Lipid effects on isotopic values in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and their prey with implications for diet assessment

when using both species-specific (<0.14% deviation from modeled diet) and general LNE for dietary endpoints (<6.5%). In contrast, deviations of up to 60% from the modeled diet were observed when considering the isotopic composition of the bulk diet, especially when the whole fish was used as a dietary endpoint. To reduce time, work load and economic costs, we recommend the use of species-specific LNE to normalize the isotopic composition of diet prior to dietary quantifications when feasible or a general LNE when dealing with generalist predators consuming a high number of prey species.