Intrapopulation variability in the timing of ontogenetic habitat shifts in sea turtles revealed using δ¹⁵ N values from bone growth rings.

ABSTRACT: Determining location and timing of ontogenetic shifts in the habitat use of highly migratory species, along with possible intrapopulation variation in these shifts, is essential for understanding mechanisms driving alternate life histories and assessing overall population trends. Measuring variations in multi-year habitat-use patterns is especially difficult for remote oceanic species. To investigate the potential for differential habitat use among migratory marine vertebrates, we measured the naturally occurring stable nitrogen isotope (δ¹⁵ N) patterns that differentiate distinct ocean regions to create a 'regional isotope characterization', analysed the δ¹⁵ N values from annual bone growth layer rings from dead-stranded animals, and then combined the bone and region

SUBMITTER: Turner Tomaszewicz CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5386798 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature