Complementary use of stable isotopes and fatty acids for quantitative diet estimation of sympatric predators, the Antarctic pack-ice seals.

ABSTRACT: The quantitative use of stable isotopes (SIs) for trophic studies has seen a rapid growth whereas fatty acid (FA) studies remain mostly qualitative. We apply the Bayesian tool MixSIAR to both SI and FA data to estimate the diet of three sympatric predators: the crabeater (Lobodon carcinophaga), Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx). We used SI data of their vibrissae and FA data of their outer blubber to produce comparable diet estimates for the same individuals. Both SI and FA models predicted the same main diet components, although the predicted proportions differed. For the crabeater seal, both methods identified krill, Euphausia superba, as the main, and almost exclusive, food item, although the FA model estimated a slightly lower proportion, potentiall

SUBMITTER: Guerrero AI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8585811 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature