Work

Spatial variation in otolith elemental chemistry of Stegastes arcifrons (Pomacentridae) reflects environmental patchiness at the Galápagos archipelago

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In marine ecosystems, environmental conditions shape important ecological processes. The equatorial Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) is known for great spatial variation in the upwelling of cold nutrient-rich waters and the input of warm Panamanian waters. Differences in oceanography influence the structure of benthic communities. There is, however, a paucity of knowledge on the spatial scales of exposure to cool and warmer waters. Here we analysed the elemental chemistry of otoliths in the territorial yellow-tail damselfish (Stegastes arcifrons) to identify patterns of elemental signals across a gradient from warm to upwelled waters. Contrasting patterns of elemental ratios (Ba/Ca, Mg/Ca, Mn/Ca and Sr/Ca) were found in whole otoliths of adult fish at spatial scales of kilometres to 10 s of kilometres; there was also high variation among fish within some sites. A positive correlation was detected between temperature and Sr/Ca ratios. We conclude that variation in environmental conditions influenced fish elemental incorporation into otoliths, highlighting the oceanographic heterogeneity of shallow rocky reef environments in the Galápagos.

Source: Journal of Fish Biology

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.70120

Authors: Juan Manuel Alava‐Jurado, Margarita Brandt, Michael J. Kingsford

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Galapagos Science Center, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, James Cook University

Language: English

Topic: Marine and fisheries research

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,480