Chronologically sampled flight feathers permits recognition of individual molt-migrants due to varying protein sources.

ABSTRACT: This is a proof of concept paper based on chronological samples of growing feathers from geese thought to be molt-migrants. When molt-migrant birds initiate molt shortly after migrating to a new isoscape, isotope values measured along the length of their feathers should change continuously. To assess long-term changes and daily cycling in δ (15)N and δ (13)C values, we serially sampled a growing primary from three presumed molt-migrant geese. Two showed changing δ (15)N signatures along the length of their growing primary, indicating they were molt-migrants, while the third, presumably a resident, showed no change. We then resampled these feathers at closer intervals for evidence of the predicted diel cycle in the use of exogenous and endogenous protein for feather growth, generated by the

SUBMITTER: Rohwer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4312066 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature