Journal of Fisheries Science and Technology

Journal of Fisheries Science and Technology

The role of mangrove primary production in the diet of Thryssa setirostris in Hara Bioshphere Reserve using carbon and nitrogen isotopes

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Mehdi Ghodrati Shojaei 1
Ali Taheri Mirghaed 2
Melika Mashhadi Farahani 1
Nastaran Delfan 1
Maryam Weigt 3
1 Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University
2 University of Tehran
3 Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research
Abstract
Aims: The aim of the current study was to determine the role of Avicennia marina’s primary production as well as other food sources in the diet of Longjaw thryssa, Thryssa setirostris (Broussonet, 1782) in an arid mangrove ecosystem using carbon stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N).

Material & Methods: We collected five potential food sources in the ecosystem including fresh and senescent leaves of Avicennia marina, particulate organic matter, microphytobenthos and sediment organic matter for further stable isotope analysis. Additionally, fishes were collected with a combination of set nets and seines. The muscle tissue (boneless and skinned, 5 g) was removed from the dorsum of fish.

Findings: Significant differences were found between carbon and nitrogen isotopes of different food sources (p < 0.05). Although, this was not significant for green and senescent leaves (p > 0.05). The average values of carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of T. setirostris were 15.93‰ and 13.01‰, respectively. The SIMMR model showed that the contribution of senescent and fresh leaves in the diet of T. setirostris was 15% and 10%, respectively.

Conclusion: The result of the current study emphasized a limited role for mangrove detritus in the diet of transient fishes in an arid mangrove ecosystem.
Keywords
Stable isotopes
Food web
Mangrove
Thryssa setirostris
Persian Gulf

Subjects

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Journal of Fisheries Science and Technology
Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 27
Summer 2019
Pages 175-181