Stable Isotope Enrichment (δ13C and δ15N) in the Endangered June Sucker (Chasmistes liorus)

Eric Billman
Todd Crowl

Location

Space Dynamics Laboratory

Event Website

http://water.usu.edu/

Start Date

3-25-2004 10:40 AM

End Date

3-25-2004 10:45 AM

Description

Stable isotope analysis has increasingly been used to determine trophic relationships in aquatic food webs, but variation in isotopic enrichment between predator and prey has added uncertainty into its application. I am conducting a feeding study to determine how stable isotopes are enriched in June suckers compared to their prey. Suckers are fed one of five diets ad libitum everyday. Samples of the diet and the suckers are collected through time, and analyzed for their δ13C and δ15N signatures. As fish grow new muscle, the signature of the June suckers should become enriched compared to their diet. Knowing how stable isotopes are enriched in June suckers compared to their prey provides a means to determine the diet of June suckers in native and refuge habitats where the suckers are consuming unknown prey types.

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Mar 25th, 10:40 AM Mar 25th, 10:45 AM

Stable Isotope Enrichment (δ13C and δ15N) in the Endangered June Sucker (Chasmistes liorus)

Space Dynamics Laboratory

Stable isotope analysis has increasingly been used to determine trophic relationships in aquatic food webs, but variation in isotopic enrichment between predator and prey has added uncertainty into its application. I am conducting a feeding study to determine how stable isotopes are enriched in June suckers compared to their prey. Suckers are fed one of five diets ad libitum everyday. Samples of the diet and the suckers are collected through time, and analyzed for their δ13C and δ15N signatures. As fish grow new muscle, the signature of the June suckers should become enriched compared to their diet. Knowing how stable isotopes are enriched in June suckers compared to their prey provides a means to determine the diet of June suckers in native and refuge habitats where the suckers are consuming unknown prey types.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/runoff/2004/AllPosters/17