Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2014

Seiten: 110-116

Zeitschrift: Mammalian Biology

Bandnummer: 79

Heftnummer: 2

ISSN: 1616-5047

eISSN: 1618-1476

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2013.10.006

Verlag: Springer

Abstract: 
Nitrogen stable isotope analysis studies have become a useful tool in dietary studies to quantify differences in diet composition among species or individuals. However, laboratory studies have revealed several factors that influence the nitrogen isotope ratios (delta N-15) in animal tissues (e.g. habitat, amount of ingested food, and metabolic rate). The influence of these factors has not been validated for free-ranging bat species, which is important for interpreting nitrogen isotope data in field studies. In this study, we measured delta N-15 from wing membranes (delta N-15(w)) and habitat samples (delta N-15(h); soil and leaf, or sediment) to test for effects of diet, age, and individual energy demand in three free-living bat species (Myotis daubentonii, Nyctalus noctula and Nyctalus leisleri). We hypothesised that based on differences in diet composition delta N-15(w) values should increase in the sequence M. daubentonii, N. leisleri, and highest N. noctuba. Furthermore, juveniles should have significantly lower delta N-15(w) compared to their mothers. Thirdly. the delta N-15(w) values of reproductively active individuals should be significantly higher than those of nonreproductive individuals. Values of delta N-15(w) were significantly influenced by differences in feeding ecology among species and individual reproductive status, but not by animal age. Our results show that species feeding on primary consumers have lower delta N-15(w) values than species feeding on secondary and tertiary consumers. Further, independent young did not differ in their delta N-15(w) values from adults suggesting that their tissues already reflect the insect diet. The effect of reproductive status varied among species which might reflect intra-specific differences in foraging behaviour of generalist vs. specialist species. In this study, we demonstrated that delta N-15 can provide information on the dietary range of bats, but researchers should account for variation owing to reproductive status, habitat, and species. (C) 2013 Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Saugetierkunde. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Roswag, A., Becker, N. and Encarnacao, J. (2014) Factors influencing stable nitrogen isotope ratios in wing membranes of insectivorous bat species: A field study, Mammalian Biology, 79(2), pp. 110-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2013.10.006

APA-Zitierstil: Roswag, A., Becker, N., & Encarnacao, J. (2014). Factors influencing stable nitrogen isotope ratios in wing membranes of insectivorous bat species: A field study. Mammalian Biology. 79(2), 110-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2013.10.006