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Seagrass and epiphytic algae support nutrition of a fisheries species, Sillago schomburgkii, in adjacent intertidal habitats

Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: The importance of organic matter produced in seagrass meadows (seagrass and epiphytic algae) to the nutrition of a valuable fisheries species (yellowfin whiting Sillago schomburgkii Peters) occurring over unvegetated mudflats was measured using the isotopic composition (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) of fish, their polychaete prey, and available autotrophic sources at several locations in southern Australia during 2 periods (summer, winter).Values for δ 13 C and δ 15 N for autotrophs and fishes varied little between seasons.Sources could be separated into 3 groups based on δ 13 C: seagrass and epiphytes (mean δ 13 C = -10.5 ‰), benthic microalgae and macroalgae (-19.5 ‰), and saltmarsh and mangroves (-26.5 ‰).Values of δ 15 N for the sources were 2 to 5 ‰.Values of δ 13 C for fish (-13.3 ‰) corresponded with those of their polychaete prey (-12.5 ‰) and ultimately with those of seagrass and epiphytes.Values of δ 15 N were 5 to 6 ‰ more enriched than sources.Modelling of feasible source mixtures showed that seagrass and epiphytes were the most important contributors to the nutrition of fish, but their relative importance varied between seasons.The median contribution by other sources was <10%.Spatial analyses showed that saltmarsh plants contributed significantly to the variability in S. schomburgkii nutrition among locations, while macroalgae contributed in summer.The similarity in δ 13 C values of polychaetes and S. schomburgkii is consistent with source material from a subtidal habitat being incorporated into food webs supporting a fisheries species in adjacent intertidal habitats via a largely sedentary intermediary.
DOI: 10.3354/meps286069
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2025521579
FWCI: 18.8
Cites: 36
Cited by: 241
Related to: 10