Thursday, November 18, 2010

Putting it to Use

This is kind of old but interesting nonetheless.  Researchers used chemical signatures (in this case isotopes) in the otoliths of bluefin tuna  to distinguish between fish spawned in the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.  Clearly with the state of bluefin tuna populations, gathering information about life history is essential and otoliths can provide this information.  As I've written previously, it is difficult/improbable to capture and tag larvae and juveniles therefore the natural tags in otoliths are often the only record or natal origins available.      

No comments:

Post a Comment