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Geographical differences in the stable isotope ratios of Pacific saury in the North Pacific Ocean

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Abstract

We collected samples of Pacific saury Cololabis saira (249–331 mm in knob length; ages 0 and 1) in the North Pacific Ocean from 154°E to 165°W during their northward migration in the early summers of 2013, 2014, and 2015, and measured the stable nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) of their muscle tissues. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on δ15N and δ13C yielded three groups (G1–G3). G1 (mean δ15N: 12.9%; mean δ13C: –20.3%) had the highest δ15N and occurred only in the eastern area of 170° W in 2013 and 2015. G2 (δ15N: 9.3%; δ13C:  −20.1%) and G3 (δ15N: 7.3%, δ13C:  −20.9%) occurred in all years mainly in eastern and western areas of 170° W, respectively. The latter two groups presented reasonable δ15N and δ13C considering the trophic enrichment and potential prey such as Neocalanus copepods that exist in each area. In contrast, the substantially enriched δ15N of G1 was characteristic of organisms at higher trophic levels in the same area. Thus, this group is most likely an immigrant from outside the survey area. This study showed that Pacific saury utilize different ecosystems east and west of 170° W during their northward migration.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the crew of the Hokuho-maru and Hokko-maru for their cooperation and Mss. Junko Momosawa, Naoko Kubo, and Kanae Okabori for otolith extraction, light microscope photography, and stable isotope analysis. The authors also thank Drs. Dharmamony Vijai, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, and Seiji Ohshimo for their constructive comments and informative discussions. This work was partially supported by the Fisheries Agency of Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Highly Migratory Resources Division, Fisheries Stock Assessment Center, Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-12-4 Fukuura, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Taiki Fuji

  2. Fisheries Data Science Division, Fisheries Stock Assessment Center, Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 2-12-4 Fukuura, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Masayasu Nakagami

  3. Highly Migratory Resources Division, Fisheries Stock Assessment Center, Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 25-259, Shimomekurakubo, Same, Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

    Satoshi Suyama & Hiroomi Miyamoto

  4. Management Department, Fisheries Resources Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, 25-259, Shimomekurakubo, Same, Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

    Hideaki Kidokoro

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  1. Taiki Fuji
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Fuji, T., Nakagami, M., Suyama, S. et al. Geographical differences in the stable isotope ratios of Pacific saury in the North Pacific Ocean. Fish Sci 87, 529–540 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-021-01528-3

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