Main Dataset: Harbour Seal DNA Diet Data

This is the primary dataset that contains scat sample composition data for 4,625 harbor seal scats. Field names and descriptions are outlined in Table 1 of the Data Descriptor. Multiple entries exist for each sample ID, with each entry representing an identified prey species and its proportional composition within the sample. Notes for Harbour_Seal_DNA_Diet_Data.csv: The sample ID nomenclature varied between projects and we present here the IDs used by the respective projects and institutions. This presentation allows for links to drawn to other parallel projects or datasets using the common sample IDs. Similarly, the collection location names were assigned by the separate projects and do not necessarily represent specific cartographic locations. Therefore, the Latitude and Longitude are provided in decimal degree format for each sampling location. Database duplicates: When the prey ID sequence in the database was a perfect match for another prey species sequence, both prey IDs are provided separated by “OR” in the entry. For example, “Copper_OR _ Quillback_OR _China_Rockfish”. The same approach was used for the taxonomic names of the prey species. DNA_diet_percent is the product of the RRA calculation for each prey species and can be used as an index of proportional prey consumption (see methods).