Cited by 116Isotope Analysis in EcologyMarine and fisheries researchIchthyology and Marine Biology

Stable isotope analyses differentiate between different trophic pathways supporting rocky-reef fishes

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Thomas, CJ, Cahoon, LB·1993·Marine Ecology Progress Series

Abstract

Stable isotope analyses of 5 reef-associated fishes, Decapterus punctatus.Diplodus holbrooki, Rhornboplites aurorubens.Pagrus pagrus, and Haernulon aurolineatum, were conducted to determine the ability of stable isotope analysis to distinguish among the species and the trophic pathways that support them.Analyses of F13C, 6 1 5 ~, and 6 3 4 ~ from white swimming muscle yielded significant differences between species.Multiple stable isotope signatures of these 5 species indicated that at least 2 trophic pathways, one planktonic and one benthic, supported these reef-associated species.Variability of isotopic signatures within species was largely a result of collection site differences.8l3C and 615N values inchcated that all fishes were feeding at similar trophic levels.P 4 S values proved to be useful supplements to carbon and nitrogen isotope values in separating species by signature.

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  • Lionfish C isotope values are intermediate to those reported for the 5 species of reef fishes (-15.9 to -17.7 ‰) collected from Onslow Bay, which were described as representative of separate planktonic and benthic trophic pathways.

    “Lionfish C isotope values are also intermediate to those reported for the 5 species of reef fishes (-15.9 to -17.7 ‰) collected from Onslow Bay, which were described as representative of separate planktonic and benthic trophic pathways”

    From Diet of invasive lionfish on hard bottom reefs of the Southeast USA: insights from stomach contents and stable isotopes (2011) · cites this paper as Thomas & Cahoon 1993

    The Methods say the five fish species were collected from both Onslow and Long Bays, and the Discussion distinguishes planktonic from benthic trophic pathways. Our copy reports an overall individual-fish carbon-isotope range of −18.3 to −14.8‰, but the retrieved passages do not establish the claimed −15.9 to −17.7‰ range for the five species. The comparison with lionfish is the citing authors’ own, not a finding attributed to this paper. (LLM, conf=0.78)

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  • Based on δ15N values, lionfish are feeding at a similar trophic level to multiple species of reef fish in Onslow Bay reported by Thomas & Cahoon (1993).

    “Based on δ 15 N values, we conclude that lionfish are feeding at a similar trophic level to multiple species of reef fish in Onslow Bay (spottail pinfish Diplodus holbrooki, vermilion snapper Rhomboplites aurorubens, round scad Decapterus punctatus, red porgy Pagrus pagrus, and tomtate Haemulon aurolineatum) reported by Thomas & Cahoon (1993) (Fig. 7).”
  • The importance of benthic primary producers to the food web supporting lionfish, as determined by the 2-source mixing model, is consistent with analyses of the trophic importance of benthic algae to fishes occupying other shallow nearshore waters.

    “The importance of benthic primary producers to the food web supporting lionfish, as determined by the 2-source mixing model, is consistent with analyses of the trophic importance of benthic algae to fishes occupying other shallow nearshore waters”
  • Onslow Bay reef fishes include species utilizing a benthic pathway and species utilizing a pelagic pathway.

    “Onslow Bay reef fishes include those utilizing a benthic pathway (filled symbols) and pelagic pathway (open symbols).”

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Rundel, P. W., Ehleringer, J. R., Nagy, K. A. (eds.) Stable lsotopes in ecological research. Springer-Verlag Publish- ing, New York, p. 196-229
  2. Pike, L. (1991). The feeding ecology of spottail pinfish (Pisces: Sparidae): a comparison between a natural and artificial reef in Onslow Bay, North Carolina. M.Sc. thesis, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
  3. Tronzo, C. (1989). The ecology of demersal zooplankton in Onslow Bay, N.C. M.Sc. thesis, University of North Carolina, Wilmington Manuscript first received: December 9, 1992 Revised version accepted: February 15, 1993

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Authors
Thomas, C., & Cahoon, L.
Venue
Marine Ecology Progress Series
Published
1993
Volume
95
Pages
19-24
ISSN
  • 0171-8630 (ISSN-L)
  • 1616-1599
OpenAlex
W2025234955
Cited by
116
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Marine Ecology Progress Series (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Isotope Analysis in Ecology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Nature and Landscape Conservation › Ichthyology and Marine Biology
Keywords
stable isotopes, trophic pathways, reef fish, Pagrus pagrus, carbon isotopes, nitrogen isotopes, benthic feeding, trophic levels, species discrimination

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