Fig. 1: Hair molt cycle and individual specialization.
From: Ontogeny shapes individual dietary specialization in female European brown bears (Ursus arctos)
A Bear hair generally grows from June until October and stable-nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) reflect cumulative diet intake during the period of hair growth. The quiescent phase, when hair ceases growing, lasts through hibernation, followed by emergence from the winter den and molting in late May-early June. Hair samples were taken during bear captures in April–June and reflect the bears’ diet in the previous year; B Posterior distribution of female trophic niche (bold line) and individual dietary niches indicated by each individual’s posterior trophic position (modeled distribution with individual posterior medians indicated by black dots). Scientific illustration by Juliana D. Spahr, SciVisuals.com.
