Isotopic variation in blood components based on their biochemistry and physiology: A comparison between sharks and fur seals

Elena Tamburin, María José Amador-Capitanachi, Felipe Galván-Magaña, Tenaya A. Norris, Fernando R. Elorriaga-Verplancken

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research using stable isotopes analysis (SIA) of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in blood components is lacking, because of the challenge of sample collection, processing, and storage in remote areas. There also is a paucity of information regarding the effect of tissue biochemical composition on isotopic ratios with few comparisons among taxa. We collected blood samples from shortfin mako sharks (n = 70; 2016) and Guadalupe fur seals (n = 25; 2017). All samples were centrifuged to obtain plasma from sharks and serum from the Guadalupe fur seals, and all the samples were prepared for SIA and analyzed using a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer interfaced with a Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer. We found significant differences between plasma δ13C values of shortfin mako sharks (−17.6 ± 0.9‰) and serum of Guadalupe fur seals (−20.3 ± 1.2‰), but we did not find any differences for δ15N values between the two species. The differences in δ13C values between species are probably due to the specific blood composition and to the different biochemical characteristics and different adaptations within taxa. These findings highlight the importance of further research on the influence of biochemistry features on isotopic results, in this way a more accurate assessment will be possible for this factor, separating it from the dietary influences on stable isotopic values.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-110
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology
Volume333
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Guadalupe fur seals
  • biochemical features
  • plasma
  • serum
  • shortfin mako sharks
  • stable isotopes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Isotopic variation in blood components based on their biochemistry and physiology: A comparison between sharks and fur seals'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this