Normalisation models for accounting for fat content in stable isotope measurements in salmonid muscle tissue

Stable isotope analysis is increasingly used in ecological studies. Because lipid content influences δ13C, lipids should be removed from lipid-rich samples before δ13C analysis. To account for differences in δ13C arising from differences in lipid content, relationships between lipid content, C:N ratio and Δδ13C with lipid removal can be used to normalise lipid content to uniform levels. We investigate these relationships for salmonid muscle and evaluate the suitability of previously published normalisation equations for these fish. Salmonids with a wide range of condition (muscle lipid content = 3–35% of dry weight) were considered. There were no consistent relationships between lipid content or C:N ratio and Δδ15N. There were linear relationships between C:N ratio and lipid content (L = −16.53 + 6.27 × C:N); C:N ratio and Δδ13C (Δδ13C = −1.87 + 0.65 × C:N); and lipid content and Δδ13C (Δδ13C = 0.01 + 0.10 × L), which should be used on salmonid stable isotope studies.