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Isotopic change throughout the life history of a Lake Malawi cichlid fish
Author(s) -
Genner M. J.,
Hawkins S. J.,
Turner G. F.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00085.x
Subject(s) - cichlid , biology , δ15n , δ13c , benthic zone , plankton , ecology , stable isotope ratio , fish <actinopterygii> , zoology , fishery , physics , quantum mechanics
Clear changes in body size‐isotope (carbon and nitrogen) trajectories of Pseudotropheus callainos , a cichlid belonging to the endemic haplochromine species radiation in Lake Malawi, were found that corresponded with an ontogenetic dietary shift from predominantly planktonic to benthic food sources. The results indicated that dietary switching was a proximate cause of isotopic change over the life history of this species and confirmed the value of stable isotope signatures for inferring diet. The data also illustrated that possible variability of signatures over the life history of a species should be considered when using stable isotope ratios to investigate fine‐scale ecological differentiation among taxa.