Trophic plasticity of a tropical seabird revealed through DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope analyses.
Mar Environ Res
; 199: 106627, 2024 Jun 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38968803
ABSTRACT
DNA metabarcoding and stable isotope analysis have significantly advanced our understanding of marine trophic ecology, aiding systematic research on foraging habits and species conservation. In this study, we employed these methods to analyse faecal and blood samples, respectively, to compare the trophic ecology of two Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethonaethereus; Linnaeus, 1758) colonies on Mexican islands in the Pacific. Trophic patterns among different breeding stages were also examined at both colonies. Dietary analysis reveals a preference for epipelagic fish, cephalopods, and small crustaceans, with variations between colonies and breeding stages. Isotopic values (δ15N and δ13C) align with DNA metabarcoding results, with wider niches during incubation stages. Differences in diet are linked to environmental conditions and trophic plasticity among breeding stages, influenced by changing physiological requirements and prey availability. Variations in dietary profiles reflect contrasting environmental conditions affecting local prey availability.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Mar Environ Res
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article