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Quick change in d15N values of fish mucus confirmed in the field using a migratory goby
Stable isotope analysis has been used in a number of studies to understand the food habitats, trophic positions and migration of fishes (Hobson 1999; Post et al. 2000), based on the stepwise enrichment of
d13C and d15N values from prey to predators (DeNiro & Epstein 1978, 1981). However, the use of stable
isotope ratios for studying dietary shifts in fishes has often been hampered by the slow response of the ratios. The quicker turnover of mucus than of muscle tissue (isotopic change half-life: 3–6 months; Hesslein 1993; Maruyama et al. 2001a) was previously confirmed by a hatchery experiment using juvenile
steelhead trouts (isotopic change half-life: 1 month; Church et al. 2009). Such a quick response is often
required in studies of dietary shifts and seasonally changing food web structures. Isotope ratio analysis
using such a quick response would also have the potential to detect immigrants, when combined with
traditional analyses with longer response time, by comparing ecological positions indicated by the two isotope ratios.
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