Potential metabolic records in isotope signals of chondrichthyan hard tissues.

ABSTRACT: Recent advances have demonstrated that the field metabolic rates (FMRs) of teleost fishes can be quantified from stable isotope compositions of carbonate-biomineralized otoliths. Bones and teeth, in addition to bioapatite, contain carbonate and should retain a similar isotopic expression of metabolic rate. Chondrichthyan skeletons are cartilaginous, but in most species some degree of bio-apatite mineralisation of cartilage has been determined. Here we tested the potential to estimate the FMRs of chondrichthyan fishes from the isotopic composition of calcified cartilage. Our results indicate that δ¹³C values of vertebrae and jaws covary with assumed activity levels, body mass and temperature in a manner consistent with them being influenced by the metabolic rate of the organisms

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Delgado E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12463757 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature