Identifying female foraging ecotype and fisheries impacts through pup whisker stable isotopes

Chilvers, B. Louise

doi:10.1002/aqc.3589

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…However, there is tremendous mussel diversity in southeast Asia that requires further exploration, and we know very little about the mussels of South America and Africa-there was only one observation in the entire dataset between these two continents (Jara et al, 2019). Australia was similarly neglected with only three observations (Jones & Byrne, 2010), although species diversity is considerably lower in Australia (Haag, 2012). The ecosystems in these understudied locales deserve further study.…”

Section: Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As sedentary organisms, mussels have limited ability to escape from extreme high and low flows. High flows pose the risk of mortality by dislodgement (Constantinescu et al, 2013;Hastie et al, 2001;Jones & Byrne, 2010) and extreme low flows can lead to overheating, drying, and stranding (Allen et al, 2013;DuBose et al, 2019;Golladay et al, 2004;Vaughn et al, 2015). Mussels are present in stream systems spanning a wide range of hydrologic conditions, but there are discernible patterns governing where they occur.…”

Section: Hydrologic Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A review and evaluation of the effects of hydrodynamic variables on freshwater mussel communities

Lopez

Vaughn

2021

Freshwater Biology

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Riverine species are governed by the physical (i.e. hydrodynamic) forces generated by flowing water. Freshwater species are also disproportionately imperilled compared to terrestrial and marine species in large part due to widespread anthropogenic alteration of the natural flow regimes to which organisms are adapted. Sedentary species such as freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida) are especially vulnerable because they are unable to move quickly in response to novel flow patterns created by impoundments and water withdrawals. We evaluated the effects of hydrodynamic variables on mussel communities. We reviewed the literature to synthesise the relationships between three categories of hydrodynamic variables (hydrologic, simple hydraulic, and complex hydraulic) and mussel community parameters. We evaluated which variables are most useful in predicting mussel presence, abundance, and species richness, provided recommendations to help standardise their use in characterising mussel habitat and reviewed the reciprocal influence of mussels on hydraulic forces at the sediment–water interface. Hydrologic variables such as stream size and anthropogenic flow alteration were useful in predicting basin‐ and landscape‐scale changes in mussel communities. At finer scales, complex hydraulic variables—mainly shear stress and Reynolds number—were more useful at predicting mussel community responses. Simple hydraulic variables (flow velocity, depth, discharge) had mixed success as predictors of mussel community parameters and are likely to be indirectly correlated to mussel responses because they are used to calculate more complex variables. More emphasis should be placed on species‐ and basin‐specific responses of freshwater mussels when considering the effects of the hydrologic regime on mussels, with an eye towards sustainable water management (e.g. flow restoration, environmental flows). Simple hydraulic variables should be assessed across the range of discharge at a site, in combination with channel and substrate characteristics. This allows the calculation of complex hydraulic variables that may be more directly limiting to mussel communities. Mussels also alter near‐bed hydraulic characteristics, resulting in feedbacks between mussel community parameters and local hydraulic variable s. Researchers should consider that mussel beds have a reciprocal influence on near‐bed flow characteristics and should continue to explore the effects of such ecological engineering for possible interspecific facilitation benefits between mussel species.

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Section: Future Research Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hydrologic Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review and evaluation of the effects of hydrodynamic variables on freshwater mussel communities

Lopez

Vaughn

2021

Freshwater Biology

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Estimating whisker growth rates and foraging profiles for northern fur seal pups and adult females using stable isotope analysis

Howard,

Orr,

Narel

et al. 2024

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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Changing ratios of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes in consumer tissues reflect foraging patterns over time and can be used to inform studies on historically vulnerable populations. Northern fur seals (NFS; Callorhinus ursinus) at San Miguel Island (SMI), California, have been severely impacted by climate events such as El Niño and remain susceptible to future environmental disturbances, necessitating the need to further understand their foraging ecology. We analyzed sequential δ13C and δ15N values along single NFS whiskers sampled from five pups and five unrelated post-parturient females at SMI and reconstructed temporally aligned stable isotope profiles for each whisker. Pup profiles consistently showed increases in postnatal δ13C and δ15N values that likely stem from pup consumption of maternal milk and changes in maternal foraging locations after parturition. Adult female profiles indicated predominantly heterogeneous foraging strategies and minimal foraging outside the Southern California Bight. These findings provide initial characterizations of longitudinal, stable isotope-derived foraging data for NFS from SMI and offer insight into the inference of otariid foraging ecology with sequential δ13C and δ15N values.

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Whisker stable isotope analysis used for proactive management of recolonising New Zealand sea lion population

Chilvers

2023

Endang. Species. Res.

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New Zealand sea lions Phocarctos hookeri have experienced a 46% decline in pup production in the last 25 yr, driven by female deaths in trawl fisheries around the Auckland Islands. The only colony for this species recorded away from the subantarctics and this fishing impact is on Stewart Island. Despite the Stewart Island colony only being 1% of the species, it is significant, as it is currently the only stable population and is located in an area away from most on-land human impacts, although not away from potential fisheries pressures. To ensure this colony’s persistence, more information is needed on these sea lions’ diet, foraging behaviour, and local fisheries interactions for management that promotes their protection. The present research investigates the long-term foraging behaviour, and infers the diet, of female New Zealand sea lions on Stewart Island using their known foraging behaviour and linking this to their proximal and full-length whisker stable isotope values. Previous foraging studies found that these animals have small foraging areas with consistent mesopelagic diving behaviours. These behaviours, linked with their whisker stable isotope values, show consistency in foraging behaviour and inferred diet across their entire adult life. Currently, there are no known commercial fisheries bycatch issues for sea lions around Stewart Island. However, precautionary measures ensuring fisheries pressure does not increase and management to safeguard that deepwater trawling and finfish aquaculture remain absent would be proactive steps that should be undertaken for the protection of this new colony and for this Endangered species as a whole.

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Identifying female foraging ecotype and fisheries impacts through pup whisker stable isotopes

Cited by 3 publications

References 61 publications

A review and evaluation of the effects of hydrodynamic variables on freshwater mussel communities

A review and evaluation of the effects of hydrodynamic variables on freshwater mussel communities

Estimating whisker growth rates and foraging profiles for northern fur seal pups and adult females using stable isotope analysis

Whisker stable isotope analysis used for proactive management of recolonising New Zealand sea lion population

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