The Isotopic Ecology of East African Mammals

The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of bone collagen have been used to trace diet and habitat selection of the larger mammals of East Africa. 238 individuals of 43 species from montane forests and grasslands in Kenya and Tanzania have been analyzed. The results show that carbon isotopes di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oecologia 1986-06, Vol.69 (3), p.395-406
Main Authors: Ambrose, Stanley H., DeNiro, Michael J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Bones
Collagens
Diet
Forest habitats
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Herbivores
Mammalia
Mammals
Montane forests
Nitrogen
Savannas
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Summary:The stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of bone collagen have been used to trace diet and habitat selection of the larger mammals of East Africa. 238 individuals of 43 species from montane forests and grasslands in Kenya and Tanzania have been analyzed. The results show that carbon isotopes discriminate between (1) grazers and browsers in savanna grasslands, (2) forest floor and savanna grassland herbivores and (3) forest floor and forest canopy species. Nitrogen isotopes discriminate between (4) carnivores and herbivores, (5) forest and savanna grassland herbivores, and (6) water-dependent and drought-tolerant herbivores. This technique provides a quantitative approach to assessing long-term habitat and diet selection and the role of resource partitioning in animal community structure.
ISSN:0029-8549
1432-1939
DOI:10.1007/bf00377062