Journal
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
Volume 76, Issue 3, Pages 704-709Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2007.07.046
Keywords
isotope mixing model; stable isotope analysis; phytoplankton; attached microalgae; benthic microalgae; Pinctada fucata martensii; marine coastal ecosystem
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We estimated the composition of two food sources for the cultured pearl oyster Pinctada fucata martensii using stable isotopes and stomach content analysis in the coastal areas of the Uwa Sea, Japan. The delta C-13 values of oysters (-17.5 to -16.8 parts per thousand) were intermediate between that of particulate organic matter (POM, -20.2 to -19.1 parts per thousand,) and attached microalgae on pearl cages (-13.0 parts per thousand). An isotope mixing model suggested that oysters were consuming 78% POM (mainly phytoplankton) and 22% attached microalgae. The attached microalgal composition of the stomach content showed a strong resemblance to the composition of that estimated through the isotope mixing model, suggesting preferential utilization of specific components is unlikely in this species. These results indicate that P. fucata martensii feed on a mixture of phytoplankton and attached microalgae, and that the attached microalgae on pearl cages can serve as an important additional food source. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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