Intraspecific Variation in Elemental Composition of the Least Killifish Tracks Spatial Variation in Periphyton Composition.

ABSTRACT: Many animals, especially freshwater fish, display significant population variation in elemental composition. How often that variation reflects patterns of interspecific variation remains under-explored. We examined the elemental composition and trophic niche of Heterandria formosa, an omnivore whose trophic position varies among populations. We studied eight populations, four from freshwater springs and four from shallow lakes. We analyzed water chemistry along with elemental composition and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in periphyton and fish to determine the extent of population variation in elemental composition and any associations it might have with variation in the composition of the basal resources or the trophic level of the fish. Water chemistry varied along a grad

SUBMITTER: Pluer BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12518787 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature