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Evaluation of a stable‐isotope labelling technique for mass marking fin rays of age‐0 lake sturgeon
Author(s) -
SMITH K. T.,
WHITLEDGE G. W.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2400.2010.00771.x
Subject(s) - fish fin , labelling , fish <actinopterygii> , juvenile , lake sturgeon , sturgeon , acipenser , fin , fishery , biology , strontium , stable isotope ratio , isotope , zoology , chemistry , ecology , physics , materials science , biochemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
The effectiveness of marking age‐0 lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, pectoral fin rays with a stable strontium isotope was evaluated. Age‐0 lake sturgeon were reared in water spiked with 0 (control), 25, 50 or 100 μg L −1 86 SrC0 3 for 10 and 24 days; fish from each treatment group were retained for up to 120 days post‐labelling to assess mark retention. Enriched‐isotope marks imparted to fin rays were distinct from fin ray 88 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios of control fish immediately following marking, with the 100 μg L −1 86 SrCO 3 treatments consistently yielding the highest rate of marking success (83–92%). Lower marking success (25–69%) was observed with the 25 and 50 μg L −1 86 SrCO 3 treatments. Isotopic marks in fin rays were retained for 120 days post‐labelling. Immersion marking of juvenile fish pectoral fin rays with distinct strontium isotope ratios is possible and does not require sacrificing fish to check for marks.