Momma's larvae: Maternal oceanographic experience and larval size influence early survival of rockfishes

Identifying factors that affect larval mortality is critical for understanding the drivers of fish population dynamics. Although larval fish mortality is high, small changes in mortality rates can lead to large changes in recruitment. Recent studies suggest maternal provisioning can dramatically affect the susceptibility of larvae to starvation and predation, the major sources of early-life mortality. We measured otolith core width-at-extrusion and validated that this is a proxy for larval size-at-extrusion for eight species of rockfishes (genus Sebastes) to examine the influence of initial larval size on larval growth and survival and to understand how oceanographic conditions experienced by gestating females affect larval size (i.e., quality). Otolith core width-at-extrusion was significantly positively related to larval rockfish recent growth rate (5/7 species with sufficient sample size) and survival (all eight species). This suggests that individuals that are larger at extrusion generally grow faster and are more likely to survive early life stages. Otolith core width-at-extrusion was positively related to higher presence of Pacific Subarctic Upper Water and was negatively related to warmer, saline waters at the depths gestating mothers inhabited during the months prior to larval collection. In addition, otolith core width was larger further from fishing ports, possibly because these locations were historically less fished, contained more older, larger females, and/or had inherently better habitat quality (higher Pacific Subarctic Upper Water) than sites closer to shore. These results indicate that the environmental conditions female rockfish experience during gestation drive the size of the larvae they produce and impact larval growth and survival.     

Exchange and flux of larval fishes across the western Gulf Stream front south of Cape Hatteras, USA, in winter

To describe exchange and to frame the magnitude of the flux of larval fishes across the Gulf Stream front in winter, collections were taken on the inshore and offshore sides of the frontal zone in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995, off Onslow Bay, North Carolina. Collections yielded larval fishes representing 75 families. Of these, the larvae of the families Gonostomatidae or Phosichthyidae consistently occurred on both sides of the frontal zone, yet are exclusively of mesopelagic, deep-oceanic origin; hence, they indicate Gulf Stream-to-shelf water-exchange. The larvae of the clupeid, Brevoortia tyrannus , and the sciaenid, Leiostomus xanthurus , occurred on both sides of the frontal zone, yet spawn on the outer continental shelf in or near the Gulf Stream front; hence these taxa indicate shelf-to-Gulf Stream water-exchange. The mechanisms of exchange, as indicated by the distribution of heat and salt across the front, along with satellite images of sea-surface temperature, were not completely resolved, largely because of the two-dimensional ( x , z ) rather than three-dimensional ( x , y , z ) coordination employed. The observed distributions of indicator taxa did not always conform with expected, given the distribution of heat and salt across the front. Parcels of water exchanged across the front upstream (to the south) and encountered during observation along the cross-shelf transects explains the lack of conformity. Where the expected and observed distributions agreed, the flux was 0.0009 larvae m⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the indicators of Gulf Stream-to-shelf exchange, and 0.0007–0.0030 larvae m⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the indicators of shelf-to-Gulf Stream exchange.     

Spawning and transport dynamics of Atlantic menhaden: inferences from characteristics of immigrating larvae and predictions of a hydrodynamic model

We examined patterns of abundance, age and spawning date distributions of Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus larvae immigrating during two seasons through three North Carolina inlets—Oregon, Ocracoke and Beaufort—to elucidate their spawning and transport dynamics. These patterns were examined in conjunction with corresponding predictions from a three-dimensional, wind-and tide-driven hydrodynamic model. Larvae immigrating through different inlets showed consistent similarities as well as marked differences in temporal patterns of abundance, spawning dates and transport times. Intraseasonal patterns in abundance and spawning date distributions among inlets suggest that, in both study years, the spatio-temporal dynamics of menhaden immigration were driven by large-scale patterns along the Atlantic coast, rather than by localized variation in spawning activity. Interannual differences in the temporal patterns of spawning dates and larval immigration indicate interannual differences in transport dynamics and/or the spatial-temporal distribution of spawning. When the spawning locations predicted by the hydrodynamic model are interpreted in conjunction with advanced very high resolution radiometer sea-surface temperature information, the results are consistent with the limited historical information available on spatio-temporal distribution of Atlantic menhaden eggs and larvae. The transport model also predicted distributions of arrival times for immigrating larvae that were comparable in range and variability with observed patterns. Our use of data from immigrating larvae, coupled with a hydrodynamic transport model and sea-surface temperatures, allowed us to uncover relationships between spatio-temporal patterns of Atlantic menhaden spawning and transport dynamics that could not have been identified by either approach alone.     

Circulation and larval fish transport within a tidally dominated estuary

In March 1996 two surveys of larval fish abundance and water flow were carried out within the estuarine region near Beaufort Inlet, NC. Each survey extended over two full semidiurnal tidal cycles and included measurements of larvae concentration and velocity distribution at several locations. There was a large across-channel variation in the subtidal flow passing through Beaufort Inlet, with net inflow over the eastern and central portions of the inlet and net outflow on the western side of the inlet. This pattern was consistent with moored current meter measurements of a previous study, and was reproduced by a numerical model circu-lation forced only by the M₂ tide. A net ingress of larvae from the open ocean into the estuary was observ-ed during both surveys. Most larvae entered the estuary over the eastern and central portions of the inlet, where the subtidal flow was up-estuary. However, the mean circulation played a minor role in the net movement of larvae into the estuary. Rather, net up-estuary transport of larvae was principally due to variation of larval abundance with tidal flow; with abundance during flood tide usually far exceeding ebb tide abundance. This mode of transport was likely driven by a behavioural response to tidal flow in which larvae tended to descend to the bottom on falling tides and reside throughout the water column on rising tides.     

Tidal and subtidal fluctuations in temperature, salinity and pressure for the winter 1996 larval ingress experiment—Beaufort Inlet, NC

A multidisciplinary field experiment was conducted to compare water properties, larval abundances, and transport and retention processes at Beaufort Inlet and two channels leading to the estuarine nursery grounds. Temperature, salinity and subsurface pressure were monitored in situ for a six-week period during March and April 1996 in each channel. Intensive sampling was performed during two neap-tide periods when water mass conditions in the estuary were significantly different. Currents were stronger in the eastern channel during both experiments. Ebb currents were stronger than flood in both channels. Decreasing subtidal sea level appeared to account for the stronger ebb currents. Subtidal sea level in the inlet responded optimally to north–south (along the inlet axis) wind stress and along a line 15° clockwise of north–south. This direction closely parallels the channel axis of Core Sound and may provide an efficient conduit to carry large volumes of low-salinity Pamlico Sound water into the estuarine complex when winds blow south in this sector. The tidal stream in Beaufort Inlet sets up strong cross-inlet gradients by the advection on the east side of higher salinity shelf water and advection on the west side of Beaufort Inlet plume water. The axial fronts produced by differential advection of these two water masses might play some role in redistributing larvae present in one tidal stream to another.     

Larval fish movement in the River Lohajang,Tangail, Bangladesh

Larval fish drift and distribution patterns were studied in the River Lohajang, a tributary of the River Jamuna, Bangladesh, during the monsoon seasons (June - October) of 1992, 1993 and 1994. Larval fish drift peaks with the water levels of the River Jamuna. In all three years, the Indian carp, Catla catla, Labeo rohita L. and Cirrhinus mrigala, were associated with the first pulses, but were absent from drift samples after September. Hilsa species and other non-identified fish species were found throughout the monsoon season. The highest larval fish densities were found in the upper strata of the river, near the shore. The drift densities of these fish became evenly distributed through time. Water turbidity probably influenced the vertical and horizontal distribution, and the absence of diel patterns. The most important species in the larval drift were Hilsa spp., followed by Labeo rohita L., Glossogobius giuris L. and Rasbora daniconius. Among the major carp, Labeo rohita was the dominant species, contributing 80-90%. The impact of flood control programmes on the reproduction of riverine and larval fish drift is discussed.     

化学物质诱导泥蚶幼虫附着变态的研究↑（*）

1996年8～9月间在室内用8种化学诱导物对泥蚶变态前期幼虫进行附着变态诱导实验。结果表明,8种药物对泥蚶幼虫的变态均有一定的诱导作用。其中,3-HT、EPI和NE对幼虫变态的诱导作用极显著,有效浓度范围较广;KCl和Ala的诱导作用较显著,有效浓度范围较窄;而Try、CABA和Ach只有某些浓度组的诱导效果明显,诱导效率对浓度的信赖性较强。从诱导物浓度来看,10-4mol/L的Ala、GABA和10-5mol/L的EPI诱导效果最好,与对照组相比,变态率均提高12%以上。不同处理时间试验表明,处理时间的长短与幼虫的变态率无一致的相关性关系,因药而异;总的来看,处理时间不超过8h的诱导效果较好,时间过长诱导率降低(GABA除外)。其中,用10-5mol/L的Ala处理1～4h或10-5mol/L的EPI处理4h效果最好,与对照组相比,变态率均提高25%以上。8种药物中,只有Try表现出对幼虫明显的毒性影响,Try的浓度越高,处理时间越长,幼虫的死亡率越高,用10-4mol/L的Try处理幼虫3h,死亡率达89%。     

不同地理群体菲律宾蛤仔生长发育的比较

于2007年6月-11月,对菲律宾蛤仔Ruditapes philipinarum莆田群体（PT）、大连群体（DL）和东京群体（DJ）的生长发育情况进行了比较。结果表明：菲律宾蛤仔3个群体的受精率、孵化率无显著差异（P〉0．05）;卵径、D形幼虫大小、单水管稚贝大小差异显著（P〈0．05）;附着规格、亲贝形态,PT群体与DL、DJ群体间差异显著（P〈0．05）。浮游期间,幼虫生长速度依次为PT〉DJ〉DL,分别为（9．37±0．44）、（9．28±0．59）、（8．70±0．51）um／d,PT、DJ群体与DL群体差异显著（P〈0．05）;913龄时,PT、DL、DJ群体幼虫的存活率分别为（95．08±1．87）％、（85．22±3．34）％、（75．32±3．49）％,彼此间差异显著（P〈0．05）。变态期间,3个群体幼虫的生长速度依次为PT〉DJ〉DL,分别为（2．54±0．39）、（2．37±0．52）、（2．05±0．45）um／d,彼此间差异显著（P〈0．05）;变态率、变态时间、变态规格,PT群体与DL、DJ群体间差异显著（P〈0．05）。室内培育阶段（20—40日龄）,3个群体稚贝的生长速度依次为PT〉DL〉DJ,分别为（22．60±4．04）、（20．67±4．74）、（18．74±5．15）um／d,PT、DL群体与DJ群体间差异显著（P〈0．05）;40日龄时,PT、DL、DJ群体稚贝的存活率分别为（87．07±4．29）％、（66．73±6．43）％、（35．75±4．84）％,彼此间差异显著（P〈0．05）。室外养成阶段（80—160日龄）,3个群体稚贝的生长速度依次为PT〉DL〉DJ,分别为（86．94±21．72）、（75．23±16．91）、（67．25±18．26）um／d,彼此间差异显著（P〈0．05）;160日龄时,门、DL、DJ群体幼贝的存活率分别为（90．21±4．68）％、（66．73±4．94）％、（56．98±6．58）％,彼此是差异显著（P〈0．05）。