Changes in stable isotope compositions during fasting in phocid seals.

RationaleThe grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (GS), and the northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris (NES), come ashore for reproduction. This period involves intense physiological processes such as lactation in females and a developmental post-weaning fast in juveniles. Previous studies have shown that C-13 and N-15 values are affected by starvation, but the precise effects of fasting associated with lactation and post-weaning fast in seals remain poorly understood. MethodsTo examine the effect of lactation and post-weaning fast on stable isotope ratios in GS and NES, blood and hair were sampled from 21 GS mother-pup pairs on the Isle of May and on 22 weaned NES pups at Ano Nuevo State Reserve during their respective breeding seasons. Milk samples were also collected from GS mothers. Stable isotope measurements were performed with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to an N-C elemental analyser. ResultsChanges in stable isotope ratios in blood components during fasting were similar and weak between GS and NES mothers especially in blood cells (GS: N-15=0.05, C-13=0.02 parts per thousand; NES: N-15=0.1 parts per thousand, C-13=0.1 parts per thousand). GS showed a N-15 discrimination factor between maternal and pup blood cells and milk, but not for C-13. The strongest relationship between the isotopic compositions of the mother and the pup was observed in the blood cells. ConclusionsIsotopic consequences of lactation, fasting, and growth seem limited in NES and GS, especially in medium-term integrator tissues of feeding activity such as blood cells. Stable isotope ratios in the blood of pups and mothers are correlated. We observed a subtle mother-to-pup fractionation factor. Our results suggest that pup blood cells are mostly relevant for exploring the ecology of female seals.