European flounder foraging movements in an estuarine nursery seascape inferred from otolith microchemistry and stable isotopes

Despite the importance of estuarine nurseries in the regulation of many fish stocks, temporal and spatial movements and habitat use patterns of juvenile fish remain poorly understood. Overall, combining several movement metrics allowed us to characterize dispersal patterns of juvenile flounder, Platichthys flesus, along an estuarine seascape. Specifically, we investigated otolith microchemistry signatures (Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca ratios) and stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) in muscles of these juveniles, during three consecutive years to assess inter-annual fluctuations in their home range and isotopic niches. The morphological condition and lipid content of individuals were lower in years of high as compared to low dispersal along the estuarine gradient. We discuss these results in relation to the ecosystem productivity and intra- and inter-specific competition level, which in turn affects movements and foraging behaviors of juvenile flounders.

Keyword(s)

Platichthys flesus, Nursery, Otolith chemistry, Isotopes, Feeding strategy, Estuary, Dispersion, Home range

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Teichert Nils, Lizé Anne, Tabouret Helene, Roussel Jean-Marc, Bareille Gilles, Trancart Thomas, Acou Anthony, Virag Laure-Sarah, Pécheyran Christophe, Carpentier Alexandre, Feunteun Eric (2022). European flounder foraging movements in an estuarine nursery seascape inferred from otolith microchemistry and stable isotopes. Marine Environmental Research. 182. 105797 (10p.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105797, https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00804/91581/

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