Stable Isotope Dynamics (δ13C and δ15N) in Neritic and Oceanic Waters of the North Atlantic Inferred From GPS-Tracked Cory’s Shearwaters

The first global deep-sea stable isotope assessment reveals the unique trophic ecology of Vampire Squid Vampyroteuthis infernalis (Cephalopoda)

“…In the Atlantic, δ 13 C values were more variable and apparently unrelated to latitude. While not strictly following the expected latitudinal baseline patterns in some areas of the Atlantic 46,47 , zooplankton and top predators tend generally to follow it on an ocean-wide scale 46,48–50 . The same pattern of δ 13 C values, barely varying with latitude, has also been demonstrated from sampling of deep-sea sharks predominantly taken in the North Atlantic 35 .…”

Metabarcoding, stables isotopes, and tracking: unraveling the trophic ecology of a winter-breeding storm petrel (Hydrobates castro) with a multimethod approach

“…Annual differences in the stable carbon isotope values of the birds for the breeding season, with higher values in 2017 than in 2015 could be a result of: 1) annual differences in marine productivity in the foraging area used by the birds (Ceia et al 2018, Graham et al 2010, 2) the differential timing of collection of blood samples (2015 samples were collected during incubation, while 2017 samples were collected during chick rearing) or 3) differences in their foraging grounds between years. However, the higher stable carbon isotope values in 2017, together with tracking data for 2017, which showed birds to forage near the colony and near the West African coast, suggests that annual differences in foraging grounds may be important in explaining annual differences in stable isotope values.…”

“…It is now known that isotopic ratios change throughout different latitudes, depending on the distance to the shore or benthic habitats, providing an estimated geographic gradient (i.e. isoscapes) of the ocean (Ramos et al 2009;Graham et al 2010;Ceia et al 2018). As for the majority of Procellariformes, which are known for having large foraging areas during the breeding season, with even longer distant movements during migration, studies on storm-petrel distribution show that these birds, despite their small size, also undergo long distance movements.…”

Birds of a feather moult together: Differences in moulting distribution of four species of storm-petrels

“…To characterise stable isotopic niches and determine differences in ecological range during moult, we used the stable isotope composition of two elements: δ 13 C and δ 18 O of tail feathers moulted during the non-breeding period, largely simultaneously with other flight feathers [ 14 , 24 ]. Stable isotope compositions of both elements vary spatially in marine ecosystems; δ 13 C values are correlated with phytoplankton distribution [ 25 , 26 ] while δ 18 O values are correlated with salinity and fresh water input [ 27 ]. Both marine isotope values follow inshore/offshore gradients [ 26 – 28 ].…”

“…Stable isotope compositions of both elements vary spatially in marine ecosystems; δ 13 C values are correlated with phytoplankton distribution [ 25 , 26 ] while δ 18 O values are correlated with salinity and fresh water input [ 27 ]. Both marine isotope values follow inshore/offshore gradients [ 26 – 28 ]. To our knowledge, this study is the first to combine δ 13 C and δ 18 O analyses to determine differences in moulting distributions of storm-petrels breeding sympatrically in both hemispheres.…”