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Trophic interactions and isotopic niche of octopuses and sea stars in North Patagonia

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Abstract

Coexistence of species is associated with differentiation of niches and partitioning of resources, which lessen niche overlap and the intensity of competition. Here, we used stable isotope analysis to evaluate and compare the trophic relationships and isotopic niche of two coexisting predators, the small octopus Octopus tehuelchus (d’Orbigny 1834) and the brooding sea star Anasterias antarctica (Lütken 1857), in the rocky intertidal community of northern Patagonia (Argentina). Our results show differences in the proportional contribution of sources between octopuses and sea stars. Octopuses consume mainly sessile filter-feeders, and sea stars show intra-specific diet differences, changing its preference with size and sex. Small and medium sea stars feed on sessile filter-feeders, such as small mussels, while large sea stars consume more frequently grazer gastropods and scavenger crustaceans. In the food web of the rocky north Patagonian ecosystem, differences in the isotopic niche space and the degree of dietary specialization between octopuses and sea stars indicate differential use of resources and trophic niche partitioning, possibly by limiting inter- and intra-specific competition.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Agustín Bianchini for laboratory assistance and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments. This work was funded by Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 2013 Nº 1926 and PICT 2017 Nº 2383 to LPS). The data sets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Correspondence to Lorena Pia Storero.

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Storero, L.P., Ocampo Reinaldo, M., Narvarte, M. et al. Trophic interactions and isotopic niche of octopuses and sea stars in North Patagonia. Mar Biol 167, 35 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3642-x

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