Otolith (ear stone) chemistry provides powerful insights into the lives of fish. Although frequently used to reconstruct past environments, the influence of physiology remains unsettled. As such, we investigated the relationships between otolith chemistry, physiological factors and environmental factors in an iconic fishery species, snapper (Chrysophrys auratus). Lifetime otolith profiles were analysed of carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes, and elemental concentrations of lithium (Li:Ca), magnesium (Mg:Ca), manganese (Mn:Ca), strontium (Sr:Ca), and barium (Ba:Ca). Mixed-effects modelling alongside a detailed literature review was used to investigate physiological (age, otolith growth rate, fish size, sex) and environmental influences (sea-surface temperature and chlorophyll-a) on otolith chemistry. Carbon isotopes and magnesium related to physiological factors, suggesting their potential as physiological proxies. Physiology also weakly related to strontium and lithium. By contrast, oxygen isotopes, barium, and manganese (except for natal signatures) were suggested to provide insights into past environments. Our study stresses the importance of consistency in biological characteristics for study designs, and highlights the potential of physiological proxies for distinguishing between populations in uniform water bodies. This study has not only reinforced our confidence in field applications of otolith chemistry, but has furthered our understanding of the influence of physiology.

中文翻译：

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确定生理和环境对沿海渔业物种耳石化学的影响

耳石（耳石）化学提供了对鱼类生活的有力见解。虽然经常用于重建过去的环境，但生理学的影响仍然不稳定。因此，我们研究了标志性渔业物种鲷鱼 (Chrysophrys auratus) 的耳石化学、生理因素和环境因素之间的关系。对碳 (δ13C) 和氧 (δ18O) 同位素以及锂 (Li:Ca)、镁 (Mg:Ca)、锰 (Mn:Ca)、锶 (Sr:Ca) 和钡 (Ba:Ca)。混合效应建模与详细的文献综述一起用于研究生理（年龄、耳石生长速度、鱼大小、性别）和环境影响（海面温度和叶绿素 a）对耳石化学的影响。与生理因素相关的碳同位素和镁，表明它们具有作为生理指标的潜力。生理学也与锶和锂的相关性较弱。相比之下，氧同位素、钡和锰（出生特征除外）被建议提供对过去环境的见解。我们的研究强调了研究设计中生物学特征一致性的重要性，并强调了生理指标在区分均匀水体中的种群方面的潜力。这项研究不仅增强了我们对耳石化学现场应用的信心，而且进一步加深了我们对生理学影响的理解。和锰（除了出生特征）被建议提供对过去环境的洞察。我们的研究强调了研究设计中生物学特征一致性的重要性，并强调了生理指标在区分均匀水体中的种群方面的潜力。这项研究不仅增强了我们对耳石化学现场应用的信心，而且进一步加深了我们对生理学影响的理解。和锰（除了出生特征）被建议提供对过去环境的洞察。我们的研究强调了研究设计中生物学特征一致性的重要性，并强调了生理指标在区分均匀水体中的种群方面的潜力。这项研究不仅增强了我们对耳石化学现场应用的信心，而且进一步加深了我们对生理学影响的理解。