Title

Stable isotope ratios of model meso- and bathypelagic micronekton species of the Gulf of Mexico, cruises DP01, DP02, LF2015A and LF2015B from May 2015 - August 2015

Document Type

Dataset

Publication Date

3-3-2017

UDI

R4.x257.227:0005

Funding Source

RFP-IV

Data Collection Period

2015-05-01 to 2015-08-21

Database

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC)

DOI

10.7266/N75D8Q7Z

Abstract

Stable isotope analyses will be collected from model species in order to provide information on the trophic connectivity of the ecosystem. During epi-, meso- and bathypelagic sampling (both primary cruise and Texas A&M University [TAMU] ichthyoplankton surveys), specimens of target organisms, ranging from plankton to fishes and invertebrates will be frozen at sea and analyzed to characterize and quantify food web dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico. Key model species will include both vertically migratory and non-migratory fish and invertebrate species with multiple feeding strategies including planktivores, zooplanktivores, gelativores, and piscivores. Target species displaying strong diel vertical migration include Sigmops elongatus and Ceratoscopelus warmingii, versus species showing no or asynchronous vertical migration, such as Argyropelecus hemigymnus and Cyclothone obscurai. Data will be used to evaluate food web structure, examine flow of organic matter and determine trophic relationships by analyzing the tissues of target organisms.

Purpose

These data will be used as part of an ongoing effort to quantify trophic interactions in epi-, meso-, and bathypelagic food webs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The raw data and subsequent analysis will eventually be incorporated into ecosystem based models created specifically for the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem.

File Format(s)

csv

COinS