Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-995ml Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T09:25:24.959Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Diet and association of Pontonia pinnophylax occurring in Pinna nobilis: insights from stable isotope analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 March 2001

H. Kennedy
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales-Bangor, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK
C.A. Richardson
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales-Bangor, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK
C.M. Duarte
Affiliation:
Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, CSIC-Univ, Illes Balears, C/Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
D.P. Kennedy
Affiliation:
School of Ocean Sciences, University of Wales-Bangor, Menai Bridge, Ynys Mon, LL59 5EY, UK

Abstract

Stable carbon isotope measurements (δ13C) were used to assess the sources of carbon assimilated by the fan mussel Pinna nobilis, in sea grass Posidonia oceanica meadows, and an associated shrimp Pontonia pinnophylax which occurs within this bivalve's mantle cavity. The primary carbon sources available to both animals displayed a wide range of δ13C values, from −12·3 to −22·3‰. The δ13C and δ15N of Pinna nobilis and Pontonia pinnophylax suggest that they assimilate carbon from similar sources, occupy comparable trophic levels and that their association is commensal.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)