Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces?
Isotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in faeces is a reliable methodology for studying ecology in wildlife. Here, we tested this technique to detect variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) in two different intrasexual competi...
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2397 |
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| author | Giovanni Vedel Eva de la Peña Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas Juan Carranza |
| author_facet | Giovanni Vedel Eva de la Peña Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas Juan Carranza |
| author_sort | Giovanni Vedel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Isotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in faeces is a reliable methodology for studying ecology in wildlife. Here, we tested this technique to detect variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) in two different intrasexual competition scenarios of male Iberian red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus hispanicus</i>) using faeces of individuals collected during hunting actions in South-eastern Spain. The carbon isotopic ratio (δ<sup>13</sup>C) was not found to be significant, likely due to similar diet composition in all individuals. However, the nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ<sup>15</sup>N) was found to be lower in populations where sexual competition between males during the rut was higher compared to low-competition populations. Therefore, this study suggests a different use of proteins by an individual male red deer depending on the sexually competitive context in which he lives. Although further research is needed, these results show the potential of isotopic analysis as a tool for studying individual and populational variations in the level of intrasexual competition, with implications in evolutionary ecology and population management. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:22:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93188042c6db47f6b3ef53cef3708136 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:22:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-93188042c6db47f6b3ef53cef37081362023-11-18T18:01:51ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-07-011314239710.3390/ani13142397Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces?Giovanni Vedel0Eva de la Peña1Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas2Juan Carranza3Wildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainWildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Agroindustry and Food Quality, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo. Avda. Menéndez Pidal, s/n., 14071 Córdoba, SpainWildlife Research Unit (UiRCP), University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, SpainIsotopic analysis of carbon and nitrogen in faeces is a reliable methodology for studying ecology in wildlife. Here, we tested this technique to detect variations in carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) in two different intrasexual competition scenarios of male Iberian red deer (<i>Cervus elaphus hispanicus</i>) using faeces of individuals collected during hunting actions in South-eastern Spain. The carbon isotopic ratio (δ<sup>13</sup>C) was not found to be significant, likely due to similar diet composition in all individuals. However, the nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ<sup>15</sup>N) was found to be lower in populations where sexual competition between males during the rut was higher compared to low-competition populations. Therefore, this study suggests a different use of proteins by an individual male red deer depending on the sexually competitive context in which he lives. Although further research is needed, these results show the potential of isotopic analysis as a tool for studying individual and populational variations in the level of intrasexual competition, with implications in evolutionary ecology and population management.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2397male-male competitionisotopes analysesfaecesmale red deernutritional stress |
| spellingShingle | Giovanni Vedel Eva de la Peña Jose Manuel Moreno-Rojas Juan Carranza Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? Animals male-male competition isotopes analyses faeces male red deer nutritional stress |
| title | Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? |
| title_full | Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? |
| title_fullStr | Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? |
| title_short | Is the Intrasexual Competition in Male Red Deer Reflected in the Ratio of Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Faeces? |
| title_sort | is the intrasexual competition in male red deer reflected in the ratio of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in faeces |
| topic | male-male competition isotopes analyses faeces male red deer nutritional stress |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/14/2397 |
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