Evaluation of the Ba-137 mass-marking technique and potential effects in the early life history stages of Sepioteuthis lessoniana

Abstract

The use of mass-marking techniques of enriched stable isotopes has increased in studies of ecology, movement patterns and the dispersal of marine organisms. However, the efficacy of this technique and its potential effects on hatchling size and statolith chemistry of cephalopods are yet to be investigated. Sepioteuthis lessoniana egg capsules were collected from northern Taiwan and assigned randomly to Ba-137-spiking experimental groups at 0.2, 0.5 and 1 ppm and three immersion durations (1, 3 and 7 days). Immersion duration >3 days produced significantly lower Ba-138 : Ba-137 ratios, with 100% marking success, indicating that it is a reliable marking technique. The Ba-137 mass marking had a positive effect on size at hatch and was likely to affect statolith trace element incorporation, including Cu, Zn and Pb. These findings highlight that it is necessary to consider the species-specific effects on hatchling size and physiological responses in when using stable isotopes mass-marking techniques.