Antichi, S., Fosberry, J., Quintana Martín-Montalvo, B., Ashok, K., Miliou, A., Pietroluongo, G. Habitat use and behavioural study of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) in Samos Island, Greece. World Marine Mammal Conference 2019.

Introduction:

The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) current distribution is fragmented and the largest known subpopulation (350-450 individuals) mainly inhabits the eastern Aegean Sea between the Greek and Turkish coastlines. The presence of the monk seal is recorded in a wide range of habitats, from open beaches to marine caves. It is an opportunistic predator feeding on bony fish, cephalopods and crustaceans amongst others. This study aims to develop a holistic understanding of the habitat and behavioural ecology of the monk seal around Samos Island, North-East Aegean Sea.