Influence of forage preferences and habitat use on¹³C and¹⁵N abundance in wild caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) from Canada

Abstract

Stable isotope composition (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) of moose (Alces alces) and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) hair from the boreal forest of Jacques-Cartier Park and Cote-Nord (Quebec) and arctic tundra of Queen Maud Gulf and Southampton Island (Nunavut) was investigated as an indicator of dietary preferences and habitat use. Values of delta(13)C(hair) and delta(15)N(hair) in moose were consistently lower compared to those of caribou. This is consistent with the depletion in (13)C and (15)N in the plants preferred by moose, essentially browse (shrub and tree leaves), compared to caribou forage, which included significant amounts of graminoids, lichen and fungi. The delta(13)C(hair) values of caribou differed between closed boreal forest and open-tundra ecosystems. This pattern followed that expected from the canopy effect observed in plant communities. Variation in delta(15)N(hair) values of caribou was probably linked to the effect of different climatic conditions on plant communities. This study underlines the potential of isotopic analysis for studies on diet and habitat selection within a pure C(3) plant environment.

Cadmium and other elements in tissues from four ungulate species from the Mackenzie Mountain region of the Northwest Territories, Canada

“…The increasing order of δ 13 C values from moose to mountain caribou corresponds with the patterns observed for a summer diet in the same species in Alaska (Ben-David et al, 2001) and eastern Canada (Drucker et al, 2010). Isotopic ratios from individual plant species are not available for this study, but the observed difference in the ratios are likely due to the lower consumption of tree and shrub buds and leaves and the greater quantity of lichen in the caribou diet.…”

“…These isotopic differences occur despite the exclusive presence of C 3 plants in the Arctic environment (Drucker et al, 2010). 15 N is generally used to define the trophic position of a species (Kelly, 2000).…”

Endangered species, archaeology, and stable isotopes: huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus) isotopic ecology in central-western Patagonia (South America)

“…This indicates the absence of a 'canopy' depleted signature. Two alternative hypotheses can be suggested: This reproduces to some extent recent debate regarding cervid species from the northern hemisphere (Stevens et al, 2006;Drucker et al, 2008Drucker et al, , 2010. Information available for guanacos is relevant for this issue (Barberena et al, , 2010Tessone, 2010) since, based on relatively large sample sizes, steppe guanacos can be statistically differentiated from forest guanacos, which would display an incidence of the canopy effect (Table 4, Fig.…”

“…At face value, these findings can be seen as incompatible. Nevertheless, C and N biochemical cycles are conditioned by different regulating factors (Ambrose, 1991;van der Merwe and Medina, 1991;Cormie and Schwarcz et al, 1996;Ehleringer and Cerling, 2001;Drucker et al, 2008Drucker et al, , 2010Craine et al, 2009;Ugan and Coltrain, 2011), not completely understood yet, and may not vary in conjunction. The zooarchaeological record from the western Patagonian forests indicates that human groups inhabiting the area regularly hunted and consumed huemul (Mena, 1983;Belardi and Gómez Otero, 1998;De Nigris, 2004;Mena et al, 2004;Méndez et al, 2006;Fernández, 2010).…”

Investigation of palaeodiet in the North Caucasus (South Russia) Bronze Age using stable isotope analysis and AMS dating of human and animal bones

“…This variability might prove an opportunity, however, in that it could enable seasonal adaptation in prehistory to be identified using carbon, nitrogen and oxygen isotopes of archaeological faunal and human teeth and bones (e.g. Balasse et al, 2009;Drucker et al, 2010;Gröcke et al, 1997).…”