@article{Uriarte_García_Ortega_de la Gándara_Quintanilla_Laiz-Carrión_2016, title={Isotopic discrimination factors and nitrogen turnover rates in reared Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae (Thunnus thynnus): effects of maternal transmission}, volume={80}, url={https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1681}, DOI={10.3989/scimar.04435.25A}, abstractNote={The use of stable isotope analysis to study animal diets requires estimates of isotopic turnover rates (half time, t<sub>50</sub>) and discrimination factors (Δ) for an accurate interpretation of trophic patterns. The stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were analysed for eggs and reared larvae of <em>Thunnus thynnus</em>, as well as for the different diets supplied during the experiment. The results showed high values of δ<sup>15</sup>N in eggs and larvae (n=646) until 4 DAH. After this time lapse, the stable isotope values declined progressively until 12 DAH, when notochord flexion began. The δ<sup>13</sup>C showed an inverse trend, suggesting that maternal inheritance of the stable isotopes is evident until pre-flexion stages. This study proposes a model for estimating maternal isotopic signatures of bluefin broodstock. After notochord flexion, larvae were fed with aquaculture-bred gilthead seabream, which resulted in a rapid increase of bluefin larvae δ<sup>15</sup>N values together with a rapid decrease in δ<sup>13</sup>C values. The estimated nitrogen half-time to reach the steady state from the diet was 2.5±0.3 days and the discrimination factor was 0.4±0.3(‰). These results represent the first data set that has allowed isotopic nitrogen turnover rates and discrimination factors of the larval stages of bluefin tuna to be estimated.}, number={4}, journal={Scientia Marina}, author={Uriarte, Amaya and García, Alberto and Ortega, Aurelio and de la Gándara, Fernando and Quintanilla, José and Laiz-Carrión, Raúl}, year={2016}, month={Dec.}, pages={447–456} }