Trophic Relationships within Intertidal Communities of the Brittany Coasts: a Stable Carbon Isotope Analysis

Authors

  • Patrick Dauby
  • Abedelhamid Khomsi
  • Jean-Marie Bouquegneau

Keywords:

Intertidal zone, food web, carbon, stable isotopes

Abstract

More than 100 species belonging to plant and animal taxa that are commonly observed in the intertidal zone were collected on both rocky and soft bottom shores of Brittany, France, to be analysed for their 13C/12C ratio. Plant material displayed a wide range of ᵹ13C values (from -12 to -34‰), with relatively distinct values among producer groups (Chlorophyceæ, Fucales, Laminariales, Rhodophyceæ, seagrasses, plankton), and among strata of intertidal zonation. Animal ᵹ13C range was narrower (-15 to -22‰), and in general, values differed more between than within phyla or classes, according to the staple diet of organisms. A good correlation between the ᵹ13C values of food and consumers was noted, together with a slight 13C-enrichment (≈1‰) with increasing trophic levels from suspension-feeders to predators.

Downloads

Published

1998-10-13