Mother–embryo isotope (δ15N, δ13C) fractionation and mercury (Hg) transfer in aplacental deep‐sea sharks |
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| Authors: | B Le Bourg J Kiszka P Bustamante |
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| Institution: | 1. Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS‐ULR, Institut du Littoral et de l'Environnement, Université de La Rochelle, , La Rochelle, France;2. Marine Sciences Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, , North Miami, FL, 33181 U.S.A. |
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| Abstract: | Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopic values and total mercury (Hg) concentrations were analysed in muscle and liver of mothers and embryos of two aplacental shark species, Squalus megalops and Centrophorus moluccensis. Embryos of the two species had similar or lower isotopic values than their respective mothers, the only exception being for δ13C, which was higher in the liver of C. moluccensis embryos than in their mothers. Hg concentrations were systematically lower in embryos compared with their mothers suggesting a low transfer of this element in muscle and liver. |
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| Keywords: | elasmobranchs isotopic differences maternal influence trace metal |
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