Stable isotopes in juvenile marine fishes and their invertebrate prey from the Thames Estuary,UK, and adjacent coastal regions |
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| Authors: | Chris DB Leakey Martin J Attrill Simon Jennings Mark F Fitzsimons |
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| Institution: | 1. Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Marine Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK;2. CEFAS Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OHT, UK;3. School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AA, UK |
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| Abstract: | Estuaries are regarded as valuable nursery habitats for many commercially important marine fishes, potentially providing a thermal resource, refuge from predators and a source of abundant prey. Stable isotope analysis may be used to assess relative resource use from isotopically distinct sources. This study comprised two major components: (1) development of a spatial map and discriminant function model of stable isotope variation in selected invertebrate groups inhabiting the Thames Estuary and adjacent coastal regions; and (2) analysis of stable isotope signatures of juvenile bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), sole (Solea solea) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) for assessment of resource use and feeding strategies. The data were also used to consider anthropogenic enrichment of the estuary and potential energetic benefits of feeding in estuarine nursery habitat. |
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| Keywords: | stable isotopes invertebrates marine fish resource use estuarine coastal Thames Estuary |
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