Frontiers in Otolith Chemistry: Insights, Advances and Future Directions Part 1

Advances in elemental and isotopic analysis of otoliths and analogous structures (scales, fin rays, bones) can provide unprecedented insight into movement and population mixing at multiple spatial scales.  Quantum leaps in our understanding of migratory dynamics have occurred  as the field of otolith chemistry has continued to evolve and mature, particularly when combined with complementary techniques (satellite pop-up and electronic tagging, coupled biophysical dispersal models, genetic sequencing) that together help break open the ‘black box’ of unseen movement.  These explorations have contributed to fundamental paradigm shifts in movement ecology towards recognizing the magnitude and importance of local retention and natal homing and quantifying partial migration where a portion of the population is non-migratory. The goal of this symposiumis to present otolith chemistry information in three related areas: 1.) new insights into migration and connectivity dynamics of diverse taxa, including diadromous, freshwater, estuarine, and marine species; 2.) methodological advances in otolith chemical assays and statistical approaches for analyzing otolith data; and 3.) experimental validations of complexities in chemical uptake dynamics, including relative effects of physiology versus environmental factors.  We also highlight presentations that apply otolith techniques to analogous structures, such as scales and fin rays that can be sampled non-lethally, or vertebrae in cartilaginous species.  Together these talks will provide a survey of the state-of-the-art in sclero-chemistry for unraveling complex ecological dynamics of fishes.