Pubblicazione scientifica

Novel tri‐isotope ellipsoid approach reveals dietary variation in sympatric predators

FILONE TECNOLOGICO	TEMA
economia circolare e sostenibilità

RIASSUNTO

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.

DATA

Data di pubblicazione: 04/11/2019

AUTORI

SKINNER CHRISTINA
MILL AILEEN C
NEWMAN STEVEN P
NEWTON JASON
COBAIN MATTHEW R D
POLUNIN NICHOLAS V C

ENTE DI AFFERENZA

SCHOOL OF NATURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES NEWCASTLE UNIV NEWCASTLE UK
BANYAN TREE MARINE LAB VABBINFARU REPUBLIC MALDIVES
NERC LIFE SCIENCES MASS SPECTROMETRY FACILITY SCOTTISH UNIV ENVIRONMENTAL RSCH CTR EAST KILBRIDE UK

RIVISTA

Ecology and Evolution, 9(23), 13267-13277

IMPACT FACTOR

2,540

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