Trophic ecology and foraging areas of cetaceans sampled in the coastal waters of south-eastern Brazil assessed through skin δ13C and δ15N

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Victor Uber Paschoalini ◽  
Genyffer Cibele Troina ◽  
Laura Busin Campos ◽  
Marcos César de Oliveira Santos
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil

Abstract We investigated the habitat use and feeding ecology of 10 cetacean species encountered along the south-eastern coast of Brazil (24–26°S) using carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotopes. Hierarchical cluster analysis distinguished two main groups based on their isotopic patterns. One group included migratory baleen whales (Megaptera novaeangliae and Eubalaena australis) with the lowest δ13C and δ15N values, reflecting baseline isotopic values of their Subantarctic feeding grounds and consumption of lower trophic level prey. Resident species and those occasionally occurring in Brazilian coastal waters highly differed from the migratory whales in their isotopic values. In this group, Tursiops truncatus had the highest δ13C and δ15N values, indicating coastal habits and relatively higher trophic position. Similar δ13C values were observed in Sotalia guianensis, Pontoporia blainvillei, Orcinus orca and Steno bredanensis. However, the former two species had lower δ15N values than the latter two, indicating different trophic positions. The relatively lower δ13C values observed in Stenella frontalis suggest greater influence of pelagic prey in their diet. Furthermore, the lower δ13C values observed in Delphinus delphis and Balaenoptera edeni were associated with upwelling events that occur along the region, affecting the isotopic values of their main prey. Juvenile M. novaeangliae had higher δ13C and δ15N than the adults, which may indicate feeding in areas with different isoscapes and consumption of pelagic schooling fish with relatively higher trophic levels than krill. This study provides preliminary information that are useful to understand the habitat use and coexistence of cetacean species occurring in south-eastern Brazil.

scholarly journals The harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the North Atlantic: Variability in habitat use, trophic ecology and contaminant exposure

2003 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Bjørge
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Phocoena Phocoena ◽  
Cetacean Species ◽  
Contaminant Exposure ◽  
The North ◽  
Management Plans

Harbour porpoises inhabit coastal waters, in habitats that are characterized by high diversity and complexity in terms of their bathymetry, substrate, fish communities and point sources of contaminants. The complexity in these habitats influences both the habitat use and feeding ecology of porpoises. Congregations of porpoises feeding primarily on one species are observed in some areas and seasons, while wide movements and diets composed of several species are observed in other areas. Due to these observations, this paper suggests that caution is needed when extrapolatingknowledge from one area to another with regard to porpoise habitat use, exposure to contaminants, and interactions with fisheries. Management plans should be site specific and based on local knowledge incorporating porpoise population structure, habitat use, and multiple environmental factors in order to ensure appropriate conservation of this abundant but still vulnerable small cetacean species.

scholarly journals Breaking out of the comfort zone: El Niño-Southern Oscillation as a driver of trophic flows in a benthic consumer of the Humboldt Current ecosystem

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1857) ◽  
pp. 20170923 ◽  
Author(s):  
José M. Riascos ◽  
Marco A. Solís ◽  
Aldo S. Pacheco ◽  
Manuel Ballesteros
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
El Niño Southern Oscillation ◽  
El Nino Southern Oscillation ◽  
Strong Increase ◽  
Humboldt Current

The trophic flow of a species is considered a characteristic trait reflecting its trophic position and function in the ecosystem and its interaction with the environment. However, climate patterns are changing and we ignore how patterns of trophic flow are being affected. In the Humboldt Current ecosystem, arguably one of the most productive marine systems, El Niño-Southern Oscillation is the main source of interannual and longer-term variability. To assess the effect of this variability on trophic flow we built a 16-year series of mass-specific somatic production rate (P/B) of the Peruvian scallop ( Argopecten purpuratus ), a species belonging to a former tropical fauna that thrived in this cold ecosystem. A strong increase of the P/B ratio of this species was observed during nutrient-poor, warmer water conditions typical of El Niño, owing to the massive recruitment of fast-growing juvenile scallops. Trophic ecology theory predicts that when primary production is nutrient limited, the trophic flow of organisms occupying low trophic levels should be constrained (bottom-up control). For former tropical fauna thriving in cold, productive upwelling coastal zones, a short time of low food conditions but warm waters during El Niño could be sufficient to waken their ancestral biological features and display massive proliferations.

Trophic ecology of the chihuil sea catfish (Bagre panamensis) in the south-east Gulf of California, México

2017 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 885-893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor M. Muro-Torres ◽  
Felipe Amezcua ◽  
Raul E. Lara-Mendoza ◽  
John T. Buszkiewicz ◽  
Felipe Amezcua-Linares
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of California ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
High Plasticity ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management

The trophic ecology of the chihuil sea catfish Bagre panamensis was studied through high-resolution variations in its feeding habits and trophic position (TP) in the SE Gulf of California, relevant to sex, size and season. The combined use of stomach content (SCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA) allowed us to perform these analyses and also estimate the TP of its preys. Results of this study show that the chihuil sea catfish is a generalist and opportunistic omnivore predator that consumes primarily demersal fish and peneid shrimps. Its diet did not vary with climatic season (rainy or dry), size or sex. Results from the SIA indicated high plasticity in habitat use and prey species. The estimated TP value was 4.19, which indicates a tertiary consumer from the soft bottom demersal community in the SE Gulf of California, preying on lower trophic levels, which aids in understanding the species' trophic role in the food web. Because this species and its prey are important to artisanal and industrial fisheries in the Gulf of California, diet assimilation information is useful for the potential establishment of an ecosystem-based fisheries management in the area.

Occurrence and habitat use of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Cabo Frio region, South-eastern Brazil

2016 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1081-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Israel S. Maciel ◽  
Rodrigo H. Tardin ◽  
Sheila M. Simão
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Field Trips ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Eastern Brazil ◽  
Water Depths ◽  
Cabo Frio

Ninety-six field trips were conducted between summer 2010 and 2012 in order to understand the occurrence and habitat use of Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Cabo Frio region, South-eastern Brazil. Bryde's whales were present in the study area between November and July, being observed during all seasons, but occur more frequently during the autumn (Nindividuals = 16) and spring (Nindividuals = 13), followed by summer (Nindividuals = 5) and winter (Nindividuals = 2), respectively. Bryde's whales were observed in water depths ranging from 20.1–100 m. Furthermore, during 2240 min of video recordings, the most frequent behaviour observed was foraging (40.2%; 900 min). Travelling comprised 28.1% (630 min) of observations, while in 33.1% (710 min) behaviour could not be determined. Taking into account the pattern of occurrence, the use of deeper bathymetric bins and the frequency observed, the foraging behaviour of Bryde's whales observed in our study seems to be associated to prey dynamics. Our data show that the study area is frequently used for foraging by this species in Brazilian waters.

Isotopic, trace element and nutrient characterization of coastal waters from Ubatuba inner shelf area, south-eastern Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 522-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.P. Povinec ◽  
J. de Oliveira ◽  
E.S. Braga ◽  
J.-F. Comanducci ◽  
J. Gastaud ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Shelf Area ◽  
Inner Shelf ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eastern Brazil

Trophic ecology of the blue shark (Prionace glauca) based on stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and stomach content

2015 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 1403-1410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Berenice Hernández-Aguilar ◽  
Ofelia Escobar-Sánchez ◽  
Felipe Galván-Magaña ◽  
Leonardo Andrés Abitia-Cárdenas
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Stomach Content ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Marine Ecosystem ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Baja California Sur ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Prionace Glauca

Occupying the upper levels of trophic webs and thus regulating prey at lower levels, sharks play an important role in the trophic structure and energy dynamics of marine ecosystems. In recent years, the removal of these individuals from upper trophic levels as a result of overfishing has negatively affected ecosystems. We analysed the diet of blue sharks (Prionace glauca) caught off the west coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, during the months of February–June in 2001, 2005 and 2006. We employed both stomach content and stable isotope analyses as each method provides distinct yet important information regarding the role of blue sharks in marine food webs, allowing us to estimate the relative contribution of different prey items to this predator's diet. Of the 368 stomachs analysed, 210 contained food (57%) and 158 (43%) were empty. Based on stomach contents and the index of relative importance (IRI), the pelagic red crab (Pleuroncodes planipes) was the most important prey, followed by the squids Gonatus californiensis (34.1%) and Ancistrocheirus lesueurii (10.4%). The mean (±SD) values for δ15N (16.48 ± 0.94‰) and δ13C (−18.48 ± 0.63‰) suggest that blue sharks prefer feeding in oceanic waters. The trophic level based on stomach content analysis was 4.05, while that based on the stable isotope analysis was 3.8, making blue sharks top consumers in the marine ecosystem of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

The trophic ecology of partial migration: insights from Merluccius australis off NW Patagonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. 1927-1940
Author(s):  
Pamela Toledo ◽  
Edwin J Niklitschek ◽  
Audrey M Darnaude ◽  
Félix P Leiva ◽  
Chris Harrod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Partial Migration ◽  
Otolith Chemistry ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Isotope Analyses

Abstract Partial migration, where migrant and resident organisms coexist within the same population, has been found in many fishes. Although it seems obvious that different life cycles exploit habitats and food webs differently, few assessments about the trophic consequences of partial migration are available. To unveil part of this complexity, we combined otolith chemistry with stable isotope analyses data for hind-casting Merluccius australis habitat use and diet composition at age. By providing detailed information about lifetime variability in diet, trophic position, and prey demand of four M. australis life-cycle types, we show that these groups feed differentially in estuarine and oceanic habitats throughout their ontogeny. Although trophic positions were similar between habitats for juvenile and subadults, substantial differences between life-cycle types were found regarding lifetime diet and trophic demand. Thus, the more abundant and heavily exploited oceanic stock of M. australis was heavily dependent of estuarine habitats within the Patagonian Fjords System, where it consumes large biomasses of Macruronus magellanicus, Pasiphaea, Sprattus fuegensis, and Euphausiidae at earlier stages. We show ignoring trophic consequences of partial migration and life-cycle diversity may produce highly biased results, both in terms of prey and habitat use, which appears critical for multispecies and ecosystem management approaches.

Elucidating trophic pathways of the most abundant fish larvae in northern Patagonia using δ13C and δ15N isotopes

2020 ◽  
Vol 650 ◽  
pp. 253-267
Author(s):  
A Bernal Bajo ◽  
LR Castro ◽  
D Costalago
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Particulate Organic Matter ◽  
Fish Larvae ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Terrestrial Organic Matter ◽  
Δ13c And Δ15n ◽  
Northern Patagonia

The alternation of the classic and microbial food-webs in spring and winter, respectively, and the trespass towards higher trophic levels represented by fish early stages, are not well understood in Patagonia. These trophic routes were investigated in the inner Sea of Chiloe, an estuary of high ecological relevance in northern Patagonia. The isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N of ichthyoplankton and particulate organic matter were analyzed in late winter and spring 2017 to evaluate whether seasonal changes (e.g. in the composition of the freshwater discharge) were reflected in the isotopic signals of fish larvae. For this purpose, larvae of dominant fish species with contrasting feeding strategies were collected up to 100 m depth. The inshore zone of northern Patagonia was characterized by a dominance of marine carbon production, with increasing input of terrestrial organic matter during winter. δ13C values < -25 ‰ at the outermost estuary stations indicated the influence of allochthonous carbon exported from the inshore area in spring. The δ13C-larval signature of the species of the lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis, the pipefish Leptonotus blainvilleanus, and the rockfish Sebastes oculatus followed the isotopic signature of the particulate organic matter in both seasons, at inshore and the exchange (outer) zone. Food partitioning was detected between species, with Merluccius spp. at the highest trophic position and L. blainvilleanus at the lowest. The fish larval community reached more diverse and higher δ15N values in winter, when larvae likely fed on prey items of higher trophic level, or instead when the food-web was partly sustained by microbial sources. Our results showed seasonal variations in δ13C values, suggesting differences in the source of organic carbon incorporated by the studied fish larvae. Moreover, trophic plasticity at larval stages may be an important characteristic of this type of estuarine environment.

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