Epibenthie fish larvae in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon near Lizard Island,Australia

Epibenthic fish larvae near Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon were sampled with a plankton sled during daylight in November 1981 and January–February 1982. Abundance in the epibenthos was highly variable, and although many types of larvae were present, few were concentrated there relative to the water column. Among those taxa concentrated in the epibenthos, abundances were low and variances were high. Larvae of bregmacerotids, callionymids, clupeids, monacanthids, pinguipedids, platycephalids, pseudochromids, and especially schindleriids, leiognathids and terapontids were concentrated in the epibenthos. Few reef fish larvae were epibenthic. There was some evidence of diel and ontogenetic movements into and out of the epibenthos. Our limited sampling indicates that conventional midwater plankton sampling is adequate for most fish larvae found in the Lizard Island area, but for the larvae of the above ten families, this could produce large underestimates of abundance.     

Assessment of an ichthyoplankton net operated at different velocities and durations in the Paraná River

The aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of a conical ichthyoplankton net under the most common range of sampling conditions found in the Paraná River. Three sampling velocities in the range of 0.3–1.4 m seg^?1 and four sample durations (2, 4, 8 and 16 min) were simulated from two different experiments carried out in surface and bottom waters of the main channel during daylight hours. Neither significant differences nor trends were found in larval fish densities in various stages of development under the conditions studied. Results are discussed in the context of the natural ichthyoplankton abundance variability. The results support the hypothesis that in turbid waters larvae are not visually able to detect the net and that in the size range sampled, they either cannot mechanically detect the gear or have not developed enough swimming ability to efficiently evade it. The results of this work may contribute to the interpretation of the abundance data in ichthyoplankton studies in South American rivers with similar ranges of transparency, flow and larvae development.     

Comparison of two samplers for quantitatively collecting larval fishes in upper littoral habitats*

Performance of two larval fish samplers, a hand–towed net and a dropbox enclosure, was similar when tested in shallow (x water depth, 20 cm) upper littoral–zone habitats. There was no significant difference between means of larval fish density (by total catch and by species) estimated from the catch in each gear, during the day and at night. Mean length of larvae (total catch) from the tow net was significantly longer than that from the dropbox during the day, but mean length did not differ between gear at night. Mean lengths of larvae of each species between gear were not significantly different within each period. Both gears collected significantly longer larvae (total catch and by species) during the day than at night probably because of diel movements of larvae of different sizes and species.     

High species richness of early stages of fish in a locality of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System: a small-scale survey using different sampling gears

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS) contains a diverse array of coastal habitats that are critical for the survival of the early stages of reef fish; however, the knowledge on the abundance and distribution of the early stages of coastal fishes is still limited in this region. This study investigated the species richness of larval and juvenile fishes using a combination of a sled net, standard plankton net, and a nightlight lift-net; these were deployed simultaneously at Bacalar Chico, a site on the MBRS within the protected “Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak” (PNAX). We collected 53 families and 118 species of larval and juvenile fishes in a small area of about 3 km². This species diversity of early life-history stages is greater than previously found in surveys on the MBRS. Each gear caught a number of species exclusively, so combined sampling with the three methods provided a much fuller picture of the local larval and juvenile fish assemblage. A species-accumulation model estimated that the samples likely represented 84% of the total assemblage. Many species caught were represented predominantly by newly settled juveniles, underscoring the importance of this coastal habitat for settlement of many ecologically and economically important fish species. This information is expected to improve the conservation and management strategies in the fragile PNAX coastal zones by providing additional information based on original field data to raise awareness among managers about the ecological relevance of these coastal habitats. This study provides encouraging evidence that the PNAX is a well-suited natural protected area to preserve a critical fish habitat in a hotspot of marine biodiversity.     

Composition and sources of near reef zooplankton on a Jamaican forereef along with implications for coral feeding

Nocturnal near-reef zooplankton from the forereef of Discovery Bay, Jamaica, were sampled during winter and summer 1994 using a diver-operated plankton pump with an intake head positioned within centimeters of benthic zooplanktivores. The pump collected zooplankton not effectively sampled by conventional net tows or demersal traps. We found consistently greater densities of zooplankton than did earlier studies that used other sampling methods in similar locations. There was no significant difference between winter (3491±578 m^–3) and summer (2853±293 m^–3) zooplankton densities. Both oceanic- and reef-associated forms were found at temporal and spatial scales relevant to benthic suspension feeders. Copepods were always the most abundant group, averaging 89% of the total zooplankton, and most were not of demersal origin. The cyclopoids, Oithona spp., were the numerically dominant organisms, with an average density of 1684±260 m^–3. Other zooplankton (e.g., shrimp larvae, crab larvae, polychaetes, chaetognaths, amphipods, and isopods) were highly variable and much less abundant. Near-reef zooplankton abundances were high throughout the night sampling period, not just after sunset and before sunrise as previously described. Mean biomass was 4.5 mg C m^–3, with values ranging from 1.0 to 15.6 mg C m^–3. This work has important implications for evaluating which zooplankton types are available to benthic suspension feeders, including corals.     

State of the Ichthyoplankton Community along the Crimean Peninsula in August 2011

Data on species composition, spatial distribution of ichthyoplankton, and feeding of fish larvae in August 2011 are presented for the shelf and the open waters along the Crimean Peninsula from Kerch Strait to Karkinit Bay. In the ichthyoplankton, fish eggs and larvae represented 19 species from 16 families. The average egg abundance was 111 egg/m² and larvae abundance was 22 ind./m². The elimination ratio of the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus, which dominates in the plankton from the final stages of development to the prelarvae in 2011, was similar to that observed in 1957. The high number of larvae of the older age group in the western halistatic zone is explained by the peculiarities of the hydrological regime. Decrease in the pressure of predatory jelly macroplankton and an fodder zooplankton (zooplankton abundance) contribute to the survival of the fish larvae.     

Arms as areas for larval development of migratory fish species in a Neotropical reservoir and the influence of rainfall over abundances

The aim of the present study was to verify the use of the arms of the Itaipu Reservoir as areas of initial development for migratory fish species and to assess the relationship between rainfall and the spawning of migratory fish. Accordingly, fish larvae were collected from five arms of the reservoir from 2009 to 2016 using 0.5 mm plankton nets. Density was standardized as the number of larvae per 10 m³ filtered water, and the captured larval and juvenile specimens were identified at the lowest-possible taxonomic level. The larvae were also classified according to the degree of development and notochord flexion stage: larval vitelline, pre-flexion, flexion and post-flexion. To evaluate the distribution of larval abundance and the developmental stage along the longitudinal gradients of the arms, the data were evaluated using a set of nested linear models, following the AIC and Bayesian information criteria. In addition, an analysis of covariance was performed to investigate the influence of rainfall on the larval abundance of migratory species. During sampling, several species of economic and conservation interest such as Salminus brasiliensis and Pseudoplatystoma corruscans were collected. The larvae of the migratory fish taxa were captured from all sampled arms, which indicate them as areas of initial development. Nevertheless, it was observed that larval density increases from fluvial towards lacustrine zones inside the arms. Also, the present study verified that species, even in lentic environments, respond positively to rainfall stimuli in a manner similar to that exhibited by conspecifics in lotic environments. Such results reinforce the necessity of the protection of arms aiming at the conservation of this main group of species impaired by the construction of dams.     

The fish assemblage on a coralligenous shallow shelf off the Mediterranean coast of northern Israel

The fish assemblage on the shallow coralligenous shelf (16-30m depth) off Haifa, Israel was sampled using trammel nets throughout a period of 1 year. Complementary data were obtained via underwater censuses of fish on an artificial reef established later in the sampling area. Fortythree species of fish were sampled by trammel nets, 79% of which were observed also during the underwater censuses. Although fish of Red Sea origin constituted only 11.6% of the species composition in the net samples, they contributed 46.2% of the fish abundance and 40.6% of the biomass in these samples. This was supported by the finding that species of Red Sea origin contributed 64% of the abundance of large fish counted on the artificial reef. Siganus luridas, S. rivulatus and Sargocentron rubrum are the main contributors in number and biomass among fish of Red Sea origin. It is suggested that the biogenic rocky bottom of this area contains several components which are similar to biogenic habitats favoured by these benthic species in the Red Sea; this may explain the high abundance of these species in the studied area.     

Descriptions of the Gulf VH/PRO-NET and MAFF/Guildline unencased high-speed plankton samplers

Two high-speed plankton samplers (Gulf VII/PRO-NET and MAFF/Guildline)currently in use to sample pelagic eggs and larvae in watersaround the UK are described. Both samplers are modificationsof Gulf III type samplers and are capable of being towed atspeeds of up to 7 knots (3.6 m s^–1). The performance ofthe samplers (flow rates, degree of clogging of the nets andsample depth profiles) can be monitored during deployment. Thereal-time monitoring packages also provide vertical profilesof temperature, salinity and chlorophyll a fluorescence. Bothsamplers can be constructed in different sizes to suit the vesselfrom which the sampler is deployed and the expected concentrationof plankton in the sampling area.     

Distribution and abundance of fish eggs and larvae in three tributaries of the Upper Uruguay River (Brazil)

The present study aimed to investigate the distribution and abundance of fish eggs and larvae in three important tributaries (Chapecó, Peixe, and Ligeiro rivers) of the Upper Uruguay River. The spatial and temporal distribution of fish eggs and larvae were studied as well as the correlation between environmental parameters and the abundance of ichthyoplankton species. The study was conducted between October 2005 and September 2006. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected at night with cylindroconical 0.5-mm mesh plankton nets every 5 days. Of the 591 samples collected, 170 contained ichthyoplankton organisms, resulting in the capture of 12,847 fish eggs and 962 fish larvae. Twenty-seven fish species were observed, of which 69% were Characiforms and 27% were Siluriforms. Among the fish species captured, the representatives were predominantly young forms of small and medium size fishes, with rheophilic species occurring infrequently. Eggs occurred exclusively between October and January, while the highest larvae occurrence was observed between November and December. Fish larvae assemblage structure was shown to be related to some environmental variables. There was a tendency of higher values of water temperature and velocity at the lower sampling sites than at the upper ones, as well an increase number of eggs and larvae. The study tributaries serve as reproduction sites and nursery areas for several fish species of the Upper Uruguay River; thus, the maintenance of their integrity is important for the preservation of diversity and enhancement of fisheries in the region.     

Planktivory in benthic nototheniid fish in McMurdo Sound,Antarctica

Synopsis Four species of nototheniid fish were sampled from below the sea ice near Cape Armitage, McMurdo Sound:Pagothenia borchgrevinki from just below the ice 1.5 km offshore,Trematomus bernacchii, Trematomus hansoni andTrematomus centronotus from off the bottom in about 20 m of water near the shore. Scale worms and isopods were conspicuous non-planktonic prey, and present in the three benthic fish species. The planktonic pteropod molluscLimacina helicina was numerically common in all four species of fish. The planktonic hyperiid amphipodHyperiella dilatata was also found in all fish species. WhereasP. borchgrevinki is planktivorous in accord with its pelagic habit, theTrematomus spp. clearly also feed on plankton from the water column.T. hansoni is particularly planktivorous, taking smaller copepods thanP. borchgrevinki.     

Invasive species are less parasitized than native competitors, but for how long? The case of the round goby in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Basin

There is increasing evidence that parasitism represents an unpredictable dimension of the ecological impacts of biological invasions. In addition to the risk of exotic pathogen transmission, other mechanisms such as parasite-release, could contribute to shaping the relationship between introduced species and native communities. In this study, we used the Eurasian round goby (Neogobius menalostomus) in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem to further explore these ideas. As predicted by the parasite-release hypothesis, recently established populations of round goby were parasitized by a depauperate community of generalist helminths (8 taxa), all commonly found in the St. Lawrence River. In comparison, two native species, the logperch (Percina caprodes) and spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), were the hosts of 25 and 24 taxa respectively. Round gobies from each of 3 sampled localities were also less heavily infected than both indigenous species. This is in contrast to what is observed in round goby’s native range where the species is often the most parasitized among gobid competitors. This relative difference in parasite pressure could enhance its competitiveness in the introduced range. However, our study of an older population of round goby in Lake St. Clair suggests that this advantage over native species could be of short duration. Within 15 years, the parasite abundance and richness in the round goby has more than doubled whereas the number of parasite species per fish has increased to levels of those typical of fish indigenous to the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes watershed.     

Mutualism or parasitism: Partner abundance affects host fitness in a fish reproductive interaction

相似文献   

Benthic community response to a passive fishing gear in a coastal lagoon (South Brazil)

The influence of a passive shrimp fishing gear on benthic communities was studied at Laguna Estuarine System (South Brazil), a shallow choked coastal lagoon. The gear is composed by a group of fyke nets (25 mm mesh size) set in contact to the bottom, fixed with stakes forming a cage-like structure (around 30 m²). Samplings were conducted in the two main fishery areas of the estuarine system, Mirim (sand bottoms) and Imaruí (muddy bottoms) lagoon, in May 2005. In each area, 10 fyke net enclosures and 10 nearby sites without nets (control) were sampled. Microphytobenthos biomass (chlorophyll a and phaeopigments), number of taxa/species, density, Hill’s number N ₁ and N ₂, and estimated number of species (ES₁₀₀) were used as community attributes. For the nematodes, values of the maturity index and abundance of Wieser’s feeding type were used as well. The effects of the small-scale passive shrimp fishing gear on the coastal lagoon bottoms were dependent on the benthic component analyzed and the type of sediment. Whereas macrofauna was not affected by the net enclosures, meiofauna and nematodes, particularly from the mud sites were. At the sand site, the fyke net enclosures caused a decrease in the microphytobenthos biomass and changed the relative abundances of non-selective deposit feeding and epigrowth-feeding nematodes. The results indicated that small-scale static nets, such as the studied fyke enclosures, produced low intensity levels of disturbance. However, the enclosed area by nets at Laguna had already reached around 25,000 m². Given the large proportion of the coastal population involved and the area closed by nets, management policies should consider site-specific differences within the same estuarine system.     

Monitoring Spawning Activity in a Southern California Marine Protected Area Using Molecular Identification of Fish Eggs

In order to protect the diverse ecosystems of coastal California, a series of marine protected areas (MPAs) have been established. The ability of these MPAs to preserve and potentially enhance marine resources can only be assessed if these habitats are monitored through time. This study establishes a baseline for monitoring the spawning activity of fish in the MPAs adjacent to Scripps Institution of Oceanography (La Jolla, CA, USA) by sampling fish eggs from the plankton. Using vertical plankton net tows, 266 collections were made from the Scripps Pier between 23 August 2012 and 28 August 2014; a total of 21,269 eggs were obtained. Eggs were identified using DNA barcoding: the COI or 16S rRNA gene was amplified from individual eggs and sequenced. All eggs that were successfully sequenced could be identified from a database of molecular barcodes of California fish species, resulting in species-level identification of 13,249 eggs. Additionally, a surface transport model of coastal circulation driven by current maps from high frequency radar was used to construct probability maps that estimate spawning locations that gave rise to the collected eggs. These maps indicated that currents usually come from the north but water parcels tend to be retained within the MPA; eggs sampled at the Scripps Pier have a high probability of having been spawned within the MPA. The surface transport model also suggests that although larvae have a high probability of being retained within the MPA, there is also significant spillover into nearby areas outside the MPA. This study provides an important baseline for addressing the extent to which spawning patterns of coastal California species may be affected by future changes in the ocean environment.     

Year-to-year variation in larval fish assemblages of the Southern North Sea

In order to test the temporal stability within and the reproducibility of larval fish assemblages between years, the larval fish assemblage at Helgoland Roads, North Sea (NE Atlantic) was quantitatively sampled almost daily from January 2003 to December 2005. The survey resulted in a total of 462 samples containing 50,632 larval fish of at least 42 taxa. In winter the larval fish assemblage was mainly dominated by larvae emerging from demersal eggs. This changed gradually to larvae hatching from pelagic eggs. Larvae from pelagic eggs dominated the ichthyoplankton assemblage in summer. A remarkably stable seasonality in terms of dominance patterns with recurring, season-specific fish assemblages was observed over the 3 years, despite substantial variation in environmental conditions such as a temperature difference of almost 20°C between summer and winter. The lesser sandeel (Ammodytes marinus), was the only species which showed significant fluctuations in abundance between the years. After removal of this species from the analysis, the dominance patterns of the remaining fish species were almost identical between years.     

Effects of nonindigenous species on diversity and community functioning in the eastern Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)

An increase of xenodiversity in plankton and benthos in the eastern Gulf of Finland was observed from 1998 to 2004. Nonindigenous species account for 4.8% of all species found and up to 96% of total biomass. Invasive benthic omnivores, the alien amphipods Gmelinoides fasciatus and Pontogammarus robustoides and the predaceous fish Perccottus glenii with their versatile diets strongly affect the community structure. Invasive sessile seston-feeders that directly (through grazing and water clearance) and indirectly (through recycling of nutrients) interact with other ecosystem components, are mainly represented by the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha, which affect the structure of benthic and planktonic communities as well as benthic-pelagic coupling. The invasive predatory cladocerans Cercopagis pengoi and Evadne anonyx and larvae of D. polymorpha are only temporary components in the zooplankton, which is limiting their overall effect. Alien benthic bioturbators, the polychaetes Marenzelleria neglecta and the oligochaete Tubificoides pseudogaster account for a high proportion of total abundance and biomass but their effects on native species need further research.     

长江口水域夏季鱼卵和仔稚鱼年间变化

基于2005年、2008年、2009年和2011年8月(夏季)在长江口水域(30°30'—31°45'N,121°15'—123°10'E)4个航次的浮游生物拖网资料,分析了长江口水域鱼卵和仔稚鱼的种类组成、数量分布特征及其年间变化。结果表明:4个航次采集的鱼卵和仔稚鱼鉴定到种的种类有17种,隶属于8目13科,以鲈形目种类最多,11种,其次是鲱形目,5种,其他各目种类均小于5种;种类数存在明显年间差异,2005年种类数最多(鱼卵3种,仔稚鱼8种),其次是2009年和2011年,2008年种类数最少(鱼卵1种,仔稚鱼5种)。优势种年间更替明显,长蛇鲻(Saurida elongata)、虾虎鱼(Gobiidae spp.)和中华小公鱼(Stolephorus chinensis)在2005年是优势种,2008年优势种为鳀鱼(Engraulis japonicus),2009年优势种为鳀鱼、寡鳞飘鱼(Pseudolaubuca engraulis)、虾虎鱼等,2011年虾虎鱼和小公鱼(包括小公鱼属未定种Stolephorus spp.和中华小公鱼Stolephorus chinensis)成为优势种。2005年鱼卵和仔稚鱼数量分布的密集区在嵊泗列岛附近水域,2008年鱼卵和仔稚鱼出现较少,未出现明显的数量密集区;2009年鱼卵数量较少,仔稚鱼数量较多,密集区主要分布在在长江口以外123°E附近水域;2011年鱼卵主要分布在在长江北支口门外附近水域,仔稚鱼在调查区内分布相对均匀。     

Occurrence and distribution of Carangidae larvae (Teleostei,Perciformes) from the Southwest Atlantic Ocean,Brazil (12–23°S)

The objective of this study was to identify larvae species composition, distribution and abundance of carangids along the Brazilian coastal shelf area in order to provide background information on the reproductive community patterns. All carangid larvae used in this study are from the larval fish collection of the Zooplankton and Ichthyoplankton Integrated Laboratory of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil (DZUFRJ). Carangid larvae were collected in 13 surveys (nine in the dry season and four during the rainy season) between 1998 and 2008, from Bahia (12°S) to Rio de Janeiro (23°S), comprising 158 sampling stations (45 coastal; 98 oceanic; 15 over seamounts). A bongo net with 330 and 500‐μm mesh size was towed at a speed of about two knots, obliquely (surface‐bottom‐surface) from a maximum depth of 200 m. Samples were collected both during the day and at night and combined in the analysis. A total of 1321 carangid larvae were identified representing 14 species: Decapterus punctatus (56.7%), Chloroscombrus chrysurus (16.8%), Caranx crysos (8.4%), Selar crumenophthalmus (6.3%), Trachurus lathami (6.3%), Caranx latus (2.4%), Carangoides bartholomaei (1.3%), Oligoplites spp. (0.6%), Pseudocaranx dentex (0.3%), Seriola dumerili (0.2%), Elagatis bipinnulata (0.2%), Selene setapinnis (0.2%), Trachinotus carolinus (0.2%) and Selene vomer (0.1%). There was no significant difference in carangid density (P = 0.17) or in species composition (P = 0.09) among the coastal, oceanic and seamount stations. Although there was a significant difference in larval densities between the dry and rainy periods (P = 0.000264), the community composition did not vary significantly (P = 0.47). Therefore, seasonality (rainy and dry periods) seems to be the main factor affecting carangid densities although the community composition is not influenced by sampling periods or by the gradient coast‐ocean.     

Factors affecting fish diversity on a temperate reef: the fish assemblage of Palos Verdes Point, 1974–1981

Synopsis We conducted underwater fish assemblage surveys, benthic quinaldine sampling, and ichthyoplankton collections over high and low relief reefs at Palos Verdes Point, California from 1974 through 1981. Seventy-three species (adults and larvae) were collected or observed at Palos Verdes. Of the 24 most abundant species, 8 showed significant abundance trends correlated with changes in sea surface temperatures; four increasing, and four decreasing. Two taxa occurred predominantly in the kelp canopy, while seven others were distributed at least 20% of the time between the canopy and the bottom. There was little significant change in the Palos Verdes benthic fish assemblage with development of the kelp bed. Only the kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus, showed a significant increase in abundance that correlated with the kelp bed formation. Similarly, we did not note an increase in juvenile fish during this period. In general, we suggest that the presence or absence of kelp has little effect on the abundance of most fish species in a high relief environment. Analysis of our data and that of other studies indicate that kelp bed fish assemblages within the Southern California Bight vary in a south-north direction. The Palos Verdes Point kelp bed appears to be more productive than those nearer the limit of the Bight, but was consistently lower in both fish abundance and diversity then the nearby breakwater at King Harbor. This difference has been maintained even though changes in the species structure at King Harbor has altered sufficiently since 1976 for the two formerly distinct assemblages to be significantly concordant.