Terrestrial and marine trophic pathways support young-of-year growth in a nearshore Arctic fish
Polar Biology
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - Arctic cisco stomach content data, Prudhoe Bay, August 2009
- USGS data release - Arctic cisco stable isotope data, Prudhoe Bay August 2009
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
River discharge supplies nearshore communities with a terrestrial carbon source that is often reflected in invertebrate and fish consumers. Recent studies in the Beaufort Sea have documented widespread terrestrial carbon use among invertebrates, but only limited use among nearshore fish consumers. Here, we examine the carbon source and diet of rapidly growing young-of-year Arctic cisco (Coregonus autumnalis) using stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) from muscle and diet analysis (stomach contents) during a critical and previously unsampled life stage. Stable isotope values (δ15N and δ13C) may differentiate between terrestrial and marine sources and integrate over longer time frames (weeks). Diet analysis provides species-specific information, but only from recent foraging (days). Average δ13C for all individuals was −25.7 ‰, with the smallest individuals possessing significantly depleted δ13C values indicative of a stronger reliance of terrestrial carbon sources as compared to larger individuals. Average δ15N for all individuals was 10.4 ‰, with little variation among individuals. As fish length increased, the proportion of offshore Calanus prey and neritic Mysis prey increased. Rapid young-of-year growth in Arctic cisco appears to use terrestrial carbon sources obtained by consuming a mixture of neritic and offshore zooplankton. Shifts in the magnitude or phenology of river discharge and the delivery of terrestrial carbon may alter the ecology of nearshore fish consumers.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Terrestrial and marine trophic pathways support young-of-year growth in a nearshore Arctic fish |
| Series title | Polar Biology |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00300-012-1244-x |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publisher location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Contributing office(s) | Alaska Science Center |
| Description | 10 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Polar Biology |
| First page | 137 |
| Last page | 146 |
| Other Geospatial | Beaufort Sea |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |