Intra-Body Variations of Stable Isotope Ratios (δ13C, δ15N) and Influence of Storage Methods in Aquatic and Post-Aquatic Stages of the Common Toad, Bufo bufo

Isotopic signatures of carbon and nitrogen are widely used for analysis the structure food webs in aquatic ecosystems. The study animals raises a number methodological questions, including choice representative tissues organs sampling as well storage studied organisms. Furthermore, impacts preservation methods can be tissue-specific, age-specific, even taxon-specific; thus, studies these on particular taxa necessary. We focused C N isotope composition common toad (Bufo bufo), one most widespread European anuran amphibians. hypothesized that its different may vary isotopic composition, ethanol freezing have effects values. Our results showed both “tissue” “storage method” factors significantly affected δ13C values tadpoles postmetamorphic juveniles, whereas only factor had significant effect δ15N two stages, postmetamorphs, should analyzed separately despite brief period juveniles. skin, legs, muscles, tail muscles heart juveniles regardless method storage. will serve optimization future designs ecology.