Mise en évidence par traçage isotopique naturel de ressources trophiques des moules dans la Baie de l'Aiguillon (France)

The trophic resources of cultivated mussel have! been characterized and their contribution to the food of these molluscs estimated in the Bay of Aiguillon (France) through the analysis of their natural C and N isotope composition. The contribution of terrestrial organic matter (δ(13)C = -27 to -34 %0) to mussel food resources is around 10% along the year, except in winter (15 10 30 %). A large seasonal variation is observed in the utilization of oceanic phytoplanktoll (δ(13)C = -19 to -21.5 %0) and of littoral benthic productions (microphytobenthos and phanerogame detritus,δ(13)C = -12.0 to -16.7 %0). Overall, the main food source of mussels is formed by benthic productions for molluscs grown on poles, in peculiar in the South of the Bay, and by phytoplankton for molluscs cultivated on ropes in high water.