Acanthopagrus latus migration patterns and habitat use in Wanshan Islands, Pearl River Estuary, determined using otolith microchemical analysis

Introduction The waters surrounding the Wanshan Islands are important traditional fishing grounds in China, with rich habitat types. Acanthopagrus latus is an economically species this area; however, distribution of its spawning and use patterns remain unknown. Methods Thus 100 otolith samples A. were collected from three geographic areas (MW: Qi’ao Island Mangrove Water Habitat; OW: Yamen Estuary Oyster Farm RW: Dong’ao-Guishan Reef Habitat), concentrations Sr Ca along shortest axis vertical annual or lunar rings measured to span entire life cycle , core edge corresponding environmental characteristics at birth capture, respectively. Results discussion Analysis covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that ratios Sr/Ca edges RW significantly higher than those OW MW samples; both values ratio cores comparable samples. Cluster analysis non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) indicated juvenile stage, individuals two main clusters belonged same cluster. There was no significant difference between Therefore, area thought have originated low medium-salinity mangroves oyster farm habitats Pearl River Estuary. found distinct habitat-use patterns: 1) Marine Resident (7.2% sampled fish) fish marine for life; 2) Migrant (16.4% juveniles inhabit moderate salinity migrate as they grow; 3) Estuarine Visitor (76.4% repeated migration habitats. This suggests widespread estuarine throughout ontogeny. plasticity protection should be considered future fisheries management because Latus has been victim overexploitation resources.