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Combining otolith elemental signatures with multivariate analytical models to verify the migratory pattern of Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) in the southern Yellow Sea

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Abstract

Japanese Spanish mackerel, Scomberomorus niphonius, is a commercially important, highly migratory species that is widely distributed throughout the northwestern Pacific region. However, its life history and migratory patterns are only partially understood. This study used otolith chemistry to investigate the migratory pattern of S. niphonius in the southern Yellow Sea, an important fishing ground. Transverse sections of otoliths from 15 age-1 spawning or spent individuals, comprising up to one complete migration cycle, were analyzed from the core to the margin by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The ratios of the element to Ca were integrated with microstructural analysis to produce age-related elemental profiles. Combining multielemental analysis of otolith composition with multivariate analytical models, we quantified structural changes in otolith chemistry profiles. Results revealed there were diverse changing patterns of otolith chemistry profiles for detected elements and the elements of Na, Mg, Sr and Ba were important for the chronological signal. Five clusters were identified through chronological clustering, representing the five life stages from the early stage to the spawning stage. Variation of Ba:Ca ratio was most informative, showing a step-decreasing pattern in the first four stages and a rebound in the spawning stage. These results support the hypothesized migratory pattern of S. niphonius: hatching and spending their early life in the coastal sandy ridges system of the southern Yellow Sea, migrating northeastward and offshore for feeding during juvenile stage, aggregating in early October and migrating outward to the Jeju Island for wintering, and returning to the coastal waters for spawning. This study demonstrated the value of life-history related otolith chemistry profiles combined with multivariate analytical models was a means to verify the migration patterns of S. niphonius at regional scales with potential application in fisheries assessment and management.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all scientific staff and crew for their assistance with sample collection and experimental implementation. We thank Andrew Bakun (University of Miami) and Caihong Fu (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station) for their valuable comments and proofreading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China

    Xindong Pan, Zhenjiang Ye, Binduo Xu & Yongjun Tian

  2. Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Resources of Inland Fisheries, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi, 214081, China

    Tao Jiang & Jian Yang

  3. East China Sea Fishery Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai, 200090, China

    Jiahua Cheng

  4. Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, 266071, China

    Yongjun Tian

  5. Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Yongjun Tian

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  1. Xindong Pan
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Correspondence to Yongjun Tian.

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Foundation item: The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41930534 and 41876177.

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Pan, X., Ye, Z., Xu, B. et al. Combining otolith elemental signatures with multivariate analytical models to verify the migratory pattern of Japanese Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius) in the southern Yellow Sea. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 39, 54–64 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-020-1606-0

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