Trophic ecology of common bottlenose dolphins in a pelagic insular environment inferred by stable isotopes

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2023

Autores

Dias, E (Autor) Outra; Dromby, M (Autor) Outra; Ferreira, R (Autor) Outra; Gil, A (Autor) Outra; Tejerina, R (Autor) Outra; Filipe F C Castro (Autor) FCUP; Rosso, M (Autor) Outra; Sousa Pinto, I (Autor) Outra; Hoffman, JC (Autor) Outra; Teodósio, MA (Autor) Outra; Dinis, A (Autor) Outra; Alves, F (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Hydrobiologia

Vol. 850

Páginas: 4227-4241

ISSN: 0018-8158

Editora: Springer Nature

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citações

Scopus - 0 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00Y-SZD

DOI: 10.1007/s10750-023-05294-4

Abstract (EN): The common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is a top marine predator widely dispersed in coastal and pelagic habitats and with a generalist feeding behavior. Yet, information on the trophic ecology of animals inhabiting pelagic environments is still scarce. Using carbon (& delta;C-13: C-13/C-12) and nitrogen (& delta;N-15: N-15/N-14) stable isotope ratios, we identified and quantified the main groups of prey assimilated by bottlenose dolphins inhabiting an oceanic habitat (Madeira Island, East Atlantic). Bottlenose dolphins assimilated pelagic, schooling fish (such as blue jack mackerel, Trachurus picturatus) and mesopelagic and demersal squids, which reinforces the pelagic dietary composition of insular/oceanic dolphins. Also, intra-seasonal differences were found in their stable isotope ratios, which suggest intraspecific variability in the feeding behavior among individuals living in the same area. Sex was not the main factor contributing to these differences, suggesting the lack of trophic niche segregation between adult males and females in this offshore environment. Nonetheless, further studies including different life stages and information on the ecophysiological requirements are necessary to disclose the factors responsible for the observed variability. This study showed that insular dolphins fed primarily on economically important pelagic prey, highlighting the need of developing management strategies that integrate conservation in fisheries plans.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 15