Identifying Local Scale Food Web Variation using Stable δ13C and δ15N Isotopes in a central Indiana Reservoir and Downstream River

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

We used stable isotopes of δ 13C and δ 15N were measured from fish and macroinvertebrate consumers, terrestrial and aquatic primary producers, and detritus to describe food webs for a reservoir and downstream riverine habitat. Measurements of δ 13C indicated that reservoir energy sources were primarily autochthonous while the riverine habitat was primarily a result of allochthonous carbon sources. Measurements of δ 15N indicated that terrestrial primary producers were basal to organic matter, aquatic primary producers, macroinvertebrates, and fishes, respectively. We found significant differences between riverine and reservoir δ 13C and δ 15N levels among seven fish taxa representing Cyprinidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Ictaluridae, and Clupeidae families. Riverine and reservoir overall δ 13C and δ 15N levels differed by an average of 7.9% and 7.7% by taxa, respectively. Reservoir fish exhibited lower intra specific variation in δ 13C and δ 15N values compared to river fish indicating less variation in diet. Reservoir fish were also found to feed at more extreme trophic positions (high and low) compared to riverine fish. This evidence suggests the presence of habitat-induced variability in local scale food webs and has implications for understanding aquatic ecosystem diversity and organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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