Diet, individual specialisation and breeding of brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi): An investigation using stable isotopes

Anderson, O.R.J.; Phillips, R.A.; Shore, R.F.; McGill, R.A.R.; McDonald, R.A.; Bearhop, S.. 2009 Diet, individual specialisation and breeding of brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi): An investigation using stable isotopes. Polar Biology, 32 (1). 27-33. 10.1007/s00300-008-0498-9

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Abstract/Summary

The diet of brown skuas (Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi) on Bird Island, South Georgia was assessed using a combination of stable isotope analysis (SIA) and mixing model techniques. We found evidence that individual specialisation in diet of adult brown skuas was related to timing of breeding, which may reflect differences in intrinsic quality. Adults with more enriched 13C values hatched chicks earlier than those with depleted 13C values. Individuals with enriched 13C fed predominantly on Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) carrion and placenta while those with lower ratios appeared to rely more on burrowing petrels (e.g. Antarctic prions Pachyptila desolata). Individual foraging differences clearly influenced timing of breeding and potentially the reproductive output of breeding pairs. We confirmed that the main components of the diet of brown skuas during incubation are, in decreasing order of importance, Antarctic fur seal placenta, burrowing petrels and fur seal muscle. In addition, we identified fur seal faeces in the diet during this stage, which had not been detected previously by traditional sampling methods. Finally we identified a correlation in δ13C values between pair members, attributable to the influence of courtship feeding of females by males, or assortative mating according to foraging preference or intrinsic quality.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s00300-008-0498-9
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > DISCOVERY 2010 - Integrating Southern Ocean Ecosystems into the Earth System
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0722-4060
Additional Keywords:	Diet, Foraging specialisation, Mixing models, Scavenging
NORA Subject Terms:	Marine Sciences Zoology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	23 Mar 2009 11:18 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5056

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1007/s00300-008-0498-9

Programmes:

CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biogeochemistry
BAS Programmes > Global Science in the Antarctic Context (2005-2009) > DISCOVERY 2010 - Integrating Southern Ocean Ecosystems into the Earth System

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0722-4060

Additional Keywords:

Diet, Foraging specialisation, Mixing models, Scavenging