Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators
Abstract Sympatric species may partition resources to reduce competition and facilitate co‐existence. While spatial variation and specialization in feeding strategies may be prevalent among large marine predators, studies have focussed on sharks, birds, and marine mammals. We consider for the first...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2019-12-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5779 |
| _version_ | 1818429286882738176 |
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| author | Christina Skinner Aileen C. Mill Steven P. Newman Jason Newton Matthew R. D. Cobain Nicholas V. C. Polunin |
| author_facet | Christina Skinner Aileen C. Mill Steven P. Newman Jason Newton Matthew R. D. Cobain Nicholas V. C. Polunin |
| author_sort | Christina Skinner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Sympatric species may partition resources to reduce competition and facilitate co‐existence. While spatial variation and specialization in feeding strategies may be prevalent among large marine predators, studies have focussed on sharks, birds, and marine mammals. We consider for the first time the isotopic niche partitioning of co‐occurring, teleost reef predators spanning multiple families. Using a novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach, we investigate the feeding strategies of seven of these species across an atoll seascape in the Maldives. We demonstrate substantial spatial variation in resource use of all predator populations. Furthermore, within each area, there was evidence of intraspecific variation in feeding behaviors that could not wholly be attributed to individual body size. Assessing species at the population level will mask these intraspecific differences in resource use. Knowledge of resource use is important for predicting how species will respond to environmental change and spatial variation should be considered when investigating trophic diversity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:15:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bb9683458bd747a3b0c1e6c91d935f4e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-7758 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:15:07Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb9683458bd747a3b0c1e6c91d935f4e2022-12-21T22:56:24ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582019-12-01923132671327710.1002/ece3.5779Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predatorsChristina Skinner0Aileen C. Mill1Steven P. Newman2Jason Newton3Matthew R. D. Cobain4Nicholas V. C. Polunin5School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle UKSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle UKSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle UKNERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre East Kilbride UKSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle UKSchool of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle UKAbstract Sympatric species may partition resources to reduce competition and facilitate co‐existence. While spatial variation and specialization in feeding strategies may be prevalent among large marine predators, studies have focussed on sharks, birds, and marine mammals. We consider for the first time the isotopic niche partitioning of co‐occurring, teleost reef predators spanning multiple families. Using a novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach, we investigate the feeding strategies of seven of these species across an atoll seascape in the Maldives. We demonstrate substantial spatial variation in resource use of all predator populations. Furthermore, within each area, there was evidence of intraspecific variation in feeding behaviors that could not wholly be attributed to individual body size. Assessing species at the population level will mask these intraspecific differences in resource use. Knowledge of resource use is important for predicting how species will respond to environmental change and spatial variation should be considered when investigating trophic diversity.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5779coral reefforagingindividual specializationstable isotopes |
| spellingShingle | Christina Skinner Aileen C. Mill Steven P. Newman Jason Newton Matthew R. D. Cobain Nicholas V. C. Polunin Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators Ecology and Evolution coral reef foraging individual specialization stable isotopes |
| title | Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| title_full | Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| title_fullStr | Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| title_short | Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| title_sort | novel tri isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators |
| topic | coral reef foraging individual specialization stable isotopes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5779 |
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