Stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of otoliths differentiate juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) habitats
Richard J. Pruell A C , Bryan K. Taplin A and Jonathan D. Karr BA US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Atlantic Ecology Division, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
B Duke University, Department of Biology, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: pruell.richard@epa.gov
Marine and Freshwater Research 61(1) 34-41 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08353
Submitted: 18 December 2008 Accepted: 3 June 2009 Published: 29 January 2010
Abstract
The use of natural tags for identifying the source locations of individuals recruited to fish populations has become an important area of research in fisheries science. We used stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios in otoliths to differentiate juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) collected from locations along the coast of Rhode Island, USA. Sagittal otoliths from the flounder were analysed for δ13C and δ18O using isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Plots of δ13C v. δ18O and discriminant function analysis (DFA) indicated differences among samples from Narragansett Bay, the coastal ponds and the Narrow River. Separations were observed among fish from the upper, middle and lower portions of Narragansett Bay and along the salinity gradient in Narrow River. Otoliths from sites grouped on the basis of low, medium and high salinities also showed differences according to DFA. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship (r = –0.60, P = 0.009) between seawater temperature and δ18O, and a significant positive relationship (r = 0.93, P < 0.001) between salinity and δ18O for the combined dataset. These results indicate that δ13C and δ18O values of juvenile winter flounder otoliths may prove useful for differentiating individuals from various juvenile habitats.
Additional keywords: fish, stable isotopes.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Jennifer Yordy for assistance with the field collection of juvenile winter flounder, Dr James Heltshe for the statistical analyses and Partricia DeCastro and Doug McGovern for help with the graphics. The sample collections were conducted under permit from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The authors also thank Stephan Ryba, Dr Mark Cantwell, Dr Richard McKinney, Dr Julian Augley and an anonymous referee for their thoughtful reviews of this manuscript. The research for this article was supported by the US EPA, but has not been subject to agency review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. No official endorsement should be inferred. This is contribution number 08–017 of the Atlantic Ecology Division of the National Health and Ecological Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, USA Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
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