Ontogenetic, Sexual, and Monthly Niche Segregation of Sepia esculenta in the Northern East China Sea Revealed by Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes

Abstract

Golden cuttlefish play a significant role in the food web of the East and Yellow Seas and are a valuable fishery resource in Chinese coastal waters. Samples of golden cuttlefish were obtained from the northern East China Sea between September 2021 and March 2022, and stable isotope methods were utilized in this study to examine the variations in the forage ecology of golden cuttlefish. Our findings reveal dynamic shifts in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N), highlighting intricate foraging strategies tailored to growth and environmental changes. A notable trend emerges: an initial growth-linked rise in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N enrichment, followed by seasonal fluctuations mirroring seasonal food availability. The ontogenetic niche evolution displays striking habitat shifts and trophic level escalation in small mantle length stages, transitioning to niche overlap and subtle trophic shifts later on. Sex-specific differences emerge, with females occupying higher trophic levels than males in most samples. This comprehensive study underscores the complexity and adaptability of golden cuttlefish feeding ecology, inviting further inquiry into their intricate relationships within the marine ecosystem.