MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, 24(3): 554–576 (July 2008) C 2008 by the Society for Marine Mammalogy DOI: 10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00197.x Trophic level and overlap of sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California, Mexico HEIDI PORRAS-PETERS DAVID AURIOLES-GAMBOA Laboratorio de Ecologıa´ de Pinnıpedos´ “Burney J. Le Boeuf,” Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politecnico´ Nacional, Ave. IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico´ 23096 E-mail:
[email protected] VICTOR HUGO CRUZ-ESCALONA Laboratorio de Dinamica´ y Manejo de Ecosistemas Acuaticos,´ Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politecnico´ Nacional, Ave. IPN s/n Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico´ 23096 PAUL L. KOCH Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, U.S.A. ABSTRACT Stable isotope and scat analyses were used in concert to determine trophic level and dietary overlap among California sea lions from different rookeries in the Gulf of California. Isotopic analysis of the fur of sea lion pups revealed differences in ␦15N and ␦13C values among rookeries during the breeding season. Mean ␦15N and ␦13C values varied from 20.2‰ to 22.4‰ and from −15.4‰ to −14.0‰, respectively. The pattern of differences among rookeries was similar between years in most cases. Isotopic variations among rookeries were associated with differences in prey consumption. There was a significant correlation between ␦15N value and trophic level, as determined by scat analysis. Joint application of isotopic and scat analyses allowed us to identify how the feeding habits of sea lions vary with location.