Stable isotopes reveal individual variation in migration strategies and habitat preferences in a suite of seabirds during the nonbreeding period

Phillips, R.A., Bearhop, S., McGill, R. and Dawson, D.A. (2009) Stable isotopes reveal individual variation in migration strategies and habitat preferences in a suite of seabirds during the nonbreeding period. Oecologia, 160(4), pp. 795-806. (doi: 10.1007/s00442-009-1342-9)

Abstract

Information on predator and prey distributions is integral to our understanding of migratory connectivity, food web dynamics and ecosystem structure. In marine systems, although large animals that return to land can be Wtted with tracking devices, minimum instrument sizes preclude deployments on small seabirds that may nevertheless be highly abundant and hence major consumers. An increasingly popular approach is to use N and C stable isotope analysis of feathers sampled at colonies to provide information on distribution and trophic level for the preceding, and generally little-known, nonbreeding period. Despite the burgeoning of this research, there have been few attempts to verify such relationships. In this study, we demonstrate a clear correspondence between isotope ratios of feathers and nonbreeding distributions of seven species from South Georgia tracked using loggers. This generated a rudimentary isoscape that was used to infer the habitat preferences of eight other species ranging in size from storm petrels to albatrosses, and which could be applied, with caveats, in other studies. DiVerences in inferred distribution within and between species had major implications for relative exposure to anthropogenic threats, including climate change and Wsheries. Although there were no diVerences in isotope values between sexes in any of the smaller petrels, mean stable C (13C), but not stable N isotope ratios (15N), tended to be greater in females than males of the larger, and more sexually size-dimorphic species. This indicates a diVerence in C source (distribution), rather than trophic level, and a correspondence between the degree of sexual size dimorphism in Procellariiformes and the level of between-sex niche segregation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: geolocation; isoscape; seabird; sexual segregation; tracking
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McGill, Dr Rona
• Authors: Phillips, R.A., Bearhop, S., McGill, R., and Dawson, D.A.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Oecologia
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0029-8549
• ISSN (Online): 1432-1939
• Published Online: 18 April 2009