Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Differential d13C and d15N signatures among scallop tissues: implications for ecology and physiology
Lorrain, A.; Paulet, Y.-M.; Chauvaud, L.; Savoye, N.; Donval, A.; Saout, C. (2002). Differential d13C and d15N signatures among scallop tissues: implications for ecology and physiology. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 275(1): 47-61. dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0022-0981(02)00220-4
In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. Elsevier: New York. ISSN 0022-0981; e-ISSN 1879-1697, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Aquatic organisms > Heterotrophic organisms > Filter feeders
    Behaviour > Feeding behaviour
    Bioenergetics
    Biology > Physiology > Ecophysiology
    Biomarkers
    Chemistry > Biochemistry > Histochemistry
    Composition > Biochemical composition
    Energy budget
    Fauna > Aquatic organisms > Aquatic animals > Shellfish > Marine organisms > Marine molluscs
    Isotopes > Carbon isotopes
    Isotopes > Nitrogen isotopes
    Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
    Pecten maximus (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    ANE, France, Brittany, Brest Bay [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    d13C; d15N; Diet; Metabolite fates; Scallops; Tracers

Authors  Top 
  • Lorrain, A.
  • Paulet, Y.-M.
  • Chauvaud, L.
  • Savoye, N., more
  • Donval, A.
  • Saout, C.

Abstract
    There have been several studies where the isotopic composition of organisms has been determined seasonally, but fewer have examined separate organs. In this context, separate organs (e.g. gonad, digestive gland and muscle) of a suspension-feeder, the scallop Pecten maximus, were used to assess seasonal changes of both stable isotopes and biochemical components. Our study used multiple indicators [stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, biochemical components and seston chlorophyll-a (chl a)] to track nutritive activity and energy allocation in P. maximus from the Bay of Brest (France). In addition to seasonal variation in the isotopic composition of P. maximus tissues, we found strong differences in the mean isotopic signatures of different organs. This has serious implications for interpretation of animal diets and potential use in animal physiology. Furthermore, we present evidence that seasonal variations of metabolism will cause changes in the isotopic composition not related to changes in the diet. Interpretation of isotopic data may require consideration of values from several separate organs. Finally, d15N appears powerful to track metabolite fates in the scallop P. maximus.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors