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Parng, E.; Crumpacker, A.; Kurle, C.M.
Variation in the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope discrimination factors from diet to fur in four felid species held on different diets
2014  Journal of Mammalogy (95): 151-159

Stable carbon (13C/12C; d13C) and nitrogen (15N/14N; d15N) isotope ratios are best used to assess wild animal diets when the isotopic differences between consumers and diets are known. These differences are called discrimination factors (expressed with D notation). We report the 1st D13C and D15N values between diet and fur from captive individuals held on controlled diets for 7 months and representing 4 felid species: African lions (_Panthera leo_), bobcats (_Lynx rufus_), Canada lynx (_Lynx canadensis_), and mountain lions (Puma concolor). All animals were fed a mix of diet items (beef, beef rib, a commercial carnivore diet, chicken, mice, rats, turkey, and turkey wings) that was consistent throughout their molting period. Weekly diet composition was determined by the percentage of mass of each diet item and overall d13C and d15N values were calculated for each animal's diet. The mean D13C and D15N values (6 SD) between felid fur and their non-lipid-extracted diets were 1.1% 6 0.2% and 3.5% 6 0.0%, respectively (African lion, n =1 animal sampled at 2 intervals); 5.5% 6 0.5% and 4.1% 6 0.1%, respectively (bobcats, n = 3); 2.4% and 3.3%, respectively (Canada lynx, n =1); and 4.7% 6 0.6% and 4.5% 6 0.2%, respectively (mountain lions, n = 2). Variations in D13C and D15N values among species were likely due to dietary differences and we recommend the use of the D13C (5.5 6 0.5) and D15N (4.1 6 0.1) values obtained from the bobcats for future determinations of wild felid foraging ecology as they were held on diets composed of 100% whole animals and animal parts, which best reflects diets of wild felids.

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