Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values in sequential segments of vibrissae of unrelated northern fur seal pups and adult females at San Miguel Island, California collected during September 2012 (NCEI Accession 0239459)

We analyzed sequential δ13C and δ15N values along single whiskers sampled from unrelated northern fur seal pups and post-parturient females at San Miguel Island, California. The longest dorsal mystacial vibrissa was plucked from five adult females (4-18 years old) and five pups (~3 months old) during September 2012. Standard length (cm), weight (kg), age, and sex were measured/determined for each individual. We divided each vibrissa into 1 mm segments starting at the proximal end and progressing longitudinally toward the distal end. Segments were weighed (µg), packaged, and sent to a laboratory with a mass spectrometer for stable isotope analyses. Resulting data were analyzed to address the purpose of the study.