Genetic population structure of the deep-sea whelk Buccinum tsubai in the Japan Sea

ABSTRACT:   The purpose of the present paper was to examine the genetic population structure of Buccinum tsubai in the Japan Sea. Mitochondrial 16SrRNA gene sequence analysis was performed with specimens from various stations in the Japan Sea. Mitochondrial lineages were clearly patterned geographically in four separate areas: the Hokkaido area, the Yamagata–Toyama area, the Yamato Bank area, and the San'in area. The main distribution depth range of B. tsubai is between 200 m and 1000 m isodepths, and the horizontal distance between the 200 m and 1000 m isodepth lines represents the specific spatial scale of the habitat (SSSH). These four areas were separated either by the complete discontinuity of the SSSH area or by its narrow spatial extension. Genetic distances between the main haplotypes of each area were calculated as Jukes–Cantor distances, the value of which ranged between 0.012 and 0.017. This value seemed to be unrelated to the geographic distance. There was no tendency for clustering according to depth. In future, the morphological characters of the four lineages of B. tsubai should be compared in detail in order to elucidate significant genetic differences among them.     

Distribution,growth and hatch date of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus orientalis</Emphasis> in the coastal area of the sea of Japan

ABSTRACT:   Mid-water trawl surveys were conducted from late August to late September in 1999 and 2004 in order to investigate the distribution pattern, hatch date, and growth of juvenile Pacific bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis in the Sea of Japan. Juveniles were collected at the stations where ambient water temperature (mean water temperature from surface to 30 m deep, WT₀₋₃₀) was 23.4–25.9°C, and most of them were found in waters where WT₀₋₃₀ was higher than 24°C. Sampled juveniles ranged 108–280 mm fork length. Based on otolith analysis, they were estimated to grow to approximately 180 and 250 mm at 60 and 90 days old, respectively, and showed similar growth to that of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea. The back-calculated hatch date of the samples was mostly in July and most juveniles spawned in the Sea of Japan.     

Distribution and migration of Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea

Data on squid catches of Korean and Japan, water temperatures at depth of 100 m, and night-visible images of fishing boats collected in the East (Japan) Sea from 1970 to 1999 were analyzed to examine the distribution and migration of the Japanese common squid, Todarodes pacificus, in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The main fishing grounds detected from squid catch in each grid (0.5° latitude × 0.5° longitude) by Korean squid fishery and night-visible images provided by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) were situated in the southwestern part of the East (Japan) Sea. The distribution and migration route was illustrated from squid catch in each grid and DMSP OLS image. In years of high catches, the fishing grounds were situated mainly between Ulleung Island and the eastern coastal waters of Korea, while in years of low catches they were situated between Ulleung Island and the Yamato Bank in the central East (Japan) Sea. The center of fishing activity began moving northward from around the Korea/Tsushima strait to the northern boundary of the Tsushima Warm Current in March, reaching into the Yamato Bank in September, and then returning to the strait by February. The northward and southward migration routes differed; the northward migration route occurred closer to the mainland coast of Korea than the southward migration route did. This work suggests T. pacificus begin their northward migration almost 2 months earlier than previously suggested.     

Numerical simulation of the migration and distribution of diamond squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) in the southwest Sea of Japan

To elucidate the effects of hydrographic conditions on the migration and distribution of diamond squid ( Thysanoteuthis rhombus ) in the Sea of Japan, two numerical experiments were conducted using a Lagrangian particle-tracking model. First, Lagrangian simulations with different horizontal swimming speeds were conducted in the area off the San-in coast, the southwest Sea of Japan. The comparison results of simulations and experimental tagging records from 2003 suggest that horizontal movement of diamond squid over a few days is influenced by individual swimming, but long-term migration over more than about 10 days is dependent on the ambient current field. Secondly, further Lagrangian simulations with biological processes, forced by different hydrographic conditions in 2003–2005, were conducted. Temporal variations in distributions and sizes calculated by the model corresponded approximately to those of catch data. A large number of particles simulating squid were distributed over the nearshore region from the San-in coast to the Noto Peninsula during September–November every year. Differences in the migration route and distribution of particles among years were closely related to differences in hydrographic conditions such as the position of the main stream of the Tsushima Warm Current. Prediction of the catch off the San-in coast might be improved by considering hydrographic conditions in the southwest Sea of Japan.     

The zooplankton biomass in the Sea of Japan

We examined seasonal, annual variation and horizontal distribution of zooplankton in the Sea of Japan from 1966 to 1990. Zooplankton was most abundant in the spring. The spring maximum appeared in February–March and in April–May in the southern and eastern parts of the study areas, respectively. In the summer and autumn, a secondary peak was most conspicuous in the eastern part. The difference between the estimated biomass at night and day was large in the spring and small in summer and autumn. The biomass in the offshore southern area peaked about every 3 years between 1966 and 1983, and increased abruptly in 1990. The density in the area north of 39°N or 40°N was high. Total biomass estimated in the upper 150 m layer in the Sea of Japan (10⁶ km²) was 9.5 × 10⁶ t in the daytime and 16.6 × 10⁶ t at night.     

Spawning grounds and maturation status in adult flathead flounder Hippoglossoides dubius off Niigata Prefecture, Sea of Japan

Investigations were conducted on the flathead flouder Hippoglossoides dubius to analyze the environmental conditions around the spawning grounds and the maturational status of spawners in the Sea of Japan off Niigata. In both sexes, larger fish matured earlier than smaller individuals, and participated in breeding from the early part of the spawning season. Males were always the predominant sex found within the spawning ground, likely because males spent longer periods in the spawning grounds than females. This finding further suggests that males matured earlier and maintained sexual activity for longer periods than females within the spawning grounds. Submarine topography and water temperature were concluded to be important factors affecting the formation of the spawning grounds. The spawning ground was located within a restricted area where bathymetric lines curve towards a shallow area. Adult fish usually occur in the Japan Sea Proper Water (<1 °C), but spawners gathered just below the surface mixing layer where water temperature was 5–10°C. Hence, it was thought that the flounder spawn at the upper tolerable water temperature limit (i.e. the shallowest accessible depth) to release their offspring into the surface layer.     

Genetic population structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nibea albiflora</Emphasis> in Yellow Sea and East China Sea

ABSTRACT:   The population genetic structure and level of gene flow of Nibea albiflora from the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea were examined with a 479-bp segment of a mtDNA control region. In total, 65 samples were collected from three locations and 37 haplotypes were obtained. Mean haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity for the three populations ranged from 0.9130 ± 0.0308 (Zhoushan) to 0.9926 ± 0.0230 (Xiamen), and from 0.0073 ± 0.0043 (Qingdao) to 0.0099 ± 0.0057 (Xiamen). Analysis of molecular variance and pairwise F _ST revealed little genetic structure between the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea in N. albiflora . But based on the exact test of differentiation, the null hypothesis that N. albiflora within the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea constitutes a panmictic mtDNA gene pool was rejected. This might be caused by the broad spawning areas but not by the Yangtze River outflow. Mismatch distribution revealed that N. albiflora has undergone population expansion, possibly before the last 85 000–170 000 years. The existence of high gene flow between stocks in the studied area was supported by our results. Annual migrations, larval drift in the ocean currents, and recent range expansion could be the reasons for little genetic structure in the studied area.     

Long‐term changes of marine subtidal benthic communities in North East Asia (Yellow and Japan seas) in a global change context: A review

1. A review of the long‐term changes and variations in benthic communities and the current status of the marine invasive species (MIS) in shallow waters of the Yellow Sea (Chinese sector) and the Sea of Japan (Russian and partly Korean sectors) is presented. This paper reflects on the progress and lessons learned, recommending actions for the future about the conservation of biodiversity.
2. In the Bohai Sea, the benthic ecosystem has been degenerating due to anthropogenic activities such as overfishing and pollution since the 1950s. The dominant position of K‐strategy species is gradually being lost and replaced by R‐strategy species. In the Yellow Sea, the macrobenthic community is different from other areas due to the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. Many economic species have been destroyed, and the biotic structure has changed significantly due to overfishing and climate change.
3. In the Russian sector of the Sea of Japan, the macrobenthic communities in the shallow‐water soft bottom have generally been in a stable condition for the last decades, except for some heavily polluted or disturbed areas due to dredging operations. The abundance of select large invertebrate species has changed considerably due to commercial fishing and poaching. Variations in macro? and meiobenthic communities under aquaculture conditions have occurred on a local scale during the last five decades.
4. MIS show obvious differences between China and Russia in the following aspects: introduction pathways of MIS, composition and number of non‐native species, threats and impacts of MIS to native communities and ecosystems, and economic and public health impacts.
5. Long‐term monitoring programmes should be developed to reveal future biotic changes and to separate the effects of cyclic variations of benthic communities from the impacts of pollution and eutrophication. Standardization of sampling procedures is required to compare changes/alternations in benthos across various regions worldwide.

     

Life-history traits of walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, in the northeastern Japan Sea during early to mid 1990s

I examined the age, growth, maturity, mortality, and body condition of walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, in the northeastern Japan Sea (northern Japan Sea population) and evaluated their resilience to exploitation. Walleye pollock were collected in pre-spawning (October 1991-1995) and post-spawning (April 1990-1996) seasons. Estimated ages ranged from 3 to 18 years for both sexes. A von Bertalanffy growth model showed that females had longer asymptotic fork length (460 mm) than males (425 mm). Fifty percent of females and males were mature at 348 mm (4.6 years) and 322 mm (3.9 years), respectively. The instantaneous natural mortality rate was estimated to be 0.22. These life-history traits in the northern Japan Sea population were compared to those in the Bering Sea, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Japan Pacific populations. As a result, female walleye pollock in this population matured at small body sizes, grew rapidly toward small maximum sizes, and had short reproductive lifespans with low size-specific fecundity and poor body condition. Low prey availability and habitat temperatures are considered as a possible mechanism for the small maximum sizes in this population. The potential rate of population increase of both the northern Japan Sea population and other pollock populations tended to be lower than other exploited populations of non-viviparous marine fishes, suggesting potentially lower resilience to exploitation in this population and walleye pollock populations in general.     

Genetic identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Conger myriaster</Emphasis> leptocephali in East China Sea

ABSTRACT:   A subsample of Conger leptocephali collected in the East China Sea (ECS) was genetically analyzed and most were found to be the larvae of Conger myriaster , the most commercially important marine eel species in East Asia. However, these leptocephali (22.3–74.0 mm total length [TL]) did not have a complete row of lateral pigmentation, like the leptocephali of this species are commonly known to have when they are collected over the continental shelf or in coastal waters as they recruit. These leptocephali were in the western edge of the Kuroshio Current and the mixing zone over the shelf in the northern part of the ECS, and two smaller leptocephali (22.3, 46.5 mm TL) were collected to the south of the Ryukyu Islands. This evidence of an ontogenetic change in the presence of lateral pigmentation of C. myriaster indicates that previous efforts to determine the spawning area and recruitment patterns based on only morphological examination of Conger leptocephali in the region must be reconsidered. New research efforts based on genetic identification methods are needed to understand the spawning ecology and recruitment of this important fishery species.     

Modelling annual cycles of primary production in different regions of the Bohai Sea

The Bohai Sea is a typical shallow sea in which the average depth of water is about 18 m, and which has a rich biodiversity and abundance of marine life. The values of primary production differ among the four different regions of the Bohai Sea. A biological model consisting of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus is used to simulate the annual cycles of plankton and primary production in these four regions. The simulation is forced by monthly observational data. Water transparency, nutrient concentrations, temperature and incident irradiance influence the amount and variation of plankton and primary production. The model simulations indicate that transparency and nutrient concentration are the principal causes of the differences in primary production among the four regions of the Bohai Sea.     

Comparison of spatiotemporal patterns in reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus between two regions having different geographic conditions in Kyushu, southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   The Yatsushiro Sea and Shibushi Bay are, respectively, located on the western and south-eastern coast of Kyushu, southern Japan. The Yatsushiro Sea is a shallow semi-enclosed inland sea, whereas Shibushi Bay is an open-type bay with a deep and wide mouth facing the open sea. The size at sexual maturity and spatiotemporal patterns of reproduction of the kuruma prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus (Decapoda, Penaeidae) were examined and compared between these two regions. In the Yatsushiro Sea, the size at sexual maturity was estimated to be 131 mm body length. However, the estimated size at sexual maturity was considerably larger (154 mm) in Shibushi Bay. The spawning season of M. japonicus was estimated to continue from April to September in the Yatsushiro Sea, whereas it was estimated to be longer in Shibushi Bay, from March to November. It is believed that the warm water temperature due to the strong effect of the Kuroshio Current prolonged the spawning season of M. japonicus in Shibushi Bay. The spawning grounds were estimated to be in areas deeper than 10 m in the Yatsushiro Sea and deeper than 20 m in Shibushi Bay. In Shibushi Bay, body size distribution of mature females was considered to be less affected by water depth in comparison with the Yatsushiro Sea, although older mature females larger than 200 mm body length also spawned outside of the bay.     

Geographical variations in the trophic structure of the plankton community along a eutrophic–mesotrophic–oligotrophic transect

The geographical variations in trophic structure of the plankton community, as defined by total and relative carbon biomass of phytoplankton (PP), bacteria (BA), heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF), microzooplankton (MZ), and herbivorous (HNZ) and carnivorous net-zooplankton (CNZ), were investigated along an inshore–offshore transect from the innermost part of Osaka Bay to the Pacific Ocean off Kii Channel, Japan, in June 1991. Based on physico-chemical properties of the water and topographical features, the transect was divided into three trophic areas, i.e. eutrophic, mesotrophic and oligotrophic ones. The average carbon biomass of the total plankton community was highest (438 mg m⁻³) in the inshore eutrophic area, and declined steeply offshore (141 and 26.6 mg m⁻³ in the mesotrophic and oligotrophic areas, respectively). In the offshore oligotrophic area, the relative biomass of BA to PP and the relative biomass of small heterotrophs (i.e. BA, HNF and MZ) to the total heterotrophs were higher than in the other areas, indicating that the microbial food chain predominated. In the mesotrophic area, the biomass of HNZ (primarily copepods) was conspicuously high, even higher than that of PP, suggesting that the traditional grazing food chain prevailed. Because of this short food chain, a productive fishing ground is formed there. In the eutrophic area, the biomass of HNZ was much smaller relative to the enormous biomass of PP, indicating that a considerable amount of primary production was not utilized directly by the metazoan zooplankton. However, the relative contribution of the small heterotrophs to the total heterotrophs' biomass was higher in this area, as in the oligotrophic area.     

Estimating and monitoring the stock size of sandfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arctoscopus japonicus</Emphasis> in the northern Sea of Japan

ABSTRACT:   The stock size of sandfish in the northern Sea of Japan was estimated by a virtual population analysis (VPA) and sensitivity analyses were attempted on the VPA estimate. The stock size estimates were approximately 600–900 million until 1975, but since 1976 they have rapidly decreased. In the sensitivity analyses, the estimates of absolute stock size were not sensitive against the changes in the fishing mortality coefficient for terminal age and the measurement error in catch-at-age. This suggested that the relative stock size remains almost unaffected by the error in the data used in the VPA, if the degree of catch-at-age error and the natural mortality coefficient is correct. The relationships between the biomass estimated by the VPA and the density index from Danish seine fisheries, and between the biomass and the catch per unit effort (CPUE) from the experimental survey using Danish seine nets, were also examined. The density index and the CPUE indicated significant relations with the biomass. Consequently, the CPUE is useful to monitor the relative stock size in a timely manner, and the VPA estimate and the CPUE should be utilized for adjusting the total allowable catch in the multiseasons.     

Bathymetric distribution of beni-zuwai crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chionoecetes japonicus</Emphasis> in the northern part of the Sea of Japan

Surveys of beni-zuwai crab were conducted to clarify the bathymetric distribution and fecundity of beni-zuwai crab populations without the effects of bias due to fisheries. The results were compared with previous ones obtained at the heavily exploited Yamato Bank. Two sites in the northern part of the Sea of Japan, off southwest Hokkaido (200–2500 m deep) and West-Tsugaru Basin (300–1900 m deep), both of which are experiencing low exploitation levels, were surveyed in August to September, 2007. There was an abundance of morphologically immature crabs of both sexes in the depth range 1800–2100 m, and a few occurred at depths >2200 m. Immature crabs of <40 mm carapace width were found to migrate downslope to depths of 1800–2100 m and then to migrate upslope during molting for males and after maturity molting for females. Although data were lacking for depths >2000 m at the West-Tsugaru Basin, these relationships were significant for the pooled data of both localities, and they were similar to the results at the Yamato Bank. Clutch fullness of ovigerous females was negatively correlated with depth, which indicates that the low clutch fullness was not induced by fisheries, although the similar phenomenon observed at the Yamato Bank had previously been considered to be due to fishery effects.     

Age, growth and hatching season of the diamond squid Thysanoteuthis rhombus estimated from statolith analysis and catch data in the western Sea of Japan

Age, growth and hatching season were estimated for the diamond squid (Thysanoteuthis rhombus) migrating into the Sea of Japan based on analyses of statolith growth increments and length–frequency data of the catch in 1999–2004. Growth rates did not differ significantly between the sexes. The oldest squid was 306 days old, which provides further evidence that T. rhombus has a 1-year life span. The hatching season extended from January to September, with a peak in February–March, and the spawning grounds were suggested to extend from the far southwestern Pacific to the East China Sea. Using aging results from statolith analysis, growth was well described by a logistic formula, which also closely corresponded with the sequential progress of the mean mantle length in size–frequency distribution of the catch. Growth rates varied depending on the time of hatching; earlier-hatched squid grew faster than later-hatched ones, suggesting that the former hatched in warmer upper-stream areas of the Tsushima Current or the Kuroshio region and the latter hatched in colder mid- or downstream areas of the Tsushima Current.     

Effect of water temperature on gonadal development and emaciation of Japanese common squid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Todarodes pacificus</Emphasis> (Ommastrephidae)

ABSTRACT:   In this study, the site of spawning ground and the relationship between oceanographic conditions and gonadal development and emaciation of the Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus were examined based on data from research cruises. The research cruises were conducted in the south-western part of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea in the winter of 1999. Sea surface temperature (SST) ranged 12.7–23.2°C in the survey area. Mature females concentrated on the continental shelf of the East China Sea, suggesting a major spawning ground was formed in this area. Gonadal development of the collected squid was examined using ovary somatic index (OSI) and oviduct somatic index (ODSI) in females, and emaciation was examined using mantle muscle somatic index (MI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI). Mean OSI and ODSI increased with SST at the stations where SST was greater than 15°C, particularly where SST ranged between 15 and 18°C. In contrast, mean MI and HSI decreased with increase in SST at the stations where SST was above 15°C. These results indicate that female gonads develop rapidly at SST above 15°C, and at the same time adult squids tend to be emaciated at this temperature condition.     

Effects of climate on temporal variation in the abundance and distribution of the demersal fish assemblage in the Tsushima Warm Current region of the Japan Sea

In the present study, we examined the effects of climate on temporal variation in the abundance and geographical distribution of demersal fishes at both interannual and decadal scales in the Tsushima Warm Current region of the Japan Sea using single‐trawler fishery data (1972–2002). This single‐trawler fishery targeted multiple species with different geographical affinities and life history traits. Thus, these data were suitable for examining the biological mechanisms that underlie how species respond to climate variability. Our results indicate that the distributional changes of species in response to decadal climate variability are best explained by asymptotic length, which indicates that warming has greater negative effects on larger fishes in the Japan Sea. However, none of the variables examined (including geographical affinity, asymptotic length and age at maturation) could explain the shift in abundance at interannual or decadal scales. It should be noted that life history traits and geographical affinities only provide partial explanations of the responses of species to environmental variability, thereby suggesting that other factors, such as interactions among species, may be involved in mediating species responses.     

Population ecological parameters and biomass of anchovy kilka <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clupeonella engrauliformis</Emphasis> in the Caspian Sea

ABSTRACT:   Through most of the last century, three endemic kilka species supported major commercial species in the Caspian Sea. It is clear that catches and abundance of all species have changed, but catch and sampling data are limited and stock assessments are inadequate. Recent changes in the Caspian Sea ecosystem have occurred as a consequence of climatic environmental change (sea level change) and ecologic change caused by the invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi . This paper examines the effects of these changes on the population biology and biomass of anchovy kilka Clupeonella engrauliformis in Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea from 1995 to 2004. For most years during this 10-year period, we estimated the age structure of catch, length–weight relationship, von Bertalanffy growth parameters, condition factors, sex ratios, maturity stages determined from ovarian analysis, natural and fishing mortality, age at first capture, and spawning biomass. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality was estimated as 0.473/year and the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality varied during the 10-year period between 0.541 and 2.690/year. Biomass of anchovy kilka declined from about 186 000 t in 1996 to less than 12 000 t in 2004. Recent high fishing rates were not sustainable after the introduction of Mnemiopsis , so overfishing is part of the explanation for the collapse of anchovy kilka in the Caspian Sea.     

Distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel (Trachurus japonicus) in the East China and Yellow Seas, based on seasonal bottom trawl surveys

We examined the distribution and migration of age-0 jack mackerel in the East China Sea (ECS) and Yellow Sea, based on data from seasonal bottom trawl surveys. Sampling was conducted at 79–161 stations during five cruises in spring (April–June), early summer (May–July), late summer (August–October), autumn (October–December), and winter (January–February). During early summer, jack mackerel (mean 92 mm fork length), which were estimated to have hatched in the southern East China Sea (SECS) during winter, began to occur abundantly, especially along the shelf-break region of the central East China Sea (CECS). In late summer, the distribution center of young fish (mean 126 mm) shifted northward into the shelf region of northern East China Sea (NECS), corresponding with the rise of bottom water temperature and high prey abundance. In winter when the bottom water temperature declined in the shelf region, the distribution center of jack mackerel (mean 144 mm) shifted southward, with high densities occurring in the SECS and CECS. In spring, overwintering jack mackerel that had become age-1 (mean 175 mm) were distributed abundantly along the shelf-break region of the ECS. On the other hand, jack mackerel were only sporadically found, generally at low densities, in the Yellow Sea during all seasons. High densities of jack mackerel were largely restricted to areas of >15°C bottom water temperature during all seasons. Our results indicate that the seasonal shifts of the 15°C isotherm of the bottom layer and the food conditions are significant environmental factors determining the migration of jack mackerel within the ECS.