Coexistence of anadromous and lacustrine life histories of the shirauo, Salangichthys microdon

The environmental history of the shirauo, Salangichthys microdon, was examined in terms of strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) uptake in the otolith, by means of wavelength dispersive X‐ray spectrometry on an electron microprobe. Anadromous and lacustrine type of the shirauo were found to occur sympatric. Otolith Sr concentration or Sr : Ca ratios of anadromous shirauo fluctuated strongly along the life‐history transect in accordance with the migration (habitat) pattern from sea to freshwater. In contrast, the Sr concentration or the Sr : Ca ratios of lacustrine shirauo remained at consistently low levels throughout the otolith. The higher ratios in anadromous shirauo, in the otolith region from the core to 90–230 μm, corresponded to the initial sea‐going period, probably reflecting the ambient salinity or the seawater–freshwater gradient in Sr concentration. The findings clearly indicated that otolith Sr : Ca ratios reflected individual life histories, enabling these anadromous shirauo to be distinguished from lacustrine shirauo.     

Occurrence of estuarine and sea eels <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis> and a migrating silver eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla anguilla</Emphasis> in the Tokyo Bay area,Japan

Otolith microchemical analyses of the strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in the eels Anguilla japonica and A. anguilla caught in Tokyo Bay were undertaken to reconstruct the eels’ migratory histories. A. japonica in the yellow stage (immature stage) were caught in a bay without any adjacent rivers or streams. A. anguilla was in the silver stage (early maturing stage), and the eel was confirmed to have just begun spawning migration to the open ocean from Tokyo Bay based on the otolith Sr:Ca ratios, which showed a typical catadromous life history with low Sr:Ca ratio values throughout the eel’s life after recruitment. The mean Sr:Ca ratios in A. japonica from the elver mark to the otolith edge indicated the eels belonged to several general categories of migratory histories, including sea eels (average Sr:Ca ratio ≥6.0 × 10⁻³) and estuarine eels (average Sr:Ca ratio 2.5 to 6.0 × 10⁻³) based on the criteria reported previously in A. japonica. All eels had a certain freshwater life period, although the period was highly variable among fish. These results indicate that A. japonica has a flexible pattern of migration, with the ability to adapt to various habitats and salinities.     

Migration history of Sakhalin taimen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho perryi</Emphasis> captured in the Sea of Okhotsk,northern Japan,using otolith Sr:Ca ratios

Sakhalin taimen Hucho perryi populations have decreased drastically to near extinction. It is urgent to establish an effective conservation strategy based on an understanding of the characteristics of migration and habitat use of this species. We examined the migration history of anadromous Sakhalin taimen captured off the Sarufutsu coast, northern Hokkaido, Japan, using otolith Sr:Ca ratios and also examined the relationship between their otolith Sr:Ca ratios during freshwater and seawater residence in a rearing experiment. Otolith Sr:Ca ratios of some fish from the Sarufutsu coast showed freshwater levels (0.5–4.0 × 10⁻³) near the core, which thereafter increased to brackish water levels (4.0–6.0 × 10⁻³), and then to seawater levels (6.0–10.0 × 10⁻³) in the outermost regions. Those findings indicate that specimens from the Sarufutsu coast migrated to the brackish water region or the sea and spent most of their lives there. The anadromous migration pattern including the timing of downstream migration seems to be flexible among individuals in the species. They migrate between freshwater and seawater or brackish water several times during their lives, showing extensive habitat use. It is essential to secure the continuity among the freshwater, brackish water, and seawater areas for their effective conservation.     

Do sea trout Salmo trutta parr surveys monitor the densities of anadromous or resident maternal origin parr,or both?

Brown trout Salmo trutta L. parr were sampled from 21 Estonian and three Finnish streams to investigate whether national sea trout parr surveys sample the progeny of anadromous or resident maternal parents. Otolith Sr:Ca core values were used and validated as a tool for distinguishing between the progeny of the two forms. In Estonia (n = 283), 92% of the parr were the progeny of anadromous maternal parents, and 8% were the progeny of resident maternal parents, whereas in Finland (n = 24), the respective proportions were 79% and 21%. Variation in the maximum otolith Sr:Ca core values among progeny of anadromous maternal parents indicated that some adult females may enter fresh waters several months before spawning. It was concluded that easily accessible locations situated up to 30 km from the sea largely contain progeny of sea trout, whereas sites with poor connectivity with the sea can be dominated by progeny of resident trout. This study demonstrated that the method applied provided an effective means to distinguish between the progeny of sea trout and resident brown trout.     

Migratory history of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius sp. CB in Japan

Tsunagawa T, Arai T. Migratory history of the freshwater goby Rhinogobius sp. CB in Japan. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2011: 20: 33–41. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – The migratory histories of Rhinogobius sp. CB collected from 32 locations connected to the sea were studied by examining the strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in the otoliths using X‐ray electron microprobe (EPMA) analysis. The Sr and Ca contents in the riverine water were also determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) analysis. The Sr:Ca ratios in the riverine waters were highly different among rivers and correlated with those in the otolith outer region corresponding to the river life period. Consequently, almost all samples (159 of 160 individuals) showed a typical amphidromous life history, with one individual showing a landlocked life history. These results suggest that the clear differences of migration history in population or locality were not found in Rhinogobius sp. CB. Therefore, it was thought that Rhinogobius sp. CB most commonly had an amphidromous life history.     

Migration of anadromous white-spotted charr <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus leucomaenis</Emphasis>, as determined by otolith strontium: calcium ratios

ABSTRACT:   The migratory history of anadromous white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis collected from Japanese coastal waters, was examined in terms of strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) uptake in the otolith, by means of wavelength dispersive X-ray spectrometry using an electron microprobe. Otolith Sr concentration or Sr : Ca ratios of anadromous S. leucomaenis , fluctuated strongly along the life history transect in accordance with the migration (habitat) pattern from sea to fresh water. The anadrmous S. leucomaenis showed phase L (low Sr : Ca ratio) from the core to the point 1000–2500 µm distant, averaging 1.3 × 10⁻³ to 2.7 × 10⁻³ and thereafter, the ratios increased sharply, being higher than 5.0 × 10⁻³ to 10.0 × 10⁻³. These findings indicated that otolith Sr : Ca ratios reflected individual life histories, enabling a sea habitat to be identified from a freshwater habitat in this species.     

An evaluation of the contribution of hatchery stocking on population density and biomass: a lesson from masu salmon juveniles within a Japanese river system

Stocking is an important management tool for enhancing fisheries resources, but its actual contribution to fisheries resources is controversial, taking into consideration both the positive and negative effects. This study compared density and biomass of hatchery (otolith thermal marked) and wild masu salmon parr between stocked and unstocked rivers to evaluate the contribution of stocking with hatchery‐reared fish. Density and biomass of all fish did not differ between stocked and unstocked rivers. Moreover, density and biomass of wild fish in the stocked rivers were lower than those of the unstocked rivers. Density and biomass of hatchery fish in a non‐natural reproducing river were similar with those of all fish in natural reproducing rivers. These results indicate that hatchery stocking does not have positive effects on population density or biomass but replaces wild fish with hatchery fish and that non‐natural reproducing areas are more suitable as stocking sites.     

基于耳石微化学的黄河垦利段刀鲚生活史初步研究

为研究黄河刀鲚(Coilia nasus)生境履历特征,利用电子探针微区分析技术(EPMA)对采集自黄河垦利段5尾刀鲚个体(D1、D2、D4、D5和D6)的矢耳石进行微化学特征研究。定量线分析结果显示,黄河口刀鲚生境履历较为复杂,所有个体核心区Sr/Ca值较低,表明其淡水孵化特征,但随着个体生长表现出不同的生活履历。个体D2生活史较复杂,其生长轨迹多次往返于淡水—半咸水生境,不具备洄游型刀鲚应有的规律性特征;个体D1、D4、D5和D6具有明显的洄游特征,不同的是个体D1和D4的Sr/Ca最大值分别为6.1和6.2,D5、D6生境已延伸至Sr/Ca值较高的区域,最大值分别达到8.44、8.63,但是由于调水、调沙对黄河口盐度变化影响较大,尚不能判断D5、D6个体生境已延伸至海水区域。分析的结果显示了同样的特征,个体D1、D4核心区表现为蓝色,外缘区域表现为蓝绿色;个体D2核心区表现为蓝色、绿色、黄色交替出现,个体D5、D6核心区域表现为Sr值较低的蓝色区域,随着生长耳石外围逐渐形成较为明显的黄色圆环。基于以上结果,本研究重新建立了黄河口刀鲚的生境履历,多数个体孵化和早期的生活主要在淡水生境完成,之后进入盐度较高的区域,往返于半咸水—海水生境中进行索饵、育肥,直至被捕获。以个体D2为代表的群体生活史较为复杂,推测可能是由于当年山东东平湖汛期放水而被动进入黄河的定居型刀鲚。     

Effect of salinity on strontium:calcium ratios in the otoliths of Sakhalin taimen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hucho perryi</Emphasis>

In order to determine the salinity effect on otolith strontium (Sr):calcium (Ca) ratios, the Sr and Ca contents of otoliths of Sakhalin taimen, Hucho perryi, reared for 60 days in four salinities (freshwater, one-third seawater, two-thirds seawater, and full seawater) were examined. The Ca and Sr contents and the resultant Sr:Ca ratios in the rearing water increased linearly with salinity. Otolith Sr:Ca ratios were also found to be positively correlated with salinity. However, the Sr:Ca did not correspond to temperature fluctuations during the experiment. These results indicate that Sr:Ca ratios in otoliths can be used to reconstruct the migratory history of the fish by differentiating when the fish migrated between freshwater and seawater.     

Otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) from brackish waters of the Gulf of Bothnia,Baltic Sea

To investigate whether European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) groups in the brackish (≤7%) Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea) express specific otolith elemental characteristics, concentrations of elements (Ca, Ba, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe) in whole otoliths were studied by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry. Whitefish (N = 67) were sampled from six different latitudinal sites; four in the sea and two in rivers along the west coast of Finland, and from a fresh water lake for comparison. The concentration of several elements showed significant differences among sampling sites. Otolith Ba concentrations were higher at the northern sampling sites compared to the southern ones, thereby showing negative association to capture‐habitat salinity. In contrast, otolith Sr and Zn concentrations were lower at the northern sampling sites, thereby associating positively to capture‐habitat salinity. Otolith Mn concentrations did not associate with latitude or salinity but markedly varied between sampling sites. Elevated Fe concentrations occurred in fish otoliths from the two northernmost sites. Ca concentrations were at the same levels in otoliths from all whitefish samples. Otoliths of whitefish from the lake had very high Ba and low Sr concentrations compared to concentrations in otoliths from whitefish in the sea and rivers. Our results show that otolith elemental characteristics of whitefish vary considerably at various geographic scales showing high potential for population identification using elemental fingerprints. Analysis of otolith elemental characteristics may therefore provide an efficient tool for the identification of main areas of residence, spawning locations, and migration routes, thus contributing towards the sustainable management of whitefish stocks.     

Recovery of white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis following the removal of stocked red-spotted masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae in a small headwater tributary of Lake Biwa,central Japan

The possible recovery of a white-spotted charr population in a small tributary of a river to Lake Biwa, following removal of previously stocked red-spotted masu salmon, was investigated by electrofishing. We captured 30 red-spotted masu salmon and two hybrids of these two species in 2014. Prior to the stocking of red-spotted masu salmon, the estimated number of white-spotted charr?≥?100 mm standard length (SL) in the tributary was more than 200 individuals in 2005, which had reduced to fewer than 30 individuals by 2014 when 30 red-spotted masu salmon plus two charr/masu salmon hybrids were captured. However, no red-spotted masu salmon were captured from 2015 to 2017, indicating the success of a red-spotted masu salmon removal program. The estimated number of white-spotted charr?≥?100 mm SL ranged from 25 to 91 individuals between 2015 and 2017, implying a great reduction of red-spotted masu. The estimated population size of the former increased further to 171–221 individuals in 2021, comparable to 2005. These results suggest that the white-spotted charr population declined due to stocking of red-spotted masu salmon, and recovered following removal of the latter.

     

Low-fidelity homing behaviour of Biwa salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus</Emphasis> sp. landlocked in Lake Biwa as inferred from otolith elemental and Sr isotopic compositions

Biwa salmon Oncorhynchus sp. is endemic to Lake Biwa, Japan, where it is an important commercial and recreational fisheries species. However, no information is currently available on its population structure and migration ecology. Therefore, here we evaluated whether otolith Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios can be used as natural signatures in Biwa salmon and then used these to determine the natal origins of lake-migration-phase individuals and spawning adults, and the homing ability of spawning adults in the Lake Biwa water system. Quadratic discriminant function analysis demonstrated that the lake-migration school comprised individuals with multiple origins, including rivers to the east, west and north of Lake Biwa, and that the homing rate of spawning adults was low (18 out of 80 individuals), with ca. 78% of fish straying into non-natal rivers. However, this straying behaviour was not spatially random, with fish tending to migrate upstream in rivers neighbouring their natal rivers. The high rate of straying in spawning adults is considered important for establishing and maintaining this species, which is highly adapted to life in the Lake Biwa water system where environmental disturbances often occur.     

长江口及邻近海域凤鲚生境履历重建

利用 X-射线电子探针微区技术(EPMA)对长江口崇明和邻近吕四凤鲚(Coilia mystus)耳石 Sr 和 Ca 的微化学进行了分析。定量线分析和 Sr 含量面分布图谱显示,凤鲚耳石核区的 Sr/Ca 比值存在 Sr/Ca<3、37 这 3 种类型,分别对应的耳石核心面分布同心环区域颜色为蓝色、绿色和黄-红色,据此推断长江口及邻近海域凤鲚孵化场存在 3 种,即淡水孵化场、河口半咸水孵化场及海水孵化场。凤鲚个体耳石从核心到边缘的 Sr/Ca比值变化波动极为显著,有对应淡水生活的低值阶段(Sr/Ca<3,最小为 2.04±0.87),也有对应海水生活的高值阶段(Sr/Ca >7,最大为 7.81±0.91),可将凤鲚的生境履历类型分为 4 种类型:淡水河口半咸水型、河口半咸水定居型、河口半咸水海水型和淡水河口半咸水海水型。长江口邻近海域吕四凤鲚有淡水和河口半咸水孵化个体,其生境履历类型包括淡水河口半咸水型、河口半咸水海水型和淡水河口半咸水海水型,而长江口崇明岛海域有海水及河口半咸水孵化个体,其生境履历类型包括淡水河口半咸水型、河口定居型及淡水河口半咸水海水型,这反映了长江口崇明岛及邻近海域吕四 2 个海域凤鲚个体间的共性以及差异性。通过本次研究,首次证明了长江口及邻近海域凤鲚存在 3 种孵化场及 4 种生境履历类型,准确反映了凤鲚个体组成及其生活史的多样性和复杂性。     

长江南京江段长颌鲚生境履历的反演研究

利用电子探针显微分析技术(EPMA),对2009年和2014年采自长江南京段的长颌鲚耳石微化学进行了研究,反演了其生境履历.结果显示,这些长颌鲚耳石上元素Sr/Ca值的动态可分为两类.一类Sr/Ca值出现显著波动,不仅具有对应淡水生境的低值(1.87±0.36),而且有对应于河口半咸水生境的较高值(4.80±0.80),甚至出现了外海高盐度生境的高值(7.85±0.57),反映了溯河洄游的生境履历特征.另一类Sr/Ca值稳定3.0以下(14NJC09和14NJCE10),仅反映出在淡水生境中生活的履历.上述结果均得到了耳石Sr面分布的验证.上述“反演”的结果首次发现,传统上认为的一定是溯河洄游的长颌鲚,也可能存在有淡水定居个体.单纯利用上颌骨的长短并不能作为有效判别长江刀鲚资源群体中溯河洄游个体和淡水定居个体的标准.     

Utilization patterns of estuarine and marine habitats by the halfbeak Zenarchopterus dunckeri at Iriomote Island,southern Japan,evaluated from otolith microchemistry

Estuarine and marine habitat use patterns in the halfbeak Zenarchopterus dunckeri were examined at Iriomote Island, southern Japan, by analyzing otolith Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios. The ranges of both Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios in juvenile Z. dunckeri from the maximum (30 psu) to minimum (0.5 psu) salinity levels of brackish water estimated from rearing experiments, were compared with those of wild individuals collected from upstream and downstream stations in the Urauchi River estuary. The majority of wild-caught individuals had invariable Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios along an otolith transect from the core to the posterior edge, which fell within the otolith Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ranges estimated for estuarine individuals in the rearing experiments, suggesting that such individuals developed within the estuary without migrating to a marine environment at any time, although some downstream-dwelling fish had higher otolith elemental ratios than the predetermined estuarine ranges in the mid transect section. The latter fish may have been accidentally flushed from the estuary into the sea by heavy flood events, subsequently returning to the estuary. The overall results suggested that Z. dunckeri is essentially an estuarine resident, completing its life cycle within an estuarine system.     

Sr isotopic compositions of ayu otolith and its ambient water

Sr isotopic compositions of ayu otolith and water collected from Japanese rivers were measured to validate the relationship between otolith and ambient water for this species. Micromilling and rostrum-cut methods employed for otolith sampling were compared and yielded almost indistinguishable otolith Sr isotopic composition data. A good correlation observed between data on otolith and those on ambient water (river water and sea water) confirms the usefulness of Sr isotopic composition for elucidating migratory behavior of ayu, as already verified in other species.     

Main stem movement of Atlantic salmon parr in response to high river temperature

Atlantic salmon become thermally stressed when water temperatures exceed 23 °C. To alleviate this stress, they behaviourally thermoregulate by moving to patches of cold water, often forming large aggregations. These patches are known as thermal refuges. Given the consensus that climate change will increase temperatures in Atlantic salmon catchments, thermal refuges will become increasingly important in minimising summer mortalities. While the behaviour of salmonids within thermal refuges is fairly well understood, less is known about their main stem movement in search of thermal refuges or its thermal and temporal cues. We detail the results of a PIT telemetry study to investigate the main stem movement behaviour of thermally stressed Atlantic salmon parr in a temperature‐impacted river. PIT antennas placed around two thermal refuges and at the upstream and downstream limits of their surrounding reach were used to record the movement of salmonids during a heatwave. We observed parr movement at the upstream and downstream antennas 135 min prior to the occurrence of the midpoint of aggregations in the thermal refuges, indicating that Atlantic salmon parr make reach‐scale movements in search of cool water prior to aggregating. Logistic regression showed that the number of degree hours >28 °C predicted the occurrence of main stem movement with a good degree of accuracy, indicating that this temperature represents a fundamental threshold causing Atlantic salmon parr to move towards cool water. Such data could be instrumental in allowing river managers to place limits on human activity within rivers, allowing salmon populations time to recover following heat stress events.     

The determination of maternal run time in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) based on Sr/Ca and 87Sr/86Sr within otolith cores

Historically, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) returned to natal streams throughout much of the year and extant populations continue to display extensive variation in run time. The genetic and environmental mechanisms that regulate run time are not well-understood, and there are few objective criteria to determine an individual’s run time. Here, in order to develop an independent marker of run time, the relationship between maternal run time and otolith core strontium (Sr/Ca and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) of progeny was examined. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) juveniles from three rivers with fall- and spring-run hatchery populations were used to: (1) test the hypotheses that otolith Sr/Ca_core and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_core are greater in progeny of females from fall-runs, which return to natal rivers and spawn during fall, compared with spring-runs, which return to natal rivers in spring and spawn during fall; and (2) determine if otolith Sr/Ca_core and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_core can accurately predict maternal run time. Progeny of fall-run Chinook salmon consistently displayed greater Sr/Ca_core and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_core than those of spring-run Chinook salmon, with the exception of Sr/Ca_core in one of the three rivers. Differences in core chemistry resulted in accurate determination of maternal run time for 87–100% of the juveniles examined. The use of Sr/Ca_core, however, resulted in more accurate identification of spring-run progeny while the use of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_core resulted in more accurate identification of fall-run progeny. This methodology should be applicable to other anadromous species with variable run times although additional validation using wild runs is warranted. The ability to accurately determine individual run time will allow for independent examination of correlated life history traits that are related to individual and population growth rates.     

Otolith microstructure of chum salmon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus keta</Emphasis>: formation of sea entry check and daily deposition of otolith increments in seawater conditions

To apply otolith microstructure to examination of age and growth of juvenile chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta inhabiting coastal waters, formation of otolith increments was investigated for juveniles reared in a seawater aquarium and in net pens. In all otoliths examined, a distinctive check was formed at the time of sea entry of the fish. The deposition of otolith increments after the check was daily for rearing both in the aquarium (57 days) and in the net pens (26 days). Check formation associated with sea entry was also observed in otoliths of juvenile salmon collected 1 km off the coast of Shari, Hokkaido, Japan. Transmitted light observation of otoliths of those fish revealed a transition in otolith increment appearance from dark to light. Otolith Sr: Ca ratio remarkably changed from a low to a high level, coinciding with the transition in otolith appearance. It is suggested that the transition was associated with individual sea entry. This study demonstrated that the check and/or transition associated with sea entry are applicable to a benchmark for otolith increment counts of juvenile chum salmon inhabiting coastal waters.     

Site fidelity and movements of an amphidromous goby revealed by otolith multi‐elemental signatures along a tropical watershed

Otolith microchemistry can provide crucial information to address gaps of knowledge in spatio‐temporal ecology of fish species. However, understanding the seasonal variability of water chemistry and its effect on otolith signatures is needed to interpret fish movements. Otolith multi‐elemental signatures were used to examine the diadromous migration and small‐scale movements of a tropical goby (Sicyopterus lagocephalus) within a watershed in La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean. The elemental ratios Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca and Sr:Ba recorded monthly in the water of nine sampling sites varied between localities and were correlated with otolith signatures, whereas the Mg:Ca signature was not. The incorporation of some trace elements in otoliths was influenced by the size of fish and site where they were caught, reflecting an effect of endogenous and exogenous factors. Despite these sources of variation, the elemental signatures did not overlap for three river sections distributed along the 26‐km‐long watershed. The diadromous migration and fish lifetime movements between these river sections were reconstructed using an original process based on random forest analysis. This approach revealed distinct migratory behaviours after fish entered in the river, with some individuals progressing slowly in the watershed whereas other rapidly reached the upper localities. As adults, S. lagocephalus showed a restricted exploratory behaviour and a strong site fidelity to a particular part of the watershed. The detection of adult movement was typically only between adjacent locations and is possibly explained by shifts in local intraspecific hierarchies and/or displacement during extreme discharge caused by cyclones.