Comparing the behavioural thermoregulation response to heat stress by Atlantic salmon parr (Salmo salar) in two rivers

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of extreme thermal events in rivers. The Little Southwest Miramichi River (LSWM) and the Ouelle River (OR) are two Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) rivers located in eastern Canada, where in recent years, water temperatures have exceeded known thermal limits (~23°C). Once temperature surpasses this threshold, juvenile salmon exploit thermal heterogeneity to behaviourally thermoregulate, forming aggregations in coolwater refuges. This study aimed to determine whether the behavioural thermoregulation response is universal across rivers, arising from common thermal cues. We detailed the temperature and discharge patterns of two geographically distinct rivers from 2010 to 2012 and compared these with aggregation onset temperature. PIT telemetry and snorkelling were used to confirm the presence of aggregations. Mean daily maximum temperature in 2010 was significantly greater in the OR versus the LSWM (p = 0.005), but not in other years (p = 0.090–0.353). Aggregations occurred on 14 and 9 occasions in the OR and LSWM respectively. Temperature at onset of aggregation was significantly greater in the OR (T_onset = 28.3°C) than in the LSWM (T_onset = 27.3°C; p = 0.049). Logistic regression models varied by river and were able to predict the probability of aggregation based on the preceding number of hours >23°C (R² = 0.61 & 0.65; P₅₀ = 27.4°C & 28.9°C; in the OR and LSWM respectively). These results imply the preceding local thermal regime may influence behaviour and indicate a degree of phenotypic plasticity, illustrating a need for localised management strategies.     

Importance of the River Teviot to Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, rod catches in the River Tweed, Scotland

Abstract  The body mass distributions and variations in abundance of the spring and autumn catches of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were compared between fisheries above and below the confluence of the rivers Tweed and Teviot, Scotland. Significant differences between the distributions were found over three periods, one in spring and two in autumn, when salmon catches were high. Correlations were found between abundance trends for periods when distributions were similar or dissimilar. Abundance of salmon returning to the River Teviot was proportional to the main river. However, its population structure differed when abundances were high, suggesting different survival strategies. It appears that changes in the numbers returning to the river were resultant of changes in the marine rather than freshwater environment.     

Ecological consequences of variation in standard metabolism and dominance among salmon parr

Abstract – Standard metabolic rate (SMR, closely related to basal and resting metabolism) varies by up to threefold among juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., of similar size at common temperature. Here, consequences of this variation are predicted by combining empirically derived relationships between SMR, specific dynamic action, energy budgets, water velocity, food level in the environment and food availability to fish. The range of velocities across which growth is predicted to occur is inversely related to a fish’s SMR. Growth is positively related to SMR at high but negatively related to it at low‐food levels. The relationship between food level and the range of velocities over which lower SMR fish can grow but higher SMR fish cannot is asymmetrically bi‐phasic and peaked. It is predicted that maternal manipulation of offspring SMR would generate fitness benefits through bet‐hedging against unpredictability in food level and increases in the overall range of velocities that the family of offspring can occupy and thrive in.     

Determining spatial feed distribution in sea cage aquaculture using an aerial camera platform

Within this paper we describe an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based method to estimate the spatial feed pellet distribution in salmon fish-cages and exploit it within a case study to determine the radial pellet distribution for different rotor spreaders and blower configurations. Compared to previously used methods, capturing pellets thrown from a rotary feed spreader in rows of Styrofoam boxes, the UAV based method is simpler and faster to setup and allows to cover a larger portion of the sea cage surface area. We compare results obtained with the Styrofoam box method with results we obtained by an automatic analysis of aerial videos taken by the UAV during feeding experiments. The employed method helps to gain insight into the spatial feed pellet distribution in full-scale salmon fish-cages where the feeding pipe and actual fixation of the spreader may influence the dynamic behaviour of the feeding system. This can also be seen as a step towards a continuous measuring of the feed pellet distribution, particularly in view of possible future feeding systems that may allow to adapt the feed pellet distribution to the actual fish distribution.     

Some behavioural and ecological factors affecting distribution,biomass and production of juvenile Atlantic salmon

Observations were made in an experimental stream tank (total area 14.7 m²) on juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L (parr), relating experimental observations to field observations, including the reported diurnal fasting behaviour of juvenile salmon at water temperatures <10 °C. Densities in the tank ranged from five to twenty parr, at water temperatures ranging from 4.6 °C to 15.8 °C. The wide channel of the stream tank, with mean water velocity of 18.8 cm·s^?1, was the preferred section, where territorial behaviour was observed. Biomass was regulated in the wide channel by territorial mosaics or by dominance hierarchies. Dominance hierarchies were reflected in coloration of the fish. Dominant salmon were generally in the wide channel. Densities of salmon parr (of mean fork length 10.2 cm) in the channel ranged from 0.84 m^?2 to 1.73 m^?2, with an average biomass of 14.2 g·m^?2. Growth was least at the 5.9 °C temperature treatment. In experiments at temperatures below 10 °C, feeding, dominance hierarchy and territorial behaviour were observed in daylight hours, contrary to the published literature. Interactions with other species may affect behaviour. Some observations were made on a closely related species, brown trout (Salmo trutta L.), a commonly cohabiting species in many systems. Trout displaced salmon from their preferred locations in the tank and were more aggressive than the salmon, reducing agonistic behaviour by the salmon. The commonest agonistic act shown by salmon was ‘charge’ and that by the trout was ‘approach’. Some field observations affecting behaviour and production are discussed.     

阿根廷滑柔鱼雄性成熟个体的体征和生殖投入

为深入全面地认识阿根廷滑柔鱼(Illexargentinus)的繁殖策略,本研究选取2018—2021年西南大西洋公海海域收集的阿根廷滑柔鱼雄性成熟个体样本,利用残差指标分析法计算体质量–胴长标准差作为个体的体征指标,并利用混合效应模型分析体征和性腺指数与栖息海域主要环境因子之间的关系。结果显示,阿根廷滑柔鱼雄性成熟个体的胴长为143～291 mm,体质量为89～559 g,体型以2020年的最大,2018年的最小。2018年和2020年成熟个体的体质量–胴长幂函数关系b值与匀速生长(b=3)存在显著性差异。体征以2020年的体征最好,2018年和2021年的体征较差;性腺指数则以2020年的最低,2018年和2021年次之。体征与海表温度和叶绿素a质量浓度存在显著的相关关系,在海表温度为9.0～12.5℃时,体征随海表温度的增加呈下降趋势;在叶绿素a质量浓度为1 mg/m³左右,体征处于较佳状态。性腺指数仅与海表温度存在显著的相关关系,在海表温度为15℃左右处于较大值。以上结果表明,阿根廷滑柔鱼雄性成熟个体的体征与生殖投入存在权衡,海表温度对体征和生殖投入均有显...     

Digestibility of the defatted microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar

The aim of the study was to investigate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of defatted biomass derived from microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. and Desmodesmus sp. when fed to Atlantic salmon postsmolts in seawater. Two experiments, one employing cold‐pelleted and the other employing extruded pellets, were carried out to determine the ADC of dry matter (DM), protein, ash and energy. The test feeds consisted of a fishmeal‐based reference feed and the algal biomass, at a ratio of 70:30, and yttrium oxide as the inert marker. The ADC of DM and protein in fish fed microalgae‐incorporated cold‐pelleted feeds were significantly higher for Nannochloropsis sp. compared with Desmodesmus sp. The Nannochloropsis sp. inclusion in extruded feeds also led to higher ADCs of DM and energy compared with Desmodesmus sp. The extrusion processing significantly increased the ADC of ash in both defatted microalgae biomass, as well as ADCs of DM in Nannochloropsis and protein in Desmodesmus sp. In conclusion, the microalga Nannochloropsis sp. was more digestible than Desmodesmus sp., and extrusion processing can be used as a means to improve digestibility of certain nutrients.     

Plankton indices explain interannual variability in Prince William Sound herring first year growth

This study examines the relationships between first year growth of juvenile Prince William Sound herring, temperature and their food. We present time series of herring first year growth, determined from scale measurements as a proxy for herring length, water temperature and indices of multiple trophic levels of plankton obtained from Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) sampling on the adjacent Gulf of Alaska shelf. We show that there was a significant correlation between herring growth and water temperature, when the three warmest years were excluded (the mean July and August temperatures were greater than 12.5°C in 1989, 2004 and 2005). There were also strong, significant relationships between the abundance of appropriately sized (for first‐feeding herring) planktonic prey groups and herring growth. First year herring growth was greater in years with higher abundances of diatoms, microzooplankton and small mesozooplankton but not related to variability in abundance of larger mesozooplankton (such as euphausiids and large copepods). Furthermore, the strong interannual relationship between diatoms and herring growth held true even in the warmest years where the relationship between temperature and growth broke down. We also found seasonal timing and abundance changes in the plankton in warm years that would make the prey more abundant during the summer months immediately after metamorphosis of the herring larvae. We thus conclude that young‐of‐the‐year herring may grow better in warm years because the timing of key prey is a better match for their first feeding.     

Fluorescence of Extracts from Argentine Hake (Merluccius hubbsi) Muscle and Its Correlation with Quality Indices During Chilled Storage

Argentine hake (Merluccius hubbsi) was stored chilled for 8 days. The evolution of fluorescence of the aqueous and organic extracts of muscle during storage at 4°C was studied and correlated with common damage indices; pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, free fatty acids, and the fluorescence intensity of the aqueous phase showed a good correlation with storage time. The excitation-emission matrices of the aqueous extracts were also obtained. A fluorescence landscape that could be attributed to tryptophan decreased with storage time, meanwhile a peak (around 340 and 400 nm for excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively) is developed during chilled storage.     

基于分位数回归的大西洋中部公海大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)栖息环境综合指数

摘要：2001年7月4日-10月27日，中国水产总公司所属的3艘大洋性超低温金枪鱼延绳钓渔船对大西洋中部公海海域进行金枪鱼渔业调查。本文根据所获得的渔场环境、作业参数、渔获统计等数据，应用栖息地适应性指数（habitat suitability index, HSI）模型并结合分位数回归分析方法分别对有关水层（60m为一层）及总渔获率与温度、盐度和相对流速等环境因素的关系并考虑其不同的影响权重及交互作用建立了数值模型，根据该模型计算大眼金枪鱼的栖息环境综合指数(HEII)，利用MarineExplore4.0绘制大眼金枪鱼HEII指数等值线分布图。结果显示：（1）180～240m水层中，中部海区的 指数分布较高（高于0.6），其他海区分布较低（小于0.6）；（2）240～300m水层中，6ºN以南的海区 分布较高（高于0.6），以北的海区分布较低；（3）300～360m水层中，仅南部部分海区（4ºS，23ºW附近） 分布较高，其他大部分海区分布很低（低于0.3）；（4）7ºN以南的大部分海区 指数分布较高（高于0.6），仅在部分较小海区（5ºN，22ºW、2ºS，17ºW和2ºS，23ºW的附近）内 指数分布低于0.5。 关键词：大眼金枪鱼；栖息环境综合指数；分位数回归；大西洋中部公海