From Aquatic to Terrestrial Food Webs: Decrease of the Docosahexaenoic Acid/Linoleic Acid Ratio

• DOI: 10.1007/s11745-008-3166-5
• Publication Date: 2008-03-11T09:52:07Z
• Authors: Apostolos‐Manuel ...; Charles Lemarchand; Alexandre Bec; Christian Desvile...; Christian Amblard; Christine Fournier; Philippe Berny; Gilles Bourdier
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 570; Linoleic acid; Food Chain; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [q-bio.BM]; BIOMARKERS; CONSERVATION; Carnivora; 590; LINOLEIC ACID; Marine Biology; Conservation; 01 natural sciences; DIET; FOOD WEBS; Linoleic Acid; CARNIVOROUS MAMMALS; Animals; 14. Life underwater; Fatty acids; [SDV.BBM.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [q-bio.BM]; Peritoneal fat; Food webs; DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID; 15. Life on land; Diet; Docosahexaenoic acid; PERITONEAL FAT; [SDV.BBM.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry; [SDE]Environmental Sciences; Carnivorous mammals; FATTY ACIDS; Biomarkers

AbstractFatty acid composition of the adipose tissue of six carnivorous mammalian species (European otterLutra lutra, American minkMustela vison, European MinkMustela lutreola, European polecatMustela putorius, stone martenMartes foinaand European wild catFelis silvestris) was studied. These species forage to differing degrees in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Fatty acid analysis revealed significant differences in polyunsaturated fatty acid composition between species. More specifically, our results underline a gradual significant decrease in the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)/linoleic acid (LNA) ratio of carnivore species as their dependence on aquatic food webs decreases. In conclusion, the use of the DHA/LNA ratio in long‐term studies is proposed as a potential proxy of changes in foraging behaviour of semi‐aquatic mammals.