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Combining isotopic analysis of bulk-skin and individual amino acids to investigate the trophic position and foraging areas of multiple cetacean species in the western South Atlantic
Troina, G.; Riekenberg, P.M.; Van der Meer, M.T.J.; Botta, S.; Dehairs, F.; Secchi, E.R. (2021). Combining isotopic analysis of bulk-skin and individual amino acids to investigate the trophic position and foraging areas of multiple cetacean species in the western South Atlantic. Environ. Res. 201: 111610. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111610
In: Environmental Research. Elsevier: Amsterdam. ISSN 0013-9351; e-ISSN 1096-0953, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Odontoceti Flower, 1867 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Compound-specific stable isotopes; Odontocetes; Nitrogen; South Atlantic Ocean

Authors  Top 
  • Troina, G., more
  • Riekenberg, P.M., more
  • Van der Meer, M.T.J., more
  • Botta, S.
  • Dehairs, F., more
  • Secchi, E.R.

Abstract

    We investigated the trophic structure and habitat use of ten cetacean species occurring in the oceanic waters of the western South Atlantic using naturally-occurring stable isotopes. We analysed δ15N in individual amino acids (AA) to estimate cetacean trophic position (TP) and to evaluate the spatial differences in baseline δ15N (source AAs). We adjusted cetacean bulk-skin δ13C and δ15Nfor the effect of trophic level using their estimated TPs, obtaining δ 13CAdjusted and δ15NAdjusted, respectively. These values were applied to estimate the overlap in the niche areas of cetacean baseline sources. Our analyses showed spatial segregation between Steno bredanensis and the remaining odontocetes, and the high δ15N in this species reflects its occurrence in neritic waters of the southern region. The highest TPs were observed in Physeter macrocephalus, Stenella attenuataand Globicephala melas, while the lowest TPs were reported for S. longirostris, S. clymene and Orcinus orca. Overall, source AA-δ15N showed similar patterns as those of baseline-δ15N (zooplankton) and were higher in species sampledin the southernmost region of the study area (e.g.,Delphinus delphis). Isotopic niche areas estimated using δ 13CAdjusted and δ15NAdjustedsuggested high overlap in foraging area between S. frontalis and Tursiops truncatus, with the latter occupying a higher TP. Our analyses of δ15N in AAs provide a unique insight into the trophic ecology, forage areas and spatial segregation in resource use amongthese cetacean populations. Additionally, our work provides AA-δ 15N baseline for future studies on the trophic ecology and habitat use of marine organisms in the western South Atlantic.


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