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Cherel, Y; Le Corre, M; Jaquemet, S; Menard, Frederic; Richard, Pierre; Weimerskirch, H. |
Characteristics of the tropical oceanic environment (low productivity, little seasonality) and poor diversity of tropical seabird foraging methods and prey relative to temperate and polar species suggest that tropical seabirds overall encompass a narrow range of isotopic niches, with large overlaps among species. To test this hypothesis, we examined the stable carbon (delta C-13) and nitrogen (delta N-15) isotopic composition of blood and feathers of 5 seabird species from Europa Island, Mozambique Channel. While differences were small, blood delta C-13 and delta N-15 values characterized 5 distinct and non-overlapping trophic niches during the breeding period. Seabirds used 2 distinct foraging areas (delta C-13), one used by sooty tern Sterna fuscata and... |
Tipo: Text |
Palavras-chave: Trophic segregation; Tuna; Sooty tern; Pelagic ecosystem; Frigatebird; Booby. |
Ano: 2008 |
URL: http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4675.pdf |
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