Abstract: To understand the element composition in otolith ofLiza haematocheila from the nearshore waters of the Yangtze Estuary, 13 samples with age from 1 to 6 years were analyzed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The results showed that 47 elements were detected in the otolith of L. haematocheila, with the top 10 elements being calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), strontium (Sr), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), zine (Zn) and lithium (Li). Among all the elements, Ca had the highest concentration and stability, accounting for 98.9% of the total elements. There was no significant difference between male and female in the top ten elements of otolith (P>0.05), indicating the same migratory history between them. The ratio of Sr and Ca content in the core area of otolith indicated that the spawning and hatching habitats of this species were located in the fresh and brackish water area in the intertidal zone of the Yangtze Estuary. Our results would provide basic data and reference for the reconstruction of habitat biographical history of L. haematocheila in the Yangtze Estuary.

Key words: Liza haematocheila, otolith microchemistry, habitat, Yangtze Estuary.