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. 2021 Mar 31;7(14):eabf5908. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abf5908

Fig. 6. Deeper waters offer larger, more mature cephalopod prey through vertical ontogenetic migration.

Fig. 6

Literature-derived data of ontogenetic migration from epi- and mesopelagic waters to lower meso- and bathypelagic waters for three cephalopod genera predated by both Risso’s dolphin (G. griseus, RD) and Cuvier’s beaked whale (Z. cavirostris, CBW). All three genera were detected in the predator foraging zones off Terceira Island, Azores. Data derived from the Mediterranean Sea (H. reversa) and Pacific Ocean (Hawaii; Leachia pacifica and Liocranchia valdiviae). Juveniles occur shallow, or in the upper 1000 m, and migrate deeper when maturing (36, 63). Inset: Size comparison of juvenile (26 mm) versus adult (240 mm) cranchiid L. valdiviae, occurring in the epi-and mesopelagic versus meso-and bathypelagic zone, respectively [data from the Pacific (64)]. The sister species L. reinhardti was detected off the Azores and is a known prey for Cuvier’s beaked whales. Drawings of L. reinhardti adapted from (64). Gray boxes indicate range of prey sizes present in the respective foraging zones.