Antarctic silverfish: life strategies of a key species in the high‐Antarctic ecosystem

Among the endemic notothenioid fish of Antarctica, the Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarcticum) is the only species in which all developmental stages live throughout the water column. It is widely distributed in the shelf waters around the continent, inhabiting both open waters and areas of pack ice at depths from 0 to 900 m. In successfully occupying this habitat, it evolved a suite of specific biological, ecological and physiological adaptations to the environmental conditions in the cold and highly seasonal Antarctic waters. Specialization for the pelagic environment evolved over millions of years enabled life under unusual environmental constraints and colonization of the pelagic realm of the Antarctic continental shelf. A sudden change of environmental conditions driven by the current rapid climate change could negatively affect this weak equilibrium, with a catastrophic cascade effecting higher trophic levels. Indeed, as both adults and early life stages of the Antarctic silverfish appear to be strongly dependent on sea‐ice, this species would be especially sensitive to climatic or oceanic changes that reduce the extent of sea‐ice cover or the timing of formation of coastal polynyas.     

Early life history connectivity of Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica) in the Ross Sea

A recent population hypothesis for Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica), a critical forage species, argued that interactions between life history and circulation associated with glacial trough systems drive circumpolar distributions over the continental shelf. In the Ross Sea, aggregations of eggs and larvae occur under fast ice in Terra Nova Bay, and the hypothesis predicted that dispersing larvae encounter outflow along the western side of Drygalski Trough. The outflow advects larvae towards the shelf‐break, and mixing with trough inflow facilitates return toward the inner shelf. To examine the hypothesis, we compared samples of P. antarctica collected near Coulman Island in the outflow, along Crary Bank in the inflow, and a third set taken over the rest of the Ross Sea. We ruled out misidentification using an innovative genetic validation. Silverfish larvae comprised 99.5% of the catch, and the highest population densities were found in Drygalski Trough. The results provided no evidence to reject the population hypothesis. Abundance indices, back‐calculated hatching dates, length distributions and growth were congruent with a unified early life history in the western Ross Sea, constrained by cryopelagic early stages in Terra Nova Bay. By contrast, a sample in the Bay of Whales revealed much smaller larvae, suggesting either a geographically separate population in the eastern Ross Sea, or westward connectivity with larvae spawned nearby by fish sourced from troughs upstream in the Amundsen Sea. These results illustrate how hypotheses that integrate population structure with life history can provide precise spatial predictions for subsequent testing.     

南极半岛南极磷虾栖息地适应性研究

南极磷虾(Euphausia superba)作为南极生态系统中的关键物种,其时空分布研究对发展磷虾渔业和理解南大洋生态系统均有重要的作用,相关研究有利于磷虾种群的资源评估以及中心渔场的探测。本文利用海表温度（Sea Surface Temperature,SST）、海面高度（Sea Surface Height,SSH）、海表面叶绿素（Sea surface chlorophyll,SSC）、海冰面积覆盖(Sea Ice Coverage,SIC）等环境因子,分别采用神经网络拟合和一元非线性拟合方法,并结合最小值法、最大值法、连乘法、算术平均法、几何平均法、加权算术平均法等构建了磷虾栖息适宜指数 (Habitat Suitability Index,HSI) 模型。结果表明,神经网络模型预报结果更符合磷虾实际栖息分布情况,而一元非线性拟合预测结果较为连续。最大值法和最小值法计算结果差异较大,容易引进较大的误差。连乘法的预测效果较好,算术平均法、几何平均法和加权算术平均法的预测结果相似,且较为稳定。     

南极半岛邻近海域南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba Dana)的数量组成和分布

根据2010年1月23日-2月13日在南极南设得兰群岛和南奥克尼群岛邻近海域渔场采集的南极大磷虾(Euphausia superbaDana)样品,分析了南极大磷虾数量、个体体长分布和发育期组成等种群结构特点.样品由330μm和500μm浮游生物网垂直拖网和表层水平拖网两种采集方式所获.结果显示,采集样中,南奥克尼群岛水域的南极大磷虾平均密度为1.92 ind/m3,高于南设得兰群岛水域的相应值(0.35 ind/m3);出现的南极大磷虾个体发育期包括CI至CIII期原蚤状幼体、FI至FIV期和FVI期蚤状幼体、未成体、成体(包括雌体和雄体);各发育期个体中,原蚤状幼体数量较多;原蚤状幼体、蚤状幼体、未成体及成体的体长范围(平均体长)分别为1.76–4.96 mm (3.48 mm)、3.95–14.80 mm (5.96 mm)、16.87–39.85 mm (36.10 mm)、40.00–58.96 mm (43.94 mm).CIII期原蚤状幼体和FI期蚤状幼体的生长率较高.推测,南奥克尼群岛水域南极大磷虾生殖季节始于9月末,集中出现在12月中上旬;而南设得兰群岛生殖季节应早于上述水域.比较两种采集方式,南极大磷虾在水平网中的出现频率和个体出现数量均高于垂直网采集样的相应值,建议传统垂直拖网与水平拖网两种采样方式有效结合,可促进更全面了解大磷虾水平分布和种群结构特点.     

南极半岛邻近海域南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba Dana)的数量组成和分布

根据2010年1月23日?2月13日在南极南设得兰群岛和南奥克尼群岛邻近海域渔场采集的南极大磷虾(Euphausia superba Dana)样品,分析了南极大磷虾数量、个体体长分布和发育期组成等种群结构特点。样品由330 μm和500 μm浮游生物网垂直拖网和表层水平拖网两种采集方式所获。结果显示,采集样中,南奥克尼群岛水域的南极大磷虾平均密度为1.92 ind/m3,高于南设得兰群岛水域的相应值(0.35 ind/m3);出现的南极大磷虾个体发育期包括CI至CIII期原蚤状幼体、FI至FIV期和FVI期蚤状幼体、未成体、成体(包括雌体和雄体);各发育期个体中,原蚤状幼体数量较多;原蚤状幼体、蚤状幼体、未成体及成体的体长范围(平均体长)分别为1.76–4.96 mm (3.48 mm)、3.95–14.80 mm (5.96 mm)、16.87–39.85 mm (36.10 mm)、40.00–58.96 mm (43.94 mm)。CIII期原蚤状幼体和FI期蚤状幼体的生长率较高。推测,南奥克尼群岛水域南极大磷虾生殖季节始于9月末,集中出现在12月中上旬;而南设得兰群岛生殖季节应早于上述水域。比较两种采集方式,南极大磷虾在水平网中的出现频率和个体出现数量均高于垂直网采集样的相应值,建议传统垂直拖网与水平拖网两种采样方式有效结合,可促进更全面了解大磷虾水平分布和种群结构特点。     

南极半岛海域南极磷虾资源时空分布格局及尺度研究

生物资源分布格局依赖于空间尺度,不适宜的尺度可能会产生误导性的结果。作为南极生态系统的关键物种,南极磷虾的资源分布存在着极为显著的时空异质性,分布格局难以预测。为了解南极磷虾资源在不同空间尺度下的时空分布格局,实验利用科学调查数据,以5′为间隔将数据处理为5′×5′至60′×60′等12个空间尺度,从而针对南极磷虾资源主要分布区的南极半岛开展多尺度分析,并计算不同空间尺度下南极磷虾资源密度分布的Moran’s I指数。结果显示,不同空间尺度下南极磷虾资源密度分布的空间格局存在着差异,其中11个空间尺度下的南极磷虾资源密度分布均呈现出聚集趋势。通过Moran’s I指数与空间尺度的相关图确定了南极磷虾资源密度分布的特征空间尺度为25′×25′(Moran’s I指数首次穿过y=0的点)和15′×15′(相关图上Moran’s I指数与0无显著差异的最小尺度)。研究表明,Moran’s I指数与0之间无显著差异的方法更符合南极磷虾资源自身的特性,建议将15′×15′作为该区域南极磷虾资源分布研究的最适空间尺度。     

Ocean transport paths for the early life history stages of offshore-spawning flatfishes: a case study in the Gulf of Alaska

Offshore‐ and deepwater‐spawning flatfish species face the problem of transport of their planktonic stages to shallow juvenile nursery grounds that are often far shoreward in bays or estuaries. We compare life history attributes of four offshore‐spawning flatfish species in the Gulf of Alaska: Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), rex sole (Glyptocephalus zachirus) and Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) to examine how their larvae get from a spawning location at the edge or beyond the continental shelf to specific inshore nursery zones. We utilize historical records of survey catches of different life stages to characterize the stage‐specific changes in distribution of spawning, planktonic stages and juvenile nursery areas. We infer transport mechanisms based on the shifts in distribution of the life stages and in comparison with local physical oceanography. This comparison provides insight into the different mechanisms marine species may use to solve the common ‘problem’ of planktonic drift and juvenile settlement.     

Controlled reproduction of an important indigenous fish species, Spinibarbus denticulatus (Oshima, 1926), in Southeast Asia

Aquaculture of Spinibarbus denticulatus (Oshima, 1926), a fish species indigenous to North Vietnam and Eastern China, is constrained by lack of fingerlings for stocking ponds and cages. As these fish do not naturally breed in captivity, carp pituitary extract (CPE), luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (LHRHa) with domperidone (DOM) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were administered at various doses to induce ovulation. A first set of experiments evaluated the response to LHRHa (30, 40 and 50 μg kg⁻¹) with or without DOM (10 mg kg⁻¹), CPE (20, 30 and 40 mg kg⁻¹) and HCG (3000, 4000 and 5000 IU kg⁻¹). A second set of experiments evaluated the dose response to LHRHa (30, 35, 40 and 50 μg kg⁻¹) primed with 6 mg kg⁻¹ of CPE, and HCG (3000, 3500, 4000, 5000 IU kg⁻¹) primed with 6 mg kg⁻¹ of CPE. The treatment groups were compared with each other and the control (injected with 0.9% saline solution). Only 25% and 50% ovulation resulted when treated with LHRHa at 40 and 50 μg kg⁻¹, whereas 100% ovulation was achieved with an addition of DOM to LHRHa. Both 30 and 40 mg kg⁻¹ CPE induced 100% ovulation. However, HCG (4000 and 5000 IU kg⁻¹) induced ovulation in only 33% of females. When primed with CPE, the minimum dose of LHRHa required was 35 μg kg⁻¹ to achieve 70% ovulation. Priming HCG with CPE also resulted in 100% ovulation, and the minimum effective dose of HCG to induce ovulation was 3500 IU kg⁻¹ with 60% ovulation. Fertilization and hatch rates observed in this study with different hormonal stimulation were high (80–93%). The results indicate that while the use of combined hormone strategy has no apparent advantage over a single hormone strategy, LHRHa+DOM (40 μg kg⁻¹+10.0 mg kg⁻¹) and CPE (30 mg kg⁻¹) are most effective in consistently inducing ovulation and thus can be used for commercial hatchery production of S. denticulatus larvae.     

Spawning behaviour,early development and first feeding of the bluestriped angelfish [Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis (Temminck & Schlegel, 1844)] in captivity

Successful natural spawning of Chaetodontoplus septentrionalis in captivity from 19 March to 11 May, 2008 is described for the first time. A single male dominates a harem of two females, spawning with each at dusk, from 10 min before to 20 min after sunset. Each female laid an average 119 × 10³ eggs during the spawning period. Fertilized eggs were spherical, buoyant and had a diameter of 0.83 ± 0.02 mm (mean ± SD). Embryonic development lasted 15–18 h at 28.1 °C. Newly hatched larvae were 1.60 ± 0.07 mm in total length (TL) with 27 myomeres. Larvae completed yolk absorption within 3 days post hatching (ph) at 3.01 ± 0.08 mm TL. Ten days ph, the larvae had attained 3.95 ± 0.12 mm TL. Larvae were fed either 100% s‐type rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis), 100% copepods (Microsetella sp.), a combination of the two (50%:50%) or without live feed (starved control) to determine the effect of live feed on the survival rate. The survival was significantly (P<0.001) higher in larvae fed a combination of diet than the others. These results indicate that C. septentrionalis is a potential species for captive breeding programs and the use of a combination of diet (s‐type rotifers and copepods) may be a suitable first food for the larvae.     

First results of embryonic development,spawning and larval rearing of the Mediterranean spider crab Maja squinado (Herbst ) under laboratory conditions,a candidate species for a restocking program

The Mediterranean spider crab, Maja squinado, is depleted due to overfishing. The crab has virtually disappeared from areas where it was abundant, such as the Balearic Islands and the Catalan coast. Maja squinado, is economically and ecologically very valuable, and it is essential to obtain information on its biology and rearing conditions to attempt to repopulate the damaged stocks of the species in the Mediterranean basin. Herein, we describe the first successful rearing of M. squinado under laboratory conditions. Our results show that M. squinado is an excellent candidate for restocking using cultured juveniles. Two consecutive broods with a 1–4 day interbrood period were observed in the laboratory in wild‐caught females, the maximum observed duration of embryonic development of the egg mass being 32 days at 18.4 ± 0.9°C, and went through four different stages. The complete larval and first juvenile development was studied in laboratory cultures fed enriched Artemia metanauplius. At 19.6 ± 0.6°C, development from hatching to first crab moult took 17 days, and it comprised two zoeae stages and one megalopa stage. The survival rate at the different stages was monitored, and 7.13 ± 2.3% was achieved at the first crab instar.     

Effects of elevated pCO2 on the early development of the commercially important gastropod,Ezo abalone Haliotis discus hannai

We used an up‐to‐date, a high accuracy CO₂ manipulation system to investigate the sensitivity of organisms to CO₂ acidification, rearing marine calcifiers under elevated CO₂ in running water. We evaluated the effects of elevated partial pressures of carbon dioxide (pCO₂) in seawater on larvae of the commercially important marine gastropod Ezo abalone Haliotis discus hannai. In larval Ezo abalone, no effect of exposure to <1100 μatm pCO₂ seawater was observed in fertilization, malformation, or mortality rates until 15 h after fertilization. However, compared to control larvae in seawater (450 or 500 μatm pCO₂), the fertilization rate and the hatching rate (15 h after fertilization) decreased with increased pCO₂ exposure (1650 and 2150 μatm pCO₂) and the malformation rate increased significantly, with the larval shell length being smaller 75 h after hatching. These results suggest that ocean acidification will potentially impact the marine population of Ezo abalone as a human food source in the future.     

Gene pool and connectivity patterns of Pinna nobilis in the Balearic Islands (Spain,Western Mediterranean Sea): Implications for its conservation through restocking

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Modelling the retention and survival of Browns Bank haddock larvae using an early life stage model

Browns Bank, the principal spawning ground for haddock on the south-west Nova Scotian shelf, is composed of two distinct production zones: the inshore Bay of Fundy (BoF) region and the offshore south-west Nova (SWN) bank region. Fish growing in the BoF are larger at age than those in the SWN region. Analysis of research vessel (RV) data shows that the majority of age-2 haddock have the size of south-west Nova Scotia fish, suggesting that the majority of surviving fish were retained in SWN. We used an early life stage (ELS) model to address two questions. First, we asked whether the length-at-age difference between Bof and SWN is evident at the larval stage. Using a temperature-based growth model, we found that predicted size differences for late larvae would be less than 0.5 mm. From consideration of the average growth curves to age-2 for the two regions, we showed that this difference was not the seed for the size difference in later life stage. The second question we addressed was how well the ELS model predicted partitioning of late larvae between SWN and the BoF corresponding to the ratio of SWN/BoF age-2 juveniles found in the RV data. We ran the model on a representative number of years between 1973 and 1992, and found a significant correlation between the model simulation and the data (cor=0.71, P =0.047). This indicates that the age-2 size distribution is a reflection of retention and survival occurring during the first two months of life. Model/data discrepancies are explained in terms of differential mortality between the two regions.     

Insights into the spatio-temporal variability of spawning in a territorial coastal fish by combining observations,modelling and literature review

In bipartite life cycle fishes, spawning represents the onset of propagules dispersal, with eggs and larvae experiencing anisotropic transport and high mortality rates, before eventually metamorphosing and settling. Hence, early-life stages operate as bottlenecks for population demography by strongly constraining recruitment. Despite its significance, spawning is rarely explicitly considered in ecosystem management due to a lack of knowledge, for many species, about where and when spawning occurs. Previous evidences suggest that temperature is among the main drivers of spawning in Teleosts. Using the ecologically and economically relevant white seabream Diplodus sargus in the central Mediterranean Sea as a case study, we assess the abiotic factors that regulate the onset and duration of spawning and subsequent dispersal. Lagrangian backtracking simulations fed with early-life observations allow locating 11 spawning events, which are then associated to simulated temperatures ranging from 14.8° C to 20.6° C, in close agreement with previous estimates. Based on this range of suitable temperatures, we model the spatio-temporal variability of spawning success at broad-scale over 10 years (2005–2014) following the backtracking approach with hypothetical constant settlement areas. It highlights a prominent inter-annual variability in the Adriatic and Siculo-Tunisian strait driven by oceanographic processes. Moreover, a powerful clustering method uncovers relatively stable spawning areas in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas with both early (January to Mid-February) and late (April to June) spawning peaks. Our methodology can be applied to other species and oceanic systems to investigate how oceanic processes impact spawning success, enabling the design of sound management strategies.     

Age and growth of threeline grunt <Emphasis Type="Italic">Parapristipoma trilineatum</Emphasis> along the south-western coast of Kii Peninsula,Japan

Age and growth were determined for threeline grunt Parapristipoma trilineatum based on otolith readings of 1043 specimens collected along the south-western coast of Kii Peninsula, Japan. Observations of the otolith margin, together with comparisons of ring mark counts with age in artificially reared specimens, verified that such marks were produced once a year. The formation period corresponded approximately to the main spawning season (May–June). Both surface and cross-section methods were used for age determination; the surface method often resulted in underestimations of age for fish older than 2 years. Discrepancies between the two methods became greater with fish growth. The von Bertalanffy growth curve, based on ages inferred from the cross-section method, was FL _t=331×{1−exp[−0.283×(t+1.45)]}. No substantial difference was detected between male and female growth parameters. The oldest maximum ages inferred from the cross-section method were 15 and 21 years for females and males, respectively. It seems likely that P. trilineatum grows more slowly and lives longer than previously thought, and the difference is attributed primarily to differences in aging methods used in the present and previous studies.     

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.

     

Pacific sand lance of the Port Moller estuary, southeastern Bering Sea: an estuarine^dependent early life history

Three waves of spawning Pacific sand lance (Ammo-dytes hexapterus) entered the Port Moller estuary from mid-January to late May 1990. Each wave laid its eggs on sand in lower Moller Bay with the center of egg distribution about 14 km inside the estuary. After incubation for 45 to 94 d, each cohort of eggs hatched out over a 41- to 63-d period. Larvae moved at a rate of 0.21 knvd“¹ toward a deep fjordlike basin at the head of Herendeen Bay inside the estuary about 20 km southwest of the center of hatch. The basin has the lowest flushing rate of the estuary, and unlike the rest of Port Moller, it is vertically stratified, which allows the development of a spring-summer zooplankton community with greater biomass than any other location in the estuary. Larvae may have moved to the basin to enhance growth or to avoid offshore transport to areas of low food abundance, but we cannot demonstrate a direct link between growth and habitat. We conclude that the Port Moller sand lance stock has an estuarine early life history that evolved in response to the unique physical conditions of the Port Moller estuary–a shallow, well-mixed site with sandy substrate that is suitable for incubation of demersal eggs next to a deep, vertically stratified fjord with a rich zooplankton community that is suitable for rearing of larvae.     

Comparison of habitat use during early life stage between ayu Plecoglossus altivelis and ice goby Leucopsarion petersi along the sanriku coast of Japan, as determined from otolith microchemistry

ABSTRACT:   The habitat use and migration of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis was compared to that of ice goby Leucopsarion petersi using otolith microchemistry analysis. Both species were collected along the Sanriku Coast. Otolith Sr : Ca ratios of ayu fluctuated strongly along the life history transect in accordance with the migration (habitat) pattern from fresh water to sea water. The Sr : Ca ratios of the center region averaged 3.2 × 10⁻³; thereafter, the ratios increased sharply, averaging 9.2 × 10⁻³, and were maintained at the higher levels until the outermost regions. By contrast, the Sr : Ca ratios of ice goby showed consistently high values along the life history transect of the otolith, ranging 9.0 × 10⁻³ in the center to 9.2 × 10⁻³ in regions outside the center, with further increases around the otolith edge. These findings indicate that ayu shows a typical amphidromous migratory pattern, while ice goby does not show the anadromous migratory pattern previously reported. The use of a freshwater environment during the early developmental stage in ice goby along the Sanriku Coast was less prominent than that of ayu in the same region.