• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제56권5호
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• pp.16.1-16.9
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• 2014

Fatty acids (FA) have recently been used in several studies to infer the diet in a number of species. While these studies have been largely successful, most have dealt with predators that have a fairly specialized diet. In this paper, we used FA analysis as a tool to infer the diet of the nearctic river otter (Lontra canadensis). The river otter is an opportunistic predator known to subsist on a wide variety of prey including, fishes, crayfish, molluscs, reptiles and amphibians, among others. We analyzed the principle components of 60 FA from otters and 25 potential prey species in Illinois, USA. Prey species came from 4 major taxonomic divisions: fishes, crayfish, molluscs and amphibians. Within each division, most, but not all, species had significantly different profiles. Using quantitative FA signature analysis, our results suggest that, by mass, fish species are the most significant component of Illinois River otters' diet ($37.7{\pm}1.0%$). Molluscs ranked second ($32.0{\pm}0.8%$), followed by amphibians ($27.3{\pm}4.3%$), and finally, crayfish ($3.0{\pm}0.6%$). Our analysis indicates that molluscs make up a larger portion of the otter diet than previously reported. Throughout much of the Midwest there have been numerous otter reintroduction efforts, many of which appear to be successful. In regions where mollusc species are endangered, these data are essential for management agencies to better understand the potential impact of otters on these species. Our analysis further suggests that quantitative FA signature analysis can be used to infer diet even when prey species are diverse, to the extent that their FA profiles differ. Better understanding of the otter's metabolism of FA would improve inferences of diet from FA analysis.

• 보존과학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.179-188
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 풍납토성 197번지 가-2호 수혈에서 출토된 소, 말, 돼지, 사슴 등 총 17개체에서 추출된 동물뼈 콜라겐의 탄소와 질소 안정동위원소 분석을 통해 백제시대 가축사육 양상을 밝히고자 한다. 탄소 안정동위원소 분석 결과 백제시대에 가축으로 이용되었을 가능성이 높은 소와 말은 사람이 잡곡류 경작의 부산물로 가축 사육을 하여 $C_4$ 작물의 섭취가 높았고, 야생 동물인 사슴과 돼지의 경우 $C_3$ 식물을 주로 섭취하였다는 의미 있는 결과를 확인하였다. 질소 안정동위원소 분석 결과 동물을 직접 사냥하지 않는 야생 멧돼지의 경우 초식동물과 비슷한 값을 보이는 반면, 질소 안정동위원소 값이 높은 그룹의 경우 사육으로 사람과 비슷한 식성을 갖는 집돼지라고 추정할 수 있다.