Efficacy of ²²Na turnover in ecophysiological studies of carnivores

Abstract

²²Na turnover rates gave overestimates of mean ²³Na intake in both brown hyaenas (449,9%, range 54,7-991,2 ) and aardwolf (336,0%, range 118,4-776,0 ). There was also no significant relationship between ²²Na turned over and ²³Na ingested in either species. It would therefore be impossible to utilize this technique to determine food intake in these species. Further uncertainties pertaining to the dietary content of the predator and the distribution of body sodium in the prey, cast doubts on the applicability of the technique for use in carnivore studies.