TDF_CAM: A method for estimating stable isotope trophic discrimination in wild populations.

ABSTRACT: Stable isotope mixing models (SIMMs) are widely used for characterizing wild animal diets. Such models rely upon using accurate trophic discrimination factors (TDFs) to account for the digestion, incorporation, and assimilation of food. Existing methods to calculate TDFs rely on controlled feeding trials that are time-consuming, often impractical for the study taxon, and may not reflect natural variability of TDFs present in wild populations.We present TDF_CAM as an alternative approach to estimating TDFs in wild populations, by using high-precision diet estimates from a secondary methodological source-in this case nest cameras-in lieu of controlled feeding trials, and provide a framework for how and when it should be applied.In this study, we evaluate the TDF_CAM appro

SUBMITTER: Johnson DL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9817186 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature