Abstract
Sexual segregation in feeding strategies has been widely reported in seabirds. Most seabirds occupy wide breeding distributional ranges, and dissimilar ecological settings may result in distinct environmental pressures on males and females leading to geographical differences in sexual segregation. Using GPS loggers and stable isotope analysis of whole blood (δ15N, δ13C), we assessed the occurrence of sexual differences in Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) foraging trip parameters, habitat use, isotopic niche and diet during the incubation period at three breeding locations in Argentina characterized by different foraging contexts. At Islote Arroyo Jabalí Este, sexual differences were found in trip parameters and habitat use mainly associated with a significantly higher use by males of a refuse dump as foraging site. However, their isotopic niches were similar with both sexes consuming mostly recreational fish waste, suggesting it was mainly obtained by males at the dump and by females at shoreline areas used by fishers. At Punta Tombo, there were no sex differences in trip parameters nor in the main prey consumed consisting of fishery discards, although females used more shoreline areas and males presented a significantly larger isotopic niche width. In contrast, at Isla Vernaci Este, males and females showed similar trip parameters, habitat use, and isotopic niche width and diet composition. Results show geographical differences in the degree of sexual segregation, which may result from differences in the availability of local food resources, particularly anthropogenic food subsidies.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Cynthia Ibarra, Miriam Pollicelli, Ximena Navoa and Juan Carileo for field-work assistance. We also thank Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CCT CONICET-CENPAT) for institutional support. We thank three anonymous reviewers and Susan Elbin for comments on the manuscript.
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This research was funded by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Tatiana Kasinsky was supported by a doctoral scholarship from CONICET. The permits to access the protected areas were provided by the “Dirección de Áreas Naturales Protegidas” of Buenos Aires (Disposición Nº 201/12), “Secretaría de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas” of Chubut (Disposiciones No. 163-SsCyAP/15 and 092-SsCyAP/16) and “Dirección de Fauna y Flora Silvestre” of Chubut (Disposiciones Nº72/15 and 65/16.DFyFS).
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TK, PY and NS contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection was performed by TK, CM and NS, and data analysis was performed by TK and PDA. The first draft of the manuscript was written by TK and PY, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Kasinsky, T., Yorio, P., Dell’Arciprete, P. et al. Geographical differences in sex-specific foraging behaviour and diet during the breeding season in the opportunistic Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus). Mar Biol 168, 14 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03812-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-020-03812-9