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Natural distinction of carbon and nitrogen isotopic niches in common fish species for diverse marine biotopes off the Yellow River estuary and adjacent sea areas
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  • Pei Qu,
  • Min Pang,
  • Fangyuan Qu,
  • Zhao Li,
  • Meng Xiao,
  • Zhaohui Zhang
Pei Qu
First Institute of Oceanography Ministry of Natural Resources

Corresponding Author:qupei@fio.org.cn

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Min Pang
First Institute of Oceanography Ministry of Natural Resources
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Fangyuan Qu
First Institute of Oceanography Ministry of Natural Resources
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Zhao Li
China National Environmental Monitoring Center
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Meng Xiao
Qingdao University of Science and Technology
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Zhaohui Zhang
First Institute of Oceanography Ministry of Natural Resources
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Abstract

Stable isotope analysis is a universally recognized and efficient method of indicating trophic relationships that is widely applied in research. However, variations in natural isotopic abundance may lead to inaccuracies due to the effects of complex environmental conditions. This research compared the carbon and nitrogen isotopic niches of fish communities between diverse biotopes around the Yellow River estuary and adjacent sea areas, with the aim of revealing distinctions in stable isotopic niche metrics, trophic positions, and feeding preferences. Stable isotopic niche results indicated that the communities of estuarine habitants were compatible in most study biotopes, and may provide a corridor for energy and material transportation between Laizhou Bay and the open water. Local biocoenosis was embodied in the wider isotopic niche corresponding to frequent environmental changes and abiotic gradients. This implied that they used various food sources to adapt to the fickle environment, including marine-terrestrial boundaries and the estuary. Our analysis of the food source contribution indicated that allochthonous sources were considered major energy sources in estuarine areas directly affected by Yellow River-diluted water, while autochthonous benthic and pelagic producers dominated carbon input into the food web in Laizhou Bay and the open water. A significant variation in the fish δ15N characteristic was found within estuarine adjacent regions, so, together with the results from previous studies, we deemed the local high concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen as the original trigger of the abnormal δ15N characteristic in fishes via a transport process along food chains. These results provide a new perspective on the natural distinction of carbon and nitrogen isotopic niches. The detailed data reported here enhance our understanding of variations in fish communities in estuarine ecosystems.
17 Nov 2020Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
18 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
21 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
25 Feb 20211st Revision Received
01 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
01 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
05 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
08 Jun 20212nd Revision Received
08 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
08 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
08 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Jun 2021Editorial Decision: Accept