The marine side of a terrestrial carnivore: intra-population variation in use of allochthonous resources by arctic foxes.

ABSTRACT: Inter-individual variation in diet within generalist animal populations is thought to be a widespread phenomenon but its potential causes are poorly known. Inter-individual variation can be amplified by the availability and use of allochthonous resources, i.e., resources coming from spatially distinct ecosystems. Using a wild population of arctic fox as a study model, we tested hypotheses that could explain variation in both population and individual isotopic niches, used here as proxy for the trophic niche. The arctic fox is an opportunistic forager, dwelling in terrestrial and marine environments characterized by strong spatial (arctic-nesting birds) and temporal (cyclic lemmings) fluctuations in resource abundance. First, we tested the hypothesis that generalist foraging habits, in asso

SUBMITTER: Tarroux A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3411752 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature