Mercury bioaccumulation and isotopic relation between Trichiurus lepturus (Teleostei) and its preferred prey in coastal waters of southeastern Brazil

Abstract

The trophic transfer of total mercury (THg) and its bioaccumulation from prey species to the predator fi sh Trichiurus lepturus was analysed in coastal waters of southeastern Brazil to evaluate the trace element dynamic in this predator-prey system. The isotopic (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) relation between this predator and its prey allowed inferences on prey assimilation and predator feeding habits. The THg increment varied from 4.5 to 19.5 times between prey and predator, with a biomagnifi cation power of 0.59. The prey species could be divided into three groups regarding δ N highlighted juvenile conspecifi cs as the main via of this trace element and the most assimilated prey. The isotopic relation between predator and its prey species showed a feeding activity preferably coastal and pelagic.

Mn2+ concentrations in coastal fish otoliths: understanding environmental and biological influences from EPR

“…This species spends the day near the sea-bottom and swims along the water column during the night, reaching the sea-surface [33]. Along the sampling site, the feeding habits of T. lepturus are well known, and the preferred prey species are pelagic fish from the Engraulidae and Pristigasteridae families [36,37]. Thus, we considered this fish to be a pelagic species because of its local preferred feeding habit.…”