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Niche partitioning among social clusters of a resident estuarine apex predator

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Abstract

Conspecifics may vary in their space use and diet leading to niche partitioning within populations. In social species, such partitioning may correspond to social structure as closely associated individuals likely encounter the same resources. This study investigated whether space use and diet varied among social clusters of a resident estuarine population of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin photo-identification and behavioral data, as well as tissue samples for stable isotope analysis, were collected during boat-based surveys in the Peel-Harvey Estuary, Western Australia. Potential dolphin prey species were also collected for stable isotope analyses. Six mixing models, one assuming an invariant diet and others allowing for variation in diet according to sex, age class, and/or social cluster, were fitted to the data. The model with social cluster was the best fit and estimated detritivorous fish as the main dietary source for social clusters whose core activity space covered the eastern shores of the estuary and the rivers. These clusters occupied the lowest trophic position in the dolphin population. Benthic omnivores and carnivores contributed most to the diet of clusters whose core activity space included the two estuary entrances. These clusters occupied the highest trophic position. Clusters with core activity space located in the estuary basins reflected the overall mean contributions of fish feeding guilds to dolphin diet in this population. Detritivores, omnivores and herbivores, and benthic omnivores and carnivores each contributed approximately a third and water column species the remainder to the annual fish biomass removed from the estuary by the dolphin population. We conclude that dolphins share resources with fishers and piscivorous birds within the estuary.

Significance statement

This study identified intra-population resource partitioning according to social structure in a resident estuarine dolphin population. The heterogeneity in space use and diet among social clusters may result in individuals being susceptible to different pressures and threats. The dolphins’ foraging behavior and trophic interactions identified them as an apex predator in the Peel-Harvey Estuary, with their collective minimum annual food intake (~ 200,000 kg) exceeding the annual fish biomass removed by commercial fishers. As top predators in the system, dolphins may suppress prey populations through consumption and as agents of intimidation by changing prey distribution and behavior. This study provides scientific basis for recognizing dolphins as an important component of the Peel-Harvey Estuary ecosystem.

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Data availability

The datasets and R code used for analyses in this study are available in the GitHub repository GitHub-KristaNicholson/Niche-partitioning-among-social-clusters-of-a-resident-estuarine-apex-predator.

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Acknowledgements

We thank numerous research assistants who helped with dolphin data collection and processing without whom this work would have not been possible. We especially thank Dr Chris Hallett for collecting all fish samples and providing valuable feedback on multiple drafts that greatly improved this manuscript. We thank Dr Alan Cottingham for his assistance in fish collection and Dr Emily Fisher for providing us with insight into the local commercial and recreational fisheries. We thank the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on the manuscript. This paper represents HIMB and SOEST contribution numbers 1867 and 11406, respectively.

Funding

This study was funded by the City of Mandurah, the Peel Development Commission through a Royalties for Regions grant, and Murdoch University with significant donations from Mandurah Cruises, Mandurah Volunteer Dolphin Rescue Group, and John and Bella Perry. Krista Nicholson was supported throughout her PhD by a Murdoch University Strategic Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Krista Nicholson, Lars Bejder & Neil Loneragan

  2. Environmental and Conservation Sciences, College of Science Health Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Krista Nicholson, Lars Bejder & Neil Loneragan

  3. Marine Mammal Research Program, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA

    Lars Bejder

  4. Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark

    Lars Bejder

Authors
  1. Krista Nicholson
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  2. Lars Bejder
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  3. Neil Loneragan
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Funding was acquired by LB and KN. Data collection, processing, and analyses were performed by KN. The first draft of the manuscript was written by KN, and all authors commented on subsequent versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Krista Nicholson.

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Ethics approval

All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for the use of animals were followed. Dolphin research was carried out under research permit from the Government of Western Australia Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (08–000880-2, 08–000880-3, SF010738) and the Commonwealth of Australia Department of Environment (2015–0004, AU-COM2015-293) with an animal ethics permit from Murdoch University, Western Australia (R2649/14, R2945/17). Fish collection was carried out as part of Australian Research Council Linkage project LP150100451, under WA Department of Fisheries exemption permit 2753.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Nicholson, K., Bejder, L. & Loneragan, N. Niche partitioning among social clusters of a resident estuarine apex predator. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 75, 160 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-021-03091-4

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