Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-7-2011
Publication Title
PloS One
Department
Department of Anthropology
Additional Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Bayesian mixing models have allowed for the inclusion of uncertainty and prior information in the analysis of trophic interactions using stable isotopes. Formulating prior distributions is relatively straightforward when incorporating dietary data. However, the use of data that are related, but not directly proportional, to diet (such as prey availability data) is often problematic because such information is not necessarily predictive of diet, and the information required to build a reliable prior distribution for all prey species is often unavailable. Omitting prey availability data impacts the estimation of a predator's diet and introduces the strong assumption of consumer ultrageneralism (where all prey are consumed in equal proportions), particularly when multiple prey have similar isotope values.
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0022015
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Yeakel, Justin D.; Novak, Mark; Guimarães, Paulo R.; Dominy, Nathaniel J.; Koch, Paul L.; Ward, Eric J.; Moore, Jonathan W.; and Semmens, Brice X., "Merging Resource Availability with Isotope Mixing Models: The Role of Neutral Interaction Assumptions" (2011). Dartmouth Scholarship. 2916.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/facoa/2916