Resource partitioning in a cetacean community from Uruguayan waters

• DOI: 10.1111/mms.13077
• Publication Date: 2023-10-02T14:55:13Z
• Authors: Meica Valdivia; Luciano O. Valenz...; Verónica Berriel; Diego Rodríguez; Paula Laporta; Massimiliano Drago; Alessandra Cani; Leandro Bergamino
• Keywords: Delphinus delphis; Bottlenose dolphin; Blubber; Marine mammal; Ecotype; Cetacea; Baleen; Isotope Analysis

Abstract The study of resource partitioning within a community is central to understanding the processes that enable interspecific competition and coexistence. This aimed understand habitat preferences among odontocetes in Uruguay. We analyzed stable carbon nitrogen isotopes data from bone tissue common dolphins ( Delphinus delphis ), Fraser's Lagenodelphis hosei false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens Lahille's bottlenose Tursiops truncatus gephyreus Burmeister's porpoises Phocoena spinipinnis franciscana Pontoporia blainvillei ). Based on isotopic values, whale individuals were divided into two different ecological groups (ecotype 1 2). Isotopic values also suggest dolphins, porpoises, ecotype feed continental shelf and/or high trophic level preys. At other end gradient, 2 use resources oceanic environment lower niche overlap was found between dolphin 1. work provides novel basic information about habit feeding inhabiting one most important estuaries South America.