photo: Alukie Metuq
A Toolbox of Ecological Tracers
Aquatic predators can be highly mobile and feed as generalists on prey from a variety of habitats and trophic levels. This makes it challenging to study their diet using traditional methods alone (e.g. stomach contents).
We work with a variety of ecological tracers to study the diet and ecological role of aquatic consumers within their food web. These tracers include stable isotopes, fatty acids, mercury and trace elements.
Recently, we have started an exciting dive into emerging tracers including highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs) and compound specific stable isotopes of individual amino acids (SIA-AA).
Aquatic predators can be highly mobile and feed as generalists on prey from a variety of habitats and trophic levels. This makes it challenging to study their diet using traditional methods alone (e.g. stomach contents).
We work with a variety of ecological tracers to study the diet and ecological role of aquatic consumers within their food web. These tracers include stable isotopes, fatty acids, mercury and trace elements.
Recently, we have started an exciting dive into emerging tracers including highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs) and compound specific stable isotopes of individual amino acids (SIA-AA).