Takaomi Arai and Naoko Chino
Abstract
In order to apply otolith microchemistry for life history analysis, the ontogenic change patterns of Sr and Ca in the otolith were examined in a freshwater eel, Anguilla bicolor bicolorcollected in Peninsular Malaysia. Sr:Ca ratios in the otolith fluctuated strongly along the life history transect during 100 and 200 µm from the core of the otolith, indicating a period of metamorphosis during oceanic life. This suggests that the changes in Sr:Ca ratios are associated with internal physiological factors such as metamorphosis in the early developmental stage in the species. The low Sr:Ca ratios after marine life corresponded to the freshwater life history. These results suggest that otolith microchemistry can reconstract the whole life history in the freshwater eel.