ESR 29:271-277 (2016)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00717

ABSTRACT: Otolith microchemistry (Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca) was used to evaluate habitat use patterns of the endangered dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus in southern Brazil. Individual Sr:Ca profiles exhibited low variation, with an overall tendency to increase with age. Interestingly, individual Ba:Ca profiles presented 3 contrasting patterns: the first comprised most sampled individuals (>80%), mostly indicative of the predominant use of marine waters throughout their life history; the second pattern (~10% of all individuals) indicated that dusky grouper may use or remain in or near estuarine waters for short time periods; finally, the third identified pattern (~5%) comprised individuals remaining in estuarine waters for long periods and provided the first evidence for this species of prolonged estuarine habitat use (over a year), in particular during juvenile life stages.

KEY WORDS: Epinephelidae · Fish conservation · Life-history plasticity · Movement · Natural tags · Patos Lagoon

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Cite this article as: Condini MV, Tanner SE, Reis-Santos P, Albuquerque CQ and others (2016) Prolonged estuarine habitat use by dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus at subtropical latitudes revealed by otolith microchemistry. Endang Species Res 29:271-277. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00717 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn