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Reconstructing the diet, trophic level and migration pattern of mysticete whales based on baleen isotopic composition

Authors :
Riekenberg, Philip M.
Camalich Carpizo, Jaime
Svensson, Elisabeth
IJsseldijk, Lonneke L.
Brasseur, Sophie
Witbaard, Rob
Leopold, Mardik
Bravo Rebolledo, Elisa
Middelburg, Jack J.
van der Meer, Marcel T.J.
Sinninghe Damsté, Jaap S.
Schouten, Stefan
VPDC pathologie
dPB CR
Organic geochemistry
VPDC pathologie
dPB CR
Organic geochemistry
Source :
Royal Society Open Science, 8(12), 1. The Royal Society, Royal Society Open Science, 8(12), Royal Society Open Science 8 (2021) 12, Royal Society Open Science, Royal Society Open Science, Vol 8, Iss 12 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Baleen from mysticete whales is a well-preserved proteinaceous material that can be used to identify migrations and feeding habits for species whose migration pathways are unknown. Analysis of δ 13 C and δ 15 N 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 δ 15 N 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 δ 15 N values confirmed regional separation between the niche areas for two fin whales as migrations occurred and elevated glycine and threonine δ 15 N values suggested physiological changes due to fasting. Simultaneous resolution of trophic level and physiological changes allow for identification of regional migrations in mysticetes.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20545703
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Royal Society Open Science, 8(12), 1. The Royal Society, Royal Society Open Science, 8(12), Royal Society Open Science 8 (2021) 12, Royal Society Open Science, Royal Society Open Science, Vol 8, Iss 12 (2021)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....a50d279b0458cb8c45bbbb076b964ce0