Occurrence and vertical distribution of Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, K, Rb, Sr, S, Sn, and Zn in the skull bones of alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) in the West Carpathians

Perinajová, Michaela; Janiga, Marián; Janiga, Martin; Ballová, Zuzana Kompišová

Occurrence and vertical distribution of Ca, Cl, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, K, Rb, Sr, S, Sn, and Zn in the skull bones of alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) in the West Carpathians

2020

Perinajová, Michaela | Janiga, Marián | Janiga, Martin | Ballová, Zuzana Kompišová

The aim of this study was to examine the contents of calcium, chlorine, chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, potassium, rubidium, strontium, sulfur, tin, and zinc in the bones of the alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) related to its vertical distribution in the mountain river Javorinka. This river is located on the northern side of the High Tatras, the West Carpathians. Sampling took place during 2017, 2018, and 2019. One hundred three individuals of bullheads were collected. Only deceased individuals were selected for sampling; there was no deliberate harm to any sampled individuals. Weight, body length, and head length and width were measured. The amounts of Ca, Rb, and Mo were significantly dependent on the altitude and the fish size. At higher altitudes, there are smaller fish that colonize more inaccessible waters with smaller habitat flow options and these smaller fish contain relatively more Ca, Rb, and Mo in their skulls than large fish. The presence of Mn, Sr, and Zn was related to the altitude. Concentrations of Zn and Sr increase with altitude in the alpine bullhead skulls. The amounts of S, Cl, K, Cr, Sn, and Mo did not differ among fish living at different elevations.

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