Effects of lipid extraction on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of fish tissues: potential consequences for food web studies

Abstract

Abstract –  We examined whether solvent‐based lipid extractions, commonly used for stable isotope analysis (SIA) of biota, alters δ15N or δ13C values of fish muscle tissue or whole juvenile fish. Lipid extraction from muscle tissue led to only small (<1‰) isotope shifts in δ13C and δ15N values. By contrast, ecologically significant shifts (+3.4‰ for δ13C and +2.8‰ for δ15N) were observed for whole juvenile fish. Sample variance was not affected by lipid extraction. For tissue‐specific SIA, two sample aliquots may be required: a lipid‐extracted aliquot for stable carbon isotope analysis when differing lipid content among tissues is a concern, and a nonextracted aliquot for δ15N determination. Whole organism SIA is not recommended because of the mix of tissues having different turnover times; for very small fish, we recommend that fish be eviscerated, decapitated, and skinned to minimise differences with samples of muscle tissue.