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Rare earth tagging methods for the study of larval dispersal by marine invertebrates
Author(s) -
Levin Lisa A.,
Huggett Douglas,
Myers Philip,
Bridges Todd,
Weaver Jack
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1993.38.2.0346
Subject(s) - larva , invertebrate , biological dispersal , seawater , marine invertebrates , plankton , biology , environmental science , environmental chemistry , ecology , chemistry , population , demography , sociology
Rare‐earth elements (REEs) are proposed as a label for invertebrate larvae (clams, barnacles, and polychaetes) and passive larval mimics (polystyrene spheres) to be used in field studies of larval dispersal. Different elements, their uptake levels, retention times, and effects on larval survivorship were examined to assess suitability of REEs as larval tags. Lu, Sm, and Eu were selected for labeling work based on extremely low levels in natural plankton and seawater and due to the high sensitivity of neutron activation analysis to these elements. Adequate label retention occurs on time scales of hours to days in both larvae and microspheres. Combined use of Eu‐labeled microspheres and Lu‐ and Sm‐labeled larvae in release‐recapture mode offers a highly sensitive method for studying trajectories and behavior of larvae in natural settings. However, dilution factors may limit experimentation to small and intermediate spatial scales (meters to kilometers) in the field.