Bibliographic citations
Parodi, R., (2021). Ecología de forrajeo de dos especies de pinnípedos simpátricos estimada a través del análisis de ácidos grasos [Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia]. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12866/9422
Parodi, R., Ecología de forrajeo de dos especies de pinnípedos simpátricos estimada a través del análisis de ácidos grasos []. PE: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; 2021. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12866/9422
@misc{renati/493714,
title = "Ecología de forrajeo de dos especies de pinnípedos simpátricos estimada a través del análisis de ácidos grasos",
author = "Parodi Horny, Rafaella",
publisher = "Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia",
year = "2021"
}
Coexistence and potential competition between species and their impact on marine resources is of interest to understand feeding behavior. To allow the coexistence of species that occupy the same trophic level, it is expected that resource exploitation will lead to the segregation of the trophic niche. However, this distinction is not always clear. In sympatric predators, including marine mammals, several studies document cases of segregation, but also of niche overlap. Identifying diet composition is key to determining the degree of segregation / overlap in resource use. In marine mammals, various methodologies are used to analyze diet. These include the recovery of hard parts (PD) from stomachs and feces, stable isotopes (IE) and the quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA). Although each of these methodologies has limitations, the quantification of fatty acids is an advantageous technique because it allows to identify the species of the consumed prey. In addition, it provides quantitative and qualitative information of the diet consumed by an individual in different time scales ranging from hours, weeks, to years, depending on the tissue analyzed. In the Punta San Juan (PSJ) national reserve, located on the southern Peruvian coast, there are sympatric reproductive populations of the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) and the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis). Based on the analysis of hard parts, differences have been reported in the diet of both species in PSJ. However, the results of the studies are difficult to compare and do not allow us to clearly determine how individual use of resources contributes to inter- or intraspecific segregation. Using QFASA it is possible to obtain more precise information on the feeding strategies of each individual, at species-prey level and how prey selection varies over time. This will allow a better understanding of whether there is inter or intraspecific competition and how it varies according to environmental conditions of the Peruvian marine ecosystem. The present study proposes to evaluate the diet of these two pinniped species using QFASA to determine if there is segregation of resources at inter and intraspecific level. It is hypothesized that there is segregation of resources, both inter and intraspecific, due to the difference in size and the sexual dimorphism. Understanding the use of resources of these predators using QFASA will allow us to further understand their foraging behavior, determine if there is competition for resources, and obtain information on predator-prey relationships in the Peruvian marine ecosystem.
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