Evaluation of muscle lipid extraction and non-lethal fin tissue use for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope analyses in adult salmonids

Rationale: Chemical lipid extraction or using alternative tissues such as fish fin as opposed to muscle may alter isotopic ratios and influence interpretations of δ13C, δ15N, and previously unassessed δ34S values in stable isotope analyses (SIA). Our objectives were to determine if lipid extraction alters these isotope ratios in muscle, if lipid normalization models can be used for lipid-rich salmonids, and if fin isotope ratios are comparable with those of muscle in adult salmonids. Methods: In six adult salmonid species (n = 106) collected from Lake Ontario, we compared three isotope ratios in lipid-extracted (LE) muscle with bulk muscle, and LE muscle with fin tissue, with paired t-tests and linear regressions. We compared differences between δ13C values in LE and bulk muscle with predicted values from lipid normalization models and the log-linear model of best fit and determined model efficiency. Results: The δ15N values in LE muscle increased (3.4). LE muscle could be used without δ15N or δ34S adjustments, but the minimal increase in δ15N values may affect SIA interpretation. With high unexplained variability among adult species in fin-muscle δ13C and δ15N relationships, species-specific fin-muscle adjustments are warranted. No fin-muscle tissue adjustment would be required for δ34S values.