caa a22 4500 606227342 CHVBK 20210128101157.0 cr unu---uuuuu 210128e20151201xx s 000 0 eng 10.1007/s10641-015-0438-9 doi (NATIONALLICENCE)springer-10.1007/s10641-015-0438-9 Assessing dorsal scute microchemistry for reconstruction of shortnose sturgeon life histories [Elektronische Daten] [Matthew Altenritter, Michael Kinnison, Gayle Zydlewski, David Secor, Joseph Zydlewski] The imperiled status of sturgeons worldwide places priority on the identification and protection of critical habitats. We assessed the micro-structural and micro-chemical scope for a novel calcified structure, dorsal scutes, to be used for reconstruction of past habitat use and group separation in shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). Dorsal scutes contained a dual-layered structure composed of a thin multi-layered translucent zone lying dorsally above a thicker multi-layered zone. Banding in the thick multi-layered zone correlated strongly with pectoral fin spine annuli supporting the presence of chronological structuring that could contain a chemical record of past environmental exposure. Trace element profiles (Sr:Ca), collected using both wavelength dispersive electron microprobe analysis and laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry, suggest scutes record elemental information useful for tracing transitions between freshwater and marine environments. Moreover, mirror-image like Sr:Ca profiles were observed across the dual-zone structuring of the scute that may indicate duplication of the microchemical profile in a single structure. Additional element:calcium ratios measured in natal regions of dorsal scutes (Ba:Ca, Mg:Ca) suggest the potential for further refinement of techniques for identification of river systems of natal origin. In combination, our results provide proof of concept that dorsal scutes possess the necessary properties to be used as structures for reconstructions of past habitat use in sturgeons. Importantly, scutes may be collected non-lethally and with less injury than current structures, like otoliths and fin spines, affording an opportunity for broader application of microchemical techniques. Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht, 2015 Acipenser nationallicence Sr:Ca nationallicence Trace elements nationallicence Habitat use nationallicence Natal origins nationallicence Altenritter Matthew School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut Kinnison Michael School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut Zydlewski Gayle School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut Secor David Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences, 20688, Solomons, MD, USA aut Zydlewski Joseph U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Maine, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut Environmental Biology of Fishes Springer Netherlands 98/12(2015-12-01), 2321-2335 0378-1909 98:12<2321 2015 98 10641 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-015-0438-9 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI BK010053 XK010053 XK010000 Metadata rights reserved Springer special CC-BY-NC licence nationallicence 1 research-article jats NATIONALLICENCE NATIONALLICENCE NL-springer NATIONALLICENCE 856 40 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-015-0438-9 text/html Onlinezugriff via DOI NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Altenritter Matthew School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Kinnison Michael School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine, 5751 Murray Hall, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Zydlewski Gayle School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Secor David Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences, 20688, Solomons, MD, USA aut NATIONALLICENCE 700 1- Zydlewski Joseph U.S. Geological Survey, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Maine, 04469, Orono, ME, USA aut NATIONALLICENCE 773 0- Environmental Biology of Fishes Springer Netherlands 98/12(2015-12-01), 2321-2335 0378-1909 98:12<2321 2015 98 10641