Stable carbon isotope variations in otoliths of Atlantic cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>)

Stable carbon isotope ratios (13C) were measured in annual layers of otoliths of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the northeastern Scotian Shelf, Atlantic Canada. Layers deposited during the first 4-6 years of otolith growth increased in 13C from minimum values between -5 and -2.5 to a maximum near 0. This pattern of increase was independent of the years in which the fish was collected. Layers formed after reaching the maximum 13C value displayed decreasing or nearly constant isotopic ratios. Early rise in 13C may be a combined result of (i) decrease in the fraction of metabolic oxidized carbon in the fishes' blood as they mature, relative to the proportion of seawater-derived carbon, and (ii) dietary shift to higher trophic-level foods with higher 13C values. Age of maximum in 13C may be indicative of age of maturity of cod. The maximum 13C value attained by otoliths decreased steadily between 1983 and 1993, while cod stocks in Atlantic Canada were declining. Drop in age of attainment of maximum 13C between 1984 and 1985 coincides with changes in population dynamics of the 4Vs stock. This decrease, as well as the post maximum decrease in 13C values of the mature cod otoliths may represent movement of the fish to deeper waters of the shelf, where 13C of dissolved inorganic carbon is lower.

Stable carbon isotope variations in otoliths of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) Journal Articles