Small-sample methods for δ13C and δ15N analysis of the diets of marsh meiofaunal species using natural-abundance and tracer-addition isotope techniques
2002; Inter-Research; Volume: 240; Linguagem: Inglês
10.3354/meps240085
ISSN1616-1599
Autores Tópico(s)Marine Biology and Ecology Research
ResumoMEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 240:85-92 (2002) - doi:10.3354/meps240085 Small-sample methods for δ13C and δ15N analysis of the diets of marsh meiofaunal species using natural- abundance and tracer-addition isotope techniques Kevin R. Carman1,*, Brian Fry2 1Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA 2Department of Oceanography and Coastal Studies, Coastal Ecology Institute, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803, USA *E-mail: zocarm@lsu.edu ABSTRACT: Modifications to a conventional elemental analyzer-stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer system (EA-MS system) are described that allow the analysis of 13C and 15N in small samples (≥1 µgN and 2 µgC). This system was to analyze δ13C and δ15N of meiofaunal species from a coastal marsh using pooled samples of 5 to 60 individuals. In a conventional field survey, 13C and 15N isotope values indicated that (1) harpacticoid copepod species, nematode species, and ostracods differentially exploited phytoplankton detritus, Spartina alterniflora detritus, and benthic microalgae, and (2) all taxa showed a general shift toward S. alterniflora isotope values in winter relative to summer. In a field experiment, benthic microalgae were labeled in situ by addition of 13C and 15N to 1 m2 sediment plots. Two nematode species with apparently similar primary food resources (S. alterniflora detritus) based on natural isotopic values differed dramatically in their uptake of 13C and 15N in labeled plots, indicating differences in feeding strategies that were not indicated by natural isotope values. A combination of natural-abundance isotope surveys and isotope-addition experiments appears to be a powerful approach for investigating both average patterns and interspecific variability in resource exploitation. KEY WORDS: δ13C · δ15N · Meiofauna · Harpacticoids · Nematodes · Ostracods · Benthic microalgae · Spartina Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 240. Online publication date: September 12, 2002 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2002 Inter-Research.
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