Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders
Abstract Understanding the ecological consequences of supplemental feeding to both hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate is complicated by logistical challenges associated with assessing relative dietary resource use with commonly applied observational methods. Here, we describe the results of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9799 |
| _version_ | 1797894200941871104 |
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| author | Nathan Wolf T. Scott Smeltz Craig Cook Carlos Martinez del Rio |
| author_facet | Nathan Wolf T. Scott Smeltz Craig Cook Carlos Martinez del Rio |
| author_sort | Nathan Wolf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Understanding the ecological consequences of supplemental feeding to both hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate is complicated by logistical challenges associated with assessing relative dietary resource use with commonly applied observational methods. Here, we describe the results of research conducted to assess the relative use of feeder and flower nectar by Broad‐tailed (Selasphorus platycercus) and Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) using two distinct methodological variations to measure the δ13C values of exhaled CO2. Because of the relatively quick time in which both species switch from exogenous to endogenous resources to fuel metabolism, our experiment allowed us to assess resource use at two timescales. Our results suggest variability in the relative contributions of the two dietary sources within and among species and timescales, with most birds employing a mixture of feeder and flower sugars as fuel sources. This diversity in relative resource use may mitigate potential negative effects of supplemental feeding on hummingbirds and their plant symbionts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:05:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86721806a86e4814bf8f49b68af4a2ed |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T07:05:05Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-86721806a86e4814bf8f49b68af4a2ed2023-02-27T08:56:39ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-02-01132n/an/a10.1002/ece3.9799Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feedersNathan Wolf0T. Scott Smeltz1Craig Cook2Carlos Martinez del Rio3FAST Laboratory Alaska Pacific University Anchorage Alaska USAFAST Laboratory Alaska Pacific University Anchorage Alaska USAUniversity of Wyoming Stable Isotope Facility, University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USADepartment of Zoology and Physiology University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USAAbstract Understanding the ecological consequences of supplemental feeding to both hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate is complicated by logistical challenges associated with assessing relative dietary resource use with commonly applied observational methods. Here, we describe the results of research conducted to assess the relative use of feeder and flower nectar by Broad‐tailed (Selasphorus platycercus) and Rufous hummingbirds (Selasphorus rufus) using two distinct methodological variations to measure the δ13C values of exhaled CO2. Because of the relatively quick time in which both species switch from exogenous to endogenous resources to fuel metabolism, our experiment allowed us to assess resource use at two timescales. Our results suggest variability in the relative contributions of the two dietary sources within and among species and timescales, with most birds employing a mixture of feeder and flower sugars as fuel sources. This diversity in relative resource use may mitigate potential negative effects of supplemental feeding on hummingbirds and their plant symbionts.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9799breathfeederhummingbirdpollinatorstable isotopesδ13C |
| spellingShingle | Nathan Wolf T. Scott Smeltz Craig Cook Carlos Martinez del Rio Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders Ecology and Evolution breath feeder hummingbird pollinator stable isotopes δ13C |
| title | Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| title_full | Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| title_fullStr | Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| title_short | Using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| title_sort | using stable isotopes in hummingbird breath to estimate reliance on supplemental feeders |
| topic | breath feeder hummingbird pollinator stable isotopes δ13C |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9799 |
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