FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF FAT DEPOTS IN WINTERING CANADA GEESE

I determined the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous, abdominal, vi sceral, and leg saddle depots in adult female Canada Geese (Branta can adensis) wintering in north-central Missouri during October 1984-March 1985. Mean levels of C14:0, C16:0. C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, and C1 8:3 generally were highest in the subcutaneous and abdominal depots. T he ratio of saturated to unsaturated fats was highest in the leg saddl e depot and lowest in the abdominal depot. I also assessed the differe nces among sexes, seasons, and years in fatty acid composition of abdo minal fat depots in adult geese collected during October-March, 1985-1 987. Adult females had consistently higher levels of C14:0 in abdomina l depots than males. Fatty acid composition of the abdominal depot dif fered among years but not by season. In the abdominal depot, C14:0, C1 6:0, C16:1, and C18:1 were higher in 1986-1987 compared with the previ ous two years, whereas Cl 8:3 was highest in 1984-1985. Differences am ong years reflected changes in winter diet. Fatty acids of wintering g eese were similar to those previously found in breeding Canada Geese.