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Fecal carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis as an indicator of diet in Kanyawara chimpanzees, Kibale National Park, Uganda
Author(s) -
Phillips Caroline A.,
O'Connell Tamsin C.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of physical anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1096-8644
pISSN - 0002-9483
DOI - 10.1002/ajpa.23073
Subject(s) - national park , feces , isotope analysis , carbon fibers , nitrogen , geography , ecology , biology , environmental science , chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , algorithm , composite number
Abstract Objectives The shorter‐term overview from feces provides scope to investigate dietary fluctuations. We assess the correlation of stable isotopic fecal values with recorded seasonal diet of 10 adult chimpanzees ( P. t. schweinfurthii ) of the Kanyawara community (Kibale National Park, Uganda) and whether fecal nitrogen levels (% N ) indicate a change in crude protein intake. Materials and Methods We recorded food eaten by each ape and collected both concurrent fecal samples ( N = 115) and plant foods eaten by this community ( N = 64). We compared fecal δ 13 C and δ 15 N values (also % N ) with: (a) plant values; (b) feeding data; and (c) food‐items found macroscopically in the fecal samples. Interspecies and intraspecies differences in plant and fecal isotope values (and % N ) as well as seasonality in diet were determined using parametric and nonparametric tests. Results No difference in plant δ 13 C and δ 15 N values was found at intraspecies or interspecies level. Fecal isotope values reflected a diet of C 3 plants from evergreen forest vegetation. Seasonal differences in δ 13 C and δ 15 N corresponded with aspects of feeding and fecal macroscopic data, but only at community level. A change in crude protein intake was not indicated from % N content. Discussion This study further validates the use of staple isotope analyses of primate feces to provide a dietary overview, revealing seasonal differences at community level; however, conclusive results may be limited for individuals when using short sampling periods. Further study of variables that influence fecal % N content is also suggested to interpret crude protein intake.