Springtime abundance of chaetognaths in the shelf region of the northern Gulf of Alaska, with observations on the vertical distribution and feeding of Sagitta elegans

Chaetognatha were among the most dominant macrozooplankton taxa collected in 6 years of springtime collections, both throughout the water column and near-bottom on the continental shelf in the northern Gulf of Alaska. Three species ( Sagitta elegans, S. scrippsae, and Eukrohnia hamata ) were collected in 248 collections, although S. elegans was the numerically dominant species overall during most cruises. Collections taken in epibenthic sleds generally contained about two orders of magnitude more chaetognaths than those that sampled throughout the water column. Two size modes were apparent in the S. elegans size-frequency distributions which were believed to belong to different cohorts. Growth rate was on the order of 2–3 mm per month. The two cohorts showed asynchronous diel vertical distribution patterns, with the smaller individuals found near the surface during the day whereas the larger individuals were near the surface at night. About 7.5% of the S. elegans examined contained food. Copepods made up the majority (∼89% by number) of the diet of both large and small individuals. Euphausiid juveniles and cirripede larvae were also observed, as well as several incidences of cannibalism by large chaetognaths on smaller individuals. Based on the results of two diel series, this species was observed to feed mainly during the night-time.     

Occurrence and density of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae and juveniles in relation to environmental factors during the winter spawning season in the Kuroshio Current system

The occurrence and density of Pacific saury Cololabis saira larvae and juveniles were examined in relation to environmental factors during the winter spawning season in the Kuroshio Current system, based on samples from extensive surveys off the Pacific coast of Japan in 2003–2012. Dense distributions of larvae and juveniles were observed in areas around and on the offshore side of the Kuroshio axis except during a large Kuroshio meander year (2005). The relationships of larval and juvenile occurrence and density given the occurrence to sea surface temperature (SST), salinity (SSS), and chlorophyll‐a concentration (CHL) were examined by generalized additive models for 10‐mm size classes up to 40 mm. In general, the optimal SST for larval and juvenile occurrence and density given the occurrence was consistently observed at 19–20°C. The patterns were more complex for SSS, but a peak in occurrence was observed at 34.75–34.80. In contrast, there were negative relationships of occurrence and density given the occurrence to CHL. These patterns tended to be consistent among different size classes, although the patterns differed for the smallest size class depending on environmental factors. Synthetically, the window for spawning and larval and juvenile occurrence and density seems to be largely determined by physical factors, in particular temperature. The environmental conditions which larvae and juveniles encounter would be maintained while they are transported. The survival success under the physically favorable but food‐poor conditions of the Kuroshio Current system could be key to their recruitment success.     

基于繁殖群体与补充群体结构特征的金乌贼资源增殖策略优化

利用青岛近岸海域连续监测数据,分析金乌贼繁殖群体及补充群体结构特征,比较不同洄游时期繁殖亲体的绝对生殖力与卵子规格,以及补充群体的扩散迁移过程,为金乌贼繁殖亲体筛选、增殖模式优化及放流海域合理规划等提供参考。结果显示,5—7月陆续洄游至青岛近岸的金乌贼繁殖亲体的胴长、体质量及其怀卵量随采样时间推移均呈逐渐下降趋势,前期繁殖亲体成熟卵细胞的卵径和卵重显著高于中期和后期亲体。金乌贼产黏性卵,通常将受精卵黏附于海藻或其他附着物上,其幼体生长迅速。受繁殖亲体结群期长及分批产卵等繁殖习性影响,补充群体的胴长、体质量离散水平亦随秋季采样时间推移不断升高。补充群体规格的离散可促进空间生态位分化,增加营养生态位宽幅,该生殖策略有利于减小种内摄食压力。基于金乌贼繁殖生态学特征,建议集中采集前期洄游亲体开展人工苗种繁育,以提升繁育效率,保证大规格苗种供应;依据其分批产卵习性,大规模增殖放流可分批进行,以减小种内饵料竞争,提高放流群体成活率;5—7月在近岸水深15～20 m的缓流区投放人工产卵附着基,也是一种有效的资源原位修复手段。今后应进一步探究金乌贼受精卵放流技术,优化其资源修复模式,降低增殖成本,提高资源增殖效率。     

Effect of environmental factors and prey species on daytime and nighttime vertical distribution of juvenile walleye pollock in and around Funka Bay

We examined factors affecting the vertical distribution of juvenile walleye pollock during “the second critical period” (i.e. the transition period of prey size) in and around Funka Bay, Hokkaido, Japan. During the day, small juveniles (<30 mm) were distributed mainly in shallow, warm, and low-salinity water within the bay, whereas larger ones (≥30 mm) occurred in deeper, cold and saline water. During the night, the large juveniles migrated to shallower depths. Outside the bay, small- and large-sized juveniles were distributed in water masses of similar physical properties during the daytime, whereas during the nighttime, most of the juveniles moved to shallower depth, and some juveniles dived to deeper water mass. Dietary analysis revealed that large juveniles fed on large copepods (≥0.5 mm in body width) more than small juveniles did. The composition of zooplankton in our survey area showed that large-sized copepods often occurred in deeper saline water. From these results, there is a possibility that juvenile pollock inside and outside Funka Bay occupied different water masses preferable for each feeding advantage.     

Successive use of different habitats during the early life stages of Pacific herring <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupea pallasii</Emphasis> in Akkeshi waters on the east coast of Hokkaido

Distributions of eggs, larvae and juveniles of Pacific herring Clupea pallasii were surveyed in Lake Akkeshi and the connecting Akkeshi Bay on the Pacific coast of eastern Hokkaido. Eggs were found attached to seagrasses and seaweeds in the densely vegetated eastern inner lake. Larvae (7.1–34.9 mm total length) were distributed in the less densely vegetated inner lake during April and June. Juveniles (35.0–89.6 mm) were collected in the central and western parts of the lake. The sites containing juveniles were less densely vegetated with water temperatures lower than 20 °C from June to August. When the water temperature of the entire lake rose to 20 °C in late summer, juveniles appeared to move from the lake to the bottom layer of Akkeshi Bay, which has lower temperatures. Thus, in Akkeshi waters, C. pallasii successively used different habitats during its egg, larval and juvenile stages. A comparison of the current limited distribution of eggs and larvae with the distribution over the entire lake and bay areas in the 1950s and 1960s (periods of large catch size) indicates that the spawning grounds and larval habitats of C. pallasii have contracted to the lake area due to low spawning stock biomass in recent years.     

Interannual differences in growth and hatch‐date distributions of early juvenile European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay: implications for recruitment

In order to understand better the recruitment variability in European anchovy in the Bay of Biscay, it is important to investigate the processes that affect survival during the early life stages. Anchovy juvenile growth trajectories and hatch‐date distributions were inferred over a 3‐year period based on otolith microstructure analysis. Otolith growth trajectories showed a characteristic shape depending on their hatch‐date timing. Earlier‐born juveniles had notably broader maximum increments than later born conspecifics, resulting in higher growth rates. This observation suggests that early hatching would be beneficial for larval and juvenile growth, and, therefore, survival. The estimated juvenile hatch‐date distributions were relatively narrow compared with the extended anchovy spawning season (March–August) in the Bay of Biscay and indicated that only individuals originated mainly from the summer months (June–August) survived until autumn. Hatch‐date distributions were markedly different among years and seemed to influence the interannual recruitment strength of anchovy. We conclude that years characterized by juvenile survivors originating from the peak spawning period (May and June) would lead to considerable recruitment success. Downwelling events during the peak spawning period seem to affect larval survival. Furthermore, size‐dependent overwinter mortality would be an additional process that regulates recruitment strength in the anchovy population in the Bay of Biscay.     

Shelter selection by juvenile Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) as a function of food distribution and water flow velocity

Juvenile Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) are currently reared in land‐based aquaculture systems until they reach the necessary size for seeding in the sea. One problem that this industry faces is that an uneven distribution of juveniles in tanks can lead to variations in the growth rate. Understanding the cues that affect the sheltering behaviours exhibited by juvenile Pacific abalone—namely, the food distribution and the water flow velocity—will help optimize abalone culture settings. In this study, a group of 1,000 juvenile Pacific abalone (distributed across three tanks) was visually observed and enumerated during six experiments that were conducted over a 5‐month study period. It was found that juvenile Pacific abalone preferred to shelter close to food sources when the food was unevenly distributed. When the food was evenly distributed, the juveniles tended to avoid areas of rapid water flow and distributed evenly across the sheltered areas receiving the equal water velocity. This distribution might be the confounding effects between water flow velocity and food stimulus. Based on these findings, it was recommend that the food and water velocity be evenly distributed in an abalone aquaculture system.     

Habitat suitability analysis for lacustrine brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Lake Walchensee,Germany: implications for the conservation of an endangered flagship species

• 1. The lacustrine brown trout (Salmo trutta) is endangered and of high conservation importance. In the only spawning habitat of the population in the Bavarian Lake Walchensee, the River Obernach, a substantial decrease in spawning runs has been reported. In this study, the present ecological state of the spawning stream was analysed with the objective of identifying life‐stage specific limitations to successful recruitment attributable to deficiencies in (i) spawning migration, (ii) spawning habitat quality, and (iii) habitat quality for juveniles.
• 2. Structural stream analysis showed that discharge and several migration barriers — particularly near the river outlet into the lake — prevent successful spawning migrations at normal water levels. Migration barriers are probably the main limiting factor for reproduction of lacustrine brown trout, whereas structural variability of the Obernach meets the habitat requirements of both spawners and juveniles.
• 3. Spawning site quality was suitable for trout, as indicated by stream substratum texture and high exchange rates between free‐flowing water and the interstitial zone in physico‐chemical parameters (redox potential, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature and conductivity).
• 4. Analyses of fish community structure revealed dominance of lithophilic species, in particular of riverine brown trout (Salmo trutta). Its density and intact demographic population structure suggest that spawning and juvenile habitat quality for salmonids is not limiting. Recapture of stocked lacustrine trout juveniles also indicates habitat suitability for the juvenile stage.
• 5. In conclusion, the results show that the methodology used in this study is suitable for the identification of life‐stage specific habitat deficiencies in lacustrine brown trout and other fish species. Availability of habitat data throughout the species' distribution range is a first crucial step for the development of an effective recovery plan. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

The effects of flow on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) redd distribution in a UK chalk stream between 1980 and 2015

Atlantic salmon are an ecologically and economically important migratory fish in the UK, whose stocks have been declining over the past 30 years. Future climate and water use changes have the potential to alter the reproductive behaviour and distribution of salmon within a river, by restricting times and ability to access suitable spawning areas. As the survival of emergent salmon juveniles is density dependent, understanding how climate‐driven changes in flow affect the location of salmon redds is important for future conservation efforts. This study examined how flow conditions affect the distribution of redds within a UK chalk stream, the river Frome in Dorset. Sixteen years of redd distribution and flow data between 1980 and 2015 were analysed using linear mixed‐effects modelling. Generally, highest redd densities occurred within middle reaches of the main river. Mean flow during the river Frome critical migration period (October–December) did not affect the density of redds directly but affected the relationship between redd density and distance from tidal limit: redd densities were spread more uniformly throughout the river under high flow conditions, whereas redds were more aggregated in the middle river reaches under low flow conditions. Together, these findings suggest that access to upstream spawning grounds was limited under low flow conditions, which could have negative repercussions on juvenile survival. This study has revealed the distribution of redds along the river Frome for the first time and provided a basis for further study into the effects of redd distribution on subsequent juvenile life stages.     

Temperature,plankton and conspecific density influence dynamics of age‐0 gizzard shad: implications for a gape‐limited piscivore

Age‐0 gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum are the main prey fish for white crappies Pomoxis annularis in many US reservoirs. However, these prey fish commonly outgrow their vulnerability to white crappie predation in some, but not all, northern Missouri reservoirs. Potential variables that could influence abundance, growth and mortality of age‐0 gizzard shad were examined in three reservoirs that differed with respect to age‐0 gizzard shad growth rates. Because of thermal effluent from a power plant, gizzard shad spawned earlier in Thomas Hill Lake and initial densities of larvae were greater than in the other reservoirs. Larval and juvenile gizzard shad grew slowest in Thomas Hill Lake, followed by Mark Twain Lake and Long Branch Lake. Growth rate of larvae increased with increasing water temperature and food abundance, but decreased with increasing conspecific density. Similar relationships were found for juvenile growth, except that growth declined with increasing temperature. The slower growth of larvae and juveniles in Thomas Hill Lake was probably a consequence of their greater densities relative to their food abundance and higher water temperatures during the juvenile stage. Conversely, both larvae and juvenile gizzard shad grew more rapidly and juveniles attained large sizes in Long Branch Lake owing to their lower densities relative to their available food. Mortality of larvae and juveniles was mostly similar among the reservoirs. Because of their greater abundance and slower growth, gizzard shad were available as prey for white crappies for a longer period in Thomas Hill Lake than in the other reservoirs.     

Energetics of reproduction and spawning migration for Pacific saury (Cololabis saira)

Pacific saury is a small (up to 35 cm SL) pelagic fish, feeding actively in the food-rich sub-arctic water (10–12 °C) during summer (June – August) and spawning in the food-poor sub-tropical water (20–22 °C) during winter (December – April). Changes in protein, lipid, and energy content for 30 cm standardized fish from August to February were examined. Accumulated body reserves were abundant in the feeding season, most of them being expended during southward migration, and almost exhausted in the active spawning season. Thus it is indicated that most of the allocated energy to egg production was derived from the energy of food consumed during spawning season.     

三峡库区支流小江回水区鱼类早期资源状况

2019年3-6月在三峡水库支流小江回水区开展了鱼类早期资源调查,以了解该区域仔稚鱼的种类组成、仔稚鱼密度的时间动态及其与环境因子的关系。结果显示：采集到12种仔稚鱼,以太湖新银鱼Neosalanx taihuensis、中华鳑鲏Rhodeus sinensis、子陵吻鰕虎鱼Rhinogobius giurinus、鲤Cyprinus carpio和鲫Carassius auratus仔稚鱼数量较多;4月下旬至6月上旬为仔稚鱼采集的高峰期,4月为鲤仔稚鱼密度出现高峰期,4-5月上、中旬为鲫仔稚鱼密度出现高峰期;底质类型、透明度和水温是影响所有种类、鲤和鲫仔稚鱼密度空间变动的最主要的因素。研究结果表明3-6月三峡水库水位的快速消落很可能是影响黏草产卵鱼类产卵孵化的关键影响因子,建议通过三峡水库的水位调度以及人工鱼巢在库区支流回水区的放置来缓解该影响。     

红螯螯虾的室内人工育苗

于1996-1998年,在浙北地区,对澳大利亚引进的红螯螯是进行亲虾培育、人工越冬,怀卵孵化,室内人工育苗技术的研究。研究表明,在浙北地区,2.8-4.9g的幼虾经5个月左右的饲养可以达到性成熟并部分怀卵,利用电厂余热水水泥池人工越冬的成活率可达70%以上。越冬后亲是在水温20℃以上即开始交配怀卵,怀卵盛期4-6月。红螯螯虾一年可产卵4次,但只有第一、二次怀卵可用于育苗生产,个体一次怀卵量较少,一般为400-500粒,但群体怀卵比率较高。试验还表明,红螯螯虾出膜幼体即呈幼虾状,需依附母体7-10d后才营独立生活并开口摄食外源性饵料,所研制的幼虾Ⅰ号饲料为红螯螯虾室内人工育苗较好的开口饲料。室内人工育苗成活率可达60%以上。     

Effect of high water temperature on brain-pituitary-gonad axis of the red seabream during its spawning season

In the present study, we examined the effect of high water temperature on brain-pituitary-gonad (B-P-G) axis of a perciform fish red seabream, Pagrus (Chrysophrys) major during its spawning season (April-May). High water temperature negatively affected all levels in B-P-G axis and turned out to be the termination factor of the spawning season of this species.     

Rearing dover sole larvae onTisbe andArtemia diets

The suitability of the harpacticoid copepodTisbe holothuriae as a diet for larval and juvenile Dover sole (Solea solea) was assessed by rearing groups of sole for 42 days under a range of dietary regimes. Larval sole, approximately 1 week old, were reared onTisbe, Artemia, or a mixedTisbe-Artemia diet for 13 days. No significant differences in length between sole larvae from any diet were found after this time, but larvae offeredArtemia alone showed a significantly higher frequency of malpigmentation than those offered the other diets. After metamorphosis (day 16), survivors of this experiment were reared for a further 29 days on various diets to give the following dietary sequences:Tisbe-fed larvae, fed onArtemia as juveniles (Tis.-Art.);Artemia-fed larvae, fed onArtemia as juveniles (Art.-Art.);Artemia-fed larvae, fed onTisbe as juveniles (Art.-Tis.) and mixed diet fed larvae, fed on a mixed diet as juveniles (AT-AT). At the end of this period AT-AT and Tis.-Art.-fed juveniles were significantly larger than those on the Art.-Art. dietary regime. Juveniles from the Tis.-Art. dietary regime consumed more prey items than the Art.-Art group. AT-AT juveniles consumed similar amounts of food to Art.-Art. juveniles but were significantly larger after 29 days culture. This was attributed to the presence ofTisbe in their diet. Overall, the best larval and juvenile diet appeared to be a mixed diet throughout the culture period.     

Effect of food amount and temperature on growth rate and aerobic scope of juvenile chum salmon

Offshore migration of Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. is partly triggered by increasing body size and high motility in the early stages of life. The survival of juvenile salmon may depend on their growth rate during the first few months in the sea, and this factor partly regulates the dynamics of adult populations. Here, we assessed the effects of water temperature and food availability on the growth of juvenile chum salmon O. keta. In addition, by combining the measurements of metabolic performance for growth and activity (Absolute Aerobic Scope: AAS) with a bioenergetics model, we estimated the energy allocation for different activities in the juveniles. Under high temperatures (14 °C), juveniles reared at low food levels (1% body weight) allocated less than half their energy for growth than those reared at high food levels (4% body weight). These findings suggest that high temperature and low food level constrain the growth of juveniles, providing an insight into the effect of the recent increase in warm and low-nutrient water masses on survival of juveniles and catches of adult chum salmon on the Pacific side of Honshu Island, Japan.

     

Juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) mortality and the importance of bottom sediment type to recruitment on Georges Bank

The demersal settlement of pelagic juvenile fish has been considered a critical period in which the final adjustment is made to the size of a year class. Distribution patterns of pelagic and recently settled juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) were examined from nine surveys on Georges Bank during the summer over 5 years, 1984–1989, to relate juvenile survival to the sedimentary environment. Pelagic juveniles were widespread across Georges Bank in June, and by mid‐July they occurred on all bottom types from sand to gravel on eastern Georges Bank. However, by late July‐early August they were mostly abundant on the northeastern edge gravel deposit, which with its complex relief, provides abundant prey and refuge from predators. A bank‐wide estimate of pelagic juvenile abundance in 1986 and 1987 was used to assess mortality of the recently settled juveniles and to evaluate the relative importance of survivors from the northeastern edge gravel area to recruitment of the Georges Bank population. Settlement mortality rates over 1–2 months on the northeastern gravel area ranged from 3 to 8% day^?1, which compared reasonably with other studies. The seasonal abundance of the pelagic juveniles was almost an order of magnitude higher in 1987 than 1986; however, recruitment at age 1 was similar, indicating that a high mortality of the demersal juveniles occurred in 1987. The limited northeastern gravel area on Georges Bank may represent a survival bottleneck depending on the variability in the distribution and abundance of juvenile cod settlement in relation to that of their predators.     

Characterizing the potential habitat of European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean Sea,at different life stages

Identification of the potential habitat of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) at different life stages in relation to environmental conditions is an interesting subject from both ecological and management points of view. For this purpose, acoustic data from different seasons and different parts of the Mediterranean Sea along with satellite environmental and bathymetry data were modelled using generalized additive models. Similarly, egg distribution data from summer ichthyoplankton surveys were used to model potential spawning habitat. Selected models were used to produce maps presenting the probability of anchovy presence (adults, juveniles and eggs) in the entire Mediterranean basin, as a measure of habitat adequacy. Bottom depth and sea surface chlorophyll concentration were the variables found important in all models. Potential anchovy habitats were located over the continental shelf for all life stages examined. An expansion of the potential habitat from the peak spawning (early summer) to the late spawning season (early autumn) was observed. However, the most suitable areas for the presence of anchovy spawners seem to maintain the same size between seasons. Potential juvenile habitats were associated with highly productive inshore waters, being less extended and closer to coast during winter than late autumn. Potential spawning habitat in June and July based on ichthyoplankton surveys overlapped but were wider in extent compared with adult potential habitat from acoustics in the same season. Similarities and dissimilarities between the anchovy habitats as well as comparisons with sardine habitats in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea and other ecosystems with higher productivity are discussed.     

Impact of paralarvae and juveniles feeding environment on the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort stock

In this study, we found that there were significant positive correlations between the catch per unit effort (CPUE, a squid abundance index) for the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) winter–spring cohort and the satellite‐derived chlorophyll a concentrations in their spawning grounds located at 140–160°E where 21°C < sea surface temperature < 25°C from February to May. The spawning grounds of the winter–spring cohort are located in a quiet stream region, and a particle tracking experiment, based on the velocity field obtained from an ocean data assimilation system, showed that paralarvae and juveniles aged <90 days remained in their spawning grounds and the chlorophyll a concentration in their habitat had a significant positive correlation with the CPUE. A backward particle tracking experiment also showed that the chlorophyll a concentration in the spawning grounds had a significant positive correlation with the autumn–winter mixed layer depth. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the CPUE interannual variability is caused by variations in the feeding environment of the paralarvae and juveniles, which may be linked to autumn–winter mixed layer depth variations.     

水电站影响下太湖西苕溪鱼类产卵生境及其早期资源与环境因子的关系

水利设施运行影响下的鱼类早期资源发生规律被逐渐关注, 坝下区域也成为鱼类产卵生境的关注热点。西苕溪作为太湖上游的重要补充支流, 是太湖流域鱼类完成生活史过程的重要载体。为解析电站影响下的坝下河流生境变量与鱼类早期资源的内在联系, 本研究于 2022 年 4—7 月在西苕溪江东电站坝下的东山段开展了持续 90 d 的鱼类早期资源调查以及时空格局研究。结果显示, 该区域鱼卵日平均密度为(0.5±0.7) ind/m³, 仔鱼日平均密度为 (0.5±0.6) ind/m³。运用形态学结合分子生物学方法进行种类鉴定, 共鉴定鱼类 35 种, 隶属 4 目 14 科 22 属, 其中产沉性卵鱼类 9 种, 产浮性卵 5 种, 产黏性卵 9 种, 产漂流性卵 12 种。5 月下旬、6 月上旬和 6 月下旬为产卵高峰期。 左右岸样线以沉性卵和以水生植物为黏附基质的产黏性卵鱼类为主, 河心样线则以产漂流性卵、产黏性卵和浮性卵鱼类为主。该区域鱼类卵苗数量受水温、流速、水位影响较大, 水位、流速是影响鱼类繁殖的主要因子, 电站调度对卵苗量有显著影响。基于卵苗收获量、卵苗发育时期等结果, 判定该采样区域——西苕溪江东电站坝下东山段为适宜多种鱼类繁殖的复合型产卵场, 对太湖流域鱼类多样性和渔业资源保护具有重要意义。