Stable Isotopes Confirm Community Patterns in Foraging Among Hawaiian Procellariiformes

摘要: Stable-isotope analysis of whole blood was used to examine the feeding adults and chicks five seabirds (Wedge-tailed Puffinus pacificus Christmas Shearwaters P. nativitatus, Bonin Pterodroma hypoleuca Bulwer's Petrels Bulweria bulwerii Tristram's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma tristrami) in northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The goal compare community foraging patterns as determined by stable-isotope with traditional studies conducted early 1980s. Furthermore, chick-rearing Procellariiformes have been hypothesized practice a bimodal food-provisioning strategy, behavior yet be documented any Islands species outside albatrosses. Except for Shearwaters, had significantly different isotope ratios, suggesting differential self- chick-provisioning adults. Wedge-tailed foraged opportunistically themselves, while providing prey higher trophic position their chicks. Petrel likely brought more uniform chicks, relying on permanent patches differing composition themselves during breeding season. Results suggested little overlap ratios among were result behavioral morphological differences feeding.