Isotopic niche segregation during the non-breeding period in Black-faced Cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens)

Bass Strait; cormorant; non-breeding period; Seabird; stable isotopes; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Animal Science and Zoology; Nature and Landscape Conservation

Abstract :

[en] Due to environmental changes, prey distribution and availability are predicted to change. This is expected to impact their predators, especially in the highly dynamic and fast-changing marine environment. To predict these impacts, knowledge of predator diets throughout the annual cycle is needed. During the breeding season, collecting diet samples from seabirds is relatively simple, but data on other periods are harder to obtain. To study trophic niche during the non-breeding period, stable isotopes extracted from feathers can be used as a proxy. Bulk stable isotope ratios of carbon (13C/12C), nitrogen (15N/14N) and sulphur (34S/32S) of feathers (n = 96), blood (n = 10) and gut content (n = 56) were combined with GPS tracking data (n = 30) to study the trophic niche, individual niche consistency and the link between non-breeding trophic niche and habitat use in Black-faced Cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens). On the population level, a large range in isotope compositions (combination of C, N and S isotope ratios) was observed, indicating that individuals exploit diverse prey and habitats. However, comparing blood (breeding) and feather (non-breeding) stable isotope data from the same individuals revealed little within-individual variation in isotope compositions, indicating individual consistency in exploited prey or habitats. Tracking data revealed that δ13C, δ15N and δ34S values in feathers reflected whether an individual foraged in shallow or deeper habitats during the non-breeding period and may be used to monitor habitat use. This study provides further insights into the year-round diet and foraging of the poorly studied Black-faced Cormorant.

Research Center/Unit :

FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège

Disciplines :

Zoology
Environmental sciences & ecology

Author, co-author :

Cansse, Thomas ; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia ; Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Lens, Luc ; Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Lepoint, Gilles ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution ; National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS), Bruxelles, Belgium

Arnould, John P. Y. ; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia

Language :

English

Title :

Isotopic niche segregation during the non-breeding period in Black-faced Cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens)

Publication date :

August 2025

Journal title :

Emu

ISSN :

0158-4197

Publisher :

Taylor and Francis

Pages :

1-12

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Development Goals :

14. Life below water

Additional URL :

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/01584197.2025.2528606

Funders :

Deakin University

Available on ORBi :

since 25 September 2025

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