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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

sun bear, nutrition, Helarctos malayanus, endangered species

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Abstract

Sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) are a critically endangered species. In this study, we will test stable isotope levels of D/H, 18O/16O, and 34S/32S that are assimilated in sun bear hair, feces, and urine to determine if consumption of mealworms, the larval stage of Tenebrio molitor, or house crickets, Achetus domesticus, can be differentiated isotopically by measuring sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopes in the bear’s substrates. We started by collecting food and hair samples from the different bears in the study in order to establish a baseline isotope ratio that we can compare with our future studies. In order to acquire the isotope ratios, hair and food samples were ground or cut into small sections that will be run through a mass spectrometer to analyze the isotopic ratios. We hope to be able to use the information we find in future conservation efforts with sun bears in the wild to determine specific insectivory to help delineate what they consume and the adequacy of their diet.

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