Latitudinal Gradient in Otolith Shape among Local Populations of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus L.) in Norway

Abstract

Otolith shape analysis of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in Norwegian waters shows significant differentiation among fjords and a latitudinal gradient along the coast where neighbouring populations are more similar to each other than to those sampled at larger distances. The otolith shape was obtained using quantitative shape analysis, the outlines were transformed with Wavelet and analysed with multivariate methods. The observed morphological differences are likely to reflect environmental differences but indicate low dispersal among the local herring populations. Otolith shape variation suggests also limited exchange between the local populations and their oceanic counterparts, which could be due to differences in spawning behaviour. Herring from the most northerly location (69°N) in Balsfjord, which is genetically more similar to Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), differed in otolith shape from all the other populations. Our results suggest that the semi-enclosed systems, where the local populations live and breed, are efficient barriers for dispersal. Otolith shape can thus serve as a marker to identify the origin of herring along the coast of Norway.

Sex matters: Otolith shape and genomic variation in deacon rockfish (Sebastes diaconus)

“…Regardless of whether deacon rockfish were organized into nearshore and offshore groups, morphological and genetic differences were statistically significant but small among the sample sites. Although our morphometric and genetic results were comparable to findings from other marine fishes sampled over larger geographic distances (Benestan et al, ; Berg et al, ; Lee et al, ; Libungan et al, ; Soeth et al, ), previous stock assessment using similar methods has relied upon stronger patterns in data to delineate a stock boundary (Siegle, Taylor, Miller, Withler, & Yamanaka, ; Ward, ).…”

“…Estimated pseudo F-values for the PERMANOVA test (Table 3) were similar to results reported in previous shaper otolith shape analyses of fish populations sampled over larger geographic distances (Berg et al, 2018;Lee, Brewin, Brickle, & Randhawa, 2018;Libungan, Slotte, Husebø, Godiksen, & Pálsson, 2015;Soeth et al, 2018). Additionally, a similar pattern of otolith shape variation was reported for two rockfish species sampled across the North Atlantic Ocean (Stransky, 2005).…”

Comparative biology and population mixing among local, coastal and offshore Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) in the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat and western Baltic

“…Similar results have been observed in Nordfjord, although these are not as clear as in Sognefjorden. Libungan et al [ 56 ] demonstrated differences in otolith shape for herring from these fjords, supporting our notion of local populations. According to VS, Nordfjord is also a nursery area for NSS.…”

Genetic factors have a major effect on growth, number of vertebrae and otolith shape in Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)

“…Iles and Sinclair [ 6 ] proposed that Atlantic herring have complex population structure and much effort has been spent to resolve this structure. Phenotypic traits like growth [ 7 , 8 ], numbers of vertebrae [ 9 , 10 ], otolith microstructure [ 11 , 12 ], as well as otolith shape [ 13 – 15 ], have been used to investigate the population structure of herring. Genetic studies have also become important during recent years.…”