Abstract – Serious impacts by nonindigenous species often occur via predation. The magnitude of impact is expected to be closely tied the invading niche breadth. For predatory impacts, diet breadth should particularly important. We examined relationship between a foraging behaviour and its invasiveness comparing feeding four Gambusia species, two invasive high noninvasive. Individual rates, preferences, breadths were tested across three prey items in sequence laboratory trials. Invasive...

Growth characteristics are poorly understood for speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi), a tropical deep-water grouper of economic importance that is considered overfished. Age has been validated early growth, but the validity adult age estimates unknown. A few studies growth zones in otoliths have revealed maximum 15–35 years, which uncritically assumed as longevity. To answer questions about age, bomb radiocarbon dating was used to provide estimates. novel aspect this study use postbomb...

Over the past 40 years, northwestern Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) have experienced high rates of exploitation, targeted fishing on largest size classes population, and an unknown degree Mediterranean-stock contribution. Lack recovery despite rebuilding efforts by management prompted evaluation population for changes in age-structure, size-at-age, stock mixing over three samples (1974–8, 1996–2002, 2009–14) coinciding with a cycle exploitation that initially smaller fish, but then...

Our novel approach for fish age prediction uses quantitative analysis of Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectra otoliths by means multimodal convolutional neural networks (MMCNN). We integrate two key data modalities that are related to ages: the entire range wavenumbers FT-NIR and corresponding biological geospatial nearly 9000 walleye pollock ( Gadus chalcogrammus) specimens. The proposed model extracts informative spectral features automatically elucidates hidden structural...

Abstract Recent application of Fourier transform near infra-red spectroscopy (FT-NIRS) to predict age in fish otoliths has gained attention among fisheries managers as a potential alternative costly production ageing managed species. We assessed the prediction capability FT-NIRS scans whole from red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus, collected US Gulf Mexico and Atlantic Ocean (South Atlantic). Otoliths were scanned with an FT-NIR spectrometer resulting spectral signatures regressed...

Cutting-edge DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging techniques were applied to Gulf of Mexico northern red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 10; 1–26 years old) and grouper (Epinephelus morio; 2–14 old). Bisulfite-converted restriction site-associated sequencing was used identify CpG sites (cytosines followed by guanines) that exhibit age-correlated methylation, species-specific clocks developed from hundreds in each species showed strong agreement between predicted otolith-derived age (r 2...

Abstract Radiocarbon (Δ14C) was analyzed in northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) otolith cores (n = 23), edge samples 12), and whole age-0 otoliths 9), with constituting known-age samples. There no significant difference the linear relationship Δ14C versus year formation between regional corals samples, a regression fit to combined data from 1980 2015 extends utility bomb radiocarbon chronometer for age validation. The entire coral set (1940 2015) then utilized...

Warsaw grouper, Hyporthodus nigritus, is a western Atlantic Ocean species typically found at depths between 55 and 525 m. It listed as of concern by the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service near threatened International Union for Conservation Nature. However, little information exists on species' life history in northern Gulf Mexico (nGOM) its stock status that region currently unknown. Age nGOM grouper was investigated via opaque zone counts otolith thin sections (max age = 61 y), then...

The goal of this paper was to review the evidence population-level impacts Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (DWH) on Gulf Mexico (GOM) continental shelf taxa, as well resiliency following DWH. There is considerable environmental and biological that GOM taxa were exposed suffered direct indirect Numerous assessments, from mesocosm studies analysis biopsied tissue or samples necropsied animals, revealed a constellation physiological effects related DWH biota, some which clearly likely resulted in...

Abstract Age‐0 red snapper Lutjanus campechanus from the 2005–2007 year‐classes were sampled in six regions across Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) to develop nursery signatures otolith element: Ca ratios (Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Sr:Ca, and Li:Ca) stable isotope delta values (δ 13 C δ 18 O). Element: analyzed with sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on dissolved right sagittae; ratio was employed analyze pulverized left otoliths for O. Otolith chemical significantly different among...

Abstract Objective This paper highlights the complexity of marine fish spawner–recruit systems and how they vary across species ecosystems while providing a universal terminology framework to evaluate reproduction. We emphasize gonadal development important assess maturity, fecundity, where when spawn, transition sex assignment in protogynous species. Methods review compare reproductive traits warmwater coldwater fishes. Reproductive phases for both sexes are defined histological micrographs...

Cryptic speciation was recently verified in Etelis carbunculus, an important component of federally managed bottomfish fisheries the Pacific Territories United States. As a result, archived otolith collections used for fishery assessment are now contaminated with newly described E. boweni areas where these species co-occur. We compared efficacy morphometrics and Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy to discriminate first using voucher (i.e., known species) otoliths (n = 93)...

We tested whether Δ 14 C values of eye lens protein (crystallin) formed in early life could be utilized to validate marine bony fish age estimates via the bomb radiocarbon chronometer. The slope relationship between red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 8; 0 27 years old), otolith and core was not significantly different than 1, which also true for seven additional reef species (n 21; 24 old). Results demonstrate can fishes, will useful numerous validation applications.

Applications of Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy in fisheries science are currently limited. This current analysis otolith spectral data demonstrate the potential applicability FT-NIR to chemistry and spatial variability science. The objective this study was examine use NIR as a tool differentiate among marine fishes four large ecosystems. We examined otoliths from 13 different species, with three these species coming regions. Principal component described main...

Abstract We present the first comprehensive description of age, growth, and reproductive life history traits scamps Mycteroperca phenax from northern Gulf Mexico. Scamps were collected commercial recreational vessels along Mexico in 1972–2002. Scamp age was determined using thin transverse sections sagittal otoliths; growth increments difficult to interpret, estimated for only 85% 5,383 otolith we examined. sampled fisheries ranged 109 890 mm fork length (FL) 1 31 years age. fitted annual...

Abstract Many members of the scorpaenid subfamily: Sebastinae (rockfishes and their relatives) exhibit slow growth extreme longevity (> 100 y), thus are estimated to be vulnerable overfishing. Blackbelly rosefish ( Helicolenus dactylopterus ) is a deepwater sebastine whose estimates range widely, possibly owing different regional levels fisheries exploitation across its Atlantic Ocean range. However, age estimation has not been validated for this species ageing sebastines in general...

Otolith chemical signatures were used to estimate the number of likely nursery sources that contributed recruits a suite red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) year-classes sampled in 2012 US Atlantic Ocean waters from southern Florida (28°N) North Carolina (34°N). Otoliths subadult and adult fish (n=139; ages 2–5 years) cored their constituents analysed for δ13C, δ18O, as well elemental ratios Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca Sr:Ca. Results multiple linear regression analyses indicated there was significant...

FisheriesVolume 40, Issue 9 p. 440-440 Conference Review 5th International Otolith Symposium Richard McBride, McBride [email protected] NOAA Fisheries' Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA, 02543Search for more papers by this authorJoseph O'Malley, Joseph O'Malley Pacific Islands Honolulu, HISearch authorTrika Gerard, Trika Gerard Southeast Miami, FLSearch authorBeverly Barnett, Beverly Barnett Panama City, author First published: 11 September 2015...

ABSTRACT The otoliths (ear stones) of fishes are commonly used to describe the age and growth marine freshwater fishes. These non-skeletal structures fortuitous in their utility by being composed mostly inorganic carbonate that is inert through life fish. This conserved record functions like an environmental chronometer bomb-produced radiocarbon ( 14 C)—a C signal created atmospheric testing thermonuclear devices—can be as a time-specific marker validating fish age. However, complications...

Abstract Otolith chemical signatures of Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus from six nursery regions were used to estimate the sources recruits four sampling in western Gulf Mexico (Gulf) and whether postsettlement mixing occurs between U.S. Mexican portions Gulf. In a previous study, region‐specific otolith (element : Ca ratios: Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca, Mn:Ca, Sr:Ca, Li:Ca; stable isotope delta values: δ 13 C 18 O) developed based on age‐0 (2005–2007 year‐classes) sampled areas. present subadult adult...