Intra-specific Niche Partitioning in Antarctic Fur Seals, Arctocephalus gazella.

ABSTRACT: Competition for resources within a population can lead to niche partitioning between sexes, throughout ontogeny and among individuals, allowing con-specifics to co-exist. We aimed to quantify such partitioning in Antarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus gazella, breeding at South Georgia, which hosts ~95% of the world's population. Whiskers were collected from 20 adult males and 20 adult females and stable isotope ratios were quantified every 5 mm along the length of each whisker. Nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) were used as proxies for trophic position and carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) indicated foraging habitat. Sexual segregation was evident: δ¹³C values were significantly lower in males than females, indicating males spent more time foraging south of the Polar

SUBMITTER: Jones KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7039921 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature