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Identifying carbon sources and trophic position of coral reef fishes using diet and stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) analyses in two contrasted bays in Moorea, French Polynesia

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Abstract

Stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) and diet of three fish species, Stegastes nigricans, Chaetodon citrinellus and Epinephelus merra, were analyzed on the fringing coral reefs of two bays that are differentially exposed to river runoff on Moorea Island, French Polynesia. S. nigricans and C. citrinellus relied mostly on turf algae and presented similar trophic levels and δ15N values, whereas E. merra fed on large invertebrates (crabs and shrimps) and had higher trophic levels and δ15N values. Discrepancies existed between stomach content and stable isotope analyses for the relative importance of food items. Bayesian mixing models indicated that sedimented organic matter was also an important additional food for S. nigricans and C. citrinellus, and fishes for E. merra. The main sources of organic matter involved in the food webs ending with these species were algal turfs and surface sediments, while water particulate organic matter was barely used. Significant spatial differences in C and N isotopic ratios for sources and fishes were found within and between bays. Lower 13C and higher 15N values were observed for various compartments of the studied trophic network at the end of each bay than at the entrance. Differences were observed between bays, with organic sources and consumers being, on average, slightly more 13C-depleted and 15N-enriched in Cook’s Bay than in Opunohu Bay, linked with a higher mean annual flow of the river at Cook’s Bay. Our results suggest that rivers bring continental material into these two bays, which is partly incorporated into the food webs of fringing coral reefs at least close to river mouths. Thus, continental inputs can influence the transfer of organic matter within coral reef food webs depending on the diet of organisms.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to students (C. Paillon, H. Rouze) for their help in the field, to R. Mackie for improvements in the English of the first draft, to G. Guillou for stable isotope analyses and to anonymous reviewers for their valuable suggestions and criticisms, which enabled us to improve the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire LIVE, Labex « Corail », Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, BP R4, 145 Avenue James Cook, 98851, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia

    Y. Letourneur

  2. Labex « Corail », Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE), USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE, BP 1013, 98729, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia

    T. Lison de Loma & S. Planes

  3. Littoral Environnement et Sociétés, UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France

    P. Richard

  4. Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie (MIO), UMR CNRS 7294, Aix-Marseille Université, Station Marine d’Endoume, Rue Batterie-des-lions, 13007, Marseille, France

    M. L. Harmelin-Vivien & M.-F. Fontaine

  5. Institut Méditerranéen d’Océanologie (MIO), UMR CNRS 7294, Aix-Marseille Université, Campus de Luminy, Case 901, 13288, Marseille Cedex 9, France

    P. Cresson, D. Banaru & T. Gref

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  1. Y. Letourneur
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Correspondence to Y. Letourneur.

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Letourneur, Y., Lison de Loma, T., Richard, P. et al. Identifying carbon sources and trophic position of coral reef fishes using diet and stable isotope (δ15N and δ13C) analyses in two contrasted bays in Moorea, French Polynesia. Coral Reefs 32, 1091–1102 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-013-1073-6

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