Stable isotopes in animal ecology: Methods, models, and assumptions

Stable isotope analysis is rapidly becoming an important method in an animal ecologist's toolbox. However, the field of isotopic ecology operates in a world of assumptions based largely on phenomenological data. It is important to test these assumptions if this field is going to continue to grow and prosper. This dissertation explores the application of stable isotopes to (1) determine the effects of temperature, metabolism, growth, and catabolism on isotopic incorporation, (2) develop new models to describe isotopic incorporation, and (3) characterize the breeding ground isotope signatures of a migratory game bird and determine if commonly used maps of isotopes in precipitation can be used to predict feather isotope values.