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Movement patterns of fish revealed by otolith microchemistry: a comparison of putative migratory and resident species

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Abstract

We examined movement patterns in two wide ranging species of freshwater fish, a putative resident species the slimy sculpin, Cottus cognatus, and a migratory species the Arctic grayling, Thymallus arcticus. We attempted to trace the extent and patterns of movement over the life history of individual fish using elemental signatures deposited in otoliths of fish that reflect distinctive freshwater chemistries. Patterns of movement were highly variable within both species of fish among the rivers examined. Patterns included movement among major river systems, use of smaller tributaries within a river, but also some individuals exhibited limited movement. Although the diversity of water chemistry signatures varied among watersheds, this was not reflected in a difference between the two species. There was a tendency for less variability in elemental signatures during the older life stages of the fish, particularly for sculpin. The life history information gained in this study demonstrates that both species make extensive movements within a watershed during their life history. Our otolith microchemistry analysis suggests excellent dispersal abilities, and reveals that, despite being referred to as migratory and resident, putative movements by many individuals from both species were extensive.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dawn Cowie and Brian Blackman for sampling grayling and water from the Ingenika River. Richard Lazenby provided access to polishing tools, David Dick conducted water analyses, and Jody Spence assisted with LA-ICP-MS and CL microscopy. We also appreciate the recommendations and advice of the Peace / Williston Fish and Wildlife Technical Committee and three anonymous reviewers. This project was funded by the Peace / Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program to JMS and ADC and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant to JMS. The Animal Care and Use Committee of the University of Northern British Columbia in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care approved all capture and sampling procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Freshwater Fisheries Society of British Columbia, Victoria, BC, V9A 7S2, Canada

    Adrian D. Clarke

  2. School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8P 5C2, Canada

    Kevin H. Telmer

  3. Ecosystem Science & Management (Biology) Program, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    J. Mark Shrimpton

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  1. Adrian D. Clarke
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  2. Kevin H. Telmer
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  3. J. Mark Shrimpton
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Correspondence to J. Mark Shrimpton.

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Clarke, A.D., Telmer, K.H. & Shrimpton, J.M. Movement patterns of fish revealed by otolith microchemistry: a comparison of putative migratory and resident species. Environ Biol Fish 98, 1583–1597 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-015-0384-6

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