Otolith Chemistry To Describe Movements And Life-History Parameters Of Fishes

Authors:
  • TETravis Elsdon
    Travis Elsdon
  • BWBrian Wells
    Brian Wells
  • SCSteven Campana
    Steven Campana
  • BGBronwyn Gillanders
    Bronwyn Gillanders
  • CJCynthia Jones
    Cynthia Jones
  • KLKarin Limburg
    Karin Limburg
  • DSDavid Secor
    David Secor
  • STSimon Thorrold
    Simon Thorrold

Abstract
In ever-increasing numbers, researchers wish to extract information based on chemical analyses from otoliths to determine movements and life-history patterns of fish. Such analyses make assumptions about chemical incorporation and interpretation that are beyond those that are important for stock discrimination studies, another common application. The authors aim to clarify the methods of determining fish movement based on natural and artificial otolith chemical tags and review current trends in determining movement using otolith chemistry, otolith sampling methods, and what influences otolith chemistry. Both spatial and temporal variability in water and otolith chemistries, which underpin the assumptions of several methods, are discussed. Five methods for determining movement and migration of fish are outlined: (1) estimates of movement and life-history traits of a single fish group, (2) assessing connectivity among groups using natural chemical tags in otoliths, (3) transgenerational marks to determine parentage and natal origins, (4) profile analysis to define life-history variation within a population and (5) profile analysis to describe movements through different environments. Within each of these methods, background information, specific hypotheses being tested and assumptions and limitations of each technique are provided. Finally, research directions required to fill current knowledge gaps and enhance the usefulness of otolith chemistry to determine fish movement are identifiedElsdon T. S., Wells B. K., Campana S. E., Gillandersi B. M., Jones C. M., Limburg K. E., Secor, D. H. Thorrold, S. R. and Walther, B. D.http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/1155291