Intraguild predation in sympatric seals and the effect on a declining population

Evidence of intraguild predation (IGP) is found across taxonomic groups but varies in its prevalence within predator populations. The effects of IGP can be similar to traditional predation, but when exploited by few, specialist predators the impact on intraguild prey populations is less clear. Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are marine top predators with similar diets of a broad range of fish and cephalopods. However, in recent years, adult male grey seals have been observed predating both grey seals and harbour seals. Combining 11 years of strandings data and direct observations of predation from citizen-science across Scotland, we examined the prevalence, spatial extent and temporal trends of IGP by grey seals. These results informed realistic predation scenarios and the effect of IGP on a small, protected population of harbour seals was explored. IGP was geographically widespread, involving multiple, seemingly specialist adult males across distinct subpopulations. The prevalence of IGP, as revealed by strandings data, appeared to increase through the study. Predation was most pronounced on adult harbour seals during the breeding season, amplifying the population level impact of each predation event through the loss of future reproductive potential. Indeed, in a depleted population in southeast Scotland, the estimated peak predation level was projected to cause declines of 7%-11%, well within the rate of the current harbour seal decline. This study demonstrated the utility of integrating disparate datasets to address conservation challenges and highlights how IGP, while seemingly rare, can hold sympatric species in a predator pit and in small populations may contribute to declines.