Growth-band counts from elephantfish Callorhinchus milii fin spines do not correspond with independently estimated ages

Fin spines from elephantfish Callorhinchus milii were sectioned and viewed with transmitted white light under a compound microscope. The sections displayed growth bands but their interpretation and significance were unclear. Three different methods were used for counting growth bands. The results were compared with reference growth curves based on length-at-age estimates for six juvenile year classes derived from length-frequency distributions, and tagging data that showed longevity is at least 20 years. None of the three ageing methods showed good correspondence with the reference curves and all methods departed markedly from the reference curves at ages above 2 years old. Therefore, growth bands present in C. milii spines are not useful for ageing, at least with the three methods tested here. Spine bands may not represent age marks, but instead may be layers of material deposited irregularly to strengthen the spine.     

Preliminary indications of climate-induced change in a warm-temperate South African estuarine fish community

The fishes of the warm-temperate East Kleinemonde Estuary (South Africa) have been sampled bi-annually, in summer and winter, using seine and gillnets since December 1995 and a total of 19 families, represented by 38 species were recorded between December 1995 and July 2006. Indicative of a warming trend, six new species of tropical fishes ( Valamugil cunnesius, Valamugil robustus, Liza alata, Liza macrolepis, Glossogobius giuris and Terapon jarbua ) were recorded in the catches from 1999 onwards, with V. cunnesius and L. macrolepis recorded in catches almost every year after 2002. Mean annual sea-surface temperatures recorded along the adjacent coast have been increasing during the past decade and this may have facilitated the southward extension of tropical marine fishes into the warm-temperate biogeographic zone.     

Data-Limited Population-Status Evaluation of Two Coastal Fishes in Southern Angola Using Recreational Catch Length-Frequency Data

Excessive truncation of a population’s size structure is often identified as an important deleterious effect of exploitation, yet the effect on population persistence of size-structure truncation caused by exploitation is often not quantified due to data limitations. In this study, we estimate changes in eggs per recruit (EPR) using annual length-frequency samples over a 9 year period to assess persistence of the two most important recreational fishes in southern Angola: west coast dusky kob (Argyrosomus coronus) and leerfish (Lichia amia). Using a length- and age-structured model, we improve on an existing method to fit this type of model to length-frequency data and estimate EPR. The objectives of the methodological changes are to add flexibility and robustness to the approach for assessing population status in data-limited situations. Results indicate that dusky kob presents very low levels of EPR (5%-10% of the per recruit reproductive capacity in the absence of fishing) in 2013, whereas large inter-annual variability in leerfish estimates suggest caution must be applied when drawing conclusions about its exploitation status. Using simulated length frequency data with known parameter values, we demonstrate that recruitment decline due to overexploitation leads to overestimation of EPR values. Considering the low levels of EPR estimated for the study species, recruitment limitation is not impossible and true EPR values may be even lower than our estimates. It is, therefore, likely that management action, such as the creation of Marine Protected Areas, is needed to reconstitute the west coast dusky kob population.     

Validation of a technique for reconstructing daily patterns in the recruitment of coral reef damselfish

Counting growth increments in otoliths recently has become an accepted method of ageing tropical fishes, however, verification is essential for each new species. In this study, growth increments in otoliths of the juveniles of several coral reef damselfishes (Pomacentridae) were deposited daily and a distinct transition from wide to narrow increments coincided with settlement from the pelagic larval phase into the demersal habitat. Thus, the data of settlement for each individual fish could be calculated with acceptable accuracy. The daily pattern of recruitment to a coral reef was successfully reconstructed using the otoliths from a large sample of juvenile fish collected at the end of the breeding season. This was because the original pattern of settlement was preserved in the age distribution for at least 4 to 5 months. This application of otolith ageing techniques may be extended to reveal the temporal patterns of recruitment to many localities encompassing spatial scales larger than would be logistically possible using visual censuses.     

The fisheries biology of flying fishes (Families: Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae) from the Camotes Sea, Central Philippines

The catches of a small artisanal fishery for flying fishes (Families Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae) on the Danajon Bank in the Camotes Sea. Central Visayas, were recorded during a 14-month period between 1987–1988. Catches were made using floating drive-in-nets deployed from small motorized canoes. Three species, Cheilopogon nigricans, Cypselurus opisthopus and Oxyporhamphus convexus , formed about 90% of landings. Growth, mortality and related parameters for the three dominant species in the catch were estimated from length-frequency data. Seasonal variations in catch rate and recruitment are described and thought to be linked to the two monsoon periods in the Philippines. Total mortality rates were very high and, while these may be the result of migratory movements rather than attrition, they are a cause for concern in such a highly selective fishery.     

Consistent trophic patterns among fishes in lagoon and channel habitats of a tropical floodplain river: Evidence from stable isotopes

The relationship between food web dynamics and hydrological connectivity in rivers should be strongly influenced by annual flood pulses that affect primary production dynamics and movement of organic matter and consumer taxa. We sampled basal production sources and fishes from connected lagoons and the main channel of a low-gradient, floodplain river within the Orinoco River Basin in Venezuela. Stable isotope analysis was used to model the contribution of four basal production sources to fishes, and to examine patterns of mean trophic position during the falling-water period of the annual flood cycle. IsoSource, a multi-source mixing model, indicated that proportional contributions from production sources to fish assemblages were similar in lagoons and the main channel. Although distributions differed, the means for trophic positions of fish assemblages as well as individual species were similar between the two habitats. These findings contradict recent food web studies conducted in temperate floodplain rivers that described significant differences in trophic positions of fishes from slackwater and floodplain versus main channel habitats. Low between-habitat trophic variation in this tropical river probably results from an extended annual flood pulse (ca. 5 mo.) that allows mixing of sestonic and allochthonous basal production sources and extensive lateral movements of fishes throughout the riverscape.     

Pelagic larval duration and population connectivity in New Zealand triplefin fishes (Tripterygiidae)

The relationship between pelagic larval duration (PLD) and population connectivity in marine fishes has been controversial, but most studies to date have focused on tropical taxa. Here, we examine PLD in 11 species of triplefin fishes from a temperate environment in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, to describe daily increment patterns and settlement marks in the otoliths. The formation of daily increments was validated using larvae of known age and tetracycline marking of settled juveniles. Settlement mark identity was verified by comparing total increment counts from otoliths of recently settled fishes with PLD counts from post-settlement fishes. A similar pattern of three groups of increments across the otolith was found in all specimens examined. The settlement mark was similar in all species and occurred as a sharp drop in increment width within the area of transition in optical density. PLD was lengthy, compared to species of triplefins from elsewhere, and ranged between 54.4 ± 1.7 SE days in Bellapiscis lesleyae to 86.4 ± 2.6 SE days in Forsterygion malcolmi. Variation in PLD within species was high but did not mask interspecific differences. PLD was not phylogenetically constrained, as sister species differed significantly in PLD. PLD was compared with genetic population connectivity for eight of the study species using mitochondrial gene flow data from Hickey, Lavery, Hannan, Baker, Clements. Mol Ecol 18:680–696 (2009). The observed lack of correlation between PLD and gene flow suggests that dispersal is limited by other factors, such as larval behaviour and the availability of settlement habitat.     

Geochemical investigation of growth in selected Recent articulate brachiopods

Buening, N. & Carlson. S. J. 1992 07 15: Geochemical investigation of growth in selected Recent articulate brachiopods.
Growth increments have traditionally been used to determine age and growth rates of shelled organisms, particularly bivalves. Brachiopod growth increments and the time span they represent are rather poorly understood, however. Geochemical analyses of trace element concentrations preserved in skeletal calcite may provide an alternative method to determine the age of Recent brachiopods and to interpret their patterns of growth. Magnesium is a particularly important trace element in skeletal calcite because it is thought to vary with temperature, growth rate. and taxonomic affiliation. Electron microprobe analyses of Mg concentrations in the Recent articulate, temperate water brachiopods Terebratulina unguicula and Terebrotalia transversa , have revealed two distinct ontogenetic patterns of Mg concentration. The primary ontogenetic pattern is characterized by elevated and more variable levels of Mg concentration during early growth. followed by lower, more stable Mg concentrations during growth after sexual maturity. This pattern appears to be related to a predictable decrease in growth rate through ontopeny. Secondary peaks of Mg superimposed on this primary pattern may represent growth spurts related to annual cycles of productivity. Preliminary Fourier analyses of patterns of Mg concentration provide additional support for this hypothesis. Thus, a record of productivity characterized by annual peaks of Mg concentration may well allow us to age individual brachiopods by means other than size-frequency histograms. growth lines, and other less precise and accurate methods. Brachiopods, growth. biomineralization, calcification, Terebratali transversa, Terebratulina Unogicui.a, magnesium, Calcium, geochemical. ontogeny .     

Temperate macroalgae impacts tropical fish recruitment at forefronts of range expansion

Warming waters and changing ocean currents are increasing the supply of tropical fish larvae to temperature regions where they are exposed to novel habitats, namely temperate macroalgae and barren reefs. Here, we use underwater surveys on the temperate reefs of south-eastern (SE) Australia and western Japan (~33.5°N and S, respectively) to investigate how temperate macroalgal and non-macroalgal habitats influence recruitment success of a range of tropical fishes. We show that temperate macroalgae strongly affected recruitment of many tropical fish species in both regions and across three recruitment seasons in SE Australia. Densities and richness of recruiting tropical fishes, primarily planktivores and herbivores, were over seven times greater in non-macroalgal than macroalgal reef habitat. Species and trophic diversity (K-dominance) were also greater in non-macroalgal habitat. Temperate macroalgal cover was a stronger predictor of tropical fish assemblages than temperate fish assemblages, reef rugosities or wave exposure. Tropical fish richness, diversity and density were greater on barren reef than on reef dominated by turfing algae. One common species, the neon damselfish (Pomacentrus coelestis), chose non-macroalgal habitat over temperate macroalgae for settlement in an aquarium experiment. This study highlights that temperate macroalgae may partly account for spatial variation in recruitment success of many tropical fishes into higher latitudes. Hence, habitat composition of temperate reefs may need to be considered to accurately predict the geographic responses of many tropical fishes to climate change.

     

Growth of the clupeid fishes, Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon, in the Zambian waters of Lake Tanganyika

The age and growth of two endemic Lake Tanganyikan clupeid fishes, Stolothrissa tanganicae and Limnothrissa miodon , were estimated from analysis of otolith microstructure in specimens collected in Zambian waters from October to December 1990. Both species had relatively clear, concentric otolith increments which were believed to represent daily increments based on their similarity to daily increments found in some marine clupeid species. The growth rates estimated from length-at-age data were: for S. tanganicae, L_t = 104·0 (1 – exp (– 0.00512 ( t – 5·8))); for L. miodon, L_t = 155.4 (1 – exp (– 0.00236 ( t +8.1))). In most cases, the growth parameters obtained from otolith analyses generally agreed with those previously estimated from analyses of length-frequency distributions.     

Seasonal dynamics in community structure,abundance, body size and sex ratio in two species of Neotropical annual fishes

Seven ephemeral pools on the coastal plain of southern Brazil were found to be inhabited by three annual and 22 non‐annual fish species. Two common annual species (Austrolebias minuano and Cynopoecilus fulgens) exhibited clear seasonal dynamics, with the appearance of young fishes in the austral autumn (May to June) and a decline in abundance over the seasonal cycle. The third annual species, Austrolebias wolterstorffii, was rare. No seasonal dynamics were observed in non‐annual fishes. The relative abundance of non‐annual fishes compared with annual fishes increased over the seasonal cycle, but they coexisted widely. The size structure of annual fishes suggested the presence of a single age cohort in most pools though a second age cohort was registered in one pool in August, coinciding with a large flooding. Strong sexual dimorphism in body size was found in C. fulgens throughout the seasonal cycle, while no sexual dimorphism in body size was found in A. minuano. Female‐biased sex ratios were recorded in both common annual fish species in the last three sampling dates (in spring), but not during the first two sampling dates (in winter). The natural lifespan of annual fishes was <8 months. Annual fishes disappeared before habitat desiccation in half of the pools, while non‐annual fishes were still present.     

The biogeography of polyphenolic compounds in marine macroalgae: temperate brown algal defenses deter feeding by tropical herbivorous fishes

Summary Many tropical brown algae have low levels of polyphenolic compounds and are readily consumed by herbivorous fish. In contrast, temperate brown algae often produce large quantities of phenolic compounds causing them to be distasteful to herbivorous gastropods and sea urchins. We hypothesized that tropical brown algae do not use phenolic compounds as antiherbivore defenses because these compounds are not effective deterrents against tropical fish. To test our hypothesis, we assessed the ability of extracts from 8 tropical and 13 temperate algae with a broad range of phenolic levels to deter feeding by herbivorous fishes on Guam. Extracts of the high-phenolic (>2% d.w.) temperate brown algae consistently deterred feeding by herbivorous fishes, whereas extracts from low phenolic (<2% d.w.) temperate and 6 of 8 low-phenolic tropical brown algae did not. Thus, phenolic compounds could be effective feeding deterrents towards herbivorous fishes on Guam, but for unknown reasons they are not used by Guamanian brown algae.     

Evolutionary patterns in tropical marine reef fish feeding

The majority of tropical reef fishes are acanthopterygians. Most of them are percomorphs and thus are likely monophyletic. In accordance to modern systematics, the primitive types among the latter are large-mouthed suction feeders. Species from advanced families often have biting oral jaws with a reduced number and complexly shaped teeth. Mouth sizes decrease from the primitive towards the advanced reef fishes when ranked according to increasing family numbers (Nelson 1984). To create a functional resource axis, Randall's (1967) and Hobson's (1974) data on tropical reef fish feeding were re-interpreted by ranking food items from mobile to sessile prey. The primitive paracantho pterygian and acanthopterygian reef fishes are large-mouthed, suction-feeding predators on mobile prey. Most of the advanced, small-mouthed species are browsers and grazers, but often feed on mobile prey too. Obligatory specialists (monophagous and unable to switch) seem to be relatively rare among modern reef fishes. The trends stated above indicate a wealth of parallel developments in many advanced families of reef fishes towards small, often biting oral jaws. This parallelism may be the result of comparable regimes of selection pressures in reefs and of the need for newly evolved species to establish themselves within the already existing guilds.     

Age determination and growth of the pollan, Coregonus autumnalis pollan Thompson, of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland

Scales from Lough Neagh pollan display a large number of checks, making age determination difficult. Sclerite counts showed that an annual check is formed on scales in May and a second accessory check in most young fish in October. The method of ageing from scales was supported by inspection of length-frequency plots and by following the growth of pollan in their first 2 years of life. The body-scale relationship was curvilinear. Back-calculation showed that pollan of both sexes attain a fork length of 29 cm in 5 years (1 ∞=28.9 cm; k = 0.65; l ₀= -0.06 year). There is no evidence that annual growth rates have changed since 1965. Possible environmental causes of scale check formation are discussed.     

Review of the life history characteristics,ecology and fisheries for deep-water tropical demersal fish in the Indo-Pacific region

Deep-water tropical fishes support locally significant commercial fisheries, high value recreational fisheries, and culturally and economically important artisanal and subsistence fisheries throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The main species captured by these fisheries are deep-water snappers (Lutjanidae), groupers (Epinephelidae), and emperors (Lethrinidae). Quantitative assessments of deep-water tropical fisheries have been limited by a lack of adequate biological and fisheries data. We review the biology and ecology of deep-water tropical fishes, discuss the implications for assessment and management of tropical deep-water fisheries, and provide perspectives on future research priorities. We found that biological and fisheries information is lacking for the majority of deep-water tropical fishes. Furthermore, many studies were constrained by low samples sizes and the use of methods that have not been validated or verified. Most species for which reliable information was available were reported to have extended longevities (>20 years), low rates of natural mortality (M < 0.15), and slow to modest growth rates (K = 0.12–0.25). These life history traits indicate a low production potential for many deep-water tropical fishes, and suggest that sustainable exploitation rates and potential yields may be low. There is a need for more representative and adequate studies of deep-water tropical fishes and for improved fisheries data collection and the use of consistent methods in addition to information sharing to facilitate the development of robust data-poor assessment techniques for these species.     

Molecular phylogenetics reveals a pattern of biome conservatism in New World anchovies (family Engraulidae)

Evolutionary transitions between marine and freshwater biomes are relatively rare events, yielding a widespread pattern of biome conservatism among aquatic organisms. We investigated biome transitions in anchovies (Engraulidae), a globally distributed clade of economically important fishes. Most anchovy species are near-shore marine fishes, but several exclusively freshwater species are known from tropical rivers of South America and were previously thought to be the product of six or more independent freshwater invasions. We generated a comprehensive molecular phylogeny for Engraulidae, including representatives from 15 of 17 currently recognized genera. Our data support previous hypotheses of higher-level relationships within Engraulidae, but show that most New World genera are not monophyletic and in need of revision. Ancestral character reconstruction reveals that New World freshwater anchovies are the product of a single marine to freshwater transition, supporting a pattern of biome conservatism. We argue that competition is the principal mechanism that regulates aquatic biome transitions on a continental scale.     

Effects of evolutionary thermal environment on temperature-preference relationships in fishes

Fishes exhibit a perplexing variety of temperature-preference relationships, ranging from positive to negative functions of acclimation temperature. However, these relationships tend to be consistent within species even across broad geographic ranges. We developed and tested an hypothesis that temperature-preference relationships are related to the amplitude of the annual thermal-cycle experienced by species during their recent evolutionary histories. Species experiencing annual cycles of relatively high amplitude (temperate species) were predicted to exhibit temperature-preference relationships that are positive functions of acclimation temperature. Those with low thermal amplitudes, such as cold stenotherms, or relatively high short-term amplitudes, such as tropical mesotherms, were predicted to exhibit relationships that are either independent or negative functions of acclimation temperature. This hypothesis was tested and strongly supported by a synthesis of studies from the literature. Of 42 species, for which data were available, 40 exhibited the class of temperature-preference relationships that we predicted on the basis of their thermal cycle. The concept of thermal guilds can be expanded by taking into consideration the capacity of fishes to adjust preferred temperatures through acclimation. This work shows the adaptive nature of temperature-preference behavior and may be useful for predicting general characteristics of temperature-preference relationships for the many species not yet examined in this regard.     

Gill raker variation and the feeding niche of some temperate and tropical freshwater fishes

Synopsis Variability in the mean number of gill rakers was examined in 17 tropical (Panama) and 16 temperate (Canada) freshwater fishes. Ranges for an additional 16 temperate species were obtained from the literature. Variance in gill raker number within species was significantly greater in the tropical species. The tropical species also showed significantly greater dispersion of the species means when among-species variation was compared to an overall mean for each latitude. The reduced among-species variation observed in the temperate species appears to result from a scarcity of high raker means in small, stream species of Canada. This study offers no evidence for the existence of greater feeding specialization among small, primarily stream fishes in the neotropics. The data suggest that the food resource spectrum utilized by these species may be shorter at the higher latitudes examined.     

Vessel feature changes as a tool for detecting annual rings in tropical trees

Radial variations in vessel features (vessel lumen area and frequency) of four tropical tree species grown in tropical savanna, monsoon, and rainforest climates were investigated to detect indistinct annual rings. Leaf and soil water potentials were measured periodically to show annual variations in water availability and their relationship to radial variations in vessel features. In addition, the accuracy of annual-ring detection was estimated using trees of known age. Radial variations in vessel features showed annual cyclicity in all three sites. The vessel feature that showed clear annual cyclicity was different among the species and sites. Furthermore, the variation pattern of vessel features in the rainforest site tended to be different between two radii within individual trees, implying low synchronicity of wood formation in the wet area. Compared with leaf and soil water potentials, vessel features varied independent of water availability in all species in the rainforest site and most species in the savanna and monsoon sites. The direct effect of low water availability on vessel features was considered only in one species in the savanna and monsoon sites. Nevertheless, the deviation of vessel feature cycles from tree age was similar and reasonably small (mostly within ±10 %) among all sites. These results indicated a circannual rhythm in vessel formation. Thus, vessel feature changes seemed to aid in detecting annual rings in trees throughout wide tropical areas; however, asynchronous wood formation must be considered in dendrochronology, especially in humid tropics.     

Spawning period and growth of yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis (Günther), in Moreton Bay, Australia

Monthly changes in the gonosomatic index indicate that yellowfin bream, Acanthopagrus australis , in Moreton Bay have a short spawning season with a peak during the period July to August each year. The growth rate of A. australis was estimated from tag-recapture data and by length-frequency analysis. Modes representing age classes 0, I and II often appeared in length-frequency distributions, however modes for older age classes were difficult to identify. The von Bertalanffy growth curve parameters calculated from release–recapture data are: L_∞ = 29.5 cm; K = 0.51; t ₀=– 0.32 years.