Inter-Research > MEPS > v731 > p147-158  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

via Mailchimp

MEPS 731:147-158 (2024)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14429

Movement ecology determines isotopic niche width in the undulate skate Raja undulata

Paula Daban1,*, Alina Hillinger2, Gonzalo Mucientes2, Andreu Blanco3,#, Alexandre Alonso-Fernández2,#

1Universidade de Vigo, Department of Ecology and Animal Biology, CIM-ECIMAT, 32310 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
2Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IIM, CSIC), Department of Ecology and Marine Resources, 36208 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
3Centro Tecnológico del Mar - Fundación CETMAR, 36210 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
*Corresponding author: #These authors contributed equally to this work

ABSTRACT: Functional connectivity patterns of threatened species provide critical information for effective management and conservation spatial planning. In this study, we used a non-lethal novel combination of acoustic telemetry and stable isotope analysis (SIA) on the Near Threatened elasmobranch Raja undulata to evaluate shifts in resource/space use in response to differences in residency patterns within a marine protected area (MPA) in NW Spain. By using acoustic telemetry, we classified individuals of a local population of R. undulata as high- or low-residence fish based on estimates of residence index (% of days present within the studied MPA). Individuals with a high residence index (≥50%) showed a narrower isotopic niche width than low-residence fish, as they were exposed to a limited variety of habitats and food resources. Conversely, low-residence fish (mainly females) showed wider isotopic niche widths, indicative of greater diversity of resources from different environments. Therefore, we hypothesize that low-residence individuals play an important role connecting different habitats and even populations, particularly through dispersion patterns of females along the coast. This study provides valuable insights into the movement and resource ecology of R. undulata and their role in the functional connectivity of the coastal ecosystem, with direct applicability to inform management of the studied MPA.


KEY WORDS: Stable isotope analysis · Acoustic telemetry · Isotopic niche width · Movement patterns · Resource use · Functional connectivity · Raja undulata · Marine protected area


Full text in pdf format
Supplementary material
Cite this article as: Daban P, Hillinger A, Mucientes G, Blanco A, Alonso-Fernández A (2024) Movement ecology determines isotopic niche width in the undulate skate Raja undulata. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 731:147-158. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14429

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article