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Reconstructing the diet, trophic level and migration pattern of mysticete whales based on baleen isotopic composition
Riekenberg, P.M.; Camalich, J.; Svensson, E.; IJsseldijk, L.L.; Brasseur, S.M.; Witbaard, R.; Leopold, M.F.; Rebolledo, E.B.; Middelburg, J.J.; Van der Meer, M.T.J.; Sinninghe Damsté, J.S.; Schouten, S. (2021). Reconstructing the diet, trophic level and migration pattern of mysticete whales based on baleen isotopic composition. Royal Society Open Science 8(12): 210949. https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210949

Additional data:
In: Royal Society Open Science. The Royal Society: London. ISSN 2054-5703; e-ISSN 2054-5703, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Brackish water
Author keywords
    fasting; compound specific; temporal; migration

Authors  Top 
  • Riekenberg, P.M., more
  • Camalich, J.
  • Svensson, E., more
  • IJsseldijk, L.L.
  • Brasseur, S.M., more
  • Witbaard, R., more
  • Leopold, M.F., more
  • Rebolledo, E.B.
  • Middelburg, J.J., more
  • Van der Meer, M.T.J., more
  • Sinninghe Damsté, J.S., more
  • Schouten, S., more

Abstract

    Baleen from mysticete whales is a well-preserved proteinaceous material that can be used to identify migrations and feeding habits for specieswhose migration pathways are unknown. Analysis of δ13C and δ 15N values from bulk baleen have been used to infer migration patterns for individuals. However, this approach has fallen short of identifying migrations between regions as it is difficult to determine variations in isotopic shifts without temporal sampling of prey items. Here, we apply analysis of δ15N values of amino acids to five baleen plates belonging to three species, revealing novel insights on trophic position, metabolic state and migration between regions. Humpback and minke whales had higher reconstructed trophic levels than fin whales (3.7–3.8 versus 3–3.2, respectively) as expected due to different feeding specialization. Isotopic niche areas between baleen minima and maxima were well separated, indicating regional resource use for individuals during migration that aligned with isotopic gradients in Atlantic Ocean particulate organic matter. Phenylanine δ15N values confirmed regional separation between the niche areas for two fin whales as migrations occurred and elevated glycine and threonine δ15N values suggested physiological changes due to fasting. Simultaneous resolution of trophic level and physiological changes allow for identification of regional migrations in mysticetes.


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