Oral Presentation Australian Society for Fish Biology & Australian Freshwater Sciences Society Conference 2026

Opportunities and lessons learnt from working with lesser-known calcified structures and chemical markers for tracking aquatic animals (145633)

Zoe Doubleday 1
  1. Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

The fields of sclerochronology and biomineral chemistry have largely focused on bivalves, teleost fish, and hard corals, as well traditional trace element and stable isotope analyses. However, there are other aquatic taxa rich with chemical data, as well as emerging alternatives to traditional chemical analyses. To provide context to these new research opportunities, I will first summarise the outcomes of a recent collaborative review, highlighting knowledge gaps in the field. I will then highlight two relevant case studies from my research group that seek to bridge these knowledge gaps. The first will focus on two lesser-known calcified structures, the carapace and gastric ossicles of crabs, using multi-elemental analyses. In doing so, I will also highlight an advanced analytical method for exploring the microstructure of novel calcified structures: laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-TOF-ICP-MS), which can rapidly produce elemental maps with minimal sample preparation. In the second case study, I will focus on a lesser-known chemical marker, radiogenic neodymium isotopes, highlighting current knowledge, potential applications, and challenges. The aim of this synthesis is to foster collaboration and synergies among the established and lesser-known areas of research in the field to advance our understanding of the movement and origins of aquatic taxa.