Abstract
Diet composition in pinnipeds is widely estimated using hard prey remains recovered from feces. To estimate the size and number of prey represented in fecal samples accurately, digestion correction factors ( DCF s) must be applied to measurements and counts of fish otoliths and cephalopod beaks. In this study, 101 whole prey feeding trials were conducted with six harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina ) and 18 prey species. We derived species‐ and grade‐specific estimates of digestion coefficients ( DC s) and species‐specific recovery rates ( RR s) to account for partial and complete digestion, respectively. Greater than 98% of otoliths were passed within three days of consumption. RR s were smallest for Atlantic salmon smolts ( RR = 0.306, SE = 0.031) and increasingly larger for sandeels ( RR = 0.494, SE = 0.017), flatfish ( RR = 0.789, SE = 0.033), and large gadoids ( RR = 0.944, SE = 0.034). Species‐specific otolith width DC s were smallest for Trisopterus species ( DC = 1.14, SE = 0.015) and increasingly larger for flatfish ( DC = 1.27, SE = 0.045), large gadoids ( DC = 1.32, SE = 0.067) and sandeels ( DC = 1.57, SE = 0.035). RR s were similar to those from gray seals ( Halichoerus grypus ), but harbor seal species‐ and grade‐specific DC s were generally smaller. Differences in partial and complete digestion rates among prey species and between seal species highlight the importance of applying DCF s when reconstructing diet.