Resumen del producto

The aim of this study was to evaluate how Crassostrea corteziensisinteracts with its habitat (abiotic factors) and to examine the isotopic variations that may exist over different scales of space and time at a subtropical gradient. This information will contribute to the work required to understand the ecology of this oyster species. We analyzed stable isotopes (?¹³C and ?¹⁵N) in oyster soft tissue and the concentrations of chlorophyll a, NH₄ + , and NO₃ – in the waters of 6 lagoons during the dry and rainy seasons of 2008 and 2009. The mean C:N ratios in soft tissue were generally greater than 3.5 in the different lagoons and during both seasons, indicating a relatively high amount of lipids in the soft tissue related to reproductive activity. The isotopic variability between sites in this study (–25.5 to –17.1‰ for ?¹³C and 6.5–13.7‰ for ?¹⁵N) suggested differences in the composition of suspended organic matter in the diet of this species at different locations, showing an opportunistic behavior that allowed us to detect differences on temporal and spatial scales. On a temporal scale, however, there was no difference in ?¹³C, which was most likely related to the high food availability and the observation that individuals tend to feed on and share the same overabundant prey. In the case of ?¹⁵N, significant temporal differences were evident in only a few lagoons. These differences were related to a differential contribution of NH₄ + and NO₃ – as primary sources to the suspended organic matter pool during the 2 seasons. On a spatial scale, some lagoons showed significant differences (P < 0.05) and high ?¹⁵N values (>10‰) in addition to high concentrations of NH₄ + . Enriched ?¹⁵N values are often associated with an anthropogenic impact, as human and animal waste nitrate have ?¹⁵N values of approximately 10–20‰.

Palabras clave: d15N; Aquaculture; d13C; Trophic ecology; oyster farms Sinaloa; Crassostrea corteziensis

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