Trophic structure and resource utilization of the coastal fish community in the western Wadden Sea: evidence from stable isotope data analysis

We studied the trophic structure of western Wadden Sea fish community through stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C and δ 15 N) 1658 samples from 57 species collected between 2012 2016. Stable values differed but did not vary years or seasons, only for some with size. were different immigrating (spring) emigrating (autumn) fish, suggesting a similar niche various in coastal zone inside Sea. For majority species, average within range -12 to -20.5‰, showing that both (marine) pelagic benthic primary producers at base food web. Average N varied among 13-18‰, resulting estimated positions (TPs) 2.1-5.5 2.2 3.5. Thick-lipped grey mullet Chelon labrosus , golden C. aurata greater pipefish Syngnathus acus pilchard Sardina pilchardus had lowest TP (2.2-2.4). Among common (>10 observations), highest (3.4-3.5) found twaite shad Alosa fallax smelt Osmerus eperlanus bull-rout Myoxocephalus scorpius bass Dicentrarchus labrax cod Gadus morhua . all TPs based on lower than those stomach content composition (2.0-4.7), which could be explained by species-specific differences fractionation underestimation contribution smaller prey analysis. The space benthopelagic was smallest overlapped species. In terms area use, juvenile marine migrant (nursery-type species) (near-)resident seasonal visitors. Potentially, competition is functional group guild species).