Trophic niche dynamics of three nearshore benthic predators in The Bahamas

Autor: Michael G. Frisk, Maggie M. Winchester, Owen R. O’Shea, Oliver N. Shipley, Michael Power, Jessie M N Pearson, Karen J. Murchie, Edward J. Brooks
Rok vydání: 2018
Předmět:
Zdroj: Hydrobiologia. 813:177-188
ISSN: 1573-5117
0018-8158
Popis: Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) were used to examine trophic niche dynamics of three co-occurring predators in The Bahamas. Variable estimates of core trophic niche width and total trophic niche overlap were observed between nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus), and Atlantic chupare stingrays (Styracura schmardae). Nurse sharks exhibited little trophic overlap with either species of stingray and exhibited higher δ15N values, suggesting limited potential resource competition. Southern and Atlantic chupare stingrays exhibited higher total trophic niche overlap, highlighting higher levels of resource competition. Nurse sharks exhibited the broadest δ13C range, implying utilization of multiple resource pools to facilitate energetic requirements, compared with southern stingrays and Atlantic chupare stingrays. Southern stingrays exhibited the smallest core trophic niche width, highlighting reliance upon a narrower range of resource pools, likely supported by a single habitat type. We postulate that the persistence of the three sub-sampled predator populations is supported by potential resource partitioning and utilization of multiple trophic resource pools. Further information regarding trophic niche dynamics and patterns of resource use is required for data-poor species to identify how populations and communities may respond to the adverse effects of exploitation, such as fisheries impacts, habitat alteration, and pollution.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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