Stable isotope compositions (carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) of muscle tissue in three species of fish from the Matagorda Bay region of Texas in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico from 2021 to 2023

Abstract

This dataset describes stable isotope compositions (carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) of muscle tissue in three species of fish (Red Drum Sciaenops ocellatus, Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma, and Atlantic Croaker Micropogonias undulatus) in the Matagorda Bay region of Texas in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Fish carcasses were obtained from anglers at boat docks, fish cleaning stations, or other locations in the region. Fish were also obtained from bait shops where the proprietors verified the fish were sourced from the Matagorda Bay study region. These fish will be dissected to subsample white muscle tissue from each fish (skin and scales removed). Muscle samples were then dried, pulverized, and analyzed for stable isotope compositions to assess potential shifts in dietary or habitat-specific residence patterns within and between species. This dataset is part of a larger project assessing fish dietary and habitat use patterns in response to environmental stressors including hypoxia and pollutant accumulation.

For a complete list of measurements, refer to the full dataset description in the supplemental file 'Dataset_description.pdf'. The most current version of this dataset is available at: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/961706