Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of dorsal spine age rings indicate temporal variation in the diet of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in waters around Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom
; 29(18): 1676-86, 2015 Sep 30.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26467119
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE Billfishes, such as marlin, are top pelagic predators that play an important role in maintaining the stability of marine food webs. Notwithstanding the importance of these species, there remain gaps in our knowledge on their movements, foraging, and trophic status in the early stage of life. METHODS:
We measured the δ(13)C and δ(15)N values in each annual growth band deposited in the dorsal spine from striped marlin caught off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to produce retrospective isotopic profiles that would enable us to detect any significant isotopic changes across development. The samples were analyzed using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.RESULTS:
There was no relationship between the size of striped marlin and the δ(15) N values. Differences in δ(15)N mean values across different age classes were not significant and the variation in δ(15)N values through the marlins' life cycle was less than 2. However, the mean δ(15)N values between individuals varied by up to 6. The δ(13)C values increased as a function of age, and the mean δ(13)C values varied significantly between age classes.CONCLUSIONS:
Fin spines can be used to construct retrospective isotopic histories for the investigation of trophic dynamics and migratory histories in billfishes, for which population dynamics are often poorly known.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Perciformes
/
Isótopos de Carbono
/
Nadadeiras de Animais
/
Isótopos de Nitrogênio
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Mexico
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom
Ano de publicação:
2015
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
México