DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13645
copiedYear-round niche segregation of three sympatric Hydrobates storm-petrels from Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, Eastern Pacific
- Yuliana Bedolla-Guzmán
- Juan F. Masello
- Alfonso Aguirre-Muñoz
- Bertha E. Lavaniegos
- Christian C. Voigt
- Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez
- Laura Sánchez-Velasco
- Carlos J. Robinson
- Petra Quillfeldt
ABSTRACT: Ecologically similar species partition their use of resources and habitats and thus coexist due to ecological segregation in space, time, or diet. In seabirds, this segregation may differ over the annual cycle or vary inter-annually. We evaluated niche segregation in 3 sympatric storm-petrel species (Hydrobates melania, H. leucorhous, and H. microsoma) from the San Benito Islands, Mexico, during 2012 and 2013. We used diet samples and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values obtained from egg membranes, blood, feathers, and prey. We used krill samples to delineate marine δ13C and δ15N isoscapes for the Baja California Peninsula. During the breeding season, storm-petrels segregated regarding diet composition, stable isotope values, and isotopic niches. H. melania consumed higher trophic-position prey from neritic waters, while H. leucorhous and H. microsoma foraged on lower-trophic position prey from oceanic waters. Isotopic niches among species did not overlap in 2013, whereas those of H. microsoma and H. leucorhous overlapped in 2012. The feeding strategies of H. melania varied among breeding phases, and adults consumed different prey items from different areas compared to those of their offspring. H. microsoma adults and their chicks consumed the same prey items but from different habitats. During the non-breeding period, niche segregation between species persisted, except for H. microsoma and H. leucorhous during the molt of primary (P1) and undertail cover feathers. These 3 sympatric species coexist through niche segregation based on prey items and foraging areas that vary seasonally and year-round, probably due to changes in oceanographic conditions and the distribution and availability of prey.
KEYWORDS
Yuliana Bedolla-Guzmán (Corresponding Author)
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C., Ensenada, Baja California 22800, Mexico
Juan F. Masello (Co-author)
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Alfonso Aguirre-Muñoz (Co-author)
- Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas, A.C., Ensenada, Baja California 22800, Mexico
Bertha E. Lavaniegos (Co-author)
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Ensenada, Baja California 22860, Mexico
Christian C. Voigt (Co-author)
- Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany
Jaime Gómez-Gutiérrez (Co-author)
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico
Laura Sánchez-Velasco (Co-author)
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23096, Mexico
Carlos J. Robinson (Co-author)
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04500, Mexico
Petra Quillfeldt (Co-author)
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
