An automatic counting system for transparent pelagic fish eggs based on computer vision

Alive eggs of marine species with pelagic eggs float, while dead eggs usually sink. A non-invasive method for counting the number of floating eggs therefore gives the possibility to track survival throughout experiments. In this paper we present an automatic image analysis method for counting live pelagic eggs of marine fish. Pelagic fish eggs are typically transparent and difficult to detect in images. Current image analysis methods for counting pelagic fish eggs are therefore done on eggs transfixed in a polymer to create contrast between the eggs and the background. This kills the eggs. The main advantage of the presented method is that it is non-invasive and only requires a minimum of handling of the eggs. As case studies we collected images of Atlantic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) eggs. The eggs in the images were manually counted for verification of the methodology. The average counting error of false positives was 6% and the average counting error of false negatives was 2%. This demonstrates that the method is objective and accurate.     

Changes in the spawning habitat of two small pelagic fish in the Northwestern Mediterranean

We investigated the effects of three sea surface oceanographic variables (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll a) on the abundance of eggs and larvae of two summer‐spawning species in the NW Mediterranean Sea, the anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and the round sardinella Sardinella aurita, based on data from ichthyoplankton surveys carried out in the 1980s, 2000s, and 2010s. The environmental data showed an increase in seawater temperature and salinity along time, coupled with a decrease in chlorophyll a (proxy for primary production). These long‐term directional changes in environmental conditions helped explain the important reduction observed in the abundance of eggs and larvae of anchovy, as well as shrinking of spawning habitat in this species. At the same time, the probability of occurrence of round sardinella has increased from practically zero in the 1980s to probabilities near 1 along the coastal area of the study region in the two decades of the 21st century. Given that the trends observed in the environmental variables along the three decades of study are expected to continue during the 21st century, as a consequence of climate change, the spawning habitat of anchovy is expected to continue decreasing, while round sardinella habitat can expand. Considering that anchovy is of high commercial importance in NW Mediterranean fisheries, while round sardinella has very low commercial interest, our results show that the viability of small pelagic fisheries in the area may be compromised.     

岷江下游产漂流性卵鱼类的繁殖活动与生态水文因子的关系

2010年5-8月对岷江下游的生态水文数据进行了分析,并对其与产漂流性卵鱼类产卵行为的关系进行了探讨.结果表明,12个水文指标变化趋势基本一致,水位变幅和变化率明显低于流量指标,6个流量指标(日流量、日内最低流量、日内最大流量、日内流量变幅、日间流量变幅、日间流量变化率)和6个水位指标(日水位、日内最低水位、日内最高水位、日内水位变幅、日间水位变幅、日间水位变化率)与鱼卵径流量均呈极显著的相关关系(P＜0.01).产漂流性卵鱼类产卵径流量的波动周期和频率与水文指标较吻合,一般较水文指标波动周期短2～3 d;洪峰过程对鱼类产卵行为的刺激明显,是决定岷江下游产漂流性卵鱼类年产卵量多寡的一个重要环境因子,但第1次洪峰过程对产卵行为的影响明显滞后,2次洪峰过程后,鱼类集中产卵行为的起始时间和持续时间均与水文指标的波动达到高度一致.     

Can timing of spawning explain the increase in egg size with female size in salmonid fish?

A common observation is that egg size increases with maternal size within populations. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Most recently, it was suggested that the optimal egg size depends on female size due to correlations between (i) breeding time and egg size selection and (ii) female size and breeding time, and as such, the positive egg size–maternal size relationship represents an adaptive strategy. Here, we test the second of these two premises in two salmonid species, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) for which we have detailed breeding and egg size data. The body size of spawning females decreased throughout the season in coho salmon, but not in Atlantic salmon. Furthermore, we did not find a direct correlation between egg size and breeding time, which would also be expected if this premise was correct. Accordingly, breeding date does not appear to be as important as other factors in shaping among female differences in egg size.     

Scale model of a new midwater trawl system for sampling pelagic larval and juvenile fish

SUMMARY: A new midwater sampling trawl was designed to collect pelagic larval and juvenile fish. It has a rigid square frame of 2.25 m², with a 12.5 m high strength polyethylene net. The cambered V-type depressor with a camber ratio of 15%, aspect ratio of 6.0, and dihedral angle of 20° was hung to the bottom of the frame with four slings based on the principle of the parallelogram. A 1/5 scale model net of the prototype was made to examine the towing performances in a circulating water tank. The depth of the net and the attack angle of the depressor were measured at various flow velocities ranging from 30 to 100 cm/s with warp lengths of 260, 310, 360, 410 cm. The depressor held the setting angle closely, and the fluctuating range of the net depth was only 2% for the longest warp length over a wide range of flow velocities. This sampling trawl could maintain near constant depth under various flow velocities by the results of model experiment.     

珠江口鱼类浮游生物种类组成与数量分布

江门位于珠江口西南部,其近海海域是多种小型鱼类的产卵场和育幼场。以珠江口江门海域春季采集到的鱼卵为研究对象,基于DNA条形码技术分析鉴定了鱼卵种类,描述了鱼卵的形态特征,并初步研究了其形态分类。共采获13种鱼卵,分属于3目10科,其中4种鉴定至种水平,分别为眶棘双边鱼 (Ambassis gymnocephalus)、缘边银鲈 (Gerres limbatus)、多鳞 (Sillago sihama) 和斑头舌鳎 (Cynoglossus puncticeps);8种鉴定至属水平,分别为沙丁鱼属、小公鱼属、棘鲷属、副叶鲹属、叫姑鱼属、属和舌鳎属;1种鉴定至科水平,为鲾科。结果发现,江门海域大部分鱼卵可通过形状与大小、卵周隙宽窄、油球数量和色素分布等形态特征进行分类;对于胚体发育良好的鱼卵,胚体上色素胞颜色、数量及分布也是种类鉴定的重要依据。然而相近种类难以通过单一发育阶段形态特征进行准确区分,更深入的形态学研究尚待开展。     

三峡水库蓄水后长江中游产漂流性卵鱼类产卵场现状

于2003-2006年每年5-7月对长江中游江段产漂流性卵鱼类产卵场的现状进行了调查。结果表明,长江中游现有产漂流性卵鱼类13种,其中主要经济鱼类有青鱼（Mylopharyngodon piceus）、草鱼（Ctenopharyngodon idellus）、鲢（Hypophthalmichthys molitrix）、鳙（Aristichthys nobilis）、鳜（Siniperca chuatsi）、赤眼鳟（Squaliobarbus curriculus）、鳊（Parabramis pekinensis）、铜鱼（Coreius heterodon）,共8种。与20世纪70年代相比,种类减少了10余种,但监测到了多年未见的鳡（Elopichthys bambus）。在长江中游宜昌至城陵矶300多km江段分布10余个四大家鱼产卵场,与水库蓄水前相比,产卵场地理分布的范围变化不大。2003-2006年长江中游主要产漂流性卵鱼类的产卵量143720×10^4ind,其中四大家鱼产卵量108069×10^4ind。与蓄水前相比,长江中游四大家鱼产卵规模严重缩小,4年四大家鱼产卵总量为1997-2002年平均值的42.82%,为蓄水前2002年的56.88%。四大家鱼产卵与水温和涨水持续时间及水位日上涨率等生态水文指标密切相关,产卵期期间水温波动范围为18.6-25.5℃,水温适宜于四大家鱼繁殖;江水持续上涨时间一般为4-7d,水位的日涨率一般在0.30m/d左右,较为适宜于四大家鱼产卵。与20世纪70年代和水库蓄水前相比,长江中游四大家鱼鱼苗比例组成发生了显著变化,鲢比例相对上升,而多年来占绝对优势的草鱼比例显著下降,表明长江中游草鱼受三峡水库调蓄影响最大。     

A continuous, underway fish egg sampler

We describe a method to sample the highly contagious distribution of pelagic fish eggs. CUFES, the continuous, underway fish egg sampler, consists of a submersible pump, concentrator, electronics and sample collector. This system operates continuously and under nearly all sea conditions, providing a real-time estimate of the volumetric abundance of pelagic fish eggs at pump depth, usually 3 m. CUFES-derived estimates of volumetric abundance agree well with those from nets towed at pump depth and with areal abundance estimated from vertically integrated plankton tows. CUFES has been used successfully to sample the eggs of menhaden, pinfish, sardine, and anchovy off the coasts of the eastern and western United States and South Africa. Two large patches of eggs of the Atlantic menhaden were sampled off North Carolina in winter 1993–94, had a linear scale of 5–10 km, and were found in waters between the Gulf Stream and mid-shelf front. Spawning location may be related to bathymetry. CUFES is now being used to estimate spawner biomass by the daily egg production method. An optical plankton counter provided accurate estimates of the number of Atlantic menhaden eggs sample by CUFES.     

小型中上层海洋鱼类资源评估研究进展

小型中上层海洋鱼类是重要的渔业资源,目前其捕捞产量约占到全球海洋渔获量二分之一。小型中上层海洋鱼类具有生命周期短、生长速度快、分布不均匀、易受环境因素影响等生物学特点,近年来,一些小型中上层海洋鱼类渔获量出现下降趋势,为保证其资源的可持续利用,对其进行准确的资源评估研究和制定合理有效的管理策略显得尤为重要。以文献计量统计分析为基础,对20多年来应用于小型中上层海洋鱼类资源评估的模型方法以及所需数据类型进行归纳与回顾,同时对模型中重要的参数估计、不确定性来源进行总结。分析认为,由于缺乏完整、准确的生物学信息导致无法对小型中上层海洋鱼类使用传统的资源评估方法进行评估,因此,其资源评估研究仍处在发展阶段。建议今后研究中应开展以下工作:1)努力提高现有模型的评估精度,尽可能考虑更多影响因素; 2)要进行长期系统的渔业资源独立调查; 3)充分利用体长等易获得数据,开发体长结构模型和基于生态系统的评估模型,降低模型选择的局限性。     

A simple method for calculating liming rates for fish ponds

The pH change in 40 ml of buffer caused by 20 g dry soil may be multiplied by 5600 to provide the lime requirement of mud in a fish pond. The buffer contains 10 g p-nitrophenol, 7.5 g boric acid, 37 g potassium chloride, and 5.25 g potassium hydroxide dissolved and diluted to 1000 ml with distilled water; the buffer pH is adjusted to 8.00.     

基于鱼卵仔鱼数据的东海中南部日本鲭产卵场分析

利用2016年4—5月在东海中南部海域的调查数据,对该海域日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)鱼卵仔鱼的分布特征进行了研究,并对产卵场的划分展开讨论及提出保护措施和管理建议。结果显示:4月,日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼主要出现在台湾海峡和东海南部海域,出现率均大于25%,但仔鱼在东海南部外海的出现率和丰度均较低,分别为5.00%和0.01个·100m^-3。5月,日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼在台湾海峡的出现率和丰度均显著降低,分别下降至5.88%和0.22个·100m^-3;东海南部外海日本鲭鱼卵仔鱼的出现率和丰度则均显著升高,分别升至50%和36.48个·100m^-3,其中鱼卵集中出现在南部外海,出现率和丰度分别达到了40%和36.46个·100m^-3;东海中部外海从5月开始出现日本鲭鱼卵和仔鱼。结合历史资料,可以判断东海中南部日本鲭产卵场主要有台湾海峡、东海中南部近海、东海南部外海、东海中部外海等4个。日本鲭鱼卵丰度与表层水温呈显著相关关系(R=0.37,P<0.05),与表层盐度无显著相关关系(P>0.0...     

Salinity-induced quiescence in eggs of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa (Dana): a simple method for egg storage

We report the effect of salinity and temperature on the viability of stored culture-based subitaneous eggs of the calanoid copepod Acartia tonsa for use of copepods in fish larvae culture. Quiescence induction was recorded at 17 and 25 °C, in salinities from 0 to 30. Quiescence was strongly induced at 0 salinity and partially at 5 in both temperatures. Eggs incubated at 0 salinity for up to 12 days at both temperatures showed a decline in the fraction able to be induced into quiescence by abrupt salinity changes. The hatching success of eggs that were able to enter quiescence stabilized after a 1-day incubation and remained ∼25% viable for 12 days in 17 °C. On the contrary, the 25 °C trial showed a gradual decline in viability until stabilizing ∼10% at day 7 and onwards. Longterm 17 °C incubation for 35 days showed that eggs remained quiescent with a viability of ∼14%. Hence, we recommend salinity storage of A. tonsa subitaneous eggs as a relevant shortterm technique, and a suitable alternative to the recently proposed cold storage of eggs when eggs are to be shipped from the copepod producer to a given fish larvae hatchery.     

2003年春季东海区浮性鱼卵和仔稚鱼种类组成及数量分布

本文分析研究了2003年春季东海区(27°00′～34°00′N)150m以浅海域浮性鱼卵、仔稚鱼的种类组成及数量分布。共鉴定49种鱼类的鱼卵、仔稚鱼,其中31种鉴定到种,隶属于26科、29属。优势种类为日本鳀、方氏云鳚、太平洋鲱。带鱼、小黄鱼等经济鱼类鱼卵、仔稚鱼数量少,鲱形目鱼类鱼卵、仔稚鱼数量较多。鱼卵、仔稚鱼分布主要在近海禁渔线附近海域。     

A dynamic model for the life history of Maurolicus muelleri, a pelagic planktivorous fish

The life history and vertical distribution of a female cohort of the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus muelleri is simulated using stochastic dynamic programming. The environment is represented by vertical profiles of zooplankton biomass, light intensity and temperature, all variables changing with season. The fish physiology is modelled by dynamic state variables that represent structural fish weight, energetic state and the age of developing oocytes. The model is used to simulate optimal depth distribution (feeding vs. predation risk) and energy allocation (somatic growth or reproduction). The optimal strategies predicted by the model depend on structural fish weight, energetic state and seasonal factors in the environment. The different strategies predicted for different size groups of fish are consistent with field observations of M. muelleri . Small fish give higher priority to growth and tolerate higher levels of predation risk than large fish. The strategies of small fish seem to be little affected by changes in energetic state or seasonal factors in the environment. On the other hand, the predicted strategies of large fish are largely dependent on energetic state and seasonal changes in the environment. In the winter they do not reproduce and minimize visual predation risk by staying at depths with a low light intensity. The low light intensities also result in a low food intake and a negative energy budget in the winter months. In spring, summer and autumn, the predicted strategy of large fish is to stay at depths that provide feeding rates sufficient to rebuild energy reserves lost in the winter and to provide energy for reproduction and somatic growth.     

Brown trout spawning habitat selection and its effects on egg survival

Salmonid females invest heavily in reproduction, through gamete production, habitat selection and maternal care. Habitat selection and maternal care are expected to provide shelter for eggs against scouring and predators. However, females also tend to produce variable egg sizes, and this trait may interact with habitat quality to influence the survival of offspring. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the role of female habitat selection on egg survival conditional on individual egg size and female body size. We monitored female reproductive activity in two natural rivers for 3 years, in order to relate nest characteristics to female body size. Bigger females dug deeper nests at lower shear stress force. Right after the end of nest construction, we sampled a part of the eggs laid by each female, measured them individually, and placed them back using capsules within their original position in the nest. At time of hatching, the capsules within the nest were collected and individual egg mortality was assessed. Our results indicate that scouring was the main driver for mortality (75%) and that nest burial depth and shear stress force above the nest both influenced scouring. However, subsequent survival was influenced by neither nest characteristics, individual egg size, nor the interaction between both. It is therefore expected that traits or tactics that reduce nest scouring probability should be under strong selection.     

DNA barcoding of fish eggs collected off northwestern Cuba and across the Florida Straits demonstrates egg transport by mesoscale eddies

Identifying spawning sites for broadcast spawning fish species is a key element of delineating critical habitat for managing and regulating marine fisheries. Genetic barcoding has enabled accurate taxonomic identification of individual fish eggs, overcoming limitations of morphological classification techniques. In this study, planktonic fish eggs were collected at 23 stations along the northwestern coast of Cuba and across the Florida Straits to United States waters. A total of 564 fish eggs were successfully identified to 89 taxa within 30 families, with the majority of taxa resolved to species. We provide new spawning information for Luvarus imperialis (Louvar), Bothus lunatus (Plate Fish), Eumegistus illustris (Brilliant Pomfret), and many economically important species. Data from most sites supported previously established patterns of eggs from neritic fish species being found on continental shelves and oceanic species spawning over deeper waters. However, some sites deviated from this pattern, with eggs from reef‐associated fish species detected in the deep waters of the Florida Straits and pelagic species detected in the shallow, continental shelf waters off the coast of northwestern Cuba. Further investigation using satellite imagery revealed the presence of a mesoscale cyclonic eddy that likely entrained neritic fish eggs and transported them into the Florida Straits. The technique of combining DNA‐based fish egg identification with remotely‐sensed hydrodynamics provides an important new tool for assessing the interplay of regional oceanography with fish spawning strategies.