Evidence for dietary time series in layers of cetacean skin using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Stable isotope analysis integrates diet information over a time period specific to the type of tissue sampled. For metabolically active skin of free-ranging cetaceans, cells are generated at the basal layer of the skin and migrate outward until they eventually slough off, suggesting potential for a dietary time series.

Methods

Skin samples from cetaceans were analyzed using continuous-flow elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry. We used ANOVAs to compare the variability of δ¹³ C and δ¹⁵ N values within and among layers and columns ("cores") of the skin of a fin, humpback, and sperm whale. We then used mixed-effects models to analyze isotopic variability among layers of 28 sperm whale skin samples, over the course of a season and am

SUBMITTER: Wild LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6097889 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature