Hi, I'm trying to figure out other possible ways of ordination/clustering for assigning the natal origin of my fish samples. My data include concentrations of certain trace elements as detected by Laser Ablation Intra-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry using otoliths.

I tried Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) using different R packages (caret, MASS). Data was log-transformed and conformed to assumptions of normality. I have results but I want to try other methods as well.

I've read about Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) as a clustering method but I see them being used widely in population genetics. I'm doing some literature search in the field of otolith microchemistry, but I haven't found one yet. Is it possible to use it for otolith microchemistry studies? If not, can you suggest other clustering methods?

References are highly appreciated. Thank you very much.