Spatio‐temporal isotopic signatures ( δ 13 C and δ 15 N ) reveal that two sympatric West African mullet species do not feed on the same basal production sources

A study on the Saloum Delta, Senegal, reveals that two sympatric mullet species, Mugil cephalus and Mugil curema, exhibit isotopic niche segregation despite occupying similar trophic levels. Analysis of δ13C and δ15N signatures in muscle tissues showed that while both species share comparable nitrogen isotopic compositions—indicating a shared trophic level—their distinct carbon isotopic compositions suggest they do not rely on the same basal production sources or, if they do, not in equal proportions. This finding provides the first evidence of such segregation within the Mugilidae family, offering insights into potential resource partitioning among limno-benthophageous species in hypersaline estuaries.

Le Loc’h, F., Durand, J.-D., Diop, K., & Panfili, J. (2015). Spatio‐temporal isotopic signatures ( δ ¹³ C and δ ¹⁵ N ) reveal that two sympatric West African mullet species do not feed on the same basal production sources. Journal of Fish Biology, 86(4), 1444–1453. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12650