Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the study of avian and mammalian trophic ecology

摘要: Differential fractionation of stable isotopes carbon during photosynthesis causes C 4 plants and C3 to have distinct carbon-isotope signatures. In addition, marine 3 stable-isotope ratios that are intermediate between C4 terrestrial plants. The direct incorporation the ratio ( 13 C/ 12 C) into consumers' tissues makes this useful in studies animal ecology. heavy isotope nitrogen 15 N) is preferentially incorporated consumer from diet, which results a systematic enrichment nitrogen-isotope N/ 14 with each trophic level. Consequently, been used pri- marily assess position food chains. literature pertaining use ecology was reviewed. Data 102 reported (or) wild birds mammals were compiled analyzed relative latitude, body size, habitat moisture. These analyses supported predicted relationships among groups. Carbon-isotope differed species relied on ,C 4, Likewise, enriched terres- trial carnivorous herbivorous mammals. Also, carnivores ate vertebrates had over those invertebrates. also indicated (i) carnivore bone collagen inversely related likely result an inverse relationship proportion chain fixed by latitude; (ii) seabirds northern oceans higher than southern oceans; (iii) xeric habitats mesic habitats, indicating water stress can important effects ratio; (iv) there no mass for either or muscle carnivores; (v) linear covariation chains (but not chains), product increases level Differences composition groups detected despite variation attributable geographic location, climate, analytical techniques, these large pervasive. as knowledge distribution increases, they will probably become increasingly tool study avian mammalian 27 Resume : Le fractionnement differentiel des stables de carbone durant la photosynthese fait que les plantes et ont signatures d'isotopes differentes. En outre, chez marines, le rapport entre est intermediaire celui terrestres.