Stable isotope values delineate the non-breeding distributions of sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus in the North Pacific Ocean

Marine Ecology Progress Series

David R. Thompson¹  Leigh G. Torres¹  Sarah J. Bury¹  Paul M. Sagar¹  Graeme A. Taylor¹  Scott A. Shaffer¹  Matt J. Rayner¹  Richard A. Phillips¹ 

关键词: Isoscape;    Migratory connectivity;    New Zealand;    Seabird;    Spatial distribution;   

DOI  :  10.3354/meps11128

学科分类：海洋学与技术

来源: Inter-Research

【 摘 要 】

ABSTRACT: Following breeding, sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus leave New Zealand waters and migrate to 1 of 3 distinct areas in the North Pacific Ocean, effectively exploiting environmental resources across a large proportion of this northern ocean basin. In this study, we combined electronic tracking technology with stable isotope analyses (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) of feathers grown during the non-breeding period in order to evaluate whether isotope signatures can be used to identify specific non-breeding areas used by sooty shearwaters. A region to the east of Japan was utilised by the majority of tracked birds, whereas others used areas off the west coast of North America. Stable isotope values of feathers allowed the discrimination of individuals that used each of the 3 different non-breeding areas, and suggested that birds off Japan can be further separated into ‘coastal’ and ‘offshore’ groups. Our results confirm the utility of using stable isotope analysis, validated by tracking devices, as a tool to determine distribution and habitat use of a long-range oceanic migrant, the sooty shearwater. These results also highlight the resource connectivity between the northern and southern Pacific Ocean basin.

【 授权许可】

Unknown