The same but different: stable isotopes reveal two distinguishable, yet similar, neighbouring food chains in a coral reef. (3rd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Le Bourg, Baptiste; Letourneur, Yves; Bănaru, Daniela; Blanchot, Jean; Chevalier, Cristèle; Mou-Tham, Gérard; Lebreton, Benoit; Pagano, Marc
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Volume 98:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 1589
• Page End: 1597
• Publication Date: 2017-08-03
• Subjects: barrier reef, -- particulate organic matter, -- zooplankton, -- reef teleosts, -- stable isotopes, -- Pacific Ocean; Biology -- Periodicals; Marine biology -- Periodicals; 578.77
• DOI: 10.1017/S0025315417001370
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-3154

Abstract

Abstract : Stable isotope compositions were studied in particulate organic matter (POM), zooplankton and different trophic groups of teleosts to compare food chains based on plankton at two sites (lagoon and outer slope) in a New Caledonian coral reef. For each trophic compartment, δ 13 C values were always lower in the outer slope than in the lagoon. This result may be explained by potential differences in POM composition between the two environments, suggesting that the two food chains are based on different primary sources of carbon. In contrast, δ 15 N values did not vary between the lagoon and the outer slope, indicating that these two food chains presented similar length and trophic levels, despite being distinguishable.