Assessing the effects of lipid extraction and lipid correction on stable isotope values (δ13 C and δ15 N) of blubber and skin from southern hemisphere humpback whales.

Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM
Jasmin GroßSusan Bengtson Nash

Abstract

The coupled analysis of δ13 C and δ15 N stable isotope values of blubber and skin biopsy samples is widely used to study the diet of free-ranging cetaceans. Differences in the lipid content of these tissues can affect isotopic variability because lipids are depleted in 13 C, reducing the bulk tissue 13 C/12 C. This variability in carbon isotope values can be accounted for either by chemically extracting lipids from the tissue or by using mathematical lipid normalisation models. This study examines (a) the effects of chemical lipid extraction on δ13 C and δ15 N values in blubber and skin of southern hemisphere humpback whales, (b) whether chemical lipid extraction is more favourable than mathematical lipid correction and (c) which of the two tissues is more appropriate for dietary studies. Strategic comparisons were made between chemical lipid extraction and mathematical lipid correction and between blubber and skin tissue δ13 C and δ15 N values, as well as C:N ratios. Six existing mathematical normalisation models were tested for their efficacy in estimating lipid-free δ13 C for skin. Both δ13 C and δ15 N values of lipid-extracted skin (δ13 C: -25.57‰, δ15 N: 6.83‰) were significantly higher than those of bulk skin (δ13 C: -26....Continue Reading

References

Aug 1, 1959·Canadian Journal of Biochemistry and Physiology·E G BLIGH, W J DYER
Jan 24, 2006·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·C J SweetingS Jennings
Mar 1, 1971·Plant Physiology·B N Smith, S Epstein
Jun 14, 2012·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·A BorrellA Aguilar
Dec 29, 2017·Global Change Biology·Susan M Bengtson NashDavid McLagan

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