Open AccessEye lens Δ14C validates otolith-derived age estimates of Gulf of Mexico reef fishes
Author(s) -
William F. Patterson,
Beverly K. Barnett,
Thomas C. TinHan,
Susan K. LowerreBarbieri
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
canadian journal of fisheries and aquatic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1205-7533
pISSN - 0706-652X
DOI - 10.1139/cjfas-2020-0237
Subject(s) - otolith , eye lens , lens (geology) , fish <actinopterygii> , radiocarbon dating , reef , fishery , coral reef fish , biology , geology , paleontology
We tested whether Δ 14 C values of eye lens protein (crystallin) formed in early life could be utilized to validate marine bony fish age estimates via the bomb radiocarbon chronometer. The slope of the relationship between red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 8; 0 to 27 years old), otolith and eye lens core Δ 14 C values was not significantly different than 1, which was also true for seven additional reef fish species (n = 21; 0 to 24 years old). Results demonstrate eye lens core Δ 14 C can be utilized to validate age estimates of marine fishes, which will be useful in numerous age validation applications.