Using Prey Availability to Improve Diet Estimates in Predators
Author Information
Author(s): Justin D. Yeakel, Mark Novak, Paulo R. Guimarães Jr., Nathaniel J. Dominy, Paul L. Koch, Eric J. Ward, Jonathan W. Moore, Brice X. Semmens
Primary Institution: University of California Santa Cruz
Hypothesis
Can incorporating prey availability data into Bayesian mixing models improve the accuracy of dietary estimates for predators?
Conclusion
Incorporating prey availability data into Bayesian mixing models significantly improves the accuracy of dietary estimates for predators when multiple prey have similar isotope values.
Supporting Evidence
- The study found that traditional models often assume all prey are equally consumed, which is unrealistic.
- By weighting dietary estimates based on prey availability, the accuracy of dietary predictions improved significantly.
- Field observations confirmed that the new method provided better estimates of prey contributions to the predator's diet.
Takeaway
This study shows that knowing how much food is available can help scientists better understand what animals eat, especially when different food options look similar.
Methodology
The study developed a procedure to incorporate prey availability data into Bayesian mixing models and tested it against independently measured feeding rates in an intertidal community.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise if the relationship between prey availability and diet choice is not well understood.
Limitations
The method relies on the accuracy of prey availability data, which may not always be available or reliable.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on the whelk predator Haustrum scobina and its prey in a New Zealand intertidal community.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Confidence Interval
90%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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