Migration Route of <i>Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis</i> in the South China Sea Based on Statolith Trace Element Information

Abstract

Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis (Lesson, 1830) is a pelagic species with a complex population structure and wide migration range. The trace elements in statoliths are effective indicators for reconstructing the life history of an individual. In this study, the trace elements in statoliths were determined via laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a multiple regression tree (MRT) model was used to trace the migration of S. oualaniensis and identify its potential habitats in the South China Sea. Na, Mg, Fe, Sr, and Ba were the effective trace elements, with significant differences found among stocks (p p S. oualaniensis in the South China Sea.

Keywords

• South China Sea
• <i>Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis</i>
• statolith
• trace element
• migration route