Flexibility in food resource allocation in parents and selectivity for offspring: variations in delta N-15 and delta C-13 values during breeding of the blue-footed booby

作者：Gonzalez Medina Erick; Alfredo Castillo Guerrero Jose; Herzka Sharon Z; Fernandez Guillermo^*

来源：Marine Biology, 2017, 164(3): 3070.

DOI：10.1007/s00227-017-3070-8

It is common for marine animals to be selective in the amount and quality of foods during reproduction due to the higher energetic demands. As central place foragers, seabirds are often selective with the prey species they deliver to their offspring. We evaluated trophic segregation between parents and their offspring in blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) by measuring stable isotope ratios (delta N-15 and delta C-13) in blood samples during two breeding seasons and at different reproductive stages ( incubation, early and late chick rearing). Additionally, we examined if d15N values from chicks were correlated with their condition as reflected in blood alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. d15N values increased and delta C-13 values decreased in adults as the breeding season progressed, indicating differences in foraging regions or the assimilated prey. delta N-15 values differed

• 出版日期2017-3