scholarly journals Manta birostris , predator of the deep? Insight into the diet of the giant manta ray through stable isotope analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 160717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine B. Burgess ◽  
Lydie I. E. Couturier ◽  
Andrea D. Marshall ◽  
Anthony J. Richardson ◽  
Scarla J. Weeks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Manta Birostris ◽  
Elusive Species ◽  
Manta Ray

The characterization of diet for the giant manta ray Manta birostris has been problematic given their large-scale movement patterns and the difficulty in obtaining stomach contents from this species. The large majority of existing information is based on observational data limited to feeding events at the sea surface during daylight. Recently discovered aggregation sites for the giant manta ray off mainland Ecuador are some of the most accessible to date and provide a unique opportunity for researchers to gather much needed information on this elusive species. To assess how important surface zooplankton is to giant manta ray diet, we conducted stable isotope analysis ( 15 N and 13 C) on M. birostris muscle and surface zooplankton. Trophic position estimates placed M. birostris overall at a secondary consumer level of approximately 3.4 but there was large variation in δ 15 N and δ 13 C values among individuals. Manta birostris muscle tissue δ 13 C values were also not consistent with this species feeding predominantly on surface zooplankton and suggest that the majority of dietary intake is of mesopelagic origin. Given the conservative life history and fisheries pressure on large planktivores, knowledge of their trophic role and foraging strategies is essential to better understand their ecology and develop effective conservation measures.

Use of epidermal mucus in elasmobranch stable isotope studies: a pilot study using the giant manta ray (Manta birostris)

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 336 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. Burgess ◽  
M. Guerrero ◽  
A. J. Richardson ◽  
M. B. Bennett ◽  
A. D. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Δ13c Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Manta Birostris ◽  
Epidermal Mucus ◽  
Manta Ray

Stable isotope analysis of tissues with different turnover rates allows for a broader temporal view of a species’ feeding habits. Epidermal mucus is a rapid to medium turnover ‘tissue’ in teleost fish, but its use in elasmobranch dietary studies is unknown. In the present study, we conducted stable isotope analysis on mucus and muscle from the giant manta ray Manta birostris. Mucus δ13C values were depleted and closer to surface zooplankton δ13C values compared with muscle, whereas there was no significant difference in δ15N values between these two tissue types. Using diet tissue discrimination factors from the literature, there was no significant difference in the expected prey profile between muscle and epidermal mucus. However, a broader range in δ13C values of expected prey was shown for mucus compared with muscle. The results suggest that if M. birostris mucus is indicative of recent dietary intake, resource use during aggregative behaviour off Ecuador is broader, but with no obvious resource switching. The present study is the first example of using bulk stable isotope analysis to evaluate mucus to investigate feeding ecology in elasmobranchs. However, the time course for the change in mucus isotope signature still needs to be determined through controlled feeding studies in an aquarium setting.

scholarly journals Subcolony Variation in Breeding Success in the Tufted Puffin (Fratercula Cirrhata): Association With Foraging Ecology and Implications

The Auk ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 1149-1157
Author(s):  
J. Mark Hipfner ◽  
Mathieu R. Charette ◽  
Gwylim S. Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Breeding Success ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Foraging Ecology ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Egg Yolk ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Tufted Puffin

Abstract Large-scale oceanographic processes are the main drivers of seabird breeding success, but small-scale processes, though not as well understood, can also be important. We compared the success of Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) breeding at two subcolonies only 1.5 km apart on Triangle Island, British Columbia, Canada, 2002–2005. In addition, we used stable-isotope analysis to test the hypothesis that parental foraging strategies differed between the two subcolonies, potentially underlying the variation in breeding success. Success was concordant across years at the two sites but, overall, Tufted Puffins bred more successfully at Strata Rock than at Puffin Rock. They raised chicks in all four years at Strata Rock, but in only three years at Puffin Rock; in two of those three years, Strata Rock chicks were, on average, 60 g and 100 g heavier than Puffin Rock chicks just before fledging. Discriminant analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable-isotope ratios in egg yolk and chick blood in 2004 and 2005 indicated that parental foraging differed between the two subcolonies, with both spatial (δ13C) and trophic-level (δ15N) differences involved. Thus, our study demonstrates the existence of foraging asymmetries in a pelagic seabird at a small spatial scale (between subcolonies), complementing patterns found at larger scales (between colonies). Moreover, the foraging asymmetries were associated with inequalities in fitness measures. We conclude that small-scale processes—in this case, systematic differences in the foraging ecology of local groups—can interact with large-scale oceanographic processes to determine seabird breeding success. Variation sous-coloniale du succès de reproduction de Fratercula cirrhata: Association avec l'écologie de la quête alimentaire et implications

scholarly journals Feeding Ecology of Three Euphausiid Species in the North Pacific Ocean Inferred From 18S V9 Metabarcoding and Stable Isotope Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fanyu Zhou ◽  
Junya Hirai ◽  
Koji Hamasaki ◽  
Sachiko Horii ◽  
Atsushi Tsuda
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

Euphausiids are abundant micronekton and important links between higher and lower trophic levels in marine ecosystems; however, their detailed diets cannot be fully understood by conventional microscopy, especially in subtropical areas. Here, we report the euphausiid community structure in the California Current (CC) area and the eastern/western North Pacific subtropical gyre (ESG and WSG) and detail the feeding ecology of the dominant species (Euphausia pacifica, E. brevis, and E. hemigibba) in each region using a combined approach of gut content analysis via 18S V9 metabarcoding and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis. A pronounced omnivorous feeding of all studied euphausiid species was supported by both methods: phytoplanktonic taxonomic groups (Dinophyta, Stramenopiles, and Archaeplastida), Copepoda, and Hydrozoa were detected in the gut contents; all the three euphausiid species displayed an intermediate trophic position between the net plankton (0.2–1.0 mm) and the myctophid fish (15.2–85.5 mm). However, Hydrozoa found in euphausiid gut contents likely derived from a potential cod-end feeding, based on isotope analysis. E. pacifica in the CC province ingested more autotrophic prey, including pelagophyte and green algae, due to a greater abundance of Stramenopiles and Archaeplastida in shallow layers of CC water. On the other hand, non-autotrophic prey such as mixotrophic Kareniaceae dinoflagellates, Pontellidae and Clausocalanidae copepods, and Sphaerozoidae rhizarian contributed more to the diets of E. brevis and E. hemigibba because of a lower chlorophyll a concentration or potentially a scarcity of autotrophic prey availability in ESG and WSG. The feeding patterns of dominant euphausiid species conducting filter feeding were thus largely determined by phytoplankton prey availability in the environments. Dietary difference across three species was also indicated by stable isotope analysis, with a lower mean trophic level of E. pacifica (2.32) than E. brevis (2.48) and E. hemigibba (2.57). These results verify direct trophic interactions between euphausiids and primary production and suggest that the omnivorous feeding habit is a favorable character for dominant Euphausia species.

scholarly journals Diet of invasive pikeperch Sander lucioperca: developing non-destructive tissue sampling for stable isotope analysis with comparisons to stomach contents analysis

2018 ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma T. Nolan ◽  
J. Robert Britton
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Prey Size ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Sander Lucioperca ◽  
Destructive Sampling ◽  
Stomach Contents Analysis ◽  
Non Destructive ◽  
Dietary Analyses

Impact assessments of invasive piscivorous fishes usually rely on dietary analyses to quantify their predation pressure on prey communities. Stomach contents analysis (SCA), typically a destructive sampling method, is frequently used for this. However, many invasive piscivores are exploited by catch-and-release sport angling, with destructive sampling often not feasible. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) provides an alternative dietary analysis tool to SCA, with use of fin tissue, scales and/or epidermal mucus potentially enabling its non-destructive application. Here, the diet of a population of pikeperch Sander lucioperca, an invasive sport fish to Great Britain, was investigated by applying SIA to a range of tissues. Testing SI data of dorsal muscle (destructive sampling) versus fin, scale and mucus (non-destructive sampling) revealed highly significant relationships, indicating that the tissues collected non-destructively can be reliably applied to pikeperch diet assessments. Application of these SI data to Bayesian mixing models predicted that as S. lucioperca length increased, their diet shifted from macro-invertebrates to fish. Although similar ontogenetic patterns were evident in SCA, this was inhibited by 54% of fish having empty stomachs. Nevertheless, SCA revealed that as S. lucioperca length increased, their prey size significantly increased. However, the prey:predator length ratios ranged between 0.08 and 0.38, indicating most prey were relatively small. These results suggest that when non-destructive sampling is required for dietary analyses of sport fishes, SIA can be applied using fin, scales and/ or mucus. However, where destructive sampling has been completed, SCA provides complementary dietary insights, especially in relation to prey size.

scholarly journals Trophic Relations of the Red-Necked Grebe on Lakes in the Western Boreal Forest: A Stable-Isotope Analysis

The Condor ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 638-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Paszkowski ◽  
Beverly A. Gingras ◽  
Kayedon Wilcox ◽  
Paul H. Klatt ◽  
William M. Tonn
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Gut Contents ◽  
Isotopic Ratios ◽  
Trophic Relations ◽  
Podiceps Grisegena

Abstract We compared trophic ecology of grebes inferred from stable-isotope analysis to that from gut contents, and compared isotopic ratios of Red-necked Grebes (Podiceps grisegena) from lakes differing in their food webs. Analyses of different grebe tissues (egg yolk and albumen, pectoral and leg muscle, breast and primary feathers) also allowed us to assess the effectiveness of these tissues at representing grebe trophic relations. Isotopic ratios from pectoral and leg muscles were similar, based on comparisons within individual birds. Enriched values of δ15N and δ13C suggested that breast and primary feathers were molted over winter, and therefore reflected a marine food web. Albumen and yolk of grebe eggs and muscle tissues from downy chicks, however, matched isotopic characteristics of the local food web, indicating that female Red-necked Grebes use nutrients from the breeding lake for egg formation. Eggs, therefore, can provide excellent material for isotopic analysis aimed at assessing trophic relations of Red-necked Grebes on breeding lakes. Gut contents and stable isotopes both indicated that grebes from lakes with fish consumed a mixed diet of fish and macroinvertebrates and occupied the highest trophic level, at or above the level of piscivorous fishes. In contrast, grebes from lakes lacking fish occupied a lower trophic position. Relaciones Tróficas de Podiceps grisegena en Lagos del Bosque Boreal del Oeste: Un Análisis de Isótopos Estables Resumen. Comparamos la ecología trófica de Podiceps inferida a partir de análisis de isótopos estables con la de contenidos estomacales y comparamos las relaciones isotópicas de P. grisegena entre lagos que difieren en sus redes tróficas. Los análisis de diferentes tejidos de P. grisegena (yema y albumen del huevo, músculo pectoral y de la pierna, plumas del pecho y primarias) también nos permitieron evaluar la efectividad de estos tejidos para representar las relaciones tróficas de P. grisegena. Las relaciones isotópicas de los músculos pectorales y de las piernas basadas en comparaciones realizadas para cada ave individual fueron similares. Valores enriquecidos de δ15N y δ13C sugirieron que las aves mudaron las plumas del pecho y las primarias durante el invierno, y por lo tanto reflejaron una red trófica marina. El albumen y la yema del huevo de P. grisegena y los tejidos musculares de pichones emplumados, sin embargo, coincidieron con las características isotópicas de la red alimenticia local, indicando que las hembras de P. grisegena usan nutrientes del lago donde nidifican para la formación de los huevos. Los huevos, por lo tanto, pueden constituir un material excelente para análisis isotópicos centrados en evaluar las relaciones tróficas de P. grisegena en los lagos donde se reproducen. Los contenidos estomacales y los isótopos estables indicaron que los individuos de P. grisegena provenientes de lagos con peces consumieron una dieta mixta de peces y macroinvertebrados y ocuparon la posición trófica más alta, al mismo nivel o por arriba de los peces piscívoros. En contraste, los individuos provenientes de lagos sin peces ocuparon una posición trófica menor.

Stable isotope analysis reveals feeding ecology and trophic position of black marlin off eastern Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 104821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Chuan Chiang ◽  
Ching-Tsun Chang ◽  
Daniel J. Madigan ◽  
Aaron B. Carlisle ◽  
Michael K. Musyl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis

scholarly journals Connecting laboratory behavior to field function through stable isotope analysis

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mael G Glon ◽  
Eric R Larson ◽  
Kevin L Pangle
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Field Function

Inherent difficulties of tracking and observing organisms in the field often leave researchers with no choice but to conduct behavioral experiments under laboratory settings. However, results of laboratory experiments do not always translate accurately to natural conditions. A fundamental challenge in ecology is therefore to scale up from small area and short-duration laboratory experiments to large areas and long-durations over which ecological processes generally operate. In this study, we propose that stable isotope analysis may be a tool that can link laboratory behavioral observations to past field interactions or function of individual organisms. We conducted laboratory behavioral assays to measure dominance of invasive rusty crayfish, Orconectes rusticus, and used stable isotope analysis to hindcast trophic positions of these crayfish under preceding natural conditions. We hypothesized that more dominant crayfish in our assays would have higher trophic positions if dominance were related to competitive ability or willingness to pursue high-risk, high-reward prey. We did not find a relationship between crayfish dominance and trophic position, and therefore infer that laboratory dominance of crayfish may not necessarily relate to their ecology in the field. However, this is to our knowledge the first attempt to directly relate laboratory behavior to field performance via stable isotope analysis. We encourage future studies to continue to explore a possible link between laboratory and field behavior via stable isotope analysis, and propose several avenues to do so.

Stable isotope analysis of eye lenses from invasive lionfish yields record of resource use

2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. 181-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
JS Curtis ◽  
MA Albins ◽  
EB Peebles ◽  
CD Stallings
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Life Histories ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Eye Lens ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Individual Fish ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Patterns of stable isotopes recorded in metabolically stable, serially synthesized, structures such as eye lenses can yield robust descriptions of resource use across the life histories of individual fish. We performed stable isotope analysis of eye lenses sampled from invasive lionfishes Pterois spp. and a potentially competitive native mesopredator, the graysby Cephalopholis cruentata, to compare lifelong patterns of trophic resource use on a coral reef ledge in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA. In both lionfishes and graysby, stable isotope values increased logarithmically with eye-lens radius, likely reflecting increases in trophic position with growth. Tissue samples toward the interior of the lens were the most isotopically similar between lionfish and graysby, suggesting interspecific resource use overlap may be strongest in smaller fish. We observed substantial variation in isotopic chronologies around the underlying logarithmic trend within individual fish, potentially driven by patterns of movement across measured environmental isotopic gradients, intraspecific variation in resource use specificity, or other ecological variables of interest. These results are the first to describe patterns of size-structured resource use across the life of individual lionfish, an important objective for researchers studying the interactions of this highly invasive species with the surrounding ecological communities. Additionally, through this example, we illustrate analytical approaches and considerations for the application of eye-lens stable isotope analysis to the study of vertebrate ecology.

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