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δ13C values of an herbivore and the ratio of C3 to C4 plant carbon in its diet

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Summary

The δ13C values of whole body samples of the beetle Tribolium castaneum are closely correlated with the δ13C values of the plant carbon in its diet. The correlation is always high for diets ranging from 100% C4 to 100% C3 plant material. The degree of correlation is independent of the growth rate of the animals.

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Teeri, J.A., Schoeller, D.A. δ13C values of an herbivore and the ratio of C3 to C4 plant carbon in its diet. Oecologia 39, 197–200 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348068

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348068

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