Dear all.
We are pleased to share with you our recently published paper on bulk
and compound-specific stable isotope analyses of several species of
cetaceans from the Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores)
It has been published, in open access, in Marine Ecology Progress
Series, so you can freely access it through the following link:
https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v699/p167-180/
Cite this article as:
Bode A, Saavedra C, Álvarez-González M, Arregui M and others (2022)
Trophic position of dolphins tracks recent changes in the pelagic
ecosystem of the Macaronesian region (NE Atlantic). Mar Ecol Prog Ser
699:167-180. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14176
Abstract:
Dolphins play a key role in marine food webs as predators of
mid-trophic-level consumers. Because of their mobility and relatively
long life span, they can be used as indicators of large-scale changes in
the ecosystem. In this study, we calculated the trophic position (TP) of
5 dolphin species from the Canary, Madeira and Azores Islands using bulk
and compound-specific stable isotope ratios from muscle tissue to assess
trophic adaptations to recent changes in the availability of feeding
resources. Dolphin TP values were then compared with those of 7 other
species of cetaceans from this region. Analysis of stable nitrogen
isotopes in amino acids of the common dolphin indicated non-significant
effects of changes in the basal resources of the food web and thus
supported the use of bulk samples for TP estimations. Dolphins occupied
an intermediate TP (mean: 3.91 to 4.20) between fin (3.25) and sperm
whales (4.95). Species-specific TP were equivalent among islands.
However, TP increased for the common dolphin and decreased for the
striped dolphin (the latter also becoming more oceanic) between 2000 and
2018 in the Canary Islands. These results suggest different impacts of
recent changes in the oceanography and in the pelagic food web of the
Macaronesian region on the trophic ecology of dolphin species.
Please, do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any question or
suggestion.
Best wishes,
Camilo sp. (on behalf of all co-authors)
---
Dr. Camilo Saavedra Penas
camilo.saave...@ieo.csic.es
Head of the Marine Mammals and Ecosystem team
Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO)
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