Diet composition based on stable isotopic analysis of fecal samples reveals the preference of Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) for natural wetlands and fishponds

Abstract

Background: Black-faced spoonbill (BFS) is a global endangered species, distributed only in the coastal zones of East Asia. Xinghua Bay is one of the main wintering sites and migration stopovers of BFS in mainland China. However, with the reduction and degradation of natural wetlands, it is uncertain whether the constructed wetland can provide habitat for the endangered BFS. Research on diet of BFS will help to understand their preference between natural and artificial wetlands, and also provide reference for their conservation and habitat restoration. Methods: From December 2017 to February 2020, 45 potential food samples and 199 fecal samples of BFS were collected during six sampling period, of which Cyprinidae, Mugilidae, Portunidae, Gobiidae and Palaemonidae were collected from natural wetlands and Crucian (Carassius auratus) and Whiteshrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) were collected from artificial wetland. Their stable isotope values (δ13C, δ15N) were measured to obtain the food composition information of BFS. Results: In the early winter, the proportion of Palaemonidae in BFS’s food was as high as 74.4%, while that of other food was only 3.0% to 6.0%. In the late winter, the food contribution of BFS was as follow: Portunidae 39.3% > Palaemonidae 26.1% > Cyprinidae 8.8% > Mugilidae 8.5% > Gobiidae 7.3% > Crucian 5.1% > Whiteshrimp 4.8%. The proportion of Portunidae exceeded that of Palaemonidae, and together with Palaemonidae, it has become the main food of BFS in late winter. Conclusion: The diet composition of BFS between the early and late winter was significantly different, which may be due to seasonal changes in food resources. Natural wetlands are the main feeding grounds of BFS, but artificial wetlands also provide them with supplementary feeding grounds and resting places. Aquaculture ponds play an important ecological function in maintaining the overwintering population of BFS in Xinghua Bay.