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Abstract:
The data shows sampling season and position/area, cub status, fatty acid (FA) composition in adipose tissue and carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values in plasma and red blood cells for female polar bears in Svalbard.
Quality
Adult female polar bears (age 4–28 years) were captured in April and September 2012 and 2013 throughout Svalbard. The 112 samples collected (N = 33 in April 2012, N= 24 in September 2012, N= 29 in April 2013 and N = 26 in September 2013) represented 78 females with 26 animals being captured more than once. Females were classified in three groups according to their breeding status: solitary (i.e. alone or together with a male in spring), with 1 or 2 cubs of the year (COYs; cubs younger than 1 year old) or with 1 or 2 yearlings (YRLs; cubs aged between 1 and 2 years). Sampling areas were split according to their ice cover: North-West (less sea ice cover), South-East (larger amplitude in sea ice extent) and North-East/South-West (NESW) as bears from that zone are more mobile among all regions of Svalbard. Lipid was quantitatively extracted from each adipose tissue sample and FA methyl esters (FAME) were prepared using H2SO4 as a catalyst. Duplicate analyses and identification of FAME were performed using temperature-programmed gas–liquid chromatography. FA data are expressed as the mass percentage of total FA. Individual FA are referred to by the shorthand nomenclature of carbon-chain length:number of double bonds, and position of the first double bond relative to the terminal methyl group. Plasma and red blood cells were dried at 50°C for 3 days, homogenized, weighed and packed in tin cups. The samples were analysed for δ13C and δ15N using an elemental analyzer in line with a continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer. δ13C and δ15N values are reported in standard δ notation and are referenced to Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (VPDB) for δ13C and to air for δ15N.