Spatial variation in elemental composition of otoliths of three species of fish (family Sparidae)

Determining the nursery habitat of fishes that have moved from estuarine nursery habitats is difficult. The elemental fingerprints of otoliths of three species of sparids were determined to investigate their utility as a natural tag of the nursery habitat. Juvenile Pagrus auratus (snapper), Rhabdosargus sarba (tarwhine) and Acanthopagrus australis (bream) were collected from two sites in each of 15, six and three estuaries, respectively, and their otoliths analysed by solution-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Significant differences in otolith chemistry were found for all three species of juveniles collected from different estuaries. The same patterns among estuaries were not seen for all species, although it was not possible to sample the same sites within an estuary for all species. For bream, significant differences in otolith chemistry were found among all three estuaries, whereas for tarwhine the six estuaries were separated into three groups. For snapper, a number of estuaries could be separated, but there was some overlap for other estuaries. All three species were collected from the same site within one estuary and their otoliths analysed. Significant differences were found among species, but the implication of this finding remains unclear as the three species show differences in microhabitat use and may also differ in age. Because the elemental fingerprints of juveniles vary among estuaries or groups of estuaries, the nursery or recruitment estuary of adult fish could now be determined by analysing the juvenile region of adult otoliths. Thus, connectivity between estuaries and open coastal populations could be determined. Such information will have major implications for fisheries management because it will provide information on the distance that fish have moved from their recruitment estuary and the number of estuaries that contribute to each adult population.     

Variation in otolith macrostructure of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus): A method to discriminate between wild and released fish

The main objective of this study was to develop a method to discriminate between wild and hatchery-produced Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, based on variations in otolith macrostructure. Otoliths of wild flounder were more elliptical than those of hatchery-produced fish, whereas otolith area and marginal coarseness showed no clear differences. Otolith morphometry did not vary significantly with water temperature or feeding conditions in rearing experiments. Reduced ellipticity in the otoliths of hatchery-produced fish could be caused by biotic and abiotic conditions after release. Throughout the study, it was found that otoliths of Japanese flounder reared at 15 and 20 °C regimes showed opaque zones regardless of feeding condition, while otolith of fish reared at 25 °C had translucent zones. The potential of thermal marks and secondary zones as a new mass-marking system is presented.     

Stock identification and life history interpretation using trace element signatures in salmon otoliths

Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the North Pacific Ocean are anadromous fish, and spend most of their life in the sea until spawning in natal streams. To identify the stock and habitat characteristics of chum salmon, the composition of chemical elements (Ca, Mn, Sr, Zn, and Ba) in otolith was examined using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Two main types of analytical work have been carried out; discrete spot analysis and line scan analysis of otolith sections. Salmon otoliths were obtained from the eastern (Canada and USA) and western (Japan and Korea) North Pacific during 1997–1999 spawning seasons. Spot analysis of otolith cores demonstrated significant differences in the element concentration among countries (p = 0.003). Line scanning from the core to the margin showed that Sr concentrations were elevated at the core of the otoliths, decreased during the freshwater stage, increased suddenly at a certain point, and oscillated periodically towards the margin matching with year-ring. The elevated Sr concentration at the core may reflect the maternal contribution to the egg, and the oscillations toward the margin may reflect salinity gradients between onshore/offshore or north/south migrations. The Zn profiles also oscillated and corresponded to the annual ring of the otolith. However, the profiles of Sr and Zn oscillated oppositely after salmon migrated to saline water and the Zn uptake declined toward the rim of the otolith while Sr uptake increased.     

Can the Movements of Barramundi in the Fly River Region, Papua New Guinea be Traced in their Otoliths?

To determine whether the concentrations of heavy metals in fish otoliths could be used to infer the fish's movement into water contaminated by heavy metals, we collected barramundi Lates calcarifer from two sites below the outfall from a large copper mine. It was first demonstrated that otolith Sr concentration could be used to separate the marine and freshwater life phases. Twelve elements were then examined (in particular Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the otoliths by laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Cadmium concentrations were rarely above the detection level of the instrument. There were low concentrations of Cu in the otoliths of most fish during the freshwater phase of their life history. Three fish out of 10 had higher levels of Cu at some ablations, coinciding with higher concentrations of both Zn and Pb. However, further analysis found no correlation between the Cu concentration of replicate ablations in the same growth zone to those with initially higher Cu values. Copper concentration in the otoliths did not rise during the period the fish were in freshwater, despite the concentration of dissolved Cu in the water being several times greater than in the lower estuary and adjacent coast.These results and other data from recent studies of heavy metals in fish tissues suggest that very little of the dissolved Cu in the Fly River is in the form of free ions that can be adsorbed across the gills and into the blood and the otoliths. It can be concluded that otoliths are not a good indicator of the history of barramundi movements into water contaminated with heavy metals. Our data support recent studies that suggest that the concentration of many elements, such as Cu, may vary in the endolymph around the otolith and thus may be attached to the calcium-binding proteins that form the matrix around the aragonite. Hence, high concentrations of heavy metals in some ablations may be related to the relative amount of aragonite and protein in each ablation rather than reflect environmental differences.     

大黄鱼耳石、体长与年龄的关系

运用１９６０年３月－１９６０年４月由中国科学院海洋研究所采集于洞头，吕泗渔场大黄鱼标本５１３尾，利用耳石切片确定大黄鱼的年龄，通过分析大黄鱼的耳石和体长的生长规律，证明大黄鱼的耳石生长不仅仅与鱼体生长成简单的直线相关，而且大黄鱼的耳石生长，体长生长和年龄三者之间密切相关，并推导出数学方程式，拟合计算结果表明，两各方程式能够较准确地表达三者之间的相关关系。     

High resolution micromill sampling for analysis of fish otoliths by ICP-MS: effects of sampling and specimen preparation on trace element fingerprints

Otoliths are calcified structures in the head of fish that record environmental information about fish's life history. Gathering the elemental information from the core of an otolith corresponding to the juvenile period of fish's life is critical to discriminate the adult fish to their natal habitats reliably. A high resolution micromill has been used to isolate the otolith core from a whole otolith for elemental analysis. The effects of micromilling procedures (e.g., sectioning, embedding and drilling) on contamination to otolith trace element levels were examined using paired blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus) otoliths. Otoliths were decontaminated by dilute hydrogen peroxide and nitric acid throughout to remove surface contamination. A preconcentration procedure was used to determine the trace elements from the small core material by ICP-MS. It was found that micromilling procedures introduce significant contamination to otoliths, especially for Al, Cu, Pb and Zn. The sectioning procedure caused significant contamination for Co and Cu, while the embedding procedure resulted in contamination for nearly all trace elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn). The combined sectioning, embedding and drilling procedure also resulted in contamination for most trace elements. Despite the contamination across all procedural steps, the decontamination procedure effectively removed the surface contamination with the exception of Pb and Zn. Bias (e.g., residual contamination) on Pb was small in comparison to overall concentration of Pb expected to occur in fish otoliths, therefore, its effect may be minor in discriminating individuals. Bias on Zn was larger that could limit its application in discriminating individuals.     

Validation of growth zone deposition rate in otoliths and scales of flathead mullet Mugil cephalus and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis from fish of known age

Flathead mullet Mugil cephalus and freshwater mullet Myxus capensis are important components in South African estuarine fish communities and fisheries, but there is little information on their age and growth or age validation. This study validated the periodicity of growth zone formation in sectioned sagittal otoliths and scales of fish of known age that had been at liberty for 10 years. For both M. cephalus and M. capensis, the number of growth zones counted on otolith sections did not differ significantly from the known age of the fish. There were significantly fewer growth zones on scales than the known age of both M. cephalus and M. capensis. Growth zone deposition rate could therefore be validated as annual for otoliths but not for scales of the two species. It is recommended that future ageing studies focus on otoliths rather than scales.     

大黄鱼Pseudosciaena crocea(Richardson)耳石的轮纹形成周期及其年龄鉴定问题

为了满足渔业经济不断增长的需要,就必须对鱼类,特别是重要经济种类的生活习性进行系统的深入研究。因此,确定鱼类年龄鉴定的方法,从而依据年龄的鉴定,按不同生命阶段来研究鱼类的生活规律,就成为最基本的问题了。 关于大黄鱼的年龄鉴定问题,尚未见有专门进行研究的报导。在支献记载上,福建水产研究所和广东水产研究所曾先后用耳石和鳞片估计大黄鱼的年龄,但并未对年龄鉴定的依据与方法进行分析。Irie 则对黄花鱼属的耳石轮纹形成周期问题进行了一些观察。 为了探讨大黄鱼年龄鉴定的确切方法,自1958年秋季起,我们展开了这方面的工作,系统地逐月搜集了大黄鱼耳石、鳞片、脊椎骨等项可能供作鉴别年龄的材料。观察结果以耳石上显示的轮纹最为清晰而有规律,因此,我们选用耳石作为鉴定大黄鱼年龄的研究对象。本文着重以浙江舟山及其邻近海区的材料为主,对大黄鱼耳石轮纹形成周期、轮纹性状以及鉴别年轮的主要标志等加以分析与讨论。此外,对于春、秋宗幼鱼第一个年轮的形成时期与鉴定方法也进行了探讨。 在我们所研究的材料中,1957年5月份的部分耳石是浙江温州水产局供给的;1960年5-7月份的部分幼鱼耳石是浙江省渔业资源调查委员会所借给;未观察耳石年龄的幼鱼长度组成的季节变化资料则是沙学绅和杨纪明同志供给的。中国科学院地质古生物研究所曾协助我们设计了耳石磨片机,均此志谢。 除作者等外,全部耳石磨片工作是滕文法同志担任的,黄颂芳同志参加了资料的统计,林汝范同志协助了资料的搜集工作。 本文承张孝威教授热情指导,作者谨致谢忱。     

渤、黄海大泷六线鱼耳石微化学特征与群体判别

为探究中国近海大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammosotakii)耳石微化学成分特征及群体分化状况,采集了连云港、青岛、威海、烟台、秦皇岛、大连、丹东7个野生群体和1个威海养殖群体的大泷六线鱼样本。利用LA-ICPMS技术测定耳石中的微量元素,以微量元素与钙的比值进行了分析,结果显示大泷六线鱼耳石中, Na/Ca、Sr/Ca、Fe/Ca、Mg/Ca较高,而Mn/Ca、Ba/Ca、Zn/Ca、Li/Ca较低。耳石1龄前元素比值的组间比较(S-N-K检验)结果显示:Na/Ca、Sr/Ca、Fe/Ca在群体间具显著性差异(P<0.05)。耳石边缘区元素与环境中元素比较发现,Li、Mn元素在耳石中富集程度较大,Sr在耳石的中元素含量远远大于水环境中的浓度,说明耳石中的元素沉积与海水中元素并不是简单的线性关系。判别分析结果显示:耳石1龄前元素指纹的判别分析结果表明,大泷六线鱼群体的判别成功率为63.0%,判别正确范围为30.0%～80.0%,耳石边缘区元素的判别正确率为57.1%,判别正确范围20.0%～80.0%,秦皇岛群体有高的判别成功率80.0%。耳石元素指纹可以用于不同大泷六线鱼群体的...     

黄、渤海小黄鱼耳石元素指纹分析及其在种群补充群体识别中的应用

利用电感耦合等离子质谱ICP-MS元素分析方法,测定了黄、渤海125尾小黄鱼的耳石元素指纹图谱,共检测到Mg、Al、Mn、Cu、Zn、Sr、Ba、Ca等8种指纹元素。不同采样站位小黄鱼耳石元素含量均存在显著性差异,线性判别分析可以有效识别不同站位的小黄鱼群体,判别成功率为65%~96%,整体判别成功率为86%。基于耳石元素指纹图谱特征进行聚类分析,可以将黄、渤海小黄鱼早期补充群体划分为渤海种群、黄海中部种群和南黄海种群,其中黄海中部种群站位交叉明显。     

Barium variation in Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) otoliths: A potential indicator of migration between an embayment and ocean waters in south-eastern Australia

Chronological variation in otolith chemistry can be used to reconstruct migration histories of fish. The use of otolith chemistry to study migration, however, requires knowledge of relationships between the chemical properties of the water and elemental incorporation into otoliths, and how water chemistry varies in space and time. We explored the potential for otolith chemistry of snapper, Pagrus auratus, to provide information on movement history between a large semi-enclosed bay, Port Phillip, and coastal waters in south-eastern Australia. Comparisons of water chemistry across two years demonstrated that ambient barium (Ba) levels in Port Phillip Bay were approximately double those in coastal waters (11 μg L⁻¹ versus 6 μg L⁻¹). Ba levels in otolith margins of wild juvenile snapper were highly positively correlated with ambient levels across 17 sampling locations, and levels in otolith margins of adult snapper collected from Port Phillip Bay were approximately double those of snapper collected in coastal waters. Mean partition coefficients for Ba (D_Ba) were similar for juvenile (0.43) and adult (0.46) otoliths, suggesting that otolith Ba incorporation relative to ambient levels was similar across life-stages. Low Ba variation across otoliths from adult snapper maintained in tanks for three years indicated that annual temperature and/or growth cycles did not strongly influence otolith Ba variation. We concluded that chronological Ba variation in snapper otoliths would be a reliable proxy for life-history exposure to variable ambient Ba. We used water chemistry data and Ba levels across otoliths of ocean resident snapper to estimate otolith Ba levels indicative of residence in Port Phillip Bay (>10 μg g⁻¹) or coastal waters (<6 μg g⁻¹). Peaks in Ba exceeding 10 μg g⁻¹ were common across otoliths of snapper collected in Port Phillip Bay and a nearby coastal region. The location of strong Ba peaks within otoliths was consistent with residence in Port Phillip Bay during the spring/summer when snapper move into the Bay from coastal waters to spawn. Our results for snapper support the use of otolith Ba as a proxy for ambient levels throughout the life-history, however, confident interpretation of migration history from otolith Ba chronologies will most likely require matching time series of ambient Ba in the water bodies of interest.     

Age and growth of redeye round herring Etrumeus whiteheadi off the South African coast

Ages of redeye round herring Etrumeus whiteheadi were estimated with associated errors and used to infer life-history information, such as age composition, age-at-maturity and instantaneous mortality rate. Samples were collected in November 2005 during a research survey aimed at estimating the biomass of spawning pelagic fish off South Africa’s west and south coasts. Replicate age estimates obtained from sagittal otoliths were collected with slight bias and relatively high precision. A von Bertalanffy model describing growth of the combined sexes, including juveniles, was L_t = 20.41(1 ? e^{?0.41(t ? 1.92)}). Kimura’s likelihood ratio test revealed no statistically significant differences between growth parameters of males and females. Results suggested that otolith length is a better predictor of age than otolith weight. Maturity estimates for E. whiteheadi were similar to those previously documented.     

Spatio-temporal and interspecific variation in otolith trace-elemental fingerprints in a temperate estuarine fish assemblage

We tested whether estuarine fishes have site-specific differences in the concentrations of trace elements in their otoliths that can be used as ‘fingerprints’ to identify them to their estuary of origin. To evaluate the robustness of this approach, we tested whether elemental fingerprints were consistent among individuals of five species that were collected in 1996 from three temperate estuaries in southern California. We also tested whether elemental fingerprints were consistent between spring and autumn 1996 for three species in one of the sites, Carpinteria Marsh. The species evaluated comprised a mid-water-dwelling smelt (Atherinops affinis), two benthic gobies (Clevelandia ios and Ilypnus gilberti), and two flatfish (Paralichthys californicus and Hypsopsetta guttulata). The concentrations of six elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were determined in the otoliths using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Within estuaries, the five species exhibited strong variation in elemental concentration, indicating substantial interspecific differences in otolith environmental history. When the five fish species were considered separately, multivariate (MANOVA) and univariate (ANOVA) analyses of variance indicated that the elemental composition of otoliths differed significantly among the estuaries in four of the five species. Based on linear discriminant function analyses (DFA), differences were strong enough that trace element composition could be used to accurately assign fish to their site of origin [mean (range): 93.5% (74–100%)]. However, elemental signatures within Carpinteria Marsh were not consistent between spring and autumn 1996, and this was reflected in a substantial reduction in the accuracy of assigning fish to their true site of origin. When we compared site differences between fish species (site×species interactions), the elemental fingerprints were most similar between closely related species (e.g. the two gobies and the two flatfish) and most dissimilar between distantly related species, both phylogenetically and ecologically. Among the six elements analyzed, Sr and Ba exhibited the most inconsistent pattern among species, with significant differences in 80 and 70% of the pairwise species comparisons, respectively. The remaining four elements showed ≥70% consistency in the pattern of variation among sites for the different species. Thus, while otolith elemental fingerprinting can be a useful tool for inferring estuarine residency, such fingerprints may be temporally variable and species specific.     

Geographic and sex‐specific variation in growth of yellow‐eyed mullet,Aldrichetta forsteri,from estuaries around New Zealand

Survival and reproductive rates in fish are often a function of body size. Consequently, spatial‐ and sex‐specific variation in somatic growth rates can have important consequences for population growth and resilience. We used otolith‐based approaches to estimate geographic‐ and sex‐specific growth rates of yellow‐eyed mullet (Aldrichetta forsteri) collected from 14 estuaries and harbours around New Zealand. Aldrichetta forsteri is an abundant and dominant component of New Zealand's estuarine fish fauna. We extracted otoliths from 511 fish, validated daily and annual increments, and prepared transverse thin sections of otoliths to determine age. “Size‐at‐age” relationships were estimated using both linear‐ and non‐linear (von Bertalanffy) growth models, and model performance was evaluated using Akaike's Information Criterion. Because growth rates of sampled fish were best approximated by linear functions, we used ANCOVA to test the null hypothesis that growth rates of A. forsteri were homogeneous between sexes and among geographic locations around New Zealand. Our analyses suggest heterogeneous growth rates between sexes and among locations. Interestingly, relative growth rates between sexes appeared to vary across separate latitudinal gradients for North Island and South Island. Within each island (but not across islands), female A. forsteri generally grew faster than males at the lowest latitudes; relative growth rates of females declined progressively below males with increasing latitude.     

基于矢耳石形态分析的凤鲚(Coilia mystus) 群体识别研究

以长江口、胶州湾、渤海湾和辽东湾4个地理群体的凤鲚(Coilia mystus)矢耳石样本为研究对象,采用形状指数和椭圆傅里叶系数分析相结合的方法研究了该4个凤鲚群体的矢耳石形态特征及差异性。方差分析结果表明,大部分形态变量存在显著的群体差异,引入协变量(耳石长)之后除形状因子外这种差异依然显著。基于协方差校正的判别分析只保留了耳石重量及9个傅里叶系数用于群体识别,而非参数检验的判别分析则保留了耳石重量、分形维数、环状度、矩形趋近率、圆度和19个傅里叶系数用于群体识别。相应地,基于非参检验的凤鲚群体的总体识别成功率(68.2%)明显高于协方差校正的判别分析结果(46.2%),表明前者比后者更能提高耳石形态分析的群体识别能力。     

Stock Identification of Chum Salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis>) Using Trace Elements in Otoliths

The relationship between trace elements in chum salmon otoliths and in their rearing water was investigated to develop ways to distinguish chum salmon stocks in Korea. Rearing water and otoliths of hatchery-reared chum salmon fry were collected from three major hatcheries (Yangyang, Samchuk, and Uljin) on the east coast of Korea in spring 2001 and 2002. Trace elements in the otoliths and rearing water were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the Korea Basic Science Institute. The chemical composition of rearing water and otoliths of the salmon fry at specific sites did not vary significantly through the study period. The ratios of some trace elements to Ca in rearing water, such as Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca, was clearly reflected in the chemical composition of otoliths, although the absolute concentrations were different. These two elements may be useful in distinguishing between salmon hatcheries, which have different chemical environments. Discriminant analysis with the ratios of eight elements to Ca (Na/Ca, Mg/Ca, Al/Ca, Cu/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/ Ca, Mn/Ca, and Zn/Ca) revealed a distinct separation of natal area in stocks. The analysis of otolith chemistry may be an effective technique for identifying the origins of wild salmon caught at sea.     

New age-determination method based on fast growth rate of Cape hake Merluccius capensis in Namibia

Namibia’s most important commercial fisheries resource, the shallow-water Cape hake Merluccius capensis, is currently assessed using statistical catch-at-age analysis. Age data obtained from otoliths constitute an important data component of this model. Recent age-validation studies of M. capensis showed that growth was previously underestimated. We investigated this new fast-growth hypothesis (FGH) by using measurements and counts of translucent zones (T1 to T14, from otolith core to edge) on two survey otolith samples covering the entire range of fish lengths. We compared three hypotheses of periodicity of otolith zone formation and show that, if all zones are counted, T2 (at 9.0 mm otolith length), T5, T8, T11 and T14 are most likely to be annuli. A conversion from the slow-growth-hypothesis (SGH, currently used) age data was calculated as: FGH age group = round (0.41[SGH age group] + 0.25), and this formula should be applied to compute and test updated catch-at-age data in a future hake stock assessment. Additional adjustment for the hake stock assessment following the FGH, such as the timing of recruitment in winter and catches in summer, should be considered in future assessments.     

Age and life histories of black and smooth oreos inferred using bomb radiocarbon dating and stable isotope analysis

Black oreo (Allocyttus niger) and smooth oreo (Pseudocyttus maculatus) are commercially exploited deepwater fishes in New Zealand. They are considered to be long-lived with unvalidated maximum otolith growth zone counts of 153 years and 86 years, respectively. Bomb radiocarbon dating results supported the otolith age estimates for A. niger, but those for P. maculatus provided only partial support. Oxygen isotope (δ¹⁸O) results for A. niger otoliths suggested that juveniles were in near-surface waters and adults in depths of 700–1300 m. In contrast, P. maculatus otoliths suggested a variable depth history (500 to at least 1500 m) throughout life. Carbon isotope (δ¹³C) results showed a steady enrichment from core values to c. 20 years for both species, owing to changes in diet and metabolic rate from the juvenile to the adult fish, associated with a depth increase. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters are provided for both species.