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Variation in migratory history of Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, collected in the northernmost part of its distribution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2008

Takaomi Arai ,
Aya Kotake  and
Madoka Ohji
Takaomi Arai*
Affiliation:
International Coastal Research Center, Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 2-106-1, Akahama, Otsuchi, Iwate 028-1102, Japan
Aya Kotake
Affiliation:
Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 1-15-1, Minamidai, Nakano, Tokyo 164-8639, Japan
Madoka Ohji
Affiliation:
Institute of Symbiotic Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Takaomi Arai International Coastal Research Center Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 2-106-1 Akahama, Otsuchi, Iwate 028-1102, Japan email: arait@ori.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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Abstract

In order to examine the variation of migratory histories in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, we measured otolith strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations by X-ray electron microprobe analysis in A. japonica collected in a coastal brackish water lake in the northernmost part of its distribution. Two migratory types that were categorized as river eels and estuarine eels were found. Estuarine eels were dominant (85%), while ordinary diadromous eels that had entered the freshwater habitat made up only 15% of the population. The low proportion of river eels suggested that the estuarine eels that inhabit the nearby coastal areas might make a larger reproductive contribution to the next generation in this area. There was no significant difference in growth between the river and estuarine eels, which suggested that the limited carrying capacity of the adjacent river and geographical features might be more effective in determining the habitat use of the Japanese eel than the genetic feature and food abundance at the northern edge of its distribution.

Keywords

variationmigratory historyJapanese eelsAnguilla japonicanorthern edge of distribution
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 88 , Issue 5 , August 2008 , pp. 1075 - 1080
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2008

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