Evaluation of a stable‐isotope labelling technique for mass marking fin rays of age‐0 lake sturgeon |
| |
| Authors: | K T SMITH G W WHITLEDGE |
| |
| Institution: | Department of Zoology, Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract The effectiveness of marking age‐0 lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, pectoral fin rays with a stable strontium isotope was evaluated. Age‐0 lake sturgeon were reared in water spiked with 0 (control), 25, 50 or 100 μg L?1 86SrC03 for 10 and 24 days; fish from each treatment group were retained for up to 120 days post‐labelling to assess mark retention. Enriched‐isotope marks imparted to fin rays were distinct from fin ray 88Sr/86Sr ratios of control fish immediately following marking, with the 100 μg L?1 86SrCO3 treatments consistently yielding the highest rate of marking success (83–92%). Lower marking success (25–69%) was observed with the 25 and 50 μg L?1 86SrCO3 treatments. Isotopic marks in fin rays were retained for 120 days post‐labelling. Immersion marking of juvenile fish pectoral fin rays with distinct strontium isotope ratios is possible and does not require sacrificing fish to check for marks. |
| |
| Keywords: | Acipenser fulvescens chemical marking enriched isotopes LA‐ICPMS mark retention strontium |
|
|
