Mass-marking fish larvae via maternal transmission of enriched stable isotopes — ASN Events

Mass-marking fish larvae via maternal transmission of enriched stable isotopes (#64)

Danswell Starrs 1 , Brendan C Ebner 2 , Stephen M Eggins 3 , Christopher Fulton 1
  1. Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
  2. Ecosystem Sciences, and TropWATER, CSIRO/James Cook University, Atherton, QLD, Australia
  3. Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Mass-marking fish larvae can facilitate studies exploring connectivity and dispersal patterns of early life history phase fishes. Maternal injections of enriched stable isotopes can provide a means of mass-marking fish larvae during the embryonic phase, because the enriched stable isotopes become incorporated into the larval otoliths (transgenerational marking). However, this is a recent technique that has seen limited development and application. We explored the efficacy of transgenerational marking in the Purple-spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa) and Eastern rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida), and through a meta-analysis, evaluated the effects of this technique on larval fish morphology and growth across a range of marine and freshwater fishes. Transgenerational marking was highly effective, enabling mass-marking of larvae produced by adult females for up to 6 months post-injection. Multiple unique markers could be produced, with minimal impacts on larvae morphology, survival and growth. Our meta-analysis revealed minimal effects on marked larvae, suggesting that this technique may be applied to explore dispersal and connectivity in aquatic ecosystems1 .

  1. Starrs, D., Davis, J.T., Schlaefer, J., Ebner, B.C., Eggins, S.M., and C.J. Fulton (2014) Maternally transmitted isotopes and their effects on larval fish: a validation of dual isotopic marks within a meta-analysis context. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 71: 387-397 doi: 10.1139/cjfas-2013-0416
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