Discrimination factors of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes from diet to hair in captive large Arctic carnivores of conservation concern

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry - Tập 32 Số 20 - Trang 1773-1780 - 2018
Vincent L’Hérault1,2, Nicolas Lecomte3, Marie‐Hélène Truchon1, Dominique Berteaux2
1ARCTIConnexion Québec City QC Canada G1L 1Y8
2Canada Research Chair on Northern Biodiversity and Centre for Northern Studies Université du Québec à Rimouski QC Canada G5L 3A1
3Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology Université de Moncton Moncton NB Canada E1A 3E9

Tóm tắt

RationaleStable isotope analysis is widely used to reconstruct diet, delineate trophic interactions, and determine energy pathways. Such ecological inferences are based on the idea that animals are, isotopically, what they eat but with a predictable difference between the isotopic ratio of a consumer and that of its diet, coined as the discrimination factor. Providing correct estimates of diet‐consumer isotopic discrimination in controlled conditions is key for a robust application of the stable isotopes technique in the wild.MethodsUsing a Finnigan Mat Delta Plus isotope‐ratio mass spectrometer, we investigated isotopic discrimination of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N values) in guard hairs of four Arctic predators; the wolf (n = 7), the wolverine (n = 2), the grizzly bear (n = 2), and the polar bear (n = 3). During a 3‐month trial, carnivores were fed a mixed diet. The δ13C and δ15N values, and the mass (g) of diet items, were monitored weekly for each individual to determine their Total Diet Average ratios.ResultsDiet‐hair isotopic discrimination (Δx) varied according to species, ranging [1.88 ± 0.69‰: 3.2 ± 0.69‰] for δ13C values, and [1.58 ± 0.17‰: 3.81 ± 0.22‰] for δ15N values. Adult wolves Δ13C average (2.03 ± 0.7‰) was lower than that of young wolves (2.60 ± 0.8‰) and any other species (combined average of 2.59 ± 0.28‰), except for the wolverine (2.12 ± 0.23‰). Wolves Δ15N averages (juveniles: 3.51 ± 0.34‰, adults: 3.68 ± 0.28‰) were higher than those of any other species (combined average: 2.50 ± 0.58‰).ConclusionsThe discrimination factors for δ13C and δ15N values calculated in this study could be used in ecological studies dealing with free‐ranging animals, with implications for non‐invasive research approaches. As in other controlled discrimination studies, we recommend caution in applying our discrimination factors when the population structure is heterogeneous.

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Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry

Tập 32 Số 20

1773-1780

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