Otolith oxygen isotope analysis and temperature history in early life stages of the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region

To determine the temperature history of early life stages of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicas), otolith stable oxygen isotope ratios (delta O-18(otolith)) of larval and juvenile fish collected in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition area during 2004-2015 were analyzed, and experienced temperatures were estimated accordingly. The delta O-18(otolith) values decreased with otolith growth during the larval stage, whereas those for juveniles were positively correlated with otolith radius and increased with increasing otolith size. Combinations of delta O-18(otolith) values, average otolith daily increment width, and daily age were representative of the differences between better and poorer recruitment years, the former being characterized by earlier spawning and faster growth (resulting from cooler experienced temperatures), and the latter by slower growth. Analyzed fish were sorted into larval and early juvenile growth stages by cluster analysis; the high-growth cluster exhibited higher delta O-18(otolith) values than the low-growth cluster. The conversion of delta O-18(otolith) values to water temperature indicated that the higher growth cluster experienced a water temperature ca. 2.0 degrees C cooler during the later juvenile stage. Therefore, our results suggest the presence of a growth positive spiral, wherein individuals with high initial growth proactively enter cooler water temperature areas, accessing a highly nutritious diet resulting in further rapid growth.