Assessment of spatial variation in carbon utilization by benthic and pelagic invertebrates in a temperate South African estuary using stable isotope signatures

Richoux, Nicole B; Froneman, P William

Title: Assessment of spatial variation in carbon utilization by benthic and pelagic invertebrates in a temperate South African estuary using stable isotope signatures
Creator: Richoux, Nicole B
Creator: Froneman, P William
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 2007
Date: 2007
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/457923
Identifier: vital:75695
Identifier: xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2006.09.007 "
Description: Stable isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N) were used to evaluate the spatial variations in carbon flow from primary producers to consumers at two sites in the temperate and permanently open Kariega Estuary on the southeastern coast of South Africa during October 2005 and February 2006. One site was located opposite a salt marsh while the second was upstream of the marsh. Except for significantly enriched δ13C values of Zostera capensis and surface sediments near the salt marsh, the δ13C and δ15N signatures of the producers were similar between sites. The invertebrates were clustered into groups roughly corresponding to the predominant feeding modes. The suspension feeders showed δ13C values closest to the seston, whereas the deposit feeders, detritivores and scavengers/predators had more enriched δ13C values reflecting primary carbon sources that were likely a combination of seston, Spartina maritima and Z. capensis at the upstream site, with an increased influence of benthic algae and Z. capensis at the salt marsh site. The δ15N signatures of the consumers showed a stepwise continuum rather than distinct levels of fractionation, indicating highly complex trophic linkages and significant dietary overlap among the species. Consumers exhibited significantly enriched δ13C values at the salt marsh site, an effect that was attributed to enriched Z. capensis detritus in this region in addition to increased phytoplankton biomass in their diets compared with invertebrates living upstream. The data reinforce the concept that between-site variations in the stable isotope ratios of consumers can result not only from dietary shifts, but also from alterations in the isotope ratios of primary producers.
Format: computer
Format: online resource
Format: application/pdf
Format: 1 online resource (14 pages)
Format: pdf
Publisher: Elsevier
Language: English
Relation: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
Relation: Richoux, N.B. and Froneman, P.W., 2007. Assessment of spatial variation in carbon utilization by benthic and pelagic invertebrates in a temperate South African estuary using stable isotope signatures. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 71(3-4), pp.545-558
Relation: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science volume 71 number 3 - 4 p. 545 2007 1096-0015
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Elsevier Terms and Conditions Statement (https://www.elsevier.com/legal/elsevier-website-terms-and-conditions)
Rights: Closed Access

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Richoux, Nicole Bertine (Assoc Prof)

Froneman, Pierre William (Prof)

SDG 15. Life On Land

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

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