SeaLifeBase
Ecology of Phaethon lepturus
 
Main Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005
Remarks Found along shores and over sea (Ref. 83946); over deep water far, <1000 km offshore (Ref. 81748). Adults are solitary and pelagic (Ref. 122680). Exhibits dipping behavior (Ref. 81748). Captures prey by plunge diving from 15 to 20 m above the water. Diet is poorly known but includes flyingfish (Ref. 122680). Generally pelagic during non-breeding season. Loosely colonial. Commonly trail ships (Ref. 91362).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Phaethon lepturus may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Harrison, P., 1987
Associations solitary; colony-forming/symphorism;
Associated with
Association remarks Loosely colonial. Solitary at sea.
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005
Feeding habit variable
Feeding habit Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 4.36 0.67 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
(e.g. 9948)
(e.g. cnidaria)
Comments & Corrections
 
 
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