Use of molecular and isotopic signatures to inform foraging ecology and conservation needs for cryptic cetacean species

摘要：我们建议利用搁浅死亡动物的样本来确定搁浅冷水（H. ampullatus; n >5）和温水（Ziphius cavirostris n>15； M. bidens; n> 60）适应喙鲸的脂质（如脂肪酸；Delta D和Delta13C）和体积皮肤（Delta13C和Delta15N）的稳定同位素特征。对1992年至2021年的存档样本进行分析，可以重建这些重要的英国喙鲸物种觅食生态的变化。利用这些数据，我们的目标是确定一般的饮食可塑性，并定义应该监测的生态压力源（即种间食物竞争）。这项研究还将允许检查这些动物的一生运动，以阐明它们的生长和/或运动的历史转变。这项研究对于建立可持续海洋群落保护管理的生态框架至关重要。

Studentship strategic priority area: BiodiversityKeywords: Marine, cetacean, stable isotopes, fatty acid, feeding ecologyAbstract: We propose to use samples derived from dead stranded animals to ascertain stable isotope signatures of lipids (e.g., fatty acids; Delta D and Delta 13C) and bulk skin (Delta13C and Delta15N) from stranded cold-water (H. ampullatus; n > 25) and warmer-water (Ziphius cavirostris n>15 ; M. bidens; n > 60) adapted beaked whales. Analysis of archived samples 1992-2021 will allow reconstruction of changes in foraging ecology in these important British beaked whale species. With these data, we aim to identify general dietary plasticity and define ecologic stressors (i.e., interspecfic competition for food) that should be monitored. This research will also allow examination of lifetime movements of these animals to elucidate historical shifts in their growth and/or movements. This research is crucial to establish an ecological framework for conservation management towards sustainable marine communities.