TABLE 4.

Primary known prey species for bearded, ringed, spotted, and ribbon seals.

Species	Feeding preferences	Invertebrate prey	Fish prey	References
Bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus)	Benthic fish and invertebrates	Bivalves Gastropods Cephalopods Isopods Amphipods Shrimps Crabs Echiurids Polychaetes	Pelagic Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) Benthic Sculpins (Cottidae) Snailfish (Liparidae) Pricklebacks (Stichaeidae) Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus) Flatfish (Pleuronectidae)	Antonelis et al., 1994; Crawford et al., 2015; Lowry et al., 1980a; ADF&G, unpublished data
Ringed seal (Pusa hispida)	Pelagic fish and invertebrates	Mysids Amphipods Shrimp	Pelagic Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) Walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogramma) Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) Benthic Sculpins (Cottidae)	Crawford et al., 2015; Dehn et al., 2007; Johnson et al., 1966; Lowry et al., 1980b; ADF&G, unpublished data
Spotted seal (Phoca largha)	Pelagic fish	Not a significant dietary component	Pelagic Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) Pacific herring (Clupea pallasi) Capelin (Mallotus villosus) Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax)	Bukhtiyarov et al., 1984; Lowry & Frost, 1981; ADF&G, unpublished data
Ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata)	Pelagic fish and invertebrates	Shrimp Octopus	Pelagic Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) Saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) Walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogramma)	Dehn et al., 2007; Frost & Lowry, 1980; ADF&G, unpublished data