The Use of 13C/12C and 15N/14N Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis To Determine Carnivory Level in Gender Identified Free-Ranging Utah American Black Bears (Ursus americanus)

Authors

Eric Olsen, Brigham Young University
Beverly Roeder, Brigham Young University

Keywords

13C/12C, 15N/14N, stable isotope ratio, carnivory level, black bears

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Stable isotope analysis of carbon (13C/12C or d13C) and nitrogen (15N/14N or d15N) has been shown to provide a more accurate estimate of overall diet in various mammalian species (Sponheimer et al. 2003). This technique was used to determine the amount of vegetation and animal protein in the nutritional uptake of free ranging Utah black bears (Ursus americanus). Samples were obtained from harvested bears taken during the fall 2005 and spring 2006 hunt from various regions of Utah via the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). Gender was reported by the hunters at time of harvest. Age was determined by laser analysis of vestigial premolars also collected by hunters at time of harvest (Calvert and Ramsay, 1998). Hair samples used for isotopic analysis were obtained in identical fashion.

Recommended Citation

Olsen, Eric and Roeder, Beverly (2013) "The Use of 13C/12C and 15N/14N Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis To Determine Carnivory Level in Gender Identified Free-Ranging Utah American Black Bears (Ursus americanus)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 1057.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1057