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Isotopic signatures (delta C-13 and delta N-15) of muscle, carapace and claw in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae)

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Author(s):
Marques, Thiago S. ; Tassoni-Filho, Mauricio ; Ferronato, Bruno O. ; Guardia, Isabela ; Verdade, Luciano M. ; de Camargo, Plinio B.
Total Authors: 6
Document type: Journal article
Source: ZOOLOGIA; v. 28, n. 3, p. 4-pg., 2011-06-01.
Abstract

The isotopic composition (delta C-13 and delta N-15) of muscle, carapace and claw was determined from six wild individuals of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) in order to verify the variation between those tissues. The mean values of delta C-13 e delta N-15 were, respectively, -19.48 +/- 0.81 parts per thousand (-20.8 - -18.64 parts per thousand) and 7.23 +/- 0.67 parts per thousand (6.49 - 8.3 parts per thousand) for muscle, -16.52 +/- 0.98 parts per thousand (-17.88 - -15.43 parts per thousand) and 7.29 +/- 0.54 parts per thousand (6.74 - 7.97 parts per thousand) for carapace and -18.57 +/- 0.97 parts per thousand (-19.97 - -17.26 parts per thousand) and 4.36 +/- 0.33 parts per thousand (3.93 - 4.79 parts per thousand) for claw. We found a significant difference for the tissues evaluated for both delta C-13 and delta N-15. Muscle and claw were statistically similar and more depleted in delta C-13 than the carapace. Nonetheless, claw was more depleted in delta N-15 than muscle and carapace tissues. These results are likely related to differences in metabolic processes involved on each tissue formation. The description of the isotopic signatures variation in P. geoffroanus tissues provides a baseline for future investigations on the diet reconstruction of this species when more than one tissue is involved. (AU)