Age validation of Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) by means of bomb radiocarbon
We used bomb radiocarbon (14C) in this age validation study of Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus). The otoliths of Dover sole, a commercially important fish in the NorthPacific, are difficult to age and ages derived from the current break-andburn method were not previously validated. The otoliths used in this study were chosen on the basis of estimated birth year and for the ease of interpreting growth zone patterns. Otolith cores, material representingyears 0 through 3, were isolated and analyzed for 14C. Additionally, a small number of otoliths with difficult-to-interpret growth patterns were analyzed for 14C to help determine age interpretation. The measured Dover sole 14C values in easier-to-interpret otoliths were compared with a14C reference chronology for Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in the North Pacific. We used an objectivestatistical analysis where sums of squared residuals between otolith 14C values of Dover sole and the referencechronology were examined. Our statistical analysis also included a procedure where the Dover sole 14C values were standardized to the reference chronology. These proceduresallowed an evaluation of aging error. The 14C results indicated that the Dover sole age estimates from theeasier-to-interpret otoliths with the break-and-burn method are accurate. This study validated Dover sole agesfrom 8 to 47 years.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | article biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2008
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| Subjects: | Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/25468 |
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