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Size-based trophic shifts of saltmarsh dwelling blue crabs elucidated by dual stable C and N isotope analyses

2007; Inter-Research; Volume: 334; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/meps334199

1616-1599

DJ Hoeinghaus, III Davis,

Crustacean biology and ecology

MEPS 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 334:199-204 (2007) - doi:10.3354/meps334199 Size-based trophic shifts of saltmarsh dwelling blue crabs elucidated by dual stable C and N isotope analyses David J. Hoeinghaus1,2,*, Stephen E. Davis III1 1Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-2258, USA 2Present address: Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, USA *Email: djhoeing@ksu.edu ABSTRACT: Analyses of stable C and N isotopes were used to examine trophic characteristics of blue crabs Callinectes sapidus in relation to body size (15 to 165 mm carapace width, CW) within saltmarsh habitats of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas. Blue crab trophic position did not change with increasing body size, and all size classes appear to consume primary consumers and primary producers in relatively equal proportions. However, blue crab δ13C values increased significantly with increasing body size. As body size increased, blue crabs assimilated greater proportions of carbon ultimately derived from Spartina alterniflora. Individuals of approximately 35 mm CW assimilated carbon almost exclusively derived from C3 plants and benthic algae, whereas larger individuals (125 mm CW) assimilated similar amounts of carbon derived from benthic algae and S. alterniflora-derived detritus. Given the complex nature of saltmarsh food webs and the omnivorous diet of blue crabs, the observed size-based trends have important management and conservation applications. KEY WORDS: Callinectes sapidus · Food webs · Omnivory · Benthic algae · Spartina alterniflora · Whooping crane · Conservation Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 334. Online publication date: March 26, 2007 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2007 Inter-Research.