Trophic niche of Australian cownose rays (Rhinoptera neglecta) and whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus ocellatus) along the east coast of Australia.

ABSTRACT: Australian cownose rays (Rhinoptera neglecta) and whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus ocellatus) are large myliobatiform rays that co-occur off temperate eastern Australia. Here, we performed stable-isotope analyses (δ¹³ C, δ¹⁵ N and δ³⁴ S) on fin clips of both species to gain insights into their trophic interactions and isotopic niches, and assess the effect of preservation (ethanol-stored versus frozen) on isotopic values of fin-clip tissue of R. neglecta. Linear mixed models identified species as the main factor contributing to variation among δ¹⁵ N and δ³⁴ S values, and disc width for δ¹³ C. Bayesian ecological niche modelling indicated a 57.4% to 74.5% overlap of trophic niches, with the niche of R. neglecta being smalle

SUBMITTER: Chan AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9310580 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature