Thesis
Maternal and incubation water contributions to strontium isotope rations in Salmon otoliths
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100938
Abstract
Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) in otoliths have been successfully used to determine natal origins in several species of salmonids. However, the range of species that benefit from this application of otolith geochemistry has been limited by early life history characteristics. The core of the otolith is often referred to as the “maternal zone” because the chemical record in that zone is influenced by the maternal environment(s) during oogenesis. Because of this influence, this zone is typically overlooked when determining natal origins of migratory fish. However, for species such as Kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and other fish species that leave their natal stream at emergence, the maternal zone may include the only chemical record of the spawning and incubation environment. The purpose of this study was to quantify the 87Sr/86Sr contribution from yolk (as the dietary source) and incubation water to the maternal zone of Kokanee otoliths, and the degree to which these contributions vary through embryonic development. The results of this study showed that the 87Sr/86Sr in the core of the otolith is representative of the 87Sr/86Sr signature within the egg, and that at near complete yolk absorption, there is a significant contribution from the yolk to the 87Sr/86Sr signature in the otolith (28-43%). The results from this study suggest that the 87Sr/86Sr in the maternal zone of the otolith and an isotope mixing model could be used to estimate a range of possible incubation water 87Sr/86Sr. A better understanding of the influences to the maternal zone of the otolith could potentially expand the range of species that would benefit from geochemical analysis of otoliths for determining natal origins.
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Details
- Title
- Maternal and incubation water contributions to strontium isotope rations in Salmon otoliths
- Creators
- Jill Marie Janak
- Contributors
- Allan S. Felsot (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525154401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis