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Feuillâtre C, Beaumont J, Elamin F. Reproductive life histories: can incremental dentine isotope analysis identify pubertal growth, pregnancy and lactation? Ann Hum Biol 2022; 49:171-191. [PMID: 35786239 DOI: 10.1080/03014460.2022.2091795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few reliable osteological indicators to detect parity or infer puberty in skeletal remains. Nitrogen (δ15N) and stable carbon (δ13C) isotope ratios in human tissues can be affected by metabolically unbalanced states engendered by pregnancy or rapid growth, offering potential biomarkers. AIM This pilot study explores the potential of incremental dentine-collagen isotope ratio analysis to identify puberty and gestation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Incremental dentine δ15N and δ13C profiles were produced by analysing third molars extracted as part of dental treatment of 10 individuals living in Sudan. Demographic and anthropometric data at the time of tooth extraction was available. Medical histories were unknown. RESULTS Isotopic signatures potentially related to pubertal growth, with an average δ15N reduction of 0.78 ± 0.29‰, are indicated. Six isotopic signals suggestive of pregnancy, with an average δ15N decrease of 0.48 ± 0.22‰, are also observed. The timing, speed and amplitude of post-partum δ15N patterns seemingly infer infant feeding practices and maternal nutritional status. CONCLUSION This pilot study highlights the potential of incremental dentine isotope analysis for the reconstruction of early reproductive histories in skeletal remains. However, controlled studies with a larger human cohort are needed to validate these findings, establish isotopic signals linked to puberty and lactation, and improve chronology accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Feuillâtre
- School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Julia Beaumont
- School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Fadil Elamin
- Institute of Dentistry, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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2
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Reitsema LJ, Jones CE, Gilbert HR, Fragaszy D, Izar P. Isotopic and elemental corroborates for wild bearded capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus) omnivorous dietary adaptation at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2020; 34:e8856. [PMID: 32526804 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE This study analyzes variability in the diets of wild bearded capuchin monkeys, Sapajus libidinosus, by analyzing stable carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen (δ15 N) isotope ratios and elemental concentrations (%C and %N) of fecal samples and food items. Developing isotopic and elemental correlates for diets of habituated subjects is a necessary step towards applying similar methods to interpret diets of unhabituated or cryptic subjects. METHODS Fecal samples from wild capuchins and their foods were collected at Fazenda Boa Vista, Brazil. Fecal samples from laboratory-housed Sapajus spp. and their foods were analyzed to establish diet-feces offsets for δ13 C, δ15 N, %C, and %N. Samples were dried, powdered, and measured for isotopic and elemental values. A Bayesian mixing model commutes isotopic and elemental data from wild capuchins into likely proportions of different food categories. RESULTS The captive study shows small diet-feces spaces for Sapajus spp. of -0.8 ± 0.7‰ for δ13 C, -0.2 ± 0.4‰ for δ15 N, -6.1 ± 1.7% for %C, and -1.0 ± 0.6% for %N. The wild study shows omnivorous diets based on C3 , C4 , and CAM plants, and fauna. Subject diets are highly varied within and between days. Fecal data show age-related differences in diet and crop-raiding. There is no consistent isotopic or elemental difference between mothers and infants. CONCLUSIONS Fecal stable isotope and elemental evidence employed in a Bayesian mixing model reflects the highly varied diets of capuchin monkeys in an isotopically heterogeneous environment. The isotopic and elemental variability reported here will aid similar diet reconstructions among unhabituated subjects in the future, but precludes tracking weaning isotopically among capuchins in this environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline E Jones
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Hannah R Gilbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Dorothy Fragaszy
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Patrícia Izar
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
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Rioux È, Pelletier F, St-Laurent MH. From diet to hair and blood: empirical estimation of discrimination factors for C and N stable isotopes in five terrestrial mammals. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCarbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are used widely to describe wildlife animal diet composition and trophic interactions. To reconstruct consumer diet, the isotopic differences between consumers and their diet items—called the trophic discrimination factor (TDF)—must be known. Proxies of diet composition are sensitive to the accuracy of TDFs. However, specific TDFs are still missing for many species and tissues because only a few controlled studies have been carried out on captive animals. The aim of this study was to estimate TDFs for hair and blood for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, and black bear. We obtained stable isotope ratios for diet items, hair, and blood samples, of 21 captive adult mammals. Diet–tissue discrimination factors for carbon in hair (∆ 13CLE) ranged from 0.96‰ to 3.72‰ for cervids, 3.01‰ to 3.76‰ for coyote, and 5.15‰ to 6.35‰ for black bear, while nitrogen discrimination factors (∆ 15N) ranged from 2.58‰ to 5.95‰ for cervids, 2.90‰ to 3.13‰ for coyote, and 4.48‰ to 5.44‰ for black bear. The ∆ 13CLE values in coyote blood components ranged from 2.20‰ to 2.69‰ while ∆ 15N ranged from 3.30‰ to 4.41‰. In caribou serum, ∆ 13CLE reached 3.34 ± 1.28‰ while ∆ 15N reached 5.02 ± 0.07‰. The TDFs calculated in this study will allow the evaluation of diet composition and trophic relationships between these five mammal species and will have important implications for the study of endangered caribou populations for which the use of noninvasive tissue sampling is highly relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ève Rioux
- Centre for Northern Studies & Centre for Forest Research, Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Centre for Northern Studies, Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
- Centre for Northern Studies & Centre for Forest Research, Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
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Krause DJ, Goebel ME, Kurle CM. Leopard seal diets in a rapidly warming polar region vary by year, season, sex, and body size. BMC Ecol 2020; 20:32. [PMID: 32493329 PMCID: PMC7271520 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-020-00300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Resolving the preferred prey items and dietary proportions of leopard seals is central to understanding food-web dynamics in the rapidly-warming Antarctic Peninsula region. Previous studies have identified a wide range of prey items; however, due to anecdotal or otherwise limited information, leopard seal diets remain unresolved by seal sex, individual, body size, region, and season. Over the 2013, 2014, and 2017 field seasons we collected scat, tissue samples (red blood cells and plasma; n = 23) for stable isotope analyses, and previously-reported animal-borne video from 19 adult leopard seals foraging near mesopredator breeding colonies at Cape Shirreff, Livingston Island. We summarized a priori diet information from scat and video analysis and applied a three-isotope (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S), four-source (fish, fur seal, krill, penguin) Bayesian mixing model to examine temporal variability in both prey sources and leopard seal tissues. Results The austral spring diets of males and females focused on Antarctic krill (31.7–38.0%), notothen fish (31.6–36.5%), and penguin (24.4–26.9%) and were consistent across all 3 years. Several lines of evidence suggest the transition to summer foraging was distinct for males and females. Female diets transitioned rapidly to higher δ15N values (+2.1‰), indicating increased consumption of penguin (29.5–46.2%) and energy-dense Antarctic fur seal pup (21.3–37.6%). Conclusions The seasonal increase in leopard seal δ15N values, and thus fur seal in their diet, was predictably related to larger body size; it may also be forcing reductions to the largest Antarctic fur seal colony in the Antarctic Peninsula. Our ensemble sampling approach reduces historical biases in monitoring marine apex predator diets. Further, our results are necessary to best inform regional fisheries management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Krause
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, NOAA Fisheries-Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Michael E Goebel
- Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, NOAA Fisheries-Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carolyn M Kurle
- Divsion of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, USA
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Juárez-Rodríguez M, Heckel G, Herguera-García JC, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR, Herzka SZ, Schramm Y. Trophic ecology of Mexican Pacific harbor seal colonies using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0225889. [PMID: 31967988 PMCID: PMC6975529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There is limited information that provides a comprehensive understanding of the trophic ecology of Mexican Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) colonies. While scat analysis has been used to determine the diet of some colonies, the integrative characterization of its feeding habits on broader temporal and spatial scales remains limited. We examined potential feeding grounds, trophic niche width, and overlap, and inferred the degree of dietary specialization using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in this subspecies. We analyzed δ13C and δ15N on fur samples from pups collected at five sites along the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico. Fur of natal coat of Pacific harbor seal pups begins to grow during the seventh month in utero until the last stage of gestation. Therefore pup fur is a good proxy for the mother's feeding habits in winter (~December to March), based on the timing of gestation for the subspecies in this region. Our results indicated that the δ13C and δ15N values differed significantly among sampling sites, with the highest mean δ15N value occurring at the southernmost site, reflecting a well-characterized north to south latitudinal 15N-enrichment in the food web. The tendency identified in δ13C values, in which the northern colonies showed the most enriched values, suggests nearshore and benthic-demersal feeding habits. A low variance in δ13C and δ15N values for each colony (<1‰) and relatively small standard ellipse areas suggest a specialized foraging behavior in adult female Pacific harbor seals in Mexican waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricela Juárez-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Gisela Heckel
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Juan Carlos Herguera-García
- Departamento de Ecología Marina, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Fernando R. Elorriaga-Verplancken
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Pesquerías y Biología Marina, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
| | - Sharon Z. Herzka
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California, México
| | - Yolanda Schramm
- Facultad de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada, Baja California, México
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Tamburin E, Amador-Capitanachi MJ, Galván-Magaña F, Norris TA, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR. Isotopic variation in blood components based on their biochemistry and physiology: A comparison between sharks and fur seals. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2019; 333:104-110. [PMID: 31709773 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Research using stable isotopes analysis (SIA) of carbon (δ13 C) and nitrogen (δ15 N) in blood components is lacking, because of the challenge of sample collection, processing, and storage in remote areas. There also is a paucity of information regarding the effect of tissue biochemical composition on isotopic ratios with few comparisons among taxa. We collected blood samples from shortfin mako sharks (n = 70; 2016) and Guadalupe fur seals (n = 25; 2017). All samples were centrifuged to obtain plasma from sharks and serum from the Guadalupe fur seals, and all the samples were prepared for SIA and analyzed using a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer interfaced with a Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer. We found significant differences between plasma δ13 C values of shortfin mako sharks (-17.6 ± 0.9‰) and serum of Guadalupe fur seals (-20.3 ± 1.2‰), but we did not find any differences for δ15 N values between the two species. The differences in δ13 C values between species are probably due to the specific blood composition and to the different biochemical characteristics and different adaptations within taxa. These findings highlight the importance of further research on the influence of biochemistry features on isotopic results, in this way a more accurate assessment will be possible for this factor, separating it from the dietary influences on stable isotopic values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tamburin
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México.,Fundación Alium Pacific, Carrera 26 No. 5C-13, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Felipe Galván-Magaña
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
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Hernandez K, Bogomolni A, Moxley J, Waring G, DiGiovanni R, Hammill M, Johnston D, Sette L, Polito M. Seasonal variability and individual consistency in gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) isotopic niches. CAN J ZOOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2019-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Although it is often assumed that individuals in generalist populations are equivalent, recent research indicates that individual dietary specialization can be common in marine predators. Gray seals (Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius, 1791)) were considered locally extinct in United States waters by 1958 but have since recolonized the region. Although considered generalists, less is known about gray seal foraging ecology in the United States. To address this, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses to investigate the foraging niches of adult gray seals in Massachusetts, USA. We examined skin, fur, and blood components to investigate seasonal variability and individual consistency in foraging niches, and serially sampled vibrissae to quantify the degree of individual foraging specialization in this population. Our results suggest that seals shift from coastal foraging habitats before molt to offshore habitats after molt, with a coincident shift from higher to lower trophic-level prey. Adult gray seals also exhibited individual consistency in foraging niches independent of population-level shifts and reflect a generalist population composed of individual foraging specialists. These findings serve as a baseline for subsequent research on gray seals in United States waters that could help to determine the mechanisms which promote individual specialization in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.M. Hernandez
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - A.L. Bogomolni
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, MS#50, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - J.H. Moxley
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - G.T. Waring
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - R.A. DiGiovanni
- Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, 467 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901, USA
| | - M.O. Hammill
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Mont-Joli, QC G5H 3Z4, Canada
| | - D.W. Johnston
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
| | - L. Sette
- Center for Coastal Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, Provincetown, MA 02657, USA
| | - M.J. Polito
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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de Sousa Rangel B, Hussey NE, Gomes AD, Rodrigues A, Martinelli LA, Moreira RG. Resource partitioning between two young-of-year cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis within a communal nursery inferred by trophic biomarkers. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:781-788. [PMID: 30868595 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Although interspecific trophic interactions plays a principal role within elasmobranch communal nurseries, little is known over variation in foraging strategies adopted by young-of-year of sympatric species. To test the hypothesis of dietary resource partitioning between batoids within a communal nursery, we investigated two cownose ray species, Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis, which occur in heterospecific groups, a strategy predicted to increase survival and foraging success. Using two biochemical tracers, fatty acids (FA) and stable isotopes (δ15 N and δ13 C), the combined effects of maternal investment and the formation of heterospecific groups implying competition for, or partitioning of available food resources were investigated. Through univariate and multivariate analyses of biochemical tracers in several tissues (fin clip, muscle, liver, red blood cells; RBC) and plasma, our results revealed significant interspecific differences in tracers between the two species. Total FAs (∑saturated FA, ∑monounsaturated FA and ∑polyunsaturated FA) and trophic biomarkers (i.e., docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, oleic acid and δ15 N) were the principle tracers responsible for the differences detected. These data revealed that R. brasiliensis was less enriched in physiologically important essential FAs than R. bonasus. Our findings suggest that these congeneric species differ in maternal investment strategy and moderately partition food resources over relatively fine spatial scales within a single nursery habitat to limit competition. These results provide further knowledge on the foraging strategies adopted by batoids in communal nursery areas, information that is required for improving spatial conservation and management planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca de Sousa Rangel
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Laboratório de Metabolismo e Reprodução de Organismos Aquáticos, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nigel E Hussey
- University of Windsor - Biological Sciences, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aline D Gomes
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Laboratório de Metabolismo e Reprodução de Organismos Aquáticos, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia e Genética de Peixes, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz A Martinelli
- Departamento de Ecologia Isotópica, Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Guimarães Moreira
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Laboratório de Metabolismo e Reprodução de Organismos Aquáticos, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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9
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δ13C and δ15N values in pup whiskers as a proxy for the trophic behavior of Galapagos sea lion females. Mamm Biol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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10
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Chilvers B. Stable isotope signatures of whisker and blood serum confirm foraging strategies for female New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) derived from telemetry. CAN J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2016-0299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recognizing the individual variability of foraging behaviour of marine predators is important for understanding their role in the marine ecosystem and identifying how species may respond to environmental variability or human impacts. This research examines stable isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of blood serum and whiskers from 22 female New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri (Gray, 1844)) to determine if the isotopic composition of serum reflects foraging strategy, and whether serum and proximal whisker growth have similar signatures, therefore indicating the isotopic composition of whiskers also reflects the foraging strategy diet at the time of their growth. Female New Zealand sea lions are known to have two distinct foraging strategies (mesopelagic or benthic ecotypes), shown to be habitual within and between years. Females who are known to be mesopelagic foragers have higher overlap and are at greater risk of harmful interactions with fisheries. This research found that the two foraging strategies identified from telemetry are also associated with different δ13C and δ15N isotopic values from blood serum and whiskers. Therefore, stable isotope analysis could be used to determine the proportion of the female population that are likely to be exposed to the detrimental direct and indirect interactions with fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- B.L. Chilvers
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- Wildbase, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Pinzone M, Acquarone M, Huyghebaert L, Sturaro N, Michel LN, Siebert U, Das K. Carbon, nitrogen and sulphur isotopic fractionation in captive juvenile hooded seal (Cystophora cristata): Application for diet analysis. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2017; 31:1720-1728. [PMID: 28809062 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Intrinsic biogeochemical markers, such as stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur, are increasingly used to trace the trophic ecology of marine top predators. However, insufficient knowledge of fractionation processes in tissues continues to hamper the use of these markers. METHODS We performed a controlled feeding experiment with eight juvenile hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) that were held on a herring-based diet (Clupea harengus) for two years. Stable isotope ratios were measured via isotope ratio mass spectrometry in three of their tissues and related to values of these markers in their diet. RESULTS Diet-tissue isotope enrichment (trophic enrichment factor, TEF) values between dietary herring and seal tissues for carbon (Δ13 C) were +0.7 ‰ for red blood cells, +1.9 ‰ for hair and +1.1 ‰ for muscle. The TEFs for nitrogen trophic (Δ15 N) were +3.3 ‰ for red blood cells, +3.6 ‰ for hair and +4.3 ‰ for muscle. For sulphur, the Δ34 S values were +1.1 ‰ for red blood cells, +1.0 ‰ for hair and +0.9 ‰ for muscle. CONCLUSIONS These enrichment values were greater than those previously measured in adult seals. This increase may be related to the higher rate of protein synthesis and catabolism in growing animals. This study is the first report on sulphur isotope enrichment values for a marine mammal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Pinzone
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Centre, University of Liege, Allée du 6 Août 11, b6c, Liege, Belgium
| | - Mario Acquarone
- Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Muninbakken 21, 9019, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Loreen Huyghebaert
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Centre, University of Liege, Allée du 6 Août 11, b6c, Liege, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Sturaro
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Centre, University of Liege, Allée du 6 Août 11, b6c, Liege, Belgium
- Functional Reef Ecology Lab, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Loïc N Michel
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Centre, University of Liege, Allée du 6 Août 11, b6c, Liege, Belgium
| | - Ursula Siebert
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW), 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Centre, University of Liege, Allée du 6 Août 11, b6c, Liege, Belgium
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Flores-Morán A, Banuet-Martínez M, Elorriaga-Verplancken FR, García-Ortuño LE, Sandoval-Sierra J, Acevedo-Whitehouse K. Atypical Red Blood Cells Are Prevalent in California Sea Lion Pups Born during Anomalous Sea Surface Temperature Events. Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:564-574. [DOI: 10.1086/692919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Beltran RS, Peterson SH, McHuron EA, Reichmuth C, Hückstädt LA, Costa DP. Seals and sea lions are what they eat, plus what? Determination of trophic discrimination factors for seven pinniped species. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2016; 30:1115-1122. [PMID: 27060839 PMCID: PMC4830913 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Mixing models are a common method for quantifying the contribution of prey sources to the diet of an individual using stable isotope analysis; however, these models rely upon a known trophic discrimination factor (hereafter, TDF) that results from fractionation between prey and animal tissues. Quantifying TDFs in captive animals is ideal, because diet is controlled and the proportional contributions and isotopic values of all prey items are known. METHODS To calculate TDFs for the Hawaiian monk seal, northern elephant seal, bearded seal, ringed seal, spotted seal, harbor seal, and California sea lion, we obtained whiskers, serum, plasma, red blood cells, and prey items from nine captive individuals. We obtained δ(13) C and δ(15) N values using continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The average δ(13) C and δ(15) N values from bulk and lipid-corrected prey from the diet were subtracted from the δ(13) C and δ(15) N values of each blood and whisker sample to calculate tissue-specific TDFs for each individual (∆(13) C or ∆(15) N). RESULTS The ∆(13) C values ranged from +1.7 to +3.2‰ (bulk prey) and from +0.8 to +1.9‰ (lipid-corrected prey) for the various blood components, and from +3.9 to +4.6‰ (bulk prey) or +2.6 to +3.9‰ (lipid-corrected prey) for whiskers. The ∆(15) N values ranged from +2.2 to +4.3‰ for blood components and from +2.6 to +4.0‰ for whiskers. The TDFs tended to group by tissue, with whiskers having greater ∆(13) C values than blood components. In contrast, the ∆(15) N values were greater in serum and plasma than in red blood cells and whiskers. CONCLUSIONS By providing the first TDF values for five seal species (family Phocidae) and one otariid species (family Otariidae), our study facilitates more accurate mixing models for these species. These values are particularly important for critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals and the three Arctic seal species (bearded, ringed, and spotted) that are faced with a rapidly changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne S. Beltran
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Sarah H. Peterson
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. McHuron
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Colleen Reichmuth
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Long Marine Laboratory, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Luis A. Hückstädt
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P. Costa
- University of California, Santa Cruz, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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Bonnet X, El Hassani MS, Lecq S, Michel CL, El Mouden EH, Michaud B, Slimani T. Blood mixtures: impact of puncture site on blood parameters. J Comp Physiol B 2016; 186:787-800. [PMID: 27146147 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-016-0993-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Various puncture routes, veins, arteries, heart, are used to take blood in animals. For anatomical reasons, differences in blood composition are expected among puncture sites. However, this issue has been rarely assessed and contrasted results have been reported: strong effects of puncture site versus a lack of effect. We captured free-ranging freshwater turtles from different locations to compare the mean concentrations of 12 blood parameters (metabolites, hormone, ions, and enzyme) among three puncture sites: (1) a lateral branch of the jugular vein, (2) a dorsal subcarapacial cervical plexus (sometimes incorrectly referred as the 'cervical sinus' in the literature), and (3) a caudal plexus site (sometimes incorrectly referred as the 'caudal sinus'). Because we used very small syringes (27-30G), we were able to separate lymph, blood, or blood-lymph mixtures. Our results show very strong effects of puncture site and of mixture level (mean maximal difference between sites was 250 %). We also found strong sex and geographical effects. Typically, there were differences in concentrations of blood solutes sampled from the lateral jugular vein and subcarapacial plexus, mainly due to sampling a mixture of blood and lymph from the 'blood' at the subcarapacial site and pure blood from the lateral jugular site, and likewise, samples from the caudal site were highly variable due to often sampling a mixture of blood and lymph. These results have technical and fundamental implications, especially when performing comparative analyses. Further, by selecting precise puncture sites, physiological differences between lymph and blood compartments could be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Bonnet
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-ULR, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France.
| | - M S El Hassani
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia, Université Cadi Ayyad, BP: 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - S Lecq
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-ULR, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
- , 17 rue Denis Diderot, 44600, Saint Nazaire, France
| | - C L Michel
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-ULR, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
- , 6 Routes des Maures, 83660, Carnoules, France
| | - E H El Mouden
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia, Université Cadi Ayyad, BP: 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
| | - B Michaud
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-ULR, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - T Slimani
- Laboratoire Biodiversité et Dynamique des Ecosystèmes, Faculté des Sciences Semlalia, Université Cadi Ayyad, BP: 2390, 40000, Marrakech, Morocco
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Rode KD, Stricker CA, Erlenbach J, Robbins CT, Cherry SG, Newsome SD, Cutting A, Jensen S, Stenhouse G, Brooks M, Hash A, Nicassio N. Isotopic Incorporation and the Effects of Fasting and Dietary Lipid Content on Isotopic Discrimination in Large Carnivorous Mammals. Physiol Biochem Zool 2016; 89:182-97. [DOI: 10.1086/686490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Steinitz R, Lemm JM, Pasachnik SA, Kurle CM. Diet-tissue stable isotope (Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N) discrimination factors for multiple tissues from terrestrial reptiles. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2016; 30:9-21. [PMID: 26661966 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Stable isotope analysis is a powerful tool for reconstructing trophic interactions to better understand drivers of community ecology. Taxon-specific stable isotope discrimination factors contribute to the best use of this tool. We determined the first Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N values for Rock Iguanas (Cyclura spp.) to better understand isotopic fractionation and estimate wild reptile foraging ecology. METHODS The Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N values between diet and skin, blood, and scat were determined from juvenile and adult iguanas held for 1 year on a known diet. We measured relationships between iguana discrimination factors and size/age and quantified effects of lipid extraction and acid treatment on stable isotope values from iguana tissues. Isotopic and elemental compositions were determined by Dumas combustion using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer using standards of known composition. RESULTS The Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N values ranged from -2.5 to +6.5‰ and +2.2 to +7.5‰, respectively, with some differences among tissues and between juveniles and adults. The Δ(13)C values from blood and skin differed among species, but not the Δ(15)N values. The Δ(13)C values from blood and skin and Δ(15)N values from blood were positively correlated with size/age. The Δ(13)C values from scat were negatively correlated with size (not age). Treatment with HCl (scat) and lipid extraction (skin) did not affect the isotope values. CONCLUSIONS These results should aid in the understanding of processes driving stable carbon and nitrogen isotope discrimination factors in reptiles. We provide estimates of Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N values and linear relationships between iguana size/age and discrimination factors for the best interpretation of wild reptile foraging ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Steinitz
- Division of Biological Sciences, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution Section, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Lemm
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Behavioral Ecology Division, Escondido, CA, 92027-7000, USA
| | - Stesha A Pasachnik
- San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, Behavioral Ecology Division, Escondido, CA, 92027-7000, USA
| | - Carolyn M Kurle
- Division of Biological Sciences, Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution Section, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0116, USA
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Matley JK, Fisk AT, Tobin AJ, Heupel MR, Simpfendorfer CA. Diet-tissue discrimination factors and turnover of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in tissues of an adult predatory coral reef fish, Plectropomus leopardus. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2016; 30:29-44. [PMID: 26661968 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.7406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Stable isotope ratios (δ(13)C and δ(15)N values) provide a unique perspective into the ecology of animals because the isotope ratio values of consumers reflect the values in food. Despite the value of stable isotopes in ecological studies, the lack of species-specific experimentally derived diet-tissue discrimination factors (DTDFs) and turnover rates limits their application at a broad scale. Furthermore, most aquatic feeding experiments use temperate, fast-growing fish species and few have considered medium- to large-sized adults with low growth rates from tropical ecosystems. METHODS A controlled-diet stable isotope feeding trial was conducted over a 196-day period for the adult predatory reef fish leopard coralgrouper (Plectropomus leopardus). This study calculated δ(13)C and δ(15)N DTDFs and turnover rates in five tissues (liver, plasma, red blood cells (RBC), fin, and muscle) using a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer equipped with an elemental analyzer. In addition, the effect of chemical lipid extraction (LE) on stable isotope values was examined for each tissue. RESULTS Turnover was mainly influenced by metabolism (as opposed to growth) with LE δ(15)N half-life values lowest in fin (37 days) and plasma (66 days), and highest in RBC (88 days) and muscle (126 days). The diet-tissue discrimination factors for δ(15)N values in all tissues (Δ(15)N: -0.15 to 1.84‰) were typically lower than commonly reported literature values. Lipid extraction altered both δ(15) N and δ(13)C values compared with untreated samples; however, for the δ(15)N values, the differences were small (mean δ(15)N(LE-Bulk) <0.46‰ in all tissues). CONCLUSIONS This study informs future interpretation of stable isotope data for medium- to large-sized fish and demonstrates that DTDFs developed for temperate fish species, particularly for δ(15)N values, may not apply to tropical species. Sampling of muscle and/or RBC is recommended for a relatively long-term representation of feeding habits, while plasma and/or fin should be used for a more recent indication of diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Matley
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
| | - A T Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada, N9B 3P4
| | - A J Tobin
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
| | - M R Heupel
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB No 3, Townsville, Qld, 4810, Australia
| | - C A Simpfendorfer
- Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, 4811, Australia
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Clark CT, Fleming AH, Calambokidis J, Kellar NM, Allen CD, Catelani KN, Robbins M, Beaulieu NE, Steel D, Harvey JT. Heavy with child? Pregnancy status and stable isotope ratios as determined from biopsies of humpback whales. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:1-13. [PMID: 27766149 PMCID: PMC5070529 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding reproductive rates of wild animal populations is crucially important for management and conservation. Assessing pregnancy status of free-ranging cetaceans has historically been difficult; however, recent advances in analytical techniques have allowed the diagnosis of pregnancy from small samples of blubber tissue. The primary objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to test the efficacy of blubber progesterone assays as a tool for diagnosing pregnancy in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae); (ii) to estimate the pregnancy rate of humpback whales in Monterey Bay, California; and (iii) to investigate the relationship between stable isotopes and reproductive status of these whales. Progesterone concentrations of female whales fell into two distinct groups, allowing for diagnostic separation of pregnant and non-pregnant individuals. Pregnancy rate varied between years of the study (48.4%% in 2011 and 18.5% in 2012), but fell within the range of other estimates of reproductive success for this population. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were examined to investigate the impacts of pregnancy on these values. Neither δ15N nor δ13C varied in a consistent way among animals of different sex or reproductive status. The relationship between δ15N and δ13C was strongly positive for male and non-pregnant female humpbacks; however, no relationship existed for pregnant whales. This difference may be indicative of the effects of pregnancy on δ15N, resulting from tissue synthesis and reduced excretion of nitrogenous waste, as well as on δ13C through increased mobilization of lipid stores to meet the energetic demands of pregnancy. Ultimately, our results support the use of blubber progesterone assays for diagnosing pregnancy in humpback whales and indicate that, when paired with other approaches (e.g. stable isotope analysis), pregnancy status can be an informative tool for addressing questions about animal physiology, ecology and population biology. This information will provide for more effective management and conservation efforts in a rapidly changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey T. Clark
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Corresponding author:College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA. Tel: +1 907 474-7824.
| | - Alyson H. Fleming
- Department of Paleobiology and Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA
| | | | - Nicholas M. Kellar
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Camryn D. Allen
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Krista N. Catelani
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Michelle Robbins
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Nicole E. Beaulieu
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Debbie Steel
- Marine Mammal Institute and Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - James T. Harvey
- Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA
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Borrell A, Gómez-Campos E, Aguilar A. Influence of Reproduction on Stable-Isotope Ratios: Nitrogen and Carbon Isotope Discrimination between Mothers, Fetuses, and Milk in the Fin Whale, a Capital Breeder. Physiol Biochem Zool 2015; 89:41-50. [PMID: 27082523 DOI: 10.1086/684632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, the influence of gestation and lactation on the tissue stable-isotope ratios of females, fetuses, and milk remains poorly understood. Here we investigate the incidence of these events on δ(13)C and δ(15)N values in fin whales sampled off northwestern Spain between 1983 and 1985. The effect of gestation on tissue stable-isotope ratios was examined in the muscle of pregnant females (n = 13) and their fetuses (n = 10) and that of lactation in the muscle of nursing females (n = 21) and their milk (n = 25). Results suggest that fetuses are enriched compared to their mothers in both (15)N (Δ(15)N = 1.5‰) and (13)C (Δ(13)C =1.1‰), while, compared to muscle, milk is enriched in (15)N (Δ(15)N = 0.3‰) but depleted in (13)C (Δ(13)C = -0.62‰). This pattern is consistent with that previously observed for other species that, like the fin whale, rely on endogenous energy during reproduction, and it substantiates a general difference in the physiological processing of nitrogen and carbon balances between income and capital breeders. These findings are relevant to the understanding of the energetic balance of mammals during gestation and lactation and are central when inferences on trophic ecology are drawn from isotopic values of reproductive females.
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Reitsema LJ. Laboratory and field methods for stable isotope analysis in human biology. Am J Hum Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Stable Isotope Models Predict Foraging Habitat of Northern Fur Seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in Alaska. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127615. [PMID: 26030280 PMCID: PMC4451762 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed models to predict foraging habitat of adult female northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values from plasma and red blood cells. Binomial generalized linear mixed models were developed using blood isotope samples collected from 35 adult female fur seals on three breeding colonies in Alaska during July-October 2006. Satellite location and dive data were used to define habitat use in terms of the proportion of time spent or dives made in different oceanographic/bathymetric domains. For both plasma and red blood cells, the models accurately predicted habitat use for animals that foraged exclusively off or on the continental shelf. The models did not perform as well in predicting habitat use for animals that foraged in both on- and off-shelf habitat; however, sample sizes for these animals were small. Concurrently collected scat, fatty acid, and dive data confirmed that the foraging differences predicted by isotopes were associated with diet differences. Stable isotope samples, dive data, and GPS location data collected from an additional 15 females during August-October 2008 validated the effective use of the models across years. Little within year variation in habitat use was indicated from the comparison between stable isotope values from plasma (representing 1-2 weeks) and red blood cells (representing the prior few months). Constructing predictive models using stable isotopes provides an effective means to assess habitat use at the population level, is inexpensive, and can be applied to other marine predators.
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Reitsema LJ, Muir AB. Growth velocity and weaning δ15N “Dips” during ontogeny inMacaca mulatta. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2015; 157:347-57. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew B. Muir
- Department of Pediatrics; Emory University; Atlanta Georgia 30322
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Popa-Lisseanu AG, Kramer-Schadt S, Quetglas J, Delgado-Huertas A, Kelm DH, Ibáñez C. Seasonal variation in stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of bats reflect environmental baselines. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117052. [PMID: 25700080 PMCID: PMC4336313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope composition of animal tissues is commonly used to trace wildlife diets and analyze food chains. Changes in an animal's isotopic values over time are generally assumed to indicate diet shifts or, less frequently, physiological changes. Although plant isotopic values are known to correlate with climatic seasonality, only a few studies restricted to aquatic environments have investigated whether temporal isotopic variation in consumers may also reflect environmental baselines through trophic propagation. We modeled the monthly variation in carbon and nitrogen isotope values in whole blood of four insectivorous bat species occupying different foraging niches in southern Spain. We found a common pattern of isotopic variation independent of feeding habits, with an overall change as large as or larger than one trophic step. Physiological changes related to reproduction or to fat deposition prior to hibernation had no effect on isotopic variation, but juvenile bats had higher δ13C and δ15N values than adults. Aridity was the factor that best explained isotopic variation: bat blood became enriched in both 13C and 15N after hotter and/or drier periods. Our study is the first to show that consumers in terrestrial ecosystems reflect seasonal environmental dynamics in their isotope values. We highlight the danger of misinterpreting stable isotope data when not accounting for seasonal isotopic baselines in food web studies. Understanding how environmental seasonality is integrated in animals' isotope values will be crucial for developing reliable methods to use stable isotopes as dietary tracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana G. Popa-Lisseanu
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | | | - Juan Quetglas
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Delgado-Huertas
- Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Detlev H. Kelm
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carlos Ibáñez
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
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Kaupová S, Herrscher E, Velemínský P, Cabut S, Poláček L, Brůžek J. Urban and rural infant-feeding practices and health in early medieval Central Europe (9th-10th Century, Czech Republic). AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2014; 155:635-51. [DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylva Kaupová
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Ministère de la culture et de la communication; LAMPEA UMR 7269 13094 Aix-en-Provence France
- Department of Anthropology; National Museum; Václavské náměstí 68 11579 Praha 1 Czech Republic
- Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Science; Charles University in Prague; Viničná 7 12844 Praha 2 Czech Republic
| | - Estelle Herrscher
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Ministère de la culture et de la communication; LAMPEA UMR 7269 13094 Aix-en-Provence France
| | - Petr Velemínský
- Department of Anthropology; National Museum; Václavské náměstí 68 11579 Praha 1 Czech Republic
| | - Sandrine Cabut
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, Ministère de la culture et de la communication; LAMPEA UMR 7269 13094 Aix-en-Provence France
| | - Lumír Poláček
- Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Science; Královopolská 147 61200 Brno Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Brůžek
- PACEA-A3P, UMR 5199, CNRS; Université Bordeaux 1 33405 Talence France
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Karamanlidis AA, Curtis PJ, Hirons AC, Psaradellis M, Dendrinos P, Hopkins JB. Stable isotopes confirm a coastal diet for critically endangered Mediterranean monk seals. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2014; 50:332-342. [PMID: 25014121 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2014.931845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the ecology and behaviour of endangered species is essential for developing effective management and conservation strategies. We used stable isotope analysis to investigate the foraging behaviour of critically endangered Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) in Greece. We measured carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (expressed as δ(13)C and δ(15)N values, respectively) derived from the hair of deceased adult and juvenile seals and the muscle of their known prey to quantify their diets. We tested the hypothesis that monk seals primarily foraged for prey that occupy coastal habitats in Greece. We compared isotope values from seal hair to their coastal and pelagic prey (after correcting all prey for isotopic discrimination) and used these isotopic data and a stable isotope mixing model to estimate the proportion of coastal and pelagic resources consumed by seals. As predicted, we found that seals had similar δ(13)C values as many coastal prey species and higher δ(13)C values than pelagic species; these results, in conjunction with mean dietary estimates (coastal=61 % vs. pelagic=39 %), suggest that seals have a diverse diet comprising prey from multiple trophic levels that primarily occupy the coast. Marine resource managers should consider using the results from this study to inform the future management of coastal habitats in Greece to protect Mediterranean monk seals.
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Kurle CM, Koch PL, Tershy BR, Croll DA. The effects of sex, tissue type, and dietary components on stable isotope discrimination factors (Δ13C and Δ15N) in mammalian omnivores. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2014; 50:307-321. [PMID: 24787278 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2014.908872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We tested the effects of sex, tissue, and diet on stable isotope discrimination factors (Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N) for six tissues from rats fed four diets with varied C and N sources, but comparable protein quality and quantity. The Δ(13)C and Δ(15)N values ranged from 1.7-4.1‰ and 0.4-4.3‰, respectively. Females had higher Δ(15)N values than males because males grew larger, whereas Δ(13)C values did not differ between sexes. Differences in Δ(13)C values among tissue types increased with increasing variability in dietary carbon sources. The Δ(15)N values increased with increasing dietary δ(15)N values for all tissues except liver and serum, which have fast stable isotope turnover times, and differences in Δ(15)N values among tissue types decreased with increasing dietary animal protein. Our results demonstrate that variability in dietary sources can affect Δ(13)C values, protein source affects Δ(15)N values even when protein quality and quantity are controlled, and the isotope turnover rate of a tissue can influence the degree to which diet affects Δ(15)N values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Kurle
- a Division of Biological Sciences , University of California , San Diego, La Jolla , CA , USA
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Parng E, Crumpacker A, Kurle CM. Variation in the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope discrimination factors from diet to fur in four felid species held on different diets. J Mammal 2014. [DOI: 10.1644/13-mamm-a-014.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Reitsema LJ. Beyond diet reconstruction: stable isotope applications to human physiology, health, and nutrition. Am J Hum Biol 2013; 25:445-56. [PMID: 23784719 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes from soft or mineralized tissues is a direct and widely-used technique for modeling diets. In addition to its continued role in paleodiet analysis, stable isotope analysis is now contributing to studies of physiology, disease, and nutrition in archaeological and living human populations. In humans and other animals, dietary uptake and distribution of carbon and nitrogen among mineralized and soft tissue is carried out with varying efficiency due to factors of internal biology. Human pathophysiologies may lead to pathology-influenced isotopic fractionation that can be exploited to understand not just skeletal health and diet, but physiological health and nutrition. This study reviews examples from human biology, non-human animal ecology, biomedicine, and bioarchaeology demonstrating how stable isotope analyses are usefully applied to the study of physiological adaptation and adaptability. Suggestions are made for future directions in applying stable isotope analysis to the study of nutritional stress, disease, and growth and development in living and past human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J Reitsema
- Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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Reitsema LJ. Beyond diet reconstruction: Stable isotope applications to human physiology, health, and nutrition. Am J Hum Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/aajhb.22398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie J. Reitsema
- Department of Anthropology; University of Georgia; Athens; Georgia; 30602
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Tyrrell LP, Newsome SD, Fogel ML, Viens M, Bowden R, Murray MJ. Vibrissae growth rates and trophic discrimination factors in captive southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis). J Mammal 2013. [DOI: 10.1644/12-mamm-a-035.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Nakashita R, Hamada Y, Hirasaki E, Suzuki J, Oi T. Characteristics of stable isotope signature of diet in tissues of captive Japanese macaques as revealed by controlled feeding. Primates 2013; 54:271-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s10329-013-0346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Trophic enrichment factors for blood serum in the European badger (Meles meles). PLoS One 2013; 7:e53071. [PMID: 23300863 PMCID: PMC3531416 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecologists undertaking stable isotopic analyses of animal diets require trophic enrichment factors (TEFs) for the specific animal tissues that they are studying. Such basic data are available for a small number of species, so values from trophically or phylogenetically similar species are often substituted for missing values. By feeding a controlled diet to captive European badgers (Meles meles) we determined TEFs for carbon and nitrogen in blood serum. TEFs for nitrogen and carbon in blood serum were +3.0±0.4‰ and +0.4±0.1‰ respectively. The TEFs for serum in badgers are notably different from those published for the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). There is currently no data for TEFs in the serum of other mustelid species. Our data show that species sharing similar niches (red fox) do not provide adequate proxy values for TEFs of badgers. Our findings emphasise the importance of having species-specific data when undertaking trophic studies using stable isotope analysis.
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Rosenblatt AE, Heithaus MR. Slow Isotope Turnover Rates and Low Discrimination Values in the American Alligator: Implications for Interpretation of Ectotherm Stable Isotope Data. Physiol Biochem Zool 2013; 86:137-48. [DOI: 10.1086/668295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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O'Connell TC, Kneale CJ, Tasevska N, Kuhnle GGC. The diet-body offset in human nitrogen isotopic values: a controlled dietary study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2012; 149:426-34. [PMID: 23042579 PMCID: PMC3483624 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The "trophic level enrichment" between diet and body results in an overall increase in nitrogen isotopic values as the food chain is ascended. Quantifying the diet-body Δ(15) N spacing has proved difficult, particularly for humans. The value is usually assumed to be +3-5‰ in the archaeological literature. We report here the first (to our knowledge) data from humans on isotopically known diets, comparing dietary intake and a body tissue sample, that of red blood cells. Samples were taken from 11 subjects on controlled diets for a 30-day period, where the controlled diets were designed to match each individual's habitual diet, thus reducing problems with short-term changes in diet causing isotopic changes in the body pool. The Δ(15) N(diet-RBC) was measured as +3.5‰. Using measured offsets from other studies, we estimate the human Δ(15) N(diet-keratin) as +5.0-5.3‰, which is in good agreement with values derived from the two other studies using individual diet records. We also estimate a value for Δ(15) N(diet-collagen) of ≈6‰, again in combination with measured offsets from other studies. This value is larger than usually assumed in palaeodietary studies, which suggests that the proportion of animal protein in prehistoric human diet may have often been overestimated in isotopic studies of palaeodiet.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C O'Connell
- Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
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Franco-Trecu V, Aurioles-Gamboa D, Arim M, Lima M. Prepartum and postpartum trophic segregation between sympatrically breeding femaleArctocephalus australisandOtaria flavescens. J Mammal 2012. [DOI: 10.1644/11-mamm-a-174.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Hoye BJ. Variation in postsampling treatment of avian blood affects ecophysiological interpretations. Methods Ecol Evol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2041-210x.2011.00135.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Shaner PJL, Macko SA. Trophic shifts of a generalist consumer in response to resource pulses. PLoS One 2011; 6:e17970. [PMID: 21437248 PMCID: PMC3060883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophic shifts of generalist consumers can have broad food-web and biodiversity consequences through altered trophic flows and vertical diversity. Previous studies have used trophic shifts as indicators of food-web responses to perturbations, such as species invasion, and spatial or temporal subsidies. Resource pulses, as a form of temporal subsidies, have been found to be quite common among various ecosystems, affecting organisms at multiple trophic levels. Although diet switching of generalist consumers in response to resource pulses is well documented, few studies have examined if the switch involves trophic shifts, and if so, the directions and magnitudes of the shifts. In this study, we used stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes with a Bayesian multi-source mixing model to estimate proportional contributions of three trophic groups (i.e. producer, consumer, and fungus-detritivore) to the diets of the White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) receiving an artificial seed pulse or a naturally-occurring cicadas pulse. Our results demonstrated that resource pulses can drive trophic shifts in the mice. Specifically, the producer contribution to the mouse diets was increased by 32% with the seed pulse at both sites examined. The consumer contribution to the mouse diets was also increased by 29% with the cicadas pulse in one of the two grids examined. However, the pattern was reversed in the second grid, with a 13% decrease in the consumer contribution with the cicadas pulse. These findings suggest that generalist consumers may play different functional roles in food webs under perturbations of resource pulses. This study provides one of the few highly quantitative descriptions on dietary and trophic shifts of a key consumer in forest food webs, which may help future studies to form specific predictions on changes in trophic interactions following resource pulses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jen L Shaner
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Caut S, Laran S, Garcia-Hartmann E, Das K. Stable isotopes of captive cetaceans (killer whales and bottlenose dolphins). J Exp Biol 2011; 214:538-45. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.045104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
There is currently a great deal of interest in using stable isotope methods to investigate diet, trophic level and migration in wild cetaceans. In order to correctly interpret the results stemming from these methods, it is crucial to understand how diet isotopic values are reflected in consumer tissues. In this study, we investigated patterns of isotopic discrimination between diet and blood constituents of two species of cetaceans (killer whale, Orcinus orca, and bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus) fed controlled diets over 308 and 312 days, respectively. Diet discrimination factors (Δ; mean ± s.d.) for plasma were estimated to Δ13C=2.3±0.6‰ and Δ15N=1.8±0.3‰, respectively, for both species and to Δ13C=2.7±0.3‰ and Δ15N=0.5±0.1‰ for red blood cells. Delipidation did not have a significant effect on carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of blood constituents, confirming that cetacean blood does not serve as a reservoir of lipids. In contrast, carbon isotopic values were higher in delipidated samples of blubber, liver and muscle from killer whales. The potential for conflict between fisheries and cetaceans has heightened the need for trophic information about these taxa. These results provide the first published stable isotope incorporation data for cetaceans, which are essential if conclusions are to be drawn on issues concerning trophic structures, carbon sources and diet reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Caut
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Apdo. 1056, E-41080 Sevilla, Spain
- Laboratory of Oceanology, MARE, University of Liège, Allée de la Chimie, 17, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Sophie Laran
- Marineland, 306 av. Mozart, 06600 Antibes, France
| | | | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory of Oceanology, MARE, University of Liège, Allée de la Chimie, 17, B-4000 Liège, Belgium
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Orr AJ, VanBlaricom GR, DeLong RL, Cruz-Escalona VH, Newsome SD. Intraspecific comparison of diet of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) assessed using fecal and stable isotope analyses. CAN J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1139/z10-101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The diet of juvenile and adult female California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus (Lesson, 1828)) at San Miguel Island, California, was estimated and compared using fecal and stable isotope analyses to determine dietary differences by age. Fecal samples were collected during 2002–2006 and prey remains were identified. Stable carbon (δ13C) and stable nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values were determined from plasma and fur obtained from yearlings, 2- to 3-year-old juveniles, and adult females during 2005 and 2006. Juveniles ate more than 15 prey taxa, whereas adult females consumed more than 33 taxa. Relative importance of prey was determined using percent frequency of occurrence (%FO). Engraulis mordax Girard, 1854, Sardinops sagax (Jenyns, 1842), Merluccius productus (Ayres, 1855), genus Sebastes Cuvier, 1829, and Loligo opalescens Berry, 1911 were the most frequently occurring (%FO > 10%) prey in the feces of both juvenile and adult female sea lions, although their importance varied between age groups. Only yearlings had significantly different isotopic values than older conspecifics, indicating that older juveniles were feeding at a similar trophic level and in similar habitats as adult females. Whereas each method had biases, combining the two provided a better understanding of the diet of California sea lions and intraspecific differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. J. Orr
- The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Laboratorio de Dinámica y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuático, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, México
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3166, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - G. R. VanBlaricom
- The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Laboratorio de Dinámica y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuático, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, México
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3166, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - R. L. DeLong
- The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Laboratorio de Dinámica y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuático, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, México
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3166, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - V. H. Cruz-Escalona
- The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Laboratorio de Dinámica y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuático, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, México
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3166, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
| | - S. D. Newsome
- The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Laboratorio de Dinámica y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuático, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, México
- Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3166, Laramie, WY 82071, USA
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Cherry SG, Derocher AE, Hobson KA, Stirling I, Thiemann GW. Quantifying dietary pathways of proteins and lipids to tissues of a marine predator. J Appl Ecol 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01908.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Newsome SD, Bentall GB, Tinker MT, Oftedal OT, Ralls K, Estes JA, Fogel ML. Variation in delta13C and delta15N diet-vibrissae trophic discrimination factors in a wild population of California sea otters. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2010; 20:1744-1752. [PMID: 20945772 DOI: 10.1890/09-1502.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The ability to quantify dietary inputs using stable isotope data depends on accurate estimates of isotopic differences between a consumer (c) and its diet (d), commonly referred to as trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) and denoted by delta(c-d). At present, TDFs are available for only a few mammals and are usually derived in captive settings. The magnitude of TDFs and the degree to which they vary in wild populations is unknown. We determined delta13C and delta15N TDFs for vibrissae (i.e., whiskers), a tissue that is rapidly becoming an informative isotopic substrate for ecologists, of a wild population of sea otters for which individual diet has been quantified through extensive observational study. This is one of the very few studies that report TDFs for free-living wild animals feeding on natural diets. Trophic discrimination factors of 2.2 per thousand +/- 0.7 per thousand for delta13C and 3.5 per thousand +/- 0.6 per thousand for delta15N (mean +/- SD) were similar to those reported for captive carnivores, and variation in individual delta13C TDFs was negatively but significantly related to sea urchin consumption. This pattern may relate to the lipid-rich diet consumed by most sea otters in this population and suggests that it may not be appropriate to lipid-extract prey samples when using the isotopic composition of keratinaceous tissues to examine diet in consumers that frequently consume lipid-rich foods, such as many marine mammals and seabirds. We suggest that inherent variation in TDFs should be included in isotopically based estimates of trophic level, food chain length, and mixing models used to quantify dietary inputs in wild populations; this practice will further define the capabilities and limitations of isotopic approaches in ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D Newsome
- Carnegie Institution of Washington, Geophysical Laboratory, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, D.C. 20015, USA.
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Hussey NE, Brush J, McCarthy ID, Fisk AT. δ15N and δ13C diet–tissue discrimination factors for large sharks under semi-controlled conditions. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2010; 155:445-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/22/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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45
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Norman HC, Wilmot MG, Thomas DT, Masters DG, Revell DK. Stable carbon isotopes accurately predict diet selection by sheep fed mixtures of C3 annual pastures and saltbush or C4 perennial grasses. Livest Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2008.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Stegall VK, Farley SD, Rea LD, Pitcher KW, Rye RO, Kester CL, Stricker CA, Bern CR. Discrimination of carbon and nitrogen isotopes from milk to serum and vibrissae in Alaska Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z07-115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of diet–tissue stable isotope discrimination is required to properly interpret stable isotope values and to identify possible diet shifts, such as might be expected from nursing through weaning. This study compared δ13C and δ15Ν οf paired serum and vibrissal roots with those of ingested milk (n = 52) from free-ranging Steller sea lion ( Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) pups (1–11 months) and juveniles (14–27 months) to estimate diet–tissue discrimination. Mean 15N enrichment from ingested milk to serum was 2.1‰ ± 0.6‰ and δ15Ν at the root of the vibrissae (representing current growth) were not significantly different from serum values. Milk was enriched for mean 13C by 5.0‰ ± 1.0‰ and 7.3‰ ± 1.2‰ relative to serum and vibrissal roots, respectively, which was due to the presence of 13C-depleted lipids in milk. This was confirmed by lipid extraction from a subset of milk and serum samples, resulting in a 5.8‰ ± 1.0‰ change only in milk. This study established that vibrissal roots and serum are reflective of a milk diet with approximately 2.0‰ 15N enrichment, and vibrissal roots reflect serum and lipid-extracted milk values with approximately 2.0‰ 13C enrichment. These discrimination factors are important to establish for stable isotope studies assessing diet shifts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki K. Stegall
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Sean D. Farley
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Lorrie D. Rea
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Kenneth W. Pitcher
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Robert O. Rye
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Cynthia L. Kester
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Craig A. Stricker
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
| | - Carleton R. Bern
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, P.O. Box 757220, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
- United States Geological Survey, Stable Isotope Laboratory, Denver Federal Center, Building 21, Mail Stop 963, Denver, CO 80225, USA
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York AE, Thomason JR, Sinclair EH, Hobson KA. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values in teeth of Steller sea lions: age of weaning and the impact of the 1975–1976 regime shift in the North Pacific Ocean. CAN J ZOOL 2008. [DOI: 10.1139/z07-108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We measured δ15N and δ13C values and tooth width from the first 4 years’ dentinal growth layer groups (GLGs) in the teeth of 113 female Steller sea lions ( Eumetopias jubatus (Schreber, 1776)) born between 1960 and 1983, a period that included a large population decrease and a climate regime shift. A linear discriminant analysis on the δ13C and δ15N values estimated 60% of Steller sea lions were weaned in their 1st year, 30% in their 2nd year, and 8% in their 3rd year. GLG-1 was wider in “weaned” animals than those still “nursing” in their 2nd year, suggesting that faster growing pups weaned earlier. Except during the regime shift, the average age at weaning increased and the size of GLG-1 in weaned animals decreased. We suggest that during the regime shift a greater proportion of pups which survived (to have their teeth sampled for this study) grew faster and were weaned by the end of their 1st year. We hypothesize that the long-term weaning age increase and growth rate decrease are consistent with a change in relative mortality of weaned pups and those that continued to nurse, possibly caused by a reduction in available resources, characterized as a switch from a “live-fast” to a “live-slow” life history.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. E. York
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - J. R. Thomason
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - E. H. Sinclair
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
| | - K. A. Hobson
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
- Environment Canada, 11 Innovation Boulevard, Saskatoon, SK S7N 3H5, Canada
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CRAWFORD KERRY, MCDONALD ROBBIEA, BEARHOP STUART. Applications of stable isotope techniques to the ecology of mammals. Mamm Rev 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00120.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Seminoff JA, Bjorndal KA, Bolten AB. Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Discrimination and Turnover in Pond Sliders Trachemys Scripta: Insights for Trophic Study of Freshwater Turtles. COPEIA 2007. [DOI: 10.1643/0045-8511(2007)2007[534:scanid]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
We measured stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in guard hair of 81 populations of grizzly bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) across North America and used mixing models to assign diet fractions of salmon, meat derived from terrestrial sources, kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum in Artedi, 1792)), and plants. In addition, we examined the relationship between skull size and diet of bears killed by people in British Columbia. The majority of carbon and nitrogen assimilated by most coastal grizzly bear populations was derived from salmon, while interior populations usually derived a much smaller fraction of their nutrients from salmon, even in areas with relatively large salmon runs. Terrestrial prey was a large part of the diet where ungulates were abundant, with the highest fractions observed in the central Arctic, where caribou (Rangifer tarandus (L., 1758)) were very abundant. Bears in some boreal areas, where moose (Alces alces (L., 1758)) were abundant, also ate a lot of meat. Bears in dryer areas with low snowfall tended to have relatively high meat diet fractions, presumably because ungulates are more abundant in such environments. Kokanee were an important food in central British Columbia. In areas where meat was more than about a third of the diet, males and females had similar meat diet fractions, but where meat was a smaller portion of the diet, males usually had higher meat diet fractions than females. Females reached 95% of their average adult skull length by 5 years of age, while males took 8 years. Skull width of male grizzly bears increased throughout life, while this trend was slight in females. Skull size increased with the amount of salmon in the diet, but the influence of terrestrial meat on size was inconclusive. We suggest that the amount of salmon in the diet is functionally related to fitness in grizzly bears.
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