Cephalopod beaks found in the diet of predators have been a major source of scientific information.
We evaluated the usefulness of DNA and contaminants analysis (total mercury- T-Hg) in cephalopod beaks.
We concluded that it does not allow obtaining DNA from beaks but it was possible using flesh attached to those beaks.
The T-Hg concentrations were 6 to 46 times lower than in the flesh (beaks: from 0.004 to 0.047 mg kg− 1 dry weight)
No clear relationships were found between T-Hg concentrations in beaks and body mass of the individuals studied.
This study aims to stimulate more research on the relationships between mercury concentrations in beaks.