Journal of Tropical Oceanography

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Fractionation of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in Sipunculus nudus: Insights from aquaculture experiments and intertidal surveys

MENG Yaowen1, JIANG Yan2, LIU Xujia2, CAI Dejian2, ZHONG Shengping1, PENG Yinhui3, CAI Xiaohui3, LU Jie4, HUANG Guoqiang1   

  1. 1. University Engineering Research Center of High-efficient Utilization of Marine Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources, Guangxi; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Drug; Institute of Marine Drug, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, Guangxi, 530200, China.

    2. Guangxi Academy of Marine Sciences (Guangxi Mangrove Center), Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning, Guangxi, 530007, China.

    3. Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Biodiversity Conservation, College of Marine Science, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, Guangxi, 535011, China.

    4. Guangxi Marine Environment Monitoring Center Station, Beihai, Guangxi, 536000, China

  • Received:2025-07-14 Revised:2025-09-30 Accepted:2025-10-15
  • Supported by:

    National Natural Science Foundation of China (31160532),  Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation (Beibu Gulf University) (2023KA01)

Abstract:

The fractionation of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes by benthic fauna in relation to food sources is fundamental to applying stable isotope techniques in trophic ecology research. To determine the isotopic fractionation coefficients (Δ¹³C and Δ¹⁵N) ofSipunculus nudusfor potential food sources in the tidal flats of Beihai, Guangxi, a controlled feeding experiment was conducted. The experiment measured the fractionation coefficients ofS. nudusfor mangrove leaves,Enteromorpha clathrata,Spartina alterniflora, and shrimp feed. Additionally, field sampling was used to calculate the fractionation coefficients for surface sediment organic matter. The results showed significant differences in Δ¹³C and Δ¹⁵N among the four potential food sources. Δ¹³C exhibited a strong positive correlation with the initial δ¹³C difference betweenS. nudusand the food source, fitting the linear equation: △ 13C = 0.8618 × (δ 13Ci- δ 13Cd) + 0.6619 (R2=0.9886). Δ¹⁵N was negatively correlated with the food source’s C/N ratio, described by: Δ¹⁵N = -0.0446 × (C/N) + 1.6391 (R² = 0.9107). For surface sediments, the fractionation coefficients ofS. nudusranged from 4.11‰ to 5.54‰ for Δ¹³C and 6.13‰ to 8.97‰ for Δ¹⁵N, both exceeding commonly referenced values. The δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and C/N ratios of the four potential food sources differed significantly from those of tidal flat sediments, suggesting that mangrove andS. alternifloradetritus are not the primary direct sources of organic carbon and nitrogen in adjacent tidal flats. Instead,E. clathrateand discharges from nearby shrimp ponds may contribute more directly to sedimentary organic matter. These findings provide critical insights into the trophic ecology ofS. nudusand its role in the biogeochemical cycling of coastal ecosystems.

Key words: Sipunculus nudus, stable isotope, fractionation, diet, sediment