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Movement, connectivity and population structure of the intertidal fish Lipophrys pholis as revealed by otolith oxygen and carbon stable
Carvalho, M.G.; Moreira, C.; Cardoso, J.F.M.F.; Brummer, G.-J. A.; van Gaever, P.; van der Veer, H.W.; Queiroga, H.; Santos, P.T.; Correia, A.T. (2017). Movement, connectivity and population structure of the intertidal fish Lipophrys pholis as revealed by otolith oxygen and carbon stable. Mar. Biol. Res. 137(7): 764-773. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17451000.2017.1306079
In: Marine Biology Research. Taylor & Francis: Oslo; Basingstoke. ISSN 1745-1000; e-ISSN 1745-1019, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Author keywords
    Blenniidae; sagittae; isotopic signatures; fish life history

Authors  Top 
  • Carvalho, M.G.
  • Moreira, C.
  • Cardoso, J.F.M.F., more
  • Brummer, G.-J. A., more
  • van Gaever, P., more
  • van der Veer, H.W., more
  • Queiroga, H.
  • Santos, P.T.
  • Correia, A.T.

Abstract
    The shanny Lipophrys pholis is an intertidal fish commonly found in Portuguese coastalwaters. Spawning takes place from early autumn to mid spring, after which demersal eggshatch and larvae disperse along the coast. Two to three months later, young juvenilesreturn to the tide pools to settle. However, information on fish movement, habitatconnectivity and population structure is scarce for this species. One hundred and twentyearly juveniles (16–35 mm) were collected in April 2014 from six rocky beaches along thewestern and south Portuguese coasts (Agudela, Cabo do Mundo, Boa Nova, Peniche, Sinesand Olhos de Água). δ18O and δ13C were determined by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry.Data were analysed to determine whether isotopic signatures could be used to assess thedegree of separation between individuals collected from different locations. Mean δ13Cand δ18O values ranged from −0.02‰ to 1.14‰ and −7.77‰ to −6.62‰, respectively.Both seawater temperature and salinity caused differences in otolith δ18O among the fourmain sampling areas. The variation among areas in δ13C was most likely related toslight differences in the diet, growth and metabolism of fish. The distinct isotopicsignatures, at least for the northern and central areas, suggested low levels of connectivityacross large spatial scales during the juvenile stage. Furthermore, similar isotopicsignatures within the same area indicated some degree of larval oceanic retention at shortspatial scales. This study suggests that stable isotope records in otoliths could provideinformation about the home residency, movements and habitat connectivity of intertidalfishes.

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