Evidence for geographical isolation of the early life stages of the white anglerfish, Lophius piscatorius, based on otolith microchemistry

Abstract

Concentrations of elements in the sagittal otoliths of juvenile white anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius) from five locations in the north-east Atlantic were measured to test for evidence of segregation in the early life stages. The concentrations of some elements, notably copper, were different between locations. As such, the results suggest limited exchange between locations during some period of the early life history. The relevance of these results to our understanding of population structuring is discussed in relation to recent information on anglerfish movements and genetic structuring.