Isotope Discrimination and Turnover in Arctic Foxes
Author Information
Author(s): Nicolas Lecomte, Øystein Ahlstrøm, Dorothée Ehrich, Eva Fuglei, Rolf A. Ims, Nigel G. Yoccoz
Primary Institution: University of Tromsø
Hypothesis
How do age, sex, and diet types affect isotopic discrimination and turnover in arctic foxes?
Conclusion
The study found that isotopic discrimination in arctic foxes varies significantly based on age, sex, tissue type, and diet.
Supporting Evidence
- Isotopic discrimination varied from 0.3‰ to 5.3‰ for δ15N and from 0.2‰ to 2.9‰ for δ13C.
- The study identified significant interactions between diet and age affecting isotopic discrimination.
- Half-lives for δ15N and δ13C differed significantly in blood cells and plasma.
Takeaway
This study shows that arctic foxes can have different diets and that their bodies change how they process these diets based on their age and gender.
Methodology
The study involved feeding 40 farmed arctic foxes different diets and measuring isotopic discrimination and turnover in various tissues.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the controlled environment of the study compared to natural conditions.
Limitations
The study may not fully account for all environmental variables affecting isotopic discrimination in wild populations.
Participant Demographics
40 farmed arctic foxes, equally divided by age (adults and yearlings) and sex.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95%
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website