Stable isotope analyses differentiate between different trophic pathways supporting rocky-reef fishes
Year: 1993
Type: article
Abstract: Stable isotope analyses of 5 reef-associated fishes, Decapterus punctatus.Diplodus holbrooki, Rhornboplites aurorubens.Pagrus pagrus, and Haernulon aurolineatum, were conducted to determine the ability of stable isotope analysis to distinguish among the species and the trophic pathways that support them.Analyses of F13C, 6 1 5 ~, and 6 3 4 ~ from white swimming muscle yielded significant differences between species.Multiple stable isotope signatures of these 5 species indicated that at least 2 trophic pathways, one planktonic and one benthic, supported these reef-associated species.Variability of isotopic signatures within species was largely a result of collection site differences.8l3C and 615N values inchcated that all fishes were feeding at similar trophic levels.P 4 S values proved to be useful supplements to carbon and nitrogen isotope values in separating species by signature.
Source: Marine Ecology Progress Series
DOI: 10.3354/meps095019
Authors: CJ Thomas, LB Cahoon
Institution: University of North Carolina Wilmington
Language: English
Topic: Isotope Analysis in Ecology
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2025234955