In local marine habitats where the seafloor consists of coarse sand and gravel, what dominates the Hoiho diet?
Answer
Opal fish
The composition of the Yellow-Eyed Penguin diet is heavily influenced by the specific characteristics of the local marine environment where they forage. In areas characterized by a seafloor composed of coarse sand and gravel substrates, the diet of the local penguin population shows a distinct dominance of Opal Fish (*Hemerocoetes monopterygius*). This contrasts with other habitats, such as those with structured benthos or areas affected by bottom-trawling, where Blue Cod becomes the preferred or more readily available prey item.
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