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δ15N and δ13C values in dental collagen as a proxy for age- and sex-related variation in foraging strategies of California sea lions

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Abstract

We assessed the foraging habits of California sea lions, Zalophus californianus, from Isla Santa Margarita, BCS, Mexico, by analyzing δ13C and δ15N values of dentin collagen. Since dentin is deposited annually in growth layer groups (GLGs), it can be subsampled to construct ontogenetic isotopic profiles at the individual level. We drilled 20 canine teeth and obtained 141 samples for isotopic analysis that were assigned to age-specific categories from GLG-based estimated ages. Pups’ GLGs had the highest mean δ15N values and the lowest mean δ13C values, a pattern likely driven by the consumption of milk. Juveniles had δ15N values between those of pups and adult females, which may reflect continued nursing into the second year or preferential consumption of coastal benthic versus pelagic prey. Significant differences were observed between the sexes of adults; adult females had lower mean δ13C and δ15N values than adult males. Higher isotope values in adult males relative to females may reflect a higher trophic position, but differences in foraging grounds cannot be excluded as a potential explanation because tracking data are not available at this time. Evidence of intra-specific foraging diversification may be related to a strategy to reduce competition within and among age and sex categories.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT) and the PIFI Program from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) for the scholarships provided to FE-V. Financial support was provided by projects SIP-20120061-IPN and SEP-CONACYT-2004-C01-46806. We also thank the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales throughout the Dirección General de Vida Silvestre Mexico for providing permits for field research D00.-700.-(2)01104 and D00.-700(2).-1917 and SGPA/DGVS.-0575.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Ecología de Pinnípedos “Burney J. Le Boeuf”, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ave. IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

    Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken & David Aurioles-Gamboa

  2. Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Dept. 3166, Laramie, WY, 82071, USA

    Seth D. Newsome

  3. Departamento de Desarrollo de Tecnologías, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ave. IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

    Sergio F. Martínez-Díaz

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  1. Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken
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  2. David Aurioles-Gamboa
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  3. Seth D. Newsome
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  4. Sergio F. Martínez-Díaz
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Correspondence to Fernando Elorriaga-Verplancken.

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Communicated by C. Harrod.

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Elorriaga-Verplancken, F., Aurioles-Gamboa, D., Newsome, S.D. et al. δ15N and δ13C values in dental collagen as a proxy for age- and sex-related variation in foraging strategies of California sea lions. Mar Biol 160, 641–652 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2119-y

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