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An insect isoscape of UK and Ireland
Author(s) -
Newton Jason
Publication year - 2021
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.9126
Subject(s) - stable isotope ratio , analyser , chemistry , taxon , isotope , ecology , isotope analysis , insect , biology , chromatography , physics , quantum mechanics
Rationale The study of insect migration is problematic due to the small size of insects. Stable isotope analysis can be used to elucidate movement, either by geographic assignment of location of a species, or by simply distinguishing migrant from resident populations. There are few isoscapes of any kind in the UK/Ireland available for interrogation. Thus, I have measured stable isotope ratios (of H, C, N and S) of 299 individuals of the non‐migratory Brimstone moth ( Opisthograptis luteolata ) collected from 93 locations around the UK and Ireland by citizen scientists. Methods After removing lipids, stable isotope ratios were measured by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry, using either a conventional elemental analyser (C, N and S) or a high‐temperature, thermal conversion elemental analyser in reductive mode. Results Maps (isoscapes) were constructed that illustrate the stable isotope spatial distribution of this insect. These are the first isoscapes of H, C, N and S of biological samples covering both UK and Ireland. Conclusions The insect isoscape patterns can be explained from what we know of moth diet, climate and geology. Sulfur isotopes may be of particular use for distinguishing individuals from areas of unique geology. Isoscape patterns may (with care) predict isotope compositions of other, herbivorous, non‐aquatic, chitinous taxa. Such isoscapes, when extended beyond the UK and Ireland, would provide a useful tool to elucidate insect migration.