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Multiple isotope tracers in fur keratin discriminate between mothers and offspring
Author(s) -
Kravchenko Kseniia A.,
Lehnert Linn S.,
Vlaschenko Anton S.,
Voigt Christian C.
Publication year - 2019
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.8417
Subject(s) - juvenile , isotope , isotope analysis , stable isotope ratio , isotopes of nitrogen , isotopes of carbon , chemistry , lactation , δ13c , isotope ratio mass spectrometry , zoology , ecology , nitrogen , biology , environmental chemistry , mass spectrometry , total organic carbon , chromatography , genetics , pregnancy , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Rationale Isoscape origin models for mammals may be impaired by fractionation and routing of isotopes during lactation. Here, we tested if the stable carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen ratios of juvenile bats differ from those of their mothers and if derived isotopic dietary niches and geographical assignments vary accordingly between mothers and juveniles. Methods During the post‐lactation period, we collected fur of juvenile and female common noctule bats ( Nyctalus noctula ) from the same maternity roost. Using a combination of elemental analysis and stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry, we measured the hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios in fur keratin. The hydrogen isotope ratios were measured for the non‐exchangeable portion of hydrogen in keratin. The derived isotopic niches and isoscape origin models were compared between mothers and juveniles. Results The fur keratin of juveniles was enriched by 1.6‰ in 15 N and depleted by 2.9‰ in 13 C compared with that of the mothers. In addition, the hydrogen isotope ratios were 13.4‰ lower in the fur keratin of juveniles than in that of mothers. The estimated isotopic niches of nursing females and juveniles were not overlapping and differed in size. Overall, the isoscape origin models projected juveniles as being from a more northern origin than the mothers; yet both models suggested the study site as a likely place of origin. Conclusions Our results suggest that isotope ratio data of juvenile bats should not be used for transfer functions in isoscape origin models because of isotopic routing and discrimination during lactation. Not accounting for age effects may increase the inaccuracy of geographical assignments in mammals when based on stable hydrogen isotopes.