Ref ID:	34738
Ref Type:	Journal Article
Authors:	DeNiro, Michael J. Epstein, Samuel
Title:	Influence of diet on the distribution of carbon isotopes in animals
Date:	1978
Source:	Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Abstract:	It is possible to differentiate <sup>13<\sup>C/<sup>12<\sup>C ratios of animals but accuracy is largely limited to source with large isotopic differences. Examples being terrestrial vs. aquatic organisms or C\-3\- vs. C\-4\- plants. There are 2 assumptions which cannot be adequate controlled for: 1) There may be seasonal variation in the carbon isotopic composition of the diet. 2) Herbivores will consume the available plants at random. A consumer of C3 plants will yield a 13C value close to that of the C3 plants a consumer of C4 plants will show a 13C value close to that of C4 plants pg 501 There is no single tissue that can be analyzed in order to determine the carbon isotopic relationship between the animal and its diet. For the purpose of dietary analysis, the determination of the delta<sup>13<\sup>C values of several tissues from an animal will allow for a better estimate of the delta<sup>13<\sup>C value of its diet than would the analysis of a single tissue.
Date Created:	7/5/2001
Volume:	42
Page Start:	495
Page End:	506