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Validation of annual periodicity in otoliths of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus

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Abstract

The periodicity of otolith growth increments (opaque and translucent zones) from adult red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) was examined through a mark and recapture study (2005–2010), and laboratory holding of hatchery reared red snapper over a 2 year period (2002–2004). Wild red snapper (n = 295) were caught hook-and-line, marked with anchor tags, injected with oxytetracycline dihydrate (OTC), and released in the Gulf of Mexico 15–40 km south of Dauphin Island, Alabama. Marked fish were recaptured up to 2.8 years after release (n = 35) and sagittal otoliths were dissected, sectioned and examined under white and blue-violet light. The number of opaque growth zones past the OTC mark was compared to time at liberty for each fish and supported an annual periodicity of growth increment formation. Also, most (87%) of the hatchery reared fish showed two opaque zones that supported an annual increment formation rate. However, an unusual timing of opaque zone formation was shown for mark-recaptured fish. Based on known timing of OTC marking, otoliths from mark-recapture fish showed opaque zone formation from late summer (August) to early winter (December). This fall formation of opaque zones is in contrast to previous studies and its timing may relate to the end of spawning for this species.

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Acknowledgments

We thank A Chapin, J Conti, D Miller, C Simmons and D Topping for help with laboratory and field collections. A special thanks to all the private fishers that returned tagged red snapper. This project was funded by Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This is a contribution of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University. All work was carried out under Auburn University Animal Care and Use Committee approval, under Protocol 2006–0959.

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  1. Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, 8300 State Hwy 104, Fairhope, AL, 36532, USA

    Stephen T. Szedlmayer & Sabrina G. Beyer

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  1. Stephen T. Szedlmayer
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  2. Sabrina G. Beyer
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Correspondence to Stephen T. Szedlmayer.

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Szedlmayer, S.T., Beyer, S.G. Validation of annual periodicity in otoliths of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus . Environ Biol Fish 91, 219–230 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9774-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9774-6

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