Comparison of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen stable isotope ratios and mercury concentrations in muscle tissues of five beaked whale species and sperm whales stranded in Hokkaido, Japan

We studied delta 13C, delta 15N and delta 18O values, and total mercury (THg) concentrations in muscle samples from deep-sea predators - five beaked whale species and sperm whales - stranded along the coast of Hokkaido, in the north of Japan in 2010 and 2019. The delta 13C, delta 15N and delta 18O values, THg concentrations, and body length (BL) of Stejneger's beaked whales were similar to those of Hubbs' beaked whales, which belong to the same genus. In contrast, delta 13C values, THg concentrations, and BL of Sato's beaked whales were markedly different from those of Baird's beaked whales, which belong to the same genus. Stejneger's and Hubbs' beaked whales living around Hokkaido may compete in their ecological niches, whereas Sato's and Baird's beaked whales may segregate their ecological niches. Although Cuvier's beaked whales and sperm whales belong to different genera and their BLs were significantly different, their delta 13C and delta 15N values were similar, probably because they can dive and stay in deeper waters than other beaked whale species. The delta 13C values in combined samples from all whales increased with increasing BL, probably owing to the larger whale species' dietary preference for squid. The delta 13C values in combined samples from all whales were positively correlated with THg concentrations, whereas the delta 15N values in the combined samples were negatively correlated. The delta 18O values in combined samples from most whales tended to be positively correlated with THg concentrations. These correlations may be explained by a higher THg load from deep-sea feeding than from pelagic feeding and by a feeding shift towards lower trophic levels.