Elemental analysis of otoliths of Japanese anchovy: trial to discriminate between Seto Inland Sea and Pacific stock

The ability to discriminate local stocks of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus was assessed based on data from four elements (K, Na, P, and Sr) using an electron probe micro analyzer (EPMA) and data from three elements (Ba, Mn, and Sr) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) from the otoliths of 40 anchovy (23.6–47.0 mm body length). Anchovy were caught at three sites (Aki-nada, Hiuchi-nada, and Osaka Bay) in the Seto Inland Sea, and one site (Kuroshio extension) in the Pacific Ocean in 2002. In order to discriminate different spawning grounds, EPMA data from the core portion (from core to 30 μm in the core-posterior axis) were used. Results showed that it was difficult to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by EPMA data. Conversely, it was possible to discriminate between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy by ICP-MS data from bulk otoliths. Our results showed that Mn contents of otoliths using ICP-MS discriminate between spawning grounds most, and Ba and Sr discriminate less. The difference in elemental compositions in anchovy otoliths between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean might be reflected by cumulative experienced elemental composition of ambient sea water during life history between the Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific anchovy.     

黄海鳀鱼的卵巢发育

采用组织切片方法和常规目测法对黄海鯷鱼的卵巢发育特征进行了研究,描述了卵巢各发育期的特征,对不同发育期卵巢内卵母细胞的发育时相组成、卵径分布、卵巢两叶及其前、中、后部发育的差异情况进行了分析。结果表明,鯷鱼卵母细胞发育不同步;Ⅱ期卵巢由1～3时相卵母细胞组成,2时相卵母细胞在数量上占优势（66．39／6）;Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅵ期卵巢均由1～4时相卵母细胞组成,其主要区别在于4时相卵母细胞所占比例不同,其中Ⅳ期卵巢中最高（34．8％）,Ⅲ期次之（28．69／6）,Ⅵ期最低（17．8％）;Ⅴ期卵巢由1～5时相卵母细胞组成,已发育成熟的5时相细胞所占比例最高（29．8％）;卵巢由Ⅲ期到Ⅴ期的发育过程中,主要是3、4时相卵母细胞向4、5时相的发育,1、2时相细胞所占比例基本不变。卵母细胞的粒径分布呈明显的峰、谷特征,这与以前对该问题的“浅锯齿状分布”认知有明显不同;Ⅲ和Ⅵ期卵巢内的卵径（长径）呈单峰分布,优势粒径组均为0．5～0．6mm;Ⅳ和Ⅴ期卵巢呈双峰分布,优势粒径组分别为0．2～0．3mm、0．7～0．8mm和0．5～0．6mm、1．1～1．2mm;V期卵巢两个优势卵母细胞群在粒径分布上彼此分离,粒径较大的群内均为水合卵母细胞,呈现出明显的分批产卵特征。鯷鱼卵巢左叶大、右叶小,右／左重量比值为0．71,95％置信区间为（0．67,0．75）;卵巢叶间和叶内部位间卵母细胞的发育状态无显著差异（P〉0．05）。     

Relationships between the daily growth rate of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus larvae and environmental factors in Osaka Bay,Seto Inland Sea,Japan

Fisheries Science - Seasonal changes in the growth rate of larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus collected by shirasu seine net boats in Osaka Bay in 2008 were estimated using otolith daily...     

Growth of larval and early juvenile Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region

Larvae, juveniles, and adults of Japanese anchovy, Engraulis japonicus , were distributed throughout the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region off northern Japan as far offshore as 170°E in 1996 and 1997. The growth trajectories of individual larvae and early juveniles were backcalculated using the biological intercept method based on the allometric relationship between otolith radius and somatic length. Mean larval growth rates ranged from 0.49 to 0.71 mm day^–1 in the transition region, and were comparable to those reported from the Pacific coastal waters of central Japan, which is the principal distribution range of E. japonicus . In terms of growth, the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition region seemed to be a favourable nursery area for larval E. japonicus . Larval growth tended to decline from the inshore to the offshore waters in the transition region. Thermal conditions did not show an inshore–offshore trend in the survey area and did not explain the longitudinal trend in growth rates.     

Daily rations and food availability of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus,small flounder Tarphops oligolepis and sand goby Favonigobius gymnauchen at a sandy beach in the central Seto Inland Sea,Japan

ABSTRACT:     To estimate the daily rations of Paralichthys olivaceus , Tarphops oligolepis and Favonigobius gymnauchen and to clarify diel variation in food availability to them, diel sampling was conducted over a 24-h period at a sandy beach in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The mean total length and body weight (BW) of P. olivaceus , T. oligolepis and F. gymnauchen were 32.6 mm (0.35 g), 23.7 mm (0.13 g) and 50.2 mm (1.03 g), respectively. The mean stomach contents index and percentages of stomachs with food were high during the day but low at night, indicating that these species are day-feeders. Paralichthys olivaceus and F. gymnauchen consumed mainly mysids and crangonids, whereas T. oligolepis fed chiefly on mysids. The estimated mean daily rations (95% confidence intervals) for P. olivaceus , T. oligolepis and F. gymnauchen made with the bootstrap method were 18.1 (9.3–31.3)%BW, 13.2 (7.9–24.3)%BW and 3.7 (1.7–7.4)%BW, respectively. Mysids were more abundant in the near-bottom layer during the day than at night, but the opposite was true for crangonids.     

Food organisms and feeding habits of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus at Ohama Beach in Hiuchi-Nada, the central Seto Inland Sea, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The abundance of food organisms and feeding habits of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder were examined during the period from May to August in 1999, 2000 and 2001 at the sandy Ohama beach, the central Seto Inland Sea. The food organisms collected with a sledge net consisted of 40 families from 18 orders, dominated by mysids, crangonids and gammarids. The mean densities of mysids, crangonid shrimp ( Crangon spp.), gammarids and fish were 2.74, 6.74, 2.91 and 0.15 individuals/m², respectively. The main prey of the flounder ( n  = 202; range of total length 9.80–75.95 mm) was mysids and small crangonid shrimp (<14 mm in body length). Prey fish availability was low, as the density of fish was low. The small crangonid shrimp was abundant, and the large crangonid shrimp, which could prey on larval flounder, was not abundant. The crangonid shrimp was important not as a predator for the flounder but as prey. The flounder preferred epifaunal mysids, Nipponomysis ornata and Anisomysis ijimai , to sand-burrowing mysids, Iiella oshimai , and avoided crangonid shrimp.     

Occurrence and distribution of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus at sandy beaches in eastern Hiuchi-Nada, central Seto Inland Sea, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The occurrence and distribution of larval and juvenile Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus and major demersal fish from May to September were examined at seven sandy beaches at the central Seto Inland Sea. The flounder appeared from late May to August and were mainly collected at a depth of 2–5 m. Settlement of larval flounder was seen from late May to late June. A total of 6412 individuals of 17 species representing 12 families were collected in the study area. The dominant fish species were Favonigobius gymnauchen (56.0%), Tarphops oligolepis (8.1%), Rudarius ercodes (7.8%), P. olivaceus (7.3%), Repomucenus spp. (7.0%) and Heteromycteris japonica (3.3%). The catches of flounder differed among beaches and months. The number of flounder in June at Ohama Beach, where the most flounder were collected, was 22.6 individuals per haul (400 m²). The density of the flounder correlated negatively to that of F. gymnauchen .     

A numerical analysis of population dynamics of the sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) in the eastern Seto Inland Sea, Japan

The Japanese sand lance (Ammodytes personatus) population in the Seto Inland Sea shows large fluctuations every few years. Its recruitment to the fishery resources is much more dependent on the survival rate of 0-age fish than is the case for other fish species because 0-age fish directly recruit to next-year spawning adults. Since the 0-age fish population depends on its larval population, which is easily influenced by natural and human impacts, high larval mortality due to predation by adults and high dispersion of larvae by wind-driven currents from spawning grounds to other locations can have very important effects on stock fluctuations. A numerical model of population dynamics of the sand lance in the eastern Seto Inland Sea was developed that focuses on wind-induced transport and adult predation of the larvae. The model successfully simulated the two-year periodic fluctuation and was consistent with actual fluctuations in fishery catches. It suggests that the various coefficients given in the model are appropriate to explain the actual population dynamics of the sand lance. The model shows that adult predation on the larvae plays a very important role in the two-year periodic fluctuation, and the maximum predation rate is estimated to be ten individuals per day. Wind-induced transport modifies the impact of this predation. Variances in the two-year periodic fluctuation become smaller with weaker westerly wind velocity. The appropriate transport rates from Bisan Strait and the Harima-nada Sea are estimated to be 0.04 d^-1 and 0.01 d^-1, respectively.     

Distribution and abundance of resting cysts of the toxic Alexandrium spp. (Dinophyceae) in sediments of the western Seto Inland Sea, Japan

Sediment samples were collected from 135 stations in the western part of the Seto Inland Sea (Iyo Nada, Suo Nada, Beppu Bay, Tokuyama Bay, Hiroshima Bay, Aki Nada, Hiuchi Nada and Bingo Nada) to determine the horizontal distribution and abundance of resting cysts of Alexandrium spp. ( A. tamarense  +  A. catenella ). Enumeration of the cysts was performed using the primuline-staining direct count method. Cysts of Alexandrium spp. were rarely found in Iyo Nada, Suo Nada and Beppu Bay, but were widely distributed in Tokuyama Bay, Hiroshima Bay, Aki Nada, Hiuchi Nada and Bingo Nada. Cyst concentrations ranged from not detected (ND) to 14, ND to 17, ND to 4, 93 to 8137, 8 to 4454, ND to 6, ND to 18 and 4–29 cysts/cm³ wet sediment in Iyo Nada, Suo Nada, Beppu Bay, Tokuyama Bay, Hiroshima Bay, Aki Nada, Hiuchi Nada and Bingo Nada, respectively. The majority of cysts occurred in Tokuyama Bay and Hiroshima Bay, where higher densities were observed in the inner bay and along the coastal margin. Relatively higher cyst concentrations were observed at stations with a higher mud content. The abundance of Alexandrium spp. cysts in western Seto Inland Sea is lower than in the eastern Seto Inland Sea, except for Tokuyama Bay and Hiroshima Bay. However, because sporadic blooms of Alexandrium have been observed, continuing monitoring is necessary to prevent paralytic shellfish poisoning outbreaks in this area.     

Daily growth rate model of Japanese anchovy larvae Engraulis japonicus in Hiuchi-nada Sea, central Seto Inland Sea

In the present study, we developed a larval anchovy growth model in relation to sea temperature and food availability via food consumption and metabolic process terms, based on biological data from previous laboratory experiments and field surveys from 2003 to 2006 in Hiuchi-nada Sea, central part of Seto Inland Sea, Japan. To investigate when food shortage for larval anchovy and then recruitment failure occur in Hiuchi-nada Sea, anchovy food requirements were estimated by using the growth model, and we compared the food requirement with anchovy food availability. We applied an estimation method for growth model parameters, Hewett?CJohnson p and Q ₁₀, by minimizing the sum of squares of difference between mass-specific growth rates estimated by the models and those by otolith growth analysis. Parameter p was 0.86, slightly higher than typical values, and Q ₁₀ was 2.11, close to the value used for the biological model of larval northern anchovy. Food shortage for anchovy larvae did not occur in Hiuchi-nada Sea, although it was indicated that low food availability led to a low reproductive success rate. The newly developed growth model is considered optimal at present and useful to link environmental conditions and larval growth.     

黄海中南部鳀鱼的生殖力及其变化

根据2002～2004年在山东半岛南部鳀鱼(Engraulis japonicus)产卵场的调查资料和1985～1986年相关历史资料,分析鳀鱼在经过近20年的高强度捕捞过程中,资源衰退导致个体绝对生殖力与叉长、纯重和年龄之间关系的变化,并对两个时期相同个体鳀鱼的生殖力进行比较.结果表明,2002～2004年鳀鱼的个体绝对生殖力为(14 850±579)粒,个体绝对生殖力随叉长、纯重和年龄的变化显著;与1985～1986年同海区、相同叉长范围和纯重范围的鳀鱼相比,2002～2004年鳀鱼生殖力的增大显著.生殖力增加可能是鳀鱼对长期捕捞压力及外部环境变化的适应性的反应.     

Environmental determinants of growth rates for larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in different waters

Do disparate mechanisms determine growth rates of fish larvae in the different regions? The relationship between growth rates and environmental factors (sea temperature and food availability) was examined for larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in geographically and environmentally different waters, through sagittal otolith microstructure analysis. Recent 3‐day mean growth rates directly before capture were positively related with sea‐surface temperature (SST) but not with food availability (plankton density) for the larvae in the Kuroshio Extension and Kuroshio–Oyashio transition regions of the western North Pacific. On the contrary, variations in recent growth rates were attributed to food availability (plankton density) as well as SST for the larvae in the East China Sea. In the shirasu fishing ground in Sagami Bay, larval growth rates were variable under the influences of both SST and food availability (feeding incidence). On the surface, the growth–environment relationships seemed to differ among regions. However, a definite general pattern of the dome‐shaped relationship between recent growth rates and SST was observed when all the regions were combined. Growth rates were similar even among clearly different regions if at the same SST. Overall, growth rates roughly increased with SST until they reached the maximum at SST of 21–22°C (i.e. optimal growth temperature), and declined when SST went over 21–22°C. On the contrary, no clear relationship was observed between growth rate and plankton density or between SST and plankton density. Therefore, the apparent among‐region differences would be firstly caused by the differences in regional SST range. The systematic mechanism of growth determination for widespread pelagic fish species larvae would be run by primarily sea temperature and secondarily food availability, at the species level.     

基于遥感的黄海中南部越冬鳀资源密度分布与环境因子的关系研究

基于遥感和GIS(Geographic information system)技术,利用2000~2015年的底拖网调查数据和海表温度、叶绿素a浓度以及海水温度梯度等遥感数据,在定性分析黄海中南部越冬鳀(Engraulis japonicus)资源密度分布与环境因子关系的基础上,利用时空和环境因子构建GAM (Generalized additive model)模型进行定量分析。结果显示,时空因子(年、下网时间、经度和纬度)和环境因子对越冬鳀资源密度的总偏差解释率为44.76%,其中,时空因子对其的影响均显著,以空间因子影响最大,对总偏差的解释率为35.4%;环境因子中,水深、海表温度和温度梯度对其影响显著,而叶绿素a浓度影响不显著;越冬鳀分布的最适海表温度、叶绿素a浓度和海表温度梯度范围分别为7~11℃、1.2~2.3 mg/m3和0.7~2.5℃。研究结果对环境变动下的渔业管理具有重要意义。     

Diet of late larval Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the Kii Channel, Japan

The diet of late larval (standard length 17.0–24.9 mm) Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus collected from the Kii Channel between April 2007 and March 2008 was analyzed. The main prey items found in the gut were copepods, and the composition of the gut contents changed on a monthly basis. The most important prey items were Calanoida (unidentified) from June to August and in October–November, Oncaea in March, April, and September, and Oithona in December and January. The prey selectivity analysis demonstrated that the selectivity for a particular prey category was not consistent throughout the months. It was considered that late larval anchovy may actually have no preference for a particular prey category. The major size (body width) of the prey items consumed fell within the range of 0.10–0.40 mm throughout almost the whole year. Late larvae tended to select relatively larger prey items from the environment. The relationship between the seasonal variabilities in diet and the fishery catch of anchovy “shirasu” (larvae of anchovy) is also discussed.     

Distribution and abundance of copepod nauplii in southern part of the East China Sea: implications for prey availability to jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus larvae

In the southern part of the East China Sea (ECS), a large spawning ground of jack mackerel Trachurus japonicus has recently been found: Larval survival during the period of transport from the spawning ground along the shelf break is potentially a critical stage prior to recruitment. As such, the distribution of copepod nauplii in this region was investigated during the main spawning period in 2003–2006. The average naupliar density in 2003 was significantly higher than the other years along the shelf break, which is a major transport pathway for jack mackerel larvae (sea-surface temperature 20–23°C). Estimated egg production rates for Paracalanus spp., one of the most dominant genera of copepods in the southern ECS, based on temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration could not fully explain the spatial and annual variation in naupliar distribution and abundance. Although naupliar densities showed significant positive correlations with chlorophyll-a concentration for all years, an analysis of covariance revealed that naupliar density in 2003 was high even if the effect of chlorophyll-a concentration was excluded. This suggests that apart from copepod production, adult female distribution plays an important role in variability of the naupliar distribution and abundance in the southern ECS.     

南黄海春季鳀和赤鼻棱鳀的食物竞争

根据南黄海鳀(Engraulis japonicus)和赤鼻棱鳀(Thrissa kammalensis)及其饵料的碳氮稳定同位素比值,采用IsoSource软件计算了两者饵料的质量贡献比。发现二者食物来源较为一致,其中仔稚鱼对鳀和赤鼻棱鳀的质量贡献率分别为42%~50%和53%~70%,是两者的首要能量与营养源。在获得食物贡献比的基础上,分别采用食物重叠指数法、聚类分析法和稳定同位素法3种方法,针对5种不同的摄食条件,依次对鳀与赤鼻棱鳀的食物重叠度进行计算。其中在饵料平均贡献比条件下,3种方法的计算结果相差不大,都在70%左右,计算偏差≤5%。研究结果表明,两者的食物竞争主要是针对仔稚鱼展开的,两者间存在显著的食物竞争关系。     

山东半岛南部产卵场鳀鱼生殖群体结构及其变化

根据2000~2004年在山东半岛南部鳀鱼(Engraulis japonicus)产卵场多学科综合调查所获得的资料及1991年等相关历史资料,从体长组成、集群特征、年龄结构、性腺成熟度、性成熟系数、性比、摄食强度等多个方面研究了鳀鱼生殖群体结构及其变化特征。结果表明:(1)鳀鱼生殖群体全长组成范围为6~16cm,优势长度9~12cm,长度组成年代际变化明显,生殖群体组成趋向小型化;(2)生殖群体由1~4龄鱼组成,与1991年相比1龄鱼比例增加,生殖群体的平均年龄减小;(3)6月上旬进入产卵盛期,鳀鱼雌性个体性腺成熟度以IV期、VA期占优势,6月下旬IV期和VA期比例减少,VB期和VI-IV期比例增加,7月上旬VI-III期和VI-II期比例占优势,盛产期结束;(4)鳀鱼生殖期间摄食强度较弱,空胃率超过60%。(5)生殖群体按个体大小集群产卵,各群聚优势长度组成存在明显差别,性腺发育程度不一致。本文还对鳀鱼资源衰退给生殖群体结构和种群补充造成的影响进行了初步讨论。     

The food habits of four species of triakid sharks, Triakis scyllium, Hemitriakis japanica, Mustelus griseus and Mustelus manazo, in the central Seto Inland Sea, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The food habits of 595 houndsharks of four species, Triakis scyllium ( n  = 179, 42–148 cm total in length), Hemitriakis japanica ( n  = 57, 42–102 cm), Mustelus griseus ( n  = 193, 39–100 cm), and Mustelus manazo ( n  = 166, 43–120 cm), found in the central Seto Inland Sea, Japan, from March 1997 to October 1999 and May 2000 to July 2002, were studied. T. scyllium changed their main food items from shrimps to echiuran worms then to cephalopods with their growth. Comparing food habits by the value of similarity (maximum = 1), the small-sized T. scyllium had a low value (0.17) compared to larger sharks. T. scyllium gradually increased the diversity of food until it reached 700 mm long in total length, however, after that it decreased. H. japanica appeared mainly in summer and autumn and ate cephalopods and fishes. M. griseus preyed on various crustaceans and decreased the diversity of food with growth. M. manazo preferred crustaceans and polychaetes. There was no certain tendency in the diversity of the food habit for M. manazo .     

黄海鳀鱼鱼体能值的季节变化

根据2002年6月～2003年9月黄海中南部水域鳀鱼的调查资料,分析了产卵、索饵和越冬期鱼体能值的季节变化以及精巢和卵巢能值的变化情况。产卵期(5～7月)、索饵期(8～10月)和越冬期(11～1月)鳀鱼能值的变动情况反应了性腺发育状况。卵巢能值和精巢能值的季节变化趋势相似。幼鱼和成年鳀鱼能值的季节变化趋势相似,但各个月份幼鱼能值均比成鱼低。鱼体能值从越冬期到产卵前期变化很大,达40％～50％,这主要由脂肪含量变化引起。湿重丰满度系数比干重丰满度系数估算鱼体能值准确度差。