10.5061/DRYAD.QK835
Sturrock, Anna M.
University of Southampton
University of California, Berkeley
Hunter, Ewan
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Milton, J. Andrew
University of Southampton
Facility, Edinburgh Ion Microprobe
University of Southampton
Johnson, Rachel C.
Southwest Fisheries Science Center
Waring, Colin P.
University of Portsmouth
Trueman, Clive N.
University of Southampton
Data from: Quantifying physiological influences on otolith microchemistry
Dryad
dataset
2016
vital effect
2009-2010
Pleuronectes platessa L.
Biochemistry
reproductive cycle
trace metal
2016-03-23T00:00:00Z
2016-03-23T00:00:00Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12381
183360 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
1. Trace element concentrations in fish earstones (“otoliths”) are widely
used to discriminate spatially discrete populations or individuals of
marine fish, based on a commonly held assumption that physiological
influences on otolith composition are minor, and thus variations in
otolith elemental chemistry primarily reflect changes in ambient water
chemistry. 2. We carried out a long-term (1-yr) experiment, serially
sampling seawater, blood plasma and otoliths of mature and immature
European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) to test relationships between
otolith chemistry and environmental or physiological variables. 3.
Seasonal variations in otolith elemental composition did not track
seawater concentrations, but instead reflected physiological controls on
metal transport and biokinetics, which are likely moderated by ambient
temperature. The influence of physiological factors on otolith composition
was particularly evident in Sr/Ca ratios, the most widely used elemental
marker in applied otolith microchemistry studies. Reproduction also
triggered specific variations in otolith and blood plasma metal chemistry,
especially Zn/Ca ratios in female fish, which could potentially serve as
retrospective spawning indicators. 4. The influence of physiology on the
trace metal composition of otoliths may explain the success of
microchemical stock discrimination in relatively chemically homogenous
marine environments, but could complicate alternative uses for trace
element compositions in biominerals of higher organisms.
Time series elemental and physiological data for experimental plaice
serially sampled for 7-12 monthsPlaice were serially sampled for 7-12
months under ambient but monitored conditions. Each fish was sampled
approximately monthly. Measurements in the attached data file include
physiological variables (e.g. plasma protein concentrations, age, weight,
length, female gonadosomatic index), otolith growth rates and opacity, and
blood plasma and otolith elemental concentrations. Environmental data
(salinity, temperature and seawater elemental concentrations) are also
displayed. Note that elemental concentrations and element/calcium ratios
are denoted as X.El and X.El.Ca for concentrations of element (‘El’) in
medium ‘X’, where ‘X’ is either seawater (SW), blood plasma (B) or otolith
(O).OTODATA_for_Dryad.xlsx
UK
English Channel
Irish Sea
North Sea