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.     

Precision and bias in the age determination of blue whiting, Micromesistius poutassou (Risso, 1810), within and between age-readers

Age based assessment forms the basis of management advice for the heavily exploited combined stock of blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) in the Northeast Atlantic. However, little historic attention has been given to the reliability of age estimates gathered from several nations involved in this assessment. Using recognised graphical and statistical approaches, bias and precision was investigated for experienced age-readers of blue whiting. Significant linear bias was found to exist between age-readers, with ages differing, on average, by 1 year for important year classes. Indications are that spawning checks and split rings affect the interpretation of annuli for some age-readers. An experience gradient became evident during the analysis; more experienced age-readers had greater levels of precision. Within reader precision was found to be higher than between reader precision; however, within reader bias was also evident with two out of three age-readers systematically revising ages downwards when re-ageing otoliths. Results indicate that differences exist on a limited international level for the age determination of blue whiting. This issue now needs to be addressed by the scientific community.     

滇池鲤4种年龄鉴定材料的比较

为确定鉴定滇池鲤（Cyprinus carpio）年龄的适宜材料,对4种年龄鉴定材料（耳石、鳞片、胸鳍条和鳃盖骨）的形态和年轮标志进行了描述,并对这4种钙化组织鉴定鲤年龄的一致性进行了探讨。2013年5、6、8-11月以及2014年3-7月,使用拖网采集云南滇池鲤584尾,体长范围7.5~50.5 cm,体重范围17.2~3 211.3 g。其中耳石采集于584尾样本,鳃盖骨和鳞片分别采集于276尾样本,胸鳍条采集于274尾样本。微耳石磨片轮纹清晰,在反射光下呈明暗相间的条纹,年龄标志明显。同一鉴定者2次年龄读数的吻合率,微耳石磨片轮最高（88.0%),鳞片次之(84.1%),胸鳍条和鳃盖骨则分别为73.7%和72.1%。2次读龄的平均误差百分比,微耳石磨片和鳞片较小,分别为2.6%和2.9%;胸鳍条和鳃盖骨较高,分别为4.7%和5.9%。以微耳石磨片年龄读数为基准,鳞片年龄读数与其吻合率最高(77.5%),平均变异系数最低(6.14%);鳃盖骨和胸鳍条与其吻合率分别为61.9%和56.2%,平均变异系数均超过12%。综合分析认为,耳石是滇池鲤年龄鉴定的最佳材料,鉴定4龄以下个体年龄时可使用鳞片,鳃盖骨和胸鳍条则不适于滇池鲤的年龄鉴定。     

Comparison of age estimates from scale, opercular bone, otolith, vertebrae and dorsal fin ray in Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Catla catla (Hamilton) and Channa marulius (Hamilton)

The present study was undertaken with a view to compare the precision and reliability of the age readings obtained from different bony structures of some important freshwater teleosts viz., Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Catla catla (Hamilton) and Channa marulius (Hamilton). Standard procedures were followed to prepare and study the age structures. In L. rohita and C. marulius percent agreement between reader's age estimates was highest for scales, i.e. 96.3% and 90.5%, respectively and in C. catla percent agreement was highest (93.3%) for opercular bone. When scale ages were compared with other alternative structures viz., otoliths, opercular bone, vertebral centra and dorsal fin rays, percent agreement was found highest between scale and opercular bone age estimates (77.8%) in L. rohita and between scale and otoliths (94.8%) in C. marulius. In case of C. catla highest percent agreement was found between opercular bone and scale age estimates. In L. rohita each of the ageing structure showed significant (P < 0.05) underestimation of age in comparison to scales. In C. catla mean age estimates from opercular bone were comparable (P > 0.05) to the values obtained from all other structures except dorsal fin rays. In C. marulius mean age estimates from scales were comparable (P > 0.05) to those from all other structures except from dorsal fin rays. Results indicated scales to be the most suitable structure for ageing L. rohita and C. marulius and opercular bone for C. catla. However, in C. catla also scales may be used as a non-destructive method of age estimation with satisfactory results.     

南极鱼类年龄与生长研究进展

南极鱼类生长相对缓慢,独特的生物学特性使其年龄鉴定较其他海区鱼类更为困难。但考虑到鱼类年龄鉴定是开展渔业资源评估的基础,因此过去一些年来,硬质部位,如鳞片、鳍条(棘)、脊椎骨以及耳石等仍成为南极鱼类的主要鉴龄材料。本文对南极鱼类年龄鉴定的方法和材料进行了总结回顾,将年龄鉴定的方法和材料进行比较,分析各自优缺点。结果显示:(1)对于具鳞的南极鱼类,因鳞片在鱼类生长过程中存在重吸收现象,因而利用鳞片及鳍条(棘)单独鉴龄所得出的结果通常小于耳石的鉴龄结果,缺乏精确性;(2)南极鱼类生活跨度较大,高龄鱼体长频次分布严重重叠,以致无法准确判断其年龄结构;(3)耳石重量法易受到特殊个体影响而误判年龄;(4)因鳍条易损坏,脊椎骨采集较为困难,且许多南极鱼类无鳞,目前大多数南极鱼类使用耳石鉴定年龄,其也成为目前最为精准的南极鱼类鉴龄方法,但同时利用鳞片和耳石重量等对鉴定结果进行验证;(5)南极鱼类尚存在无统一的鉴龄标准、人为主观性较强以及缺乏早期生活史研究等不足之处;(6)为了研究南极鱼类早期生活史,耳石微化学及微结构等方法将被广泛利用。     

Age and growth in southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau): Direct estimation from otoliths, scales and vertebrae

In the early 1990s, the spawning biomass of the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) population was estimated to be less than 10% of its historical level. However, major uncertainties surrounding the age composition of the catch confounded the virtual population analysis assessment models. To eliminate these uncertainties, validated estimates of the age composition of the catch were required.We examined scales, caudal vertebrae and sagittal otoliths to determine which structure produced the most accurate age estimates in SBT. Scales proved useful for estimating ages of SBT only up to 4 years. Marginal increment analysis verified that the zones of dense circuli visible on the scales were deposited annually up to this age. In larger fish, the compression of circuli on the margin of scales and high incidence of regenerated scales made estimation of age very difficult. Obvious increments were present on both the vertebrae and otoliths. Age estimates from the two structures matched closely for the first 10 years of life. However, in larger (older) fish the counts diverged, otoliths consistently providing higher age estimates. We determined that annual increments are formed on sagittal otoliths throughout life but that this is not the case in vertebrae, where bands are formed less frequently. Thus, vertebrae were unreliable for estimating age beyond 10 years, which corresponds approximately to the age-at-first maturity.Ages were estimated from otoliths of 1121 fish from throughout the species’ size range. These data indicate that SBT live to at least 40 years of age, twice the longevity previously accepted; that age at recruitment is 1 year, not 2; and that mean age-at-maturity is approximately 11 years, not 7.The age distribution of SBT catches by the Japanese longline fishery in the Tasman Sea indicate that a significant proportion of the SBT population in this area is over 25 years of age and that cohorts spawned in the late 1970s and early 1980s are markedly under-represented in the population. The latter is thought to result from intense exploitation on these cohorts by the Australian surface fishery soon after recruitment.     

Whole otolith elemental analysis reveals feeding migration patterns causing growth rate differences in anadromous whitefish from the Baltic Sea

Impact of feeding migration pattern on growth rate of whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L.) from River Kemijoki was investigated. River Kemijoki is located in the northernmost Gulf of Bothnia (Baltic Sea). Whitefish ascending the river to spawn show major growth rate variations. To study whether these variations are related to different feeding areas (migratory connectivity), whole otoliths from fast‐growing (FAST^G) whitefish (n = 9, age 4 years, average weight 790 g) and slowly growing (SLOWLY^G) whitefish (n = 9, age 8 years, average weight 600 g) were analysed for elemental (Ba, Sr, Mg, Zn, Mn, Ca) concentrations by inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that the FAST^G whitefish had much lower otolith Ba concentration (~45%, p ≤ .01) than SLOWLY^G whitefish, revealing that FAST^G whitefish have spent more time in water of higher salinity/lower latitude, that is at feeding grounds in the southern Gulf of Bothnia. Otoliths of the FAST^G whitefish had also higher Mg (~25%, p ≤ .001) and Zn (~20%, p ≤ .05) concentrations, but lower Ca (~5%, p ≤ .01) concentrations, than the otoliths from SLOWLY^G whitefish. These results further reveal that FAST^G and SLOWLY^G whitefish have been spatially separated. In conclusion, bulk otolith elemental analysis revealed spatial separation and migration differences in river‐spawning whitefish subpopulations in the Gulf of Bothnia, which apparently lead to differences in fish growth rate. Our results increase the understanding of river‐spawning whitefish biology and its population structure and dynamics and may contribute to a sustainable management of river‐spawning whitefish stocks.     

An evaluation of different structures to age freshwater fish from a northeastern US river

Abstract  Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède), smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, and yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), were collected from the Hudson River, New York, USA, to compare the precision of age estimates derived from scales and otoliths. Similar procedures were used to compare otolith and spine ages from brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus (Lesueur). Overall percent agreement between readers ranged from 91% to 98% for otoliths compared with 38% to 67% for scales and spines. Disagreement rates associated with scales and spines increased as fish grew older. Average percent error between readers was about an order of magnitude higher for scales and spines than for otoliths. Ages estimated from scales and spines progressively decreased as age increased based on otolith examination. The use of scales and spines to age largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and brown bullheads from the northeastern US was less precise and will likely lead to underestimation of age of larger and older fish.     

On the age and growth of bogue,Boops boops (L.), from the Portuguese coast

Abstract Between 1984 and 1990, a total of 4892 bogues, Boops boops (L.) were caught in Peniche and 4352 in Algarve, with the total length varying from 6 to 40 cm. Age determination was carried out using direct reading and back-calculation on the otoliths. Von Bertalanffy growth equations, based on mean lengths per age group, were established for both samples and using both methods. Applying the Hotelling T² test to the growth parameters of those equations, it was concluded that there were no significant differences between them. This conclusion allowed the validation of the two methods employed, and the combination of the data from Peniche and Algarve into one single age-length key from which a growth equation for the Portuguese coast was calculated and described as: L_t = 45.918 {1-exp [-0.124 (t + 2.628)]}.     

Prevalence of stocked whitefish in River Kemijoki,Finland, inferred by micro X‐ray fluorescence analysis of otoliths

Micro X‐ray fluorescence (µ‐XRF) analysis of otoliths was evaluated as a method to estimate the proportion of stocked one‐summer‐old whitefish Coregonus lavaretus L. in catches of adult fish (n = 20) ascending the River Kemijoki to spawn. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) analysis was applied as control. Polished otoliths were scanned with µ‐XRF to obtain strontium maps that were used to infer visually the provenance of the whitefish. Thirteen of the fish showed signs of being stocked as one‐summer‐old fingerlings. LA‐ICP‐MS was applied to determine the elemental composition in a spot outside the core of the otolith. The results were largely consistent with the visual inspection of the µ‐XRF mapped otoliths. In conclusion, µ‐XRF mapping successfully identified whitefish stocked as one‐summer‐old fingerlings. The vast majority of whitefish returning to the River Kemijoki to spawn were stocked fish.     

Verification of annual increment formation in the white anglerfish, Lophius piscatorius using the illicia and sagitta otoliths

Marginal and edge state analysis was carried out on sagitta otoliths and illicia of white anglerfish taken from ICES Sub-area VI and Division IVa between April 1999 and September 2000. This demonstrated that an annulus comprised a multi-ring opaque zone and a wide translucent zone. Narrow translucent zones within the wide opaque zones were found to be significantly narrower than the translucent zones separating them, suggesting that these were false rings. Opaque material was predominantly deposited during the summer months (July–September) and translucent material during the winter (December–February). Precision of increment readings was tested from repeated increment counts of the calcified structures. This indicated that the most consistent age readings came from sagitta otoliths sectioned through the sagittal plane.     

Alizarin marking of whitefish, Coregonus lavaretus otoliths during egg incubation

Alizarin red S from 200 to 5000 mg L^?1 was used to mark the otoliths of whitefish embryos Coregonus lavaretus (L.) from 5 days after fertilization until shortly before hatching, to develop a method for evaluating the effect of stocking whitefish. Mark quality depended on developmental stage at the time of immersion. The best results were obtained when the otolith primordia had formed and had started aggregating to form the innermost part of the nucleus. This was verified by in vitro staining of otoliths where the primordia were more intensely stained than the remaining part of the nucleus. The volume ratio eggs to ARS solution, which was 1:10 in all but two treatments, must be observed when comparing fluorochrome concentrations, as mark quality decreased at higher ratios of 1:5 and 1:2. An average mortality rate of 35% in the most successful treatments was considered tolerable for a mass‐marking programme being used under commercial hatchery conditions. This method for marking otoliths of whitefish embryos with ARS during egg incubation is recommended for all cases where marking of larvae is not possible.     

伊犁裂腹鱼不同年龄鉴定材料的年轮特征比较

对伊犁河雅玛渡河段2010年1～4月采集的39尾伊犁裂腹鱼[Schizothorax (Racoma) pseudaksaiensis (Herzenstein)]样本进行了体表鳞片、臀鳞、脊椎骨、耳石和背鳍条共5种年龄鉴定材料的年轮特征研究。结果表明,体表鳞片没有明显的年轮特征,不能作为年龄鉴定材料,其他4种材料可作为伊犁裂腹鱼的年龄鉴定材料。样本为2+龄时,4种年龄材料鉴定结果的吻合率为100%;3+和4+龄鉴定结果吻合率较高,分别是87.3%和85.4%;5+～8+龄个体吻合率较低,为63.9%。伊犁裂腹鱼3+龄以上个体进行年龄鉴定时不能仅用1种鉴定材料,而应以耳石为主,其他年龄材料为辅。     

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing,northern populations of shoal bass

In the upper Chattahoochee River basin, where some populations of shoal bass, Micropterus cataractae Williams & Burgess, are imperilled, age and growth data are lacking. Age and growth of shoal bass in this basin were assessed with non‐lethal means using scales and mark–recapture. Mark–recapture data allowed for estimation of accuracy and determination of effects of any scale‐based inaccuracies on growth models. Scale‐based age estimates were accurate for 57% of the samples, and errors of 1 to 3 years included equal numbers of over‐ and underestimates of age. von Bertalanffy growth models based on scale ages were similar to those based on mark–recapture ages for ages 3–8 but noticeably divergent for younger and older fish. Scales provided estimates of longevity up to 12 years of age, and growth models produced from mark–recapture suggest scale ages underestimated age, especially for older fish. These populations of shoal bass live longer and grow slower than other populations, suggesting regional management strategies may be needed.     

Evidence for systemic age underestimation in shark and ray ageing studies

Numerous studies have now demonstrated that the most common method of ageing sharks and rays, counting growth zones on calcified structures, can underestimate true age. I reviewed bomb carbon dating (n = 15) and fluorochrome chemical marking (n = 44) age validation studies to investigate the frequency and magnitude of this phenomenon. Age was likely to have been underestimated in nine of 29 genera and 30% of the 53 populations studied, including 50% of those validated using bomb carbon dating. Length and age were strongly significant predictors of occurrence, with age typically underestimated in larger and older individuals. These characteristics suggest age underestimation is likely a systemic issue associated with the current methods and structures used for ageing. Where detected using bomb carbon dating, growth zones were reliable up to 88% of asymptotic length (L_∞) and 41% of maximum age (A_Max). The maximum magnitude of age underestimation, Δ_Max, ranged from five to 34 years, averaging 18 years across species. Current perceptions of shark and ray life histories are informed to a large extent by growth studies that assume calcified ageing structures are valid throughout life. The widespread age underestimation documented here shows this assumption is frequently violated, with potentially important consequences for conservation and management. In addition to leading to an underestimation of longevity, the apparent loss of population age‐structure associated with it may unexpectedly bias growth and mortality parameters. Awareness of these biases is essential given shark and ray population assessments often rely exclusively on life history parameters derived from ageing studies.     

Precision of age estimates derived from scales and pectoral fin rays of blue sucker

Abstract Evaluating the response of fish populations to environmental influences requires precise age estimation. Pectoral fin rays and scales were compared to determine which is more precise for estimating age of blue sucker, Cycleptus elongatus (Lesueur), from the Missouri River, USA. Mean coefficient of variation was significantly lower for fin rays both among three novice readers (rays 19.9%; scales 23.1%) and among three reads by a single experienced reader (rays 11.8%; scales 18.6%). Additionally, exact per cent agreement (rays 20.0%; scales 14.3%) and within‐1‐year per cent agreement (rays 89.1%; scales 73.9%) were higher for fin rays compared with scales for multiple reads by the same experienced reader. Age–bias plots revealed that scale ages were lower than fin‐ray ages >7. The use of fin rays is recommended for estimating ages of blue sucker until validation procedures are conducted.     

Age and growth during immature stages of the mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus in waters around Ishigaki Island, southern Japan

Age and growth during immature stages of the mangrove red snapper Lutjanus argentimaculatus were examined using 129 sectioned otoliths of fish collected in rivers and coastal areas around Ishigaki Island. Monthly changes in the marginal growth index indicated that ring marks (inner edge of opaque zone) are formed once a year around May. Estimated ages of the sampled fish ranged from 0.2 to 4.5 years. The proportion of mangrove red snappers collected in each sampling set in the rivers was associated with age, namely, the older the fish, the smaller the proportion. This result suggests that the mangrove red snapper gradually moves from the river habitat to coastal areas with increasing age between 1 and 3 years. The relationship between standard length (Y; cm) and age (X; year) was expressed by the linear regression Y = 6.30X + 5.41. Both the somatic and otolith growth of age-one and age-two fish collected in coastal areas were faster than those of fish collected in rivers, suggesting that individuals with fast growth leave the rivers earlier than those with slow growth. Whereas the basic growth pattern obtained in this study is similar to that of the mangrove red snapper in waters around Great Barrier Reef, Australia, there is a clear difference in length of time spent in rivers between the two populations, probably associated with the difference in the scale of the rivers used as nursery grounds.     

Planktivory and diet-overlap of densely rakered whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) in a subarctic lake

Abstract –  Three sympatric whitefish ( Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) forms, one being pelagic and two benthic, segregate available habitat and food resources in subarctic Lake Muddusjärvi, northern Finland. Zooplankton availability in the lake, food composition, diet-overlap and growth of densely rakered (DR) whitefish were examined during June to September to explore the reasons for the small individual size of the pelagic form. DR whitefish used zooplankton as main food item and prey selection followed zooplankton species density proportions in the lake. Zooplankton density and water temperature was highest in July–August. The average lengths of Bosmina spp., Daphnia spp., Calanoida and Cyclopoida in DR whitefish stomach were higher than in zooplankton sample during June–September, except Calanoida in June. Diet-overlap between DR whitefish age groups was high at all months indicating intercohort resource competition. DR whitefish reached sexual maturity at 3 years of age and at the length of 12 cm, after which somatic growth almost ceased. Reason for the small average size and slow growth of DR whitefish were connected to high diet-overlap between age groups and early sexual maturation.