Further Evidence for Site Fidelity to Wing Molt Locations by King Eiders: Integrating Stable Isotope Analyses and Satellite Telemetry
Abstract. -Studies using stable-isotope analyses of feathers to determine molt locations in marine birds are increasingly common but generally lack verification through ground-truthing. In this study, we examined the stable isotope compositions of wing feathers from King Eiders ( Somateria spectabil...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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Other Authors: | |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
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Online Access: | http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.1083.8681 http://www.north-slope.org/assets/images/uploads/Knoche%20et%20al%20_2007%20KIEI%20site%20fidelity.pdf |
Summary: | Abstract. -Studies using stable-isotope analyses of feathers to determine molt locations in marine birds are increasingly common but generally lack verification through ground-truthing. In this study, we examined the stable isotope compositions of wing feathers from King Eiders ( Somateria spectabilis ) implanted with satellite-transmitters. We compared stable carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen isotope compositions ( δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ D, respectively) of primary feathers with the geographic location of wing molt in the subsequent year. Longitude of molt locations of eiders was highly correlated with δ 13 C (r 2 = 0.69, N = 12) and δ D (r 2 = 0.90, N = 12) isotope values from their primary feathers grown in the previous year. There was no relationship between δ 15 N and location of wing molt (r 2 = 0.007, N = 12). The results of this study provide further evidence for site fidelity during wing molt by King Eiders. |
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