Analyzing sources to sedimentary organic carbon in the Gulf of Urabá, southern Caribbean, using carbon stable isotopes

To gain a better understanding on the trophic ecology of New Granada sea catfish, Ariopsis canteri, and their linkage to mangroves, nitrogen and stable carbon isotopes (δ 15 N and δ 13 C), as well as Bayesian mixing models, were used to explore trophic dynamics and potential ontogenic feeding shifts across different size classes: class I (8-20 cm), class II (21-32 cm) and class III (>32 cm). The study area was the estuary of the Atrato River Delta, where information about fish ecology is scarce. The δ 13 C of size class I was lower (mean ± S.D. = −24.96 ± 0.69‰) than that of size classes II (−22.20 ± 0.90‰) and III (−22.00 ± 1.96‰). The δ 15 N of size class I was lower (mean ± S.D. = 8.50 ± 0.67‰) than that of size classes II (9.77 ± 0.60‰) and III (10.00 ± 0.66‰). Body size was positively and significantly correlated to δ 15 N and δ 13 C. Individuals with L T > 32 cm presented the highest estimated trophic position (3.8). Five-source mixing models indicated that for class I, the mean estimated contribution of macroalgae was the highest (6%-57% C.I.), and for classes II and III, the mean estimated contribution of macrophytes was the highest (3%-53% C.I. and 4%-53% C.I., respectively). Ontogenetic feeding shifts of A. canteri were confirmed evidencing decreasing intraspecific competition between small and large individuals. Results suggest that mangroves are a nursery and feeding ground habitat for this species and that mangroves support A. canteri mainly due to the substrate/habitat that supports sources in the food webs. These results can be used in ecosystem-based fishery management focused on the protection of extensive mangrove areas in the southern Caribbean Sea.

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Analyzing sources to sedimentary organic carbon in the Gulf of Urabá, southern Caribbean, using carbon stable isotopes

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Historical variations of sedimentary organic matter sources and their relationships with human socio-economic activities in multiple habitats of a shallow lake

Historical variations of sedimentary organic matter sources and their relationships with human socio-economic activities in multiple habitats of a shallow lake

Approach deliberation for source identification of sedimentary organic matters via comparing freshwater lakes with multi-ecotypes

Stable‐isotope analysis reveals sources of organic matter and ontogenic feeding shifts of a mangrove‐dependent predator species, New Granada sea catfish, Ariopsis canteri

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