Journal Article
Identifying variable sea ice carbon contributions to the Arctic ecosystem: A case study using highly branched isoprenoid lipid biomarkers in Cumberland Sound ringed seals
T. A. Brown; C. Alexander; D. J. Yurkowski; S. H. Ferguson; S. T. Belt
Limnology and Oceanography · Vol. 59, Issue 5 · pp. 1581-1589 · 2014
Abstract
We analyzed liver samples from 322 ringed seals ( Pusa hispida ) collected from Cumberland Sound (southeast Baffin Island) to test our ability to differentiate between carbon sources in near apex predators. Highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs) were present in all samples, and their distributions were consistent with recognized seal habitat use. HBI distributions in mature seals (≥ 5 yr) confirmed a less variable carbon source during winter, consistent with geographically restricted sexually mediated territorialism. In contrast, HBI distributions were more variable for immature seals (