Non-lethal sampling for the stable isotope analysis of the critically endangered European eel Anguilla anguilla: how fin and mucus compare to dorsal muscle

Authors: Boardman, R.M., Pinder, A.C., Piper, A.T., Roberts, C.G., Wright, R.M. and Britton, J.R.

Journal: Journal of Fish Biology

Volume: 100

Issue: 3

Pages: 847-851

eISSN: 1095-8649

ISSN: 0022-1112

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14992

Abstract:

Ecological studies on the critically endangered European eel Anguilla anguilla often incorporate stable isotope analysis that typically uses dorsal muscle sampled from euthanised eels. To minimise the lethal sampling of imperilled populations, fin tissue and/or epidermal mucus can provide non-lethal alternatives to muscle. The results here indicate that δ13C and δ15N values of both eel fin and mucus are not significantly different from those of muscle and can be applied directly in comparative SI studies.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/36514/

Source: Scopus