Vol. 30 No. 2 (2015)

Seasonal diet of Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) juveniles revealed with a stable isotopes analysis of claws

Abstract

We carried out a stable isotopes analysis on claws to evaluate the diet and the use of trophic resources of Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) juveniles off Brazil coasts. The analysis was performed on the basal and distal portions of the claws which correspond to wintering and reproductive seasons, respectively, according to the integration time of the isotopic signature based on the growth rate of claws and sample collection date. We found differences in the isotopic signals between winter and reproductive diets, suggesting differences in the relative contribution of different prey. During the wintering season in Brazil there was a high contribution of Loligo sanpaulensis and anchoita, whereas during the breeding season there was a more diverse contribution of prey items, with an important presence of fishes. Consequently, the isotopic niche breadth was higher in reproductive birds which indicates a broader use of trophic resources in breeding areas. We report a higher consumption of anchoita for juvenile individuals in wintering areas compared to previous studies.

References

How to cite

Laura A. Silva, Laura Siles, Luis Cardona, Mauricio Tavares, Enrique Crespo, Patricia Gandini (2015). Seasonal diet of Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) juveniles revealed with a stable isotopes analysis of claws. El Hornero, Vol. 30 No. 2 (2015), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.56178/eh.v30i2.582

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