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Validation of periodicity of growth band formation in Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax) from a captive growth experiment

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Abstract

Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the Northeast Pacific Ocean are aged for stock assessments assuming the formation of two otolith growth bands (one opaque and one translucent) a year, but the periodicity of band formation has not been fully validated. To validate our ageing method, we investigated the periodicity of band deposition and somatic and otolith growth rate across a range of temperatures. Live Pacific Sardine (mostly age 0) were collected, marked with oxytetracycline (OTC), and raised in captivity at different temperatures (13 °C, 15 °C, 17 °C, and 21 °C) for up to one year. There was no clear pattern between temperature and somatic growth rate. Otolith growth rate was slower for Pacific Sardine in captivity at 13 °C than at 17 °C. All individuals that were in captivity for one year (n = 21) deposited 2–3 growth bands distal to the OTC mark. Therefore, Pacific Sardine deposited bands in their otoliths at the rate expected for the formation of annuli across ecologically relevant temperatures (13–21 °C) in captivity. Vateritic otoliths were rare but did display an OTC mark at approximately the same distance from the otolith edge as the aragonitic otolith in the pair. The results of this study build upon previous validation research for Pacific Sardine and support the ageing methodology used for this species by all ageing laboratories in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. Use of Trade Names does not imply endorsement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Patrick Appel for overseeing the collection of live Pacific Sardine and maintaining their culture at the SWFSC Aquarium. We also thank Julianne Taylor, Helena Aryafar, and Jenny McDaniel for their assistance with fish collection and sample processing. We thank Brittany Schwartzkopf for constructive conversations on revisions. We thank the reviewers for their contributions. This study was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Internal Research Program: Habitat Information Use in Stock Assessment.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Internal Research Program: Habitat Information Use in Stock Assessment (Internal Proposal FY2014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries Resources Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Kelsey C. James, Emmanis Dorval & Brad E. Erisman

  2. Lynker Under Contract With Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Leesburg, VA, 20175, USA

    Emmanis Dorval

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  1. Kelsey C. James
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Emmanis Dorval led the study conception, design, and execution. Data collection was performed by Emmanis Dorval and Kelsey C. James. Data analyses were performed by Kelsey C. James and Emmanis Dorval. All authors contributed to the scope of this manuscript. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Kelsey C. James and all authors reviewed and edited previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Kelsey C. James.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

This study was conducted at the SWFSC Aquarium under Fish and Invertebrate Protocol #SW1301 in compliance with state and national guidelines for sampling, care, and experimental use of fish. This protocol is available upon request.

This study was supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Internal Research Program: Habitat Information Use in Stock Assessment. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This study was conducted at the SWFSC Aquarium under Fish and Invertebrate Protocol #SW1301 in compliance with state and national guidelines for sampling, care, and experimental use of fish.

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James, K.C., Dorval, E. & Erisman, B.E. Validation of periodicity of growth band formation in Pacific Sardine (Sardinops sagax) from a captive growth experiment. Mar Biol 171, 105 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-024-04425-2

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