1980s population-specific compositions of two related anadromous shad species during the oceanic phase determined by microchemistry of archived otoliths

The specific stock composition and dispersion of anadromous fish species aggregations in the marine environment are poorly known, while they can play a major role in the metapopulation dynamics. Otolith microchemistry has proven to be a powerful tool to address natal origins of anadromous fish. We used archived otolith microchemistry to investigate the population-specific composition of subadult European shads (Alosa alosa and Alosa fallax) in the ocean during the 1980s. The allocation of natal origin was addressed relying on contemporary water and juveniles’ signatures within a Bayesian model. A great discrimination of natal origin was obtained at the Biscay Gulf scale. However, the discrimination of 1980s natal origin for the southern rivers with similar geology based on 2013 water and juveniles’ baselines was doubtful. Our results showed that the most abundant southern populations were dominant, suggesting that population-specific composition was related to population relative abundance. The dispersion in the marine environment was plastic; alternatively, shads were found large distances away from their natal rivers, while others remained in the vicinity of their natal river plume.