Identification of individuals born in different spawning seasons using otolith microstructure to reveal life history of Neosalanx taihuensis

Abstract

Otolith microstructure was used to distinguish specimens of Neosalanx taihuensis born in spring and autumn. Increment width during the early life stage was significantly narrower for spring-born than autumn-born juveniles, and the frequency distributions of the width of the first 5 increments were distinctive and diagnostic. Otolith growth trajectories and frequency distribution of the first 5 increments of spring-spawning adults displayed similar patterns to spring-born juveniles. Otolith growth trajectories of autumn-spawning adults were intermediate between those of spring-and autumn-born juveniles, and the frequency distribution of the width of the first 5 increments showed two modes, one similar to spring-born juveniles and the other similar to autumn-born juveniles. Populations of N. taihuensis have previously been shown to be dominated by spring-spawning fish. Thus, the putative life history of N. taihuensis can be summarized as: (1) a small part of the spring-born fish mature and spawn in autumn of the year of their birth, (2) the majority of the spring-born cohort matures and spawns in spring of the next year, and (3) offspring of the autumn-born fish mature and spawn in autumn of the following year. This stockstructure information should be considered in fisheries management for this species.

Short‐lived fishes: Annual and multivoltine strategies

“…Several ray‐finned fish orders may contain many species with maximum lifespans shorter than a year in the wild, but there is a paucity of reports given their limited access, low economic value and lower attractivity for applied and fundamental research. One noteworthy group is Asian Osmeriformes (especially families Plecoglossidae and Salangidae) – small fish species with amphidromous and land‐locked populations (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011). These species are semelparous and adults die soon after spawning (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011).…”

“…One noteworthy group is Asian Osmeriformes (especially families Plecoglossidae and Salangidae) – small fish species with amphidromous and land‐locked populations (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011). These species are semelparous and adults die soon after spawning (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011). Spawning is observed twice per year, because they comprise both autumn‐spawning and spring‐spawning populations (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011).…”

“…These species are semelparous and adults die soon after spawning (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011). Spawning is observed twice per year, because they comprise both autumn‐spawning and spring‐spawning populations (Iguchi, 1996; Wu et al., 2011). Most salangids appear to have maximum lifespans shorter than a year (Shouzeng & Dagang, 1994).…”

Growth and Microstructural Features in Otoliths of Larval and Juvenile Sinogastromyzon wui (F. Balitoridae, River Loaches) of the Upper Pearl River, China

“…Hence, the otolith microstructure is often used to examine early life events such as hatching, first-feeding, and habitat alteration [17,18]. In addition, the central nuclear characteristics can be used to distinguish between varying fish populations [19], while the width of the otolith increments can be used to analyze the growth stage of fish in early life history [20].…”

Otolith micro structure analysis of rainbow trout alevins (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under rearing conditions

“…Otolith microstructure analysis has allowed great progress in studies on growth dynamics in the early stages of teleost fishes in the last two decades (Cowen, 1991;Fowler & Short, 1996;Shafer, 2000;Hindell & Jenkins, 2004;John et al, 2010;Wu et al, 2011). In addition to age and growth, otoliths can record events of the early life histories, such as hatching, yolk sac absorption, first feeding (Neilson & Geen, 1985;Mugiya & Oka, 1991;Carreño, 2010), ontogenetic transitions from pelagic to benthic environment, among others (Victor, 1982;Sponaugle & Cowen, 1994;Hindell & Jenkins, 2004;Kohn & Clements, 2010).…”