@article{fdi:010077003,
  title = {{T}he dark side of the black caiman : shedding light on species dietary ecology and movement in {A}gami {P}ond, {F}rench {G}uiana},
  author = {{C}aut, {S}. and {F}rancois, {V}. and {B}acques, {M}. and {G}uiral, {D}aniel and {L}emaire, {J}. and {L}epoint, {G}. and {M}arquis, {O}. and {S}turaro, {N}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he black caiman is one of the largest neotropical top predators, which means that it could play a structuring role within swamp ecosystems. {H}owever, because of the difficulties inherent to studying black caimans, data are sorely lacking on many aspects of their general biology, natural history, and ecology, especially in {F}rench {G}uiana. {W}e conducted a detailed study of the {A}gami {P}ond black caiman population using a multidisciplinary approach. {T}he aim was to better understand the species' dietary ecology and movements in the pond, and thus its functional role in pond system. {W}e gathered natural history data, tracked caiman movements using satellite transmitters, and characterized feeding ecology via stable isotope analysis. {O}ur study was carried out over three sampling periods and spanned both wet and dry seasons, which differ in their hydrological and ecological conditions. {O}ur results show that black caiman abundance and age demographics differed between seasons in {A}gami {P}ond. {I}n the dry season, {A}gami {P}ond is one of the only areas within the marsh to hold water. {I}t thus contains large quantities of different fish species, which form the basis of the black caiman's diet. {C}aiman body size, a proxy for age class, was around 1.5 meters. {D}uring the wet season, which corresponds to the breeding period for migratory birds (e.g., {A}gami herons), adult black caimans are present in {A}gami {P}ond. {A}dults were most abundant in the inundated forest. {T}here, most individuals measured up to 2 meters. {T}hey also exhibited a particular "predatory" behavior near bird nests, preying on fallen chicks and adults. {J}uveniles and subadults were present during both seasons in the pond's open waters. {T}hese behavioral observations were backed up by stable isotope analysis, which revealed ontogenetic variation in the caiman's isotopic values. {T}his isotopic variation reflected variation in diet that likely reduced intraspecific competition between adults and young. {T}he telemetry and microchip data show that different age classes had different movement patterns and that seasonal variation in the pond may influence caiman prey availability and reproductive behavior. {T}he new information gathered should help predict this species' responses to potential ecosystem disturbance (e.g., water pollution, habitat destruction) and inform the development of an effective conservation plan that involves locals and wildlife officials.},
  keywords = {{GUYANE} {FRANCAISE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}los {O}ne},
  volume = {14},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {e0217239 [22 ]},
  ISSN = {1932-6203},
  year = {2019},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pone.0217239},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010077003},
}