Estuarine migration of sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus explored by means of otolith [SR/CA]
Guelinckx, J.; Maes, J.; de Pontual, H.; Bohn, M.; Ogor, A.; Volckaert, F.A.M.J. (2008). Estuarine migration of sand goby Pomatoschistus minutus explored by means of otolith [SR/CA], in: Guelinckx, J. Estuarine habitat use by a goby species: a geochemical approach = Estuarien habitatgebruik door een grondelsoort: een geochemische benadering. pp. 101-113
In: Guelinckx, J. (2008). Estuarine habitat use by a goby species: a geochemical approach = Estuarien habitatgebruik door een grondelsoort: een geochemische benadering. PhD Thesis. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Laboratorium voor Aquatische Ecologie: Leuven. ISBN 978-90-8649-165-0. 163 pp., meer
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Guelinckx, J., meer
- Maes, J., meer
- de Pontual, H.
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- Bohn, M.
- Ogor, A.
- Volckaert, F.A.M.J., meer
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| Abstract |
Ratios of strontium to calcium laid down as a lifetime record in otoliths are regularly used to reconstruct salinity histories of fishes. In this study, the chronologies of otolith [Sr/Ca] were qualitatively examined to chart movements of sand gobies Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas 1770) in the Scheldt estuary. Variable patterns of estuarine habitat use were detected, suggesting that the migratory behaviour is probably much more diversified than assumed previously. The individuals displayed variable periods of residency in brackish water areas, with different timing of immigration. Additionally, repeated migrations between the lower and the upper estuary were detected. Consequently, it was concluded that sand gobies display a large flexibility in life histories regarding habitat choice. Furthermore, low [Sr/Ca] values near the nucleus implied that the Scheldt estuary also acts as a breeding ground for sand goby. Estuarine spawning has been detected in other estuaries but has not been observed yet in the Scheldt estuary. Finally, an elevation in otolith [Sr/Ca] occurring at a body size of approximately 15 mm is probably related to physiological stress during metamorphosis from a pelagic to a demersal life style. |
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