Effects of preservation by ethanol on δ13 C and δ15 N of three tissues of the critically endangered European eel Anguilla anguilla.

Abstract

The temporal effects of ethanol preservation on the δ13 C and δ15 N values of tissues excised from European eel Anguilla anguilla were assessed. Preservation significantly enriched δ13 C values of fin and mucus, but not dorsal muscle. The δ13 C enrichment occurred in the initial 15 days of preservation and was independent of initial eel mass. Tissue preservation effects on δ15 N values were negligible. These tissue-specific isotopic shifts should be considered when ethanol preserved eel samples are used.