Whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) respiration rate governs intra-otolith variation of delta C-13 values in Lake Annecy

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Dufour, Elise, Gerdeaux, Daniel, Wurster, Christopher M.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: COD GADUS-MORHUA; CARBON ISOTOPE FRACTIONATION; FISH OTOLITHS; BIOENERGETICS MODEL; ATLANTIC COD; MARINE FISH; OXYGEN; TEMPERATURE; RECORDS; ARAGONITE; atlantic cod; Gadus morhua
• Online Access: https://risweb.st-andrews.ac.uk/portal/en/researchoutput/whitefish-coregonus-lavaretus-respiration-rate-governs-intraotolith-variation-of-delta-c13-values-in-lake-annecy(7fbcf51f-6e9d-4e6b-af1f-86cc33dbf9c1).html; https://doi.org/10.1139/F07-132

We generated 10 high-resolution profiles of stable carbon and oxygen isotope values (delta C-13(oto) and delta O-18(oto)) of sagittal otoliths of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) from Lake Annecy (France) to determine the factors that control intra-individual delta C-13(oto) variation. Dominant patterns of intra-otolith variation compared well with seasonal and age-specific respiration modeling. Conversely, intra-otolith variation of delta C-13 values did not compare well with measured dietary and environmental variation. We infer that the proportion of metabolically sourced carbon (M) is the dominant control on intra-otolith variation. Current models of otolith carbon incorporation provide different estimates of M. Once appropriate fractionation factors among otolith, endolymph, blood, and carbon sources are elucidated, delta C-13(oto) values will reveal energetic, environmental, and dietary information of teleost fish for past and present populations. Used in conjunction with delta O-18(oto) values, delta C-13(oto) values will be powerful proxies of fish environment, behavior, and evolution.