A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean
Abstract Background Precise and accurate retrospective geolocation of marine predators via their tissues’ isotopic composition relies on quality reference maps of relevant isotopic gradients (“isoscapes”). Additionally, a good working knowledge of any discrimination factors that may offset a marine...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Movement Ecology |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-020-00208-8 |
| _version_ | 1818244727514857472 |
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| author | Tegan Carpenter-Kling Pierre Pistorius Ryan Reisinger Yves Cherel Maëlle Connan |
| author_facet | Tegan Carpenter-Kling Pierre Pistorius Ryan Reisinger Yves Cherel Maëlle Connan |
| author_sort | Tegan Carpenter-Kling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Precise and accurate retrospective geolocation of marine predators via their tissues’ isotopic composition relies on quality reference maps of relevant isotopic gradients (“isoscapes”). Additionally, a good working knowledge of any discrimination factors that may offset a marine predator’s isotopic composition from baseline isotopic values, as well as tissue specific retention rates, are imperative. We provide a critical assessment of inter-specific differences among marine predator-level isoscapes within the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. Methods We combined fine-scale GPS tracking data and concurrent blood plasma δ13C and δ15N values of eight seabird species (three albatross, two giant petrel and three penguin species) breeding at Marion Island to produce species- and guild-specific isoscapes. Results Overall, our study revealed latitudinal spatial gradients in both δ13C and δ15N for far-ranging seabirds (albatrosses and giant petrels) as well as inshore-offshore gradients for near-ranging seabirds (penguins). However, at the species level, latitudinal spatial gradients were not reflected in the δ13C and δ15N isoscapes of two and three, respectively, of the five far-ranging species studied. It is therefore important when possible to estimate and apply species-specific isoscapes or have a good understanding of any factors and pathways affecting marine predators’ isotopic composition when estimating the foraging distribution of marine predators via their tissues’ stable isotope compositions. Conclusions Using a multi-species approach, we provide evidence of large and regional scale systematic spatial variability of δ13C and δ15N at the base of the marine food web that propagates through trophic levels and is reflected in the isotopic composition of top predators’ tissues. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T14:21:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-02675caff4ff41c8a5c43d80b6216edf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2051-3933 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T14:21:37Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Movement Ecology |
| spelling | doaj.art-02675caff4ff41c8a5c43d80b6216edf2022-12-22T00:21:47ZengBMCMovement Ecology2051-39332020-06-018111810.1186/s40462-020-00208-8A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian OceanTegan Carpenter-Kling0Pierre Pistorius1Ryan Reisinger2Yves Cherel3Maëlle Connan4Marine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela UniversityMarine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela UniversityMarine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela UniversityCentre d’Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle UniversitéMarine Apex Predator Research Unit (MAPRU), Department of Zoology, Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela UniversityAbstract Background Precise and accurate retrospective geolocation of marine predators via their tissues’ isotopic composition relies on quality reference maps of relevant isotopic gradients (“isoscapes”). Additionally, a good working knowledge of any discrimination factors that may offset a marine predator’s isotopic composition from baseline isotopic values, as well as tissue specific retention rates, are imperative. We provide a critical assessment of inter-specific differences among marine predator-level isoscapes within the Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean. Methods We combined fine-scale GPS tracking data and concurrent blood plasma δ13C and δ15N values of eight seabird species (three albatross, two giant petrel and three penguin species) breeding at Marion Island to produce species- and guild-specific isoscapes. Results Overall, our study revealed latitudinal spatial gradients in both δ13C and δ15N for far-ranging seabirds (albatrosses and giant petrels) as well as inshore-offshore gradients for near-ranging seabirds (penguins). However, at the species level, latitudinal spatial gradients were not reflected in the δ13C and δ15N isoscapes of two and three, respectively, of the five far-ranging species studied. It is therefore important when possible to estimate and apply species-specific isoscapes or have a good understanding of any factors and pathways affecting marine predators’ isotopic composition when estimating the foraging distribution of marine predators via their tissues’ stable isotope compositions. Conclusions Using a multi-species approach, we provide evidence of large and regional scale systematic spatial variability of δ13C and δ15N at the base of the marine food web that propagates through trophic levels and is reflected in the isotopic composition of top predators’ tissues.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-020-00208-8GeolocationStable isotope ecologySouthern OceanSeabirdsProcellariiformesPenguins |
| spellingShingle | Tegan Carpenter-Kling Pierre Pistorius Ryan Reisinger Yves Cherel Maëlle Connan A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean Movement Ecology Geolocation Stable isotope ecology Southern Ocean Seabirds Procellariiformes Penguins |
| title | A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean |
| title_full | A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean |
| title_fullStr | A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean |
| title_full_unstemmed | A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean |
| title_short | A critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern Indian Ocean |
| title_sort | critical assessment of marine predator isoscapes within the southern indian ocean |
| topic | Geolocation Stable isotope ecology Southern Ocean Seabirds Procellariiformes Penguins |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40462-020-00208-8 |
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