sharks were usually caught at
400–700 m but were found at all depths between 100 and 1,200 m. Based on
examination of stomachs from 30 Greenland sharks (total length of
258–460 cm), the most important prey items were Atlantic cod (65.6 %
IRI), harp seal (9.9 % IRI), skates (5.2 % IRI) and wolffish (4.4 %
IRI), but large geographical variations were observed. Prey composition
and qualitative observations support the hypothesis of active predation.
Consistent with other studies, the results of this work support the
notion that the Greenland shark is an apex predator with the potential
to influence trophic dynamics in the Arctic.
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00300-013-1408-3