Tissue preservation biases in stable isotopes of fishes and molluscs from Patagonian lakes.

Field work commonly involves preserving samples for later use; however, most preservation methods distort stable-isotope (SI) signatures that are of interest to ecologists. Although preservation of muscle samples with table salt and rubbing alcohol affected the SI (δ(13)C and δ(15)N) of important consumers in Patagonian lakes (molluscs and fishes), variation among individuals and lakes generally exceeded that among preservation treatments. Mathematical corrections for these preservation biases are provided, and a potentially bias-free preservation by air-drying is suggested.