Relationship between prey utilization and growth variation in hatchery‐reared Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel), larvae estimated using nitrogen stable isotope analysis

In mass culture of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis, a marked growth variation is observed after they start feeding at 6–7 mm in body length (BL) on yolk‐sac larvae of other species, and the growth variation in tuna larvae is a factor leading to the prevalence of cannibalism. To examine the relationship between prey utilization and growth variation, nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N) of individual larvae were analysed. A prey switch experiment was conducted under two different feeding regimes: a group fed rotifers (rotifer fed group), and a group fed yolk‐sac larvae of spangled emperor, Lethrinus nebulosus (fish fed group) from 15 days after hatching (6.87 mm BL). The fish fed group showed significantly higher growth than the rotifer fed group. Changes in the δ¹⁵N of the fish fed group were expressed as an exponential model and showed different patterns from those of the rotifer fed group. The δ¹⁵N of fast‐growing tuna larvae collected in an actual mass culture tank after the feeding of yolk‐sac larvae was significantly higher than those of the slow‐growing larvae, indicating that slow glowing larvae depended largely on rotifers rather than the yolk‐sac larvae.     

Mortality processes of hatchery‐reared Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck et Schlegel) larvae in relation to their piscivory

In mass culture of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis, yolk‐sac larvae of other species are fed as a major prey item to tuna larvae from 7 to 8 mm in total length. Marked growth variations in tuna larvae are frequently observed after feeding of yolk‐sac larvae, and this variation in the growth of tuna larvae is subsequently a factor leading to the prevalence of cannibalistic attacks. To elucidate details of the mortality process of hatchery‐reared tuna larvae after the initiation of yolk‐sac larvae feeding, we compared the nutritional and growth histories of the surviving (live) tuna larvae to those of the dead fish, found dead on the bottom of the tank, as direct evidence of their mortality processes. Cause of mortality of tuna larvae 3 and 5 days after the initiation of feeding of yolk‐sac larvae was assessed from nitrogen stable isotope and otolith microstructure analyses. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the live fish rapidly utilized prey fish larvae, but the dead fish had depended more on rotifers relative to the live fish 3 and 5 days after the initiation of feeding of yolk‐sac larvae. The growth histories based on otolith increments were compared between the live and dead tuna larvae and indicated that the live fish showed significantly faster growth histories than dead fish. Our results suggest that fast‐growing larvae at the onset of piscivory could survive in the mass culture tank of Pacific bluefin tuna and were characterized by growth‐selective mortality.     

A comparison among differently enriched rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and their effect on Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae early growth, survival and lipid composition

We evaluated the effect of differently enriched rotifers on the early growth, survival and lipid composition of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua). The enrichments tested were: (i) AlgaMac 2000^®; (ii) AquaGrow^® Advantage; and (iii) a combination of Pavlova sp. paste and AlgaMac 2000^®. Larvae from treatment 3 [1.50 ± 0.11 mg dry weight (dw) and 7.10 ± 0.14 dw specific growth rate (SGR)] were heavier (P = 0.006) and grew faster (P = 0.004) than larvae from treatment 2 (1.03 ± 0.04 mg dw and 6.29 ± 0.04 dw SGR). No significant differences were found in the final weight and SGR among larvae from treatment 1 (1.21 ± 0.07 mg dw and 6.58 ± 0.20 dw SGR) and larvae from treatments 2 and 3. The treatment 3 also resulted in the best survival at the end of the experimental period, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 1 to 5, whereas the survival estimates for the two other groups were 1–2. Larvae from the treatment 3 reached 37 days posthatch with levels of ω6DPA 32‐fold higher than newly hatched larvae. Differences in the larval enrichment of ω6DPA may explain the differences in growth and survival of the Atlantic cod larvae.     

Differential growth rates related to initiation of piscivory by hatchery-reared larval Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis

Fast growth plays an important role in survival processes during the early life stages of both field-captured and hatchery-reared Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis. Marked growth variations in hatchery-reared tuna larvae are frequently observed even for the same age and within the same rearing tank after the onset of the piscivory. We hypothesized that these small growth variations in the growth of tuna larvae at the onset of piscivory lead subsequently to large growth variations and tested the hypothesis using three size groups (large, intermediate and small) of hatchery-reared fish by nitrogen stable isotope and otolith analyses. Stable isotope analysis revealed that the large group rapidly utilized prey fish larvae, but the smaller groups depended more on rotifers as the main prey item relative to the large group. The otolith radius from the core to the increment corresponding to the first feeding on yolk-sac larvae was compared among the three size groups. The results revealed that the large group had larger otolith radii than the small and intermediate groups. Our findings suggest that small growth variations apparent during the early larval stage of tuna could induce further large growth variations in the late-larval and juvenile stages through differences in the initial ability to utilize piscivory.     

Feeding strategies to achieve correct metamorphosis of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., using enriched Artemia

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., larvae were reared under four different Artemia feeding regimes for 40 days from day 20 post first feeding. Three Artemia enrichments were used: Super Selco? (SS), AlgaMac 2000? (AM) and a particulate mix of AlgaMac 2000? with tuna orbital oil (TOO/AM). The SS and AM Artemia were tested in three different combinations: (1) a 1:1 ratio continuously to day 60 (AM/SS); (2) a 1:1 ratio to day 41, then AM only (AM/SS-41): and (3) AM only to day 41, then a 1:1 ratio (AM-41). The fourth treatment comprised TOO/AM Artemia, which was fed continuously. At day 60 post first feeding, measurements were made of survival and growth rates, postmetamorphic characteristics (i.e. eye migration and pigment distribution), and lipid composition. The mean survival rates ranged from 65.1% to 84.5%. Specific growth rates varied from 7.64 to 8.13. The eye migration indices were between 2.3 and 2.6. These parameters did not differ significantly among treatments (P 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of fry (P<0.05) exhibited‘perfect metamorphosis’(correct pigment distribution and complete eye migration) in the AM/ SS-41 and AM-41 treatments (59.8 ± 3.03% and 54.6 ± 1.08%, respectively) compared to the AM/SS and TOO/AM treatments (35.9 ± 4.02% and 39.9 ± 6.43%, respectively). The fatty acid compositions of livers and eyes varied according to feeding regime, but did not correspond to the metamorphosis characteristics of the fry.     

Use of enriched rotifers and Artemia during larviculture of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua Linnaeus, 1758): effects on early growth, survival and lipid composition

A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) and Artemia sp. enriched differently on early growth, survival and lipid class composition of Atlantic cod larvae (Gadus morhua). Rotifers enrichments tested were: (1) AlgaMac 2000^®, (2) AquaGrow^® Advantage and (3) a combination of Pavlova sp. paste and AlgaMac 2000^®. The same treatments were tested with Artemia as well as a combination of DC DHA Selco^® and AlgaMac 2000^® as a fourth treatment. After rotifer feeding, the larvae from treatment 3 [1.50 ± 0.11 mg dry weight (dw)] were significantly heavier than larvae from treatment 2 (1.03 ± 0.04 mg dw). After feeding Artemia, the larvae from treatment 1 were significantly heavier (12.06 ± 2.54 mg dw) than those from treatments 3 (6.5 ± 0.73 mg dw) and 4 (5.31 ± 1.01 mg dw). Treatment 3 resulted in the best survival through the 59 days of larviculture. After rotifer feeding, high larval concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), arachidonic acid (AA) and ω6 docosapentaenoic acid (ω6DPA) could be linked to better larval growth and survival while after feeding Artemia, high larval DHA/EPA ratios (～3) and high DPA/AA ratios (>1) could be linked to better survival.     

The first‐feeding response of larval southern bluefin tuna,Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau, 1872), and yellowtail kingfish,Seriola lalandi (Valenciennes, 1833), to prey density,prey size and larval density

We investigated the first‐feeding success of two species: southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) to determine if similar culture parameters can be used for both, especially when S. lalandi are held in the same tanks as prey for T. maccoyii. The feeding performance (proportion and intensity) was examined in three short‐duration (4 h) experiments: prey density, prey size and larval density. Increasing prey density from 0.5 to 25 rotifers mL^?1 increased the proportion of T. maccoyii and S. lalandi larvae feeding. Prey size alone did not affect feeding in either species. Seriola lalandi had a decreased proportion of larvae feeding when larval density reached 50 larvae L^?1 concurrent with a gradual increase in feeding intensity between 2 and 50 larvae L^?1. In T. maccoyii, there was no pattern to the effect of larval density on the proportion of larvae feeding. The overall feeding performance of larvae was higher in T. maccoyii than S. lalandi. Increased prey density improved the first‐feeding ability of T. maccoyii and S. lalandi larvae. The effect of larval density on S. lalandi feeding requires further investigation, to ensure that they remain feeding when provided as prey in T. maccoyii culture. The identification of factors in this study, which increase first‐feeding success, will improve the culture of both species.     

Growth and lipid composition of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae in response to differently enriched Artemia franciscana

Considerable progress has been achieved in the intensive culture of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). However, there is little information concerning optimum live-feed enrichments for cod larvae, since many of the techniques used during the larviculture have been borrowed from other fish species and adapted for the production of Atlantic cod. The present study compared four different protocols for the enrichment of Artemia to be used as live feed for cod larvae. The protocols tested were: (1) AlgaMac 2000, (2) AquaGrow Advantage, (3) Pavlova sp. + AlgaMac 2000, and (4) DC DHA Selco + AlgaMac 2000. Larvae were fed differently enriched Artemia between 37 and 59 days post hatch. At the end of the experiment, larvae from treatment 1 [specific growth rate (SGR) = 10.4 ± 0.4% day⁻¹] grew faster than larvae from treatments 3 (SGR = 6.9 ± 0.2% day⁻¹) and 4 (SGR = 4.9 ± 0.4% day⁻¹, P < 0.0001). However, treatments 3 and 4 resulted in better larval survival at the end of the experimental period, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 1 to 5, whereas the survival estimates for the two other groups were 2. The treatments affected the fatty-acid composition of Artemia and of cod larvae. Larvae from treatment 1 had a higher percentage of AA (20:4ω6, P < 0.0001) and ω6DPA (22:5ω6, P < 0.0001) than the other larvae. Levels of DHA (22:6ω3) were similar in larvae from treatments 1 and 4, and higher than in the other larvae (P < 0.0001). Our results suggest that Artemia containing a DHA/EPA/AA ratio of 7/2/1 result in good larval performance. Joseph A. Brown—Deceased September 2005.     

Use of differently enriched rotifers,Brachionus plicatilis,during larviculture of haddock,Melanogrammus aeglefinus: effects on early growth,survival and body lipid composition

We evaluated the effects of enriched rotifers on growth, survival and on the lipid composition of haddock larvae. The treatments tested were (1) AlgaMac 2000^®, (2) AquaGrow^® Advantage and (3) Pavlova sp. paste and AlgaMac 2000^®. The treatments did not influence larval growth rate throughout the experimental period (P = 0.70). Larvae from all treatments grew approximately 8% of their dry weight per day between 1 and 29 days post hatch (dph). Treatment 3 resulted in the best survival, estimated to be 3 on a scale from 0 to 5, whereas for the two other groups the survival estimates were 0 and 2. Rotifers from treatment 1 had low sterol concentrations, high eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio and their feeding resulted in high larval mortality. Rotifers enriched with Pavlova sp. had the lowest proportions of the sum of saturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and sum of ω3 and the highest proportions of the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (ΣMUFA). This was partially reflected in larvae from treatment 3 in that they had the highest proportions of ΣMUFA and the lowest proportions of Σω3 (P < 0.0001 for both analyses). In addition, these larvae had the highest and lowest ΣC₂₀ and ΣC₂₂ polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) respectively (P < 0.0001 for both analyses). We suggest that more research with ω3 and ω6 PUFA can lead to improvements in the rearing of haddock larvae produced in hatcheries.     

Effect of Artemia enrichment on the growth and survival of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel) larvae

This study was carried out to investigate the suitability of Artemia enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and choline as live food on the growth and survival rate of the Pacific bluefin tuna (PBT; Thunnus orientalis) larvae. The PBT larvae were fed either Artemia enriched with oleic acid (Diet 1), DHA (Diet 2), DHA+choline 1.0 mg L^?1 (Diet 3) and DHA+choline 2.0 mg L^?1 (Diet 4) or striped knifejaw larvae (Diet 5, reference diet), in duplicate for 12 days. Enrichment of Artemia with DHA significantly increased the DHA levels to 13.9, 13.8 and 12.5 mg g^?1 on a dry matter basis in Diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively; however, the levels were significantly lower than the reference diet (26.9 mg g^?1 dry matter basis; Diet 5). Although growth and survival rate were significantly improved by the enrichment of Artemia with DHA and choline, the improvement was negligible compared with the enhanced growth and survival rate of the fish larvae‐fed group (P<0.05). The results demonstrated that enriched Artemia does not seem to be the right choice to feed the PBT larvae perhaps because of the difficulties in achieving the correct balance of fatty acid with higher DHA/EPA from Artemia nauplii.     

Effect of different enrichment products rich in docosahexaenoic acid on growth and survival of meagre,Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801)

Live prey used in aquaculture to feed marine larval fish – rotifer and Artemia nauplii – lack the necessary levels of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) which are considered essential for the development of fish larvae. Due to the high voracity, visual feeding in conditions of relatively high luminosity, and cannibalism observed in meagre larvae, a study of its nutritional requirements is needed. In this study, the effect of different enrichment products with different docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations used to enrich rotifers and Artemia metanauplii have been tested on growth, survival, and lipid composition of the larvae of meagre. The larvae fed live prey enriched with Algamac 3050 (AG) showed a significantly higher growth than the rest of the groups at the end of the larval rearing, while the larvae fed preys enriched with Multigain (MG) had a higher survival rate. DHA levels in larvae fed prey enriched with MG were significantly higher than in those fed AG‐enriched prey. High levels of DHA in Artemia metanauplii must be used to achieve optimal growth and survival of meagre larvae.     

Effect of taurine enrichment in rotifer (Brachionus sp.) on growth of larvae of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis (Temminck & Schlegel) and yellowfin tuna T. albacares (Temminck & Schlegel)

To investigate the dietary effect of taurine on the larval stage of tuna species, Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) and yellowfin tuna (YFT), larvae were reared until 16 days after hatching (dAH) and 14 dAH, respectively, and replicate samples were fed either non‐taurine‐enriched rotifers (T‐0) or rotifers enriched with 800 mg taurine L^?1 (T‐800). Most PBF and YFT larvae were at the preflexion stage until 7 and 8 dAH, and there were no differences in the growth performance and total protein content of larvae between the T‐0 and T‐800 groups (t‐test; P > 0.05). Thereafter, however, for larvae of both species, these parameters in the T‐800 group significantly increased with enhanced notochord development compared to those in T‐0 group (t‐test; P < 0.05). Except for the RNA content in PBF larvae, there were no significant differences in changes of DNA and RNA content with larval growth between the T‐0 and T‐800 groups, but both PBF and YFT larvae showed increased protein DNA^?1 and protein RNA^?1 ratios in the T‐800 group compared to the T‐0 group after notochord flexion. This indicates that taurine is an important nutrient for the rapid growth of early stage PBF and YFT larvae, and we conclude that the growth improvement of PBF and YFT larvae by dietary taurine supplementation is due to the increase in protein synthesis efficiency after notochord flexion.     

Experimental Studies to Evaluate Larval Survival of the Fire Shrimp, Lysmata debelius, to the Juvenile Stage

Many coral reefs are threatened because of anthropogenic impacts such as destructive fishing methods for marine ornamentals. The marine ornamental industry is currently almost completely dependent upon wild collections. The development of commercially feasible methods to culture ornamental species could help to reduce the need for wild‐collected specimens and reduce pressure on coral reefs. Advances in larval rearing and nutrition would help overcome the bottlenecks that impede the commercial production of many marine ornamental species. This article focuses on research for improving the production of the fire shrimp, Lysmata debelius. Experiments were performed with larval fire shrimp to evaluate (1) the importance of essential fatty acid enrichment of live prey (rotifers and Artemia) and (2) feeding penaeid shrimp muscle tissue to improve survival to metamorphosis. We also provide the fatty acid composition of Day‐1 posthatch fire shrimp larvae. The enrichment of live prey with docosahexaenoic acid did not improve larval growth, survival, or time to metamorphosis, but larvae fed live prey together with pureed penaeid shrimp muscle had survival rates of 9.8 ± 1.2%. The data and protocols developed in this study provide a foundation and baseline for future fire shrimp larval studies.     

Influence of swimbladder inflation failure on mortality,growth and lordotic deformity in Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis, (Temminck & Schlegel) postflexion larvae and juveniles

This study examined the influence of swimbladder inflation (SBI) failure on mortality (Experiment 1), lordotic deformity (Experiment 2) and growth (Experiment 1, 2) in Pacific bluefin tuna, Thunnus orientalis, postflexion larvae and juveniles by producing larvae lacking inflated swimbladders. Experiment 1 was conducted for postflexion larvae to juveniles (from 18 to 30 days‐post‐hatch; dph). Mortality was not significantly different between the fish with (WIS) and without (WOIS) inflated swimbladders. Standard length (SL) and body weight (BW) were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS. Moreover, the SBI was found in WOIS after postflexion stage. In Experiment 2, two examination trials were conducted on SBI, vertebral deformity and growth for juvenile stage. Lordotic deformities were found neither in the WOIS nor in the WIS. Although SL and BW were significantly smaller in WOIS than WIS at 22 dph, after 37 dph no significant differences were found between them. The results of Experiment 1 and 2 indicate that SBI failure causes growth retardation until juveniles of 30 dph; however, it does not cause growth retardation in juveniles after 37 dph and mortality of postflexion larvae and juveniles. Moreover, SBI failure did not cause lordotic deformity in PBT differently from many other fish.     

Identification of growth‐related nucleotide polymorphism in cultured Pacific bluefin tuna,Thunnus orientalis

Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF), Thunnus orientalis, is commercially one of the most important species of tuna. In this study, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) screening was conducted to find the growth‐related polymorphic DNA in cultured PBF. Fish hatched in 2007 were harvested at an age of 818–1994 days. They were categorized into superior, average and inferior growth groups, depending on their growth score at the time of harvest. On AFLP screening of 24 fish, with eight fish from each group, 215 polymorphic DNA fragments were observed. A second amplification, with EcoRI + ACC and MseI + CCC primers, generated a polymorphic fragment of 630 bp at a rate of 80.0% (n = 15) in the superior, 56.3% (n = 16) in the average and 20.0% (n = 15) in the inferior growth groups. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, which could amplify both AFLP‐positive and AFLP‐negative loci, were developed using the consensus sequence outside the AFLP target fragment. Eleven haplotypes were obtained by sequence analysis of the PCR product at the AFLP target loci. Among those, haplotype 1 was statistically significant in the superior and average growth groups and could be used as a molecular marker for distinguishing the individuals with superior and average growth from those with inferior growth.     

Effect of enriched live feeds on survival and growth rates in larval Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli Hilgendorf

High mortality frequently occurs in larval mass production of Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli Hilgendorf. Nutritional deficiencies in live feeds, rotifers and Artemia nauplii, fed to larvae could be a reason. A series of experiments was carried out to evaluate the effect of nutritional enrichment of live feeds by ω‐yeast, Spirulina powder and Super Selco^TM on survival and growth rates in rockfish larvae. Preference of rockfish larvae for the live feeds was determined by analysis of stomach contents. In addition, the effect of green water produced by the use of Chlorella ellipsoidea and Spirulina powder on the growth performance of larvae was evaluated. Larvae fed rotifers nutritionally enriched with Super Selco showed significantly higher survival rates than those fed rotifers enriched with ω‐yeast. Larvae fed rotifers that were nutritionally enriched with both Super Selco and Spirulina together exhibited improved growth and survival rates. Larvae fed Artemia nauplii nutritionally enriched with Spirulina powder showed significantly higher survival than larvae fed Artemia nauplii without enrichment. When larvae were fed rotifers, Artemia nauplii or the mixture of rotifers and Artemia nauplii, the second and last group showed significantly higher survival than the first group. Fatty acid composition in live feeds was improved by enrichment of ω‐yeast and larvae fed this feed showed higher survival and growth rates compared with larvae fed non‐enriched feeds. No positive effect of green water in the tank produced with C. ellipsoidea or Spirulina powder was observed on survival and growth rates for larvae fed nutritionally enriched rotifers with Super Selco and Spirulina powder. However, when the larvae were fed Artemia nauplii that were nutritionally enriched with ω‐yeast and Spirulina powder, green water obtained by adding Spirulina powder to the tanks resulted in significantly higher growth rates of larvae than was obtained by adding C. ellipsoidea.     

Morphological features and functions of bluefin tuna change with growth

Morphological features of Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis have important functions for its fast swimming. Morphological features of tuna change with growth; therefore, morphological functions may develop during this process. In this study, we precisely quantified the morphology of bluefin tuna with growth from juvenile to young adult using a three-dimensional laser profiler and evaluated the fluid dynamic characteristics of tuna using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and an accurate model based on measured data. As results of measurement of morphological features, the aspect ratio and sweepback angle, which are indices of hydrodynamic characteristics for a hydrofoil, suggested that the lift force of caudal fin was increased as the tuna grows. The results of CFD analysis showed that the coefficient of drag force gradually decreased with growth. Pectoral fins generated lift force, and the ratio of lift force to submerged weight (FL/SW) increased as the tuna grew to 0.2 m total length (TL). After the tuna exceeded 0.2 m TL, FL/SW changed to a wider range in angle of attack as the tuna grew. These results suggest that the morphological function of bluefin tuna develops to enhance its swimming ability as it grows from juvenile to young adult.     

Factors affecting the feeding response of larval southern bluefin tuna,Thunnus maccoyii (Castelnau, 1872)

Southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii, are cultured in Australia following collection of wild juveniles. Hatchery culture from egg is in the experimental stage. High early mortality has hindered the production of quality juveniles in the hatchery. This study investigated the visual capacity of T. maccoyii during early larval ontogeny in order to describe the best larval rearing conditions to produce high‐quality seed stock. Functional visual ability, determined through behavioural experimentation, identified the effect of light intensity, prey density, turbidity, tank colour and turbulence on the feeding response. Larvae were visually challenged to feed under a range of conditions in short‐duration (4 h) feeding experiments. Feeding performance was measured as the proportion of larvae feeding and the intensity of feeding. First‐feeding performance was positively affected by increasing prey density and lower turbidities and unaffected by light intensity, tank colour, turbulence, prey size and larval density. The key findings from feeding experiments on 6 and 9 dph larvae was that as T. maccoyii aged, lower light intensities and higher prey densities significantly increased feeding performance. In addition, the study has identified that high light intensity and high air‐driven turbulence induced significant mortality. The proficient first‐feeding response indicated that early mortality common in culture is unlikely to be associated with a failure to initiate feeding. Our findings show the use of low light intensity has the potential to significantly improve survival and feeding response during the first two critical weeks of culture, when the major bottleneck in hatchery production is currently experienced.     

Relationships among vertically structured in situ measures of turbulence,larval fish abundance and feeding success and copepods on Western Bank,Scotian Shelf

Using vertically stratified data of the abundance of silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) larvae and concentrations of copepods collected in the field, we examine relationships among the vertical distribution of larval fish, their potential prey, feeding success and water column turbulence. Water column turbulence and associated stratification parameters were estimated from: (i) in situ measures of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation (?) provided by an EPSONDE profiler; (ii) in situ wind speed; (iii) the Richardson number (Ri); and (iv) the buoyancy frequency (N²). Small (< 5 mm total length) silver hake were more abundant in the least turbulent waters (i.e. at a minimum in the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy, ? < 10^–7 W kg^?1; Ri > 0.25; N² > 0.001 (rad s^–1)²). Partial correlations amongst ?, N² and small hake larvae were significant only for N². The abundance of larger (> 5 mm total length) hake larvae was positively correlated with depth and was not associated with either ? or N². Vertical distributions of three potential prey (classified by stage) were variable. Early stage copepodids were positively correlated with N² and negatively correlated with ?. We found no evidence of diel distribution patterns for small (< 5 mm total length) hake larvae or for any of the developmental stages of the copepods examined. Neither estimate of water column turbulence inferred from wind speed nor from Ri was meaningfully related to in situ estimates of ? or to larval fish abundance. Feeding success, measured either as prey items (gut)^–1, average prey length, or total prey volume (gut)^–1, was not related to predicted encounter rates between days. However, the average prey length (gut)^–1 was significantly (P < 0.01) related to water column turbulence. These conflicting results suggest that the relationship between larval feeding and the environment is more complicated than assumed. We conclude that without substantial high resolution in situ examination of the relationship between the vertical distributions of turbulence, larvae and their prey, the growing acceptance in the secondary literature that turbulence has a positive and biologically meaningful effect on trophic interactions between fish and their zooplankton prey (a generalization based largely on modelling and laboratory experiments) is premature.     

A general biophysical model of larval cod (Gadus morhua) growth applied to populations on Georges Bank

Field-derived growth rates (RNA-DNA based) of cod (Gadus morhua) larvae collected on the southern flank of Georges Bank were higher on average in May 1993 than May 1994, despite the apparent higher abundance of potential prey in 1994. A biophysical modeling study is presented here in which factors are examined that may have led to the difference in population mean growth. A one-dimensional physical model, forced by winds and tides, was used to simulate the vertical structure (of currents, temperature field, and turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate) following a column of water in a Lagrangian sense at a site on the southern flank of Georges Bank over 5-day periods in late May of 1993 and 1994. The biophysical model and observed zooplankton abundance allowed us to explore the vertical structure and temporal (hourly) evolution of feeding and growth for cod larvae in relation to environmental conditions. Our trophodynamic model is improved over previous versions and now includes the effect of light on larval feeding response, as well as the effect of temperature on larval metabolic costs, ingestion, and digestion. Larval prey profiles, comprising four copepod species, were used from a time series of 1/4-m² MOCNESS tows to define the prey field. Data from a collateral time-series of larval gut contents (1-m² MOCNESS tows) was used to define maximum ingestion (satiation level) and prey selection. Model outputs provide depth-dependent estimates of growth, prey biomass ingested, larval length, and larval weight. Water-column growth-rate profiles were made for four size classes of larvae (5, 6, 7 and 9 mm) under the environmental conditions observed in May 1993 and 1994. A weighted-mean growth rate based on the mean vertical distribution of larvae was estimated for each size class. In all cases, when using all available potential prey, the model-derived 1994 growth rates were higher (by 3–6% day⁻¹) than those for 1993. However, simulations in which 7-mm larvae followed the field-derived weighted mean depth over the sampling period, and were limited to their preferred Pseudocalanus prey, resulted in average growth of 12.2% day⁻¹ for 1993 and 9.7% day⁻¹ for 1994. These compared closely to the field growth means of 11.3% day⁻¹ in 1993 and 9.8% day⁻¹ in 1994. Thus, the lower observed growth in May 1994 may have resulted from depth-dependent food limitation and prey-selectivity coupled with the greater metabolic costs induced by the higher temperature that year.