Preliminary investigation into the maternal‐embryo stable isotope dynamics and nutrient routing in an oophagous elasmobranch, the Common Thresher Shark ( Alopias vulpinus )

Abstract

Two opportunistic sampling events were used to analyse the isotopic composition of different tissue constituents (protein and lipid) to explore maternal investment routing pathways from pregnant Common Thresher Sharks ( Alopias vulpinus ) to their near‐term embryos. Protein stable isotope signatures from embryo liver and muscle were more similar to maternal muscle than maternal liver, while lipid constituents in embryo muscle and liver were similar to those of maternal liver. Though sample size was limited, hypotheses are proposed regarding how mothers route nutrients to their embryos and the implications for maternal transfer of contaminants.