Movement, connectivity and population structure of the intertidal fish Lipophrys pholis as revealed by otolith oxygen and carbon stable isotopes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

Carvalho, MG (Author) Other; Moreira, C (Author) Other; Cardoso, JFMF (Author) Other; Brummer, GJA (Author) Other; van Gaever, P (Author) Other; van der Veer, HW (Author) Other; Queiroga, H (Author) Other; Paulo Santos (Author) FCUP; Correia, AT (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Marine Biology Research

Vol. 13

Pages: 764-773

ISSN: 1745-1000

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-36T

DOI: 10.1080/17451000.2017.1306079

Abstract (EN): The shanny Lipophrys pholis is an intertidal fish commonly found in Portuguese coastal waters. Spawning takes place from early autumn to mid spring, after which demersal eggs hatch and larvae disperse along the coast. Two to three months later, young juveniles return to the tide pools to settle. However, information on fish movement, habitat connectivity and population structure is scarce for this species. One hundred and twenty early juveniles (16-35 mm) were collected in April 2014 from six rocky beaches along the western and south Portuguese coasts (Agudela, Cabo do Mundo, Boa Nova, Peniche, Sines and Olhos de Agua). delta C-13 and delta C-13 were determined by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Data were analysed to determine whether isotopic signatures could be used to assess the degree of separation between individuals collected from different locations. Mean delta C-13 and delta C-13 values ranged from -0.02% to 1.14% and -7.77% to -6.62%, respectively. Both seawater temperature and salinity caused differences in otolith delta C-13 among the four main sampling areas. The variation among areas in delta C-13 was most likely related to slight differences in the diet, growth and metabolism of fish. The distinct isotopic signatures, at least for the northern and central areas, suggested low levels of connectivity across large spatial scales during the juvenile stage. Furthermore, similar isotopic signatures within the same area indicated some degree of larval oceanic retention at short spatial scales. This study suggests that stable isotope records in otoliths could provide information about the home residency, movements and habitat connectivity of intertidal fishes.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10