Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. Volume 45.2 (2022) Pages: 217-224

Stable isotope measurements as analytical tools for the traceability of crocodile–derived products

Gamboa-Delgado, J., Ponce-Campos, P., Pérez-Martínez, S. G., Pacheco-Vega, J. M., Villarreal-Cavazos, D.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2022.45.0217

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Abstract

In this preliminary study we examined the application of dual stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) to identify the origin of skins and meat derived from wild and farmed crocodiles. Traceability protocols can benefit from analytical techniques that are able to distinguish farmed or wild organisms. Scutes and muscle samples were obtained from wild and farmed crocodiles Crocodylus acutus (n = 14) and C. moreletii (n = 9). Isotopic values in scutes differed significantly between wild and farmed organisms, this difference being higher for δ¹⁵N than for δ¹³C values. When both isotopic values were integrated using a discriminant analysis, we observed a significant categorization. The isotopic values of muscle samples were very similar to those measured in scutes from the same individuals. In addition, two specimens of C. acutus were kept on a constant diet for 97 days to obtain reference isotopic values and tissues were compared. We also estimated the isotopic discrimination factors between tissues and the supplied diet.

Keywords

Crocodilians, Natural biomarkers, Skin trade, Wildlife

Cite

Gamboa-Delgado, J., Ponce-Campos, P., Pérez-Martínez, S. G., Pacheco-Vega, J. M., Villarreal-Cavazos, D., 2022. Stable isotope measurements as analytical tools for the traceability of crocodile–derived products. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation, 45: 217-224, DOI: https://doi.org/10.32800/abc.2022.45.0217