Resumo

MARQUES, Thiago S. et al. Isotopic signatures (δ ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of muscle, carapace and claw in Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Chelidae). Zoologia (Curitiba, Impr.) [online]. 2011, vol.28, n.3, pp. 407-410. ISSN 1984-4670.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1984-46702011000300016.

The isotopic composition ( δ¹³C and δ ¹⁵N) of muscle, carapace and claw was determined from six wild individuals of Phrynops geoffroanus (Schweigger, 1812) in order to verify the variation between those tissues. The mean values of δ¹³C e δ ¹⁵N were, respectively, -19.48 ± 0.81‰ (-20.8 - -18.64‰) and 7.23 ± 0.67‰ (6.49 - 8.3‰) for muscle, -16.52 ± 0.98‰ (-17.88 - -15.43‰) and 7.29 ± 0.54‰ (6.74 - 7.97‰) for carapace and -18.57 ± 0.97‰ (-19.97 - -17.26‰) and 4.36 ± 0.33‰ (3.93 - 4.79‰) for claw. We found a significant difference for the tissues evaluated for both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N. Muscle and claw were statistically similar and more depleted in ¹³C than the carapace. Nonetheless, claw was more depleted in ¹⁵N than muscle and carapace tissues. These results are likely related to differences in metabolic processes involved on each tissue formation. The description of the isotopic signatures variation in P. geoffroanus tissues provides a baseline for future investigations on the diet reconstruction of this species when more than one tissue is involved.

Palavras-chave : Diet; freshwater turtles; Geoffroy's side-necked-turtle; metabolic processes; stable isotope.