Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico
Abstract Sympatric species may overlap in their use of habitat and dietary resources, which can increase competition. Comparing the ecological niches and quantifying the degree of niche overlap among these species can provide insights into the extent of resource overlap. This information can be used...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Wiley
2023-11-01
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Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10741 |
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author | Savannah Weber Joshua A. Cullen Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes |
author_facet | Savannah Weber Joshua A. Cullen Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes |
author_sort | Savannah Weber |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Sympatric species may overlap in their use of habitat and dietary resources, which can increase competition. Comparing the ecological niches and quantifying the degree of niche overlap among these species can provide insights into the extent of resource overlap. This information can be used to guide multispecies management approaches tailored to protect priority habitats that offer the most resources for multiple species. Stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool used to investigate spatial and trophic niches, though few studies have employed this method for comparisons among sympatric marine turtle species. For this study, stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values from epidermis tissue were used to quantify isotopic overlap and compare isotopic niche size in loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) turtles sampled from a shared foraging area located offshore of Crystal River, Florida, USA. Overall, the results revealed high degrees of isotopic overlap (>68%) among species, particularly between loggerhead and Kemp's ridley turtles (85 to 91%), which indicates there may be interspecific competition for resources. Samples from green turtles had the widest range of isotopic values, indicating they exhibit higher variability in diet and habitat type. Samples from loggerhead turtles had the most enriched mean δ34S, suggesting they may forage in slightly different micro‐environments compared with the other species. Finally, samples from Kemp's ridley turtles exhibited the smallest niche size, which is indicative of a narrower use of resources. This is one of the first studies to investigate resource use in a multispecies foraging aggregation of marine turtles using three isotopic tracers. These findings provide a foundation for future research into the foraging ecology of sympatric marine turtle species and can be used to inform effective multispecies management efforts. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:13:52Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-8e6c5336a43d450f929000bbd22908c0 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2045-7758 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:13:52Z |
publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
publisher | Wiley |
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series | Ecology and Evolution |
spelling | doaj.art-8e6c5336a43d450f929000bbd22908c02023-11-29T05:44:08ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582023-11-011311n/an/a10.1002/ece3.10741Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of MexicoSavannah Weber0Joshua A. Cullen1Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes2Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science Florida State University Tallahassee Florida USADepartment of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science Florida State University Tallahassee Florida USADepartment of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Science Florida State University Tallahassee Florida USAAbstract Sympatric species may overlap in their use of habitat and dietary resources, which can increase competition. Comparing the ecological niches and quantifying the degree of niche overlap among these species can provide insights into the extent of resource overlap. This information can be used to guide multispecies management approaches tailored to protect priority habitats that offer the most resources for multiple species. Stable isotope analysis is a valuable tool used to investigate spatial and trophic niches, though few studies have employed this method for comparisons among sympatric marine turtle species. For this study, stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope values from epidermis tissue were used to quantify isotopic overlap and compare isotopic niche size in loggerhead (Caretta caretta), green (Chelonia mydas), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) turtles sampled from a shared foraging area located offshore of Crystal River, Florida, USA. Overall, the results revealed high degrees of isotopic overlap (>68%) among species, particularly between loggerhead and Kemp's ridley turtles (85 to 91%), which indicates there may be interspecific competition for resources. Samples from green turtles had the widest range of isotopic values, indicating they exhibit higher variability in diet and habitat type. Samples from loggerhead turtles had the most enriched mean δ34S, suggesting they may forage in slightly different micro‐environments compared with the other species. Finally, samples from Kemp's ridley turtles exhibited the smallest niche size, which is indicative of a narrower use of resources. This is one of the first studies to investigate resource use in a multispecies foraging aggregation of marine turtles using three isotopic tracers. These findings provide a foundation for future research into the foraging ecology of sympatric marine turtle species and can be used to inform effective multispecies management efforts.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10741foraging ecologymarine turtlesniche overlapstable isotopesulfur isotopesympatric species |
spellingShingle | Savannah Weber Joshua A. Cullen Mariana M. P. B. Fuentes Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico Ecology and Evolution foraging ecology marine turtles niche overlap stable isotope sulfur isotope sympatric species |
title | Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_full | Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_fullStr | Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_full_unstemmed | Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_short | Isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the Gulf of Mexico |
title_sort | isotopic niche overlap among foraging marine turtle species in the gulf of mexico |
topic | foraging ecology marine turtles niche overlap stable isotope sulfur isotope sympatric species |
url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10741 |
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