Open AccessEffects of zooplankton herbivory on biomarker proxy records
Author(s) -
Grice Kliti,
Klein Breteler Wim C. M.,
Schouten Stefan,
Grossi Vincent,
Leeuw Jan W.,
Damsté Jaap S. Sinninghe
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
paleoceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1944-9186
pISSN - 0883-8305
DOI - 10.1029/98pa01871
Subject(s) - copepod , sterol , zooplankton , isochrysis galbana , fractionation , isotopes of carbon , biology , dinocyst , environmental chemistry , algae , botany , chemistry , cholesterol , ecology , biochemistry , crustacean , chromatography , pollen , total organic carbon , palynology
The stable carbon isotopic compositions of cholesterol, generally the most dominant sterol in the copepod Temora , bears the δ 13 C “signature” of its dietary precursor sterol when fed on Isochrysis galbana and Rhodomonas sp. The δ 13 C of cholesterol in the faecal pellets released from Temora longicornis fed on Rhodomonas sp. is identical to the δ 13 C of the sterols in the diet, indicating that no significant carbon isotopic fractionation effects occur when the copepod modifies eukaryotic precursor sterols to cholesterol. Furthermore, the ratio of long‐chain alkenones and their stable carbon isotopic compositions in I. galbana were identical to those egested in faecal material. Thus Zooplankton herbivory does not invalidate the use of these alkenones as a proxy for sea surface temperature and p CO 2 .