MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

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Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 664:207-225 (2021)

Year-round niche segregation of three sympatric Hydrobates storm-petrels from Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, Eastern Pacific

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
yuliana.bedolla@islas.org.mx

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