Differences in δ 15 N and δ 13 C between embryonic and maternal tissues of the ovoviviparous bluntnose sixgill shark Hexanchus griseus

Abstract

Stable nitrogen (δ 15 N) and carbon (δ 13 C) isotope ratios from muscle, liver and yolk were analysed from the mother and embryos of an ovoviviparous shark, Hexanchus griseus . Embryonic liver and muscle had similar δ 15 N and δ 13 C ratios or were depleted in heavy isotopes, compared to the same maternal somatic and reproductive yolk tissues, but no relationship existed between δ 15 N or δ 13 C and embryo length, as expected, because a switch to placental nourishment is lacking in this species. This study expands the understanding of maternal nourishment and embryonic stable isotope differences in ovoviviparous sharks.

Bibliographic Information