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Using otolith chemical and structural analysis to investigate reservoir habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Author(s) -
Bourret S. L.,
Kennedy B. P.,
Caudill C. C.,
Chittaro P. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.12505
Subject(s) - otolith , chinook wind , oncorhynchus , microchemistry , juvenile , tributary , habitat , fishery , hatchery , biology , fish measurement , fish migration , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , chemistry , cartography , chromatography
Isotopic composition of 87 Sr : 86 Sr and natural elemental tracers (Sr, Ba, Mg, Mn and Ca) were quantified from otoliths in juvenile and adult Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha to assess the ability of otolith microchemistry and microstructure to reconstruct juvenile O. tshawytscha rearing habitat and growth. Daily increments were measured to assess relative growth between natal rearing habitats. Otolith microchemistry was able to resolve juvenile habitat use between reservoir and natal tributary rearing habitats (within headwater basins), but not among catchments. Results suggest that 90% ( n = 18) of sampled non‐hatchery adults returning to the Middle Fork Willamette River were reared in a reservoir and 10% ( n = 2) in natal tributary habitat upstream from the reservoir. Juveniles collected in reservoirs had higher growth rates than juveniles reared in natal streams. The results demonstrate the utility of otolith microchemistry and microstructure to distinguish among rearing habitats, including habitats in highly altered systems.