Dear MARMAM colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I'm pleased to share our new publication in Marine Mammal Science: "Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes Show Evidence of Resource Partitioning Between Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and Large Pelagic Fishes From the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago"
Authors: Victor U. Paschoalini, Genyffer C. Troina, Marcos C.O. Santos Abstract: We applied stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes to investigate the trophic ecology of four large pelagic predators from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA), northeastern Brazil: spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris), yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), and great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda). We found no significant divergences in δ13C and δ15N values or trophic positions between male and female spinner dolphins; and the high isotopic niche overlap indicated limited sexual segregation. Our data indicate overlap in the isotopic niches of yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and great barracuda, but significant segregation between these pelagic predators and spinner dolphins. While spinner dolphins occupy higher trophic positions, reflecting their consumption of mesopelagic squids, the fishes seem to target a broader prey spectrum, with yellowfin tuna showing a more specialized diet. This partitioning likely reduces interspecific competition for prey in the FNA, with different species occupying distinct ecological niches. The results presented here provide important information about the trophic relationships among pelagic predators from the FNA, which is crucial for their conservation in a region where they are vulnerable to local anthropogenic activities. The publication is open access, and can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.70020 Best regards, -- Genyffer Troina, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Fellow Pelagic Ecosystems Laboratory Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries University of British Columbia Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory 2202 Main Mall Vancouver | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Traditional Territory BC, Canada V6T 1Z4 Phone: +1 672 551 3301 Email: [email protected] https://www.genyffertroina.org
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