Otolith elemental composition reveals separate spawning areas of anchoveta, Engraulis ringens, off central Chile and northern Patagonia
Date
2019-12Author
Cuevas, María José
Górski, Konrad
Castro, Leonardo R.
Vivancos, Aurélien
Reid, Malcolm
Publisher
Scientia MarinaDescription
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) is widely distributed throughout the Humboldt Current (4°30′-44°S). In recent
years, its eggs and larvae have also been found inside fjords and channels of northern Patagonia, close to the southern limit of
the central-south Chilean fishery zone. Currently, it is unclear whether these southern individuals constitute an independent
subpopulation. This study analysed the elemental composition of otoliths from 102 specimens from central Chile and northern Patagonia using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the elemental
composition of the otolith cores (Mg, Pb, Zn, Ba) differed significantly between sites, revealing the existence of two discrete
spawning zones, one in central Chile and one in northern Patagonia. However, the low significant differences of elemental
signatures of otolith edges suggest that either individuals from both areas move between spawning areas and mix at certain
periods of the year, or they represent pocket units that form part of a larger stock that moves along the coast.