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Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Lead–radium dating of Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) – validation of the young-fish scenario

Allen H. Andrews
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

NOAA Fisheries – Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA. Email: allen.andrews@noaa.gov

Marine and Freshwater Research 67(12) 1982-1986 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15228
Submitted: 12 June 2015  Accepted: 19 September 2015   Published: 24 November 2015

Abstract

Age readers disagree on the age reading interpretation of otolith growth patterns for the Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). One interpretation describes a young-fish scenario with a life span near 10–12 years, whereas another interpretation describes an old-fish scenario at more than 30 years. In this study, lead–radium dating was performed on Pacific cod otoliths to test the validity of the old-fish age reading scenario. Radiometric ages revealed that the young-fish scenario was valid because the actual age of the two oldest adult groups was more than 20 years younger than estimated by the old-fish scenario.

Additional keywords: age validation, Gadiformes, Gulf of Alaska, lead-210, otolith, radium-226.


References

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