Abstract
The use of isotopic signatures in animal tissues provides information on the environment where they are living and, notably, on their diet. Carbon and, whenever possible, nitrogen stable isotope analyses were performed in animal hairs, muscles and fat. Particularly, we analyzed both carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (δ13C and δ15N) on wild boar samples across three different areas of central Italy (Latium region): Tyrrhenian Coast (TC), Maremma (MA) and Central Plains (CP). The agricultural habits of these areas imply that, in winter, no crops are available for wild boars, which feed mainly on acorns and natural feeds (tubers, earthworms etc.). In addition, the three areas were influenced by oak masting. One of these areas (CP) was characterised by the spreading of corn during the hunting season to attract the animals. For each area, we sampled 10 animals aged between 12 and 24 months and balanced by gender. Anenrichment of δ13C in CP area, where corn was used, was observed in all the analysed tissues in comparison to other areas (MA and TC). In CP area, enriched values of δ15N were also observed in all the tissues. The research demonstrates that both δ13C andδ15N in free-living wild boar tissues are influenced by sampling area. According to feeding habits of the species and wildlife management (feed supplementation), the differences observed in δ13C and δ15Nare based on the specific feeding regime; particularly the use of corn in wintertime. Furthermore, the research highlights and discusses diversities and relationships among δ13C and δ15N in the hair, fat and muscles of free-living wild boar.
Highlights
Stable isotopes are naturally present in animal tissue and reflect the isotopic composition of diet [1]; carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (δ13C and δ15N) are influenced by feeding practices and climate [2]
This is because the isotopic fractionations occurring along the primary productivity processes [3] and along the nitrogen cycle [4] affect both δ13C and δ15N of the plant material that is at the beginning of the trophic chain
Animals were sampled in three areas of Central Italy (Fig 1): Tyrrhenian Coast (TC), Maremma (MA), and Central Plains (CP)
Summary
Stable isotopes are naturally present in animal tissue and reflect the isotopic composition of diet [1]; carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions (δ13C and δ15N) are influenced by feeding practices and climate [2] This is because the isotopic fractionations occurring along the primary productivity processes (see Brugnoli and Farquhar, 2000) [3] and along the nitrogen cycle (see Amundson et al, 2003) [4] affect both δ13C and δ15N of the plant material that is at the beginning of the trophic chain. Stable isotopes in tissues of free-living wild boar operate selectively in favour of either the heavier or the lighter stable isotopes [5] Such isotopic effects of fractionation on the primary sources of feeding are modified by the animals’ metabolic processes and incorporated into the animal tissues, determining their isotopic signatures [6]. Stable isotope ratio analysis on skeletal muscle has been used as a tool to authenticate meats from beef cattle by the quantification of isotopic turnover of C and N [1,9]
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