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<DIV><FONT size=2>Marine Ecology</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Article first published online: 13 SEP 2011</FONT></DIV>
<DIV id=doi><FONT
size=2>DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0485.2011.00487.x</FONT></DIV></FONT>
<DIV class=articleTitle><FONT size=4></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV class=articleTitle><FONT size=4>Food web structure within kelp holdfasts
(<EM>Laminaria</EM>): a stable isotope study</FONT></DIV>
<DIV id=cr1>Gauthier Schaal<SUP><FONT size=1>1,2,3</FONT></SUP>, Pascal
Riera<SUP><FONT size=1>2,3</FONT></SUP>, Cédric Leroux<SUP><FONT
size=1>2,4</FONT></SUP></DIV>
<DIV id=publishedOnlineDate><SUP>1</SUP>Department of Zoology and Entomology,
Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa<SUP>2</SUP> UPMC Univ Paris 06,
Station Biologique de Roscoff, Roscoff, France<SUP>3</SUP> CNRS, UMR 7144 AD2M,
Roscoff, France<SUP>4</SUP> CNRS, FR 2424, Roscoff, France. Correspondence:
Gauthier Schaal, E-mail: <!--TODO: clickthrough URL--><A
title="Link to email address" href="mailto:G.Schaal@ru.ac.za" shape=rect><FONT
color=#007e8a>G.Schaal@ru.ac.za</FONT></A></DIV>
<DIV id=additionalInformation>
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<UL id=footnotes><FONT color=#007e8a></FONT></UL>
<DIV id=publicationHistoryDetails jQuery1316574239639="10">
<H4>Abstract</H4></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV id=abstract>
<DIV class=para>
<P>Kelp holdfasts are highly reticulated structures which host a large diversity
of small fauna. These microhabitats have been reported to play a crucial role in
the biodiversity associated to kelp forest ecosystems. This study aimed at
identifying trophic links and the main food sources sustaining food webs within
communities associated with kelp holdfasts, through a stable isotope
(δ<SUP><FONT size=1>13</FONT></SUP>C and δ<SUP><FONT size=1>15</FONT></SUP>N)
approach. Sampling of the main invertebrates inhabiting <EM>Laminaria
digitata</EM> holdfasts, and of their potential food sources, took place in
February and May 2007. Stable isotope results reveal that most of the primary
consumers, including filter-feeders and deposit-feeders, rely on the particulate
organic matter sedimented within kelp holdfasts. Only three grazers departed
from this general pattern. The correspondence between the stable isotope ratios
of predators and sediment consumers indicated that this source is at the base of
the main pathway through which energy and matter transit in the food web.
δ<SUP><FONT size=1>15</FONT></SUP>N ranges found for consumers revealed that the
food web associated with kelp holdfasts is composed of 3.5 levels. In spite of
the low diversity of food sources at the base of the food web, these
microhabitats can therefore be considered micro-scale ecosystems, from a
functional perspective.</P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></FONT><BR>
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