@article{fdi:010071432,
  title = {{T}rophic structures in tropical marine ecosystems: a comparative investigation using three different ecological tracers},
  author = {{S}ardenne, {F}any and {H}ollanda, {S}. and {L}awrence, {S}. and {A}lbert-{A}rrisol, {R}. and {D}egroote, {M}. and {B}odin, {N}athalie},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{W}e looked at how three ecological tracers may influence the characterization and interpretation of trophic structures in a tropical marine system, with a view to informing tracer(s) selection in future trophic ecology studies. {W}e compared the trophic structures described by stable isotope compositions (carbon and nitrogen), the total mercury concentration ({TH}g) and levels of essential fatty acids ({EFA}) at both the individual and species level. {A}nalyses were undertaken on muscle tissue samples from fish and crustacean species caught in the waters surrounding the {S}eychelles. {T}he carbon isotope composition (delta {C}-13) correlated to the proportion of arachidonic acid ({ARA}), whereas the nitrogen isotope composition (delta {N}-15) correlated to the proportion of docosahexaenoic acid ({DHA}) and {TH}g. {A}t the individual level, trophic position obtained with these three last tracers are similar. {I}n ' contrast, the eicosapentaenoic acid ({EPA}) was not clearly correlated to any of the tracers. {A}t the species level, the use of {EFA} ({ARA} and {DHA}), as compared to stable isotopes, resulted in slight structural modifications, mainly in the middle trophic levels. {F}or example, the {EFA} overestimated the trophic positions of {T}hunnus alalunga and {E}telis coruscans but underestimated the trophic positions of other snappers and groupers. {W}hile {ARA} mainly originates from coastal/benthic areas, {DHA} is conserved throughout the food web and may be used as a proxy indicator of trophic position. {H}owever, metabolic disparities can affect ecological tracers and in turn, distort the trophic structures derived from their results. {T}his is especially true for species with close trophic ecologies. {D}espite these caveats, we think that analysing at the individual level the wealth of {ARA}, {DHA} and {TH}g data that has already been obtained through earlier nutrition or food security studies would enhance our understanding of trophic structures.},
  keywords = {{S}table isotopes ; {F}atty acids ; {M}ercury ; {T}ropical food web ; {I}ndian ocean ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN} ; {SEYCHELLES}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}cological {I}ndicators},
  volume = {81},
  numero = {},
  pages = {315--324},
  ISSN = {1470-160{X}},
  year = {2017},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.j.ecolind.2017.06.001},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010071432},
}