Stable isotopes (δ13C, δ15N) and modelling as tools to estimate the trophic ecology of cultivated oysters in two contrasting environments

• Published in: Marine biology 2008-02, Vol.153 (4), p.673-688
• Main Authors: Marín Leal, Julio César, Dubois, Stanislas, Orvain, Francis, Galois, Robert, Blin, Jean-Louis, Ropert, Michel, Bataillé, Marie-Paule, Ourry, Alain, Lefebvre, Sébastien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Animal and plant ecology; Animal behavior; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Coastal ecosystems; Detritus; Estimating techniques; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Techniques; Habitats; Isotopes; Life Sciences; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Marine biology; Marine ecosystems; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Microbiology; Mollusks; Oceanography; Oysters; Particulate organic matter; Phytoplankton; Research Article; Sea water ecosystems; Shellfish; Shellfish farming; Stable isotopes; Synecology; Zoology
• ISSN: 0025-3162; 1432-1793
• DOI: 10.1007/s00227-007-0841-7

Food sources for cultivated marine bivalves generally are not well identified, although they are essential for a better understanding of coastal ecosystems and for the sustainability of shellfish farming activities. In addition to phytoplankton, other organic matter sources (OMS), such as microphytobenthos and detritus (of terrestrial or marine origins), can contribute significantly to the growth of marine bivalves. The aim of this study was to identify the potential food sources and to estimate their contributions to the growth of the Pacific oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) in two contrasting trophic environments of Normandy (France): the Baie des Veys (BDV) and the Lingreville area (LIN). Two sites were studied in the BDV area (BDV-S and BDV-N) and one in the LIN area. To estimate the contribution of each type of OMS, we used a combination of stable natural isotope composition (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) analysis of OMS and oyster tissue together with a modelling exercise. Field sampling was conducted every 2 months over 1 year. The sampled sources were suspended particulate organic matter from marine (PhyOM) and terrestrial (TOM) origins, microphytobenthos (MPB), detrital organic matter from the superficial sediment (SOM), and macroalgae ( Ulva sp., ULV). A statistical mixing model coupled to a bioenergetic model was used to calculate the contributions of each different source at different seasons. Results showed that isotopic composition of the animal flesh varied with respect to the potential OMS over the year within each ecosystem. Significant differences were also observed among the three locations. For instance, the δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of the oysters ranged from −20.0 to −19.1‰ and from 6.9 to 10.8‰ at BDV-S, from −19.4 to −18.1‰ and from 6.4 to 10.0‰ at BDV-N, and from −21.8 to −19.4‰ and from 6.3 to 8.3‰ at LIN. The contributions of the different sources to oyster growth differed depending on the ecosystem and on the period of the year. Phytoplankton (PhyOM) predominated as the principal food source for oysters (particularly in the LIN location). MPB, TOM, and ULV detritus also possibly contributed to oysters’ diet during summer and autumn at the BDV-S and BDV-N sites. SOM was not considered an OMS because it was already a mix of the other four OMS, but rather a trophic reservoir that potentially mirrored the trophic functioning of marine ecosystems.