Trophic ecology in an anchialine cave: A stable isotope study.

ABSTRACT: The analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) has been widely used in ecology since it allows to identify the circulation of energy in a trophic network. The anchialine ecosystem is one of the less explored aquatic ecosystems in the world and stable isotope analysis represents a useful tool to identify the routes through which energy flows and to define the trophic niches of species. Sampling and data recording was conducted in one anchialine cave, Cenote Vaca Ha, near the town of Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, where seven stygobitic species endemic to the anchialine caves of the Yucatan Peninsula, plus sediment, water and vegetation samples were analyzed to determine what the main nutrient sources are. We compared our results with two previous studies, one conducted in

SUBMITTER: Duran B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11698404 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature