Eye lens d14 c validates otolith-derived age estimates of gulf of mexico reef fishes

Abstract

We tested whether D14 C values of eye lens protein (crystallin) formed in early life could be utilized to validate marine bony fish age estimates via the bomb radiocarbon chronometer. The slope of the relationship between red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus; n = 8; 0 to 27 years old), otolith and eye lens core D14 C values was not significantly different than 1, which was also true for seven additional reef fish species (n = 21; 0 to 24 years old). Results demonstrate eye lens core D14 C can be utilized to validate age estimates of marine fishes, which will be useful in numerous age validation applications.