Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis
Abstract Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a powerful tool for assessing resource use and trophic structure, enhancing understanding of coexistence mechanisms among sympatric species. In this study, we analyzed carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) stable isotopes in bone collagen of three coexisting anu...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07856-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849333579536924672 |
|---|---|
| author | Su–Yeon Lee Jae–Young Song Kyo Soung Koo Jinbae Seung Chang–Yong Choi |
| author_facet | Su–Yeon Lee Jae–Young Song Kyo Soung Koo Jinbae Seung Chang–Yong Choi |
| author_sort | Su–Yeon Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a powerful tool for assessing resource use and trophic structure, enhancing understanding of coexistence mechanisms among sympatric species. In this study, we analyzed carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) stable isotopes in bone collagen of three coexisting anuran species—Bombina orientalis, Rana uenoi, and R. huanrenensis—from South Korean forest to evaluate their isotopic niches, resource partitioning, and within-population variation. Rana uenoi and R. huanrenensis utilized a broad range of resources with high overlap, suggesting they likely share dietary habits and occupy similar trophic roles. In contrast, relative δ¹⁵N enrichment of B. orientalis indicates a distinct trophic niche, although its resource utilization was not entirely segregated from that of the two Rana species. Furthermore, large groups of both Rana species tended to exploit a wider variety of resources than smaller ones, whereas B. orientalis showed no isotopic sex differences. All three species displayed ontogenetic niche shifts, with B. orientalis increasingly relying on aquatic-origin resources, while the two Rana species shifting toward terrestrial-origin resources. These findings provide insight into the trophic dynamics of forest-dwelling anurans and may serve as a baseline for ecological and conservation research in the future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5511daf4a9042bd8336c8bec3ffd5dd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5511daf4a9042bd8336c8bec3ffd5dd2025-08-20T03:45:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-07856-zTrophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysisSu–Yeon Lee0Jae–Young Song1Kyo Soung Koo2Jinbae Seung3Chang–Yong Choi4Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National UniversityKorea National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park ServiceKorean Environmental Geography Institute Co., LtdInsect Biosystematics Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National UniversityDepartment of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National UniversityAbstract Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is a powerful tool for assessing resource use and trophic structure, enhancing understanding of coexistence mechanisms among sympatric species. In this study, we analyzed carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) stable isotopes in bone collagen of three coexisting anuran species—Bombina orientalis, Rana uenoi, and R. huanrenensis—from South Korean forest to evaluate their isotopic niches, resource partitioning, and within-population variation. Rana uenoi and R. huanrenensis utilized a broad range of resources with high overlap, suggesting they likely share dietary habits and occupy similar trophic roles. In contrast, relative δ¹⁵N enrichment of B. orientalis indicates a distinct trophic niche, although its resource utilization was not entirely segregated from that of the two Rana species. Furthermore, large groups of both Rana species tended to exploit a wider variety of resources than smaller ones, whereas B. orientalis showed no isotopic sex differences. All three species displayed ontogenetic niche shifts, with B. orientalis increasingly relying on aquatic-origin resources, while the two Rana species shifting toward terrestrial-origin resources. These findings provide insight into the trophic dynamics of forest-dwelling anurans and may serve as a baseline for ecological and conservation research in the future.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07856-zAmphibianStable isotope ecologyResource partitioningOntogenetic niche shiftForest |
| spellingShingle | Su–Yeon Lee Jae–Young Song Kyo Soung Koo Jinbae Seung Chang–Yong Choi Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis Scientific Reports Amphibian Stable isotope ecology Resource partitioning Ontogenetic niche shift Forest |
| title | Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| title_full | Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| title_fullStr | Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| title_short | Trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a South Korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| title_sort | trophic niche partitioning among three sympatric anuran species in a south korean forest ecosystem based on stable isotope analysis |
| topic | Amphibian Stable isotope ecology Resource partitioning Ontogenetic niche shift Forest |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07856-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT suyeonlee trophicnichepartitioningamongthreesympatricanuranspeciesinasouthkoreanforestecosystembasedonstableisotopeanalysis AT jaeyoungsong trophicnichepartitioningamongthreesympatricanuranspeciesinasouthkoreanforestecosystembasedonstableisotopeanalysis AT kyosoungkoo trophicnichepartitioningamongthreesympatricanuranspeciesinasouthkoreanforestecosystembasedonstableisotopeanalysis AT jinbaeseung trophicnichepartitioningamongthreesympatricanuranspeciesinasouthkoreanforestecosystembasedonstableisotopeanalysis AT changyongchoi trophicnichepartitioningamongthreesympatricanuranspeciesinasouthkoreanforestecosystembasedonstableisotopeanalysis |