Natural growth, otolith shape and diet analyses of Odontesthes nigricans Richardson (Atherinopsidae) from southern Patagonia

Abstract Age and growth, otolith shape and diet of Odontesthes nigricans were analysed in order to provide an insight into the life history of the species and furthermore, to assess their possible use as a tool for discriminating silverside populations from the South Atlantic Ocean (Punta Maria) and Beagle Channel waters (Varela Bay). The age and growth analysis was performed by counting daily increments and annual marks in sagittae otoliths. Length-at-age data of individuals SL t  = 6.22 exp 2.45 [1−exp (−0.02 t )] ), which provided an excellent description of the pattern of daily growth for O. nigricans juveniles from Varela Bay. The spawning period was also assessed through back-calculation of hatching dates and it extended from November to February. The count of annual marks in larger individuals identified 7 year classes (0+ to 6+) in Varela Bay and 6 year classes (0+ to 5+) in Punta Maria. The von Bertalanffy growth model explained more than 95% of the growth patterns observed in O. nigricans from Varela Bay ( SL t  =  245.49 [1 − exp − 0.24 ( t +0.46) ]) and Punta Maria ( SL t  =  345.09 [1 − exp − 0.15 ( t +0.31) ]). Particularly, k and SL ∞ varied significantly between sampling sites; reaching Punta Maria a larger SL ∞ value with a lower k . Otolith shape variation was also explored using elliptical Fourier analysis and it showed significant differences between Varela Bay and Punta Maria populations. Furthermore, gut content analysis characterized O. nigricans as an invertebrate predator, being benthic organisms the most important components of its diet, which also showed significant site dependence. The use of all these analyses contributed to a holistic approach which maximized the likelihood of correctly identifying both O. nigricans populations in the southernmost limit of the species distribution.