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Toward a standardised protocol for the stable isotope analysis of scleractinian corals
Author(s) -
Sturaro Nicolas,
Hsieh Yunli Eric,
Chen Qi,
Wang PeiLing,
Denis Vianney
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.8663
Subject(s) - coral , isotope analysis , isotope , stylophora pistillata , stable isotope ratio , chemistry , δ13c , isotopes of carbon , extraction (chemistry) , scleractinia , δ15n , environmental chemistry , ecology , biology , chromatography , cnidaria , physics , quantum mechanics , total organic carbon
Rationale The stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen is a powerful tool in many ecological studies, but different sample treatments may affect stable isotope ratios and hamper comparisons among studies. The goal of this study was to determine whether treatments that are commonly used to prepare scleractinian coral samples for stable isotope analysis yield different δ 15 N and δ 13 C values, and to provide guidelines toward a standardised protocol. Methods The animal tissues and Symbiodiniaceae of two symbiotic scleractinian coral species ( Stylophora pistillata and Porites lutea ) were divided into subsamples to test the effects of the drying method, lipid extraction, acidification treatment and water washing. All the subsamples were analysed for their δ 15 N and δ 13 C values, using continuous flow elemental analyser/isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Results The drying method and lipid extraction treatment had no substantial effects on the δ 15 N and δ 13 C values of Symbiodiniaceae and animal tissues. Acid treatment did cause significant differences in δ 13 C values (mean differences ≤0.5‰, with individual samples becoming up to 2.0‰ more negative), whereas no ecologically significant differences were observed in δ 15 N values. Animal tissue δ 13 C values may vary depending on whether samples are washed or not. Conclusions To move towards a standardised protocol in coral research, we recommend using an available drying method (as they are equally acceptable) for the stable isotope analysis of scleractinian corals, examining the need for lipid extraction on a case‐by‐case basis, performing a direct acidification of Symbiodiniaceae and animal tissues, and avoiding washing animal tissue with distilled water.