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Journal article
Isotopic niche overlap between sympatric Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins
Ecology and Evolution, Vol.12(5), e8937
24/05/2022
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Abstract
Ecological niche theory predicts the coexistence of closely related species is promoted by resource partitioning in space and time. Australian snubfin (<em>Orcaella heinsohni</em>) and humpback (<em>Sousa sahulensis</em>) dolphins live in sympatry throughout most of their range in northern Australian waters. We compared stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in their skin to investigate resource partitioning between these ecologically similar species. Skin samples were collected from live Australian snubfin (n = 31) and humpback dolphins (n = 23) along the east coast of Queensland in 2014–2015. Both species had similar δ13C and δ15N values and high (>50%) isotopic niche space overlap, suggesting that they feed at similar trophic levels, have substantial dietary overlap, and rely on similar basal food resources. Despite similarities, snubfin dolphins were more likely to have a larger δ15N value than humpback dolphins, indicating they may forage on a wider diversity of prey. Humpback dolphins were more likely to have a larger δ13C range suggesting they may forage on a wider range of habitats. Overall, results suggest that subtle differences in habitat use and prey selection are likely the principal resource partitioning mechanisms enabling the coexistence of Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins.
Details
- Title
- Isotopic niche overlap between sympatric Australian snubfin and humpback dolphins
- Creators
- Guido J. Parra - Flinders UniversityZachary Wojtkowiak - Flinders UniversityKatharina J. Peters - University of ZurichDaniele Cagnazzi - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Ecology and Evolution, Vol.12(5), e8937
- Comment
- Research for this study was done under permit G10/33405.1 and G09/29714.1 issued by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and permits no. WISP05836609 and WISP05700909 issued by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection. Ethics approvals were provided by the Southern Cross University Animal Care and Ethics Committee (no. 22/11). Funding for this project was provided by the Gladstone Port Corporation, the ecosystem research and monitoring program and the Fitzroy Basin Association. We thank all the volunteers involved with the Capricorn Cetacean Project that assisted in obtaining samples and data in the field. We are grateful to Dr Matheus Carvalho de Carvalho for assistance with sample processing for isotopic analysis. KJP was supported by a Postdoc Grant from the University of Zurich.
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- Fitzroy Basin Association Gladstone Port Corporation
- Identifiers
- 991013023930102368
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Authors
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article