Can near infrared spectroscopy be used to improve assessment of marine mammal diets via fecal analysis?

Kaneko, Hitomi, and Lawler, Ivan Robert (2006) Can near infrared spectroscopy be used to improve assessment of marine mammal diets via fecal analysis? Marine Mammal Science, 22 (2). pp. 261-275.

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Abstract

We investigated the utility of Near Infrared Spectroscopy as a means to quantify the diet of seals via analysis of feces. A pilot study showed that we could accurately determine the proportion of each species in a mixture of flesh of two species of fish and one squid. Having done so, we then assessed whether the same capacity existed for fecal material. Again we used two species of fish and one squid as the diet components offered to two captive seals (a California sea lion and an Australian fur seal). Five of the six calibrations could accurately and precisely quantify how much of a given diet component the seal had eaten the previous day from an NIR scan of the feces. NIR spectroscopy is theoretically a viable way to quantify seal diets. We discuss the logistical requirements for development of calibration equations for application to a field study. These may be prohibitive in many cases, but in others may be offset by the particular circumstances or objectives of the study. Adoption of NIRS may confer significant benefits in these circumstances.

Item ID: 354
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1748-7692
Keywords: diet; seal; California sea lion; Zalophus californianus; Australian fur seal; Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus; fecal analysis; near infrared spectroscopy
Additional Information:

Copyright 2006 Blackwell Publishing. The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com

Date Deposited: 18 Sep 2006
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 50%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0606 Physiology > 060699 Physiology not elsewhere classified @ 25%
05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management @ 25%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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