Variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths

A. J. Williams; C. R. Davies; B. D. Mapstone

doi:10.1071/MF04129

RESEARCH ARTICLE

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Variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths

A. J. Williams ^A ^D , C. R. Davies ^A ^B and B. D. Mapstone ^A ^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A CRC Reef Research Centre, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

^B Present address: CSIRO Marine Research, GPO Box 1538, Tas. 7001, Australia.

^C Present address: Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems CRC, Private Bag 80, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

^D Corresponding author. Email: ashley.williams@jcu.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 56(5) 529-538 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF04129
Submitted: 12 July 2004 Accepted: 6 April 2005 Published: 21 July 2005

Abstract

Marginal increment analysis was used to validate the periodicity of opaque increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths and to test for variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation across age classes, years and regions of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Marginal increment analysis demonstrated that opaque increments were deposited on an annual basis, a result supported by a preliminary experiment on a chemically tagged captive fish, although significant regional and temporal variation in the timing of increment formation was observed. Marginal increment analysis revealed a clear annual periodicity in increment formation for all age classes in the southern region but a more ambiguous pattern for most age classes in the northern region of the species distribution on the GBR. Opaque increments appeared to form 1 month earlier in the southern region than in the northern region and, in the southern region, formed 2 months earlier in 1999 than in 2000. No significant variation was observed in the timing of increment formation between age classes. Based on knowledge of the timing of otolith increment formation and spawning season of L. miniatus, an algorithm was developed for the estimation of age in months, irrespective of the time or location of capture.

Extra keywords: age-based parameter estimates, ageing protocol, age validation, regional variation.

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the skippers and crew of the Fishing Vessels Vana, Hobo, Orpheus, El torito, Sharma, Bundy R, Cat Angler, Peggy Vee, Somerset, Battersea, Dorothy B, Peri and Catchalot who provided samples for this research for no charge, without whom this research would not have materialised. We also thank Robin Stewart and crew of the FV Peri for collecting samples for the captive rearing experiment. The manuscript was greatly improved by comments from T. Fowler and two anonymous reviewers. Funding for this research was provided by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation and the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef Word Heritage Area.

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Variation in the periodicity and timing of increment formation in red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) otoliths

Abstract

Acknowledgments

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