Using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes to infer trophic relationships among black and grizzly bears in the upper Columbia River basin, British Columbia

2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1332-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A Hobson ◽  
Bruce N McLellan ◽  
John G Woods
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Columbia River ◽  
Black Bears ◽  
Columbia River Basin ◽  
Grizzly Bears ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Convenient Means

Ecological segregation of species is difficult to determine using conventional dietary analysis techniques. However, stable-isotope analysis may provide a convenient means of establishing trophic segregation of species and of groups of animals within a species in the same area. We measured stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values in hair of black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) inhabiting the upper Columbia River basin in southeastern British Columbia, together with samples of potential foods ranging from plant material through invertebrates and ungulate meat. We found extensive overlap in both δ15N and δ13C values of hair from male grizzly bears and black bears of both sexes. Female grizzly bears, however, had lower δ15N values in their hair than the other groups of bears, indicating either less animal protein in their diet or a reliance on foods more depleted in 15N, possibly related to altitude. Our isotopic model generally confirmed a herbivorous diet for both bear species (a mean estimated plant contribution of 91%). Bears showing the highest δ15N values were those captured because they posed a management problem. We suggest that the slope of the relationship between tissue δ15N and δ13C values might provide a convenient means of evaluating the occurrence of consumption of animal protein in populations, regardless of local isotopic end-points for dietary samples. We examined three black bear cubs from dens and found them to be about a trophic level higher than adult females, reflecting their dependence on mother's milk, a result generally confirmed by an analysis of eight mother-cub pairs from Minnesota. Our study demonstrates how stable-isotope analysis of bear tissue can be used to monitor the feeding habits of populations, as well as provide dietary histories that may reveal dietary specializations among individuals.

Diet of spotted bats (Euderma maculatum) in Arizona as indicated by fecal analysis and stable isotopes

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 865-875 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Painter ◽  
C. L. Chambers ◽  
M. Siders ◽  
R. R. Doucett ◽  
J. O. Whitaker, Jr. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Fecal Analysis ◽  
Insect Prey ◽  
Wing Hair

We assessed diet of spotted bats ( Euderma maculatum (J.A. Allen, 1891)) by visual analysis of bat feces and stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope analysis of bat feces, wing, hair, and insect prey. We collected 33 fecal samples from spotted bats and trapped 3755 insects where bats foraged. Lepidopterans averaged 99.6% of feces by volume; other insects were not a major component of diet. The δ13C and δ15N values of bat feces were similar to those of moths from families Noctuidae (N), Lasiocampidae (L), and Geometridae (G), but differed from Arctiidae (A) and Sphingidae (S). We used a mixing model to reconstruct diet; three families (N, L, G) represented the majority (88%–100%) of the diet with A + S representing 0%–12%. Although we compared δ13C and δ15N values of wing, hair, and feces of spotted bats, feces best represented recent diet; wing and hair were more enriched than feces by 3‰ and 6‰, respectively. This pattern was consistent with that reported for other bat species. We suggest that spotted bats persist across a wide latitudinal gradient partly because they can forage on a variety of noctuid, geometrid, and lasiocampid moths. Using visual fecal inspection with stable isotope analysis provided information on families of moths consumed by an uncommon bat species.

scholarly journals Isotopic reconstruction of Proboscidean habitats and diets on enigmatic island of Sulawesi

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 79-80
Author(s):  
Mika Rizki Puspaningrum ◽  
Allan R. Chivas ◽  
Iwan Kurniawan ◽  
Unggul P. Wibowo ◽  
Yahdi Zaim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Early Pleistocene ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Biogeographic History ◽  
Closed Canopy ◽  
Pleistocene Sediment

Sulawesi is known for its complex geological and biogeographic history, which is reflected in their extinct and extant faunal assemblage. Evidence of oldest terrestrial fauna in Sulawesi was found in the Early Pleistocene sediment and evolved since then. Despite being mostly isolated from the mainland Southeast Asia; four successive Proboscidean taxa have been found from the southern part of the island. The four taxa are: Stegoloxodon celebensis, Stegodon sompoensis, Stegodon sp. B, and cf. Palaeoloxodon namadicus, in which respective taxa are included in successive faunal stages. The aim of this research is to reconstruct the diet and palaeoenvironment of these Proboscidean taxa by incorporating stable isotope analysis with the fossil faunal record, geology, and stratigraphy. Stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis were especially used in this study. Our result suggests that Stegoloxodon celebensis and Stegodon sompoensis were flexible feeders and were able to adapt to different niches, from closed canopy forest to open vegetation, while the diets of Stegodon sp. B, Celebochoerus heekereni and cf. Palaeoloxodon namadicus suggest that they were more specialized.

Climate and Habitat Reconstruction Using Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Collagen in Prehistoric Herbivore Teeth from Kenya

1989 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley H. Ambrose ◽  
Michael J. DeNiro
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Rift Valley ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Isotope Ratios ◽  
Habitat Conditions ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen

AbstractStable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios have been determined for tooth collagen of 27 prehistoric herbivores from a rock shelter in the central Rift Valley of Kenya. Collagen samples whose isotope ratios were not altered by diagenesis were identified using several analytical methods. During the later Holocene, when the climate was as dry or drier than at present, the isotopic compositions of individual animals are similar to those of modern individuals of the same species. During the earlier Holocene, when the climate was wetter than at present, the δ15N and δ13C values are lower than those for their modern counterparts. When diagenetic factors can be discounted and adequate modern comparative data are available, stable isotope analysis of herbivore teeth and bones can be used to evaluate prehistoric climate and habitat conditions.

scholarly journals Variation in Hydrogen Stable-Isotope Ratios Between Adult and Nestling Cooper's Hawks

The Condor ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Meehan ◽  
Robert N. Rosenfield ◽  
Viorel N. Atudorei ◽  
John Bielefeldt ◽  
Laura J. Rosenfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
North Dakota ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Stable Isotope Ratios ◽  
Accipiter Cooperii ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
Para Determinar ◽  
Cooper's Hawks

AbstractHydrogen stable-isotope analysis of feathers is an increasingly popular method for estimating the origins of migrating and wintering birds. Use of this method requires that investigators know which feathers are grown on breeding grounds and how the hydrogen stable-isotope ratios of feathers (δDf) relate to those of local precipitation (δDp). In this study, we measured δDf of adult (primaries 1, 3, and 10) and nestling Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and British Columbia, Canada. As previously shown, δDf of nestling feathers were related to δDp. In contrast, the δDf of adult feathers grown on the breeding grounds were substantially greater than those of their nestlings, and varied significantly across primary feathers and study areas. Our findings suggest that it is not possible to use hydrogen stable-isotope analysis of feathers to learn the origins of migrating adult Cooper's Hawks (or possibly adults of other large-bodied species with extended molting periods) until more is learned about the physiological or ecological mechanisms underlying these isotopic discrepancies.Variación en las Proporciones de Isótopos Estables de Hidrógeno entre Adultos y Polluelos de Accipiter cooperiiResumen. El análisis de isótopos estables de hidrógeno en las plumas es un método cada vez más popular para determinar el origen de aves migratorias e invernantes. El uso de esta técnica requiere que el investigador conozca qué plumas crecen en los lugares de nidificación y cómo las proporciones de isótopos estables de hidrógeno de las plumas (δDf) se relacionan con aquellas de la precipitación local (δDp). En este estudio, medimos las δDf en adultos (primarias 1, 3 y 10) y en polluelos de Accipiter cooperii en Wisconsin, North Dakota y British Columbia, Canadá. Como se ha mostrado previamente, las δDf de plumas de polluelos se encontraban relacionadas con las δDp. Por el contrario, las δDf de plumas de adultos que crecieron en los lugares de nidificación fueron substancialmente mayores que aquellas de sus polluelos, y variaron significativamente entre plumas primarias y áreas de estudio. Nuestros resultados sugieren que no es posible utilizar el análisis de isótopos estables de hidrógeno de plumas para determinar el origen de adultos migratorios de A. cooperii (o de adultos de otras especies de aves con tamaños corporales grandes y con períodos de muda extendidos) hasta que los mecanismos ecológicos y fisiológicos que subyacen a estas discrepancias isotópicas sean mejor entendidos.

Use of stable isotope analysis to identify food-conditioned grizzly bears on Alaska's North Slope

Ursus ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torsten W. Bentzen ◽  
Richard T. Shideler ◽  
Todd M. O'Hara
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
North Slope ◽  
Grizzly Bears

scholarly journals Diets of impala from Kruger National Park: evidence from stable carbon isotopes

Koedoe ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sponheimer ◽  
C.C. Grant ◽  
D.J. De Ruiter ◽  
J.A. Lee-Thorp ◽  
D.M. Codron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Stable Isotope Analysis ◽  
National Park ◽  
Stable Carbon Isotopes ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Stable Carbon ◽  
Dietary Flexibility ◽  
Males And Females

Impala are known to exhibit dietary flexibility, relying primarily on browse in some areas and graze in others. In this study we use stable isotope analysis of faeces and hair to examine the diets of Impala in Kruger National Park. As expected, the data show that Impala are mixed-feeders and highly distinct from grazing buffalo and browsing kudu. Moreover, Impala, Buffalo, and Kudu faeces contain 2.1 %, 1.4 %, and 2.9 % nitrogen respectively, suggesting that Impala diets are of intermediate quality. There are also marked differences between Impala populations in the northern and southern regions of the park. The northern Impala graze less than their southern counterparts. This difference probably reflects decreased availability of herbaceous forage in the mopane-dominated north. Males and females also have different diets, with males grazing more than females.

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