Metabolic effects on carbon isotope biomarkers in fish. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martino, Jasmin C.; Doubleday, Zoë A.; Gillanders, Bronwyn M.
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 97(2019)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Carbon isotopes -- Stable isotopes -- Metabolic rate -- Biomarker -- Biochemical tracers -- Otoliths -- Diet; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.10.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Carbon isotopic biomarkers can track metabolic and diet signatures. Temperature (metabolic effects) altered values of δ 13 C in otolith, muscle and liver. δ 13 C in otoliths reflected water and diet but metabolic rate changed % contribution. Physiological and structural differences likely affected δ 13 C between soft-tissues. Abstract: Carbon stable isotopes (δ 13 C) in animal tissues are a powerful tool for tracking biological and environmental change. However, carbon isotope signatures can be altered by both physiological and environmental factors which can cloud interpretation in their use as biomarkers. We investigated metabolic effects (by varying temperatures) on δ 13 C of three fish tissues (otolith, muscle and liver) and the proportional contributions of environmental water (dissolved inorganic carbon; DIC) and diet (metabolic sources). Juvenile Australasian snapper ( Chrysophrys auratus ) were laboratory-reared at four temperatures for up to two months and then δ 13 C in otolith, liver and muscle were measured using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Temperature significantly altered δ 13 C signatures in all tissues. δ 13 C in otoliths reflected carbon signatures from diet and water DIC, with values and variation of proportional contributions influenced by temperature. In muscle and liver, we found differences in δ 13 C between tissues and across temperature treatments with concurrent high diet-to-tissue fractionation. We conclude that metabolic effects influenced carbon incorporation for all tissues, with otolith carbon providing valuable insights into field metabolic rates. However, metabolic effects complicated the use of soft-tissue to track diet. This study deepens our understanding of internal and external drivers of carbon isotopic signatures in fish tissues and enhances their utility as a biomarker in the field. Improved insight into biomarkers facilitates more accurate predictions of ecological and environmental change for better understanding and management of wild populations.