Fatty acid signatures of stomach oil and adipose tissue of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in Alaska: Implications for diet analysis of Procellariiform birds

S.W. Wang; S.J. Iverson; A.M. Springer; Scott A. Hatch

doi:10.1007/s00360-007-0187-y

Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70031438

Fatty acid signatures of stomach oil and adipose tissue of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in Alaska: Implications for diet analysis of Procellariiform birds

S.W. Wang·S.J. Iverson·A.M. Springer·Scott A. Hatch

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Procellariiforms are unique among seabirds in storing dietary lipids in both adipose tissue and stomach oil. Thus, both lipid sources are potentially useful for trophic studies using fatty acid (FA) signatures. However, little is known about the relationship between FA signatures in stomach oil and adipose tissue of individuals or whether these signatures provide similar information about diet and physiology. We compared the FA composition of stomach oil and adipose tissue biopsies of individual northern fulmars ( N = 101) breeding at three major colonies in Alaska. Fatty acid signatures differed significantly between the two lipid sources, reflecting differences in dietary time scales, metabolic processing, or both. However, these signatures exhibited a relatively consistent relationship between individuals, such that the two lipid sources provided a similar ability to distinguish foraging differences among individuals and colonies. Our results, including the exclusive presence of dietary wax esters in stomach oil but not adipose tissue, are consistent with the notion that stomach oil FA signatures represent lipids retained from prey consumed during recent foraging and reflect little metabolic processing, whereas adipose tissue FA signatures represent a longer-term integration of dietary intake. Our study illustrates the potential for elucidating short- versus longer-term diet information in Procellariiform birds using different lipid sources.

Explore related subjects

Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 52.54566934855766° to 60.74171324184685° latitude; -173.2379150390625° to -156.54693603515625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

S.W. Wang, S.J. Iverson, A.M. Springer, Scott A. Hatch. 2007-08-22. Fatty acid signatures of stomach oil and adipose tissue of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in Alaska: Implications for diet analysis of Procellariiform birds. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00360-007-0187-y

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2022

Na+/HCO3- cotransporter 1 (nbce1) isoform gene expression during smoltification and seawater acclimation of Atlantic salmon

The life history of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) includes an initial freshwater phase (parr) that precedes a springtime migration to marine environments as smolts. The development of osmoregulatory systems that will ultimately support the survival of juveniles upon entry into marine habitats is a key aspect of smoltification. While the acquisition of seawater tolerance in all euryhaline species demands the concerted activity of specific ion pumps, transporters, and channels, the contributions of Na + /HCO 3 − cotransporter 1 (Nbce1) to salinity acclimation remain unresolved. Here, we investigated the branchial and intestinal expression of three Na + /HCO 3 − cotransporter 1 isoforms, denoted nbce1.1 , -1.2a , and -1.2b . Given the proposed role of Nbce1 in supporting the absorption of environmental Na + by ionocytes, we first hypothesized that expression of a branchial nbce1 transcript ( nbce1.2a ) would be attenuated in salmon undergoing smoltification and following seawater exposure. In two separate years, we observed spring increases in branchial Na + /K + -ATPase activity, Na + /K + /2Cl − cotransporter 1 , and cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator 1 expression characteristic of smoltification, whereas there were no attendant changes in nbce1.2a expression. Nonetheless, branchial nbce1.2a levels were reduced in parr and smolts within 2 days of seawater exposure. In the intestine, gene transcript abundance for nbce1.1 increased from spring to summer in the anterior intestine, but not in the posterior intestine or pyloric caeca, and nbce1.1 and -1.2b expression in the intestine showed season-dependent transcriptional regulation by seawater exposure. Collectively, our data indicate that tissue-specific modulation of all three nbce1 isoforms underlies adaptive responses to seawater.

Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, ↗

USGS2021

Fatty acid profiles of feeding and fasting bears: Estimating calibration coefficients, the timeframe of diet estimates, and selective mobilization during hibernation

Accurate information on diet composition is central to understanding and conserving carnivore populations. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) has emerged as a powerful tool for estimating the diets of predators, but ambiguities remain about the timeframe of QFASA estimates and the need to account for species-specific patterns of metabolism. We conducted a series of feeding experiments with four juvenile male brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) to (1) track the timing of changes in adipose tissue composition and QFASA diet estimates in response to a change in diet and (2) quantify the relationship between consumer and diet FA composition (i.e., determine “calibration coefficients”). Bears were fed three compositionally distinct diets for 90–120 days each. Two marine-based diets were intended to approximate the lipid content and composition of the wild diet of polar bears ( U. maritimus ). Bear adipose tissue composition changed quickly in the direction of the diet and showed evidence of stabilization after 60 days. During hibernation, FA profiles were initially stable but diet estimates after 10 weeks were sensitive to calibration coefficients. Calibration coefficients derived from the marine-based diets were broadly similar to each other and to published values from marine-fed mink ( Mustela vison ), which have been used as a model for free-ranging polar bears. For growing bears on a high-fat diet, the temporal window for QFASA estimates was 30–90 days. Although our results reinforce the importance of accurate calibration, the similarities across taxa and diets suggest it may be feasible to develop a generalized QFASA approach for mammalian carnivores.

Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, ↗

USGS2020

Effects of a temperature rise on melatonin and thyroid hormones during smoltification of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar

Smoltification prepares juvenile Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) for downstream migration. Dramatic changes characterize this crucial event in the salmon’s life cycle, including increased gill Na + /K + -ATPase activity (NKA) and plasma hormone levels. The triggering of smoltification relies on photoperiod and is modulated by temperature. Both provide reliable information, to which fish have adapted for thousands of years, that allows deciphering daily and calendar time. Here we studied the impact of different photoperiod (natural, sustained winter solstice) and temperature (natural, ~ + 4° C) combinations, on gill NKA, plasma free triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and melatonin (MEL; the time-keeping hormone), throughout smoltification. We also studied the impact of temperature history on pineal gland MEL production in vitro. The spring increase in gill NKA was less pronounced in smolts kept under sustained winter photoperiod and/or elevated temperature. Plasma thyroid hormone levels displayed day–night variations, which were affected by elevated temperature, either independently from photoperiod (decrease in T3 levels) or under natural photoperiod exclusively (increase in T4 nocturnal levels). Nocturnal MEL secretion was potentiated by the elevated temperature, which also altered the MEL profile under sustained winter photoperiod. Temperature also affected pineal MEL production in vitro, a response that depended on previous environmental acclimation of the organ. The results support the view that the salmon pineal is a photoperiod and temperature sensor, highlight the complexity of the interaction of these environmental factors on the endocrine system of S. salar , and indicate that climate change might compromise salmon’s time “deciphering” during smoltification, downstream migration and seawater residence.

Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, ↗