Quantifying larval dispersal portfolio in seabass nurseries using otolith chemical signatures

TitleQuantifying larval dispersal portfolio in seabass nurseries using otolith chemical signatures
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsTeichert, N, Tabouret, H, Lizé, A, Daverat, F, Acou, A, Trancart, T, Virag, L-S, Pecheyran, C, Feunteun, E, Carpentier, A
JournalMarine Environmental Research
Volume196
Pagination106426
Date PublishedJan-04-2024
ISSN01411136
KeywordsConnectivity, dispersion, Dynamic time warping, Fish nursery, Larval life history, Otolith chemistry
Abstract

The temporal asynchronies in larvae production from different spawning areas are fundamental components for ensuring stability and resilience of marine metapopulations. Such a concept, named portfolio effect, supposes that diversifying larval dispersal histories should minimize the risk of recruitment failure by increasing the probability that at least some larvae successfully settle in nursery. Here, we used a reconstructive approach based on otolith chemistry to quantify the larval dispersal portfolio of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, across six estuarine nursery areas of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. The analysis of natal and trajectory signatures indicated that larvae hatch in distinct environments and then dispersed in water masses featured by contrasting chemical signatures. While some trace elements appeared affected by temporal changes (Mn and Sr), others varied spatially during the larval stage but remained poorly affected by temporal fluctuation and fish physiology (Ba, Cu, Rb and Zn). We then proposed two diversity metrics based on richness and variations of chemical signatures among populations to reflect spatio-temporal diversity in natal origins and larval trajectories (i.e., estimates of dispersal portfolio). Along the French coast, the diversity estimates were maximum in nurseries located at proximity of offshore spawning sites and featured by complex offshore hydrodynamic contexts, such as the Mont St-Michel bay. Finally, our findings indicate that the dispersal portfolio was positively related with the local abundance of seabass juveniles, supporting the assumption that heterogeneity in dispersal history contributes to promote recruitment success in nurseries.

URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113624000874
DOI10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106426
Short TitleMarine Environmental Research
Catégorie HCERES
ACL - Peer-reviewed articles
Publication coopération et recherche SUD
Non