Do stable isotopes reflect the food web development in regenerating ecosystems?

We evaluated the use of delta15N- and delta13C-values to monitor the development of food web complexity and biodiversity in a regenerating ecosystem. Therefore a model food chain was established feeding cultivated woodlice (Porcellio dilatatus) on a cellulolytic fungus (Chaetomium globosum) grown on cellulose paper. Two diets of different quality (C:N ratios of 54 vs. 200) with different delta15N- (1.3% vs. 3.1%) but identical delta13C-values caused low and high dietary stress in animals of treatment A and B, respectively. After an incubation time of 7 weeks amount, elemental and isotopic composition of collected faeces and exuviae as well as woodlice and remaining food were determined. The increase of delta15N-values of woodlice relative to the diet was 5.7% and 2.5% in treatments A and B, respectively, whereas delta13C-shifts were 1.0% and 1.6%, showing a reverse relationship. Modelling of elemental and isotopic mass balances indicated that faeces recycling explains the unexpected high 15N-enrichments. Moreover, 13C-enrichments were positively correlated to the degree of starvation. Considering the effects of starvation and recycling of faeces, stable isotopes represent a useful tool to elucidate trophic interactions in regenerating food webs.     

Wild Rabbit Host and Some Parasites Show Trophic-Level Relationships for δ13C and δ15N: A First Report

Abstract

We report the first isotopic study of an animal host-parasite system. Parasitic, intestinal nematodes, Graphidium strigosum and Passalurus ambiguus, were ¹⁵N-enriched relative to their host, the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, while parasitic cestodes, Cittataenia denticulata and Mosgovoyia pectinata, were ¹⁵N-depleted, suggesting different trophic relationships. Host embryos were more similar in their δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values to maternal muscle than were any of the parasites. Coprophagy, the direct recycling of food by the rabbit eating its own faeces, did not lead to isotopic differences between stomach contents and faeces, suggesting that the major point for isotopic discrimination in lagomorph nitrogen metabolism is in the animal rather than in the gut. We conclude that bulk δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N can reveal valuable new information about host-parasite relationships, and these could be explored further at the biochemical level using compound-specific isotopic analyses.     

The Effect of Diet Quality on δ13C and δ15N in the Tissues of Locusts,Locusta migratoria L

Abstract

Locust nymphs were raised from hatching to adult locusts on either seedling wheat (C₃) or maize (C₄), to determine whether relative enrichments/depletions of ¹⁵N and ¹³C within body tissues are influenced by diet. The maize contained less hexose sugars and protein per gram than wheat.

The isotopic spacing between the food and the whole insect was found to differ between the two diets. The lower quality maize diet showed an overall +5.1‰ enrichment in δ¹⁵N compared to + 2.8‰ for wheat, possibly due to increased fractionation due to protein recycling.

The maize diet resulted in increased depletion in lipid and trehalose and depletion in chitin relative to diet. The results for both δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C suggest that substrate recycling was occurring on the low quality maize diet. Therefore diet quality determines the enrichment/depletion in δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C within organisms.     

Determination of 13C/12C-Ratios in Rumen Produced Methane and CO2 of Cows,Sheep and Camels

Abstract

Naturally produced methane shows different δ¹³C-values with respect to its origin, e.g., geological or biological. Methane-production of ruminants is considered to be the dominant source from the animal kingdom. Isotopic values of rumen methane—given in literature—range between ?80‰ and -50‰ and are related to feed composition and also sampling techniques. Keeping cows, camels and sheep under identical feed conditions and sampling rumen gases via implanted fistulae we compared δ_PDB ¹³C-values of methane and CO₂ between the species. Referring to mean values obtained from 4 or 5 samples at different times of 11 animals (n = 47) we calculated δ_PDB ¹³C-medians resulting in small but not significant differences within and significant differences between the species for CO₂ and methane. The δ_PDB ¹³C-differences between methane and CO₂ were statistically equal within and also between the species. Therefore a linear regression of methane values on CO₂ is appropriate and leads to: δ_PDB ¹³C(methane)‰ = 1,57 * δ_PDB ¹³C(CO₂)‰-47‰ with a correlation coefficient of r = 0,87.     

Stable Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Lower Plants from the Schirmacher and Untersee Oases (Central Dronning Maud Land,East Antarctica)

Abstract

Lower plants (algae, lichens, mosses) from the Antarctic continent have been analysed for their stable carbon isotope composition. In contrast to lichens and mosses which exhibit quite normal δ¹³C-values the studied microbial benthos is characterized by an extremely low carbon isotope fractionation (δ¹³C-values up to ?1.4‰. vs. PDB). Limited CO₂ availability and bicarbonate uptake are probably the main factors responsible for this phenomenon.     

Untersuchungen zur Isotopensignatur von Methan und Kohlendioxid aus biogenen Gasen unterschiedlicher Quellen

Abstract

The isotopic compositions of biogenic carbon dioxide and methane from different sites were investigated. The δ¹³C values of methane vary mainly between ?55‰ and ?75‰ whereas δ¹³C values of carbon dioxide were found from about + 11‰ to ?23‰. Especially the latter ones are not so typical for microbial gases. The different sites don't vary over the whole scales but form certain groups. Secondary effects like diffusion change the δ values of both components in an even more negative direction, while oxidation processes near the surface result in more positive δ¹³C values for methane and very negative δ¹³C values for carbon dioxide.     

Feeding and Growth of Apple Snail Pomacea lineata in the Pantanal Wetland,Brazil—a Stable Isotope Approach

Abstract

Apple snails Pomacea lineata (SPIX 1827) are widespread in the tropical regions of Brazil as well as in the Pantanal wetland of Mato Grosso in the western part of the country. They have a key position in the Pantanal food web and serve as food for many animals e.g. fishes, birds, and caimans. However, little is known about their feeding preferences and growth rates. Stable isotopes have been used successfully on numerous studies as food source indicator. Therefore, the δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of snails from 0.45 to 3.03cm in length, which were collected in the rainy season from March through May, were analyzed. Snails signatures revealed ambiguous evidence for food preferences. δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values ranged between ?2.8 and 12.4‰ and between ?24.2 and ?16.4‰, respectively. This range of values mirrors the highly variable isotope values of possible food sources comprising C₃ and C₄ macrophytes. To test whether all common food sources were similarly assimilated, feeding experiments with different diets were conducted. Snail eggs were reared in tanks and offered different but single plants. Snails fed different diets and δ¹³C values of the food were reflected in the animal tissue. Growth varied considerably in experiments with different diets indicating the preference for certain food sources. Also, the fractionation of nitrogen isotopes between food and animal varied from 0.1 to 17.0‰. The results are explained by different feeding habits, and it is supposed that animals fed either on the plant itself or on bacteria mats growing in the tanks. In an additional experiment juvenile snails were offered one single food with a distinctive C₄ grass signature. These snails did not grow detectably, but nevertheless isotope signatures approached to values of the diet.     

Methane-Derived Carbonates in a Native Sulfur Deposit: Stable Isotope and Trace Element Discriminations Related to the Transformation of Aragonite to Calcite

Abstract

Stable isotope (¹³C, ¹⁸O, ³⁴S) and trace element (Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Na⁺) investigations of elemental sulfur, primary calcites and mixtures of aragonite with secondary, post-aragonitic calcite from sulfur-bearing limestones have provided new insights into the geochemistry of the mineral forming environment of the native sulfur deposit at Machów (SE-Poland). The carbon isotopic composition of carbonates (δ¹³C = ?41 to ?47‰ vs. PDB) associated with native sulfur (δ³⁴S = + 10 to + 15‰ vs. V-CDT) relates their formation to the microbiological anaerobic oxidation of methane and the reduction of sulfate derived from Miocene gypsum. From a comparison with experimentally derived fractionation factors the element ratios of the aqueous fluids responsible for carbonate formation are estimated. In agreement with field and laboratory observations, ratios near seawater composition are obtained for primary aragonite, whereas the fluids were relatively enriched in dissolved calcium during the formation of primary and secondary calcites. Based on the oxygen isotope composition of the carbonates (δ¹⁸O = ?3.9 to ?5.9‰ vs. PDB) and a secondary SrSO₄ (δ¹⁸O = + 20‰ vs. SMOW; δ³⁴S = + 59‰ vs. V-CDT), maximum formation temperatures of 35°C (carbonates) and 47°C (celestite) are obtained, in agreement with estimates for West Ukraine sulfur ores. The sulfur isotopic composition of elemental sulfur associated with carbonates points to intense microbial reduction of sulfate derived from Miocene gypsum (δ³⁴S ≈ + 23‰) prior to the re-oxidation of dissolved reduced sulfur species.     

Wild Rabbit Host and Some Parasites Show Trophic-Level Relationships for δ(13)C and δ(15)N: A First Report

Abstract We report the first isotopic study of an animal host-parasite system. Parasitic, intestinal nematodes, Graphidium strigosum and Passalurus ambiguus, were (15)N-enriched relative to their host, the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, while parasitic cestodes, Cittataenia denticulata and Mosgovoyia pectinata, were (15)N-depleted, suggesting different trophic relationships. Host embryos were more similar in their δ(13)C and δ(15)N values to maternal muscle than were any of the parasites. Coprophagy, the direct recycling of food by the rabbit eating its own faeces, did not lead to isotopic differences between stomach contents and faeces, suggesting that the major point for isotopic discrimination in lagomorph nitrogen metabolism is in the animal rather than in the gut. We conclude that bulk δ(13)C and δ(15)N can reveal valuable new information about host-parasite relationships, and these could be explored further at the biochemical level using compound-specific isotopic analyses.     

Regime Shift Signatures from Stable Oxygen Isotopic Records of Otoliths of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

Abstract

The sudden collapse of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) may relate to ocean climate, or regime shifts as demonstrated in production of Pacific salmon. This paper reports the results of stable oxygen isotope ratio analyses (¹⁸O/¹⁶O or δ¹⁸O_A) from 91 otoliths of cod over a period of about 20 years. Seasonal δ¹⁸O_A variations of individual otoliths started at an initial value of about ?0.5 to 0‰ VPDB, and then reached a stable level in the range of +2.5 to +3.5‰ VPDB after 4–5 years. The initial low values correspond to the natal sources of mature cod, while the higher δ¹⁸O_A values represent the water conditions before the cod was caught. This pattern of δ¹⁸O_A variation was observed over the life history of all cod examined. Furthermore, the calculated isotopic temperatures agreed with those obtained from summer bottom trawl survey, indicating that δ¹⁸O_A of otoliths could be used as a thermometer in determining the ambient seawater temperature where the cod lived. Comparison of long-term δ¹⁸O_A records and biological and meteorological observations suggested that decadal-scale ecosystem changes did occur in the late 1970s and early 1990s in Atlantic Canada, comparable to regime shifts occurred in the North Pacific.     

Studies on stable isotopic composition of daily rainfall from Kozhikode,Kerala, India

The stable isotopic compositions of all major daily rain fall samples (n?=?113) collected from Kozhikode station in Kerala, India, for the year 2010 representing the pre-monsoon, southwest and northeast monsoon seasons are examined. The isotopic variations δ¹⁸O, δ²H and d-excess in daily rainfall ranged from δ¹⁸O: ?4.4 to 2?‰, δ²H: ?25.3 to 13.8?‰, and d-excess: ?2.4 to 15.3?‰; δ¹⁸O: ?9.7 to ?0.6?‰, δ²H: ?61.7 to 5.3?‰, and d-excess 5.8 to 17.4?‰; δ¹⁸O ?11.3 to ?1.4?‰, δ²H: ?75.3 to 0.9?‰, and d-excess: 8.8 to 21.3?‰ during the pre-, southwest and northeast monsoon periods, respectively. Thus, daily rainfall events during two monsoon periods had a distinct range of isotopic variations. The daily rain events within the two monsoon seasons also exhibited periodic variations. The isotopic composition of rain events during pre-monsoon and a few low-intensity events during the southwest monsoon period had imprints of secondary evaporation. This study analysing the stable isotopic characteristics of individual rain events in southern India, which is influenced by dual monsoon rainfall, will aid in a better understanding of its mechanism.     

Food webs in Mongolian grasslands: The analysis of 13C and 15N natural abundances

Overgrazing often lowers species richness and productivity of grassland communities. For Mongolian grassland ecosystems, a lack of detailed information about food-web structures makes it difficult to predict the effects of overgrazing on species diversity and community composition. We analysed the δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures of herbaceous plants, arthropods (grouped by feeding habit), wild and domestic mammals, and humans in central Mongolia to understand the predominant food-web pathways in this grassland ecosystem. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of mammals showed little variation within species, but varied considerably with slope position for arthropods. The apparent isotopic discrimination between body tissue and hair of mammals was estimated as 2.0 ‰ for δ¹³C and 2.1 ‰ for δ¹⁵N, which was large enough to cause overestimation of the trophic level of mammals if not taken into account when using hair samples to measure isotopic enrichment.     

13C and 15N Abundances in the Sediment Core (VER 92/1-St-10-GC2) from Northern Lake Baikal

Abstract

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions of organic matter, TOC/TN ratio, and manganese concentration in a sediment core that was collected in northern part of Lake Baikal (VER92ST10-GC2, water depth at 922 m, about 3 m long) were investigated to elucidate the origin of the sedimentary organic matter and its associated environmental factors.

The sediment core was composed of mainly two parts: turbidite sections and other sections. Constant δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of the turbidite sections were observed (- 26.8 ±0.2 ‰ for δ¹³C and 3.2 ± 0.1 ‰ for δ¹⁵N) throughout the core. The higher δ¹³C in turbidite sections (about - 27 ‰) than that of the other sections (- 31 to - 29 ‰) was clearly observed, and δ¹⁵N was different between turbidite sections (about 3‰) and other sections (3 to 5 ‰). δ¹³C of other sections was close to that of pelagic phytoplankton, indicating that sediment other than turbidite sections is composed of autochthonous components. The variation of stable isotopes in other sections may be possibly caused by the changes in either phytoplankton growth rate or contribution ratios of terrestrial to aquatic plants for δ¹³C. Either denitrification or fluctuation of δ¹⁵N in pelagic phytoplankton can be the cause of variable δ¹⁵N in other sections.     

The Effect of Diet Quality on δ(13)C and δ(15)N in the Tissues of Locusts, Locusta migratoria L

Abstract Locust nymphs were raised from hatching to adult locusts on either seedling wheat (C(3)) or maize (C(4)), to determine whether relative enrichments/depletions of (15)N and (13)C within body tissues are influenced by diet. The maize contained less hexose sugars and protein per gram than wheat. The isotopic spacing between the food and the whole insect was found to differ between the two diets. The lower quality maize diet showed an overall +5.1‰ enrichment in δ(15)N compared to + 2.8‰ for wheat, possibly due to increased fractionation due to protein recycling. The maize diet resulted in increased depletion in lipid and trehalose and depletion in chitin relative to diet. The results for both δ(15)N and δ(13)C suggest that substrate recycling was occurring on the low quality maize diet. Therefore diet quality determines the enrichment/depletion in δ(15)N and δ(13)C within organisms.     

Unusual patterns in 15N blood values after a diet switch in red knot shorebirds

When a diet switch results in a change in dietary isotopic values, isotope ratios of the consumer's tissues will change until a new equilibrium is reached. This change is generally best described by an exponential decay curve. Indeed, after a diet switch in captive red knot shorebirds (Calidris canutus islandica), the depletion of ¹³C in both blood cells and plasma followed an exponential decay curve. Surprisingly, the diet switch with a dietary ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio (δ¹⁵N) change from 11.4 to 8.8 ‰ had little effect on δ¹⁵N in the same tissues. The diet-plasma and diet-cellular discrimination factors of ¹⁵N with the initial diet were very low (0.5 and 0.2 ‰, respectively). δ¹⁵N in blood cells and plasma decreased linearly with increasing body mass, explaining about 40 % of the variation in δ¹⁵N. δ¹⁵N in plasma also decreased with increasing body-mass change (r ²=.07). This suggests that the unusual variation in δ¹⁵N with time after the diet switch was due to interferences with simultaneous changes in body-protein turnover.     

There is no Temperature Dependence of Net Biochemical Fractionation of Hydrogen and Oxygen Isotopes in Tree-Ring Cellulose

Abstract

The isotopic composition of tree-ring cellulose was obtained over a two-year period from small diameter, riparian zone trees along an elevational transect in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, USA to test for a possible temperature dependence of net biological fractionation during cellulose synthesis. The isotope ratios of stream water varied by only 3.6‰ and 0.2‰ in δD and δ¹⁸O, respectively, over an elevation change of 810m. The similarity in stream water and macroenvironment over the short (13km) transect produced nearly constant stem and leaf water δD and δ¹⁸O values. In addition, what few seasonal variations observed in the isotopic composition of source water and atmospheric water vapor or in leaf water evaporative enrichment were experienced equally by all sites along the elevational transect. The temperature at each site along the transect spanned a range of ≥ 5°C as calculated using the adiabatic lapse rate. Since the δD and δ¹⁸O values of stem and leaf water varied little for these trees over this elevation/ temperature transect, any differences in tree-ring cellulose δD and δ¹⁸O values should have been associated with temperature effects on net biological fractionation. However, the slopes of the regressions of elevation versus the δD and δ¹⁸O values of tree-ring cellulose were not significantly different from zero indicating little or no temperature dependence of net biological fractionation. Therefore, cross-site climatic reconstruction studies using the isotope ratios of cellulose need not be concerned that temperatures during the growing season have influenced results.     

Estimates of dietary overlap for six species of Amazonian manakin birds using stable isotopes

We used stable isotope ratios to determine the metabolic routing fraction of carbon and nitrogen in feathers in addition to faecal analysis to estimate diet overlap of six sympatric species of manakins in the eastern lowland forest of Ecuador. Collectively, all species varied from?23.7 to?32.7 ‰ for δ¹³C, and from 6.0 to 9.9‰ for δ¹⁵N, with Machaeropterus regulus showing isotopic differences from the other species. We developed a mixing model that explicitly addresses the routing of carbon and nitrogen to feathers. Interestingly, these results suggest a higher proportion of nitrogen and carbon derived from insects than anticipated based on feeding observations and faecal analysis. A concentration-dependent mixing isotopic model was also used to look at dietary proportions. While larvae and arachnids had higher δ¹⁵N values, these two groups may also be preferred prey of manakins and may be more assimilated into tissues, leading to a potential overestimation of the contribution to diet. This study supports the finding that manakin species, previously thought be primarily frugivorous, contain a significant amount of arthropods in their diet.     

Seasonal variation in natural abundance of δ13C and 15N in Salicornia brachiata Roxb. populations from a coastal area of India

High and fluctuating salinity is characteristic for coastal salt marshes, which strongly affect the physiology of halophytes consequently resulting in changes in stable isotope distribution. The natural abundance of stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of the halophyte plant Salicornia brachiata and physico-chemical characteristics of soils were analysed in order to investigate the relationship of stable isotope distribution in different populations in a growing period in the coastal area of Gujarat, India. Aboveground and belowground biomass of S. brachiata was collected from six different populations at five times (September 2014, November 2014, January 2015, March 2015 and May 2015). The δ¹³C values in aboveground (?30.8 to ?23.6?‰, average: ?26.6?±?0.4?‰) and belowground biomass (?30.0 to ?23.1?‰, average: ?26.3?±?0.4?‰) were similar. The δ¹³C values were positively correlated with soil salinity and Na concentration, and negatively correlated with soil mineral nitrogen. The δ¹⁵N values of aboveground (6.7–16.1?‰, average: 9.6?±?0.4?‰) were comparatively higher than belowground biomass (5.4–13.2?‰, average: 7.8?±?0.3?‰). The δ¹⁵N values were negatively correlated with soil available P. We conclude that the variation in δ¹³C values of S. brachiata was possibly caused by soil salinity (associated Na content) and N limitation which demonstrates the potential of δ¹³C as an indicator of stress in plants.     

Precise δ13C-determination in the Range of Natural Abundance on Amino Acids from Protein Hydrolysates by Gas Chromatography - Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Routine on-line ¹³C-analysis by coupled gas chromatography - combustion – isotope ratio - mass spectrometry of individual amino acids out of mixtures in the natural abundance range demands their strictly standardized derivatization. For the N-acetyl-propylesters of amino acids from protein hydrolysates and blood serum a mean precision of 0.5% ° (1 SD) for derivatization, separation and measurement could be attained. From δ¹³C-values of derivatives δ¹³C-values of amino acids could be calculated by a carbon balance equation, implying an isotope effect on the C-1 of acetate of about 1.04 for nine amino acids. The global δ¹³C-value of casein calculated from the individual amino acids differed by less than 1.5%° from the directly determined value. The δ¹³C-values of amino acids from plant protein hydrolysates analyzed by the on-line method were in agreement with results obtained by classical procedures. The method permits the δ-value determination of up to nine amino acids from 200 μg of a mixture in less than one hour. By this means the detection of ¹³C-labeled amino acids in nmole amounts diluted by the 5000-fold amount of carrier becomes possible.     

δ13C-Values of Monoterpenes in Essential Oils as a Mirror of Their Biosynthesis

In order to achieve a basis for the assignment of flavour substances to their natural or nature indentical origin, the δ¹³C-values of 11 and 14 monoterpenes in the essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris and Coriandrum sativum, respectively, were determined in a GC/C/IRMS-system, comprising two-dimensional gas chromatography. The results were considered under quantitative and biosynthetic aspects. Especially the consequences of possible isotope effects of cyclisation reactions and esterifications on the δ¹³C-values of monoterpenes are discussed.