Meeting Abstract

P1.40  Saturday, Jan. 4 15:30  Analysis of Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Ratios Between Trophic Levels in Mealworms and Crickets HONG, P.*; HATCH, K.; Long Island University: Post Campus; Long Island University: Post Campus honginhui@gmail.com

The change in the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratios of animal tissues is a powerful tool for determining an animal’s trophic level. Although much field research has been done on ¹⁵N enrichment with increased trophic level, it has largely been correlative and there have been few controlled laboratory studies. It is often assumed that an increase in δ¹⁵N of about 3.4 ppm indicates an increase of one full trophic level, but this value is actually quite variable among different species and diets. We aimed to better understand the relationship between shifts in trophic levels and see what the actual values for the changes in stable isotope ratios are and whether, and whether those values are consistent among different diets. To do this, we conducted a controlled laboratory experiment using crickets and mealworms and compared the changes in isotopic ratios, specifically δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C among their trophic levels. The results showed that for the mealworms, there was a significant difference in δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C ratios between those fed on wheat germ and those that were fed on other mealworms or crickets.