Abstract
Stable isotope analysis (SIA) has become a useful tool in trophic ecology research, but experimental studies are essential for their correct application in field studies. Young-of-the-year (YOY) Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) caught in the Mediterranean Spanish coast were reared on a common natural prey to determine prey-muscle and prey-liver discrimination factors. Significantly increased isotopic values were found in lipid-extracted tuna samples of muscle and liver versus bulk samples, while C:N values decreased following lipid extraction. Such isotopic differences were paralleled by differences in the discrimination factors estimated for δ13C (Δ13C) in muscle and liver, though Δ15N was apparently unaffected by lipid removal. Isotopic differences were observed between muscle and liver for wild ABFT, which was probably due to different turnover rates. The Δ13C estimates obtained from lipid-extracted samples of muscle and liver were 0.32±0.04 and 0.39±0.23, respectively. Δ15N values estimated from bulk samples were 1.46±0.06 for muscle and 1.62±0.22 for liver.
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