The Feeding Behavior of Bearded Seals (Erignathus barbatus) under Substantial Habitat Freshening

This article presents the results of a study conducted in Ulban Bay (Sea of Okhotsk) where the water is highly freshened due to the strong influence of surface runoff from the mainland. The combination of river discharge and tidal events form a unique ecosystem in Ulban Bay. The specific oceanographic conditions and hydrochemical parameters of the bay are the main factors responsible for the impoverished species composition of the benthic community, which consists mainly of a few eurytopic and eurythermal infaunal and epifaunal species that are capable of functioning under contrasting changes in environmental conditions. The high concentration of bearded seals at the apex of the bay during the feeding season indicates a favorable food supply in this area. Bearded seals primarily feed on several very abundant species of crustaceans, bivalves, and gastropods that are typical representatives of shallow waters and freshened areas of the sea.