Trace elements in otoliths of the two-banded bream from a coastal region in the south-west Mediterranean: are there differences among locations?

There were no significant differences in otolith chemistry (Li, Mn, Sr, Cd, Ba) of Diplodus vulgaris between sites (distances > 100 m) and few differe nces among locations (distance > 10 km) along the south-west coast of Spain . Multivariate analysis of otolith chemistry detected a difference among lo cations, but a posteriori comparisons could not detect which locations diff ered. This is one of the few studies to show little variation in otolith ch emistry among locations. Of the studies reviewed, < 10% showed non-signific ant differences. It is suggested that the region of the Mediterranean where this study was conducted may be relatively homogeneous in comparison to es tuarine and coastal regions where many of the other studies have been condu cted. (C) 2001 The Fisheries society of the British Isles.