The use of stable isotope ratios in whitebait otolith carbonate to identify the source of prey for Western Australian penguins

R.C.J. Lenanton; F. Valesini; T.P. Bastow; G.B. Nowara; J.S. Edmonds; M.N. Connard

doi:10.1016/S0022-0981(03)00096-0

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The use of stable isotope ratios in whitebait otolith carbonate to identify the source of prey for Western Australian penguins

Journal article

Peer reviewed

The use of stable isotope ratios in whitebait otolith carbonate to identify the source of prey for Western Australian penguins

R.C.J. Lenanton, F. Valesini, T.P. Bastow, G.B. Nowara, J.S. Edmonds and M.N. Connard

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.291(1), pp.17-27

2003

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(03)00096-0

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Abstract

A methodology has been developed and used to investigate a direct link between juvenile whitebait (Hyperlophus vittatus), the key prey species sampled from the stomachs of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor), and the specific nursery area of that prey. A unique application of existing methodology initially involved the measurement of the stable isotopes of oxygen (δ18O:δ16O) and carbon (δ13C:δ12C) in sagittal otolith carbonate, using standard mass spectrometric techniques. The results indicated that the inshore distribution of juvenile (0+ year old) whitebait between Cockburn Sound and Koombana Bay, Western Australia consisted of a number of separate assemblages. Measured differences in stable oxygen isotope ratios were attributed to variations in freshwater input to the embayments that provided the whitebait habitats. In contrast, the measured stable carbon isotope ratios probably resulted from the different isotopic compositions of the food webs in the various habitats. Secondly, a comparison of the average value of carbon and oxygen isotope signatures of pooled otoliths from samples of whitebait from a number of different nearshore coastal sites (assemblages), with that of whitebait obtained from the stomachs of penguins at their main breeding site (Penguin Island) indicated that the values from the penguins resemble most closely those of the average otolith values obtained from whitebait from only one site (Becher Point). Assuming that the whitebait sampled were representative of the whitebait in the nearshore habitats and the diets of the penguins, then these results imply that at the time of sampling the penguins were feeding on whitebait from only one site.

Details

Title: The use of stable isotope ratios in whitebait otolith carbonate to identify the source of prey for Western Australian penguins
Authors/Creators: R.C.J. Lenanton (Author/Creator) - Government of Western Australia
F. Valesini (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
T.P. Bastow (Author/Creator) - Curtin University
G.B. Nowara (Author/Creator) - Government of Western Australia
J.S. Edmonds (Author/Creator) - National Institute for Environmental Studies
M.N. Connard (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, Vol.291(1), pp.17-27
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Identifiers: 991005540218607891
Copyright: 2003 Elsevier Science B.V.
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology; Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science