gov.noaa.nodc:0245830 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-04-30T20:23:18Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Diet and stable isotope (bulk-tissue and compound specific amino acid) data of larval and juvenile deep pelagic Paralepidid fishes collected during multiple cruises in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-09-10 to 2011-08-23 (NCEI Accession 0245830) 2022-03-21 publication 2022-01-15 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0245830 NCEI Archive Management System 0245830 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Bipana Sigdel Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) bipana.sigdel@tamucc.edu https://www.harteresearch.org/ HTTPS Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) website Institution web page information resourceProvider GRIIDC https://www.griidc.org/ HTTPS GRIIDC website Institution web page information resourceProvider Frank Hernandez The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) frank.hernandez@usm.edu http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Emily Gipson The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) emily.e.gipson@usm.edu http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information collaborator Verena Wang East Carolina University (ECU) wangv21@ecu.edu http://www.ecu.edu/ HTTP East Carolina University (ECU) website Institution web page information collaborator Carley Zapfe The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) carley.zapfe@usm.edu http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information collaborator Kevin Dillon The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) kevin.dillon@usm.edu http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information collaborator Gipson, Emily The University of Southern Mississippi http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Wang, Verena East Carolina University http://www.ecu.edu/ HTTP East Carolina University (ECU) website Institution web page information author Zapfe, Carley The University of Southern Mississippi http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Dillon, Kevin The University of Southern Mississippi http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Hernandez, Frank The University of Southern Mississippi http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital A series of Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) cruises were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the distribution and densities of ichthyoplankton and other zooplankton in Gulf of Mexico waters potentially affected by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DWHOS) and in surrounding areas. This dataset includes larval fish (family: Paralepididae) diet and stable isotope data from samples collected on NRDA plankton and NRDA Nekton surveys, 2010-2011. It includes data for ichthyoplankton specimens (taxonomic identification, length, weight, stable carbon and nitrogen values, compound specific amino acid values) and their corresponding diets (prey taxonomic identification, number of individuals, length, weight). The purpose of the dataset is to describe diets and trophic linkages for dominant, deep-pelagic larval and juvenile fishes. Data collection methods included gut content analysis, bulk-tissue stable isotope analysis, and compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids. When combined with trophic data for adult stages, these results will help us understand the ecological role of deep-pelagic fishes and their larvae in connecting the epipelagic with the deep ocean. Ultimately the data will also inform the vertically resolved ecosystem model being developed for this project. The data presented here are a portion of work completed by Emily Gipson (author) as part of her master's thesis requirements. Funding Agency: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Funding Agency: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information & Data Cooperative (GRIIDC) completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0245830 Preview graphic PNG 0245830 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2021-12-17 publication biological data FISH SPECIES FISHERY SURVEY - CATCH MEASUREMENTS - DETAILS ICHTHYOPLANKTON IDENTITY ICHTHYOPLANKTON LENGTH LATITUDE LONGITUDE STOMACH CONTENTS STOMACH CONTENTS - CONTENT WEIGHT STOMACH CONTENTS - FULLNESS STOMACH CONTENTS - PREY COUNT STOMACH CONTENTS - PREY TAXONOMY ZOOPLANKTON theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS mass spectrometer Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) net scale instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ laboratory analyses theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS The University of Southern Mississippi dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS GRIIDC dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Deepwater Horizon oil spill event (DWH) Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information & Data Cooperative (GRIIDC) project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Coastal Waters of Gulf of Mexico Gulf of Mexico place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication Deep-Pelagic Plankton Communities of the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Trophic Ecology, Assemblage Dynamics, and Connectivity with the Upper Ocean Deepwater Horizon Plankton Assessment (DWHPA) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) project Provider Project Names EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > AGRICULTURAL AQUATIC SCIENCES > FISHERIES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES > FISH EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PROTISTS > PLANKTON EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS > PLANKTON > ZOOPLANKTON theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Amino acids Barracudina Compound specific isotope analysis Diet analysis Fish larvae Ichthyoplankton Ichthyoplankton gut contents Ichthyoplankton specimens weight Paralepididae Specimens measurements Stable carbon and nitrogen values Stable isotopes Stable isotopic analysis Taxonomic identification Tropic ecology Zooplankton theme Provider Keywords MASS SPECTROMETERS > MASS SPECTROMETERS MOCNESS > MOCNESS Plankton Net NETS > NETS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 1-m^2 Multiple Opening and Closing Net with Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) outfitted with nine 0.333mm net 10-m^2 Multiple Opening and Closing Net with Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) outfitted with nine 3.00 mm nets Mettler-Toledo MicroAnalytical Balance Ship GPS Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer via a Thermo Confo IV instrument Provider Instruments M/V Meg Skansi M/V Nick Skansi R/V F.G. Walton Smith platform Provider Platform Names OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF AMERICA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 22GYW9 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: Public otherRestrictions Cite as: Gipson, Emily; Wang, Verena; Zapfe, Carley; Dillon, Kevin; Hernandez, Frank (2022). Diet and stable isotope (bulk-tissue and compound specific amino acid) data of larval and juvenile deep pelagic Paralepidid fishes collected during multiple cruises in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-09-10 to 2011-08-23 (NCEI Accession 0245830). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0245830. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. Gipson, Emily, Verena Wang, Carley Zapfe, Kevin Dillon, and Frank Hernandez. (2021). Diet and stable isotope (bulk-tissue and compound specific amino acid) data of larval and juvenile deep pelagic Paralepidid fishes collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) [Data set]. Harte Research Institute. https://doi.org/10.7266/w39gxeg1 2021 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7266/w39gxeg1 https://doi.org/10.7266/w39gxeg1 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7266/w39gxeg1 GRIIDC Data Webpage UDI:R6.x815.000:0035 information Gipson, Emily, Verena Wang, Carley Zapfe, Kevin Dillon, and Frank Hernandez author Harte Research Institute publisher tableDigital crossReference project Zapfe, Carley; Wang, Verena; Hernandez, Frank (2021). MOCNESS profile and ichthyoplankton and decapod specimen identification data collected during NRDA Plankton Survey Nick Skansi 9 (NS9) in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2011-04-17 to 2011-06-26 (NCEI Accession 0239999). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0239999. 2021-08-10 publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0239999 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0239999 HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0239999 Other related cruise data collected during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) projects between 2010 and 2011 information Zapfe, Carley University of Southern Mississippi / Gulf Coast Research Laboratory http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Wang, Verena East Carolina University http://www.ecu.edu/ HTTP East Carolina University (ECU) website Institution web page information author Hernandez, Frank University of Southern Mississippi / Department of Coastal Sciences http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Zapfe, Carley; Wang, Verena; Hernandez, Frank (2021). MOCNESS profile and ichthyoplankton and decapod specimen identification data collected during NRDA Plankton Survey Nick Skansi PC3 (NSPC3) in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-09-25 to 2010-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0240416). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240416. 2021-08-20 publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0240416 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240416 HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240416 Other related cruise data collected during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) projects between 2010 and 2011 information Zapfe, Carley University of Southern Mississippi / Gulf Coast Research Laboratory http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Wang, Verena East Carolina University http://www.ecu.edu/ HTTP East Carolina University (ECU) website Institution web page information author Hernandez, Frank University of Southern Mississippi / Department of Coastal Sciences http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection Zapfe, Carley; Wang, Verena; Hernandez, Frank (2021). MOCNESS profile and ichthyoplankton and decapod specimen identification data collected during NRDA Plankton Survey Nick Skansi PC4 (NSPC4) in the northern Gulf of Mexico from 2010-10-16 to 2010-10-24 (NCEI Accession 0241617). NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0241617. 2021-10-15 publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0241617 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0241617 HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0241617 Other related cruise data collected during the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) projects between 2010 and 2011 information Zapfe, Carley University of Southern Mississippi / Gulf Coast Research Laboratory http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author Wang, Verena East Carolina University http://www.ecu.edu/ HTTP East Carolina University (ECU) website Institution web page information author Hernandez, Frank University of Southern Mississippi / Department of Coastal Sciences http://www.usm.edu/ HTTP The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) website Institution web page information author NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) publisher tableDigital crossReference collection eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -92.5 -85.5 27 29.16 2010-09-10 2011-08-23 Data parameters and units: Three separate excel files are present: Gut Content Data; Bulk SI Results; and CSIA Results. Gut Content Data: Fish Sample ID [The full sample ID for each individual fish specimen (Hernandez number + Fish ID for plankton; NRDA Sample ID + Fish ID for nekton)]; NRDA Sample ID [Unique identifier for each depth discrete net sample assigned during Deep Water Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment sample processing]; Hernandez number [Unique identifier used by the processing laboratory using the number assigned to the sample in the Deepwater Horizon Plankton Assessment Archive (DWHPAA). Number is listed as NA for samples housed by the DWHPAA but not accessioned (nekton)]; Fish ID [Identifier assigned to each specimen removed from the same sample vial for analysis (Taxon - n); not unique among vials]; Taxon [Lowest taxonomic identification]; Cruise Name [Survey vessel]; Cruise No [Number of NRDA survey on above vessel]; Sample Date [Date sample was collected]; Station ID [Station name (B# stations are from the NOAA SEAMAP Grid)]; Latitude [Target station latitude]; Longitude [Target station longitude]; Upper Depth [Minimum depth sampled by net (m)]; Lower Depth [Maximum depth sampled by net (m)]; Life Stage [Developmental stage]; Mag [Microscope magnification at the time of length measurement]; SL [Standard length (mm)]; CSIA [Compound specific isotope analysis conducted (Y- Yes, N- No)]; Bulk SI [Bulk tissue stable isotope analysis conducted (Y- Yes, N- No)]; Gut Intact [Whole gut tract intact at the time of removal (Y- Yes, N- No)]; Gut Fullness [Amount of contents found in gut; on a scale of 0-3 with 0 being empty and 3 being 90% full or greater]; Date counted [Date the gut was removed and contents identified]; Teleost [Gut contents - number of teleost fish present]; Cladoceran [Gut contents -number of cladocerans present]; Poecilostomatoid Copepod [Gut contents - number of Poecilostomatoid copepods present]; General Copepod [Gut contents - number of general (unidentifiable) copepods present]; Invert Egg [Gut contents - number of invertebrate eggs present]; Mouth Contents Present [Prey items detected in mouth cavity, but not included in gut content counts (Y- Yes, N- No)]. Bulk SI Results: Combined Fish ID [Fish specimen ID (or combined fish ID where necessary, see 'Bulk SI Sample ID Key' for combined fish details); 'Gut Contents' indicates stable isotope analysis of gut contents from fish specimen]; 13C [Stable carbon isotopic ratio (δ13C)]; 15N [Stable nitrogen isotopic ratio (δ15N)]; Total fish [Total number of fish in final Combined Fish ID sample, NA if gut contents from a fish specimen were analyzed]; Fish Sample ID 1-10 [Fish Sample ID 1-10; see 'Gut Content Data' for additional information on each specimen; if a single fish was used in the sample, Combined Fish ID is identical to Fish Sample ID #. NA if gut contents from a fish specimen (identified in Combined Fish ID) were analyzed]. CSIA Results: USM ID [Unique identifier for CSIA analysis; See 'CSIA Sample ID Key' for list of individual fish combined in each USM ID]; Alanine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Aspartic Acid [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Glutamic Acid [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Glycine Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Isoleucine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Leucine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Lysine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Methionine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Phenylalanine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Proline [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Serine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Threonine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; Valine [Amino acid stable nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15N)]; USM ID [Unique identifier assigned to the samples for CSIA analysis]; Genus; Spp [Species]; Combined Sample ID [Unique sample ID after fish combination (noted with a 'c'); when sample combination was not required, Combined Sample ID is equivalent to Fish Sample ID 1]; Total fish [Total number of fish in final USM ID sample]; and Fish Sample ID 1-5 [Fish Sample ID 1-5; see 'Gut Content Data' for additional information on each specimen]. 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CSV Excel Text 0.592 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0245830 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/245830 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/245830 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0197/0245830/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0245830 v1.1 was published. 2022-03-21T17:15:12Z NCEI Accession 0245830 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0245830/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0245830 v1.1 published 2022-03-21T17:15:12Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: FISHERY SURVEY - CATCH MEASUREMENTS - DETAILS (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: net; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Multiple Opening/Closing Net Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) outfitted with nine 0.333 mm and 3 mm nets. Parameter or Variable: LATITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Ship GPS Parameter or Variable: LONGITUDE (measured); Units: decimal degrees; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Ship GPS Parameter or Variable: Specimens measurements (measured); Units: mm; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: Multiple Opening and Closing Net with Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Fish specimens from the family Paralepididae were selected for trophic analysis based on sampling depth, geographic location, and specimen size (to meet minimum sample requirements for SI analysis). When possible, specimens identified to the family level during the NRDA process were further identified to species by Emily Gipson (USM) and Lauren Jackson (NOAA, NCEI). Specimens were measured for standard length (SL) prior to gut removal. Guts were removed from specimens while minimizing damage to the fish and the gut. Diet analysis for larvae largely followed the methods of Llopiz and Cowen (2008, MEPS 358, 231-244). Stomach contents were identified to the lowest taxonomic resolution, and intact prey were measured. Parameter or Variable: Stable isotopic analysis (measured); Units: Values; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer via a Thermo Confo IV continu; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Fish were transferred from 85% Ethanol to deionized water, with water changes conducted every 24 hours for 2 days to remove residual preservative. Fish were dried at 60 °C for 24 hrs, and dried fish were ground to powder and were weighed to targeted amounts (1.5 mg for CSIA analysis, 0.3 mg - 0.5mg for bulk stable isotope analysis). When necessary, multiple small fish from the same taxa, location, and depth were combined to reach the required amount of material. Fish for compound specific isotope analysis were sent to the University of California Davis Isotope Facility. Fish for bulk stable isotope analysis were packed into 5 x 9 mm Costech tin capsules. Any remaining ground tissue was archived for future analysis. Compound specific isotope analysis of amino acids was conducted by the University of California Davis Stable Isotope Facility. Bulk tissue stable isotope analysis was conducted at the University of Southern Mississippi Marine Ecosystems Research Laboratory. Samples were analyzed for stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) using a Thermo Delta V stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer coupled to a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer by a Thermo Confo IV continuous flow interface. Isotopic values were calculated relative to conventional standards for each element of interest and expressed in standard delta (δ) notation. Parameter or Variable: FISH SPECIES (measured); Units: n/a; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS); Sampling and Analyzing Method: Archived fish samples from deep-pelagic plankton and nekton cruises conducted during the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment (2010 & 2011) were used to conduct trophic (diet and stable isotope) analyses of larval and juvenile deep-pelagic fishes from the family Paralepididae in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Parameter or Variable: Taxonomic Identification (calculated); Units: text; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian mass spectrometer mass spectrometer Instrument that measure the massess and relative concentrations of atoms and molecules Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) MOCNESS is a much-improved, high-tech version of the humble sampling net. The letters in MOCNESS refer to the specific improvements: it's a Multiple Opening and Closing Net, with an Environmental Sensing System. As MOCNESS tows behind a research ship, each net can be opened and shut independently so that it samples a discrete patch of water. The researcher chooses exactly when by using the environmental sensing system. This is an array of sensors mounted on the instrument frame that relays water conditions up to the ship in real time. The data also help researchers match what they find in their sample to the physical properties of the seawater. net net net scale scale An instrument for measuring mass or weight.