Identification of potential fish stocks and lifetime movement patterns of Mugil liza Valenciennes 1836 in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean

摘要: Abstract The mullet Mugil liza is the Mugilidae that lives southernmost in western Atlantic Ocean. Knowledge about migration, movements and identification of stocks this important fishery resource scarce. Thus, we aim to study movement patterns identify presence different fish southwestern region Ocean, using cumulative otolith shape morphometric microchemical analyses sagittae otoliths. Specimens (n = 99) were obtained four coastal areas: Paranagua Bay Brazil, Samborombon Bay, Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon, San Blas Argentina. Otolith indices (circularity, rectangularity, aspect ratio, percentage occupied by sulcus, ellipticity form factor) used for stock analysis; microchemistry LA-ICP-MS (Sr/Ca Ba/Ca ratios chronological variation) was both analysis behaviors (otolith edge ratios). Morphometrical did not reveal a clear separation among areas. bay individuals presented otoliths tending be longer than wider, with more elliptic from other studied areas; also, area share most northern one, Brazil. lifetime profiles revealed three types behavior pattern: Type I: frequent use estuarine environments; II: fluctuating between sea/high salinity waters; III: habitats. differences Sr/Ca it cannot assured there one region. environmental migratory Southwestern Ocean showing facultative hence, species appears mostly low estuaries, as seen also cores ratios; differing general mugilid previoulsy described.