scholarly journals Mixing models and stable isotopes as tools for research on feeding aquatic organisms

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyntia Rafaela Ferreira de Moraes ◽  
Gustavo Gonzaga Henry-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Isotopic Analysis ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Mixing Models ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Isotope Technique

ABSTRACT: Implementation of mixture models in isotopic analysis has been increasing due to the need to analyze sources and understand their variations in relation to consumers, which requires an accurate determination of their discriminant rate and fractioning. In this context, we presented the main concepts related to the application of stable isotopes and mixing models, with the aim to analyze the benefits and problems of these tools in surveys on nutrition of aquatic organisms. The predominant methods identified included application of the models IsoSource, MixSIR, SIBER and SIAR, with the use of C and N isotopes in research with aquatic organisms. Studies in both freshwater and marine environments were evaluated to determine the relative contribution of the main food items and understand trophic relationships between organisms. It can be concluded that the application of mixing models, with the stable isotope technique, is a promising tool for research on feeding aquatic organisms and understanding issues related to trophic ecology of these organisms.

scholarly journals Impacts of host phylogeny, feeding styles, and parasite attachment site on isotopic discrimination in helminths infecting coral reef fish hosts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip M. Riekenberg ◽  
Marine J. Briand ◽  
Thibaud Moléana ◽  
Pierre Sasal ◽  
Marcel van der Meer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Attachment Site ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Host Phylogeny ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractStable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen characterize trophic relationships in predator-prey relationships, with clear differences between consumer and diet (discrimination factor, Δ13C, Δ15N). However, parasite-host isotopic relationships remain unclear, with Δ13C and Δ15N remaining incompletely characterized, especially for helminths. In this study, we used stable isotopes to determine discrimination factors for 13 parasite-host pairings of helminths in coral reef fish. Δ15N differences grouped according to phylogeny and attachment site on the hosts: Δ15N was positive for trematodes and nematodes from the digestive tract and varied for cestodes and nematodes from the general cavity. Δ13C showed more complex patterns with no effect of phylogeny or attachment site. A negative relationship was observed between Δ15N and host δ15N value among different host-parasite pairings as well as within 7 out of the 13 parings, indicating that host metabolic processing affects host-parasite discrimination values. In contrast, no relationships were observed for Δ13C. Our results indicate that host phylogeny, attachment site and host stable isotope value drive Δ15N of helminths in coral reef fish while Δ13C is more idiosyncratic. These results call for use of taxon- or species-specific and scaled framework for bulk stable isotopes in the trophic ecology of parasites.

scholarly journals Isotopic discrimination in helminths infecting coral reef fishes depends on parasite group, habitat within host, and host stable isotope value

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip M. Riekenberg ◽  
Marine J. Briand ◽  
Thibaud Moléana ◽  
Pierre Sasal ◽  
Marcel T. J. van der Meer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractStable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen characterize trophic relationships in predator–prey relationships, with clear differences between consumer and diet (discrimination factor Δ13C and Δ15N). However, parasite–host isotopic relationships remain unclear, with Δ13C and Δ15N remaining incompletely characterized, especially for helminths. In this study, we used stable isotopes to determine discrimination factors for 13 parasite–host pairings of helminths in coral reef fish. Differences in Δ15N values grouped according to parasite groups and habitat within the host with positive Δ15N values observed for trematodes and nematodes from the digestive tract and variable Δ15N values observed for cestodes and nematodes from the general cavity. Furthermore, Δ13C values showed more complex patterns with no effect of parasite group or habitat within host. A negative relationship was observed between Δ15N and host δ15N values among different host-parasite pairings as well as within 7 out of the 13 pairings, indicating that host metabolic processing affects host-parasite discrimination values. In contrast, no relationships were observed for Δ13C values. Our results indicate that parasite group, habitat within host, and host stable isotope value drive Δ15N of helminths in coral reef fish while their effect on Δ13C is more idiosyncratic. These results call for use of taxon- or species-specific and scaled framework for bulk stable isotopes in the trophic ecology of parasites.

scholarly journals Dieta de Pomacea canaliculata (Gastropoda: Ampullariidae) en su hábitat natural basada en análisis de contenidos digestivos e isótopos estables

Intropica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Vanesa López-van Oosterom ◽  
Carolina Silvia Ocon ◽  
Ana Clara Ferreira ◽  
Alberto Rodrigues-Capitulo
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Mixing Model ◽  
Pomacea Canaliculata ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Dietary Plasticity ◽  
Basal Resources ◽  
Trophic Strategy ◽  
Generalist Diet

Pomacea canaliculata is native to Rio de la Plata basin, and it is invasive in most of South and Southeast Asia after accidental introduction during unsuccessful attempts to establish commercial aquaculture of this species, and being present, the number one pest of rice crops in the region. Investigations in its native habitat are still needed because fundamental issues of its trophic ecology remain unknown. The aim of this research was to study the diet of P. canaliculata in its natural habitat through gut content techniques and stable isotopes of 13C and 15N. Biological samples were taken from November 2009 to December 2010 in Carnaval stream, a characteristic Pampean stream. Samples for stable isotopes of 13C and 15N using of a mixing model were collected in November 2011. The trophic strategy diagram evinced a generalist diet with high consumption of detritus followed by the vascular plants and algae. The mixing model results indicated that the relative contribution to the diet was similar for all basal resources: fine and coarse particulate organic matter, epipelon and aquatic macrophytes (approximately 40 %). These results evidenced a strong dietary plasticity for the species.

Trophic ecology of green sea turtles in a highly urbanized bay: Insights from stable isotopes and mixing models

2011 ◽  
Vol 405 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrett Lemons ◽  
Rebecca Lewison ◽  
Lisa Komoroske ◽  
Alexander Gaos ◽  
Chun-Ta Lai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Mixing Models ◽  
Green Sea Turtles

scholarly journals Ecología trófica de dos peces de la familia Gempylidae en aguas oceánicas del Pacífico Sur Oriental

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Carlos Canales-Cerro ◽  
Patricio Barria ◽  
Patricia Zárate ◽  
Jorge Azócar ◽  
Roberto Meléndez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Feeding Strategy ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Mixing Models ◽  
Southeastern Pacific ◽  
Pacific Waters ◽  
Low Probability ◽  
Δ15n And Δ13c

The feeding of the escolar fishes Ruvettus pretiosus and Lepidocybium flavobrunneum has not been reported yet for southeastern Pacific waters. The main goal of this work was to study the trophic relationships using stomach contents and stable isotopes, δ15N and δ13C, based on mixing models. Results showed that both fish had differences in the importance of the prey, feeding strategy and habitat use. Also, they presented similar values of δ15N (~20‰) and δ13C (~-16‰), but a low probability of niche overlapping.

A revised model for lipid-normalizing δ13C values from aquatic organisms, with implications for isotope mixing models

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1213-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIKKO KILJUNEN ◽  
JONATHAN GREY ◽  
TUULA SINISALO ◽  
CHRIS HARROD ◽  
HEMMO IMMONEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Mixing Models ◽  
Δ13c Values ◽  
Isotope Mixing Models

scholarly journals Assessment of trophic relationships between symbiotic tropical ophiuroids using C and N stable isotope analysis

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 1443-1447 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fourgon ◽  
G. Lepoint ◽  
I. Eeckhaut
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Potential Benefit ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Tracer Experiment ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Nitrogen Stable Isotopes ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
C And N ◽  
The One

Analyses of the natural abundance of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were performed to investigate the feeding habits of two ophiuroids, Ophiomastix venosa and Ophiocoma scolopendrina, and to assess the potential benefit obtained by the symbiotic Ophiomastix venosa juveniles. A tracer experiment was also carried out to clarify the contribution of algae to the nitrogen uptake amongst the tested ophiuroids. Our results suggest that Ophiocoma scolopendrina adults occupy a higher position in the food web than Ophiomastix venosa and mainly feed on neuston. In contrast, O. venosa adults feed on the alga Sargassum densifolium and on organic matter associated with sediment. Free juveniles and symbiotic juveniles of O. venosa have intermediate δ13C values between both adult species. The high proportion of 13C in the symbiotic juveniles compared to the one in their conspecific adults indicates that their diet slightly differs from the latter and is closer to that of Ophiocoma scolopendrina. This raises the hypothesis that symbiotic juveniles steal neuston from their associated host, O. scolopendrina.

scholarly journals ‘Taking Fishers’ Knowledge to the Lab’: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understand Fish Trophic Relationships in the Brazilian Amazon

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Evelyn Rubira Pereyra ◽  
Gustavo Hallwass ◽  
Mark Poesch ◽  
Renato Azevedo Matias Silvano
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Trophic Interactions ◽  
Brazilian Amazon ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Trophic Relationships ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Data Limitations ◽  
Combining Data

Trophic levels can be applied to describe the ecological role of organisms in food webs and assess changes in ecosystems. Stable isotopes analysis can assist in the understanding of trophic interactions and use of food resources by aquatic organisms. The local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishers can be an alternative to advance understanding about fish trophic interactions and to construct aquatic food webs, especially in regions lacking research capacity. The objectives of this study are: to calculate the trophic levels of six fish species important to fishing by combining data from stable isotopes analysis and fishers’ LEK in two clear water rivers (Tapajós and Tocantins) in the Brazilian Amazon; to compare the trophic levels of these fish between the two methods (stable isotopes analysis and LEK) and the two rivers; and to develop diagrams representing the trophic webs of the main fish prey and predators based on fisher’s LEK. The fish species studied were Pescada (Plagioscion squamosissimus), Tucunaré (Cichla pinima), Piranha (Serrasalmus rhombeus), Aracu (Leporinus fasciatus), Charuto (Hemiodus unimaculatus), and Jaraqui (Semaprochilodus spp.). A total of 98 interviews and 63 samples for stable isotopes analysis were carried out in both rivers. The average fish trophic levels did not differ between the stable isotopes analysis and the LEK in the Tapajós, nor in the Tocantins Rivers. The overall trophic level of the studied fish species obtained through the LEK did not differ from data obtained through the stable isotopes analysis in both rivers, except for the Aracu in the Tapajós River. The main food items consumed by the fish according to fishers’ LEK did agree with fish diets as described in the biological literature. Fishers provided useful information on fish predators and feeding habits of endangered species, such as river dolphin and river otter. Collaboration with fishers through LEK studies can be a viable approach to produce reliable data on fish trophic ecology to improve fisheries management and species conservation in tropical freshwater environments and other regions with data limitations.

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