ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS OF δ13C, δ15N, AND δ34S "A FEEDING TALE" IN TEETH OF THE LONGBEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN, DELPHINUS CAPENSIS

• Published in: Marine mammal science Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 831 - 846
• Main Authors: Niño-Torres, Carlos Alberto, Gallo-Reynoso, Juan Pablo, Galván-Magaña, Felipe, Escobar-Briones, Elva, Macko, Stephen A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.10.2006; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Autoecology; Biological and medical sciences; common dolphin; Delphinus capensis; feeding habits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gulf of California; Mammalia; stable isotopes; trophic level; Vertebrata; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Gulf of California; Pacific Ocean; North Pacific; Gulf of California; Isotopic analysis; Delphinus capensis; stable isotopes; Teeth; Feeding; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Diet; common dolphin; Trophic level; Delphinus delphis; Cetacea; Tooth; feeding habits; Isotopes
• ISSN: 0824-0469; 1748-7692
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2006.00065.x

Stable isotopic analyses of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur were performed on teeth of different ages and sexes of the longbeaked common dolphin, Delphinus capensis, from the Gulf of California. Similarities in diet are suggested between the sexes, with no significant differences in isotopic compositions being observed. Differences in the δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S signatures were found among the age groups (nursing calf, juvenile, subadult, and adult). These data suggest that this species is generally a coastal feeder, and that it changes its feeding habits with increasing age, drawing more nutrition from higher trophic level organisms later in life.