Inter-Research > MEPS > v333 > p195-204  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

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MEPS 333:195-204 (2007)  -  doi:10.3354/meps333195

Statolith microchemistry traces the environmental history of the boreoatlantic armhook squid Gonatus fabricii

Karsten Zumholz1,*, Andreas Klügel2, Thor Hansteen1, Uwe Piatkowski1

1IFM-GEOMAR, Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissenschaften, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany
2Universität Bremen, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Postfach 330440, 28334 Bremen, Germany

ABSTRACT: Statoliths of the gonatid squid Gonatus fabricii from Disko Bay, West Greenland, were analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations and spatial distributions of 9 minor and trace elements (Sr, Ba, Mg, U, Zn, Mn, Y, Zr, Na). Element composition was assigned in situ to distinct statolith regions, corresponding to ontogenetic stages of an individual squid’s life. Significant variations in concentrations of all measured elements except Na were found between different regions of the statolith. Variations in Ba/Ca ratios suggest that juveniles inhabit surface waters, while larger specimens move to deeper waters. U/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios increased towards the outer statolith region, suggesting migration of adult squid into colder waters. Mg/Ca ratios decreased progressively from the core to the edge, most likely related to changes in protein concentrations in their microstructure during ontogenesis. This study is one of the first to apply LA-ICP-MS to cephalopod statoliths. Our results emphasise the strong potential of spatially resolved statolith analyses to gather information on life history, migrations and habitat use of cephalopods.


KEY WORDS: Statolith · Trace elements · Laser ablation ICP-MS · Cephalopods · Squid · Gonatus fabricii · Greenland


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