New publication on odontocetes trophic ecology and habitat use
Dear MARMAM Readers, My co-authors and I are pleased to announce the publication of our recent article in Marine Biology: Troina, G.C., Botta, S., Dehairs, F., Di Tullio, J., Elskens, M., Secchi, E.R. Skin δ13C and δ15N reveal spatial and temporal patterns of habitat and resource use by free-ranging odontocetes from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. *Mar Biol* *167, *186 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03805-8 ABSTRACT: Large diversity and abundance of cetacean species occur along the Brazilian outer continental shelf and slope waters. In the present study we analysed carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes in skin biopsies of ten odontocete species (Delphinidae and Physeteridae) to assess the intra- and interspecific patterns in the use of resources along the region. Our isotopic analysis allowed us to identify two potential subpopulations of *Stenella frontalis*. High core isotopic niche overlap between *S. frontalis* from the southern range of the study area and *Delphinus delphis*, especially in spring, suggested that they share similar resources and rely on spatiotemporal segregation to achieve niche differentiation and to minimize competition. Our isotopic data also pointed to high similarity among *Tursiops truncatus,* *S. frontalis *and* Globicephala melas* in the use of resources.* Steno bredanensis had the highest *δ15N and δ13C, which agrees with its occurrence in neritic waters. *S. longirostris* showed consistently low δ15N values, indicating that they feed at relatively lower trophic levels, and lack of niche overlap with most delphinid species, except *S. attenuata*. *Orcinus orca* and *G. melas* had very similar δ13C and δ15N values, that were consistent with feeding in offshore waters. δ13C and δ15N in *Physeter macrocephalus* suggested that individuals feed on similar trophic levels, but over a wide spatial range. The analyses of stable isotopes in skin biopsies helped us refine our knowledge about the intra-specific resource and habitat use, ecological niches and the trophic interactions amongst co-occurring cetaceans from the oceanic waters of the subtropical western South Atlantic. The article can be accessed via the link https://rdcu.be/cbadj Do not hesitate to contact me (genyffertroina@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions. Kind regards, Genyffer Troina -- Dr. Genyffer Troina Postdoctoral Research Fellow Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha (ECOMEGA) Instituto de Oceanografia – IO/Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG Rio Grande/RS (CEP 96201900), CP 474, BRAZIL genyffertroina@gmail.com CV: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3997346742040354
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Genyffer Troina