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Changes in stable isotope compositions during fasting in phocid seals
Author(s) -
Habran Sarah,
Damseaux France,
Pomeroy Paddy,
Debier Cathy,
Crocker Daniel,
Lepoint Gilles,
Das Krishna
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.8308
Subject(s) - lactation , weaning , elephant seal , chemistry , isotope , zoology , stable isotope ratio , reproduction , isotope analysis , medicine , endocrinology , biology , ecology , pregnancy , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics
Rationale The grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (GS), and the northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris (NES), come ashore for reproduction. This period involves intense physiological processes such as lactation in females and a developmental post‐weaning fast in juveniles. Previous studies have shown that δ 13 C and δ 15 N values are affected by starvation, but the precise effects of fasting associated with lactation and post‐weaning fast in seals remain poorly understood. Methods To examine the effect of lactation and post‐weaning fast on stable isotope ratios in GS and NES, blood and hair were sampled from 21 GS mother‐pup pairs on the Isle of May and on 22 weaned NES pups at Año Nuevo State Reserve during their respective breeding seasons. Milk samples were also collected from GS mothers. Stable isotope measurements were performed with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to an N‐C elemental analyser. Results Changes in stable isotope ratios in blood components during fasting were similar and weak between GS and NES mothers especially in blood cells (GS: Δ 15 N = 0.05‰, Δ 13 C = 0.02‰; NES: Δ 15 N = 0.1‰, Δ 13 C = 0.1‰). GS showed a 15 N discrimination factor between maternal and pup blood cells and milk, but not for 13 C. The strongest relationship between the isotopic compositions of the mother and the pup was observed in the blood cells. Conclusions Isotopic consequences of lactation, fasting, and growth seem limited in NES and GS, especially in medium‐term integrator tissues of feeding activity such as blood cells. Stable isotope ratios in the blood of pups and mothers are correlated. We observed a subtle mother‐to‐pup fractionation factor. Our results suggest that pup blood cells are mostly relevant for exploring the ecology of female seals.