Éditeur(s) : Inter-research
Résumé : Environmental conditions experienced by aquatic organisms are archived in biogenic carbonates such as fish otoliths, bivalve shells and coral skeletons. These calcified structures present an accretionary growth and variations in optical properties - color or opacity - that are used to reconstruct time. Full and reliable exploitation of the information extracted from these structures is, however, often limited as the metabolic processes that control their growth and their optical properties are poorly understood. Here, we propose a new modeling framework that couples both the growth of a biogenic carbonate and its optical properties with the metabolism of the organism. The model relies on well-tested properties of Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory. It is applied to otoliths of the Bay of Biscay anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) for which a DEB model has been previously developed. The model reproduces well-known otolith patterns and thus provides us with mechanisms for the metabolic control of otolith size and opacity at the scale of an individual lifespan. Two original contributions using this framework are demonstrated. First, the model can be used to reconstruct the temporal variations in the food assimilated by an individual fish. Reconstructing food conditions of past and present aquatic species in their natural environment is key ecological information to better understand population dynamics. Second, we show that non-seasonal checks can be discriminated from seasonal checks, which is a well-recognized problem when interpreting fish otoliths. We discuss further developments of the model and the experimental settings required to test this new promising framework.
Marine Ecology-progress Series (0171-8630) (Inter-research), 2012 , Vol. 447 , P. 151-164

Droits : 2012 Inter-Research
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00060/17082/14593.pdf
DOI:10.3354/meps09492
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00060/17082/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Ecological Society of America
Résumé : Reliable assessment of fish origin is of critical importance for exploited species, since nursery areas must be identified and protected to maintain recruitment to the adult stock. During the last two decades, otolith chemical signatures (or "fingerprints") have been increasingly used as tools to discriminate between coastal habitats. However, correct assessment of fish origin from otolith fingerprints depends on various environmental and methodological parameters, including the choice of the statistical method used to assign fish to unknown origin. Among the available methods of classification, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is the most frequently used, although it assumes data are multivariate normal with homogeneous within-group dispersions, conditions that are not always met by otolith chemical data, even after transformation. Other less constrained classification methods are available, but there is a current lack of comparative analysis in applications to otolith microchemistry. Here, we assessed stock identification accuracy for four classification methods (LDA, Quadratic Discriminant Analysis [QDA], Random Forests [RF], and Artificial Neural Networks [ANN]), through the use of three distinct data sets. In each case, all possible combinations of chemical elements were examined to identify the elements to be used for optimal accuracy in fish assignment to their actual origin. Our study shows that accuracy differs according to the model and the number of elements considered. Best combinations did not include all the elements measured, and it was not possible to define an ad hoc multielement combination for accurate site discrimination. Among all the models tested, RF and ANN performed best, especially for complex data sets (e. g., with numerous fish species and/or chemical elements involved). However, for these data, RF was less time-consuming and more interpretable than ANN, and far more efficient and less demanding in terms of assumptions than LDA or QDA. Therefore, when LDA and QDA assumptions cannot be reached, the use of machine learning methods, such as RF, should be preferred for stock assessment and nursery identification based on otolith microchemistry, especially when data set include multispecific otolith signatures and/or many chemical elements.
ISSN: 1051-0761

hal-00644549
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00644549
DOI : 10.1890/09-1887.1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Inter-Research
Résumé : Precise knowledge of lifetime migrations is vital in exploited fish species, since all essential habitats must be protected to maintain sustainable stock levels. The present study used multi-element otolith fingerprints of the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata (L.) to discriminate its main juvenile and adult habitats in the Languedoc-Roussillon region (Gulf of Lions, northwest Mediterranean) and infer the lifetime migrations of 12 individuals from the area (11 from the present day and 1 from the Roman era). This allowed for the first time the identification of key habitats for the successful completion of the species' life cycle in the Gulf of Lions, and the connectivity between them. Our results revealed that lagoon use by S. aurata is probably ancient (>2500 yr) and confirmed its current commonness. Yet, although most observed migration patterns were in accordance with the migratory behavior previously described for the species, strong inter-individual variations and new patterns in habitat use were detected. At the juvenile stage, a preference for shallow lagoons with low salinities was evidenced. Nevertheless, the first year of life can also be successfully completed in marine conditions. At the adult stage, lagoon use was shown to occur until at least age 4 yr, with periods of lagoon residency of up to 11 mo in a year, often including winter months. Because overwintering in the lagoons was previously thought to be impossible for S. aurata due to low temperatures, this finding has important implications for future stock management, especially since the species breeds in winter.
Marine Ecology Progress Series

hal-00682003
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00682003
DOI : 10.3354/meps09444

Éditeur(s) : Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale (Dunkerque)
Résumé : In the Bay of Biscay and Celtic Sea waters, hake is considered as genetically homogeneous and form a unique stock with identical meristic characteristics. The vertebral mean vary from 50,68 (vertebrae) during the first year of life to 51,11 (vertebrae) for adults. 0-group Merluccius display a rapid growth with significant interannual variability (0.71 mm.day-1 in 2001 versus 0.74 mm.day-1 in 2002). The spawning period occurs in April and the average length on the firth January following the hatching is of 17.3 cm (first seasonal check / increment on the sagittal otolith is located about 0.143 cm from the nucleus). At the end of the first year of life the average length is about 24 cm. The longevity of the species is important and growth parameters (L = 138,24 cm ; K = 0,132) explain natural mortality coefficient of M = 0.21. No difference for growth between male and female has been observed for this stock. The ratio total weight / eviscerated weight is equal to Fc = 1,086. Both male and female have same spatial and bathymetric distribution. Juveniles are found in deep waters (< 17 cm length) and move to coastal waters where they display an average length of (33 cm length). Longer individuals are found in nursery areas where they feed and grow then move to deeper areas to spawn. Nursery areas are numerous and located in the Celtic Sea and in the bay of Biscay. In the bay of Biscay, disturbances resulted from hydrondynamics affect the settlement on the nursery grounds particularly in the southern part of the bay. Diet composition varies with age. Juveniles feed mainly on crustaceans (Euphausia kroni). At the length of 23 cm, individuals feed strictly on fishes. Sizes of preys are proportional with sizes of predators and preys are composed mainly of species that feed and reproduce close to the bottom. Cannibalism has been observed for this specie, and increases with age notably in the northern part of the bay of Biscay and in the Celtic Sea. Main preys are 0-group juveniles. This specie is assumed to be a passive predator catching its preys when they come to feed in the bottom. Although they are punctual, these results have been obtained after studies on the evolution of sizes during the first year of life (daily increments measurements) and on the spawning period parameters (back-calculating). Average length on the firth January following hatching and the position of the first seasonal check on the otolith are based on observations of the sizes on the firth January following hatching (obtained with growth rates and spawning period parameters). The results are similar to those described in previous studies, nevertheless they have to be confirmed with growth and diet composition analyses. A long term study appear essential to determine biological and ecological parameters of this species for sustainable management of the stock.
Les alertes quant à la surexploitation du stock de merlu européen sont nombreuses et récurrentes. Seulement l'estimation du niveau réel de l'état du stock a toujours posé des problèmes du fait de certaines lacunes dans la connaissance de la biologie et de l'écologie de cette espèce. Dans les eaux du golfe de Gascogne et de la mer Celtique, le merlu européen fait partie de la même population génétique et possède les mêmes caractéristiques meristiques. Sa moyenne vertébrale est de 50,68 durant sa première année de vie et évolue pour se stabiliser à 51,11 chez l'adulte. La croissance du merlu durant sa première année de vie et très rapide mais présente une variabilité interannuelle significative (0,71 mm .J-1 en 2001 et 0,74 mm .J-1 en 2002). Sa période de ponte maximale se déroule au mois d'avril et sa longueur au premier janvier suivant sa naissance est de 17,3 cm (la première marque hivernale est positionnée à 0,143 cm du nucléus de la sagittae). Au terme de sa première année de vie le merlu atteint une longueur de 24 cm. Sa longévité est assez longue (23 ans environ) et ses paramètres de croissance (L = 138,24 cm ; K = 0,132) permettent d'estimer son coefficient de mortalité naturelle à M = 0,21. Il n'a pas été établi de croissance différentielle entre sexe chez le merlu dans ces eaux. Le rapport poids total / poids éviscéré a été estimé à Fc = 1,086. Mâles ou femelles, les merlus ont une même répartition spatiale et bathymétrique. En général, ils sont très profonds à leurs stades juvéniles (< 17 cm) et ils se dirigent vers les eaux côtières pour les atteindre à 33 cm de longueur environ. Au-delà de cette taille, les merlus se concentrent au niveau des zones de nourricerie pour s'y alimenter avant de rejoindre les eaux plus profondes pour y pondre. Les zones de nourricerie du merlu sont très nombreuses et sont localisées en mer Celtique et dans le golfe de Gascogne aussi bien dans sa partie sud que dans sa partie nord. Les perturbations importantes dans l'hydrodynamisme du golfe de Gascogne (upwelling) semble influencer les niveaux de colonisation des zones de nourricerie notamment celles situées dans la partie sud du golfe. Le régime alimentaire du merlu évolue avec l'âge. Juvénile, il se nourrit principalement de crustacés (Euphausia krohni) et devient ichtyophage exclusif dès 23 cm de longueur. Le cannibalisme est une réalité chez le merlu et les merlus-proies sont les juvéniles du groupe d'âge G-0. Il s'intensifie avec l'âge notamment dans la partie nord du golfe de Gascogne et en mer Celtique ; Il est très faible dans le sud du golfe de Gascogne. La taille des proies évolue avec la taille du merlu et les poissons proies sont en général des espèces qui vont se nourrir ou se reproduire sur le fond. Ce comportement alimentaire fait que le merlu est un prédateur peu actif et qui attaque ses proies lorsqu'elles viennent sur le fond. Ces résultats, bien qu'ils ne soient que ponctuels, ont été obtenus après avoir déterminé le schéma d'évolution de la longueur du merlu durant sa première année de vie (dénombrement des accroissement journaliers) et des paramètres de sa période de ponte (rétro-calcul).La taille au premier hiver et la position de la première marque hivernale ont été déterminées en relativisant nos observations à l'estimation de la longueur du merlu au premier janvier suivant sa naissance : celle-ci étant obtenue en utilisant le taux de croissance et les paramètres de la période de ponte. Bien que l'ensemble des résultats obtenus, en ce qui concerne la répartition spatiale et les données sur la période de ponte, soient généralement conformes à ceux décrits dans la littérature, il est nécessaire de confirmer ceux concernant la croissance et le régime alimentaire. Pour cela, une étude à plus long terme semble indispensable pour parvenir à bien maîtriser l'ensemble des paramètres de biologie et d'écologie du merlu permettant ainsi une meilleure gestion de son stock.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2004/these-1247.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1247/

Éditeur(s) : Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour
Résumé : In a context of decline of European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) and search for biological markers of habitat use and quality, a multidisciplinary approach was engaged on the Adour estuary and its associated wetlands. Two axes were developed. The first axe aimed at highlighting the successive presence of the species in different ecosystems based on the otolith elemental composition. The second aimed at the evaluation of the chemical pressure underwent by eels based on the contaminant bioconcentration in soft tissues and the early molecular response to the chemical stress. With a view to the analyses of otolith elemental composition taking into account the 3D structure, the low elemental concentration in the matrix and keeping the finest spatial resolution, four micro sampling strategies and multi elemental analyses using femtosecond laser ablation ICP-MS were tested (crater, 1D scan, 2D scan, flash ablation). The strategy showing the best compromise according to the objectives (continuous recording, multi elemental approach) was applied on otolith of yellow eels from the Adour. The simultaneous use of Sr and Ba profiles, after validation, represents a new tool, easy, fast and reliable for the reconstruction of freshwater and brackish ecosystems use by eel avoiding misinterpretation due to vaterite inclusions. Three major behaviors were highlighted on the Adour: a residency in brackish water, a residency in freshwater and nomad behavior. The last one is illustrated by a shift to brackish water after three to four years spent in freshwater. Simultaneously, the study of inorganic and organic contamination of eel soft tissues showed that sampled wetlands are moderately contaminated. These results were confirmed by the first estimation, in wild conditions, of the early response to the chemical stress using the hepatic expression of CYP1A1 gene measured by real time RT-PCR. Conversely, in the downstream part of the Adour estuary, Hg loads in eels, especially methyl mercury, and PCBs analyses indicate values that need further investigations considering the European norms of consumption. The comparison of the different markers used (heavy metal and organochlorinated compounds contamination of soft tissues, condition index) support a lower quality of the estuary despite higher eel growth rate on this site. This study supports the use of numerous markers in integrated studies in order to understand and specify the relationships between eels and their continental growth zones.
Dans un contexte de déclin de l'anguille européenne (Anguilla anguilla L.) et de recherche de marqueurs biologiques retraçant la fréquentation des divers habitats et renseignant sur la qualité de ceux-ci, une approche pluridisciplinaire a été mise en place sur l'estuaire de l'Adour et ses zones humides. Deux axes ont été privilégiés. Le premier cherchait à visualiser la présence successive de l'espèce dans différents écosystèmes en se basant sur la composition élémentaire des otolithes. Le deuxième avait pour but d'évaluer la pression chimique inorganique et organique subie par l'anguille dans les zones d'études en s'appuyant sur la bioconcentration des contaminants dans les tissus mous et la réponse moléculaire précoce au stress chimique. En vue des analyses de la composition élémentaire des otolithes et pour répondre au mieux à la structure en trois dimensions, à la faible concentration des éléments dans la matrice tout en conservant une résolution spatiale la plus fine possible, quatre stratégies de micro-échantillonnage et d'analyses multiélémentaires par ablation laser femtoseconde ICP-MS ont été testées (cratère, scan 1D, scan 2D, ablation flash). La méthodologie présentant le meilleur compromis par rapport aux objectifs fixés (enregistrement continu, approche multiélémentaire) a ensuite été appliquée sur les otolithes d'anguilles jaunes du Bas-Adour. L'utilisation simultanée des profils continus de Sr et de Ba, après validation, constitue un outil facile d'utilisation, rapide et fiable pour reconstruire les historiques de fréquentation des différents écosystèmes estuariens et dulçaquicoles par l'anguille tout en s'affranchissant des problèmes potentiels liés aux inclusions de vatérite, un polymorphe du carbonate de calcium. Trois grands types de comportement ont pu être mis en évidence sur l'Adour : résidence en eau saumâtre, résidence en eau douce et nomadisme. Ce dernier est plus particulièrement illustré par un mouvement marqué vers l'eau saumâtre pour des individus ayant passé de trois à quatre ans dans l'eau douce. Parallèlement, l'étude de la contamination organique et inorganique des tissus mous de l'anguille a permis de déduire à la faible contamination des zones humides échantillonnées. La première estimation en condition naturelle de la réponse précoce au stress chimique par évaluation de l'expression hépatique du gène CYP1A1 par RT-PCR en temps réel confirme ces résultats. En revanche, dans la partie estuarienne aval de l'Adour, les niveaux en Hg, présent en majorité sous sa forme méthylée dans les anguilles, et l'analyse des PCBs indiquent des valeurs qui suscitent un examen plus approfondi au regard des normes européennes en vigueur. La confrontation des différents descripteurs (contamination des tissus mous par les métaux lourds et organochlorés, indice de condition) utilisés conforte la qualité moindre de la zone estuarienne malgré des performances de croissance de l'anguille favorisées sur ces sites. Ainsi, cette étude supporte l'intérêt de la mise en oeuvre de descripteurs multiples utilisés (niveaux de métaux lourds et organochlorés dans les tissus mous, réponse moléculaire au stress chimique, microchimie de l'otolithe, indice de condition, taux de croissance) dans des approches intégrées pour comprendre et préciser les relations existantes entre l'anguille et ses zones de croissance continentales.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/these-7381.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/7381/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Laboratoire Arago
Résumé : International audience
The analysis of the C-O stable isotope composition of coral reef fish otoliths from Taiaro, a French Polynesian atoll normally isolated from the Pacific Ocean, has been performed to address two main questions. The first is to confirm previous results which suggest that a lagoonal coral reef fish population is able to achieve its ontogenetic cycle without any open ocean phase. If so, are O isotopic values of otoliths an indicator of temperature fluctuations in the tropical Pacific Ocean related to climate change and in particular temperature variations of water masses? δ18O and δ13C values on both lagoon and open ocean fish otoliths caught in 2006 indicated clearly that O-isotopes reached the isotopic equilibrium; in contrast, all δ13C values exhibited a strong isotopic disequilibrium related to metabolic activity. Stable isotope compositions revealed a clear differentiation between fish from lagoons and those from the open ocean (with a δ18O enrichment of 1 ‰ in favour of the lagoon). This confirmed a lack of connectivity between habitats and that fish from lagoon lived their entire life cycle in the lagoon. Both δ18O and δ13C data indicated differences between nucleus and edge signatures with changes in fish behavior from the larval life to adulthood (habitat, diet, etc.), and a clear adaptation of dietary behavior of lagoon fish. The comparison of the 2006 data set with those of 1994 showed that environmental conditions were stable in the lagoon, leading to a very narrow range of variations in the δ18O values. δ18O of fish otoliths of the open ocean exhibited a wider variation (+0.25 ‰) between 1994 and 2006, suggesting a decrease in temperature linked to a change of SST, which can be interpreted in terms of climate change associated with El Nino Southern Oscilation (ENENSO). These differences could also be due to a switch of habitats during the life cycle of fish from the open ocean.
ISSN: 0240-8759

hal-01162477
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01162477

Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : Daily growth increments measured in the otolith of Thunnus atlanticus were used to estimate the age and growth of individuals. which were sampled from an artisanal fishery operating around fish aggregating devices (FADs) moored off Martinique Island. In this study, 76 otoliths were analysed for fish ranging from 20 to 68 cm fork lengths (FL). The fish were caught using trolling lines at depths ranging from 0 to 10 m. Counts were made, under a light microscope, on the external part of the transverse section of the sagittae, from the primordium to the ventral edge. The mean coefficient of variation of the age reading was 2.4%. To validate readings, the number of increments for 11 individuals was counted using both optic and scanning electron microscopes. The calculated relationship between readings of both methods was found to be linear, with a slope of 1.03 and R-2 = 0.99. Frequency of growth increment formation could not be validated. Growth rates derived from otolith readings were, however, compared to those obtained using a modal progression analysis, which was performed on the length-frequency distributions of the landings over a period of two months. The corroboration between the growth rates was good. One increment was assumed to represent one day. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth curve for both sexes were L-infinity = 71.4 cm FL, k = 0.002 day(-1) and tau(0) = -80 days. According to our results, there is no evidence that Martinican moored FADs act as ecological traps for blackfin tuna. Instead, young blackfin tuna probably leave the vicinity of Martinican moored FADs to undergo a trophic migration at 7 to 8 month-old, and then come back about 8 months later to breed in the Lesser Antilles area.
Les microstructures présentes dans les otolithes de Thunnus atlanticus ont été utilisées pour estimer l'âge et la croissance des thons capturés par la pêcherie artisanale exploitant les dispositifs de concentrations de poissons (DCP) mouillés autour de la Martinique. Des thons de 20 à 68 cm de longueur à la fourche (LF) ont été capturés à la ligne de traîne de surface entre 0 et 10 m de profondeur. Les stries d'accroissement ont été comptées sur 76 otolithes en microscopie optique sur la partie externe des coupes transversales de la sagitta, du nucléus jusqu'à l'extrémité verticale de la coupe (coefficient de variations 2,4 %). Afin de vérifier qu'il n'y avait pas de sous-estimation du nombre de stries, nous avons effectué un comptage, en microscopie électronique à balayage, pour 11 individus. La relation établie entre ces deux méthodes de comptage est linéaire avec un pente égale à 1,03 et R2 = 0,99. La vitesse de croissance issue de l'analyse des otolithes a été comparée à celle estimée à partir de l'analyse en progression modale des distributions en fréquence de taille des débarquements sur une période de 2 mois. La corroboration entre les deux méthodes était bonne. Nous avons supposé que la formation des stries de croissance suivait un rythme journalier. Les paramètres de l'équation de croissance de von Bertalanffy pour les 2 sexes confondus sont: L-infinity = 71.4 cm FL, k = 0.002 day(-1) and tau(0) = -80 days. Les résultats de cette étude n'indiquent pas que les DCP ancrés martiniquais puissent agir comme des pièges écologiques pour les thons noirs. Les jeunes thons noirs semblent au contraire quitter la proximité des DCP et entreprendre une migration trophique lorsqu'ils atteignent 7 à 8 mois. Ils ne reviendraient ensuite dans la zone des Petites Antilles qu'environ 8 mois plus tard, manifestement pour se reproduire.
Aquatic Living Resources (0990-7440) (EDP Sciences), 2004 , Vol. 17 , N. 1 , P. 13-18

Droits : EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2004
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2004/publication-396.pdf
DOI:10.1051/alr:2004009
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/396/

Éditeur(s) : Soc Francaise D Ichtyologie
Résumé : The energy value of the main prey and the growth of juvenile hake in the Gulf of Lions were analysed to determine whether fish condition could be linked to difference in prey quality and resulted in growth difference. Large differences in energy content (15.6 to 23.6 kJ g(-1) DW) among prey types were recorded with low values found in amphipods and natantid shrimps, intermediate values in euphausiids and mysids, and high values in fish. High condition in juvenile hake was linked to the consumption of prey with high energy content. However, no difference in fish growth was observed by the analysis of otolith micro-increments.
Cybium (0399-0974) (Soc Francaise D Ichtyologie), 2012-06 , Vol. 36 , N. 2 , P. 323-328

Droits : 2012 Société Française d’Ichtyologie
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00092/20332/18611.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00092/20332/

Éditeur(s) : Soc Francaise D Ichtyologie
Résumé : Age is a necessary parameter used in population dynamics to assess the state of exploited resources. This parameter is poorly known for most deep-sea species (depth > 400 m). This work focused on age estimation from otoliths of Alepocephalus bairdii (Alepocephalidae), Coryphaenoides rupestris (Macrouridae), Helicolenus dactylopterus (Sebastidae) and Hoplostethus atlanticus (Trachichthyidae), which French fishery exploitation, off the west coasts of the British Isles, began the late 1980's. Considering otolith growth zones as annual, the four species all show high longevity: 38, 54, 43 and 130 years, respectively, together with slow growth. The differences in growth between sex were estimated and difficulties in accurately estimating the age were highlighted and showed the need to standardise and validate age estimation. The ages currently estimated for deep-sea fish must be used with caution.
Cybium (0399-0974) (Soc Francaise D Ichtyologie), 2000 , Vol. 24 , N. 3 , P. 7-16

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10396/7690.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10396/

Éditeur(s) : Wiley-blackwell Publishing, Inc
Résumé : Oceanic larvae of the European (Anguilla anguilla) and American (A. rostrata) eels have to cross the Atlantic Ocean from the Sargasso Sea to European or North American coasts before entering continental habitats. In some European rivers, eel recruitment is now < 1% of levels in the 1980s. A better understanding of the effects of anthropogenic pressures and environmental fluctuations on eel larvae and subsequent recruitment is a prerequisite to build efficient management plans. The present paper provides insight into the critical oceanic phase of the eel life cycle with a focus on the duration of the larval migration whose estimates varies between 7 months and more than 2 years in both species. Does this range correspond to a natural variability in larval duration or does it stem from methodological artefacts? We first review the different methods used to estimate the duration of larval migration and critically describe their possible sources of misinterpretation. We then evaluate the consistency of these methods with the current knowledge about the ecology and physiology of eel larvae and the physical oceanography. While a moderate discrepancy in migration duration was found between methods for the American eel, the discrepancy was large in the European eel. In this species, otolith microstructure studies indicated migration durations between 7 and 9 months, while other methods pointed to durations of about 2 years. We show that estimates in favour of a long migration duration seem more robust to methodological caveats than methods estimating short durations of migration.
Fish And Fisheries (1467-2960) (Wiley-blackwell Publishing, Inc), 2010-09 , Vol. 11 , N. 3 , P. 289-306

Droits : 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00011/12208/9033.pdf
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-2979.2010.00362.x
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00011/12208/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Royal Society, The
Résumé : International audience
Since its original description as a chordate, the Late Devonian Scaumenella mesacanthi has been interpreted alternately as a prochordate, a larval ostracoderm and an immature acanthodian. For the past 30 years, these minute specimens were generally considered as decayed acanthodians, most of them belonging to Triazeugacanthus affinis. Among the abundant material of `Scaumenella', we identified a size series of 188 specimens of Triazeugacanthus based on otolith characteristics. Despite taphonomic alteration, we describe proportional growth and progressive appearance of skeletal elements through size increase. Three ontogenetic stages are identified based on squamation extent, ossification completion and allometric growth. We demonstrate that what has been interpreted previously as various degrees of decomposition corresponds to ontogenetic changes.
ISSN: 1744-9561

hal-01545474
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01545474
DOI : 10.1098/rsbl.2014.0950

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
The life-history traits and population dynamics of species are increasingly being attributed to the characteristics of their preferred habitats. While coral reef fish are often strongly associated with particular habitats, long-term studies establishing the demographic and life-history consequences of occupying different reef substrata are rare and no studies have monitored individuals in situ over their lifetime and determined the fate of their offspring. Here, we documented a quasi-turnover and local reproductive success for an entire population of orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula) from Kimbe Island, Papua New Guinea, by taking bi-annual samples of DNA over a 10-yr period (2003–2013). We compared demographic and life-history traits of individuals living on two host anemone species, Heteractis magnifica and Stichodactyla gigantea, including female size, adult continued presence (a proxy for relative longevity range), early post-settlement growth, the number of eggs per clutch and ‘local’ reproductive success (defined for each adult as the number of offspring returning to the natal population). Our results indicate that while the relative longevity of adults was similar on both host anemone species, females living in H. magnifica were larger than females in S. gigantea. However, despite females growing larger and producing more eggs on H. magnifica, we found that local reproductive success was significantly higher for clownfish living in S. gigantea. Life-history traits also exhibited local spatial variation, with higher local reproductive success recorded for adults living on S. gigantea on the eastern side of the island. Our findings support a ‘silver-spoon’ hypothesis that predicts individuals that are fortunate enough to recruit into good habitat and location will be rewarded with higher long-term reproductive success and will make a disproportionate contribution to population renewal.
ISSN: 0722-4028

hal-01357939
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01357939
DOI : 10.1007/s00338-016-1485-1

Résumé : Implementation of ecosystem-based approaches to marine management points to several shared objectives between conservation and fishery management that require better knowledge of the life history of the exploited resources, elucidation of the information encoded in the calcified tissues (otoliths, scales, bones, shells, and corals) of marine and freshwater organisms, and support for knowledge-based, sustainable ocean management and use. Calcified tissues have been employed since the 19th century to gain knowledge of life traits, population structure, and environmental relationships of fish and molluscs. Breakthrough advances include the discovery by Pannella (1971) of the daily growth increments and the discovery by Radtke (1984) of otolith tracer approaches, resulting in an exponential growth of publications and four dedicated international symposia. IOS2014 will be the fifth in a series of independent symposia convened since 1993, to encourage the exchange of information and expertise, and promote the development of new techniques and applications for otolith-based analysis in ecology, management, and conservation. This international forum is the centre for the exchange of information on developments in the field. New techniques of analysis, statistical treatment, and indeed new areas of application are all presented in this forum. The IOS series started in Hilton Head (USA) in 1993, followed by IOS1998 in Bergen (Norway), IOS2004 Townsville (Australia), and the IOS2009 Symposium held in Monterey (USA). In general, attendance ranged between 250–350 participants. IOS2009 counted 268 registrants from 36 countries, despite the economic crisis.

Droits : ICES - All Rights Reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00221/33260/31736.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00221/33260/

Résumé : L’équipe de l’IFREMER du centre de Polynésie et celle de la Cellule Innovation et Valorisation de la Direction des Ressources Marines de Polynésie Française mènent des travaux afin de maîtriser la zootechnie de l’élevage du Platax (Platax orbicularis) en lagon. Des connaissances sur la physiologie de la reproduction s’est faite sur ces animaux, mais aucune information n’est disponible quant à l’évolution de la productivité de ces animaux en fonction de leur croissance (pas de données d’âge). Le pôle national de sclérochronologie de l’Ifremer de Boulogne-sur-Mer a été sollicité pour réaliser une étude de faisabilité de l’estimation de l’âge de cette espèce. Pour cela, dans un premier temps des techniques de préparation ont été utilisées sur des otolithes de poissons ayant un âge connu (élevés en aquaculture). Une fois, cette validation faite, des tests ont été entrepris sur des individus sauvages (d’âge inconnu) en fonction des structures de croissance observées sur des otolithes de poissons d’âge connu.

Droits : 2013 Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00180/29158/27563.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00180/29158/

Résumé : Après la réalisation du projet de recherche DMX1 (Indicateurs biologiques et écologiques pour une gestion durable des stocks de poissons DéMersauX profonds d’intérêt halieutique à La Réunion), un second projet de recherche DMX2 va débuter en 2014. L'un des intérêts de ce projet est d'obtenir des premiers résultats de croissance des espèces profondes de l'île de la Réunion. Dans le cadre de la préparation de cette étude de croissance, des essais de faisabilité d’estimation de l’âge ont été réalisés sur des otolithes de vivaneau rubis (Etelis carbunculus) par le pôle national de sclérochronologie de l’Ifremer de Boulogne-sur-Mer. Les échantillons ont été prélevés par l’Ifremer de la Réunion en 2013 (David Roos). Ce rapport de faisabilité a permis de montrer que les otolithes entiers d'Etelis montrent des structures, tout comme la méthode de brûlage sans apporter toutefois de gain dans l'interprétation des structures. Il faut néanmoins noter qu’il s’agit ici de petits individus, qu’il serait donc loin d’être exclus que cette méthode présente ses limites avec des individus de plus grandes tailles étant donnée la difficulté de lisibilité du bord marginal de l’otolithe. De même, les résultats obtenus à partir des coupes transversales sont peu concluants. Le long du plus grand axe de lecture, il est possible de retrouver les structures identifiées lors de l’observation de l’otolithe in toto par un jeu de polissage long et laborieux. Quant à l’axe d’interprétation situé le long du sulcus comme stipulé dans la bibliographie, celui-ci révèle un nombre de structures important, difficilement imputable à une formation calcique annuelle. Cependant, ces premiers tests peuvent être aisément améliorés avec, tout d’abord, une identification précise de l’espèce concernée, ainsi qu’un un nombre d'échantillons plus important, représentatif de l’étendue en taille du vivaneau rubis. Il sera important, avant d'estimer l'âge de cette espèce, de valider la périodicité de formation des structures de façon à interpréter ces structures comme anneaux de croissance annuels et ensuite d'établir un schéma d'interprétation reproductible des différents types de structures existantes.

Droits : 2014 Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00180/29160/27568.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00180/29160/

Éditeur(s) : Wiley / Blackwell
Résumé : Six cohorts of the silver-stripe round herring Spratelloides gracilis, a fast-growing and short-lived tropical clupeid, were collected as juveniles and then as adults during austral summers from November to February in 1998–1999 and 1999–2000, using light traps in the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. Otolith analysis allowed backcalculation of size and growth rate at age to examine the relative influences of selective mortality and water temperature on early growth. Negative sizeselective mortality and growth-selective mortality between the juvenile and the adult stages was found only in the cohort that was the smallest and slowest growing in the period immediately following hatching. Selective mortality preferentially removed members of this cohort that were smaller from age 0 to 15 days, and slower growing from 0 to 10 days, resulting in an elevation of size at age to, or even above, that of cohorts that had not undergone this process. Size and growth rate at 5 day age intervals in the first 20 days after hatching differed among cohorts within and between summers and were strongly and positively correlated (r2= 0·61–0·83) with water temperature.
Journal of Fish Biology (0022-1112) (Wiley / Blackwell), 2009-03 , Vol. 74 , N. 4 , P. 921-938

Droits : 2010 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles, Wiley Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00008/11940/8643.pdf
DOI:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02179.x
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00008/11940/