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Selected Works of Scott A. Shaffer
Article
Stable isotope values delineate the non-breeding distributions of sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus in the North Pacific Ocean
Marine Ecology Progress Series (2015)
  • David R. Thompson, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
  • Leigh G. Torres, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
  • Graeme A. Taylor, Department of Conservation, Wellington
  • Matt J. Rayner, University of Auckland
  • Paul M. Sagar, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
  • Scott A Shaffer, San Jose State University
  • Richard A. Phillips, British Antarctic Survey
  • Sarah J. Bury, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd
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Abstract
Following breeding, sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus leave New Zealand waters and migrate to 1 of 3 distinct areas in the North Pacific Ocean, effectively exploiting environmental resources across a large proportion of this northern ocean basin. In this study, we combined electronic tracking technology with stable isotope analyses (δ15N and δ13C) of feathers grown during the non-breeding period in order to evaluate whether isotope signatures can be used to identify specific non-breeding areas used by sooty shearwaters. A region to the east of Japan was utilised by the majority of tracked birds, whereas others used areas off the west coast of North America. Stable isotope values of feathers allowed the discrimination of individuals that used each of the 3 different non-breeding areas, and suggested that birds off Japan can be further separated into ‘coastal’ and ‘offshore’ groups. Our results confirm the utility of using stable isotope analysis, validated by tracking devices, as a tool to determine distribution and habitat use of a long-range oceanic migrant, the sooty shearwater. These results also highlight the resource connectivity between the northern and southern Pacific Ocean basin.
Keywords
  • Migratory connectivity,
  • new zealand,
  • seabird,
  • spatial distribution
Disciplines
Publication Date
2015
DOI
10.3354/meps11128
Publisher Statement
This article was originally published in Marine Ecology Progress Series, volume 521, 2015. © 2015 Inter-Research
This article is also available online at this link.

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Citation Information
David R. Thompson, Leigh G. Torres, Graeme A. Taylor, Matt J. Rayner, et al.. "Stable isotope values delineate the non-breeding distributions of sooty shearwaters Puffinus griseus in the North Pacific Ocean" Marine Ecology Progress Series Vol. 521 (2015) p. 277 - 282 ISSN: 0171-8630
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/scott_shaffer/51/