Lyon, G.L.; Hickman, R.W. 1993 The stable carbon isotope composition of green-lipped mussels Perna canaliculus, Marlborough Sounds. Lower Hutt: Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences science report 93/41 26 p.
Abstract: Variations are shown for the delta13C values of green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus, collected on several occasions between October 1983 and April 1985 from six sites in the Marlborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand. Additional limited data is presented for mussels from two other sites and on other fish and particulate matter. The delta 13C in P. canaliculus was found to vary seasonally, with the least negative values in winter 1984. The delta 13C values ranged from -16.7 to -21.3 per thousand, with males on average 0.7 per thousand less negative than females. Phytoplankton composition would be expected to also vary in delta 13C with least negative values when at their greatest production rate, i.e. in spring or summer, and thus mussel compositions appear to show a lag of several months. There was no evidence that terrestrial food was important. (auth)
