Vertical distribution, population structure and life history of Thysanoessa longipes (Crustacea: Euphausiacea) around Yamato Rise, central Japan Sea

The diel vertical migration, growth and spawning season of theeuphausiid, Thysanoessa longipes, were investigated using seasonalsamples collected from waters around the Yamato Rise, centralJapan Sea, during the period 1987 to 1999. Thysanoessa longipeswas present throughout a broad bathymetric layer extending downas deep as 1000 m. There was a clear trend for larger specimensto occur at deeper depths. The peak of abundance of the totalpopulation occurred at depths of 30–300 m at night, and150–500 m during the day, and the distance of the dielvertical migrations of the total population was estimated tobe between 100 and 150 m. Population structure analysis revealedthe occurrence of three cohorts aged 0+, 1+ and 2+ years, withfemales attaining a larger body size than males. Growth as determinedby body length was found to fit well to the von Bertalanffygrowth equation. The estimated life span for males and femalesis 3 years, and females reach maturity in 2 years. Based onthe occurrence of calyptopis larvae, spawning of T. longipeswas estimated to occur over only a limited period of the yearbetween April and May.