Standard Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association 2026 Conference

What’s on the menu? Species diversity, quantity, and relative importance of prey eaten by Tursiops aduncusSousa sahulensisDelphinus delphis, and Grampus griseus in Southeast Queensland using stomach content analysis (139497)

Bridget E Toohey 1 2 , Jessica M Buckman 1 2 , Georgina V Hume 1 2 , Isla Steel 1 2 , Alexis L Levengood 1 2
  1. School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of Sunshine Coast , Sunshine Coast , QLD, Australia
  2. Marine and Terrestrial Megafauna Research Cluster, University of Sunshine Coast , Sunshine Coast , QLD, Australia

Understanding predator diet is essential for maintaining ecosystem function and informing conservation, particularly where species interact with fisheries. Regional dietary assessments are critical, as prey use varies spatially and reflects ecological roles. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of prey composition in coastal dolphins from Southeast Queensland (SEQ). Stomach contents from stranded or bycaught dolphins collected from 2024-2025 were analysed, including Tursiops aduncusSousa sahulensisDelphinus delphis, and Grampus griseus. Prey items were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level using fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks. Diet was quantified using frequency of occurrence (%FOi), numerical abundance (%Ni), and relative importance indices (%IRI), with biomass estimates derived from otolith measurements. A minimum of 16 prey taxa were identified. Teleost fishes comprised the dominant prey group (FOi = 87.5%, Ni ≈ 60%), while cephalopods were also prevalent and contributed substantially to diet composition (FOi = 75.0%, Ni ≈ 37%). Key teleost taxa included GerresSardinops, and Atherinomorus. Contrasting the coastal species, Grampus griseus contained exclusively cephalopod remains dominated by deep-sea taxa, consistent with its role as a teuthophagous specialist. Dietary patterns reflected species-specific foraging strategies, varying from pelagic, to benthic/estuarine, and generalist feeding patterns. These findings highlight potential overlap with fisheries-targeted species, strengthens prey importance assessments, and provides baseline data for ecosystem-based management in SEQ.