Walleye pollock egg distribution and mortality in the western Gulf of Alaska

We examine the distribution and mortality of walleye pollock ( Theragra chakogramma ) eggs in the western Gulf of Alaska. Most pollock eggs were found in mid-water, with low proportions in the neustonic and epibenthic layers during all years of sampling. A silhouette camera towed through a high egg density region provided new information on small-scale spatial distributions and provided density estimates at two depth layers similar to those of depth-discrete net sampling. Annual egg production curves and natural mortalities were estimated for 1987-92 based on the abundance of several cohorts relative to their production rate. Production during 1989 and 1990 was lower than in the other four years but 1988 was the only year to show markedly different (higher) mortality than the rest. Fertilization rate was generally very high (>99%) but several collections early in the season contained a substantial fraction of unfertilized eggs. Invertebrate egg predation was mainly due to euphausiids and was variable among locations and years. Egg cannibalism by adult pollock on the spawning grounds was inconsequential (< 1% for all years) compared to invertebrate predation.     

OPTIMAL SALINITY-TEMPERATURE COMBINATIONS FOR THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF GILTHEAD BREAM,Sparus auratus L.

High larval mortalities during rearing of gilthead bream, Sparus auratus L., led to experiments on the influence of salinity and temperature on eggs and yolk-sac larvae. Test salinities ranged from 5 to 70 ppt for eggs and from 15 to 45 ppt for larvae; experimental temperatures were 18–20°C for eggs and 18, 23 and 26°C for larvae. Spawning conditions were 18–20°C and 33–35 ppt salinity; the yolk-sac larvae were chosen from hatches obtained under similar conditions (18°C and 35 ppt salinity). For eggs the optimum survival range was found to be 30–50 ppt at 18°C and 15–60 ppt at 23°C, while that for yolk-sac larvae was 15–25 ppt at all three temperatures. Choosing normal development (no dorsal curvature) as the decisive criterion, the optimum salinity range for egg incubation was reduced to 30–40 ppt at 18°C and to 35–45 ppt at 23°C, while that for the yolk-sac stage remained 15–25 ppt at all test temperatures. Egg incubation was most successful at salinity-temperature combinations close to those during spawning, whereas salinity had to be reduced by at least 10 ppt for yolk-sac larvae.     

Maximizing lobster, Homarus gammarus (L.), egg and larval viability

The viability of batches of larvae reared to produce lobsters, Homarus gammarus (L.), for stock-supplementation experiments varied widely and rendered the timing and numbers of juveniles available for release unpredictable. Egg lipid reserves, time of hatching, exposure to low salinity during incubation and the influence of feeding regimes on water quality during larval culture were among the factors judged most likely to have affected viability. There was considerable variation in the lipid content of eggs from different females captured in 1989 and 1990. The proportion of lipid in eggs from females caught in 1990 was higher (10-20%) than that in eggs from females caught in 1989 (6-11%). The fatty acid content of eggs declined 72-80% during development although the overall proportions of fatty acids remained similar. Analysis of eggs and larvae from a single brood showed that rapidly developing eggs and the larvae that hatched from them contained greater triacylglyceride lipid reserves (by 49% and 15% respectively) than those which developed more slowly and hatched later. Exposure to reduced salinity (below 29 psu) prolonged development (by 30%), increased losses (to > 50%) and reduced the ratio of n-3:n-6 fatty acids (from 35-48 to 18-29) of eggs being incubated by captive, wild-caught, female lobsters. Larvae hatching from eggs held in reduced salinity (23 psu) survived less well (3% compared with 15%) than those incubated in sea water of 29 psu. The rate and degree to which fouling organisms became attached to larvae was related to feeding regime but not to development rate. A diet of mysids supplemented with mussel produced most fouling, generally poorer growth and a higher incidence of moulting abnormalities than a diet of mysids supplemented with Artemia nauplii. Among larvae fed Artemia, those developing early were significantly larger at instar 4 than late developers (56.4 mg cf. 49.8 mg, P < 0.05), but such differences in weight were not maintained by juveniles during the following 31 days of culture. The ecological and aquacultural implications of the results are discussed.     

Spatial and temporal patterns of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) spawning in the eastern Bering Sea inferred from egg and larval distributions

Walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (pollock hereafter) is a key ecological and economic species in the eastern Bering Sea, yet detailed synthesis of the spatial and temporal patterns of pollock ichthyoplankton in this important region is lacking. This knowledge gap is particularly severe considering that egg and larval distribution are essential to reconstructing spawning locations and early life stages drift pathways. We used 19 yr of ichthyoplankton collections to determine the spatial and temporal patterns of egg and larval distribution. Generalized additive models (GAMs) identified two primary temporal pulses of pollock eggs, the first occurring from 20 February to 31 March and the second from 20 April to 20 May; larvae showed similar, but slightly lagged, pulses. Based on generalized cross‐validation and information theory, a GAM model that allowed for different seasonal patterns in egg density within three unique areas outperformed a GAM that assumed a single fixed seasonal pattern across the entire eastern Bering Sea. This ‘area‐dependent’ GAM predicted the highest densities of eggs (i.e., potential spawning locations) in three major areas of the eastern Bering Sea: near Bogoslof Island (February–April), north of Unimak Island and the Alaska Peninsula (March–April), and around the Pribilof Islands (April–August). Unique temporal patterns of egg density were observed for each area, suggesting that pollock spawning may be more spatially and temporally complex than previously assumed. Moreover, this work provides a valuable baseline of pollock spawning to which future changes, such as those resulting from climate variability, may be compared.     

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., larvae cultivation literature, including a bibliography

The first attempts to rear Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., larvae were carried out in Norway in the period from 1974 to 1980, when ripe adult specimens of Atlantic halibut were net-caught, and stripped for eggs and milt. Both incubation of yolk-sac larvae and first-feeding were carried out in large submerged plastic bags and the larval food consisted of natural zooplankton collected from surrounding lagoon water. This semi-extensive production method was further developed and led to the establishment of several commercial production trials by the end of the 1980s. During recent years, research has been focused on intensive methods for first-feeding and the combined effort of several research institutes has resulted in a reliable production method. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the main research activity was focused on the biology of and rearing techniques for eggs and yolk-sac larvae. These techniques provided satisfactory yields for several years. However, during the past few years, a certain decrease in survival through the yolk-sac stage has been experienced at several hatcheries. Since the early 1990s, the first-feeding period has represented the bottleneck in the development of a reliable rearing method. The main effort has been concentrated on system configuration and on improving live prey quality. In the future, new feeding strategies including further improvement of live prey (i.e. Artemia), the use of copepods and early weaning onto a formulated diets should be emphasized. Further research on hygiene and technological improvements is needed to increase growth and survival through metamorphosis.     

Selective feeding in a generalist invertivore, age-0 striped bass

Abstract –  Age-0 striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ) and potential benthic and epibenthic invertebrate prey were collected at three sites in the mid-estuarine region of the Hudson River, New York, USA. Diet was related to prey availability to investigate the role of selectivity in feeding behaviour. The effects of prey availability and selectivity on stomach fullness were also examined. Gammarid amphipods and chironomid larvae were most numerous as stomach contents; and chironomid larvae, polychaetes, and isopods were the most numerous invertebrates captured. When selective feeding occurred, gammarid amphipods, Crangon spp. shrimp, and chironomid larvae were most commonly the preferred prey. Selective feeding correlated with higher stomach fullness. Fullness was also higher when the preferred prey was categorized as epibenthic versus benthic. Interaction between prey availability and environmental conditions appears to be an important determinant of age-0 striped bass feeding behaviour.     

丁Gui胚胎发育和卵黄囊仔鱼摄食研究

对丁Gui的胚胎发育进行了连续观察，并对其卵黄囊仔鱼在开口摄食之前的发育、生长以及不可逆点作了实验研究。结果表明：（1）丁Gui受精卵在水温21.5℃时，胚胎发育时间约为52h；（2）仔鱼在孵出后第7天开始摄食，初次摄食率第9天达100%，第12天降到50%，进入不可逆点；（3）仔鱼对卵黄囊的日净消耗量的最大值出现在出膜后第1天，体长最大增长率出现的在出膜后的第2天；（4）仔全出膜后第8天，卵黄囊全部吸收，同时，饥饿期仔鱼开始出现负生长。     

A review of the distribution, ecology and population dynamics of age-0 walleye pollock in the Gulf of Alaska

This review paper synthesizes published research and unpublished data on the abundance and distribution patterns, ecology and population dynamics of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ) during their first year of life (age-0) in the Gulf of Alaska. Distribution patterns have been described using mainly trawl catches, but recently, acoustic methodology has been employed, especially in examining vertical distributions. Although age-0 pollock are found throughout the Gulf, the highest catches occurred west of Kodiak Island. Pollock are pelagic for at least their first 6 months of life but show an ontogenetic increase in depth distribution superimposed on a pronounced diel vertical migration at a larger size. Daily growth rates are variable depending on year, season and area, and growth generally ceases during the winter. The diet of age-0 pollock shifts from mainly copepods in early juveniles to euphausiids by fall, with epibenthic organisms becoming important during the winter months. Feeding occurs mainly at night in surface waters. Age-0 pollock are most frequently associated with gelatinous zooplankton (medusae) and older pollock. Many predators on age-0 pollock have been identified; the most important are arrowtooth flounder ( Atheresthes stomias ), adult pollock, puffins ( Fratercula spp.), murres ( Una spp.), harbor seals ( Phoca vitulina richardsi ) and Steller sea lions ( Eumetopiasjubatus ). Modelling provides some insight into the population dynamics of these juveniles and environmental conditions which interannually affect their survival. These results are discussed relative to the importance of age-0 pollock in the recruitment of this species and to their role in the pelagic ecosystem.     

Observed patches of walleye pollock eggs and larvae in Shelikof Strait, Alaska: their characteristics, formation and persistence

Using observations from 38 ichthyoplankton surveys conducted near Shelikof Strait, Alaska between 1979 and 1992, we characterized the horizontal distribution and spatial patchiness of the early life stages of walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogtamma ). Lloyd's index of patchiness ranged from 3.9-6.1 for eggs and 3.9–16.2 for larvae. This index was size (age) dependent: low for eggs, high for newly hatched larvae, then decreasing through late larval stage. By the early juvenile stage, patchiness increased as pollock began to school. The percentage of larvae in a patch (defined as the percentage of larvae present at stations where larval counts exceeded the mean by one standard deviation during the given survey) varied greatly (26–92%). Larval distributions were used to deduce physical mechanisms responsible for patches. Three categories of patches were identified: those created by interaction of larvae with time-dependent currents, those in the vicinity of Sutwik Island, and those associated with eddies. Simulation experiments were utilized to examine processes influencing patch formation and the role of larval swimming. Between 5 and 6 weeks after hatching, larvae have swimming abilities that enable them to maintain a patch already created by physical mechanisms.     

Microbial communities associated with early stages of intensively reared orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides)

The gut microbiota plays key roles in the health and general welfare of fish larvae, the present study characterized the bacterial communities associated with grouper Epinephelus coioides larvae during a period of 22 days post hatch (DPH) in an intensive hatchery using both cultivation‐based and cultivation‐independent approaches. Both approaches confirmed that bacteria were present in the gut of larvae before and after the onset of exogenous feeding, and the number of cultiviable bacteria increased gradually from 2 DPH to 22 DPH. A more complex bacterial profile was present in larvae fed fertilizer oyster eggs for 4 days (8 DPH), probably as a result of the onset of exogenous feeding. Interestingly, similar internal microbiota were observed in larvae fed fertilized oyster eggs for 4 days (8 DPH) and rotifers for 2 weeks (22 DPH), although different microbial communities were present in the two feeds. This might suggest that the gut environment of E. coioides larvae selects for a common microbiota, which is more closely related with the rearing water than the two feeds. Therefore, bacterial community of the rearing water may play a critical role in the establishment of gut microbiota of fish larvae and more attention should be paid to its practical modulation by using probiotics. In addition, some potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Lactococcus spp., were the major components of the microbiota associated with fertilized oyster eggs, while these bacteria were not detected in larvae samples.     

Climate change in the southeastern Bering Sea: impacts on pollock stocks and implications for the oscillating control hypothesis

Concern about impacts of climate change in the Bering Sea prompted several research programs to elucidate mechanistic links between climate and ecosystem responses. Following a detailed literature review, Hunt et al. (2011) (Deep‐Sea Res. II, 49, 2002, 5821) developed a conceptual framework, the Oscillating Control Hypothesis (OCH), linking climate‐related changes in physical oceanographic conditions to stock recruitment using walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) as a model. The OCH conceptual model treats zooplankton as a single box, with reduced zooplankton production during cold conditions, producing bottom‐up control of apex predators and elevated zooplankton production during warm periods leading to top‐down control by apex predators. A recent warming trend followed by rapid cooling on the Bering Sea shelf permitted testing of the OCH. During warm years (2003–06), euphausiid and Calanus marshallae populations declined, post‐larval pollock diets shifted from a mixture of large zooplankton and small copepods to almost exclusively small copepods, and juvenile pollock dominated the diets of large predators. With cooling from 2006–09, populations of large zooplankton increased, post‐larval pollock consumed greater proportions of C. marshallae and other large zooplankton, and juvenile pollock virtually disappeared from the diets of large pollock and salmon. These shifts in energy flow were accompanied by large declines in pollock stocks attributed to poor recruitment between 2001 and 2005. Observations presented here indicate the need for revision of the OCH to account for shifts in energy flow through differing food‐web pathways due to warming and cooling on the southeastern Bering Sea shelf.     

Early- to late-summer population growth and prey consumption by age-0 pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), in two years of contrasting pollock abundance near the Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea

Acoustic survey data were used to estimate the abundance and distribution of age-0 walleye pollock and zooplankton near the Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, nursery area at two time periods in two consecutive years: the beginning of August, and mid-September, of 1996 and 1997. The 1996 pollock year class ultimately produced a large adult cohort in the eastern Bering Sea, while the 1997 year class produced a below-average adult cohort. Acoustic densities of age-0 pollock were significantly lower in August – and declined more strongly from August to September – in 1997 than in 1996, indicating that the trend to adult cohort strength was already set by August. Diet composition analyses revealed that age-0 pollock ate a much higher proportion of euphausiids in 1997 than in 1996, despite lower acoustic abundance of euphausiids in 1997. We infer that in 1996, age-0 pollock experienced greater feeding success by August, with high concentrations of copepods available for smaller fish to consume, and high concentrations of euphausiids available for larger individuals. In 1997, age-0 pollock had lower body condition in August and may have been limited by the availability of small (<2 mm) copepods. Bioenergetic modeling of prey consumption did not indicate a likelihood that age-0 pollock would begin to deplete euphausiids until late August in 1996, and not at all between August and mid-September in 1997.     

Utilization of free amino acids, yolk proteins and lipids in developing eggs and yolk-sac larvae of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma

ABSTRACT:   To elucidate the utilization of the major yolk nutrient stocks in eggs and larvae of walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma , the contents of free amino acids (FAA), the major yolk protein (180 kDa lipovitellin originated from vitellogenin B in ovulated eggs: oLv B), and lipids were measured. Most eggs hatched 18 days after fertilization at 5°C, and all larvae absorbed almost all their yolk mass by 28 days. The total FAA content showed no change during the first 6 days, and then decreased to 28% of the initial level by 18 days. The oLv B contents, measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a specific antiserum against oLv B, gradually decreased from 6 to 18 days, followed by a rapid decline. The content of phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerols (TG) showed no marked change until hatching, and then decreased until disappearance of yolk sac. From these results, it is proposed that there are two main periods for nutrient utilization in embryos and larvae of walleye pollock. In the first period, FAA was mainly utilized until 18 days after fertilization. Active utilization of oLv B and lipids (PL and TG) instead of FAA occurred during the second period from 18 to 28 days.     

Variations in larval walleye pollock feeding and condition: a synthesis

There was a strong association among concentrations of microzooplankton prey sampled from the walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma , larval habitat, gut contents of larvae, and their nutritional condition. Subsequently, hypothesized survival potentials linked to food availability were validated by independently determined mortality rates. We present evidence that a significant number of walleye pollock larvae were starving in 1991 but that fewer were starving in 1992. At some stations where prey levels were anomalously low in 1991, up to 40% of the larvae were in poor condition. There appears to be a 2-week period after first feeding when walleye pollock are vulnerable to starvation.     

盐度对杂交石斑鱼受精卵孵化和卵黄囊仔鱼形态及活力的影响

为了研究盐度对褐点石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus)♀×清水石斑鱼(Epinephelus polyphekadion)♂杂交后代(简称杂交石斑鱼)受精卵孵化、卵黄囊仔鱼形态及活力的影响,将杂交石斑鱼受精卵置于不同盐度水体中,观察盐度胁迫下卵径、油球径、孵化率及畸形率,以及孵化后卵黄囊仔鱼形态变化和活力状况。结果表明,在本研究条件下,受精卵卵径随盐度降低而增大,油球径不随盐度变化而变化。在盐度18~36范围内均能孵化仔鱼,但因盐度不同孵化率和初孵仔鱼畸形率有显著差异(P0.05);随盐度升高,孵化率呈先升后降的变化,初孵仔鱼畸形率则相反。盐度24~36组孵化后3 d仔鱼卵黄囊几乎完全消耗,组间无显著差异(P0.05)。在盐度24~36范围内,随着盐度的增加,仔鱼的不投饵存活系数(SAI值)呈先升后降的变化曲线;盐度30~33范围内,初孵仔鱼SAI值大于5;5日龄仔鱼全部死亡,半数死亡时间出现在孵化后3.5 d。综上分析表明,该杂交石斑鱼受精卵孵化及仔鱼培育的适宜盐度范围为24~36,最适盐度范围为30~33。     

Predation on native fish eggs by invasive round goby revealed by species‐specific gut content DNA analyses

1. Conservation of riverine fish often aims to improve access to spawning grounds and restore longitudinal connectivity by removing migration barriers, and involves substantial investments. However, these investments also enable non‐native predators to invade upstream into spawning areas and potentially adversely affect the recruitment of threatened freshwater fish through egg or fry predation.
2. Detecting egg predation is often challenging. Visual inspections of fish gut contents may underestimate predation of soft materials such as eggs and fry, which limits the discovery of predators preying upon these life‐stages. DNA‐based detection assays may offer a more sensitive tool to assess predation of soft materials.
3. A conservation issue was confirmed by developing and applying a species‐specific DNA‐based detection assay: invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) prey on the eggs or fry of the threatened common nase (Chondrostoma nasus) in Switzerland.
4. DNA‐based detection assays were also developed for five other valuable native fish species, including endangered salmonid and cyprinid river spawners. The applicability of the assays was confirmed in a series of laboratory and field feeding experiments involving eggs and fish tissue. In addition, this work provides a guiding framework for conservation managers regarding the use and applicability of different DNA‐based detection approaches for gut content analysis.
5. The results of this study could inform local conservation measures – such as temporary reductions in the density of round goby at spawning sites prior to spawning – and demonstrate how targeted application of species‐specific molecular markers may advance freshwater fish management.

     

Induced maturation and development of pinfish eggs

Pelagic eggs of pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), a common marine teleost found along the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States, were induced to mature with mammalian gonadotropins and steroid hormones. The eggs were artificially fertilized and subsequent development of the eggs and yolk-sac larvae appeared normal. Yolk-sac larvae at 18°C utilized 50% of the yolk stores in 15 h, and of the oil droplet in 17.4 h.     

The possible adaptive advantages of terrestrial egg deposition in some fluvial diadromous galaxiid fishes (Teleostei: Galaxiidae)

Several diadromous New Zealand and Australian species of Galaxias are now known, or suspected, to deposit their eggs amongst riparian vegetation or substrates either supratidally in estuaries or in forested streams in locations that are only temporarily submerged by elevated water levels. The eggs develop in a humid atmosphere and hatch when the egg deposition sites are resubmerged; a significant role for agitation in stimulating hatching seeming likely. There are risks from the eggs becoming dehydrated, and also from a failure by water to resubmerge the eggs before they have exhausted their energy resources. Hatching is triggered by elevated flows, perhaps being an outcome of agitation of the eggs. Elevated flows may also increase the rate of downstream transport of the larvae, facilitating survival during dispersal to sea from spawning sites in streams that may be long distances inland. Hatching during flood events may favour survival of the larvae because turbid flows may provide ‘cover’ for the larvae as they emigrate to sea. Risks from egg predation by aquatic predators may be replaced by risks from terrestrial predators.     

Digestion of larval American shad by cyprinids

Cyprinids have pharyngeal teeth for grinding food before swallowing and a continuous gut with no discrete stomach. This digestive tract structure, as well as the feeding behavior traits shown by cyprinids, makes it difficult to identify and measure the amount of food consumed by these fishes. The relations among quantity of food in cyprinid gut, time after feeding and predator size were described by log-linear multiple regression. The number of intact American shad (Alosa sapidissima (Wilson)) larvae eaten in laboratory experiments was estimated by extrapolating the regression for the amount of food in the gut over time for predators of various size. The numbers of larval American shad in guts of fish captured in the Juniata River, Pennsylvania, were not significantly different from those estimated with the equations derived from laboratory data. In view of their abundance in rivers and their potential digestion rate for larval fish, cyprinids can be expected to have a marked influence on reducing the numbers of larval American shad.