δ13C and δ15N Signatures in Muscle and Fin Tissues: Nonlethal Sampling Methods for Stable Isotope Analysis of Salmonids

• DOI: 10.1577/m09-048.1
• Publication Date: 2011-02-11T06:12:45Z
• Authors: Justin R. Hanisch; William M. Tonn; Cynthia A. Paszko...; Garry J. Scrimgeour
• Keywords: Muscle tissue; Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract Stable isotope analysis has emerged as an important tool in aquatic ecology. For fish, dorsal muscle from sacrificed individuals traditionally been used stable studies; however, there are many instances when lethal sampling is undesirable. We evaluated the feasibility of using adipose and caudal fin clips alternatives to studies for five species salmonids. Because fish size water temperature can affect ratios, we also determined whether length date affected difference signatures between fins muscle. Biopsied plugs were collected rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss , brook Salvelinus fontinalis lake S. namaycush well whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis pygmy Prosopium coulterii analyzed isotopes carbon nitrogen. The both significantly correlated (0.33 < R 2 0.97) with those salmonid studied, some cases did not differ Fish occasionally had a small effect (0.042 0.49) on relationship Although biopsy provides viable, nonlethal method collecting tissue suitably sized strong relationships demonstrate that should be considered good surrogates