title: Stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen in killer whales (Orcinus orca) stranded on the coast of Hokkaido, Japan.
abstract: We analyzed δ(13)C, δ(15)N and δ(18)O in the muscle and liver from killer whales stranded on the coast of Japan. The δ(15)N values in the muscle samples from calves were apparently higher than those in their lactating mothers, suggesting that nursing may result in the higher δ(15)N values in the muscle samples of calves. The δ(15)N value in the muscle samples of male and female whales, except for the calves, were positively correlated with the δ(13)C values and body length, suggesting that the increases in δ(15)N were due to the growth of the whales and increase in their trophic level. In contrast, the δ(18)O values in the muscle samples of female whales except for the calves were negatively correlated with the δ(13)C and δ(15)N values. The δ(18)O may be lower in whales occupying higher trophic positions (δ(15)N), although it might also be affected by geographic and climatic conditions.
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan. Electronic address: endotty@hoku-iryo-u.ac.jp.
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Endo
authors: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, 1757 Kanazawa, Ishikari-Tobetsu, Hokkaido 061-0293, Japan.
authors: Osamu
authors: O
authors: Kimura
authors: SI Science Co. Ltd., 473-3 Hongou, Sugito-machi, Kitakatsushika, Saitama 345-0023, Japan.
authors: Rie
authors: R
authors: Sato
authors: Faculty of Bioindustry, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 196 Yasaka, Abashiri 099-2493, Japan.
authors: Mari
authors: M
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan.
authors: Ayaka
authors: A
authors: Matsuda
authors: Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minato-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido 041-8611, Japan.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Matsuishi
authors: Daiichi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 22-1 Tamagawa-cho, Minami-Ku, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan.
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Haraguchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size / Q000502:physiology; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002980:Climate; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D007564:Japan; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D050685:Whale, Killer / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D010103:Oxygen Isotopes
keywords: Killer whale (Orcinus orca); Lactation; Mercury; δ(13)C; δ(15)N; δ(18)O