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Spatial and temporal trends in stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of juvenile winter flounder otoliths

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Abstract

Isotopic ratios of fish otoliths have been used in numerous studies as natural tags or markers to aid in the study of connectivity among fish populations. We investigated the use of spatial and temporal changes in the stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of otoliths to differentiate juvenile habitats of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). Young-of-the-year (YOY) juvenile winter flounder were collected annually over a three-year period from 18 stations along the coast of Rhode Island, USA. Sagittal otoliths were removed from fish and analyzed for stable carbon (13C/12C or δ13C) and oxygen (18O/16O or δ18O) isotope ratios using continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Differences in isotope ratios were observed among stations and along salinity gradients in the Narragansett Bay estuary and an estuarine river system (Narrow River). Overall, the isotope ratio patterns observed among stations were consistent over the three sampling years; however, differences were noted in isotope ratios and the magnitude of the isotope ratio gradients among years. Significant positive correlations were noted between salinity and δ13C for two of the three years. For each of the three years sampled there was a highly significant positive correlation (2002, r = 0.93, P < 0.01; 2003, r = 0.85, P < 0.01; 2004, r = 0.97, P < 0.01) between δ18O and the salinity of the collection site. Also, there was a significant negative correlation between the number of months of above average river flow and δ18O for the three sampling years (r = 0.99, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that yearly changes in the volume of freshwater inputs to these estuarine habitats may be related to the differences observed in otolith δ18O isotope ratios. Because of these year-to-year differences, sampling of each cohort may be necessary in order to use this isotopic technique for winter flounder connectivity studies.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Jennifer Yordy for assistance with the field collection of juvenile winter flounder, James Heltshe for the statistical analyses and Patricia DeCastro and Doug McGovern for help with the graphics. Sample collections were conducted under permit from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The research for this article was supported by the US EPA, but has not been subject to agency review, and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. No official endorsement should be inferred. This is contribution number AED-10-004 of the Atlantic Ecology Division of the National Health and Ecological Effects Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

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  1. Atlantic Ecology Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Narragansett, RI, 02882, USA

    Richard J. Pruell & Bryan K. Taplin

  2. Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, USA

    Jonathan D. Karr

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  1. Richard J. Pruell
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Correspondence to Richard J. Pruell.

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Pruell, R.J., Taplin, B.K. & Karr, J.D. Spatial and temporal trends in stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of juvenile winter flounder otoliths. Environ Biol Fish 93, 61–71 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9890-3

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