Discrimination Factors for Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Blood and Feathers from Chicks and Juveniles of the California Condor

Kurle, Carolyn M.; Finkelstein, Myra E.; Smith, Kimberly; George, Daniel; Ciani, Debbie; Koch, Paul L.; Smith, Donald R.

doi:10.1525/cond.2013.120107

Cited by 24 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 38 publications

(41 reference statements)

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“…Plasma was enriched in 15 N (but not in 13 C) when compared to RBC (Figure ). This plasma‐RBC difference is in agreement with the values calculated in captive birds feeding on isotopically controlled diets (Federer, Hollmen, Esler, Wooller, & Wang, ; Hahn, Hoye, Korthals, & Klaassen, ; Kurle et al., ). The δ 15 N differences arise from tissue‐specific isotopic discrimination factors due primarily to tissue‐specific protein, and hence amino acid, composition (Wolf, Carleton, & Martinez del Rio, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Stable isotopes document the winter foraging ecology of king penguins and highlight connectivity between subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Cherel

Parenteau

Bustamante

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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The poorly known winter foraging ecology of the king penguin, a major Southern Ocean consumer, was investigated at the subantarctic Crozet Islands where the largest global population breeds. Blood δ13C and δ15N values were used as proxies of the birds’ foraging habitat and diet, respectively, and circulating prolactin levels helped in determining the birds’ reproductive status. Plasma prolactin concentrations showed that king penguin adults of unknown breeding status (n = 52) that were present at the colony in winter were in fact breeders and failed breeders, but were not non ‐breeders. Circulating prolactin was neither related to δ13C nor δ15N values, thus suggesting that both breeders and failed breeders used the same foraging habitats and fed on the same prey. Plasma and blood cell isotopic values depicted four new relevant biological features on the feeding strategies of king penguins during the critical winter period: (1) 42% of the birds foraged in the distant Antarctic Zone, but 58% fed primarily in subantarctic waters (δ13C), (2) they preyed upon myctophids in both zones (δ15N), (3) individuals were consistent in their foraging strategies over the winter months (δ13C and δ15N), and (4) a higher proportion of females (77%–80%) than males (27%–31%) favored feeding in distant Antarctic waters (δ13C). This study highlights trophic connectivity between subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems and hence the key role of energy export from Antarctic waters to sustain breeding populations of subantarctic predators, including during the Austral winter.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Stable isotopes document the winter foraging ecology of king penguins and highlight connectivity between subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Cherel

Parenteau

Bustamante

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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“…that are similar to what we describe for toenails in dunlins. Studies in king Aptenodytes patagonicus and rockhopper Eudyptes chrysocome penguins (Cherel et al, 2005) and in California condors Gymnogyps californianus (Kurle et al, 2013) have also reported higher discrimination values in feathers than in blood, although not as high as we found in dunlin toenails. On the other hand, no difference was observed in Japanese quails Coturnix japonica and ring-billed gulls Larus delawarensis (Hobson and Clark, 1992b).…”

Section: Sample Typecontrasting

confidence: 52%

Turnover rates of stable isotopes in avian blood and toenails: Implications for dietary and migration studies

Lourenço

Granadeiro

Guilherme

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

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“…We used trophic enrichment factors of 3·1‰ ± 0·1 for δ 15 N and 0·4‰ ± 0·4‰ for δ 13 C observed for Californian condors on a controlled feeding trial (Kurle et al . ). We evaluated the mixing space qualitatively (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…We identified four isotopically distinct and biologically meaningful prey groups: large livestock (cows), small livestock (goat), camelids (vicuñas and guanacos) and marine mammals. We used trophic enrichment factors of 3Á1& AE 0Á1 for d 15 N and 0Á4& AE 0Á4& for d 13 C observed for Californian condors on a controlled feeding trial (Kurle et al 2013). We evaluated the mixing space qualitatively ( Fig.…”

Section: S T a B L E I S O T O P E A N A L Y S I Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Puma predation subsidizes an obligate scavenger in the high Andes

Perrig

Donadío

Middleton

et al. 2016

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary The ungulate–carnivore–vulture complex is a key trophic module of many terrestrial ecosystems, but one that is globally under threat. Few have explored cross‐species dependencies in this module, and the degree to which vultures rely on trophic facilitation by apex carnivores is rarely known and almost never quantified. We investigated the importance of puma Puma concolor predation on its native camelid prey, vicuñas Vicugna vicugna and guanacos Lama guanicoe, in food provisioning for Andean condors Vultur gryphus in the high Andes of north‐western Argentina. We evaluated the origin of wild food sources through carcass surveys. We quantified condor feeding habits via foraging observations and through the analysis of pellet contents and stable isotopes from moulted feathers. Of the 102 fresh camelid carcasses we monitored, nearly all (94%) resulted from puma predation, and the majority (85%) of camelid carcasses used by condors were killed by pumas. Camelids represented 88% of the prey items identified from 183 condor pellets, and isotopic analyses of moulted feathers from 86 individuals identified via multilocus genotyping revealed that camelids and Small livestock were the most important prey items, representing 45–58% and 28–38% of condor assimilated biomass, respectively. Synthesis and applications. Our results show that puma predation plays a key role in the foraging ecology of Andean condors, and highlight the importance of predatory processes that make carrion available to scavengers. We contend that targeting the conservation of ungulate–carnivore–vulture modules, rather than a species‐specific approach, will be a more effective strategy to ensure the long‐term persistence of Andean condors and other obligate scavengers.

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Discrimination Factors for Stable Isotopes of Carbon and Nitrogen in Blood and Feathers from Chicks and Juveniles of the California Condor

Cited by 24 publications

References 38 publications

Stable isotopes document the winter foraging ecology of king penguins and highlight connectivity between subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Stable isotopes document the winter foraging ecology of king penguins and highlight connectivity between subantarctic and Antarctic ecosystems

Turnover rates of stable isotopes in avian blood and toenails: Implications for dietary and migration studies

Puma predation subsidizes an obligate scavenger in the high Andes

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