Scientific Program and Abstracts
Sponsors and Contributors
BMS
BULLETIN
OF MARINE
SCIENCE
37th Annual Larval Fish Conference Steering Committee
Su Sponaugle, Chair*
Robert K Cowen*
John Lamkin§
Barbara Muhling*
Trika Gerard§
Geoffrey Shideler*
*University of Miami—RSMAS
Rafael J Araújo*
Sean Bignami*
Jessica Luo*
Evan D’Alessandro*
Claire Paris*
Akihiro Shiroza*
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
§
© Program designed by Rafael J Araújo for the 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference and printed by AllenPress, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas 66044 U.S.A.
The 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference poster was designed by Akihiro Shiroza.
Learn about the artist’s work by visiting www.studioelcondor.com/aki.html
Photographs courtesy of Evan D’Alessandro, Geoffrey Shideler, and Rafael J Araújo. Fish images courtesy of Akihiro Shiroza.
About the Annual Larval
Fish Conference
T
he Early Life History Section (ELHS) is
an interest-discipline subunit of the
American Fisheries Society (AFS) with
an international membership of over
400 scientists. It is the only organization
of this kind devoted to interests in the
early life history of freshwater, estuarine,
and marine fishes, and related matters.
Through its newsletter, Stages, the
AFS’s ELHS encourages and facilitates
exchange of knowledge and ideas,
updates members on current research,
publications, meetings, and other events,
provides feature articles and reviews, and
communicates Section and pertinent AFS
business and concerns.
Welcome to Miami!
W
e are delighted that you are able to
join us for the 37th Annual Larval
Fish Conference! This year, at the time of
program printing, approximately 40% of
the 142 attendees are students, 60% are
professionals. Over 50% of the registrants
were not members of the section at the
time of registration.
We are pleased to see that the conference
has attracted a wide diversity of
participants hailing from almost 100
different institutions and 23 countries:
Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark,
Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Israel,
Japan, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Poland,
Portugal, Saudia Arabia, South Korea,
Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom,
United States. Welcome to all!
This conference would not have been
possible without the volunteer efforts
of many! I thank the LFC Miami Steering
Committee (listed on the facing page) and,
particularly, Geoffrey Shideler and Rafael
Araújo, for much of the heavy lifting from
the conference inception! Both win the
“Most Valuable Volunteer” Award! I also
thank the students who have volunteered
their time both before and during the
conference. To our host institutions, the
University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of
Marine & Atmospheric Science (RSMAS)
and NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science
Center, many thanks! A very special thank
you to Rose Mann and RSMAS for banquet
hosting. Next to RSMAS, the Guy Harvey
Foundation is our largest co-sponsor of
the conference. Their financial backing has
made the conference possible and we are
truly grateful. Finally, Florida Sea Grant’s
initial contribution gave us an early boost
to start promoting the conference.
I hope you will find the conference venue
comfortable, the scientific presentations
interesting, the social gatherings
enjoyable, and the new friendships forged
both productive and long-lasting.
Su Sponaugle, PhD
Steering Committee Chair, 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference
The annual Larval Fish Conferences (LFC)
that serve as the focal point of ELHS
activities evolved from a series of informal,
freshwater-oriented symposia that began
in 1977. The current LFCs, which are hosted
and sponsored by various organizations
throughout the world, cover the complete
spectrum of research (from all habitats
and geographic locations) related to
fish early life history. A list of all the LFCs
can be found on the ELHS web page
(larvalfishcon.org). The dates, locations,
host institutions, and publications
resulting from this and previous meetings
are all available on the web site.
Conference
Themes
T
he 37th Annual Larval Fish
Conference will feature eight theme
sessions focusing on a broad range of
topics of interest to larval fish scientists
worldwide. This is the second time this
annual meeting will convene in Miami
(the 10th conference was held at the
University of Miami in 1986). The city’s
proximity to the tropics offers a timely
opportunity to examine current research
into tropical reef fish as model species
in ecology and management. We also
want to contribute to the discussion of
the effects of ocean acidification and
environmental change on the early
life history of fishes. In a third session,
we plan to explore aspects of the
reproduction and early life history of
highly migratory species such as tunas,
sharks, swordfishes, and billfishes; this
session will have particular relevance
to the CLIOTOP (Climate Impacts on
Oceanic Top Predators) program. Our
knowledge of predator-prey interactions
in the ocean has continued to expand,
thus a fourth session will encompass
research on the state of knowledge on
the structure of larval fish food webs. A
fifth session will discuss recent advances
in methodology applied to all aspects
of the study of early life history of fishes.
Session six will include presentations
focusing on all aspects of the ecology
of larval fishes. Finally, this year the
conference will feature two sessions
devoted to NOAA’s FATE (Fisheries and
the Environment) program: session
seven will include FATE presentations
on larval fish studies and session eight
will include FATE presentations on other
topics.
Welcome and
Registration
Session 2B 3:50–5:10
Session 2B 1:40–3:20
Session 2B 3:50–5:30
Session 8B 1:40–3:20
Session 7B 10:20–12:00
Session 7B 9:20–10:00
Lee Fuiman
Chris Chambers, Sean Bignami
Barbara Muhling
Joel Llopiz
Bob Cowen, Scott Holt, Klaus Huebert
Tom Hurst, Jeff Leis, Tony Miskiewicz, Joan Holt
John Lamkin
Sam McClatchie, Mandy Karnauskas
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Advances and novel application of methods for the study of early life history stages of fishes
Ecology of early life history stages of larval fishes
FATE Science Meeting (Larval fish studies)
FATE Science Meeting (Other studies)
Session 8A 10:20–12:20
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20
Session 8A 9:00–10:00
Session 6B 10:20–11:20
Session 6B 9:00–10:00
Announcements 8:50–9:00
6 Thursday
•• The banquet, award ceremony and auction will take place on the campus of
the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Science on Virginia Key (transportation from and to the hotel is provided).
•• Posters will be on display in the Kentia Rooms.
•• Conference sessions indicated with the letter B will assemble in the Alexander
Rooms.
•• Plenaries and conference sessions indicated with the letter A will convene in
the Crystal Ballroom.
•• The Registration/Information Desk will be located between the Palm Terrace
and the Asian Gardens and will be open everyday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
7:00–10:00 PM (bus departure begins at 10:00 PM)
Banquet and Award Winner Announcements
Bus Departs Hotel to Banquet 6:30 PM
Session 6A 3:50–4:50
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50
Session 6A 1:40–3:20
Lunch Break 12:00–1:40
Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life history stages of fishes
ELH Business Meeting 5:30–7:00
Session 5A 3:50–5:10
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50
Session 5A 1:40–3:20
Lunch Break 12:00–1:40
Session 5A 10:20–12:00 Session 6B 10:20–12:00 ELHS Brainstorming
Session 11:00–12:00
Session 5A 10:20–12:00
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20
Session 5A 9:20–10:00
Plenary: Jon Hare 8:40–9:15
Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Session 6B 3:50–5:10
Session 6B 1:40–3:20
Session 3B 10:20–11:40
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20
5 Wednesday
Announcements 8:30–8:40
SESSION CHAIR
Poster Session 5:30–7:30
Session 4A 3:50–4:50
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50
Session 4A 1:40–3:20
Lunch Break 12:00–1:40
Session 1A 10:20–12:00
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20
Session 5A 9:20–10:00
Session 1A 9:20–10:00
Session 6B 9:20–10:00
Plenary: Joanne Lyczkowski-Shultz 8:40–9:15
Session 3B 9:20–10:00
Announcements 8:30–8:40
Plenary: John Dower 8:40–9:15
4 Tuesday
Welcoming Remarks 8:30–8:40
Registration 8:00–8:30
3 Monday
37TH ANNUAL LARVAL FISH CONFERENCE THEMES
10 PM
(...)
6 PM 5:00–7:00
5 PM
4 PM
3 PM
2 PM
1 PM
Noon
11 AM
10 AM
9 AM
8 AM
2 Sunday
Agenda at a glance
Agenda
37th Annual Larval Fish Conference
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Palm Terrace/Asian Gardens
Miami’s Freedom Tower, a
US Historic Landmark, was
completed in 1925 as the
headquarters and printing press
site of The Miami Times. Today,
the buiding is part of the Wolfson
Campus of Miami Dade College.
The structure is an example of
the Mediterranean Revival style
and is traditionally regarded as a
memorial to Cuban immigration
to the United States.
5:00–7:00 PM
Registration
Cabana Rooftop Pool
5:00–7:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Monday, June 3, 2013 • Morning
Palm Terrace/Asian Gardens
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Registration
Crystal Ballroom
8:30–8:40 AM
Su Sponaugle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Science, 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference Steering Committee Chair
WELCOMING REMARKS
Plenary Talk
8:40–9:15 AM
John Dower, University of Victoria, Canada
Progress and challenges in studying the feeding and growth of
larval fish under natural field conditions
Session 1: Reef Fish As Model Species in Ecology And Management
Chair: Lee A. Fuiman, University of Texas at Austin
9:20–9:40 AM
Shulzitski, K., Sponaugle, S., Cowen, R.K.
REEF FISH LARVAE GROW FASTER IN MESOSCALE EDDIES
9:40–10:00 AM
Pattrick, P., Strydom, N.A.
OCCURRENCE OF LARVAL AND SETTLEMENT STAGE FISHES ON VARYING REEF
TYPES IN ALGOA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA, WITH NOTES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
LIGHT TRAPS AS A SAMPLING TOOL
10:00–10:20 AM
Coffee Break
10:20–10:40 AM
Miller, S.E., Bartlett, L.S., Oxenford, H.A., Vallès, H.
CONTRASTING PATTERNS IN SETTLEMENT DENSITIES OF CO-OCCURRING REEF
FISH TAXA: EFFECTS OF PATCH SIZE
10:40–11:00 AM
Staaterman, E., Paris, C.B., Kough, A.S., Claro, R., Lindeman, K.
EFFECTS OF INTER-ANNUAL CLIMATOLOGY ON LARVAL TRANSPORT FROM
SNAPPER SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN CUBA
11:00–11:20 AM
Mayorga Adame, C.G., Batchelder, H.P., Strub, T.
LARVAL FISH CONNECTIVITY IN THE KENYAN-TANZANIAN CORAL REEF REGION:
RESULTS FROM PARTICLE TRACKING SIMULATIONS
11:20–11:40 AM
Holstein, D.M., Paris, C.B., Mumby, P.J.
CONSISTENCY AND INCONSISTENCY IN MULTISPECIES POPULATION NETWORK
DYNAMICS OF CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS
11:40–Noon
D’Alessandro, E.K., Sponaugle, S.
EXAMINING THE PROCESS OF SETTLEMENT: COMPARATIVE PREDATION RATES ON
LARVAL SNAPPERS (LUTJANIDAE) IN OCEANIC, REEF, AND NEARSHORE WATERS
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 6
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Palm Terrace/Asian Garden
Banquet and Award Winner Announcements
5:00–7:00 PM
Welcome and Registration
P
lease join us Wednesday April 5 (7:00–10:00 PM) on the campus of the
University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science to
enjoy an evening of Caribbean-themed food and music on Biscayne Bay. We
will be announcing the winners of the Sally Leonard Richardson and John H.S.
Blaxter awards and holding the annual auction to raise funds for the Blaxter
Award. Buses will be departing from the Mayfair Hotel at 6:30 PM. Return trips
will begin at 10:00 PM.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Palm Terrace/Asian Garden
8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Registration
Alexander Room
8:30–8:40 AM
Su Sponaugle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
SLarval Fish Conference Organizing Committee Chair
WELCOMING REMARKS
Plenary Talk
Monday, June 3, 2013 • Morning
Alexander Room
Session 3: Reproduction and Early Life History of Highly Migratory Species
Chair: Barbara Muhling, University of Miami—RSMAS
9:20–9:40 AM
Muhling, B.A., Reglero, P., Ciannelli, L., Alvarez-Berastegui, D., Alemany, F.,
Lamkin, J.T., Roffer, M.A.
COMPARING ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LARVAL BLUEFIN TUNA
(THUNNUS THYNNUS) HABITAT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND WESTERN
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
9:40–10:00 AM
Franks, J., Tilley, J., Gibson, D., Comyns, B., Hoffmayer, E.
AGE ESTIMATES FOR LARVAL ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA (THUNNUS THYNNUS)
FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO
10:00–10:20 AM
Many barrier islands and keys cradle the coastline of south Florida. These
islands contain sensitive ecosystems—such as coral reefs, mangrove forests,
and seagrasses—that harbor a unique mosaic of plant and animal species
such as the Blue Heron and Ibises pictured here feeding at low tide on a
seagrass bed in Virginia Key.
Coffee Break
10:20–10:40 AM
Cornic, M., Alvarado Bremer, J.R. Rooker, J.R.
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND
ABUNDANCE OF TUNA LARVAE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
10:40–11:00 AM
Reglero, P., Ciannelli, L., Balbín, R., Alvarez-Berastegui, D., Alemany, F.J.
INTERANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY INFLUENCES THE ANNUAL AND
SPATIAL OVERLAP OF TUNA SPECIES DURING THE LARVAL STAGE
11:00–11:20 AM
Kitchens, L.L., Rooker, J.R.
HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF DOLPHINFISH LARVAE (CORYPHAENA SPP.) IN THE
NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
11:20–11:40 AM
Scholey, V., Margulies, D., Wexler, J., Stein, M.
STUDIES OF TUNA EARLY LIFE HISTORY CONDUCTED AT THE INTER-AMERICAN
TROPICAL TUNA COMMISION (IATTC) ACHOTINES LABORATORY, 2012–2013
11:40–Noon
D’Alessandro, E.K., Sponaugle, S.
EXAMINING THE PROCESS OF SETTLEMENT: COMPARATIVE PREDATION RATES ON
LARVAL SNAPPERS (LUTJANIDAE) IN OCEANIC, REEF, AND NEARSHORE WATERS
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 7
Monday, June 3, 2013 • Afternoon
Monday, June 3, 2013 • Afternoon
Crystal Ballroom
Alexander Room
Session 4: Larval Food Webs and Predator-Prey Interactions
Chair: Joel Llopiz, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes
Chair: Tom P. Hurst, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1:40–2:00 PM
Llopiz, J.K.
THE FEEDING OF FISH LARVAE AND THEIR ROLE IN PLANKTONIC FOOD WEBS:
WHERE HAVE WE BEEN AND WHERE ARE WE GOING?
1:40–2:00 PM
Deary, A.L., Hilton, E.J.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHARYNGEAL JAWS IN THE DRUMS (SCIAENIDAE) OF THE
CHESAPEAKE BAY WITH COMPARISONS TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
2:00–2:20 PM
Vinagre, C., Dias, M., Roma, J., Silva A.
ROCKY REEF POOLS AS NURSERY AREAS FOR FISH LARVAE: FOOD WEB NETWORK
MODELS
2:00–2:20 PM
Miskiewicz, A.G.
ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL USE OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND PIGMENTATION
CHARACTERS DURING LARVAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF
GOBIIDAE
2:20–2:40 PM
Laiz-Carrion, R., Uriarte, A., Quintanilla, J.M., Cabrero, A., Hernandez De
Rojas, A., Rodriguez-Fernandez, L., Rodriguez, J.M., Gago, J., Pinheiro, C., Bode,
A., Garcia, A.
EARLY LIFE TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF EUROPEAN HAKE MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS BY
STABLE ISOTOPES ANALYSIS
2:20–2:40 PM
De Forest, L.G., Duffy-Anderson, J.T., Heintz, R.A., Matarese, A.C., Siddon, E.C.,
Smart, T.I., Spies, I.B.
ECOLOGY AND TAXONOMY OF THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF ARROWTOOTH
FLOUNDER (ATHERESTHES STOMIAS) AND KAMCHATKA FLOUNDER (A.
EVERMANNI) IN THE EASTERN BERING SEA
2:40–3:00 PM
Ayala, D.J.
CANNIBALISM OF LARVAL LESSER SANDEELS (AMMODYTES MARINUS) IN THE
NORTH SEA
2:40–3:00 PM
Deary, A.L., Pattrick, P., Strydom, N.
COMPARISON OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND OSSIFICATION OF THE CRANIUM
IN TWO SPECIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN DRUM (SCIAENIDAE), ARGYROSOMUS
JAPONICUS AND A. THORPEI
3:00–3:20 PM
Hauff, M.J., Sponaugle, S., Walter, K.D., D’Alessandro, E., Cowen, R.K.
NUTRITIONAL CONDITION OF CORAL REEF FISH LARVAE VARIES WITH DISPERSAL
HISTORY: A SPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF LARVAL GROWTH AND RNA/DNA RATIOS IN
THE CONTEXT OF POPULATION CONNECTIVITY
3:00–3:20 PM
Perez, K.O., Fuiman, L.A.
ADULT DIET AND LARVAL DIET INFLUENCE SURVIVOR SKILLS OF RED DRUM
LARVAE
3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break
3:50–4:10 PM
Greer, A.T., Cowen, R.K., Hare, J.A., Guigand, C.M.
FINE SCALE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF LARVAL FISHES TO PLANKTONIC
PREDATORS AND PREY: THE IMPACT OF INTERNAL WAVES
3:50–4:10 PM
Morissette, O., Sirois, P., Legault, M., Verreault, G., Lecomte, F.
RAPID ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTINGENTS IN A RECENTLY REINTRODUCED
STRIPED BASS POPULATION IN THE ST. LAWRENCE ESTUARY (QUEBEC, CANADA)
4:10–4:30 PM
Pitois S.G., Armstrong, M.
THE GROWTH OF LARVAL ATLANTIC COD AND HADDOCK IN THE IRISH SEA: A
MODEL WITH TEMPERATURE, PREY SIZE, AND TURBULENCE FORCING
4:10–4:30 PM
Duffy-Anderson, J.T., Ciannelli, L., Vestfals, C., Sohn, D., Stockhausen, W.,
Ianelli, J., Hoff, G.
ECOLOGY OF GREENLAND HALIBUT (REINHARDTIUS HIPPOGLOSSOIDES) IN
CANYON AND SLOPE HABITATS OF THE EASTERN BERING SEA
4:30–4:50 PM
Shoji, J., Fukuta, A., Schubert, P., Chapman, A., Haukebø, T.
VARIABILITY IN PREDATION RISK OF JUVENILE FISHES IN SEAGRASS BEDS
EVALUATED FROM PISCIVOROUS FISH BIOMASS AND PREDATION RATES FROM
TROPICAL TO SUBARCTIC ZONES
4:30–4:50 PM
Malca, E., Vásquez-Yeomans, L., Morales, S., Carrillo, L., Sosa-Cordero, E.
Schultz, T., Morris, J.
DISTRIBUTION OF LARVAL LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) IN THE CARIBBEAN SEA
4:50–5:10 PM
Alvarez, I., Catalan, I.A., Rodriguez, J.M., Balbin, R., Alvarez, D., Aparicio, A.,
Hidalgo, J.M., Alemany, F.
MESOSCALE DYNAMICS OF THE SUMMER LARVAL FISH ASSEMBLAGES AROUND
THE BALEARIC ISLANDS (NW MEDITERRANEAN)
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 8
Poster Session
Poster number in [brackets]
Monday, June 3, 2013 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Monday, June 3, 2013 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Kentia Rooms
Kentia Rooms
Session 1: Reef Fish as Model Species in Ecology and Management
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes
[1] Gonçalves, E.J., Faria, A.M.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LARVAL BEHAVIOR OF TWO CLINGFISH SPECIES (GOBIESOCIDAE)
[14] Larouche, T., Sirois, P., Legault, L., Dodson, J.J., Lecomte, F.
LIVING ON THE EDGE: SPAWNING DYNAMIC OF THE NORTHERNMOST POPULATION OF AMERICAN
SHAD IN AN ALTERED RIVERSCAPE (ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, QUEBEC, CANADA)
[2] Goldstein, E.D., Sponaugle, S.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY IN DAMSELFISH EARLY LIFE HISTORY TRAITS AND
SURVIVAL IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
[3] Kerber, C.E., Silva, P.K.A., Dos Santos, P.A., Sanches, E.G.
CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE OF EARLY LIFE STAGES OF DUSKY GROUPER EPINEPHELUS
MARGINATUS (LOWE, 1834) IN BRAZIL
Session 3: Reproduction and Early Life History of Highly Migratory Species
[4] Elking, B.A., Rulifson, R.A.
MATERNAL TRANSFER OF STRIPED BASS: DETERMINING A MOTHER’S LIFE HISTORY STRATEGY
FROM THE OFFSPRING
Session 4: Larval Food Webs and Predator-Prey Interactions
[5] Okazaki, Y., Kubota, H., Takasuka, A., Sakaji, H.
COMPARISON OF FEEDING ECOLOGY BETWEEN TWO CO-OCCURRING CLUPEOID SPECIES
[6] Garcia, A., Laiz-Carrión, R., Morote, E., Quintanilla, J.M., Uriarte, A., Rodriguez, J.M., Cortés,
D., Alemany, F.
FIRST APPROACH OF THE EARLY LIFE RELATIVE TROPHIC LEVEL SPECTRA BY STABLE ISOTOPE
ANALYSIS OF BLUEFIN (THUNNUS THYNNUS) AND ITS ASSOCIATED TUNA SPECIES OF THE
BALEARIC SEA
[7] Uriarte, A., Quintanilla, J.M., Garcia, A., Pinheiro, C., Bode A., Laiz-Carrion, R.
LIPID CORRECTION FOR STABLE ISOTOPES ANALISIS IN EUROPEAN HAKE MERLUCCIUS
MERLUCCIUS EARLY JUVENILES
Session 5: Advances and Novel Application of Methods for the Study of Early Life
History Stages of Fishes
[8] Ayala, D.J., Munk, P., Riemann, L.
MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF SARGASSO SEA FISH LARVAE ENABLE FIRST-TIME LARVAL
DESCRIPTIONS
[9] Shiroza, A., Privoznik, S.l.
KEY TO IDENTIFICATIONS OF COMMON SPECIES OF LARVAL SEA BASSES AND HAMLETS (FAMILY
SERRANIDAE, SUBFAMILY SERRANINAE) IN THE WESTERN ATLANTIC AND THE CARIBBEAN
[10] Rodríguez-Fernández, L., Leal, A., Lago, M.J., Laiz-Carrión, R., Sánchez, F.J., Piñeiro, C.
EFFECTS OF PRESERVATION METHOD ON EUROPEAN HAKE MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS LARVAE SIZE
[15] Randall, L., Rooker, J.R.
OCEAN INFLUENCES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF FLYINGFISH LARVAE IN THE
NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
[16] Keyes-Pulido, S., Aké-Canul, R., Burad-Méndez, A., Méndez-Campos, H., VarguezSoberanis, D., Ordóñez-López, U.
FISH LARVAE ASSOCIATED WITH A HYPERSALINE GRADIENT IN A COASTAL LAGOON IN THE
YUCATÁN PENINSULA, MEXICO
[17] Morales, S., Vásquez-Yeomans, L., Carrillo, L., Malca, E., Privoznik, S., Lamkin J.T.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE LARVAL FISH DISTRIBUTION IN THE LOOP CURRENT IN THE GULF
OF MEXICO AFTER THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
[18] Luzuriaga De Cruz, M.
SPATIOTEMPORAL VARIATION OF ICHTHYOPLANKTON ABUNDANCE IN FRONT OF ECUADORIAN
COAST (2000–2010)
[19] Macedo-Soares, L.c.p., Freire, A.s., Muelbert, J.h.
BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL EFFECTS IN MESOSCALE ICHTHYOPLANKTON
COMPOSITION IN THE SW ATLANTIC
[20] Rodriguez, J.M., Cabrero, A., Alvarez, P., Fletcher, C., Hernandez De Rojas, A., Gago, J.,
Garcia, A., Herreros, M., Laiz-Carrión, R., Vergara-Castaño, A., Piñeiro, C. And Saborido-Rey, F.
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE LARVAL FISH COMMUNITY OFF THE NW IBERIAN PENINSULA, IN
THE LATE WINTER 2012
[21] Torquato, F.O., Muelbert, J.H.
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE ON THE VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ENGRAULIS ANCHOITA
LARVAE IN AN UPWELLING SYSTEM
[22] Pattrick, P., Strydom, N.A.
ECOLOGY OF EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES OF FISHES IN VARIOUS HABITATS IN ALGOA BAY, SOUTH
AFRICA
[23] Schmitt, V.B., Muelbert, J.H.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO SMALL SCALE TRANSPORT AND COMPOSITION
OF ICHTHYOPLANKTON AT THE MOUTH OF A SUBTROPICAL ESTUARY
[24] Pawelczyk, A., Fey, D.P., Wozniczka, A.
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE BALTIC SPRING-SPAWNING HERRING LARVAE, CLUPEA
HARENGUS MEMBRAS (L.), IN THE ODRA ESTUARY (POLAND)
[11] Catalan, I.A., Dunand, A., Álvarez, I., Alós, J., Nash, R.
AN EVALUATION OF SAMPLING METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING SETTLEMENT OF TEMPERATE FISH
[25] Matarese, A.C., Blood, D A., De Forest, L.G., Napp, J.M.
ONTO SEAGRASS MEADOWS
GULF OF ALASKA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM: OBSERVATIONS ON THE LARVAL FISH
[12] Huebert, K.B., Peck, M.A.
COMMUNITIES IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA FROM 2011 FIELD COLLECTIONS
INCORPORATING MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS INTO PHYSIOLOGICAL MODELS OF MARINE FISH
LARVAE
Session 2: Ocean Acidification/Climate Change Impacts on the Early Life History
Stages of Fishes
[13] Freeburg, E.W., Rhyne, A., Hannigan, R.
LABORATORY OCEAN ACIDIFICATION METHODOLOGY USING A HOBBYIST REED TANK CONTROLLER
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 9
(Continues next page)
Poster Session
Poster number in [brackets]
Monday, June 3, 2013 • 5:30–7:30 PM
Kentia Rooms
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes (Continued)
[26] Garsi, L.H., Agostini, S., Durieux, E.D.H., Bisgambiglia, P.A., Pasqualini, V., Ternengo, S.,
Garrido, M., Gerigny, O., Perrin-Santoni, A.
NEW APPROACH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ON THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRIBUTION
AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF FISHES’ POST-LARVAE OF CORSICAN COASTS
[27] Rodríguez-Fernández, L., Quintanilla, J., García, A., Cabanas, J.M., Piñeiro, C.
SEASONAL GROWTH RATE VARIABILITY OF YOUNG-OF-THE-YEAR EUROPEAN HAKE (MERLUCCIUS
MERLUCCIUS) BASED ON OTOLITH MICRO-STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
[28] Doering, K.l., Stowell, M.a., Ciannelli, L., Prahl, F.g.
COMPARISON OF JUVENILE ENGLISH SOLE LIPID CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN
COASTAL AND ESTUARINE HABITATS
[29] Berenshtein, I., Kiflawi, M., Shashar, N., Wieler, U., Agiv, H., Paris, C.b.
THE USE OF POLARIZED LIGHT FOR ORIENTATION IN CORAL REEF FISH LARVAE
[30] Yam-Poot, G., Sosa-Cordero, E., Vasquez Yeomans, L., Lamkin, J.T.
REEF FISH RECRUITMENT IN THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN, DEVELOPING AN INDEX BASED UPON A
SIMPLE, LOW COST TRAP
[31] Faillettaz, R., Irisson, J.O.
DRIVERS OF TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF LARVAL FISH RECRUITMENT IN VILLEFRANCHE BAY
(NORTHWESTERN MEDITERRANEAN) OVER A SEVEN-YEAR TIME SERIES (2006–2012)
[32] Matarese, A.C., De Forest, L.G., Duffy-Anderson, J.T., Smart, T.I., Spies, I.B.
IDENTIFCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF ARROWTOOTH (ATHERESTHES
STOMIAS) AND KAMCHATKA FLOUNDER (A. EVERMANNI) IN THE EASTERN BERING SEA
[33] Baensch, F.
FROM OCEAN TO CULTURE TO CAMERA: “CAPTURING” THE TRUE BEAUTY IN A MARINE FISH’S
EARLY LIFE HISTORY
[34] Snyder, D.E., Bjork, C.L.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
[35] Snyder, D.E., Bjork, C.L.
ILLUSTRATIONS OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLAINS TOPMINNOW
[36] Clausen, K.C., Ditty, J.G.
IDENTIFICATION OF LARVAE IN THE FAMILY EXOCOETIDAE (FLYINGFISHES)
[37] Jimenez-Rosenberg, S.P.A., Sanchez-Velasco, L., Ordoñez-Guillen, F.E.
FISH LARVAE IN THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE OF THE UPPER GULF OF CALIFORNIA (JUNE 2008, JUNE
2010)
[38] Jimenez-Rosenberg, S.P.A., Gonzalez-Navarro, E., Saldierna-Martinez, R.J., AcevesMedina, G.
ELOPOMORPHA LEPTOCEPHALUS LARVAE FROM THE MEXICAN PACIFIC
[39] Vasquez-Yeomans, L., Morales, S., Valdez-Moreno, M., Acevedo, D., Martínez, A., Carrillo,
L., Malca, E. Victor, B.
FISH LARVAE CHECKLIST (PISCES) FROM NORTH OF THE YUCATÁN PENINSULA
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 10
Agenda
37th Annual Larval Fish Conference
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 • Morning
Crystal Ballroom
8:30–8:40 AM
Su Sponaugle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Science, 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference Steering Committee Chair
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plenary Talk
8:40–9:15 AM
Joanne Lyczkowski-Shultz, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OVERCOMING THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL IDENTIFICATION METHODS:
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS OF MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN FISH EARLY LIFE
HISTORY STUDIES
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 • Morning
Alexander Room
Session 5: Advances and Novel Application of Methods for the Study of
the Early Life History Stages of Fishes
Chair: Bob Cowen, University of Miami—RSMAS
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes
Chair: Jeff Leis, Australian Museum
9:20–9:40 AM
Jina, O., Sung, K.
MASSIVE FISH EGG SPECIES IDENTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY ON SPAWNING
ECOLOGY OF FISH USING PYROSEQUENCING
9:20–9:40 AM
Chambers, R.C.
TIME AND TIMING IN THE ECOLOGY OF MARINE FISH EARLY LIFE-STAGES
9:40–10:00 AM
Favero, J.M., Katsuragawa, M., Zani-Teixeira, M.L., Turner, J.T.
NEW METHODOLOGY TO IDENTIFY ENGRAULIDAE EGGS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN
BRAZILIAN BIGHT
9:40–10:00 AM
Alós, J., Catalán, I.A., Arlinghaus, R., Palmer, M., Basterretxea, G., Jordi, A.,
Morales-Nin, B.
TOWARDS THE ROLE OF DISPERSAL OF EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES IN
EVOLUTIONARY FISHERIES
10:00–10:20 AM
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20 AM
Coffee Break
10:20–10:40 AM
Hernandez, F.J., Carassou, L., Graham, W.M., Powers, S.P.
EVALUATION OF THE TAXONOMIC SUFFICIENCY APPROACH FOR
ICHTHYOPLANKTON
10:20–10:40 AM
Paulsen, M., Clemmesen, C., Hammer, C., Polte, P., Von Dorrien, C., Malzahn, A.
HABITAT SPECIFIC GROWTH PATTERNS IN LARVAL HERRING (CLUPEA HARENGUS)
IN THE WESTERN BALTIC SEA
10:40–11:00 AM
Vasquez-Yeomans, L., Morales, S., Valdez-Moreno, M., Acevedo, D., Martínez, A.,
Carrillo, L., Malca, E. Victor, B.
IMPROVING THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES OF
ELOPOMORPH FISHES IN THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN USING DNA BARCODING
10:40–11:00 AM
Makrakis, M.C., Silva, P.S., Assumpção, L., Makrakis, S., Xavier, R., Fogaça, P.L.C.
SPAWNING OF NEOTROPICAL FISH SPECIES DOWNSTREAM OF IGUAÇU FALLS,
IGUAÇU RIVER–IGUAÇU NATIONAL PARK
11:00–11:20 AM
Konstantinidis, P., Olsson, L., Hilton, E.
HOMOLOGY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LARVAL FISHES FOR MORPHOLOGICAL
AND PHYLOGENETIC STUDIES, WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE JAW MUSCULATURE
OF ACTINOPTERYGIAN FISHES
11:00–11:20 AM
Boucher, J.M., Chen, C., Sun, Y., Beardsley, R.C.
MODELING INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY IN LARVAL SURVIVAL OF GEORGES BANK
HADDOCK, MELANOGRAMMUS AEGLEFINUS, WITH FOCUS ON THE UNUSUAL 2003
RECRUITMENT EVENT
11:20–11:40 AM
Wilcox Freeburg, E.D., Rhyne, A.L., Hannigan, R.E.
A PICTURE IS WORTH ONE THOUSAND WORDS: IMAGE ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR
OTOLITH STUDIES
11:20–11:40 AM
Polte, P., Heiler, J., Beyer, S., Moll, D., Kotterba, P.
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF EARLY HERRING (CLUPEA
HARENGUS L.) LIFE STAGES IN A SHALLOW WESTERN BALTIC LAGOON
11:40–Noon
Cowen, R.K., Guigand, C., Greer, A.T., Luo, J.Y.
IN SITU ICHTHYOPLANKTON IMAGING SYSTEM (ISIIS): DESIGN, CAPABILITIES,
AND RESULTS FROM CASE STUDIES
11:40–Noon
Flores-Coto, C., Sanvicente-Añorve, L., Zavala-Hidalgo, J., Funes-Rodríguez, R.
BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LARVAL FISH
ASSEMBLAGES IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 12
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 • Afternoon
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 • Afternoon
Crystal Ballroom
Alexander Room
Session 5: Advances and Novel Application of Methods for the Study of
Early Life History Stages of Fishes
Chair: Scott Holt, University of Texas at Austin
Session 2: Ocean Acidification/Climate Change Impacts on the Early
Life History Stages of Fishes
Chair: Chris Chambers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
1:40–2:00 PM
Malanski, E., Muelbert, J.H.
MEASURING SMALL ORGANISMS UNDER MICROSCOPE: THE CASE FOR FISH
LARVAE
1:40–2:00 PM
Sswat, M., Clemmesen, C., Jutfelt, F., Riebesell, U.
IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND WARMING ON LARVAE OF COMMERCIALLY
IMPORTANT FISH SPECIES
2:00–2:20 PM
Vikebø F.B., Rønningen, P., Lien, V.S., Meier, S., Grøsvik, B.E.
THE USE OF DISPERSANTS TO COMBAT OIL SPILLS MODIFIES THE EXPOSURE RATE
OF FISH EGGS AND LARVAE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
2:00–2:20 PM
Bignami, S., Enochs, I.C., Manzello, D.P., Sponaugle, S., Cowen, R.K.
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ALTERS THE OTOLITHS OF A PANTROPICAL FISH SPECIES
WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR SENSORY FUNCTION
2:20–2:40 PM
Stieglitz, J.D., Mager, E.M., Hoenig, R.H., Benetti, D.D., Grosell, M.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE BIOASSAY SYSTEM (PELEC) FOR USE WITH
PELAGIC MARINE FISH EMBRYOS AND LARVAE
2:20–2:40 PM
Clemmesen, C., Frommel, A., Maneja, R. Piatkowski, U.
EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON HERRING AND COD LARVAE—A
COMPARATIVE APPROACH
2:40–3:00 PM
Schornagel, D.B., Gregory, R.S., Snelgrove, P.V.R.
FINE-SCALE HABITAT USE OF JUVENILE GREENLAND COD (GADUS OGAC) AS
REVEALED BY ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY
2:40–3:00 PM
Chambers, R.C, Candelmo, A.C., Habeck, E.A., Poach, M.E., Wieczorek, D.,
Greenfield, C., Cooper K.R., Phelan, B.A.
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION EFFECTS IN THE EARLY LIFE-STAGES OF SUMMER
FLOUNDER, PARALICHTHYS DENTATUS
3:00–3:20 PM
Huebert, K.B., Peck, M.A.
QUIRKS—A FREE TOOL FOR COMPARATIVE MODELING OF MARINE FISH LARVAE
3:00–3:20 PM
Candelmo, A.C., Chambers, R.C., Habeck, E.A., Poach, M.E., Wieczorek, D.,
Phelan, B.A., Caldarone, E.M., Greenfield, C., Cooper, K.R.
THE EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON THE EARLY LIFE-STAGES OF WINTER
FLOUNDER, PSEUDOPLEURONECTES AMERICANUS
3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break
3:50–4:10 PM
Nanninga, G.B., Zhan, P., Saenz-Agudelo, P., Hoteit, I., Berumen, M.l.
EMPIRICAL FIELD VALIDATION OF A BIOPHYSICAL DISPERSAL MODEL
3:50–4:10 PM
Rhyne, A.l., Wilcox-Freeburg, E., Bourque, B., Cerino, D., Tlusty, M.,
Hannigan, R.E.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: DIET OVERPRINT IN LARVAL REEF FISH OCEAN
ACIDIFICATION STUDIES?
4:10–4:30 PM
Karakoylu, E., Ulanowicz, R.E, Miller, T.J.
INFORMATION THEORY AND LARVAL RECRUITMENT IN ATLANTIC MENHADEN
4:10–4:30 PM
Arula, T., Gröger, J., Ojaveer, H., Simm, M.
REGIME SHIFTS IN LARVAL HERRING AND THE RELATED MARINE
ENVIRONMENTAL TIME-SERIES: CASE STUDY IN THE GULF OF RIGA (BALTIC SEA)
IN 1957–2010
4:30–4:50 PM
Glas, M., Tritthart, M., Lechner, A., Keckeis, H., Loisl, F., Humphries, P.,
Habersack, H.
LARVAL DRIFT EXPERIMENTS ON A SHORELINE IN A LARGE RIVER: VALIDATION OF
THE PARTICLE TRACING MODEL IN COMBINATION WITH A 3D NUMERICAL MODEL
4:30–4:50 PM
Malanski, E., Swalethorp, R., Munk, P., Nielsen, T.G.
FOOD PREFERENCES IN ATLANTIC COD LARVAE, GADUS MORHUA, IN
GODTHÅBSFJORD, GREENLANDIC WATERS
4:50–5:10 PM
Lechner, A.J., Keckeis, H., Glas, M., Tritthart, M., Loisl, F., Humphries, P.,
Habersack, H.
LARVAL DRIFT EXPERIMENTS ON A SHORELINE IN A LARGE RIVER: LARVAL DRIFT
IN COMPARISON TO NUMERICAL PASSIVE PARTICLES
4:50–5:10 PM
Peck, M.A., Huebert, K.B., Hufnagl, M., Kreus, M., Pätsch, J.
MODELLING TROPHODYNAMIC CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON
NORTH SEA FISH POPULATIONS
5:30–7:00 PM
American Fisheries Society Early Life History Section Business Meeting
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 13
Agenda
37th Annual Larval Fish Conference
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 • Morning
Crystal Ballroom
8:30–8:40 AM
Su Sponaugle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Science, 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference Steering Committee Chair
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Plenary Talk
8:40–9:15 AM
Jonathan Hare, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PURSUING HYPOTHESES AND THE FUTURE OF FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 • Morning
Session 5: Advances and Novel Application of Methods for the Study of
Early Life History Stages of Fishes
Chair: Klaus Huebert, University of Hamburg
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Larval Studies)
Chair: John Lamkin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
9:20–9:40 AM
Donahue, M.J., Karnauskas, M., Toews, C., Paris, C.B.
GOOD TIMING: HIGHER LARVAL SUCCESS DURING OBSERVED PERIOD OF
SPAWNING AGGREGATION
9:20–9:40 AM
Ford, M.D.
FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM: OVERVIEW AND UPDATE
9:40–10:00 AM
Paris, C.B., Irisson, J., Atema, J., Kingsford, M., Gerlach, G., Guigand, C.,
Foretich, M.
REEF ODOR: A WAKE-UP CALL FOR NAVIGATION IN SETTLEMENT STAGE REEF FISH
LARVAE
9:40–10:00 AM
Mcclatchie, S., Goericke, R., Weber, E.D., Watson, W., Hill, K., Miller, E.,
Jacobson, L.D.
A NEW ENSO-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX FOR PACIFIC SARDINE
RECRUITMENT
10:00–10:20 AM
10:00–10:20 AM
Alexander Room
Coffee Break
Coffee Break
10:20–10:40 AM
Kough, A.S., Paris, C.B., Staaterman, E., Guigand, C.
DAY AND NIGHT ORIENTATION OF FISH LARVAE IN THE OPEN OCEAN
10:20–10:40 AM
Leising, A.W., Bograd, S.J.
DEVELOPMENT OF A CHL-A BASED SPRING BLOOM INDEX FOR THE CCS IEA
10:40–11:00 AM
Vaz, A.C., Paris, C.B, Kelley, C., Richards, K.J., Holstein, D.
FIRST ESTIMATION OF LARVAL SUPPLY AND CONNECTIVITY OF RESERVES IN THE
HAWAIIAN ARCHIPELAGO
10:40–11:00 AM
Karnauskas, M., Walter, J.F. III, Paris, C.B.
USE OF THE CONNECTIVITY MODELING SYSTEM TO ESTIMATE MOVEMENTS OF
RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS CAMPECHANUS) RECRUITS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF
MEXICO
11:00–Noon
BRAINSTORMING SESSION WITH CHRIS CHAMBERS
11:00–11:20 AM
Sheremet, V., Brooks, L., Lough, G., O’Brien, L., Legault, C., Manning, J., Chen, Y.
VALIDATING OCEAN CIRCULATION MODEL USED FOR CALCULATING LARVAL
FISH TRANSPORT IN CONNECTION WITH FISH RECRUITMENT AND STOCK
MANAGEMENT
11:20–11:40 AM
Peterson, B., Rykaczewski, R.
THE INFLUENCE OF TEN EL NIÑO EVENTS ON PELAGIC ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE IN
THE OREGON UPWELLING ZONE
About FATE
11:40–Noon
Hare, J.A., Brooks, E.N., Palmer, M.C., Churchill, J.H.
A CAUTIONARY TALE: EVALUATING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-EXPLICIT STOCK
RECRUIT MODEL FOR WESTERN GULF OF MAINE ATLANTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA)
F
T
isheries And The Environment (FATE) is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) program that supports NOAA’s mission
to ensure the sustainable use of United States fishery resources under a changing climate. The focus of FATE is on the development,
evacuation, and distribution of leading ecological and performance indicators. For more information please visit www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/fate/.
he FATE program takes a multidisciplinary approach to developing leading ecological indicators. Similar in concept to leading economic
indicators, leading ecological indicators are indices of ecosystem properties and processes that reflect the condition of the ecosystem
and the potential for changes in the distribution, growth, or reproductive success of economically or ecologically important species. Stock
assessment biologists have recognized the role of environmental forcing on annual production, growth, and catchability for many years.
FATE investigators are therefore developing techniques that allow for the rapid incorporation of environmental forcing into assessments.
Presentations in the “FATE Science Meeting (Larval Fish Studies)” and “FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)” sessions will be given by members
of FATE; however, all symposium attendees are welcome to attend.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 14
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 • Afternoon
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 • Afternoon
Crystal Ballroom
Alexander Room
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes
Chair: Tony Miskiewicz, Wollongong City Council
Session: FATE Science Meeting (other studies)
Chair: Sam McClatchie, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
1:40–2:00 PM
Kupchik, M.J., Shaw, R.F.
EFFECT OF WINTER COLD FRONT PASSAGES ON DENSITIES OF BREVOORTIA
PATRONUS AND MICROPOGONIAS UNDULATUS LARVAE IN A LOUISIANA TIDAL
PASS
1:40–2:00 PM
Stewart, J.S., Hazen, E.L., Bograd, S.J., Byrnes, J.E.K., Foley, D.G., Gilly, W.F.,
Robison, B.H., Field, J.C.
CLIMATE CHANGE BELOW THE SURFACE: TROPHICALLY MEDIATED RANGE
EXPANSION OF HUMBOLDT SQUID (DOSIDICUS GIGAS) IN THE CALIFORNIA
CURRENT SYSTEM
2:00–2:20 PM
Mavruk, S., Avsar, D., Yuksek, A., Ozyurt, C.E., Kiyaga, V.B.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON THE EARLY STAGE SPATIAL PREFERENCES OF
ANTENNA CODLET (BREGMACEROS ATLANTICUS GOODE AND BEAN, 1886) IN
NORTHEASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
2:00–2:20 PM
Whitlock, R., Hazen, E.L., Bograd, S., Foley, D., Bailey, H., Block, B.A.
USING MOVEMENT MODELS, FORAGING EVENTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA TO
IDENTIFY BLUEFIN TUNA HOTSPOTS IN THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT
2:20–2:40 PM
Carrillo, L., Vasquez-Yeomans, L., Malca, E., Muhling, B., Smith, R., Johns, L.,
Sosa-Cordero, E., Lamkin, J.T.
PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES
OF FISHES IN THE MESOAMERICAN REEF SYSTEM
2:20–2:40 PM
Nye, J.A., Lynch, P., Hare, J., Stock, C., Alexander, M., Scott, J., Curti, K., Drew, K.
POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON ANADROMOUS RIVER HERRING
IN THEIR MARINE HABITAT
2:40–3:00 PM
Duffy-Anderson, J.T., Smart, T., Mueter, F., Curchitser, E., Petrik, C.
DYNAMICS OF THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF WALLEYE POLLOCK OVER THE EASTERN
BERING SEA SHELF
2:40–3:00 PM
Xu, Y., Nieto, K., Mcclatchie, S., Holmes, J., Teo, S.L.H., Bograd, S.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON ALBACORE TUNA (THUNNUS ALALUNGA)
DISTRIBUTION IN THE NORTHEAST PACIFIC: PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS AND
RESULTS
3:00–3:20 PM
Macedo-Soares, L.C.P., Freire, A.S., Muelbert, J.H.
SPECIES CO-OCCURRENCE AND LATITUDINAL CROSS-SHELF VARIABILITY IN
LARVAL FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE SW ATLANTIC
3:00–3:20 PM
Ford, M.D.
GELATINOUS ZOOPLANKTON AT THE SHELF SCALE: MOVING TOWARD
INVESTIGATING IMPACTS ON FISHERY RESOURCES
3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break 3:20–3:50 PM
Coffee Break
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes (cont'd)
Session 2: Ocean Acidification/Climate Change Impacts on the Early
Life History Stages of Fishes
Chair: Sean Bignami, University of Miami—RSMAS
3:50–4:10 PM
Garsi, L.-H., Thomas, C., Crec’hriou, R., Agostini, S., Lecaillon, G., Ternengo, S.,
Garcia-Charton, J., Murenu, M., Muntoni, M., Lenfant, P.
SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF FISH POST-LARVAE AROUND FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN
COASTS: FIRST KNOWLEDGE TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONING OF FISH
BIODIVERSITY
3:50–4:10 PM
Pitois, S.G.
IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON FISH POPULATIONS, USING THE FISH
LARVAE DATASET FROM THE CONTINUOUS PLANKTON RECORDER
4:10–4:30 PM
Ehrler, C.P., Steinbeck, J.R.
SEASONAL AND ANNUAL VARIABILITY OF LARVAL FISH RECRUITMENT AT THREE
LOCATIONS ON OAHU
4:10–4:30 PM
Johnson, D.R.
CLIMATE RELATED LARVAL TRANSPORT ANOMALIES
4:30–4:50 PM
Havel, L.N., Fuiman, L.A.
LARVAL RED DRUM (SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS) RESPOND TO DISSOLVED CHEMICALS
FROM THE ESTUARINE ENVIRONMENT
4:30–4:50 PM
Caridad, J.F., Able, K.W.
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON LARVAL FISH COMPOSITION IN LITTLE EGG INLET,
NEW JERSEY
4:50–5:10 PM
Hurst, T.P., Magel, C.R., Mathis, J.A, Turner, K.A.
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR OF JUVENILE WALLEYE POLLOCK
5:10–5:30 PM
Diaz-Gil, C., Alos, J., Catalan, I.A., Palmer, M., Steckbauer, A., Duarte, C.M.
COMBINED EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA AND ACIDIFICATION ON ANTIPREDATOR
RESPONSE OF JUVENILE EUROPEAN SEABASS
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 15
Agenda
37th Annual Larval Fish Conference
Thursday, June 6, 2013 • Morning
Crystal Ballroom
8:30–8:40 AM
Su Sponaugle, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Science and 37th Annual Larval Fish Conference Organizing Committee Chair
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Alexander Room
• Morning
Session: FATE Science Meeting (other studies)
Chair: Mandy Karnauskas, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Session 6: Ecology of Early Life History Stages of Larval Fishes
Chair: Joan Holt, University of Texas at Austin
9:00–9:20 AM
Langseth, B.J., Craig, J.K., Smith, J.W., Schueller, A.M., Shertzer, K.W.
DOES HYPOXIA INFLUENCE THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CATCHES IN THE
COMMERCIAL REDUCTION FISHERY FOR GULF MENHADEN?
9:00–9:20 AM
Zens, B., Glas, M., Tritthart, M., Lechner, A., Loisl, F., Humphries, P., Keckeis, H.,
Habersack, H.
MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF FISH LARVAE IN RELATION TO FLOW-VELOCITY AND
ORIENTATION ALONG THE CURRENT VECTOR IN AN EXPERIMENTAL FLUME
9:20–9:40 AM
Muhling, B.A., Ingram, G.W. JR., Cass-Calay, S.L., Walter, J.F.
INCORPORATING INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUITABILITY AND
CATCHABILITY INTO EXISTING ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA ABUNDANCE INDICES
FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO
9:20–9:40 AM
Leis, J.M., Paris, C.B., Irisson, J.-O.,Yerman, M.N., Siebeck, U.E.
IN SITU STUDY SHOWS PELAGIC ORIENTATION BY LARVAL REEF FISH IS
INDEPENDENT OF LOCATION AND YEAR BUT DEPENDS ON TIME OF DAY
9:40–10:00 AM
Barcelo, C., Brodeur, R., Daly, E., Ciannelli, L.
SCALE DEPENDENT DYNAMICS OF THE PELAGIC NEKTON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE
IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CURRENT ECOSYSTEM
9:40–10:00 AM
Paris, C.B., Irisson, J.-O., Leis, J.M., Bogucki, D., Piskozub, J., Siebeck, U.,
Guigand, C.M.
SUN COMPASS ORIENTATION FOR REEF-FISH LARVAE
10:00–10:20 AM
Coffee Break 10:00–10:20 AM
Coffee Break
10:20–10:40 AM
Large, S.I., Fay, G, Friedland, K.D., Link, J.S.
QUANTIFYING TRENDS AND THRESHOLDS IN RESPONSES OF ECOLOGICAL
INDICATORS TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF FISHING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESSURE
10:20–10:40 AM
Faria A.M., Gonçalves, E.J., Borges, R.
CRITICAL SWIMMING BEHAVIOR OF SAND-SMELT LARVAE (ATHERINA PRESBYTER,
CUVIER 1829) — IMPLICATIONS FOR LARVAL DISPERSAL AND COMPARISON
WITH OTHER TEMPERATE SPECIES
10:40–11:00 AM
Stawitz, C.C., Stachura, M.M., Essington, T.E., Branch, T.A., Haltuch, M.A.,
Hollowed, A.B., Mantua, N.J., Spencer, P.D.
IMPROVING ECOSYSTEM-BASED STOCK ASSESSMENT AND FORECASTING
BY USING A HIERARCHICAL APPROACH TO LINK FISH PRODUCTIVITY TO
ENVIRONMENTAL DRIVERS
10:40–11:00 AM
Hurst, T.P., Cooper, D.W., Duffy-Anderson, J.T., Farley, E.V.
INSHORE AND OFFSHORE HABITAT USE BY JUVENILE PACIFIC COD IN THE BERING
SEA
11:00–11:20 AM
Li, Y., Ji, R., Chen, C., Fratantoni, P., Hare, J.A.
STRATIFICATION INDICES FOR STOCK AND ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENTS FROM A
DATA ASSIMILATIVE CIRCULATION MODEL
11:00–11:20 AM
Neidetcher, S.K., Ciannelli, L.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE OF SPAWNING PHENOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY TO LARVAL
TRANSPORT MODELS FOR TWO IMPORTANT ALASKAN GADIDS
11:20–11:40 AM
Zador, S., Ormseth, O., Renner, H.
RED FLAGS OR RED HERRINGS? USING ECOSYSTEM INDICATORS TO DETECT
ANOMALOUS CONDITIONS IN THE GULF OF ALASKA IN 2011
11:40–Noon
Murphy, M.D.
HOW PRECISE AND/OR ACCURATE DO FORECASTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
NEED TO BE TO BE USEFUL TO STOCK ASSESSMENTS?
Noon–12:20 PM
Kaplan, I.C., Siedlecki, S., Bond, N., Hermann, A., Levin, P., Williams, G.,
Newton, J., Peterson, W.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTION SYSTEM FOR CALIFORNIA CURRENT OCEAN
CONDITIONS
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 16
Plenary talks
Monday, June 3 — 8:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
Progress and challenges in studying the feeding
and growth of larval fish under natural field
conditions
DOWER, J.F., PEPIN, P., MONTAGNES, D.J.S.
In the century since Hjort’s seminal work first linked larval survival to
recruitment variability, much has been learned about the ecology of the early
life history stages of fishes. In particular, considerable effort has been devoted
to studying larval feeding and growth in both the lab and (to a lesser extent)
under natural field conditions. Despite this, considerable gaps remain in our
understanding of how, and under what conditions, variability in feeding and
growth translates into measurable effects on larval survival. For example, we
are still constrained by our inability to properly quantify the natural variability
experienced by larval fish in the field. To what extent can larvae buffer against
variability in prey availability and/or food quality? How big (or how long) a
change in prey availability and/or food quality is required to elicit a “biologically
significant” effect on larval growth or survival? Likewise, there remains much
to learn about food-web and predator-prey interactions that involve larval
fish. For example, historically the focus has been on energy transfer via the
classic “diatom–copepod–larval fish” food chain. However, there is growing
evidence that food chains involving the microbial loop contribute significantly
to larval fish diets. Might this account, in part, for the dearth of evidence that
observations of starving larvae under natural field conditions are rare? In an
attempt to tie these themes together we will review our current understanding
of these topics and offer some suggestions for the application of emerging field
and lab techniques to the study of larval fish.
Dr. John Dower is an Associate Professor in the Department
of Biology and the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at the
University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. He was
born and raised in Newfoundland, where his family was involved
in the cod fishery for nearly 200 years. Dower completed his PhD
in 1994 focusing on the biophysical linkages that promote high
productivity around shallow seamounts. It was during this
research that Dower first became interested in ichthyoplankton,
after finding high abundances of coastal rockfish larvae above a
seamount 500 km off the Washington coast. A postdoc position with Bill Leggett
subsequently introduced him to the broader field of fisheries oceanography. Dower’s
research focuses on the ways in which physical forcing affects the production of
zooplankton and links to the feeding, growth, and survival of larval fish. His
research program is primarily field-based, and involves work on both Canada’s
east and west coasts.
Tuesday, June 4 — 8:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
OVERCOMING THE LIMITATIONS OF TRADITIONAL
IDENTIFICATION METHODS: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
OF MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES IN FISH EARLY LIFE HISTORY
STUDIES
LYCZKOWSKI-SHULTZ J., MARANCIK K.E., HERNANDEZ, JR. F.J., BAYHA,
K.M.
National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC/Mississippi Laboratories,
3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567. Email: Joanne.Lyczkowski-Shultz@
noaa.gov
An ever-growing demand for information on the early life stages of fishes
highlights the frustrating reality that we cannot reliably identify the larvae
of most marine species. In the western central North Atlantic, for example,
larval descriptions are available for only 40% of the region's over 2,000 known
species (globally, the percentage is much lower, approximately 10%). Even
these estimates are deceiving because for many large families the larvae of
relatively few species have been described making it difficult to determine the
diagnostic characters that will reliably distinguish the described larvae from the
undescribed ones. Eggs and the smallest, preflexion larvae are often unknown or
the least described, yet they potentially provide valuable fisheries-independent
information critical for management (e.g. spawning stock biomass). Within
the past several decades, however, advances in molecular genetic techniques
have given us a viable alternative approach to identifying fish eggs and larvae.
Ideally genetically identified specimens can be used to formally describe the
morphology of developmental stages. Then these descriptions can be used
thereafter to identify larvae in field collections. However, when distinguishing
morphological characters are not available, less expensive genetic analyses
are being developed that can be implemented as a routine component of the
identification process. Here we review the applications of molecular techniques
in early life history studies, and present examples of how data gained from
genetically identified eggs and larvae have led to the fuller utilization of early
life history stages in fisheries assessment, management and ecology.
Dr. Joanne Lyczkowski-Shultz has been a Research Fishery
Biologist at the NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC Laboratory in
Pascagoula, MS, since 1993 where she heads up the SEAMAP
Plankton Team. Prior to joining the NMFS she worked at the
Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
in Ocean Springs, MS, and Oregon State University, School of
Oceanography, Corvallis, OR. She received her Master’s degree
from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in 1971 and her PhD from the
University of Maine, Ira C. Darling Center at Walpole, ME in 1980. Her interest
in the early life history of fishes began while diving in the Damariscotta River,
Maine, in winter months to observe and collect the eggs and larvae of sculpins.
Among the accomplishments she values most over her career are the young scientists
she has mentored and the productive collaborations she has had with fellow
researchers in both the Fisheries Service and academia.
Wednesday, June 5 — 8:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
PURSUING HYPOTHESES AND THE FUTURE OF FISHERIES
OCEANOGRAPHY
HARE, J.A.
NOAA Narragansett Laboratory, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882.
Email: jon.hare@noaa.gov
Fisheries oceanography is largely an applied discipline with a major goal of
improving fisheries management and marine conservation. Hjort’s critical
period hypothesis, and its decedents, remain a dominant theme and focuses
on early life stage survival as mediated by prey availability and feeding. A
second hypothesis focuses on the sequential transfer of energy from primary
productivity to fishery productivity. Four relatively recent hypotheses challenge
these traditional bottom-up hypotheses: predation of early life stages, maternal
condition, over-winter mortality, and shifting migration pathways. Support for
these hypotheses from the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf will be reviewed
and their implications to fisheries management and marine conservation
will be described. It is important that these recent hypotheses continue to be
pursued and tested. The results must then be integrated into current and future
assessments and management decisions.
Dr. Jonathan Hare is the director of the NOAA Narragansett
Laboratory and oversees the operational oceanography programs
for the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. He is also involved
in regional and international ocean observing activities. Jon
received a BA in Biology from Wesleyan University and a
PhD in Oceanography from SUNY Stony Brook. He received
a National Research Council Research Associate in 1994 to work at the NOAA
Beaufort Laboratory and was hired by NOAA in 1997. His research has focused
on fisheries oceanography: understanding the interactions between the ocean
environment and fisheries populations with an aim of contributing to assessments
and management. Recently, Jon has started to examine the effect of climate change
on fish population dynamics. This work involves coupling the output of IPCC-class
climate models with fish population models to simulate the effects of climate change
on population dynamics.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 17
Miscellany
About the Larval Fish Conference Awards Presented by the
American Fisheries Society Early Life History Section
T
T
he Sally Leonard Richardson Award is presented every year to the best student oral paper delivered at the Larval Fish
Conference. Winners have been selected since 1986. This year, 28 presenters are competing for this award.
he John H.S. Blaxter Award is given annually to the best student poster presented at the Larval Fish Conference.
Winners have been selected since 2004. Twelve posters are competing for this award.
About the Student Award Raffle and Auction
F
F
unds to support the Sally Leonard Richardson Award will
be raised through the traditional raffle. Donate items and
purchase raffle tickets to show your support!
ollowing tradition, the Blaxter Award Committee will
hold an auction during the 2013 Larval Fish Conference
Banquet on Wednesday night to raise funds to continue to
support this award. Bid early and often!
About the Early Life History Business Meeting
T
he Business Meeting of the Early Life History Section of
the American Fisheries Society is an informal gathering to
inform interested people about current and future activities in
the section. The meeting is open to everyone, but only full AFS
members are eligible to vote. The elected officers (Secretary
and Treasurer) will report on the current membership numbers
and demographics. You will be informed about the financial
status of the section and the Richardson and Blaxter award
funds. Appointed officers (Newsletter Editor, Webmaster,
Historian, Nomination and Ballot Committee Chair, Time and
Place Committee Chair, Awards Committee Chairs) will report on
their activities since our most recent meeting in Bergen. This is
an opportunity to approach section officers with questions and
suggestions. Please get involved… New ideas and dedicated new
people are always needed!
About the Brainstorming Session with
Chris Chambers
O
pen discussion about how to make the Early Life
History Section and the Larval Fish Conference
even better. We want to keep this community vibrant
and growing. Please bring and voice your thoughts
on organization and conference structure, meeting
venues, themes, mentoring, social media, and other
new ideas.
Are you interested in hosting a future
conference?
A
n important component of the Business
Meeting will be the discussion about future
meeting locations. Quebec City, Canada, is hosting
a joint meeting with AFS August 17–21, 2014.
Pascal Sirois, Dominique Robert, John Dower, Marc
Mingelbier, Patrick Oullet, and Martin Castonguay
are in charge of organizing next year’s conference.
As for future meetings, we have received offers
from places around the globe. Come and join
the discussions about offers for our Larval Fish
Conferences in 2015 and 2016!
Abstracts
in alphabetical order by presenter’s name (in bold)
Oral presentation
Poster presentation
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 9:40 AM
Alexander Room
TOWARDS THE ROLE OF DISPERSAL OF EARLY LIFE HISTORY
STAGES IN EVOLUTIONARY FISHERIES
ALÓS, J., CATALÁN, I.A., ARLINGHAUS, R., PALMER, M., BASTERRETXEA,
G., JORDI, A., MORALES-NIN, B.
IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA
(CSIC-UIB), C/ Miquel Marqués 21, 07190, Esporles, Illes Balears, Spain.
Telephone: + 00 34 971 61 08 29, Fax: + 00 34 971 61 17 61, Email: pep.alos@
uib.es
of early life-stages exposed to the oceanographic dynamics in an important
marine coastal Mediterranean species highly targeted by recreational fisheries
(Serranus scriba). We based our larval fish dispersal estimations on highresolution hydrodynamic model simulations (sbPOM) of the circulation along
the southern coast of Mallorca island (Mediterranean) and mean Lagrangian
trajectories of virtual particles (eggs and larvae) released from 25 different
coastal sub-populations. The dispersal of early life history stages estimated
from the oceanographic particle motion model identified relatively isolated
sub-populations therefore presenting limited gene flow. Based on individual
life-history traits estimated from the various sub-populations, we provide
compelling evidence that such limited gene flow can induce evolutionary
responses to fishing at surprisingly small geographical scales. We propose that
the dispersal of early life-history stages can play a major role in the evolutionary
trajectory of most harvested marine populations.
The pelagic nature of early life-stages is the only mechanism of gene flow and
dispersal for many sedentary coastal fish. Contrary to the common wisdom,
recent development in genetics and transport models show that many marine
fish populations are not as open as expected even at scales of a few kilometres.
Therefore, the degree of dispersal of such pelagic early life history stages, and
the population’s underlying gene flow, should play a role in understanding and
anticipating the evolutionary responses to trait-selective fishing. Capitalising
on this idea, we analyzed the influence of population’s connectivity on the
evolutionary responses of coastal fish species by exploring the spatial dynamics
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 19
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:10 PM
Alexander Room
REGIME SHIFTS IN LARVAL HERRING AND THE RELATED
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL TIME-SERIES: CASE STUDY IN
THE GULF OF RIGA (BALTIC SEA) IN 1957–2010
ARULA, T., GRÖGER, J., OJAVEER, H., SIMM, M.
Estonian Marine Institute, Univ. of Tartu, Lootsi 2A, Pärnu 80012, Estonia. Email:
timo.arula@ut.ee
Detection and analysis of regime shifts was conducted in the Gulf of Riga
(Baltic Sea) by applying the iterative shiftogram method to selected single and
multivariate factors focused on the early life-history stages of the local herring
population. Altogether nineteen variables were used, both in univariate
and multivariate levels during the 1957–2010, describing abiotic and biotic
components of the environment. In addition, phenology of the herring larvae
and Eurytemora affinis was included. All investigated univariate time-series of
the early life history stages of herring as well the studied multivariate scores
by the major three complexes (abiotic, biotic and phenology components)
exhibited changes over time with variable types and timings. However, the
multivariate shiftogram pooling nineteen variables identified two distinct
states in the ecosystem. The first state occurred during 1957–1985, followed
by a smooth transition period, lasting 1986–1991 and entered into a new
phase since 1992 onwards. Major implications of regime shift on herring
larvae and recruitment were increased and more variable abundance dynamics
after regime shift. The studied environment was mainly regulated by abiotic
conditions related to the temperature, while phenological aspect and biotic
components had substantially minor role.
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
MOLECULAR ANALYSES OF SARGASSO SEA FISH LARVAE
ENABLE FIRST-TIME LARVAL DESCRIPTIONS
AYALA, D.J., MUNK, P., RIEMANN, L.
Denmark's National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of
Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Jaegersborg Allé 1, 2920
Charlottenlund, Denmark. Email: danieljadk@yahoo.dk
Molecular analyses of Sargasso Sea fish larvae have led to several new and ongoing
down-stream discoveries. Several first-time larval descriptions have been
enabled by linking DNA barcodes of investigated unknown and undescribed
larval specimens, to juvenile and adult identifiers. We here show first-ever
larval developmental series for the lanternfish Lampanyctus photonotus, and
the first confirmed larval descriptions of the barbeled Dragonfish Chirostomias
pliopterus. Genetic sequence analysis of several specimens of the roundnose
lanternfish Centrobranchus nigroocellatus indicated high genetic similarity
among Sargasso Sea specimens, which showed clear divergence from specimens
from other oceanic regions. Molecular analysis gives larval fish researchers
several new tools to expand the depth and breadth of larval development
understanding.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
FROM OCEAN TO CULTURE TO CAMERA: “CAPTURING” THE
TRUE BEAUTY IN A MARINE FISH’S EARLY LIFE HISTORY
BAENSCH, F.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 2:40 PM
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Crystal Ballroom
CANNIBALISM OF LARVAL LESSER SANDEELS (AMMODYTES
MARINUS) IN THE NORTH SEA
AYALA, D.J.
Denmark's National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of
Denmark, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Jaegersborg Allé 1, 2920
Charlottenlund, Denmark. Email: danieljadk@yahoo.dk
Predation upon larval fishes by other fish species, and in the special case of
cannibalism, is an important component of overall mortality, yet is still a factor
whose scale and scope are not well understood. Cannibalism of larval lesser
sandeel (Ammodytes marinus) by juveniles and adults was investigated in the
North Sea. Stomach-content analysis confirmed larval A. marinus as a dietary
component of all investigated older year-classes. Analyses concurrently indicate
a highly variable contribution of larval A. marinus in the overall diet. This is the
first study reporting a direct trophic linkage between early life history stages,
and adults, of this commercial and ecological key species, and simultaneously
heightens the need for further investigations into density-dependent mortality
of larvae among this species.
Reef Culture Technologies, 4079 Koko Dr., Honolulu HI 96816. Email: rct@hawaii.
rr.com
The diverse, natural beauty of developing marine fish larvae is rarely presented
since most conventional larval descriptions rely on dead specimens. Collecting
wild eggs in the ocean can provide a diversity of species for laboratory rearing to
document the development of live and healthy larvae. The Early Life History
Project utilizes wild egg collection and larval rearing techniques to study the
reproductive patterns, culture requirements and larval ontogeny of Hawaiian
marine fish. The project provides the opportunity to document the development
of living marine fish larvae; to present their true pigmentation and size; and
to show their natural beauty. This poster presents photographs of selected
stages for some of the families that have been cultured to date. These include
Acanthuridae, Blenniidae, Callionymidae, Carangidae, Chaetodontidae,
Diodontidae, Fistularidae, Kyphosidae, Lutjanidae, Malacanthidae, Molidae,
Ostraciidae, Pleuronectidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Priacanthidae,
Scaridae, Scorpaenidae, Serranidae.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 20
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 9:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
SCALE DEPENDENT DYNAMICS OF THE PELAGIC NEKTON
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
CURRENT ECOSYSTEM
directionality was positively and strongly affected by the sky clarity (absence
of clouds and haze). Moreover, larvae swimming under fully polarized light
exhibited a distinct behavior of tracking the polarization axis, as it rotated along
with the DISC. This behavior was not observed under partially-polarized light.
We view these findings as clear indication for the potential use of sun-related
cues by orienting coral reef fish larvae.
Presentation type: Oral
BARCELO, C., BRODEUR, R., DALY, E., CIANNELLI, L.
104 CEOAS Admin. Bldg., College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences,
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97330. Email: cbarcelo@coas.oregonstate.
edu
Understanding the relative influence of different spatial and temporal scale
determinants on the pelagic nekton community composition will likely
increase the accuracy and precision of future ecosystem based management
tools in the California Current. Towards this goal, we characterized the pelagic
forage fish and predator community composition sampled in the Northern
California Current (from ~ 44 - 48°N) between 1998 and 2011 at multiple
spatial and temporal scales using local, regional and basin scale environmental
covariates. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination was
used to assess the dimensionality of the multi-species abundance data and to
quantify the variability in community composition at distinct scales of data
aggregation. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to characterize
the spatial and temporal differences in assemblage structure as a function of
distinct environmental variables. Using individual hauls as sample units, the
most important environmental variables structuring the community of pelagic
fish included wind stress, upwelling, and discharge volume from the Columbia
River. At the individual cruise scale, regional and basin scale variables such
as NPGO, PDO and the summer upwelling index are important correlates
describing variability in community composition. Additionally, we present
maps of the spatial extents of distinct pelagic nekton communities as well as
the distributions of individual forage fish and predator species sampled during
the 14-year survey period. We conclude by summarizing some of our recent and
ongoing contributions to NOAA's California Current Integrated Ecosystem
Assessment, including indicators used for assessing NCC pelagic ecosystem
health.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
THE USE OF POLARIZED LIGHT FOR ORIENTATION IN CORAL
REEF FISH LARVAE
BERENSHTEIN, I., KIFLAWI, M., SHASHAR, N., WIELER, U., AGIV, H.,
PARIS, C.B.
Interuniveristy Institute & Ben Gurion University, Zehurit st. 2/17 Eilat, Israel.
Email: igalbe@post.bgu.ac.il
Recent studies of the larvae of coral-reef fishes reveal that these tiny vertebrates
possess remarkable swimming capabilities, as well as the ability to orient
to olfactory, auditory, and visual cues. While navigation according to reefgenerated chemicals and sounds can significantly affect dispersal, the affect is
limited to the vicinity of the reef. Effective long-distance navigation requires at
least one other capacity – the ability to maintain a bearing using, for example,
a sun compass. Directional information in the sun's position can take the
form of a brightness gradient and/or the pattern of light polarization. We
examined the response to both cues using commercially-reared larvae of the
clown-fish Premnas biaculeatus. Initial optomotor trials indicated that these
larvae are sensitive to linearly polarized light (39 of 48 larvae showed a positive
response). Directional swimming was then tested using a Drifting In-situ
Chamber (DISC), which allowed us to examine the larvae’s response to natural
variation in light conditions and manipulated levels of light polarization.
Under natural light conditions, 25 of 28 larvae showed significant directional
swimming (Rayleigh’s test p< 0.05), but to no particular direction. Swimming
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:00 PM
Alexander Room
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ALTERS THE OTOLITHS OF A
PANTROPICAL FISH SPECIES WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR
SENSORY FUNCTION
BIGNAMI, S., ENOCHS, I.C., MANZELLO, D.P., SPONAUGLE, S., COWEN,
R.K.
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sci., Division of Marine Biology and
Fisheries, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami, FL 33149. Email: sbignami@rsmas.
miami.edu
Ocean acidification affects a wide diversity of marine organisms and is
of particular concern for vulnerable larval stages critical to population
replenishment and connectivity. While it is well known that ocean acidification
will negatively affect a range of calcareous taxa, the study of fishes is more
limited in both depth of understanding and diversity of study species. We
utilized new three-dimensional microcomputed tomography to conduct in
situ analysis of the impact of ocean acidification on otolith (ear stone) size
and density of larval cobia (Rachycentron canadum), a large, economically
important, pan-tropical fish species that shares many life history traits with a
diversity of high-value, tropical pelagic fishes. We show that 2100 μatm pCO2
ocean acidification significantly increases not only otolith size (up to 50%
greater volume and 58% greater mass) but also otolith density (6% higher),
with 800 μatm pCO2producing significantly greater mass (14%) and a similar
but non-significant trend for otolith size. By using a modeling approach, we
demonstrate that these changes could affect auditory sensitivity including
a ~50% increase in hearing range at 2100 μatm pCO2, which may alter the
perception of auditory information by larval cobia in a high-CO2 ocean. Our
results indicate that ocean acidification has a graded effect on cobia otoliths,
with the potential to substantially influence the dispersal, survival, and
recruitment of a pelagic fish species. These results have important implications
for population maintenance/replenishment, connectivity, and conservation
efforts for other valuable fish stocks that are already being deleteriously
impacted by overfishing.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:00 AM
Alexander Room
MODELING INTERANNUAL VARIABILITY IN
LARVAL SURVIVAL OF GEORGES BANK HADDOCK,
MELANOGRAMMUS AEGLEFINUS, WITH FOCUS ON THE
UNUSUAL 2003 RECRUITMENT EVENT
BOUCHER, J.M., CHEN, C., SUN, Y., BEARDSLEY, R.C.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, School for Marine Science and
Technology, 706 Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02744. Email:
jboucher1@umassd.edu
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 21
Recruitment of the Georges Bank haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) stock
in 2003 vastly exceeded any year on record since assessments began. While
the causes of this event have been investigated, no definitive explanations have
been put forward. Utilizing an individual-based model coupling the FiniteVolume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) physical circulation fields with
the FVCOM-based I-State Configuration Model (FISCM), we attempted to
determine if a model of haddock early life history is capable of resolving the
dynamics that produced the large recruitment event. Two primary sources of
mortality, starvation and advection from the nursery area, are compared for
haddock spawned on the Northeast Peak of Georges Bank annually from 1995
through 2009. Above average retention of passive individuals occurred in 2003
with comparable rates for 2000 and 2002, which did not have recruitment events
of similar magnitude. The potential for larval transport from Browns Bank to
Georges Bank was simulated as an extension to the advection hypothesis, with
highly variable transport from Browns Bank suggesting a supplemental source
of larvae in some years. Larvae exhibited the lowest growth rates in 2003,
associated with higher temperatures and shear dispersion on Georges Bank
producing a poor model foraging environment. Results from our simulations
indicate that high retention rates on Georges Bank combined with additional
supply from Browns Bank are necessary for increased recruitment success, but
did not provide a sufficient explanation for recruitment in 2003 when low
growth rates were considered.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 3:00 PM
Alexander Room
THE EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON THE EARLY LIFESTAGES OF WINTER FLOUNDER, PSEUDOPLEURONECTES
AMERICANUS
CANDELMO, A.C., CHAMBERS, R.C., HABECK, E.A., POACH, M.E.,
WIECZOREK, D., PHELAN, B.A., CALDARONE, E.M., GREENFIELD, C.,
COOPER, K.R.
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, 74 Magruder Road,
Highlands, NJ 07732. Email: Allison.Candelmo@noaa.gov
Limited evidence to date supports the expectations that effects of elevated
levels of CO2 in finfish will differ across species, will be subtle, and will
interact with other stressors. CO2 and temperature effects were tested on the
embryos and larvae of an ecologically important marine fish, winter flounder
(Pseudopleuronectes americanus). Initial results show that increased CO2 had
little effect on the survival of winter flounder embryos with subtle signs of
reduced survival with increased CO2 and warmer waters. The mean lengths
of larvae were longer at higher CO2 levels, with this trend more pronounced
in larvae of older ages that experience warmer water. Mean protein mass was
also greater in more advanced larvae exposed to higher CO2 levels. Preliminary
results indicate mortality at earlier ages of smaller, less developed individuals
in higher CO2 environments, which may account for the larger
mean length and mass calculated for survivors. In addition,
the ratio of RNA/DNA was lower in young larvae (1-week
old) exposed to elevated CO2 levels and
especially at colder temperatures. Finally,
winter flounder larvae exposed to
high CO2 levels showed increased
cranial-facial, ocular, and muscular
abnormalities, and an increased
occurrence of hepatic lesions. Overall,
winter flounder embryos may be relatively
tolerant to high levels of CO2 due to their
residence in relatively variable benthic inshore
habitats. Winter flounder larvae, however, may
be more vulnerable than embryos to high CO2 levels, as expressed
by decreased condition, increased abnormalities and lesions, and lower
survivorship to metamorphosis.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 4:30 PM
Alexander Room
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON LARVAL FISH COMPOSITION
IN LITTLE EGG INLET, NEW JERSEY
CARIDAD, J.F., ABLE, K.W.
Rutgers University Marine Field Station, 800 C/O 132 Great Bay Blvd., Tuckerton,
NJ 08087. Email: jamie.csr@gmail.com
There is increasing evidence for the effects of climate change on ecosystems;
however it is more difficult to assess these impacts in marine systems. Studies
have shown that shallow temperate estuaries can be greatly affected by increasing
temperatures. Utilizing data collected from long term water temperature
monitoring (1976–present) and weekly ichthyoplankton sampling programs
(1989–2010, > 350,000 individuals) at Little Egg Inlet, NJ, there is evidence
that rising temperatures may have influenced the ingress of larval fish into the
estuary. There have been significant changes in community structure when
comparing pre-2000 and post-2000 species compositions, especially in the fall
and winter months. Biodiversity has also increased over the sampling period
and the organisms that are contributing the most to the overall variation in
community structure have been identified. Understanding these impacts is
imperative when assessing management strategies because increased mortality
due to climate change can dramatically reduce the already low survival rate fish
experience during their larval stage. Because of the importance of estuaries to
the early life history of important commercial and recreational fishes and their
prey, the impacts of climate change can greatly affect not only the ecology of the
estuary, but also its societal and economic importance.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:20 PM
Crystal Ballroom
PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE EARLY
LIFE HISTORY STAGES OF FISHES IN THE MESOAMERICAN
REEF SYSTEM
CARRILLO, L., VASQUEZ-YEOMANS, L., MALCA, E., MUHLING, B., SMITH,
R., JOHNS, L., SOSA-CORDERO, E., LAMKIN, J.T.
EL COLEGIO DE LA FRONTERA SUR, Av. Centenario km 5.5, Col. Pacto Obrero,
Chetumal, Quintana Roo. Email: lcarrillo@ecosur.mx
The Mesoamerican reef system (MRS), in the western Caribbean, represents
the second largest coral reef barrier in the world. There have been several
collaborative efforts in key environmental issues, including the spatial
distribution of the early life history (ELH) stages of fishes in the MRS. There is
a clear agreement that the physical oceanographic processes in different scales in
this region are one of the key factors to understand the distribution and
ultimate fate of the ELH stages of fishes. This work is an
attempt to provide a broad review
of the knowledge of physical
oceanographic
processes
linked to the ELH stages of
fishes distribution in the MRS,
illustrated by observational
physical
oceanographic
information from three oceanographic
campaigns in the MRS and coastal data collection. Data
collected during the campaigns included hydrographic (CTD
casts), currents from shipboard ADCP and satellite tracked ARGOS
drifters, while the coastal current observations were analyzed from Acoustic
Doppler profilers. A regionalization of the MRS according to dynamics aspects
such as circulation, water masses, mesoscale features and bathymetric aspects
is suggested and also compared to preliminary results of the ELH of fishes
distribution. The interaction of the oceanic currents with the coast such as
the Yucatan Current played the more relevant important role in the northern
region of the MRS, meanwhile the southern part of the MRS, weaker and
variable currents determined a potential retention zone.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
mixed water. A common set of 143 stations for both years was analyzed, and
the larval fish assemblage (Hellinger transformation) was used as a multivariate
response variable within a Redundancy Analysis Model. Eight physical and
biological variables were used as potential explanatory variables. A subset of
5 explanatory variables were significantly related to the response taxonomic
structure in both years, with depth, dynamic height and geostrophic velocity
dominating the first two RDA axes in both years. While the depth contribution
was more related to adult spawning areas (oceanic vs coastal species), we show
how mesopelagic species and some epipelagic ones including tuna distributions
are widely determined by dynamic height distribution, which relates to eddy
dynamics and water masses in the area.
AN EVALUATION OF SAMPLING METHODOLOGY FOR
ASSESSING SETTLEMENT OF TEMPERATE FISH ONTO
SEAGRASS MEADOWS
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
CATALAN, I.A., DUNAND, A., ÁLVAREZ, I., ALÓS, J., NASH, R.
Tuesday, June 4 — 9:20 AM
Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, C/Miquel Marqués 21, CP 07190,
Esporles, Balearic Islands, Spain. Email: ignacio@imedea.uib-csic.es
TIME AND TIMING IN THE ECOLOGY OF MARINE FISH EARLY
LIFE-STAGES
Demersal fish species generally shift from a pelagic to a benthic life style
through a rapid settlement process. Understanding and measuring settlement
is important for fisheries management and biodiversity conservation, but
sampling fish at the time of settlement is challenging due to the spatial
concretion, pulsed and rapid nature of the process. Although the combination
of several sampling methods was highlighted as the best sampling strategy
in coral reefs, its effectiveness in temperate areas is still unknown. Here we
compare the effectiveness of six different sampling methods in terms of species
composition, catch properties and size-spectra of pre-settlers and recent settlers
in order to determine the best combination of techniques to utilize over the
Posidonia oceanica, an endemic seagrass of the Mediterranean Sea of key
importance for coastal fisheries. We considered three types of pelagic nets, two
types of light-traps to sample pre-settled stages, and a low-impact experimental
fine-mesh beam trawl for recent settlers. Our results show significantly different
size-spectra for each method, within a continuous range of sizes from 2 mm
to 200 mm. The optimal strategy for sampling key littoral fish species during
the settlement period is to utilize a combination of the Ecocean (CARE) light
trap combined with a small-scale experimental beam trawl. The results of this
study provide quantitative evidence for the selection of sampling protocols
designed for assessing the settlement process in temperate coastal areas, and can
be useful for the identification of essential fish habitats and the design of marine
protected areas.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 4:50 PM
Presentation type: Oral
Alexander Room
CHAMBERS, R.C.
NOAA Fisheries NEFSC, 74 Magruder Rd, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. Email:
chris.chambers@noaa.gov
The importance of time and timing in marine fish ecology and recruitment
has long been appreciated. Timing is fundamental to Hjort’s critical period
hypothesis of marine fish recruitment, and to the subsequent derivative matchmismatch and stable-oceans hypotheses, the growth-mortality hypothesis
and the predation hypothesis. In all, time is either an explicit or implicit
part of the purported recruitment mechanism. Here the role of timing in
ecology is considered especially as it pertains to marine fish early life-stages.
First, the portrayal of time in ecological relevant units or increments linked
to the key environmental drivers is likely to simplify the characterization of
the underlying processes. The notion of physiological time is an example of
such a simplification. The quantification of physiological time is presented,
as are the ways that environmental factors map astronomical to physiological
time. Second, using the thermal environment as an example of this mapping,
the types of models that have been proposed to relate biological responses
to temperature are summarized. Third, the key features of these models are
described including biological zero, thermal summation, and curvature, as are
the ways that these features affect ecological prediction. Fourth, examples are
given of the early life-stage responses to a range of time-mapping environments
(i.e., phenotypic plasticity), and the relative importance of these environments
is discussed. Lastly, time compression and attenuation can occur in seasonal
environments and an example is given of the special case of physiological time
thresholds in winter.
Alexander Room
MESOSCALE DYNAMICS OF THE SUMMER LARVAL FISH
ASSEMBLAGES AROUND THE BALEARIC ISLANDS (NW
MEDITERRANEAN)
ALVAREZ, I., CATALAN, I.A., RODRIGUEZ, J.M., BALBIN, R., ALVAREZ, D.,
APARICIO, A., HIDALGO, J.M., ALEMANY, F.
IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/Miquel Marqués 21, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Esporles
07012. Email: ignacio@imedea.uib-csic.es
We analyzed two consecutive summer ichthyoplankton cruises (2004, 2005)
around the Balearic Archipelago (NW Mediterranean, Spain). In both years,
two contrasting hydrographic situations were observed, which characterize
the summer dynamics of this area. In 2004 the oceanographic structure was
characterized by the presence of Western Intermediate Water (WIW) in the
Ibiza channel, making the meridional position of the (salinity driven) density
front that separates the new from the resident Atlantic Waters (AW) reach the
southern part of Menorca Island. In 2005, the other typical situation in the area
was observed, the absence of the WIW in the channel allowed the new AW
progress through the Ibiza and Mallorca channels and causing higher levels of
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:40 PM
Alexander Room
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION EFFECTS IN THE EARLY LIFE-STAGES
OF SUMMER FLOUNDER, PARALICHTHYS DENTATUS
CHAMBERS, R.C, CANDELMO, A.C., HABECK, E.A., POACH, M.E.,
WIECZOREK, D., GREENFIELD, C., COOPER K.R., PHELAN, B.A.
NOAA Fisheries NEFSC, 74 Magruder Rd, Highlands, New Jersey 07732. Email:
chris.chambers@noaa.gov
Early life stage (ELS) responses of summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) were
evaluated for responses to ocean acidification (OA). Survival of embryos was
reduced by 50% below survival at local ambient conditions when maintained
at the intermediate conditions (7.4 pH, 1860 ppm pCO2), and by 75% below
local ambient survival when maintained at the most acidic conditions tested
(7.1 pH, 4,715 ppm pCO2). Reduced embryo survival was consistent among
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 23
three females used as sources of embryos. Sizes and shapes of larvae were altered
by elevated CO2 levels. Larvae were longer at hatching (but with less energy
reserves) to midway through the larval period. Larvae from the most acidic
conditions initiated metamorphosis earlier and at smaller sizes than those from
more moderate and ambient conditions. Tissue damage and altered cranialfacial (CF) features were evident in older larvae (> 14-d posthatching) from
both elevated CO2 levels. Effects in CF features changed with larval ages: CF
elements of larvae from ambient CO2 environments were comparable or smaller
than those from elevated CO2 environments at 7 and 14-d posthatching but
larger at older ages. The degree of impairment in the ELS of summer flounder
due to elevated CO2 levels suggests that this species will be challenged by OA
in the near future. Further experimental comparative studies on marine fish are
encouraged in order to identify the species, life-stages, ecologies, and responses
that are most sensitive to increased levels of CO2 and acidity in near-future
ocean waters.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 10:20 AM
Alexander Room
INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ON THE
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF TUNA LARVAE IN THE
GULF OF MEXICO
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
CORNIC, M., ALVARADO BREMER, J.R., ROOKER, J.R.
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
IDENTIFICATION OF LARVAE IN THE FAMILY EXOCOETIDAE
(FLYINGFISHES)
CLAUSEN, K.C., DITTY, J.G.
Texas A&M University at Galveston, NOAA/NMFS, 4700 Avenue U Bldg. 302,
Galveston, TX 77551. Email: kclausen2011@gmail.com
Flyingfish are an important resource worldwide, both as a fishery and as a food
source for large pelagic fishes. It is important to be able to accurately identify
larval flyingfish in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) due to their association as a prey
species to fishes such as billfish and tuna. Increasing our knowledge of flyingfish
may help inform management decisions pertaining to both flyingfish and large
pelagic fisheries. There are ten species of flyingfish in the GoM, and of these
species only five are identifiable at the larval stage using the current literature.
Similarities in pigmentation, body shape, fin length, fin ray counts, and fin
placement make these species particularly challenging to visually identify.
This study combines the use of genetic identification and morphological
measurements to determine distinctive characteristics which will facilitate
identification of larval flyingfish.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:20 PM
whereas the picture was not as clear in cod larvae. Otolith calcification was
significantly affected by increasing seawater CO2 concentration. However the
direct effects were different between the species with cod showing an increase
in otolith size and herring a decrease. The observed changes in the otoliths were
not reflected in a change in swimming behavior. Results from the two species
will be presented and reasons for differences and similarities in reaction pattern
will be discussed.
Alexander Room
Texas A&M University at Galveston, P.O. Box 1675, Galveston TX, 77553. Email:
cornicm@tamug.edu
Summer ichtyoplankton surveys were conducted in the northern Gulf
of Mexico (GoM), and catch data were used to characterize patterns of
distribution and abundance of tuna larvae (Thunnus spp.) within this region.
Overall, 12,674 larvae in the genus Thunnus were collected from 2007 to 2010.
Mean density and percent frequency of occurrence of Thunnus larvae was 0.98
larvae 1000 m−3 and 78.5%, respectively. Temporal variability in catch numbers
of Thunnus larvae were observed with the lowest density present in June (0.51
larvae 1000 m−3) and in 2010 (0.42 larvae 1000 m−3), the summer following the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To determine the species composition of Thunnus
larvae in our collections, 2,975 larvae were genetically identified using high
resolution melting analysis. Four different species were observed: blackfin tuna
Thunnus atlanticus (87%), yellowfin tuna T. albacares (10%), bluefin tuna T.
thynnus (3%), and bigeye tuna T. obsesus (<1%). Generalized additive models
(GAMs) developed for each species indicated that environmental variables
influenced the distribution and abundance of Thunnus larvae. The most
influential factors in the bluefin tuna and blackfin tuna density models were sea
surface height, presence of other species, salinity or sea surface temperatures. In
contrast, yellowfin tuna densities were influenced primarily by depth, salinity,
and the presence of congeners. Overall, our results indicate that the major
factors affecting the distribution and abundance of Thunnus larvae in the GoM
are species specific and appear to be associated with the position of mesoscale
features and physicochemical characteristics of the water mass.
Presentation type: Oral
EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON HERRING AND COD
LARVAE—A COMPARATIVE APPROACH
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
CLEMMESEN, C., FROMMEL, A., MANEJA, R. PIATKOWSKI, U.
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:40 AM
Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR), Duesternbrooker Weg 20,
24105 Kiel, Germany. Email: cclemmesen@geomar.de
IN SITU ICHTHYOPLANKTON IMAGING SYSTEM (ISIIS):
DESIGN, CAPABILITIES, AND RESULTS FROM CASE STUDIES
Studies on the impact of CO2 on the development of two commercially
important fish species herring (Clupea harengus) and cod (Gadus morhua)
under laboratory conditions (Kiel, Germany), in field settings (Baltic Sea,
Bornholm Basin) and from a large, land-based mesocosm experiment at
the marine facilities of the University of Bergen in Espegrend, Norway,
were performed. With these data the effects of ocean acidification on fish
populations adapted to very different abiotic conditions could be analyzed
and the sensitivity of different larval developmental stages was evaluated.
Methods used to determine growth and performance were morphometrics,
biochemical indicators (RNA/DNA ratio, lipid analyses), histology, and
otolith microstructure and microchemistry as well as behaviour. Severe tissue
damages were observed in both herring and cod larvae. Reduction in growth
rate and biochemical condition and metabolism were observed in herring,
Crystal Ballroom
COWEN, R.K., Guigand, C., Greer, A.T., Luo, J.Y.
Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami,
FL 33149. Email: rcowen@rsmas.miami.edu,
Our understanding of dynamic processes in the ocean has improved with
advances in the resolution of oceanographic sampling, but many questions
remain, especially with respect to relatively rare meso-zooplankton, such as
ichthyoplankton and jellies. While common planktonic organisms are well
studied by existing systems, there is a need to quantify relatively rare mesozooplankton within the same spatio-temporal context of more abundant
zooplankton. ISIIS is a towed, high-resolution digital imaging system using a
shadowgraph illumination scheme with a line-scan camera, capable of sampling
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 24
water volumes sufficient for accurate quantification of meso-zooplankton
in situ. The images enable the clear identification of meso-zooplankters (e.g.
ichthyoplankton, jellies, chaetognaths, euphausiids and even copepods), often
to family or genus, with identification of small, transparent jellies often to
species. Here we present case studies from four environments: Monterey Bay,
Southern California, Georges Bank and Stellwagen Bank, to demonstrate
the ability of this system to resolve the fine-scale distribution and orientation
of zooplankton. The continuous ISIIS image can be used to to resolve finescale details in multiple trophic levels for a better understanding of plankton
dynamics in the ocean.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 3:50 PM
to settle to very nearshore seagrass areas. To test the hypothesis that predationrelated mortality increases as naïve late-stage fish larvae leave the offshore
oceanic environment and enter the nearshore to settle, relative nocturnal
predation rates on tethered late-stage snapper larvae were measured in oceanic,
coral reef, and nearshore surface waters of the lower Florida Keys, USA. Both
relative predation rate and probability of predation in oceanic areas seaward
of the reef was significantly greater than over reef or nearshore seagrass/
hardbottom habitats. This surprising result may be due to differences in the
density or spatial distribution of potential predators between deep offshore
(near flotsam at the surface) and shallow nearshore environments (demersal).
These findings suggest that successful late-stage snapper larvae should avoid
surface waters in deep oceanic areas and move upward in the water column
as they pass over the reef and other shallow nearshore environments prior to
settlement.
Crystal Ballroom
Presentation type: Oral
SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF FISH POST-LARVAE AROUND
FRENCH MEDITERRANEAN COASTS: FIRST KNOWLEDGE TO
UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONING OF FISH BIODIVERSITY
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
GARSI, L.-H., THOMAS, C., CREC’HRIOU, R., AGOSTINI, S., LECAILLON,
G., TERNENGO, S., GARCIA-CHARTON, J., MURENU, M., MUNTONI, M.,
LENFANT, P
Monday, June 3 — 1:40 PM
CEFREM UMR 5110 CNRS-UPVD, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan,
France. Email: crecrom@univ-perp.fr
According to the most recent assessments of the Census of Marine Life (Coll
and al., 2010), the decrease of marine biodiversity is particularly drastic in the
Mediterranean Sea. The causes of biodiversity loss are multiple and mainly due
to human activities. Habitat degradation, overexploitation, climate change,
invasive species and pollution are recognized as the most important. The urgent
need to stop the biodiversity decrease is addressed in the EU communication
(COM 2006). With respect to the maritime status quo and the regulatory
context, the European LIFE+ project “SUBLIMO” started one year ago and
for a total of 3 years. The project proposes a new approach to analyze the marine
biodiversity. It will seek to identify and estimate the abundance of coastal postlarval fish species which return to colonize coastal habitats and contribute to
renew the local population. Seven sites along French Mediterranean coasts
(including Corsica Island) are monitored with an innovative trap called CARE
light trap patented by Ecocean French Company. Differences in richness and
abundance are well marked reflecting the complexity of environmental and
hydrographic conditions. Light traps sampled 62 taxa which represented 25
families in only 4 months of survey. CPUE values were quite different across
localities (0.6 to 41 individuals/CARE/night) and was extremely low in
Agde, the coolest place. Sites located in Lion’s Gulf harboured higher species
richness (34 taxa), with decreasing values in Agde or Bastia (18 taxa), PortCros National Park (17 taxa), Port-Vendres (15 taxa) and Bonifacio Marine
Park (10 taxa).
Presentation type: Oral
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Alexander Room
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHARYNGEAL JAWS IN THE
DRUMS (SCIAENIDAE) OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY WITH
COMPARISONS TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY
DEARY, A.L., HILTON, E.J.
Attn: VIMS Fisheries, PO Box 1346, Route 1208 Greate Rd., Gloucester Point, VA
23062. Email: aldeary@vims.edu
The goal of ecomorphology is to identify the aspects of morphology that
influence an organism’s ecological role, although little information is available
for the early development of many functional complexes in most fishes. It is
difficult to identify the morphological features that influence the ecological
position of early life history stage fishes. To evaluate the development of the
pharyngeal jaws in early life history stage sciaenids, pharyngeal jaw elements
from cleared and double stained specimens were prepared, dissected, and
measured. Gill raker shape and the area of the upper and lower toothplates
were recorded in nine of the 14 sciaenid species that use nursery habitats in
the Chesapeake Bay. Sciaenids were grouped based on their primary habitat
as adults (benthic vs. pelagic). Stomach contents were identified to the
lowest possible taxonomic level and prey was grouped by primary habitat
(i.e. benthic crustacean, etc.) and relative hardness (e.g., fishes relatively soft,
molluscs relatively hard). It is expected that unlike the oral jaw elements, which
are matched for prey capture and primary foraging habitat, pharyngeal jaw
elements will be matched to the degree of prey hardness since these structures
are used to process prey. Species that prey on relatively harder-bodied organisms
(Aplodinotus grunniens, Micropogonias undulatus, L. xanthurus, Menticirrhus
spp.) are expected to have greater pharyngeal toothplate areas than species that
prey on relatively softer-bodied organisms (B. chrysoura, Cynoscion nebulosus,
C. regalis, Sciaenops ocellatus, Larimus fasciatus).
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Monday, June 3 — 11:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
Presentation type: Oral
EXAMINING THE PROCESS OF SETTLEMENT: COMPARATIVE
PREDATION RATES ON LARVAL SNAPPERS (LUTJANIDAE) IN
OCEANIC, REEF, AND NEARSHORE WATERS
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
D’ALESSANDRO, E.K., Sponaugle, S.
Monday, June 3 — 2:40 PM
University of Miami, RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami FL, 33149.
Email: edalessa@rsmas.miami.edu
COMPARISON OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND OSSIFICATION
OF THE CRANIUM IN TWO SPECIES OF SOUTH AFRICAN
DRUM (SCIAENIDAE), ARGYROSOMUS JAPONICUS AND A.
THORPEI
The life cycle of most reef fishes involves pelagic larvae entering the nearshore
environment to settle to benthic substrates. Settlement is considered to be
highly risky as larvae encounter high rates of predation mortality associated
with shallow nearshore habitats. This potential bottleneck may be particularly
significant for many tropical snapper (Lutjanidae) species which bypass the reef
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Alexander Room
DEARY, A.L., PATTRICK, P., STRYDOM, N.
Attn: VIMS Fisheries, PO Box 1346, Route 1208 Greate Rd, Gloucester Point, VA
23062. Email: aldeary@vims.edu
South Pointe Park, a 22-acre natural area at the southernmost
tip of South Beach, offers breathtaking views of Downtown
and PortMiami. The park was recently renovated to restore
native vegetation and is characterized by presenting a
serpentine splanade and pylons with changing LED lights
built on a walkway of Florida limestone.
Argyrsomus is a genus within the family Sciaenidae that is not well resolved due
to taxonomic confusion arising from a lack of distinguishing characters in the
adults. Two sympatric species of Argyrosomus, Argyrosomus japonicus and A.
thorpei, are found along the South African coast and are important recreational
and commercial fishery resources. The goal of this project is to provide
developmental and diet data that is currently lacking for A. japonicus and A.
thorpei, providing some understanding into the comparative ecomorphology
of these two species in the early life history stages. Specimens were captured
through an intensive two year long, monthly sampling program that included
shore-based larval seine tows and boat-based plankton tows within Algoa
Bay, South Africa. Samples were sorted and identified in the lab. Stomachs
were removed; gut contents were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic
level, and pooled into broad taxonomic groupings. Thirty nine specimens
were cleared and double stained (cartilage blue and calcified structures red)
to describe the development of the cranial structures and overall pattern of
ossification. Twenty four specimens of A. japonicus (1.9-5.7 mm Total Length;
TL) and twelve specimens of A. thorpei (1.9-5.05 mm TL) were examined.
Stomach contents were examined from nine specimens of A. japonicus and six
specimens of A. thorpei. Very little ossification was observed in the pre-flexion
larvae for both species. Cartilage and bone development were more defined in
A. japonicus relative to A. thorpei. Six A. japonicus specimens also had food
items in their stomachs, suggesting active foraging.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 5:10 PM
Alexander Room
COMBINED EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA AND ACIDIFICATION
ON ANTIPREDATOR RESPONSE OF JUVENILE EUROPEAN
SEABASS
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 2:20 PM
abundance, and relative condition as indicated by energy density and % bodily
lipid. We developed a genetic technique based on mtDNA cytochrome oxidase
subunit I (COI) and subsequently successfully identified Atheresthes spp. larvae
and early juveniles from EBS cruises (2006–2010). We examined genetically
identified specimens, assessed unique pigmentation and morphological
characters, and were able to identify small (<12.0 mm SL) and large (≥20.0
mm SL) specimens using visual identification methods. Historical samples were
re-identified to species to describe distribution. Larvae (< 25 mm SL) of ATF
and KF have similar distributions in the EBS, but juveniles (>25 mm SL) have
slightly different distributions; KF occurs closer to shelf edges and in deeper
water. Data on % lipid content of larvae and juveniles indicate that larval KF
have higher % lipid content than ATF. Results provided in this study are the
first comprehensive ecological data on ATF and KF in the EBS.
Alexander Room
ECOLOGY AND TAXONOMY OF THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF
ARROWTOOTH FLOUNDER (ATHERESTHES STOMIAS) AND
KAMCHATKA FLOUNDER (A. EVERMANNI) IN THE EASTERN
BERING SEA
DE FOREST, L.G., DUFFY-ANDERSON, J.T., HEINTZ, R.A., MATARESE,
A.C., SIDDON, E.C., SMART, T.I., SPIES, I.B.
NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115. Email: Lisa.DeForest@noaa.gov
Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias: ATF) are large, predatory flatfish
found in the Gulf of Alaska and eastern Bering Sea (EBS). Early life history
studies of ATF in the EBS have been difficult due to the presence of the closely
related species Kamchatka flounder (A. evermanni: KF). As adults, ATF can
be separated from KF by morphological and meristic characters; however,
in larval and early juvenile stages these two species have been identified only
as Atheresthes spp. The purpose of this project was to identify larval and
early juvenile ATF and KF from the EBS and understand their distribution,
DIAZ-GIL, C., ALOS, J., CATALAN, I. A., PALMER, M., STECKBAUER, A.,
DUARTE, C.M.
LIMIA, Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), C/
Miquel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain. Email: cdiaz@imedea.
uib-csic.es
The increase in CO2 in the atmosphere during the last century has led to an
increase of water temperature and acidification. In the Mediterranean, hypoxic
events and ocean acidification are increasing, but the effect of the interaction
between these factors on to coastal fish physiology and behavior are seldom
explored. In this work we evaluated experimentally the behavioral response of
juvenile European Sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to hypoxia and acidification
within predicted levels and in a factorial design, where the individual fish was
taken as a random factor. Individual response of juvenile sea bass to the presence
of a predator (Scorpaena porcus) was evaluated in small aquaria, equipped with
an artificial seagrass shelter. The activity, distance and boldness/risk behavior
(entering the area close to the predator) was evaluated vs a control treatment
following the position of the juvenile during the whole experiment each second
through spatial landmark-based analysis. Preliminary results show that there
is a significant effect of both treatments and their combination on fish antipredator response.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 26
Presentation type: Poster
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 4:10 PM
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
Alexander Room
COMPARISON OF JUVENILE ENGLISH SOLE LIPID CONTENT
AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN COASTAL AND
ESTUARINE HABITATS
ECOLOGY OF GREENLAND HALIBUT (REINHARDTIUS
HIPPOGLOSSOIDES) IN CANYON AND SLOPE HABITATS OF
THE EASTERN BERING SEA
DOERING, K.L., STOWELL, M.A., CIANNELLI, L., PRAHL, F.G.
DUFFY-ANDERSON, J.T., CIANNELLI, L., VESTFALS, C., SOHN, D.,
STOCKHAUSEN, W., IANELLI, J., HOFF, G.
University of Miami, 15646 85th Way North, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418.
Email: k.doering@umiami.edu
English sole (Parophrys vetulus) larvae metamorphose and settle as juveniles in
both nearshore coastal and estuarine habitats. Though these habitats are close
in space, biogeochemical attributes of coastal and estuarine locations can vary
widely, and thus differentially affect juvenile flatfish growth and survival. We
used gas chromatography (GC) to examine triacylglycerol to sterol (TAG:ST)
ratio and fatty acid signatures of newly settled English sole, and gravimetrically
measured total extractable lipid content (TEL). These metrics were used as
proxies for body condition, and were compared across individuals collected
during June and July of 2012 from a coastal and nearby estuarine location
off the central Oregon coast. English sole settling in the nearshore coastal
habitat had higher body condition based on TAG:ST ratio than those in the
estuarine habitat. Additionally, TAG:ST ratio and TEL decreased from June to
July at both sites. This seasonal trend was previously observed with thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) analyses during the summer of 2011, and may reflect
decreases in habitat quality with time, perhaps due to lower dissolved oxygen
content or to different food type and availability. Alternatively, this trend could
be an artifact of differences in body size or developmental stage with time. GC
analyses revealed varying fatty acid composition among sample sets, which may
also reflect differences in diet. Continued research incorporating individuals
of more comparable sizes, larger sample sizes, absolute quantification of lipid
classes, and controlled experiments may further improve understanding of how
juvenile English sole lipids vary with respect to habitat and seasonal timing.
NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115 USA. Email: Janet.Duffy-Anderson@noaa.gov
We examined differences in canyon and slope habitat utilization, and
spawning to nursery area connectivity for Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius
hippoglossoides), a deep-sea spawning flatfish, in the eastern Bering Sea using
diverse and complimentary approaches. First distribution and abundance of
adults, larvae and juveniles were seasonally assessed using field surveys and
historical data from the NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center. Second,
a coupled hydrodynamic and individual-based model was used to evaluate
where and when eggs and larvae crossed from off-slope spawning locations to
the continental shelf, and to determine critical settlement and nursery habitat
for offspring. Finally, statistical models were used to evaluate the impact of
climate variability on transport and settlement success. Results indicate that,
during non-spawning periods, Greenland halibut adults tend to be more
abundant along the continental slope, though during the spawning season no
differences in habitat use were found. Oceanographic modeling results indicate
that connectivity of Greenland halibut larvae between the slope and the shelf
primarily occurs via undersea canyons (Pribilof, Zhemchug) to the north of
the Alaska Peninsula, and that connectivity may be dependent on availability
of nursery habitat over the continental shelf. Results indicate that climate
variability has significant impacts on the distribution, abundance, connectivity
and habitat use of this commercially-important deep-sea flatfish.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 9:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:40 PM
Crystal Ballroom
DYNAMICS OF THE EARLY LIFE STAGES OF WALLEYE
POLLOCK OVER THE EASTERN BERING SEA SHELF
GOOD TIMING: HIGHER LARVAL SUCCESS DURING
OBSERVED PERIOD OF SPAWNING AGGREGATION
DUFFY-ANDERSON, J.T., SMART, T., MUETER, F., CURCHITSER, E.,
PETRIK, C.
DONAHUE, M.J., KARNAUSKAS, M., TOEWS, C., PARIS, C.B.
NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA
98115. Email: Janet.Duffy-Anderson@noaa.gov
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, PO Box 1346, Kaneohe,
HI 96744. Email: donahuem@hawaii.edu
Spawning aggregations are a common phenomenon among many commerciallyimportant reef fish populations. For some species these aggregations are highly
predictable in space and time, increasing their vulnerability to targeted fishing
efforts, but also suggesting that there are fitness advantages to spawning at these
particular times and locations. In this study, we carry out a larval transport
simulation model for a lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) spawning location
off Punta Hicacos-Cayo Mono, Cuba, and test whether larvae released at the
observed aggregation site and observed time are more likely to successfully
recruit than larvae released at adjacent spatial and temporal locations. We
track virtual larvae from release to settlement, incorporating changes in
larval behavior through ontogeny, using a multi-scale biophysical model,
the Connectivity Modeling System. We found that larvae released during
the observed spawning period had a lower probability of recruitment failure
than those released outside the observed spawning period; however, releases
from various adjacent spatial locations had a much smaller effect on estimated
differences in recruitment success. We pose a simple optimization model to
understand the relationship between number of days in the spawning period
and the expected recruitment success in a temporally variable environment.
We undertook a multi-year study to examine seasonal linkages between spring
spawning areas, early summer distribution patterns, and late summer/early fall
occurrences of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the eastern Bering
Sea. Analyses indicated that spatial distributions of walleye pollock early life
stages are influenced by broad-scale (temperature, spawning stock biomass,
wind) and fine-scale (zooplankton biomass) variables, though temperature
explained more of the variation in abundance of walleye pollock early life
stages than any other covariate. We show that timing of spawning of walleye
pollock appears to be delayed by as much as a month when thermal conditions
over the eastern Bering Sea shelf are colder-than-average. We demonstrate
spatial shifts in the distribution of early life stages to the east under warmerthan-average conditions, which appear to be related to predominant wind
patterns over the continental shelf. Finally, we develop a biophysical model
(ROMS-TRACMASS) to examine how variable atmospheric forcing, and
the ocean’s response to this forcing, affects the distribution of walleye pollock
ichthyoplankton. Implementation of the model will allow us to examine
historical dispersal pathways of walleye pollock eggs and larvae and to forecast
how these might change in the future under changing climate and ocean
conditions.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 27
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 4:10 PM
Crystal Ballroom
SEASONAL AND ANNUAL VARIABILITY OF LARVAL FISH
RECRUITMENT AT THREE LOCATIONS ON OAHU.
EHRLER, C.P., STEINBECK, J.R.
Tenera Environmental, 141 Suburban Road, Suite A2, San Luis Obispo, CA
93401. Email: cehrler@tenera.com
Larval fish samples were collected from April 2006 through April 2012 at the
shoreline intakes of three power plants on Oahu, covering a range of habitats
including the open coast on the west side of the island at Kahe Point, and
inside Honolulu Harbor and Pearl Harbor. Collection were conducted at least
monthly using a 0.6 m2 diameter 335 micron mesh net. Samples were collected
at each location about every 6 hours over a 24-hour period during each survey.
A total of over 212,000 individuals from at least 130 taxa were identified in the
1,921 samples. The abundance of each taxon was variable between locations
and between years, with some taxa only being represented by a single larvae
during the study. The percentage of the common taxa collected during all six
years at each location ranged from 24% to 43%. The most abundant taxa by
location included damselfishes, gobies, infantfishes, Hawaiian triplefin, and
blennies near Kahe Point, damselfish, anchovies, gobies, and infantfishes in
Honolulu Harbor, and anchovies, jacks, and gobies in Pearl Harbor. Figures
will be presented showing the seasonal and annual variation of the most
abundant taxa.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
MATERNAL TRANSFER OF STRIPED BASS: DETERMINING A
MOTHER’S LIFE HISTORY STRATEGY FROM THE OFFSPRING
ELKING, B.A., RULIFSON, R.A.
East Carolina University, 1813 Bradford Dr Apt 194, Greenville NC, 27858. Email:
elkingb11@students.ecu.edu
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) have two life history strategies: anadromy
and residency. Anadromy is when a species lives in saltwater as an adult and
spawns in freshwater, while residents stay in freshwater throughout life. It is
possible to determine whether or not an individual is anadromous or resident
by examining trace elements in the otoliths (ear bones), specifically Strontium,
which is directly related to water salinity. We take this knowledge a step
farther to determine that, by looking at larval otolith strontium levels, the life
history of the mother can be determined. The life history strategy (resident or
anadromous) of the mother can be seen in the core of these progeny’s otoliths
and the primordium of adult fish based upon the Strontium levels. Since the
progeny’s otolith signatures can be traced back to the mother’s life history
strategy, we can then determine the relative production and survival of progeny
from anadromy versus residency.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
Understanding the dynamics of larval fish recruitment has been of major
interest in the past century, but temporal patterns are still difficult to predict.
Few studies have tackled larval recruitment in the Mediterranean Sea, all of
them short term. We extracted a seven-year time series (2006–2012) of weekly
plankton samples and environmental data from the work of the SO-RADE
at point B station in the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, France, which spans 50
years. Zooplankton data came from daily Régent net samples analyzed using
computer assisted identification (ZooScan). While this sampling effort did
not specifically target fish larvae, fish larvae were caught in 185 of the 365
samples (42.6%), although no taxonomic resolution was available. The time
series showed strong seasonality, with higher abundances during late spring
and early summer (highest captures in June: 8.8±10.7 individuals 100 m−3).
After the first main peak, larval fish abundance tended to decrease through
the summer until a second peak in late summer, which may suggest two main
spawning periods. Maximum recruitment corresponded to day 23rd after new
moon. Some years differed from the general pattern; 2010 and 2012 were
characterized by an early first abundance peak, which correlated with higher
abundances in zooplankton taxa. These results match with seasonal patterns
of recruitment observed in other parts of the Mediterranean Sea and provide a
first look into drivers of temporal variability in larval fish recruitment at weekly
to semi-decadal time scales over a long time series.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Thursday, June 6 — 10:20 AM
Alexander Room
CRITICAL SWIMMING BEHAVIOR OF SAND-SMELT LARVAE
(ATHERINA PRESBYTER, CUVIER 1829) — IMPLICATIONS
FOR LARVAL DISPERSAL AND COMPARISON WITH OTHER
TEMPERATE SPECIES
FARIA A.M., GONÇALVES, E.J., BORGES, R.
Eco-Ethology Research Unit, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, R. Jardim do Tabaco
34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal. Email: afaria@ispa.pt
Sand-smelt, Atherina presbyter, is one of the two species representing the family
Atherinidae in west Europe. It is an inshore marine fish, occasionally entering
coastal lagoons and estuaries. Studies of genetic differentiation of A. presbyter in
the North-eastern Atlantic reveal a pattern of isolation-by-distance, suggesting
limited larval exchange among populations. The extent of gene flow may be
affected by distinct biological, physical and ecological characteristics of a
species. Additionally, it has become increasingly evident that larval fish behavior
must be considered when investigating dispersal and connectivity. The current
study represents the first assessment of swimming abilities of larvae belonging
to the atheriniform order. The ontogeny of critical swimming speed (Ucrit) was
investigated for wild-caught sand-smelt larvae, and speeds ranged from 3.5 to
18.7 cm s-1, over the size range of 5.5 to 21 mm TL. These critical speeds are
well within the speeds reported for temperate and warm temperate perciform
species for which the ontogeny of critical speed is known. The observed behavior
together with the available field data and early life history traits indicate that
larvae might be able to explore the nearshore habitats and actively remain close
to shore. The integration of larval behavior with biophysical models of larval
dispersal is of great interest and in great need as this integration provides much
insight into the realities of dispersal and retention. This is critically important
to our understanding of population connectivity and to management decisions,
including the design of Marine Protected Areas networks.
DRIVERS OF TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF LARVAL FISH
RECRUITMENT IN VILLEFRANCHE BAY (NORTHWESTERN
MEDITERRANEAN) OVER A SEVEN-YEAR TIME SERIES
(2006–2012)
FAILLETTAZ, R., IRISSON, J.O.
UPMC Univ. Paris 6 - UMR 7093, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche,
Observatoire Océanologique, F-06234 Villefranche-sur-Mer, France. Email:
faillettaz@obs-vlfr.fr
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 28
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 9:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
NEW METHODOLOGY TO IDENTIFY ENGRAULIDAE EGGS OF
THE SOUTHEASTERN BRAZILIAN BIGHT
FAVERO, J.M., Katsuragawa, M., Zani-Teixeira, M.L., Turner, J.T.
University of São Paulo. Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo - SP, Brazil.
Email: janamdf@usp.br
In the Southeastern Brazilian Bight, four groups of Engraulidae eggs occur in
ichthyoplankon samples, but only Engraulis anchoita eggs are well identified.
Eggs have been previously identified manually by measurements of the major
and minor axes and by combinations of the two axes in the form of volume and
eccentricity of the ellipsoid. To facilitate the identification of these four groups
of eggs, a new method was developed using ImageJ — an image processing
program, to measure and count eggs and R software for other analyses.
Measurements of major and minor axes, perimeter, circularity, aspect ratio and
roundness were obtained automatically through photographs of eggs. Volume
and eccentricity were calculated. One Way MANOVA: Wilk’s Lambda
showed that the four groups identified manually are significantly different and
that they are distinguished by all measurements used (Wilk’s Lambda = 0.04,
p<0.01). Discriminant Analysis was done using cruise FINEP-1 data from
1975, resulting in a model that separated the groups previously identified.
Of 1,079 eggs measured, 83 (7.69%) were incorrectly classified by the model.
Egg Groups A, B and E.anchoita had more than 95% chance of accuracy, and
group D 74.16%. The classification was corrected to get a new and more robust
model. To validate the new model, it was applied in eggs previously identified
from cruises FINEP-5 (1976) and Mar-I (1990), and in both the percentage
of accuracy was higher than 97%. Thus, the new method can be used to better
identify Engraulidae eggs from the study area.
Shelf ) and Campeche Bay are different regions. The geographic distribution
of the three obtained assemblages fit well with these three zones of different
hydrodynamic processes. Independently of variation of the boundaries and
interactions of the assemblages, the formation of these is determined firstly by
the adults habitat and spawning area and then by the hydrographic features
dominating each area.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Larval Fish Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 9:20 AM
Alexander Room
Fisheries and the Environment Program:
Overview and Update
FORD, M.D.
NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Email:
michael.ford@noaa.gov
The mission of the Fisheries and the Environment (FATE) Program is to
provide the information necessary to effectively adapt management to mitigate
the ecological, social and economic impacts of major shifts in the productivity
of living marine resources. FATE improves single species and ecosystem
assessments across the U. S. through the following activities: (a) analysis of
the response of fish and shellfish to environmental change, (b) development
of ecosystem indicators (c) incorporation of ecosystem indicators in stock
assessments, and (d) construction of next generation forecasting models. FATE
provides leading indicators of ecological and oceanographic change at the
population and ecosystem level from local to ocean basin scales. FATE supports
research on the functional relationships between environmental forcing and
the growth, distribution, or reproductive success of managed species. This talk
will be an overview and update from the Program.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Presentation type: Oral
Wednesday, June 5 — 3:00 PM
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:40 AM
Alexander Room
BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING
THE LARVAL FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE SOUTHERN GULF
OF MEXICO
FLORES-COTO, C., SANVICENTE-AÑORVE, L., ZAVALA-HIDALGO, J.,
FUNES-RODRÍGUEZ, R.
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y
Limnología, Av. Universidad 3000 Coyoacan, Ciudad Universitaria., Mexico
04510. Email: coto@cmarl.unam.mx
Biological and environmental factors influencing the larval fish assemblages
were investigated in the southern Gulf of México. Data were obtained from
46 sampling stations, May 19 to June 18. using a Bongo net from surface to
200 m. All larvae were sorted from each sample. To each larval fish taxon it was
assigned the habitat of their adult. Bray-Curtis index was used to determinate
the larval assemblages. There were founded 182 taxa; most of them were oceanic
(29.6). mid shelf (26.3%) and reef (25.2 %). Three assemblages were defined:
1) Yucatán Assemblage (YA), 2) Tabasco-Campeche (TCA) 3) Oceanic (OA).
YA occupied the Campeche Bank, it is, the wide Yucatán shelf, where the most
important hydrodynamic process is branch of Yucatán current. TCA occupied
the shelf of Tabasco and southwest of Campeche where the most important
hydrodynamic process is the continental water discharges through the main
fluvial systems. OA occupied the oceanic area of the Campeche Bay where the
dominant hydrodynamic process is a gyre, almost permanent. As a result of the
different hydrographic features as oceanic currents, gyres, continental waters
discharge, even the topography, the Tabasco shelf, Campeche Bank (Yucatán
Alexander Room
GELATINOUS ZOOPLANKTON AT THE SHELF SCALE:
MOVING TOWARD INVESTIGATING IMPACTS ON FISHERY
RESOURCES
FORD, M.D.
NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Email:
michael.ford@noaa.gov
Gelatinous zooplankton (hydromedusae, scyphomedusae, siphonphores,
salps, ctenophores) are cosmopolitan, can have a continuous presence in some
systems, and can bloom to extreme densities. With the capability to capture
larval fish and clear large amounts of zooplankton, the interactions with
fisheries have been suggested as potentially significant. However, the ultimate
impact of direct predation and competition for prey seems less than clear. A
relatively new index provides a backdrop and a shelf-scale view to investigate
this impact. It suggests a bounded period of significant increase in the presence
of ctenophores on the shelf in the 1990s. This talk stands in the realm of
plankton dynamics and attempts to reach into larval fish ecology to consider
the details of the connection between ctenophores and larval fish in this system.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 29
in selected collections. Presumed daily increments were counted if completely
formed along the longest axis, and measurements of daily growth increments
were made along this axis. The first visible growth increment (mean radius from
primordium = 10.66 µm) was observed outside a diffuse core region (diameter
= 21.32 µm) and presumably formed three days post-hatch, corresponding
c l o s e l y with reported onset of exogenous feeding. Final agreement
between readers on increment counts was 92% which resulted
in 12 otoliths being eliminated from data analysis. Increment
counts for sagittae were adjusted to absolute age by adding
three to total counts. Analyses indicated that 128 bluefin
tuna larvae (2.6 - 8.2 mm BL) ranged in age from 5 - 15
days, post-fertilization. Otolith radius-daily increment
and age-length relationships were best represented by
linear models as: y = 0.1562x + 2.2305, r2 = 0.90 and y =
0.4411x + 0.8774, r2 = 0.80, respectively. Estimated mean
daily growth rate was 0.44 mm/d. Back-tracked (hindcast) passive transport of
aged larvae from collection locations and dates to presumed spawning locations
associated with ocean circulation features (eddies and Loop Current boundary
shear) is examined.
Presentation type: Poster
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 9:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
REEF ODOR: A WAKE-UP CALL FOR NAVIGATION IN
SETTLEMENT STAGE REEF FISH LARVAE
PARIS, C.B., IRISSON, J., ATEMA, J., KINGSFORD, M., GERLACH, G.,
GUIGAND, C., FORETICH, M.
Rosenstiel of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway,
Miami, FL 33149. Email: cparis@rsmas.miami.edu
We monitored the movement of pelagic reef fish larvae using an open-ocean
tracking device, the Drifting In Situ Chamber (DISC), which does not require
human presence. We sequentially deployed the DISC in both oceanic waters
and in reef-born odor plumes propagating offshore with the turbulent ebb flow
and observed unprecedented behavior in a total of 82 larvae in the two water
masses. We provide the first in-situ evidence that pelagic reef fish larvae respond
to reef odor by changing their swimming speed and direction. In addition, the
effect of the ambient odor signal varied among taxa indicating that olfactory
cues may act as stimuli to other senses or behaviors rather than providing direct
navigational information. We concluded that reef fish larvae smell the presence
of coral reefs from several kilometers offshore and that odor is relevant to a map
sense. The central role of olfactory signals in marine population connectivity
raises concerns about the effects of pollution and acidification of oceans which
can alter both the chemical cues and the olfactory capabilities of larval fish.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Monday, June 3 — 9:40 AM
Alexander Room
AGE ESTIMATES FOR LARVAL ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA
(THUNNUS THYNNUS) FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO
FRANKS, J., TILLEY, J., GIBSON, D., COMYNS, B., HOFFMAYER, E.
USM- Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, 703 East
Beach Dr., Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Email: jim.franks@usm.edu
The microstructure of sagittal otoliths removed from 140 larval Atlantic bluefin
tuna (Thunnus thynnus) collected by surface neuston tows (333 µm mesh) from
the Gulf of Mexico during the month of May between 2000 and 2010 was
examined independently by two experienced readers using light microscopy at
1000x with oil immersion. Larval samples represented each 0.5 mm size class
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
LABORATORY OCEAN ACIDIFICATION METHODOLOGY
USING A HOBBYIST REED TANK CONTROLLER
FREEBURG, E.W., RHYNE, A., HANNIGAN, R.
University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment, 100 Morrissey
Blvd, Boston, MA 02125. Email: Edfreeburg@gmail.com
Oceans are acidifying as CO2 drawdown occurs. Recently, the process of ocean
acidification has been the topic of much study. Laboratory experiments are
paramount in our understanding of the impacts of OA on biota. Entry into this
field of study is slow due to the high cost of experimental infrastructure. A pH
control system was designed in an effort to construct an apparatus capable of
OA experimentation in the laboratory at minimal cost. Using a hobbyist reef
tank controller, Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper Elite, and external electronics,
pH of aquaria can be held within ±0.01 pH units, regardless of setpoint. We
also developed software to include data logging, effectively increasing log
capacity indefinitely. By incorporating periodic pH electrode calibrations,
system uptime is on the order of several months without interruption. The
system, and its performance, is thoroughly described.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
FIRST APPROACH OF THE EARLY LIFE RELATIVE TROPHIC
LEVEL SPECTRA BY STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS OF BLUEFIN
(THUNNUS THYNNUS) AND ITS ASSOCIATED TUNA SPECIES
OF THE BALEARIC SEA
GARCIA, A., LAIZ-CARRIÓN, R., MOROTE, E., QUINTANILLA, J.M.,
URIARTE, A., RODRIGUEZ, J.M., CORTÉS, D., ALEMANY, F.
Instituto Español de Oceanografia, Centro Oceanografico de Málaga, Puerto
Pesquero de Fuengirola, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, Spain. Email: agarcia@
ma.ieo.es
The Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) undertakes a reproductive
migration towards the Mediterranean following the inflow of the Atlantic
surface jet current. Among its privileged spawning sites is the Balearic
archipelago where a branch of the Atlantic waters encounters the saltier
Mediterranean water masses. The bluefin spawning habitat is likewise the
spawning habitat of other Mediterranean tuna species. This study is aimed
at analyzing the stable isotopic signatures of bluefin in respect to other two
competing species belonging to the group of small tunnies, Auxis rochei and
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 30
Euthynnus alleteratus. The results seem to indicate that their early life trophic
signatures show significant differences implying a partitioning of planktonic
resources and differences in the energetic sources. Moreover, the stable isotope
of nitrogen decreases significantly with the ln of larval dry weight in all three
species. It is hypothesized that this decrease may be linked to trophic shifts
along ontogenic development.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE LARVAL FISH COMMUNITY
OFF THE NW IBERIAN PENINSULA, IN THE LATE WINTER
2012
RODRIGUEZ, J.M., CABRERO, A., ALVAREZ, P., FLETCHER, C., HERNANDEZ
DE ROJAS, A., GAGO, J., GARCIA, A., HERREROS, M., LAIZ-CARRIÓN, R.,
VERGARA-CASTAÑO, A., PIÑEIRO, C. AND SABORIDO-REY, F.
Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico da Gijón 33212. Gijón,
Spain. Email: j.m.rodriguez@gi.ieo.es
This study analyzes the composition, abundance and the horizontal and vertical
structure of the larval fish community (LFC) in a hydrographically dynamic
region, under a typical winter situation. The surface layer (0-200 m) was
completely mixed, with temperatures and salinities around 12.5 ºC and 35.7,
respectively. Geostrophic currents were weak, although the upwelling index
was unusually high for this time of the year. The most remarkable mesoscale
hydrographic features found during the study were three relatively weak
eddies, two cyclonic and an anticyclonic, and also a weak thermohaline front,
located at the northeastern border of the study area. The 337 depths stratified
samples yielded 9090 larvae belonging to 67 taxa in 26 families. The LFC
was dominated by Micromesistius poutassou, Scomber scombrus and Merluccius
merluccius. Larval abundances increased from south to north. There were no
differences in larval fish abundance and LFC structure between day and night.
The distribution of fish larvae was vertically stratified, both day and night, and
there was no evidence of diel vertical migration. The LFC was horizontally
structured into a coastal and an offshore assemblage but no depth stratified
assemblages were found. Multivariate analysis also revealed that depth, SST,
SSS and latitude were the most important factors involved in larval fish species
distribution. In the absence of physical stratification of the water column, we
hypothesize that larval behavior is the most important factor in maintaining
the vertical distribution and structure of the LFC. This study was funded by the
Spanish research grant CRAMER-CTM2010-21856-CO3-02.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
NEW APPROACH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA ON THE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION
DYNAMICS OF FISHES’ POST-LARVAE OF CORSICAN COASTS
GARSI, L.H., AGOSTINI, S., DURIEUX, E.D.H., BISGAMBIGLIA, P.A.,
PASQUALINI, V., TERNENGO, S., GARRIDO, M., GERIGNY, O., PERRINSANTONI, A.
University of Corsica Pascal Paoli, UMS 3514 Stella Mare, Lieu-Dit U Casone
20620 BIGUGLIA. Email: garsi@univ-corse.fr
Main objective of the study is to inventory the fishes’ post-larval diversity, a
biological compartment not well known in the Mediterranean. The Postlarvae
Capture and Culture (PCC) innovative technique (Lecaillon & Lourié,
2007) is used in order to collect, identify and quantify post-larvae coastal
fishes on 3 marine sites of the Corsican coasts showing different morphology,
currents and level of human impact and protection: Bastia (43 545 inhabitants
(INSEE 2009), future Natura 2000 area on Northeast façade), Saint-Florent
(1 636 inhabitants (INSEE 2009), fishing cantonment, Northwest façade),
Bonifacio (2 919 inhabitants (INSEE 2009), Natural Reserve, South façade).
This research aims (i) evaluate the fish post-larvae response to their planktonic
biological resources (phytoplankton and zooplankton) and alterations of
natural aquatic environment (currents) (ii) analyze their spatial structure
(connectivity between habitat and stock identification) with a methodology
using natural markers (otoliths) and genetic. These questions are discussed by
the use of two methods types of field research and data analysis: an analysis
of the composition and distribution of fish post-larvae populations and their
spatial and temporal variations as well as their relationships with environmental
factors; and the methods and models replacing fish post-larva in its community
and ecosystem as a whole. This new approach is intended to be extended to
all Europeans partners of North-western Mediterranean Sea (France, Spain,
Italy) with the aim of improving knowledge on fish post-larval phase, dispersal
process, colonization and recruitment. These biological parameters can then be
fed a biophysical model of post-larval dispersion at large scale.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:30 PM
Crystal Ballroom
LARVAL DRIFT EXPERIMENTS ON A SHORELINE IN A LARGE
RIVER: VALIDATION OF THE PARTICLE TRACING MODEL IN
COMBINATION WITH A 3D NUMERICAL MODEL
GLAS, M., TRITTHART, M., LECHNER, A., KECKEIS, H., LOISL, F.,
HUMPHRIES, P., HABERSACK, H.
Inst. of Water Man., Hydrol. a. Hydraulic Eng., University of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 107, Vienna, A-1190, Austria. Email: martin.glas@
boku.ac.at
Within the framework of an interdisciplinary research project, drift experiments
with marked fish larvae (nase, Chondrostoma nasus) and passive floats were
performed alongside a near natural gravel shore of the Austrian River Danube,
aiming at the investigation of the mode of larval dispersal (active-passive). An
integral part of this study was the validation of a numerical particle tracing
model which, in combination with a 3D hydrodynamic model of the river,
shall describe the passive mode of transport. Therefore around 50,000 passive
floats were released on two different sites (inshore, offshore) in the field.
Longitudinal and lateral patterns of (passive) dispersal were measured with
stationary drift nets on four consecutive sites downstream, up to five hours after
release. Furthermore, the dispersal of virtual particles from the same release
points was computed with the particle tracing model. By comparing spatiotemporal and quantitative aspects of observed and simulated dispersal patterns,
we found that the numerical particle tracing method was a valid representation
for the passive component of larval drift. In the future, active components of
larval dispersal shall be integrated in the particle tracing model and thereby
enhance its predictive capacity.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY IN DAMSELFISH
EARLY LIFE HISTORY TRAITS AND SURVIVAL IN THE
FLORIDA KEYS
GOLDSTEIN, E.D., SPONAUGLE, S.
RSMAS, University of Miami, RSMAS/MBF, University of Miami, 4600
Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149. Email: egoldstein@rsmas.miami.edu
For reef fish with complex life cycles, successful settlement, recruitment to
the reef, and maturation requires survival through multiple of life stages
and environments. During the pelagic stage, larvae encounter variable
oceanographic conditions that can affect traits and mortality. Subsequently,
fish undergo an ontogenetic shift and settle to reef habitats that entail new
challenges to survival. Particular early life history traits (ELHTs: daily growth,
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 31
pelagic larval duration, and size at settlement) may confer a survival advantage
that can vary based on environmental conditions and habitat, creating local
patterns in traits and selection. We examined spatial and temporal variability
in Stegastes partitus (bicolor damselfish) ELHTs and trait-mediated selective
mortality in the upper and lower Florida Keys during the summer months of
2008. Fish cohorts were sampled repeatedly through time starting from latestage larvae on the night of settlement, until three weeks post-settlement on the
reef to quantify shifts in mean population traits using otolith microstructure
analysis. Our results reveal significant temporal variation in growth, pelagic
larval duration, and size at settlement. Preferential survival of fish with fast larval
growth and large settlement size was both temporally and spatially consistent.
However, preliminary analyses suggest that spatial variability in ELHTs and the
magnitude of selection may differ between study cohorts, indicating that both
temporal and spatial processes influence selective mortality. This study provides
insight into the effects of regional patterns of selection on post-settlement
fitness of individuals and connectivity between local fish populations.
Presentation type: Poster
polychaetes) using both full water column profiles and fixed depth transects
(10 m) to quantify vertical and horizontal components of their distributions
during stratified and internal wave conditions. Larval fishes, consisting
mostly of Urophycis spp. and Merluccius bilinearis, were concentrated near
the surface and displayed ontogenetic vertical migration. Copepods formed
a near surface thin layer during the stratified period of sampling that was
absent when internal waves were propagating. Ctenophores, on the other
hand, were more concentrated at greater depths, but displayed strong taxondependent vertical distributions with lobate ctenophores common near surface
and tentaculate ctenophores at depth. Polychaetes and chaetognaths were
relatively rare compared to gelatinous organisms. The surface waters, therefore,
may represent a zone where larval fishes can experience much higher than
average concentrations of prey, especially during stratified conditions, while
experiencing lower predation pressure than they would at depth. Internal waves
may counteract stratified conditions by 1) breaking up patches or thin layers of
copepods and 2) bringing gelatinous zooplankton towards the surface where
they can exert heavier predation pressure on larval fishes. Imaging technology
has the potential to greatly improve sampling efficiency and elucidate dynamic
trophic relationships involving larval fishes.
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
EARLY DEVELOPMENT AND LARVAL BEHAVIOR OF TWO
CLINGFISH SPECIES (GOBIESOCIDAE)
Session: FATE Science Meeting (larval fish studies)
GONÇALVES, E.J., FARIA, A.M.
Wednesday, June 5 — 11:40 AM
ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Eco-Ethology Research Unit, Rua Jardim do Tabaco
34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal. Email: emanuel@ispa.pt
A CAUTIONARY TALE: EVALUATING AN ENVIRONMENTALLYEXPLICIT STOCK RECRUIT MODEL FOR WESTERN GULF OF
MAINE ATLANTIC COD (GADUS MORHUA)
The recent taxonomic clarification of clingfish species Lepadogaster lepadogaster
and L. purpurea led us to reassess the few descriptions on the early development
of eggs and larvae and study the behavior of the early stages. A comparison
of morphological, ecological and behavioral early life history traits was
performed. Embryonic development lasted 21 days in L. purpurea at 14.2°C,
and 16 days in L. lepadogaster at 16.5°C, being the former a winter spawner
and the later a spring spawner. Newly hatched larvae measured 5.2 mm, had
the mouth and anus opened, pigmented eyes and almost no yolk. The change
to a benthic mode of life was gradual, with larvae increasingly spending more
time close to the bottom until definitely settling. Larval development lasted 33
days in L. purpurea and 18 days in L. lepadogaster. The ontogeny of swimming
was also measured and L. lepadogaster larvae swam better than L. purpurea
larvae, but this difference might be related to differences in water temperature.
Swimming speeds increased with ontogeny (size) despite high variability at
any ontogenetic state and started to decrease at settlement (10 to 11 mm total
length). This is concurrent with the development of a ventral sucking disk that
allows individuals to attach to the bottom and counteract strong currents being
probably an adaptation to the cryptobenthic mode of life of these fish with
relevant implications for their nearshore retention.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 3:50 PM
Presentation type: Oral
Alexander Room
HARE, J.A., BROOKS, E.N., PALMER, M.C., CHURCHILL, J.H.
NOAA Narragansett Laboratory, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882.
Email: jon.hare@noaa.gov
A previous study documented a correlation between Atlantic cod (Gadus
morhua) recruitment in the Gulf of Maine and an annual index of the north
component of May winds. This correlation was supported by modeling studies
that indicated unusually strong recruitment of Gulf of Maine cod may result
from high retention of spring-spawned larvae in years when winds were
predominately downwelling favorable (out of the south). We re-evaluated this
relationship using updated recruitment estimates from a more recent stock
assessment and found that the correlation between recruitment and wind
decreased from -0.67 to -0.26. This finding is more than just another case of an
environmental relationship breaking down when additional data are included.
The original relationship was largely driven by two recruitment estimates, one
of which (2005 year class) was highly uncertain because it was near the terminal
year of the assessment. With additional data, the updated assessment estimated
lower recruitment for the 2005 year class, which consequently produced a
lower correlation. These results suggest more caution in the development of
environmentally-explicit stock recruitment relationships, in particular, when
basing relationships and hypotheses on the output from terminal years of stock
assessment models. More broadly, this studies highlight a number of sources
of uncertainty that should be considered when analyses are performed on the
output of stock assessment models.
Crystal Ballroom
FINE SCALE SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF LARVAL FISHES
TO PLANKTONIC PREDATORS AND PREY: THE IMPACT OF
INTERNAL WAVES
GREER, A.T., COWEN, R.K., HARE, J.A., GUIGAND, C.M.
University of Miami – RSMAS, Marine Biology and Fisheries, 4600 Rickenbacker
Cswy, Miami, FL 33149. Email: agreer@rsmas.miami.edu
Tidally driven internal wave packets are predictable features in the summer
near Stellwagen Bank, Massachusetts, USA that have the potential to influence
patchiness of larval fishes, prey, and gelatinous predators. We used the In Situ
Icthyoplankton Imaging System (ISIIS) to synoptically sample larval fishes,
copepods, and predators (ctenophores, hydromedusae, chaetognaths, and
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 11:00 AM
Crystal Ballroom
STRATIFICATION INDICES FOR STOCK AND ECOSYSTEM
ASSESSMENTS FROM A DATA ASSIMILATIVE CIRCULATION
MODEL
LI, Y., JI, R., CHEN, C., FRATANTONI, P., HARE, J.A.
NOAA Narragansett Laboratory, 28 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI 02882.
Email: jon.hare@noaa.gov
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 32
Understanding the spatio-temporal pattern of stratification is critical in linking
physical environment and fisheries. Data from in-situ ocean observations can
be used to develop stratification indices, but are understandably sparse and
usually not uniform in time or space. In this study, we use a data-assimilative
three-dimensional circulation model (FVCOM) to provide high-resolution
estimates of stratification for the Northeast U.S. shelf ecosystem from 1978
to 2010. A number of criteria have been used to quantify the degree of
stratification, including surface-to-bottom and surface-to-50m Brunt–Väisälä
frequency and Simpson Potential Energy. The data-assimilative model shows
high performance across different criteria, and successfully captures a large
amount of variability in the temperature, salinity and stratification fields
observed in the NEFSC surveys (37304 casts). The 33-year products have
been analyzed to derive climatological and interannual stratification indices.
Phenological parameters were calculated to examine the timing and intensity
of stratification at critical periods such as the onset, peak and decline of
stratification. The density stratification has been decomposed into its thermal
and haline components to identify underlying processes (e.g. the contribution
of buoyancy versus heat flux); and EOF analyses have been conducted to explore
the key spatio-temporal patterns and their possible links to external forcing.
Our results support the needs for the NEFSC Ecosystem Assessment Program
to determine whether the current Ecological Production Units (EPUs) can
adequately resolve the spatio-temporal scales of variability.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 3 — 3:00 PM
Crystal Ballroom
NUTRITIONAL CONDITION OF CORAL REEF FISH LARVAE
VARIES WITH DISPERSAL HISTORY: A SPATIAL ASSESSMENT
OF LARVAL GROWTH AND RNA/DNA RATIOS IN THE
CONTEXT OF POPULATION CONNECTIVITY
HAUFF, M.J., SPONAUGLE, S., WALTER, K.D., D’ALESSANDRO, E.,
COWEN, R.K.
University of Connecticut, Department of Marine Sciences, 1084 Shennecossett
Road Groton, CT, USA 06340. Email: mhauff@rsmas.miami.edu
Because of the strong influence of carryover effects between life stages, larvae
exhibiting different levels of condition in the plankton often differ in their
post-settlement mortality. Thus, in order to better understand the relative
potential for local retention and long-distance dispersal to contribute to
reef fish population maintenance, it is necessary to examine the relationship
between larval condition and dispersal trajectory. Over three cruises in the
summers of 2007 and 2008, ichthyoplankton and environmental measurements
(MOCNESS and CTD) were collected on cross-shelf transects along the
Florida Keys (FK) reef tract, and in the Loop Current upstream of the FK.
MOCNESS tows at each station yielded larvae from a broad range of reef fish
taxa and, for a subset of larvae identifiable to species (bluehead wrasse, pearly
razorfish, bluelip parrotfish, and great barracuda), RNA/DNA ratios and
otolith-derived growth rates were obtained. These indices were used to evaluate
the condition of individual larvae collected across distinct water masses and,
for three of the four taxa investigated, larvae collected closer to shore exhibited
distinctly higher condition as compared to larvae collected offshore. These
among-region differences could not be explained by enhanced feeding due to
increased environmental prey availability, as the preferred prey items of the
larvae were less abundant at nearshore sampling stations where mean condition
was highest. Instead, an examination of the distributions of individual larval
condition levels with age indicated that observed nearshore-offshore differences
in condition likely resulted from dissimilar levels of selective mortality between
the two regions.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 4:30 PM
Crystal Ballroom
LARVAL RED DRUM (SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS) RESPOND
TO DISSOLVED CHEMICALS FROM THE ESTUARINE
ENVIRONMENT
HAVEL, L.N., FUIMAN, L.A.
The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Dr., Port
Aransas, Texas 78373. Email: l.havel@utexas.edu
Planktonic larvae require both developed swimming capabilities and
functional sensory systems to locate benthic habitats. Marine fishes commonly
use chemical cues for navigation, however the olfactory function for fish larvae
that reside in estuaries has received little research attention. To examine the role
of water chemistry as an orientation cue for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to
locate or remain in settlement habitat, we quantified their behavioral responses
in the presence of distinct natural chemical cues. In laboratory trials, we made
paired comparisons of pre-settlement larvae exposed to sterilized sea water (as a
control) and one of six treatments (sterilized sea water, sea water collected from
a channel at ebb tide, sea water collected at flood tide, sea water collected from
seagrass habitat, tannic acid dissolved in sterilized seawater, or lignin dissolved
in sterilized seawater). Results showed that larvae exposed to seawater collected
from the seagrass habitat swam faster than those from the other treatments.
Additionally, larvae in the water from seagrass habitat swam higher in the water
column than those in the flood tide water. These differences in behavior among
the various water samples demonstrate that red drum larvae can distinguish
different water masses and suggest an active response to chemical stimuli, which
could aid in orientation and movement to, or retention in suitable settlement
sites.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:00 PM
Alexander Room
USING MOVEMENT MODELS, FORAGING EVENTS, AND
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA TO IDENTIFY BLUEFIN TUNA
HOTSPOTS IN THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT
WHITLOCK, R., HAZEN, E.L., BOGRAD, S., FOLEY, D., BAILEY, H., BLOCK,
B.A.
UC Santa Cruz CIMEC / NOAA SWFSC ERD, 1352 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove,
CA, 93950. Email: elliott.hazen@noaa.gov
Bluefin tuna are among the world’s most valuable commercial fishes. All
three bluefin tuna species (Atlantic—Thunnus thynnus, Southern—Thunnus
maccoyi, and Pacific—Thunnus orientalis) have been overfished and two species
(Atlantic and Southern bluefin) have been proposed for the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species. Understanding how environmental
features influence the movement and distribution of bluefin will aid evaluations
of alternative management strategies in the light of systematic environmental
change. Advanced archival tags can measure the energetic intake of bluefin
using the heat increment of feeding (HIF) providing an opportunity to
integrate movement data, oceanography and resource availability as discerned
from the archival tag HIF data. Here we present our HIF calibration results
and generalized additive mixed model output. We can use these tools to predict
catch risk indices for pacific bluefin to inform spatially explicit management
goals (e.g. potential time-area closures).
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 33
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 10:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
EVALUATION OF THE TAXONOMIC SUFFICIENCY APPROACH
FOR ICHTHYOPLANKTON
HERNANDEZ, F.J., CARASSOU, L., GRAHAM, W.M., POWERS, S.P.
University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS
39564. Email: frank.hernandez@usm.edu
Ichthyoplankton identification is a time consuming task, and often larvae cannot
be identified to species due to a lack of adequate early life history descriptions.
As a result, ichthyoplankton assemblage data are often analyzed at the family
level, which results in a loss of taxonomic resolution, or at mixed taxonomic
levels (e.g., family, genus and species combined), which can lead to difficulties
in interpretation of results when a single species is included in multiple
taxonomic groupings. The taxonomic sufficiency (TS) approach has been used
extensively in other disciplines (e.g., benthic marine macrofauna) to address
similar analytical constraints, but to date this method has not been rigorously
examined for ichthyoplankton studies. In this study, an ichthyoplankton data
set collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico was proportioned into three
data subsets with varying levels of taxonomic resolution: 1) species level
only; 2) species, genus and family levels; and 3) combined taxonomic levels.
Comparisons were made for assemblage metrics (larval density, richness and
diversity) calculated for each taxonomic subset, as well as multivariate analyses
of temporal variations characterizing ichthyoplankton assemblages. Genus and
species level similarity matrices were highly correlated, which suggests analyses
at the genus level could serve as a good proxy for species when examining
assemblage diversity. Multivariate results for seasonal patterns were similar
among family, genus and species level analyses. The common approach of
analyzing ichthyoplankton assemblages at mixed taxonomic levels, however, is
not as statistically rigorous as single taxonomic level analyses.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 11:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
CONSISTENCY AND INCONSISTENCY IN MULTISPECIES
POPULATION NETWORK DYNAMICS OF CORAL REEF
ECOSYSTEMS
HOLSTEIN, D.M., PARIS, C.B., MUMBY, P.J.
University of Miami, RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149.
Email: dholstein@rsmas.miami.edu
I.M. Pei’s iconic Miami Tower, a 47-story landmark
building in the heart of Downtown Miami, was
completed in 1987 and is considered a wonder of
modern architecture. The tower houses the only elevated
metro station inside a skyscraper in the world. On most
nights, the three-tier structure is lit in multiple color
schemes to commemorate events, holidays, and seasons.
Different marine species and their larvae have characteristics that can expand
or contract their potential dispersal, which can add complexity to the
management of species assemblages. Here we use a multi-scale biophysical
modeling framework for the analysis of network connectivity for five Caribbean
coral reef-associated species in order to gauge similarities and dissimilarities
among species as well as among Caribbean regions. This study resolves
local dispersal and retention to assess regional exchanges, and reveals that
management of coral and fish populations has dissimilar requirements in many
regions, with some notable exceptions. Populations of Porites astreoides corals
appear fragmented, suggesting that loss of adult colonies in any region may
significantly impact regional recruitment success and connectivity. At the other
end of the spectrum, populations of bluehead wrasse Thalassoma bifasciatum
are highly connected and removal of adults in any single region would not
imply future recruitment failure in that region. We suggest the use of a diversity
of exogenous recruitment index as a proxy of recolonization potential, which
is related to the stability of regional connectivity networks. We demonstrate
that resolving multispecies larval transport dynamics helps identify regions of
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 34
both network stability for multi-generational connectivity (e.g. stable larval
sources and corridors) pertinent to regional-level management, and network
inconsistencies (e.g. differential regional betweenness centrality suggesting that
the network roles of regions may be species-specific) which are pertinent to the
success of local management.
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:50 PM
Alexander Room
MODELLING TROPHODYNAMIC CONSEQUENCES OF
CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON NORTH SEA FISH POPULATIONS
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 3:00 PM
Presentation type: Oral
Crystal Ballroom
QUIRKS—A FREE TOOL FOR COMPARATIVE MODELING OF
MARINE FISH LARVAE
HUEBERT, K.B., PECK, M.A.
University of Hamburg, Olbersweg 24, 22767 Hamburg, Germany. Email: klaus.
huebert@uni-hamburg.de
We developed Quirks to simulate and compare the foraging behavior and
growth physiology of marine fish larvae in a wide range of environments. Quirks
is an individual-based model similar to physiological models tuned to larvae of
one particular species. However, Quirks is generic in that many different types
of larvae can be parameterized by a short list of numbers representing important
biological traits. Further, all foraging and growth processes, including the
effects of key environmental factors (e.g., temperature, photoperiod, and prey
concentration), are represented by generic mechanistic rules. Due to the one
unified set of rules, Quirks estimates of larval growth rate and prey requirement
are easy to compare across different species and environmental conditions. So
far we have parameterized young exogenously feeding larvae of Atlantic herring,
Atlantic cod, European anchovy, and European sprat. Quirks growth rate and
prey requirement estimates were strongly (overall R² = 56%) and significantly
(p < 0.001) correlated to empirical estimates from 26 laboratory and field
studies. Further parameterizations are planned and Quirks source code is freely
available.
PECK, M.A., HUEBERT, K.B., HUFNAGL, M., KREUS, M., PÄTSCH, J.
University of Hamburg, Olbersweg 24, 22767 Hamburg, Germany. Email: myron.
peck@uni-hamburg.de
Changes in marine plankton communities driven by global climate change
can affect the coupling between lower and upper trophic levels. We examined
the implications of changing phytoplankton productivity and zooplankton
size spectra for, marine fish populations in the North Sea using a coupled
model approach. A 3-D ecosystem model (ECOHAM4) provided estimates
of seasonal changes in phytoplankton productivity and temperature that were
used to model prey fields for early life stages of marine fishes. Modelled prey
fields were corroborated with field sampling and compared to physiological
requirements for the successful foraging, growth, and survival of Atlantic
herring (Clupea harengus) and European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
larvae. Our study highlights how differences in fish early life history strategies
(e.g. spawning times, larval stage durations, preferred prey sizes, metabolic
requirements) will influence the direct (temperature and water currents) and
indirect (prey productivity and composition) effects of climate change. It will
be critical to take such complex interactions into account, in order to gain a
cause-and-effect understanding of how climate-driven warming may affect the
productivity of key fish species and trophodynamic coupling in marine systems.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Thursday, June 6 — 10:40 AM
Alexander Room
INSHORE AND OFFSHORE HABITAT USE BY JUVENILE
PACIFIC COD IN THE BERING SEA
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
INCORPORATING MORPHOMETRIC TRAITS INTO
PHYSIOLOGICAL MODELS OF MARINE FISH LARVAE
HUEBERT, K.B., PECK, M.A.
University of Hamburg, Olbersbeg 24, 22767 Hamburg, Germany. Email: klaus.
huebert@uni-hamburg.de
Modeling how key environmental attributes affect the foraging and growth of
marine fishes as they develop from eggs and yolksac larvae to feeding larvae and
juveniles generally requires species-specific parameterization of physiological
and behavioral processes. This approach has been successful for several wellstudied fish species, but essential laboratory measurements for a much wider
range of species are lacking. Links between the form and function of fish
larvae may allow us to estimate missing parameters from readily available
morphological traits. For example, the visual detection of prey is related
to eye size, the capture and ingestion of prey are related to mouth gape size,
and the digestion of prey is related to gut length and shape. A vast amount of
morphological information is contained in the form of illustrations in larval
fish identification manuals. We measured and analyzed morphometrics from
illustrations of 64 species. Much of the morphological variability (73%, based
on principal component analysis) could be represented on a spectrum from thin
larvae (with small heads, eyes, and jaws) at one extreme to thick larvae (with
large heads, eyes, and jaws) at the other. The next step is to incorporate these
kinds of patterns into simple modeling tools for estimating growth and survival
of less-studied species. At this meeting, we hope to motivate a collaborative
effort to compile morphological and physiological parameters across a wider
spectrum of marine fish early life stages for this purpose.
HURST, T.P., COOPER, D.W., DUFFY-ANDERSON, J.T., FARLEY, E.V.
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA-NMFS, Hatfield Marine Science Center,
Newport, OR 97365 USA. Email: thomas.hurst@noaa.gov
Shallow, subtidal waters and coastal embayments are the primary nursery
habitats of juvenile Pacific cod through much of their range. However, the
Bering Sea offers relatively little of this habitat and age-0 fish are known to
inhabit surface and sub-surface waters over the broad continental shelf. In this
study we examined the habitat use of age-0 cod in a focal area along the central
Alaska Peninsula and compare the results to those from synoptic sampling of
the Bering Sea shelf. Age-0 cod were more abundant along the open coastline
than they were in the coastal embayments of Port Moller and Herendeen Bay.
Fish were most abundant at depths of 10-25m and were absent from shallower
waters along the wave-swept shoreline. On the shelf, cod were captured in
demersal sampling at depths less than 40 m. Pelagic age-0 cod were captured
over the middle and outer shelf in surface and sub-surface trawls. While capture
efficiencies may differ among trawl types, CPUE of age-0 cod in nearshore
waters was > 40x that observed on the shelf, demonstrating the importance of
coastal nursery habitats in this population. Despite lower densities, the large
area of shelf habitat appeared to support a significant fraction of the cumulative
cohort. The spatial relationship and similar size distributions of fish in inshore
and offshore concentrations suggests that habitat use in the Bering Sea occurs
along a gradient from coastal to pelagic, unlike the distinct habitat use patterns
of population segments of Norwegian Atlantic cod.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 35
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 4:50 PM
Alexander Room
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR OF
JUVENILE WALLEYE POLLOCK
HURST, T.P., MAGEL, C.R., MATHIS, J.A, TURNER, K.A.
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA-NMFS, Hatfield Marine Science Center,
Newport, OR 97365 USA. Email: thomas.hurst@noaa.gov
High latitude ecosystems are predicted to be most immediately impacted by
ongoing ocean acidification but the range of responses by commercial fishery
species has yet to be fully explored. Previous work has shown that the growth
rate potential of early life stages of walleye Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)
appear generally resilient to the direct effects of elevated CO2. However,
elevated CO2 has been shown to disrupt sensory and behavioral responses in
some tropical reef fish species, without disrupting growth energetics. In this
study we examined the behavioral responsiveness of juvenile walleye pollock,
58-97 mm, to prey scent cues under ocean acidification conditions. After 4-9
weeks of CO2 acclimation, fish were tested individually (n=20/treatment) in
a flume at their acclimation CO2. Prey scent cues of varying magnitudes were
introduced to the upstream end of the flume at 30-min intervals, with increased
activity levels indicating a positive recognition of the cue. Baseline activity levels
were not significantly different among CO2 treatments. Fish reared at high
CO2 (> 800µatm) were less likely to respond to injections of prey scent cues
than fish reared at ambient CO2 levels (~400 µatm), but responsiveness was not
consistent among fish or across treatments. Future experiments are planned to
examine other behavioral responses of walleye pollock and Pacific cod (Gadus
macrocephalus) to ocean acidification. Such sensory and behavioral responses
will be a significant determinant of how acidification affects the functioning of
marine ecosystems.
was tested repeatedly for validation of the reproducibility of pyrosequencing
method. By plotting the rarefaction curve, the number of specimens and the
effective number of sequences were estimated. We propose that this method
should provide the occurrence information of massive fish eggs and estimate
the spawning season and ground of fish. Also further study on other gene like
COI for more high resolution of identification and accumulating the reference
sequences for unknown species’ identification will be needed.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
FISH LARVAE IN THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE OF THE UPPER
GULF OF CALIFORNIA (JUNE 2008, JUNE 2010)
JIMENEZ-ROSENBERG, S.P.A., SANCHEZ-VELASCO, L., ORDOÑEZGUILLEN, F.E.
Instituto Politecnico Nacional - Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas
SNI/EDI/COFAA/PIFI, La Paz, BCS, México, CP 23096. Email: adelheid1969@
yahoo.com
The Upper Gulf of California is an important Biosphere Reserve which, despite
of its extreme environmental conditions, houses high fish species richness.
Two intensive prospections of fish larvae were made during June 2008 and
June 2010 as part of multidisciplinary project PANGAS-III. From 54 and 75
zooplankton sampling stations, respectively, a total of 47,939 fish larvae were
collected. Fish larvae of 141 taxa were identified, 42 families were represented
being Engraulidae (3 taxa) and Clupeidae (6 taxa) the most abundant (46%
and 29% of total larval abundance), while families Serranidae (16 taxa),
Scianidae (13 taxa) and Gobiidae (11 taxa) were the most diverse. Larvae of
Opisthonema libertate (Clupeidae), Anchoa spp (Engraulidae), Serranus sp 1
(Serranidae), Sciaenidae type 1, Gobulus crescentalis (Gobiidae) and Etropus
crossotus (Paralichtyidae) were dominant in both years. The number of taxa
registered confirms the high fish species richness, compared to adjacent marine
regions were fish larvae of about 50 taxa have been registered during summer.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 9:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
MASSIVE FISH EGG SPECIES IDENTIFICATION FOR
THE STUDY ON SPAWNING ECOLOGY OF FISH USING
PYROSEQUENCING
Jina, O., Sung, K.
Marine Ecosystem Research Division, Korea Institute of Ocean Science &
Technology, and Department of Marine Biology, KIOST campus on University
of Science and Technology, 787 Haeanro, Ansan, 426-744, Republic of Korea.
Email: skim@kiost.ac
The species identification of fish egg is fundamental and crucial to study
on spawning ecology of fish. When fish eggs are identified into the species
level, spawning ground and season of fish can be accurately estimated by the
occurrence information of fish eggs. Conventional sequencing method such as
Sanger method has been widely used to identify single specimen as the species
level. However, this method takes much time and costs to analyze massive
single specimens. Pyrosequencing, one of the next generation sequencing, is
a high-throughput and sample specific method. It can analyze massive mixed
specimens at a same time. To study on spawning ecology of fish, mixed fish
eggs collected from three different seas were sequenced using GS FLX-454
(Roche). 16SrDNA of mtDNA was analyzed as a molecular marker for species
identification. The sequences obtained from pyrosequencing were confirmed
by comparing with the single specimen’s sequences by Sanger method.
Species compositions by the pyrosequencing were similar to those by Sanger
method, but the proportion of species was different each other. Each sample
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
ELOPOMORPHA LEPTOCEPHALUS LARVAE FROM THE
MEXICAN PACIFIC
JIMENEZ-ROSENBERG, S.P.A., GONZALEZ-NAVARRO, E., SALDIERNAMARTINEZ, R. J., ACEVES-MEDINA, G.
Instituto Politécnico Nacional - Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas
SNI/EDI/COFAA/PIFI, La Paz, BCS, México, CP 23096. Email: adelheid1969@
yahoo.com
Larval identification is particularly hard for most fish groups such as the
Elopomorpha leptocephalus larvae, mainly because the lack of taxonomic
description of the early life stage of fishes, problems related with the adults
taxonomy as well as the fact that not all larval stages has been collected until
now. Leptocephalus larvae have a translucent and compressed long slim body,
“V” or “W” shaped myomeres, small head and rudiments on the non-paired
fins. This work characterizes lepthocephalus larvae of 21 species according to
their morphologic and meristic characters as well as their pigment patterns.
For 15 of this species engyodontic larval stage is described for the first time.
Specimens are deposited in the scientific collection of fish eggs and larvae of the
Mexican Pacific at CICIMAR-IPN.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 36
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 4:10 PM
Alexander Room
CLIMATE RELATED LARVAL TRANSPORT ANOMALIES
JOHNSON, D.R.
Gulf Coast Research Lab, U. Southern Miss., 104 Kendrick Dr, Slidell, LA 70461.
Email: donald.r.johnson@usm.edu
This study examines the relationship between possible climate-induced
circulation anomalies and loss of larvae from outer shelf reef populations. In the
northwestern Gulf of Mexico, energetic spin-off eddies from the Loop Current
commonly interact with the continental shelf, exchanging water between the
shelf and the basin; eggs and larvae from reef fish populations along the outer
shelf can be easily swept into the deep basin where mortality is expected to be
high. In a related study on red snapper larval dispersion using HYCOM model
currents, it was noted that one year (2010) had significantly less loss (~40%) to
the deep basin. Examination of eddy energy along the upper continental slope
from HYCOM model currents between 2003 and 2011 showed that 2010 was
an anomalous year with low eddy energy during the spawning season. Further
examination of climate indices for the equatorial Atlantic indicated that 2010
was an anomalous year. Although cause and effect are not clear, and extremely
difficult to prove, it is suggestive that anomalous swings in climate induced
circulation patterns can have a major impact on populations.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 12:00 PM
Crystal Ballroom
DEVELOPMENT OF A PREDICTION SYSTEM FOR CALIFORNIA
CURRENT OCEAN CONDITIONS
KAPLAN, I.C., SIEDLECKI, S., BOND, N., HERMANN, A., LEVIN, P.,
WILLIAMS, G., NEWTON, J., PETERSON, W.
NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA,
98112 USA. Email: Isaac.Kaplan@noaa.gov
Funded by the NOAA FATE (Fisheries And The Environment) program, our
project provides short-term (six to nine month) forecasts of regional ocean
conditions that are testable and relevant to annual management decisions on
the US West Coast. Forecasts include temperature, chlorophyll, oxygen, and
zooplankton. In the context of the California Current Integrated Ecosystem
Assessment, these are key attributes of ecosystem health (community
composition and energetic/material flows) and the pelagic habitat available to
sardines, anchovies, and other fish stocks. To determine potential predictability
of the system, we have performed re-forecasts of ocean conditions for a test year
(2009), forcing ROMS (the Regional Ocean Modeling System) with outputs
from NOAA’s global-CFS (Climate Forecast System). We have likewise
examined 30-year series of global re-forecasts from NOAA’s Climate Forecast
System Reanalysis and Reforecast (CFSRR), to assess relevant aspects of forecast
skill. We have used these linked global and regional re-forecasts to measure
model skill at predicting sardine distributions, which are known to respond
to variables such as temperature and chlorophyll. We present true forecasts
of ocean conditions for 2013, which are available through the NANOOS
public website (www.NANOOS.org), as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS). Ongoing research will improve these forecasts of
ocean conditions, and will test the skill of the ROMS and CFS models against
other data sets involving pelagic fish distributions.
Session: FATE Science Meeting (larval fish studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 10:40 AM
Alexander Room
USE OF THE CONNECTIVITY MODELING SYSTEM TO
ESTIMATE MOVEMENTS OF RED SNAPPER (LUTJANUS
CAMPECHANUS) RECRUITS IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF
MEXICO
KARNAUSKAS, M., WALTER, J.F. III, PARIS, C.B.
NOAA - NMFS - Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive,
Miami, FL 33149. Email: mandy.karnauskas@noaa.gov
The 2013 red snapper stock assessment will use a two-area Stock Synthesis
model to estimate reference points for an overall northern Gulf of Mexico
stock. When parameterized for multiple areas, Stock Synthesis can account
for movement of both recruits and adults between regions. The purpose of this
research is to obtain estimates of the extent to which recruits move between
the two areas, on an annual basis, which will inform the stock assessment
model. We use the Connectivity Modeling System (CMS), an individualbased model which estimates the movement of eggs and larvae (particles) in a
3-D velocity field, and has the capacity to simulate complex behaviors such as
those displayed by fish larvae. The CMS is used to simulate the release of red
snapper eggs and track their larval vertical migration and transport during the
spawning season for years 2003 – 2012. Model results suggest there is little
mixing between the East and West. In the West, 98% of released particles are
retained in the region, while 2% are exported to the East. In the East, 80%
of particles released are locally retained, while 20% are exported to the West.
Estimates of relative recruitment success from the CMS are in good agreement
with the recruitment deviations from the red snapper stock assessment model
runs, implying that annual variability in oceanographic currents can account
for much of the unexplained variation in recruitment levels.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Thursday, June 9 — 9:00 AM
Alexander Room
MOVEMENT PATTERNS OF FISH LARVAE IN RELATION TO
FLOW-VELOCITY AND ORIENTATION ALONG THE CURRENT
VECTOR IN AN EXPERIMENTAL FLUME
Zens, B., Glas, M., Tritthart, M., Lechner, A., Loisl, F.,
Humphries, P., KECKEIS, H., Habersack, H.
Department of Limnology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, Vienna,
A-1090, Austria. Email: hubert.keckeis@univie.ac.at
To better understand dispersal of fish larvae in large rivers, movement patterns
of different developmental stages of the larvae of nase carp (Chondrostoma
nasus), a characteristic fluvial cyprinid species in many European rivers, were
studied in an experimental racetrack flume. To resemble conditions of the nasecarp`s natural habitat, our experimental mesocosms included typical features
of river-bed morphology and a velocity gradient between outside and inside
bends. Experiments were carried out at three different velocities (representing
sub-, near- and supercritical flow conditions with respect to nase carp swimming
abilities). Based on video recordings, the travel paths of larvae were analyzed
from their position, their swimming speed and orientation in the water column.
Information on flow velocity in different vertical layers was obtained from a
fine-scaled 3D numerical model. Focusing on fish movement in relation to flow
velocity and the orientation of the fish against the current vector enables the
differentiation between active, active-passive and passive modes of downstream
dispersal (drift). Rates of downstream movement differed significantly between
flow scenarios and developmental stages. In contrast to upstream movement
rates, downstream movement rates increased with increasing speed of the
flume, and earlier stages had higher downstream movement rates compared to
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 37
later developmental stages. Orientation towards the current revealed an activepassive mode of downstream movement irrespective of the speed of the flume.
These results provide basic information to model the dispersal of individual fish
larvae in the River Danube.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE OF EARLY LIFE STAGES OF
DUSKY GROUPER EPINEPHELUS MARGINATUS (LOWE, 1834)
IN BRAZIL
KERBER, C.E., SILVA, P.K.A., DOS SANTOS, P.A., SANCHES, E.G.
Redemar Alevinos, Rua Luis Ameixeiro 194, Ilhabela - SP 11630-000, Brazil.
Email: claudiakerber@ibl.com.br
The Dusky Grouper, inhabits rocky bottoms and occurs on both sides of the
Atlantic Ocean. It’s listed in the IUCN Red List as endangered teleost. In
Brazil, a private company has succeeded in producing fingerlings since 2010.
However, in the 2012-2013 spawning season (October to March), although
natural spawning was frequent, the larviculture attempt using the same protocol
from previous years failed entirely. A successful culture was considered when
larvae survived 20 days after hatching and beyond. Larvae were examined daily
and then fixed and sent to a diagnostic veterinary lab. The water parameters
were recorded daily and it’s remarkable that between October 2012 and
March 2013, when 15 attempts failed, water temperature showed an average of
26,32±1,2°C reaching 29,5°C. For the same period on two previous years the
larvae culture resulted in more than 5.000 fingerlings. At that time the average
water temperature remained 24,53 ±1,9°C (2010-2011) and 23,10±0,67°C
(2011-2012). The larvae with 8 D.A.H. sank toward the bottom of the tanks
and a massive mortality occurred during the following 7 days coinciding with
the onset of spines. Most successful rearing trails in Europe were achieved
in temperature ranging from 22°C to 23°C. Larval samples showed crystal
formations mainly into the urinary bladder reaching 80% of the population in
some cultures. It was not possible to attribute the cause of the massive mortality
to the temperature of the water only. More studies are needed in order to
establish the ideal temperature for the E. marginatus larvae to develop.
Presentation type: Poster
species were mainly associated with the gradients of salinity, temperature
and planktonic productivity. M. Colei and A. Mitchilli were found along the
different zones in the lagoon, so they were able to colonize zones with a high
value of salinity. On the other hand, distribution of the other icthyoplanktonic
species found in the lagoon was due to salinity tolerance.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 11:00 AM
Alexander Room
HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF DOLPHINFISH LARVAE
(CORYPHAENA SPP.) IN THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO
KITCHENS, L.L., ROOKER, J.R.
Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553. Email:
l.podsim@tamu.edu
Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and pompano dolphinfish (C. equiselis)
are pelagic species of considerable economic value to commercial and
recreational fisheries worldwide; however, knowledge of their ecology and
habitat use during early life is limited. In order to assess the distribution and
abundance of dolphinfish larvae and identify conditions that characterize
productive nursery areas, summer surveys were conducted in surface waters of
the northern Gulf of Mexico (26–28 °N 86–93 °W) over a four-year period
(2007–2010). Dolphinfish larvae were relatively common in our surveys
(frequency of occurrence 59%), and genetic analyses revealed that 87% of the
1,145 dolphinfish larvae collected during this study were C. hippurus. Factors
influencing presence/absence and density of dolphinfish larvae were assessed
using binomial and quasi-Poisson generalized additive models. Results showed
that presence and density of C. hippurus larvae increased near fronts and eddies,
and that salinity and temperature were the most influential physicochemical
parameters in the models. Additionally, our models indicated that the
distribution of C. hippurus larvae was significantly correlated with that of C.
equiselis, suggesting that these species utilize similar early life habitat. Results of
this study provide strong evidence that the Gulf represents important spawning
and nursery habitat of dolphinfishes and that the distribution and abundance
of C. hippurus larvae is linked to mesoscale features and physicochemical
conditions in this region.
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
Presentation type: Oral
FISH LARVAE ASSOCIATED WITH A HYPERSALINE GRADIENT
IN A COASTAL LAGOON IN THE YUCATÁN PENINSULA, MEXICO
KEYES-PULIDO, S., AKÉ-CANUL, R., BURAD-MÉNDEZ, A., MÉNDEZCAMPOS, H., VARGUEZ-SOBERANIS, D., ORDÓÑEZ-LÓPEZ, U.
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán & CINVESTAV-IPN, Calle 29, No.173, entre 16
y 18, Col. San Miguel, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. Email: shastakeyes@hotmail.com
The present study analyzes the variation of the community descriptors
associated with the salinity gradient in the lagoon Rio Lagartos, located in the
north of the Yucatán Peninsula. We carried out night superficial trawls (new
moon) of 5 min with a conical web (35 cm of diameter and mesh of 300 µ),
a flujometer was placed to estimate the quantity of water filtered in 12 sites
along the lagoon during the north season (November/1997–January/1998).
Simultaneously we registered hydrological patterns with a field multisensor YSI
85/50FT (±0.1). The results of this analysis evidenced three different zones
(internal or hiperhaline, medium or mesohaline and external or marine). We
captured a total of 999 organisms representing 15 families, 17 genera and 21
species of fish. Menidia colei was the dominant species representing 67% of the
collected material, other important species were: Anchoa mitchilli, A. hepsetus
and Harengula jaguana. The major abundance and diversity registered was in
the marine zone of the lagoon which showed major hydrological dynamics
and exchange of ictioplanktonic marine fauna with the estuarine fauna. The
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 10:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
DAY AND NIGHT ORIENTATION OF FISH LARVAE IN THE
OPEN OCEAN
KOUGH, A.S., PARIS, C.B., STAATERMAN, E., GUIGAND, C.
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, 4600 Rickenbacker
Causeway, Miami, FL 33133. Email: akough@rsmas.miami.edu
Late stages of reef-fish larvae swim quickly and directionally, presumably to find
settlement habitat and survive this pelagic phase. Although early work suggests
that larval settlement takes place at night, nocturnal swimming behavior has
never been observed in the pelagic environment to verify this hypothesis.
We used a novel in situ observational method, the Drifting In Situ Chamber
(DISC), designed to quantify the movement of fish larvae in the open ocean
without an observer. The DISC is a clear acrylic Lagrangian frame equipped
with a behavioral arena, a camera, a magnetometer and analog compass, and
an environmental sensing system (light and temperature). For this study we
developed a “night vision” system provided by a ring of true infra-red LEDs
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 38
illuminating the arena. Directionality and orientation of gray snapper, Lujanus
griseus, larvae were observed throughout the day and at night under varying
light and tidal phase conditions, at 3 m under the sea surface, offshore of the
Florida Keys Reef Tract (>60m depth) during August 13-19, 2012. Larvae were
collected in light traps, tested in the DISC within 24 hours of capture, then
released at sea. A total of 58 trials were conducted, 11 trials occurred during
daytime, 16 during dusk, and 31 at night. This study reveals for the first time
distinct nocturnal and diurnal swimming behaviors (i.e., speed, precision of
directionality, and orientation) for larvae in the open ocean, and supports the
hypothesis that fish larvae move actively from the open ocean during the night.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 1:40 PM
Crystal Ballroom
EFFECT OF WINTER COLD FRONT PASSAGES ON DENSITIES
OF BREVOORTIA PATRONUS AND MICROPOGONIAS
UNDULATUS LARVAE IN A LOUISIANA TIDAL PASS
KUPCHIK, M.J., SHAW, R.F.
Louisiana State University, Energy Coast & Environment Bldg., Office #2257,
Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Email: mkupch1@tigers.lsu.edu
Temporal heterogeneity in estuarine recruitment of offshore-spawned larvae
arising from the passage of atmospheric cold fronts in Louisiana’s predominantly
north/south-oriented estuaries represents a potential driver for estuarine
recruitment of ichthyoplankton. Tidal pass densities of larval B. patronus and
M. undulatus collected in Bayou Tartellan, Louisiana, were calculated for the
winter periods of highest cold front occurrence, September through April
2006-07 and August through April 2007-08. Surface and near-bottom samples
were collected every four hours during flood and ebb tides over 72 hr periods,
twice monthly. A Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to investigate
the effect of net water transport resulting from atmospheric and meteorological
forcing on larval densities in the tidal pass, allowing for the non-linear response
expected by the temporal heterogeneity. Results indicate that ichthyoplankton
estuarine densities had a strong correlation to these winter frontal events, with
high densities associated with coastal setup during the pre-frontal phase and
up until passage of the fronts. An example of how these atmospheric fronts can
override the normal diurnal, micro-tidal regime was quantified by estuarine
recruitment of larvae during the pre-frontal phase southerly wind fields on ebb
tides, and estuarine export of larvae during the post-frontal phase northerly
wind fields on flood tides.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
LIPID CORRECTION FOR STABLE ISOTOPES ANALISIS
IN EUROPEAN HAKE MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS EARLY
JUVENILES
URIARTE, A., QUINTANILLA, J.M., GARCIA, A., PINHEIRO, C., BODE A.,
LAIZ-CARRION, R.
Spanish Institute of Oceanography. Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, 29640.
Fuengirola, Málaga. Spain. Email: raul.laiz@ma.ieo.es
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 5 — 2:20 PM
fractions during both seasons. The distinct oceanographic
conditions of each survey influenced nutrient uptake from
the pelagic food web according to the differences observed in nitrogen isotopic
signatures. Low values and high variability of δ15N in both plankton and hake
larvae were found during spring coinciding with unusually strong upwelling.
Inversely, high δ15N and low %N content in zooplankton in summer suggest
strong nitrogen limitation for primary producers during this season. However,
hake larvae sampled in summer had higher %N and %C content together with
higher Fulton condition factors than those sampled in spring. Higher δ13C
values in hake larvae in summer than in spring suggest differences in the origin
of food supplies. Both the nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes Vs size or weight
relationships suggest an ontogenetic shift in hake larvae diet. The higher average
trophic level observed in the summer hake larvae in relation to the variability
of early life pelagic food web is discussed. This study was funded by Spanish
CRAMER- CTM2010-21856-CO3-02 and Xunta-Galicia ECOPREGA10MMA602021PR research projects. A.U. is supported by PhD grant IEOFPI-2011/03-MICINN.
Crystal Ballroom
EARLY LIFE TROPHIC ECOLOGY OF EUROPEAN HAKE
MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS BY STABLE ISOTOPES ANALYSIS
LAIZ-CARRION, R., URIARTE, A., QUINTANILLA, J.M., CABRERO, A.,
HERNANDEZ DE ROJAS, A., RODRIGUEZ-FERNANDEZ, L., RODRIGUEZ,
J.M., GAGO, J., PINHEIRO, C., BODE, A., GARCIA, A.
Spanish Institute of Oceanography. Centro Oceanográfico de Málaga, 29640.
Fuengirola, Málaga. Spain. Email: raul.laiz@ma.ieo.es
The early life trophic food web dynamics of European hake (Merluccius
merluccius) from northwestern Iberian shelf off Galicia (Spain) were analyzed
using natural abundance of nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes (δ15N and
δ13C, respectively). Hake larvae were collected during spring and summer of
2012. Vertical plankton tows were carried out and samples were fractionated
into the micro- (55-100 microns) and meso- (>200 microns) zooplankton
size fractions. Hake larvae contained higher δ15N than the zooplankton
The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of lipid extraction on
carbon stable isotope signature (δ13C) determining lipid correction equation
to accurately predict δ13C from atomic C:N rations for European hake early
juveniles. Analyses of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes naturally occurring in
animal tissues and their putative preys are proven to be a useful tool for trophic
ecology research. Variability of the lipid content can alter δ13C values, and thus
mislead the interpretation of dietary or habitat shifts. To assess differences in
δ13C arising from differences in lipid content, the δ13C values can be corrected a
priori by extracting lipids from samples, or a posteriori, through mathematical
corrections. When lipid extraction is not possible, mathematical lipid
correction models is an alternative of lipid extraction by relating lipid content,
C:N ratios and δ13C with lipid removal. These relationships have been analyzed
for European hake early juvenile proposing a normalization equation for this
species. A subset of samples before and after lipid extraction, were analyzed
in order to obtain the species specific normalization equation based on bulk
C:N as a reliable alternative to chemical extraction corrections, that will
improve estimates of dietary sources using stable isotopes. This lipid correction
constitutes a functional contribution in trophic ecology studies of early life
stages of hake, where lipid extraction is not possible due to a low amount of
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 39
somatic mass of larvae. This study was funded by CRAMER-MICINNCTM2010-21856-CO3-02 and ECOPREGA-10MMA602021PR. A.U. is
supported by PhD grant IEO FPI 2011/03-MICINN
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 9:00 AM
Crystal Ballroom
DOES HYPOXIA INFLUENCE THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF
CATCHES IN THE COMMERCIAL REDUCTION FISHERY FOR
GULF MENHADEN?
LANGSETH, B.J., CRAIG, J.K., SMITH, J.W., SCHUELLER, A.M., SHERTZER,
K.W.
NOAA, 101 Pivers Island Rd., Beaufort, NC, 28557. Email: brian.langseth@noaa.
gov
The northwestern Gulf of Mexico currently experiences one of the largest
seasonal hypoxic events in the western hemisphere. Hypoxia, defined as
oxygen concentrations <2.0 mg/L, peaks during summer and results from a
combination of nutrient-rich outflow from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya
River basins and stratification in the water column. Although concentrated
along the sea floor, hypoxic conditions can occur within the water column,
potentially influencing pelagic as well as benthic organisms. Gulf menhaden
(Brevoortia patronus) is a prolific pelagic species that is distributed in areas
of the Gulf commonly affected by hypoxia. Gulf menhaden supports a large
commercial fishery that harvests approximately 500,000 mt of menhaden per
year and is the largest fishery by volume in the Gulf and one of the largest in the
United States. Low oxygen has the potential to contract or disperse the spatial
distribution of menhaden, which could lead to changes in catchability to the
fishery. Currently, assessment models of gulf menhaden do not account for
changes in catchability, which has potential consequences for the perception
of stock and fishery status. We explored the extent to which hypoxia and other
factors influenced the spatial distribution of gulf menhaden catches. More
specifically, we analyzed the spatial distribution of catches in the commercial
fishery, and considered the spatial extent of hypoxia as well as variation in
fishing effort (i.e., number of operating plants and vessels) for their potential to
influence catchability to the fishery.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 10:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
QUANTIFYING TRENDS AND THRESHOLDS IN RESPONSES
OF ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS TO THE COMBINED EFFECTS
OF FISHING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURE
LARGE, S.I., FAY, G, FRIEDLAND, K.D., LINK, J.S.
NOAA-Fisheries, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02532. Email: scott.large@
noaa.gov
Fishing and environmental forces influence the structure and function of
marine ecosystems. Increased demand for living marine resources has resulted
in global declines of targeted species, which are often managed under a
single-species paradigm that does not fully incorporate ecosystem functions
such as ecological interactions and environmental factors. As a more holistic
management approach, ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM)
has been recommended to concurrently address human, ecological, and
environmental factors that influence living marine resources and evaluate these
considerations collectively. To implement EBFM, ecological indicators have
been suggested as a means to evaluate ecosystem status and inform reference
levels for management action. However, we lack a complete understanding
of how ecological indicators respond to environmental and anthropogenic
pressures. To accurately suggest reference levels for management action,
it is important to quantify thresholds where fishing and environmental
pressures influence ecological indicators. Using a generalized additive
modeling approach, we empirically determined thresholds where fishing
and environmental pressures altered the response of ecological indicators for
the Northeast US shelf. We identify thresholds where significant changes in
indicator responses occur, suggesting that ecological indicators are sensitive to
fishing and environmental pressures. Further, we evaluated the combined effect
of fishing and environmental pressures on indicator responses. Examining
each indicator response as a surface on bivariate axes (i.e., x=fishing pressure,
y=environmental pressure) we define changes in the gradient, demonstrating
that interactions between fishing and environmental pressures influence the
value of indicator thresholds, suggesting that reference levels for management
action should incorporate both anthropogenic and environmental pressures.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
LIVING ON THE EDGE: SPAWNING DYNAMIC OF THE
NORTHERNMOST POPULATION OF AMERICAN SHAD IN
AN ALTERED RIVERSCAPE (ST. LAWRENCE RIVER, QUEBEC,
CANADA)
LAROUCHE, T., SIROIS, P., LEGAULT, L., DODSON, J.J., LECOMTE, F.
Research Chair on Exploited Aquatic Species, Université du Québec à
Chicoutimi, 555, boulevard de l'Université, Chicoutimi (QC) G7H 2B1, CANADA.
Email: tommy.larouche1@uqac.ca
The once highly-abundant St. Lawrence American shad run has been impacted
by the building of power dams, channel dredging and alteration of the shoreline
and other impediments to the landward adult migration and the seaward drift
of recruiting early life stages. The riverscape in which they live has dramatically
changed during the last 60 years. Despite an important decline in the commercial
landings, granting the status “vulnerable” for the St. Lawrence population, the
species nevertheless maintains a spawning run and recruit within this river
located in its northernmost distribution range. The conservation status of
the St. Lawrence population is maintained mostly because the only known
spawning sites are all located in the vicinity of Montreal. The persistence of
these sites can be jeopardized by industrial or urban development in this area.
Whether the St. Lawrence run exploits spawning sites only in the vicinity of
Montreal or elsewhere (downstream) is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed
the distribution of early larvae in the St. Lawrence River and convey molecular
analyses on larvae and juveniles to detect heterogeneity in the molecular
architecture and/or distribution of larvae supporting the existence of multiple
genetically-distinct spawning sites. The patterns observed suggest the existence
of other important spawning sites located between 100 to 200 km downstream
of Montreal. This could be indicative of separate spawning populations or the
occurrence of batch spawning throughout the river.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:50 PM
Crystal Ballroom
LARVAL DRIFT EXPERIMENTS ON A SHORELINE IN A LARGE
RIVER: LARVAL DRIFT IN COMPARISON TO NUMERICAL
PASSIVE PARTICLES
LECHNER, A.J., KECKEIS, H., GLAS, M., TRITTHART, M., LOISL, F.,
HUMPHRIES, P., HABERSACK, H.
University of Vienna, Glasergasse 9/7, 1090 Wien, Austria. Email: aaron.lechner@
univie.ac.at
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 40
Active behavior might dramatically impact the outcome of larval dispersal
models, as shown in various marine studies. Accordingly, larval travel paths
can be considered to base on a combination of hydrodynamic forces and innate
reactions towards environmental cues in order to enhance successful settlement
in nurseries and physio-morphological attributes of the individual, which more
or less enable their realization. The main regulating factor of larval dispersal in
large rivers is the flow and its concomitant flow-velocities. The unidirectional
fast currents facilitate rapid movements from spawning sites to suitable inshore
nurseries, but may as well impinge on larval fish by washing them offshore into
swift turbulent flows enhancing drift duration, drift distance and mortality.
Being able to drop out of fast currents should be an important ability of
drifting fish larvae and is assumed to encapsulate orientation and swimming
performance. By comparing drift patterns of two different larval stages with
different swimming capabilities and of virtual passive particles we assessed
the active component of larval dispersal and discussed its possible criteria (i.e.
morphology, orientation towards hydraulic gradients). These criteria serve as a
basis to develop a dispersal model for riverine fish larvae.
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Alexander Room
IN SITU STUDY SHOWS PELAGIC ORIENTATION BY LARVAL
REEF FISH IS INDEPENDENT OF LOCATION AND YEAR BUT
DEPENDS ON TIME OF DAY
LEIS, J.M., PARIS, C.B., IRISSON, J.-O.,YERMAN, M.N., SIEBECK, U.E.
Ichthyology, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia, and
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS,
Australia. Email: jeff.leis@austmus.gov.au
Traditionally, larvae have been studied in the lab or from the deck of a ship
using towed nets. But, traditional approaches miss much of what larvae
actually do in the ocean, so in situ studies are required, especially to investigate
behavior. An example of what in situ methods can reveal is the orientation of
300+ settlement-stage larvae of a damselfish (Chromis atripectoralis) measured
by divers in open water 100-1000 m off east and west sides of Lizard Island,
Great Barrier Reef over 10 years. Orientation was remarkably consistent:
94% of larvae swam directionally and all 10 data sets had a southerly median
orientation. Overall median bearings off east and west sides of Lizard Island
were 161 and 170 degrees, respectively. This may be a response to the prevailing
S-SE current in the area. Individual larvae had no clear diurnal pattern in
precision of directionality. However, among-individual orientation precision
was lowest (and non significant) between 12:00 and 13:00, and the median
bearing changed from SE during most of the day to SSW in late afternoon.
This location-independent but diurnally-dependent orientation implies the
use of celestial cues for orientation. A Drifting In Situ Chamber (DISC) to
measure orientation of larval C. atripectoralis returned similar results, except
that orientation precision of individual trajectories was somewhat greater for
larvae observed by divers. Subsequent manipulation coroborated the use of
celestial cues.
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 3 — 1:40 PM
Crystal Ballroom
LLOPIZ, J.K.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd. MS#33, Woods
Hole, MA 02543. Email: jllopiz@whoi.edu
Over the past century, researchers have come to acknowledge the critical role
that larval fish investigations play in our broader efforts to understand how
adult populations grow, fluctuate, and respond to a variety of stressors. Central
to our research on the early life history of fishes are the diets and feeding success
of fish larvae in their natural environment—for larvae that feed successfully
not only avoid starvation, but may also minimize their time spent vulnerable to
larger predators and be optimally capable of evading attacks. From a synthesis
of a multitude of published studies on the feeding dynamics of field-collected,
planktonic fish larvae, several taxonomic and regional patterns have emerged
that highlight large-scale differences in feeding success, prey type importance,
and prey selectivity. Additionally, a field investigation of larval feeding in the
Straits of Florida has yielded some unique findings, which only come to light
when examining the feeding of all co-occurring fish larvae rather than one or a
few select taxa. Looking ahead, I will speculate on the directions that feedingrelated research on fish larvae could take in the future, hopefully stimulating
discussion about the utility of these directions, while highlighting potential
alternatives. With this discussion, and those stimulated by other presentations
in this session, we may be able to chart a path on how larval fish trophodynamic
research can expand with new technologies and interests, and complement
other subdisciplines in plankton ecology and fisheries oceanography.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
SPATIOTEMPORAL VARIATION OF ICHTHYOPLANKTON
ABUNDANCE IN FRONT OF ECUADORIAN COAST (2000–
2010)
LUZURIAGA DE CRUZ, M.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Larval Fish Studies)
Wednesday, June 5, — 10:20 AM
Presentation type: Oral
THE FEEDING OF FISH LARVAE AND THEIR ROLE IN
PLANKTONIC FOOD WEBS: WHERE HAVE WE BEEN AND
WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Presentation type: Oral
Thursday, June 6 — 9:20 AM
spring bloom for survival and thus successful recruitment. However, the
newly developed California Current System Integrated Ecosystem Assessment
(CCSIEA) currently does not include a phytoplankton- or chlorophyll-based
index of the spring bloom, although this report makes a specific call for the
development of such an index. Here, we further develop a satellite-derived,
chlorophyll-a-based index of the spring bloom, patterned on the index
described by Henson and Thomas (2007; JGR 112). The index was calculated
for representative regions of the CCS, and compared with purely upwellingderived indices of the physical spring transition. The results of this analysis
will be discussed, along with the feasibility of including this index in future
iterations of the CCSIEA.
Alexander Room
DEVELOPMENT OF A CHL-A BASED SPRING BLOOM INDEX
FOR THE CCS IEA
LEISING, A.W., BOGRAD, S.J.
NOAA-SWFSC, 1352 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Email: andrew.
leising@noaa.gov
Many species of small pelagic fish, the larvae of those fish, and the larvae of
larger managed fish species, are critically dependent upon the timing of the
Instituto Nacional de Pesca, Letamendi 102 y la Ria, Guayaquil, Ecuador. Email:
mluzuriagav@gmail.com
This paper emphasizes the diversity and spatial distribution of eggs and larvae
of small pelagic fishes collected in 16 oceanographic campaigns and four
fixed stations located ten miles offshore of Ecuador. Zooplankton samples
were collected between 2000 and 2010. Variations in density and species
composition of fish eggs and larvae were associated with planktonic availability,
the position of Equatorial Front and coastal processes related to oceanographic
Events. Areas of ichthyoplankton richness have been found, in: a) coastal waters
of the Gulf of Guayaquil, mainly eggs and larvae of small pelagic Cetengraulis
mysticetus (chuhueco), Opisthonema spp. (pinchagua), Engraulis ringens
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 41
(anchoveta), Anchoa spp., and of demersal fishes
as Chloroscombrus orqueta (hojita), Trachurus
symmetricus (jurel); b) in oceanic waters located
at the southwest of the 2° 30'S and 81° 30'W,
characterized by Diogenichthys laternatus (pez
linterna) and eggs and fish larvae of Vinciguerria
lucetia (pez luminoso), and c) area since San
Lorenzo Cape to Pasado Cape, characterized
by engraulids, eggs and fish larvae of demersal
fishes; and d) in front of the coast Punta Galera
and Muisne with fish larvae of Bregmaceros
bathymaster and V. lucetia, serranids and
scianids. In Oceanographic cruises, the highest
diversity was obtained in the Gulf of Guayaquil
and between Cabuyal and Punta Galera –
(Zone D - October 2006). In coastal waters,
between San Lorenzo Cape and Cabuyal (Zone
C), the greater abundance and diversity, favored
for the mixing water from the ocean and the
estuary Chone River.
Everything one imagines about South
Beach forcefully collides on Ocean Drive­:
Miami’s quarter-mile of trendy beaches,
Art Deco, neon, nightlife, and excess.
Presentation type: Poster
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Wednesday, June 5 — 3:00 PM
Crystal Ballroom
SPECIES CO-OCCURRENCE AND LATITUDINAL CROSS-SHELF
VARIABILITY IN LARVAL FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE SW
ATLANTIC
MACEDO-SOARES, L.C.P., FREIRE, A.S., MUELBERT, J.H.
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
88040-900. Email: luiscpms@yahoo.com.br
Latitudinal gradients in species diversity and community composition in the
marine environment are well known. In such context, null models have been
used to test if observed patters are less frequent than expected by chance. This
study applies null models to test whether observed distribution patterns in
larval fish assemblages in the Southwest Atlantic are random. Vertical plankton
tows were collected between 21º27’ and 34º51’S at 89 stations deployed at 14
cross-shelf transects, during December-2010 and January-2011, from depth
of chlorophyll maxima up to the surface in deep stations, and from 10m
from the bottom to surface in shallow waters. A conical-cylindrical plankton
net (200μm/0.5m diameter) equipped with a flowmeter was used. Indicator
species analysis and Bray-Curtis similarity index clustered with UPGMA were
used to identify the presence of larval assemblages. Species co-occurrence was
achieved with Checkerboard score (C-score) index applied to larval presence/
absence matrix. Random patterns were tested with null model fixed-rows/
equiprobable-columns. Results showed three coastal-neritic assemblages
(CNA) with latitudinal gradient: Southeast Shelf (SES), Southern Brazilian
Bight (SBB) and Southern Subtropical Shelf (SSS). Transitional (TA) and
Oceanic (OA) assemblages only presented cross-shelf variability. C-score and
null models showed randomly distribution only in TA, indicating species cooccurrence in the remaining assemblages. These findings suggest that larval
fish assemblage structure varies in space, and that deterministic processes are
involved in species co-occurrence. Further studies should be carried out to
evaluate if the observed patterns in larval assemblages vary over time.
BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL EFFECTS IN
MESOSCALE ICHTHYOPLANKTON COMPOSITION IN THE SW
ATLANTIC
MACEDO-SOARES, L.C.P., FREIRE, A.S., MUELBERT, J.H.
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil,
88040-900. Email: luiscpms@yahoo.com.br
Ichthyoplankton is an essential component in pelagic ecosystems, and biological
and environmental interactions play an important role in determining its
distribution. We aim to investigate biological and physical-chemical sources
of variation in the mesoscale ichthyoplankton composition in the Southwest
Atlantic. Vertical plankton tows were collected between 21º27’ and 34º51’S
at 89 stations deployed at 14 cross-shelf transects, from December-2010 to
January-2011, from depth of chlorophyll maxima up to the surface in deep
stations, and from 10m from the bottom to surface in shallow waters with a
conical-cylindrical plankton net (200μm/0.5m diameter). Physical-chemical
parameters were registered with a CTD/rossette. Redundancy Analysis was
applied in fish larvae abundance constrained by physical-chemical (latitude,
coast distance, depth, temperature, salinity, oxygen and nutrients) and
biological (chlorophyll concentration and abundance of 9 zooplankton taxa)
features. Biological matrix considered potential predators/competitors and
preys. Variation in species composition was decomposed in physical-chemical,
biological, shared effects and unexplained causes of variation through Variation
Partitioning. In extreme south, ichthyoplankton were positively correlated with
high silicate, brachyuran zoea and Larvacea abundance, low temperature and
N/P ratio. In tropical/coastal areas, chlorophyll, N/P, and abundance of nauplii,
Copepoda and Chaetognatha had positive influence in ichthyoplankton.
Oceanic species were associated with Tropical Water. Physical-chemical
variables accounted for 18% of variation in species composition, whereas
biological ones accounted for 8%. Shared effects answered for 2% of variation,
and 72% remained unexplained. These findings reveal that biological and
physical-chemical influence on mesoscale ichthyoplankton is small compared
to other sources of variation, including some with stochastic origin.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 42
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 1:40 PM
Crystal Ballroom
MEASURING SMALL ORGANISMS UNDER MICROSCOPE: THE
CASE FOR FISH LARVAE
MALANSKI, E., MUELBERT, J.H.
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Section of Ocean Ecology and
Climate, DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark, Kavalergården 6, 2920
Charlottenlund, Denmark Kingdom. Email: evma@aqua.dtu.dk
Size is one of the basic data obtained from larval fish, and it is applied to
biological and ecological investigations. By logistics and sampling constraints,
this parameter is usually not obtained when fish is alive, but methodological
procedures are applied that include the use of preservative and measurement
techniques. Studies have shown that larval length can be affected by the
preservative technique used, causing shrinkage in fish larvae structures.
The correction factor to obtain the size of larvae at life is species-specific.
However, investigations on measurement techniques were not verified. The
aim of this study is to investigate the steps to obtain larval fish size, including
measurements by image and traditional techniques in different body-shape
larvae, and analysis of preservative in larvae of one fish species. The results show
that there is no difference in measurements between image and traditional
techniques, suggesting both produce the same average result. Although image
technique indicates gaining in one decimal unit in precision against traditional
technique, it’s observed a difference in horizontal and vertical pixel size,
causing measurements 6% greater than in the vertical pixel axis. Shrinkage in
Brevoortia pectinata larvae was observed using either formaldehyde or alcohol,
with significant shrinkage until 30 days of preservation in formaldehyde, and
15 days in alcohol. Observing the correction factor, in alcohol (1.1415xSL) the
shrinkage was higher than in formaldehyde (1.0799xSL). The capacity of use
new hardware in ichthyoplankton investigations seems attractive and useful,
but a detailed methodological procedures should be carefully followed.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:30 PM
Alexander Room
FOOD PREFERENCES IN ATLANTIC COD LARVAE, GADUS
MORHUA, IN GODTHÅBSFJORD, GREENLANDIC WATERS
MALANSKI, E., SWALETHORP, R., MUNK, P., NIELSEN, T.G.
National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Section of Ocean Ecology and
Climate, DTU Aqua, Technical University of Denmark, Kavalergården 6, 2920
Charlottenlund, Denmark . Email: evma@aqua.dtu.dk
Climatic changes affect the distribution pattern of marine organisms, and
thereby impacts have major importance in countries where the economy
depends on marine resources. Greenland is such an example, and global
warming has been effecting drastically its environment. Linkages between
environmental factors, biology and inter relationships between species in
Greenlandic waters is therefore essential, to support scientists and governors for
a sustainable resources management. Godthåbsfjord, south western Greenland,
is home to the largest inshore spawning stock of Atlantic cod in Greenland.
In 2010 one high-resolution investigation was carried out there, focusing on
larval ecology in relation to hydrographic and biological characteristics of the
fjord. The aim of the present study is to investigate early life of cod in relation to
the plankton community along the fjord. Fish larvae were identified, measured,
aged and their stomach contents analyzed. The larvae analyzed ranged from
4 to 24 mm, corresponding to 3 to 40 days of age. Stomachs contained 30
different zooplankton taxa. There was observed a succession in the prey field
of cod larvae: in smaller larvae (<5 mm) calanoid’s nauplii dominated, while
in larger ones (>15 mm) the cladoceran Podon sp was the most representative.
In intermediate larvae (5-15 mm), these two preys dominated the prey taxa
identified, illustrating an ontogenetic succession in the preferred prey. The
present study documents the important coupling between the survival
success of cod larvae and the large calanoid copepods, but also highlights the
importance of cladocerans for a successful recruitment of Greenlandic cod.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 10:40 AM
Alexander Room
SPAWNING OF NEOTROPICAL FISH SPECIES DOWNSTREAM
OF IGUAÇU FALLS, IGUAÇU RIVER–IGUAÇU NATIONAL PARK
MAKRAKIS, M.C., SILVA, P.S., ASSUMPÇÃO, L., MAKRAKIS, S., XAVIER, R.,
FOGAÇA, P.L.C.
Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná-Unioeste, Rua da Facildade, 645.
Jardim Santa Maria. Toledo-Paraná, Brazil 85903-000. Email: mmakrakis@terra.
com.br
This study evaluated spatial and temporal spawning patterns of Neotropical
fish species in Iguaçu River from downstream Iguaçu Falls to the mouth with
the Paraná River, Iguaçu National Park. Fish were collected monthly from
October/2010 to September/2012 for evaluation of reproductive activity
with several fishing gears (gillnets and longlines) and from October to March
(2010-2011 and2011-2012) to evaluate the occurrence of spawning using a
plankton net. Fish caught were dissected to determine gender and stages of
gonadal development, performing the macroscopic inspection of the gonads:
a total of 80 species was analyzed and among them 17 long distance migratory
fish species. A temporal pattern of reproduction was observed, with a greater
number of fish in reproduction and high abundance of eggs between October
and March, nearest sites to the Iguaçu Falls. The abundance of fish larvae was
low, and 9 taxa were identified, especially Bryconamericus spp. The study area
has been used for spawning of Neotropical fish species, including long distance
migratory species, especially downstream of Iguaçu Falls. The low capture of
fish larvae is probably due to the high volume of water in these locations as
well as of great turbulence, especially close to the Iguaçu Falls. Larvae of long
distance migratory species were not collected, with a predominance of nonmigratory species. However, the high abundance of eggs coupled with the
occurrence of migratory species in reproduction, especially downstream of the
falls, suggests that these species spawn in this stretch still preserved.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 4:30 PM
Alexander Room
DISTRIBUTION OF LARVAL LIONFISH (PTEROIS VOLITANS) IN
THE CARIBBEAN SEA
MALCA, E., VÁSQUEZ-YEOMANS, L., MORALES, S., CARRILLO, L., SOSACORDERO, SCHULTZ, E.T., MORRIS, J.
CIMAS, University of Miami, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami FL 33149. Email:
Estrella.Malca@noaa.gov
The invasive Lionfish (Pterois volitans) are native to the Indo-Pacific Oceans
but are now commonly found in the Caribbean and temperate Western Atlantic
waters at depths ranging from <1 to 300m. Lionfish are considered invasive
because of their observed extreme impacts to reef fish community structure
and biodiversity in the Atlantic. Despite their widespread distribution, little
is known regarding the early life history of this species. We present the most
complete collection of lionfish larvae from the Atlantic (n=109) collected
aboard the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter during the spring of 2011 from
125 plankton tows to 50 m depth using multiple gear (MOCNESS 505 µm,
Neuston nets 950 µm, and 505 µm). In total, 33% of the stations sampled
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 43
during the cruise were positive for lionfish larvae, and were collected as far
east as Haiti, and in the Mesoamerican Reef to Cozumel, Mexico. Despite the
differences in sampling effort for the area, the MOCNESS net collected the
highest number of lionfish larvae. The highest larval abundances were found in
the western Caribbean and larval densities averaged 2.421 ± 3.128 larvae/1000
m3, 2.871 ± 1.887 larvae/1000 m3 for MOCNESS and Neuston-505µm
respectively. Larvae collected measured between 1.5 to 14.0 mm total length.
Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA (COI) confirmed 69 (78%) specimens
with three different haplotypes distributed throughout the cruise track. Our
results provide the first quantitative information on lionfish larval distribution
and catch rates and can serve as a baseline for assessing the prevalence of lionfish
larvae in the future.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
GULF OF ALASKA INTEGRATED ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM:
OBSERVATIONS ON THE LARVAL FISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE EASTERN AND WESTERN GULF OF ALASKA FROM 2011
FIELD COLLECTIONS
predation on walleye pollock in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA). One hypothesis
for their increase is that it is related to factors influencing growth and survival
of early life stages. Larvae from the GOA have been well-studied and early life
stages have been published. These stages of ATF, however, have been difficult
to study in the EBS because early life stages of its congener, Kamchatka
flounder (A. evermanni: KF), are morphologically similar. We collected larval
and early juvenile Atheresthes spp. from the EBS (2006–2010) to examine and
identify traits to be used as species-specific characters. We successfully used a
genetic technique, at sea and in the lab, to identify larvae as either ATF or KF.
We then examined the genetically identified specimens for pigmentation and
morphological differences. Currently, we can visually distinguish these species
in the preflexion (6–10 mm SL) and early juvenile stages (>23 mm SL). KF
have more pigment that develops earlier than ATF. Using morphological traits
derived from specimens, we have been able to re-identify many specimens in
historical collections to species level. This allows us to present species-specific
information on historical distribution and abundance of larval and early
juvenile ATF and KF in the EBS. To identify complete developmental series for
both species, we need additional postflexion specimens.
Presentation type: Oral
MATARESE, A.C., BLOOD, D.A., DE FOREST, L.G., NAPP, J. M.
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115. Email: Ann.Matarese@noaa.gov
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:00 PM
The Gulf of Alaska Integrated Ecosystem Program (GOA-IERP) is a four
year (2011–2014) multi-disciplinary study examining interactions between
physical and biological oceanography to understand how the environment
influences the survival of early life history stages (egg to young-of-the-year)
and recruitment of five commercially and ecologically important groundfishes:
walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus),
arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias), sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)
and Pacific Ocean perch (Sebastes alutus). The program has two primary field
seasons (2011 and 2013) to conduct biological and oceanographic surveys
in the eastern and western GOA. Based on a long-term, 20-year historical
series, ichthyoplankton communities are well known in the western region,
but the eastern region of the Gulf of Alaska is relatively unknown. We present
a summary of larval fish data collected during the 2011 field season from
the eastern and western GOA in spring and summer. Preliminary results
comparing spring larval fish distributions to modeled circulation indicate that
eddies may play a role in transport onto the shelf. Presently, Pacific Ocean perch
are indistinguishable from other species of rockfish larvae. As a result, larval
rockfishes are identified only to genus level (Sebastes spp.), but ancillary genetic
studies are helping resolve this problem. Our results provide new information
on larval fish communities in the eastern Gulf of Alaska, a region that has not
been well sampled for either oceanography or biology, and highlight both
similarities and differences between the eastern and western ichthyoplankton
communities.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
IDENTIFCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE EARLY LIFE
STAGES OF ARROWTOOTH (ATHERESTHES STOMIAS) AND
KAMCHATKA FLOUNDER (A. EVERMANNI) IN THE EASTERN
BERING SEA
Crystal Ballroom
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON THE EARLY STAGE SPATIAL
PREFERENCES OF ANTENNA CODLET (BREGMACEROS
ATLANTICUS GOODE AND BEAN, 1886) IN NORTHEASTERN
MEDITERRANEAN
MAVRUK, S., AVSAR, D., YUKSEK, A., OZYURT, C.E., KIYAGA, V.B.
Cukurova University, Fisheries Faculty 01330 Balcali-Adana, Turkey. Email:
smavruk@cu.edu.tr
Eastern Mediterranean is a unique region in terms of the hostile character for
alien marine organisms. Approximately, a quarter of the ichthyofauna consists
of established alien species. Among them, Bregmaceros atlanticus is also a
recently invaded species that has restricted information about zoogeography
and ecology in the Eastern Mediterranean. Thus, the early stage ecology of
Bregmaceros atlanticus has been considered, in this study. An ichthyoplankton
survey with monthly intervals was conducted at 28 sampling stations between
November 2009 and October 2010 in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey. Studying area
was surrounded by a rectangle that had the coordinates of 36.47E–35.23N,
36.24E–35.67N, 36.96E–35.99N, 36.69E–36.91N. A Bongo Net with
300µm mesh size was used to operate oblique tows. Temperature, pH,
Dissolved Oxygen and Salinity data have been collected by using a CTD at
each station. The abundance data were fitted with a Negative Binomial GAM
with spatial and temporal variables and standardized environmental parameters
by using monthly averages and standard deviations. A non-linear temporal
structure with two clear abundance pick (October and April) was detected.
The station depth and vertical distance from inner coast of bay interactively
affected the abundance in a linear way. The standardized temperature values
that indicated temperature deviation from monthly average significantly
interact with temporal variable. The larval stages of codlet were determined
to prefer approximately average temperature value in autumn. However larval
abundance intensified around the negative temperature anomalies in spring.
Additionally, positive temperature anomalies caused a significant decrease in
larval abundance.
MATARESE, A.C., DE FOREST, L.G., DUFFY-ANDERSON, J.T., SMART, T.I.,
SPIES, I.B.
NOAA/Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA
98115. Email: Ann.Matarese@noaa.gov
In the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias: ATF)
are an important component of the groundfish community. Their abundance
recently increased, causing concern among fisheries scientists due to their heavy
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 44
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 11:00 AM
Crystal Ballroom
LARVAL FISH CONNECTIVITY IN THE KENYAN-TANZANIAN
CORAL REEF REGION: RESULTS FROM PARTICLE TRACKING
SIMULATIONS
MAYORGA ADAME, C.G., BATCHELDER, H.P., STRUB, T.
Oregon State University, 918 NW Fremont Ave, Corvallis, OR. Email: cmayorga@
coas.oregonstate.edu
For most coral reef fish species the larval stage represents the only opportunity
for dispersal. The connectivity achieved by the pelagic phase allows them to
potentially maintain populations based on both local (self-seeding) and
recruitment from elsewhere. Suitable adult habitat for recruitment of coral
reef fish larvae is highly patchy, and very sparse, with variable but often larger
distances between suitable habitats. Some reefs are very isolated with few, if
any, neighboring reefs, while other reefs may have multiple reefs nearby. Coral
reef larvae experience high mortality risk, due to predation and advective
loss if they are unable to locate suitable recruitment habitat within their
settlement competency period. Settlement success is generally determined
by the interaction of ocean circulation, hydrographic conditions and the
behavior of fish larvae. Spatial management efforts directed at conservation of
biodiversity and productivity of coral reef systems, such as the establishment
of marine protected areas (MPAs), should consider connectivity patterns of
larvae. Connections among MPAs and with unprotected reefs will enhance
system resilience and recovery from disturbances to individual reefs. We
used an individual-based particle tracking model (IBM) coupled to an ocean
circulation model (providing velocity and temperature fields) to examine
connections among coral reefs in the Kenyan-Tanzanian reef region of East
Africa. Connectivity matrices, derived from IBM particle tracking of coral reef
fish larvae, describe potential recruitment pathways among the individual reefs
in this region, and will provide guidance for the implementation of a network
of MPAs.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Larval Fish Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 9:40 AM
Alexander Room
A NEW ENSO-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL INDEX FOR PACIFIC
SARDINE RECRUITMENT
MCCLATCHIE, S., GOERICKE, R., WEBER, E.D., WATSON, W., HILL, K.,
MILLER, E., JACOBSON, L.D.
SWFSC, NOAA Fisheries, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037-1509, U.S.A.
Email: sam.mcclatchie@noaa.gov
There are multiple environmental variables that affect sardine recruitment
and surplus production, and environmental forcing is clearly not univariate.
Based on work with small pelagics off California, important environmental
variables include temperature, abundance of prey, abundance of predators,
the abundance of bloom organisms (e.g. salps or gelatinous predators), wind
stress curl, offshore transports, mesoscale variability of fronts and eddies, and
phenology of both physical and biological environmental variables. Important
processes include production, predation, and advection, all of which affect
growth and mortality of larvae and recruits. In addition to environmental
variables, density-dependent effects may be important when sardine are more
abundant. The dominant process forcing large-scale changes on inter-annual
time scales in the California Current System is ENSO. We propose creating
a set of standardized time series variables that are affected by regional ENSO
conditions, and then combining these variables using EOF analysis to create a
quantitative metric of ENSO conditions in the California Current System. Key
variables with the highest temporal resolution, and longest time series indexing
regional ENSO conditions that ultimately affect sardine recruitment, are sea
level height, surface temperature and salinity anomalies. The EOFs would
index the “state” or “condition” of the regional expression of ENSO. Such an
index would directly link to the mechanisms driving recruitment of sardine,
whereas temperature alone does not. We report on progress toward this new
environmental index for sardine recruitment.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 10:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
CONTRASTING PATTERNS IN SETTLEMENT DENSITIES OF
CO-OCCURRING REEF FISH TAXA: EFFECTS OF PATCH SIZE
MILLER, S.E., BARTLETT, L.S., OXENFORD, H.A., VALLES, H.
University of the West Indies, C/O Cape Eleuthera Island School, Twinex, 1811
N.W. 52 Street, Hanger #42 C, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309 USA. Email:
skylarmiller@islandschool.org
Over small spatial scales, coral reefs are a mosaic of patches of potential
settlement substrate for incoming larval reef fishes, with patches varying
in composition and size. Most studies have examined the effects of patch
composition on the settlement of reef fishes, whereas few have examined
how variation in the size of patches of similar composition influences spatial
variability in the density of recently settled fishes (recruits). Theory predicts
that most settlement behaviors should lead to positive relationships between
patch size and recruit abundance, but to negative relationships between patch
size and recruit density. To investigate the latter, we performed underwater
field experiments during the highest settlement period of three lunar months in
Barbados. Using standardized units of coral rubble settlement substrate (surface
area: 0.23 m2), we examined the effect of patch size (6-unit clusters versus single
units) on the settlement of the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus) and the
ecologically and commercially important Sparisoma parrotfish. As expected,
recruit abundance was consistently highest in the 6-unit treatments for both
taxa. However, the relationship between patch size and recruit density differed
between taxa; bicolor damselfish exhibited the expected negative relationship
between patch size and density, whereas parrotfishes exhibited the opposite
pattern. These results indicate marked differences in settlement strategies
between these two co-occurring taxa, leading to contrasting patterns in smallscale spatial variability in recruit density. Given the importance of early postsettlement density-dependent mortality in the population dynamics of reef
fishes, our study might help predict species-specific impacts of reef habitat
fragmentation.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 4:10 PM
Crystal Ballroom
INFORMATION THEORY AND LARVAL RECRUITMENT IN
ATLANTIC MENHADEN
KARAKOYLU, E., ULANOWICZ, R.E, MILLER, T.J.
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, 146 Williams Street, Solomons, MD 20688.
Email: miller@cbl.umces.edu
We conducted multiple runs of an Individual-based Coupled Biological
Physical Model to quantify patterns of transfer of menhaden larvae from
discrete spawning locations in the Mid-Atlantic Bight to estuaries along
the east coast of the United States. Larvae followed trajectories drawn from
realistic flow solutions spanning multiple months and years to include
seasonal and inter-annual physical variability. We used Information Theory
to analyze the observed source-sink dynamics and we quantified the numbers
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 45
of individuals reaching nurseries, the efficiency of transfer, and the reliability
of transfer. Results show that transfers are affected by density-independent,
time-dependent physical processes. The annual fraction of larvae reaching
nurseries varied twofold (0.18 – 0.37%) among simulated years. Overall two
main trends are evident: recruitment occurred predominantly occurring in
either Long Island Sound (0.074-0.15% of larvae produced) or further south,
in Delaware and Chesapeake Bays and Albemarle Sound (0.07-0.17% of larvae
produced). Higher transfer efficiencies were seen between estuaries and the
closest spawning locations, with Long Island Sound and its closest larval source
ranking highest. In contrast, transfer reliabilities were much more variable,
and the pathways resulting in the highest number of recruits do not seem to
be necessarily the most resilient. We discuss the ecological and evolutionary
implications of these findings.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Presentation type: Oral
Monday, June 3 — 3:50 PM
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 2:00 PM
Carangidae were the most abundant families with relative abundance of 17.4%,
16.3% and 13.0%, respectively. Scombrids and carangids were two groups
most likely to be impacted by the oil spill due the larvae were found in the
upper layers of the water column. Scombrids occurred in 99% of the study area
comprised of nine species of which, the genus Thunnus was the most abundant
(Thunnus atlanticus and Thunnus spp.), followed by Euthynnus alletteratus and
Auxis rochei. Overall, we found similar results to previous surveys in this region;
however, we found a higher diversity. The strategic location of the LC deserves
further efforts to understand its role in larval connectivity.
Alexander Room
ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL USE OF MORPHOLOGICAL
AND PIGMENTATION CHARACTERS DURING LARVAL
DEVELOPMENT FOR PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF
GOBIIDAE
MISKIEWICZ, A.G.
Wollongong City Council, Locked Bag 8821, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia.
Email: tmiskiewicz@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
The Gobiidei are a very diverse group of fish comprising nine families with
about 270 genera and 2,210 species. There have been a variety of studies
undertaken using morphological, osteological and molecular characters of
adults to investigate phylogenetic relationships within the group. Larval
developmental series collected from southern Australian waters of seven genera
of Gobiidae (210 genera, 1,950 spp) Arenigobius, Afurcagobius, Favonigobius,
Gobiopterus, Paedogobius, Psuedogobius and Redigobius and two genera of
Eleotridae (35 genera 155 sp) Hypseleotris and Philypnodon were assessed.
For the larval development series of these nine genera, ontogenetic changes
in body shape and pigmentation patterns and the size at development of fins,
notochord flexion and transition to juveniles for each genus were documented.
There was considerable variation in these larval characters between the two
families and between genera. The larval development characters were assessed
to determine similarities and differences between genera and then compared
with the proposed lineages for these genera based on adult characters.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE LARVAL FISH DISTRIBUTION
IN THE LOOP CURRENT IN THE GULF OF MEXICO AFTER THE
DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL
MORALES, S., VÁSQUEZ-YEOMANS, L., CARRILLO, L., MALCA, E.,
PRIVOZNIK, S., LAMKIN J.T.
CIMAS, University of Miami, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami FL 33149. Email:
estrella.malca@noaa.gov
The Loop Current (LC) is the major oceanographic feature in the eastern of the
Gulf of Mexico, and its highly dynamic regime drives the transport and retention
of fish larvae. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, an interdisciplinary
survey across the LC and into the northeast Gulf of Mexico was conducted in
the summer of 2010 (30 June – 18 July) aboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster.
Multiple plankton collecting gears were used at 75 stations (MOCNESS,
Neuston, and Bongo with 505 µm mesh) to examine larval fish distribution.
Ichthyoplankton samples were sorted and identified to the finest possible
taxonomic level. Here, we present preliminary results for 14,072 larval fishes
corresponding to 103 families and 233 species. Myctophidae, Scombridae, and
Alexander Room
RAPID ESTABLISHMENT OF CONTINGENTS IN A RECENTLY
REINTRODUCED STRIPED BASS POPULATION IN THE ST.
LAWRENCE ESTUARY (QUEBEC, CANADA)
MORISSETTE, O., SIROIS, P., LEGAULT, M., VERREAULT, G., LECOMTE, F.
Research Chair on Exploited Aquatic Species, Universite du Quebec a
Chicoutimi, 555, Boul. de l'Université, Chicoutimi, Quebec, G7H 2B1. Email:
olivier.morissette@uqac.ca
The existence of partial migrations is commonly reported for diadromous
fish species. Migratory differential life-history pathways can establish stable
structure within populations (e.g. migratory contingents). Contingents have
been identified in numerous striped bass population along the North-American
East Coast using various methods. Otolith chemistry proved an effective tool
for assessing migratory behavior of fish, especially during early life. The main
objective of this study is to determine if migratory contingents exist during early
life in the St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) re-introduced striped bass population
using otolith chemistry. Juvenile (aged 0+ and 1+) striped bass have been
captured in 2011 an 2012 in the SLE. Chemical compositions on whole-life
transects of 118 sagittal otoliths have been quantified. Migratory movements of
striped bass were investigated using multivariate analysis of 4 elements (Sr, Ba,
Mn and Mg) with a split-moving window method. Three migratory contingents,
exhibiting distinct juvenile habitat utilization, have been identified: freshwater
residence, oligohaline and mesohaline migrant. Chemical signatures of the
natal origin of captured fish are relatively homogenous even between distinct
contingents, providing insights of the reproductive dynamics of the population.
This study shows the rapid (< 10 years since first stocking of striped bass in
SLE) establishment of migratory contingents structure during early life in the
striped bass population of the SLE. Results shed light on the migratory strategy
of striped bass and raise questions on the capacity for the species to colonize
rapidly new rivers through the expression of partial migration.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 9:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
INCORPORATING INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL
SUITABILITY AND CATCHABILITY INTO EXISTING ATLANTIC
BLUEFIN TUNA ABUNDANCE INDICES FROM THE GULF OF
MEXICO
MUHLING, B.A., Ingram, G.W. Jr., Cass-Calay, S.L., Walter, J.F.
University of Miami, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL, 33149. Email: Barbara.
Muhling@noaa.gov
Catch rates of bluefin tuna caught on longlines in the US Gulf of Mexico are
formulated into an index of abundance, which is one of several inputs to the
western Atlantic stock assessment. This project aimed to add environmental
and fishing gear effects into the index, and to investigate if these additions
could tune the index more closely to spawning stock biomass estimates. Catches
of bluefin tuna reported in logbooks were found to be strongly seasonal, and
temperature-dependent. However, the interannual behavior of the index was
not well correlated to environmental conditions, particularly in the early part
of the time series (before 1993). Analyses of gear configurations and fishing
regulations through time suggested that several factors had contributed to
the observed trend in the index, including the introduction of the observer
program in 1992. A predictive habitat model was constructed from fisheries
observer data, and used to show potential effects of on-board observers on
reporting in logbooks. Implications for the trend and behavior of the logbook
index are discussed.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory
species
Monday, June 3 — 9:20 AM
Alexander Room
COMPARING ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
LARVAL BLUEFIN TUNA (THUNNUS THYNNUS) HABITAT IN
THE GULF OF MEXICO AND WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA
MUHLING, B.A., Reglero, P., Ciannelli, L., Alvarez-Berastegui,
D., Alemany, F., Lamkin, J.T., Roffer, M.A.
University of Miami, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL, 33149. Email: Barbara.
Muhling@noaa.gov
Atlantic bluefin tuna undertake long migrations to reach warm, low
productivity spawning grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean
Sea. Peak spawning occurs during spring in the Gulf of Mexico,
and summer in the Mediterranean.
Environmental
conditions within spawning
areas appear unfavorable for
adult feeding and physiology,
and so have been presumed
to benefit larval survival,
through enhanced feeding
conditions, larval retention
or growth rates. In this
study, a comparison of the environmental
characteristics of both spawning sites was completed
using standardized environmental data and modeling
methods. Artificial neural network predictive models of
larval occurrence were constructed using historical larval collections, and
environmental variables from both in situ and remotely sensed sources. Results
showed that larvae on both spawning grounds were most likely to be found
in warm (23-28°C), low chlorophyll waters with moderate current velocities,
and favorable regional retention conditions. In the Gulf of Mexico, larvae
were located in offshore waters outside of the Loop Current and warm eddies,
while in the western Mediterranean, larval occurrences were associated with
the confluence of inflowing Atlantic waters and saltier resident surface waters.
Results suggested common themes within preferred spawning grounds on both
sides of the Atlantic Ocean. However, the ecological processes governing larval
survival and eventual recruitment are yet to be fully understood.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 11:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
Forecasts of fish populations are usually made assuming some level of future
recruitment that is associated mainly with the spawning capacity of the
stock. Though environmental effects on recruit survival are known for many
marine fishes, the uncertainty in predicting the environment into the future
may impede using these relations to improve fish stock forecasting. In this
project, we investigate whether forecasts of fish populations —as generated
from a typical single-species stock assessment model—are improved when
future recruitment is linked to a forecasted environmental feature. The analyses
presented will roughly mimic North Atlantic swordfish population dynamics
with recruitment success coinciding with low or negative values of the winter
North Atlantic Oscillation.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 3:50 PM
Crystal Ballroom
EMPIRICAL FIELD VALIDATION OF A BIOPHYSICAL
DISPERSAL MODEL
NANNINGA, G.B., ZHAN, P., SAENZ-AGUDELO, P., HOTEIT, I., BERUMEN,
M.L.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 4700 KAUST, Thuwal 239556900, Saudi Arabia. Email: gerrit.nanninga@kaust.edu.sa
Marine metapopulation dynamics are often regulated through local
replenishment of sedentary adult populations via
pelagic larvae from local and/or external
sources. Larval dispersal in the sea is
governed by a plethora of stochastic
physical and biological processes
and patterns of connectivity
vary spatially, temporally,
and taxonomically. Coupled
biophysical numerical models
have emerged as the principal
means to simulate and forecast
patterns of larval transport in
complex marine systems. In this
study, we use the Connectivity Modeling System framework to simulate
patterns of larval dispersal in an anemonefish (Amphiprion bicintus) at a reef
scale of 10s km. Current velocities are derived from a three-dimensional
baroclinic MITgcm with a spatial resolution of 500m. Hydrodynamics are
driven by real-time atmospheric forcing and open boundary conditions,
providing heat and momentum flux. Initial behavioural inputs are based
on estimates from observations in ongoing studies of A. bicinctus. While
biophysical models are clearly the most powerful tools to make hypothesisdriven predictions on variable scales, countless sources of uncertainties could
affect the accuracy of their projections. Despite the universal call for field
validations of model predictions, there remains a pressing need for modeling
studies to incorporate an efficient ground-truth strategy. Here, we use genetic
parentage assignments to trace the transport of recruits in the system described
above and we integrate this empirical data with real-time model predictions.
This dyadic approach allows us to validate initial model performance and, more
importantly, to fine-tune uncertain input parameters by fitting the model to the
observed assignment data.
HOW PRECISE AND/OR ACCURATE DO FORECASTS OF
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS NEED TO BE TO BE USEFUL TO
STOCK ASSESSMENTS?
MURPHY, M.D.
University of South Florida, College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South,
St Petersburg, FL 33701. Email: mmurphy10@mail.usf.edu
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 47
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Thursday, June 6 — 11:00 AM
Alexander Room
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE OF SPAWNING PHENOLOGY AND
GEOGRAPHY TO LARVAL TRANSPORT MODELS FOR TWO
IMPORTANT ALASKAN GADIDS
NEIDETCHER S.K., CIANNELLI L.
Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.
Email: sandi.neidetcher@noaa.gov
Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) is an important species, both economically
and ecologically, in the southeastern Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, yet little is
known regarding spawning patterns for this species. Furthermore, because Pacific
cod eggs are demersal and few larvae are captured by ichthyoplankton research
cruises, little is known about dispersal patterns and early stage distribution. To
address these knowledge gaps, gross anatomical maturity data were collected by
fishery observers with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), Fisheries
Monitoring and Analysis Division (FMA) and used to assess the location and
timing of spawning. Knowledge of the geography and phenology of spawning
fish can greatly benefit our understanding of interactions between a species and
environmental conditions; to assess spawning migrations; to identify early life
stage distribution and dispersal to nurseries where young fish develop; and may
provide a general understanding of population structure. This presentation will
include a description of maturity assessment methods, the analysis of temporal
and spatial spawning patterns, and will include a discussion of current efforts
in modeling dispersal patterns for Pacific cod. Preliminary analysis of walleye
pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) observer-assessed maturity data will be
described briefly along with potential future larval dispersal modeling efforts
for this species.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:20 PM
Alexander Room
POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON
ANADROMOUS RIVER HERRING IN THEIR MARINE HABITAT
NYE, J.A., LYNCH, P., HARE, J., STOCK, C., ALEXANDER, M., SCOTT, J.,
CURTI, K., DREW, K.
107 Dana Hall, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook
University, Stony Brook, NY 11794. Email: janet.nye@stonybrook.edu
The term “river herring” collectively refers to alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and
blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis), two anadromous fishes distributed along the
east coast of North America. Historically, river herring spawning migrations
supported important fisheries, and their runs continue to be of cultural
significance to many coastal communities; however, substantial declines in
spawning run size have prompted a petition to consider river herring for listing
under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA review process requires an
evaluation of the population responses to multiple stressors, including climate
change. For anadromous species that utilize a range of habitats throughout
their life cycle, the response to a changing global climate is inherently
complex, and likely varies regionally. River herring occupy marine habitat for
the majority of their lives, and we project changes in marine distribution and
abundance under future climate scenarios by coupling species habitat models
with projected temperature regimes from global climate models. We project
northward shifts in distributions, and declines in preferred habitat along the
US East Coast. We demonstrate that current abundance may play an important
role governing the significance of climate effects on future abundance; however,
there is uncertainty surrounding current population size. Thus, establishing
effective conservation efforts in the near term would likely improve population
resiliency, and provide lasting benefits to river herring populations.
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:00 AM
Crystal Ballroom
HOMOLOGY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LARVAL FISHES
FOR MORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYLOGENETIC STUDIES,
WITH EXAMPLES FROM THE JAW MUSCULATURE OF
ACTINOPTERYGIAN FISHES
KONSTANTINIDIS, P., OLSSON, L., HILTON, E.
Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 9457 Glass Road, Hayes, VA 23072. Email:
peterk@vims.edu
Anatomical characters in early life history stages of fishes are often the sole
source for identifying homologous structures, and for that reason are of great
importance for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies. In taxa for which early
life stages of species are rare or unknown, the identification of homologous
structures is based solely on the adult condition, and are identified via
connectivity, the composition, and the similarity of structures. This approach
often fails to resolve the question about homology and thus can obscure the
phylogentic/evolutionary signal. The study of a complex structure from its
first appearance in ontogeny until it is fully formed often provides the most
conclusive data for the identification of homologous structures. To achieve this
goal it is important to obtain closely staged ontogenetic series of species, which
is a difficult task for many taxa. The skeletal and muscular components of the jaw
apparatus in actinopterygian fishes offers such a complex anatomical structure
for which homologies have yet to be adequately addressed. We obtained
ontogenetic series of white sturgeon and paddlefish from aquaculture, and
longnose gar and Amia from the wild for an ongoing study of the evolution of
the jaw apparatus of teleostean fishes. Our study combines traditional methods,
such as clearing and staining and histology, and innovative state of the art
methods techniques, such as computer tomography, 3D-modelling, and wholemount antibodystaining. We will present examples from the development of
the musculoskeletal systems of the jaws demonstrating the value of ontogeny
for phylogenetic studies.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
COMPARISON OF FEEDING ECOLOGY BETWEEN TWO COOCCURRING CLUPEOID SPECIES
OKAZAKI, Y., KUBOTA, H., TAKASUKA, A., SAKAJI, H.
Tohoku National Fisheries Research Institute, 3-27-5 Shinhama, Shiogama,
Miyagi, 985-0001, Japan. Email: okazakiy@affrc.go.jp
We investigated prey items and diet overlap of larvae and juveniles of two
clupeoid species, sardine (Sardinops melanostictus) and anchovy (Engraulis
japonicus), collected from the same location. Four data sets of late larvae and
juveniles were obtained by a commercial trawl in Tosa Bay, south western
coast of Japan, during February to April in 2009 and 2010. Three data sets of
juveniles were collected by a surface trawl in the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition
region in June 2010. Gut contents and prey organisms were identified to the
lowest taxonomic level as possible, and their body length and width were
measured. In Tosa Bay, larvae and juveniles of sardine and anchovy fed on adult
and copepodite stages of copepods such as Paracalanus spp., Corycaeus spp.
and Oncaea spp. and appendicularians. In the Kuroshio–Oyashio transition
region, juveniles of sardine and anchovy fed on adult and copepodite stages of
copepods such as Paracalanus spp., Corycaeus spp. and Oncaea spp and krill
furcilia. In summary, no marked difference was found in the preferred prey
items between sardine and anchovy during the early life stages even using the
co-occurring fish specimens. Thus, the trophodynamics such as change in the
zooplankton community structure may not directly lead to species alternations
between these two clupeoid species.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 48
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Thursday, June 6 — 9:40 AM
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Alexander Room
SUN COMPASS ORIENTATION FOR REEF-FISH LARVAE
PARIS, C.B., IRISSON, J.-O., LEIS, J.M., BOGUCKI, D., PISKOZUB, J.,
SIEBECK, U., GUIGAND, C.M.
University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, 4600
Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149-1098, USA. Email: cparis@rsmas.
miami.edu
Reef-fish larvae swim directionally, implying the existence of a compass to keep
a consistent bearing. We manipulated the view of the Sun of larvae Chromis
atripectoralis placed in a behavioral arena deployed at sea, the Drifting In
Situ Chamber. We also used a radiative transfer model to simulate the visible
underwater light patterns experienced by the larva under direct sunlight (control
treatment) and when their view of the Sun was blocked (umbrella treatment),
both under clear skies and light wind conditions. While most larvae were
directional in both treatments, precision in directionality decreased with Sun
elevation in the natural treatment only, indicating that larvae used primarily the
Sun’s disk position to keep directionality. Without the view of the Sun, larvae
exhibited a distinct behavior, holding a true course to the SSW, 42 degrees
away from the wind. The model results are consistent with the observations
suggesting that orientation behavior involves the visual detection of surface
waves’ direction. Without the direct view of the Sun, larvae are still capable of
orienting, guided by visible cues at the sea surface, involving sensitivity to light
intensity or to polarization. This study provides the first evidence of in situ sun
compass by a reef fish larva, primarily mediated by the direct view of the Sun.
Larval fish ability for large-scale navigation challenges established expectations
for dispersion and population connectivity.
Presentation type: Oral
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
ECOLOGY OF EARLY LIFE HISTORY STAGES OF FISHES IN
VARIOUS HABITATS IN ALGOA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA
PATTRICK, P., STRYDOM, N.A.
PO Box 77000, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University, Port Elizabeth 6000 South Africa. Email: paula.pattrick@gmail.com
Within the typically rough coastal environment observed off the South African
coast, a mosaic of shallow, coastal habitats, important for the development of
marine fishes has been recognized. The importance of these alternative habitats
for larval stages of coastal fishes has long been overlooked with the majority of
research focused within estuaries. A multiple gear approach was used to assess
the composition, abundance, seasonality and distribution of larval and early
juvenile fish assemblages in the nearshore, surfzone and inlets of two estuaries
within Algoa Bay, on the temperate south east coast of South Africa. Different
larval fish communities are associated with different habitat types with
Cynoglossidae dominating nearshore catches, Sparidae dominating catches
within the surf habitats and Gobiidae dominating the estuary inlets. Several
important commercial and recreational fish species, and other coastal species
important from a biodiversity perspective, complete the pelagic phase of early
development within the shallow (<30m water-depth) nearshore environment.
Larval and early juvenile fish assemblages within the surf zone were strongly
linked to habitat type associated with exposure and rocky shores. Recruitment
of larvae into the estuarine systems and the supply of recruits to the nearshore
out of the estuary on the flood tide are equally important. However, larval
recruitment on the flood tide overrides recruits departing from the estuarine
systems indicative of net gain into estuaries. However, only a select species suite
are known to utilize estuaries as nurseries and the remaining coastal fish species
are utilising other shallow-water habitats.
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Presentation type: Oral
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 9:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
OCCURRENCE OF LARVAL AND SETTLEMENT STAGE FISHES
ON VARYING REEF TYPES IN ALGOA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA,
WITH NOTES ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LIGHT TRAPS AS A
SAMPLING TOOL
PATTRICK, P., STRYDOM, N.A.
PO Box 77000, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan
University, Port Elizabeth 6000 South Africa. Email: paula.pattrick@gmail.com
Light traps and a plankton ring net were used concurrently to investigate
the larval and settlement stage fish assemblages associated with common
reef habitat types in the warm temperate waters of Algoa Bay, South Africa.
Sampling coincided with peak fish breeding and was conducted within a
proposed marine protected area on twelve nights over a two year period
from June 2010 to February 2012. A total of 4084 larvae and settlement
stage fishes belonging to 31 teleost families and 84 species were captured in
the study area. Three times as many families and five times as many taxa were
captured by the plankton net compared to the light traps. However, 6 taxa
were caught exclusively by the light traps. Fishes were abundant during the
summer months (plankton net average mean 93 larvae/100 m3) coinciding
with peak spawning in the region. Unique patterns of abundance and species
composition associated with the various reef and reef associated habitats were
found with greatest species richness observed within the proposed MPA area.
Results indicate that the light trap samples complemented those taken by the
plankton net, however the larvae of many reef fish species common in the area
were absent from catches in both methods.
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 10:20 AM
Alexander Room
HABITAT SPECIFIC GROWTH PATTERNS IN LARVAL HERRING
(CLUPEA HARENGUS) IN THE WESTERN BALTIC SEA
PAULSEN, M., CLEMMESEN, C., HAMMER, C., POLTE, P., VON DORRIEN,
C., MALZAHN, A.
Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Alter Hafen Sued 2, 24118 Rostock, Germany.
Email: mpaulsen@geomar.de
Larval fish growth is a function of biotic as well as abiotic conditions. However,
especially biotic conditions differ strongly, both in space and time. Therefore
we investigated growth of larval herring along with abiotic measures at a coastal
(Kiel Fjord) and two estuarine areas (Kiel Canal (KC) and Greifswalder Bodden
GWB) in the German part of the western Baltic Sea during spring 2010 to 2012.
In both of the studied estuaries the seasonal trend of larval growth patterns
was similar during the years investigated. Larval growth rates in KC decreased
over time after maximum values in the middle of the season in all three years
under investigation. Contrasting, larval growth increased significantly in the
GWB towards the end of the season in all three years. Detailed investigation
of biotic factors in 2011 revealed that these growth patterns reflect changes in
prey quantity and quality over the season. Generally, larval growth rates in the
estuarine habitats were subjected to interannual variability. While growth rates
did not differ between GWB and KC in 2010 and 2011, respectively, growth
rates in KC were significantly higher compared to GWB in 2012. This indicates
regional effects on larval growth conditions in some years. In contrast, periods
providing favorable growth conditions within a season seem to be habitat
specific. Additionally to the results on estuarine habitats, comparative analyses
with larval growth patterns in the coastal Kiel Fjord area will be presented.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 49
Presentation type: Poster
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Larval Fish Studies)
DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF THE BALTIC SPRINGSPAWNING HERRING LARVAE, CLUPEA HARENGUS
MEMBRAS (L.), IN THE ODRA ESTUARY (POLAND)
Wednesday, June 5 — 11:20 AM
THE INFLUENCE OF TEN EL NIÑO EVENTS ON PELAGIC
ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE IN THE OREGON UPWELLING ZONE
PAWELCZYK, A., FEY, D.P., WOZNICZKA, A.
PETERSON, B., RYKACZEWSKI, R.
National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Research Station, pl. Slowianski 11,
72-600 Swinoujscie, Poland. Email: apawelczyk@mir.gdynia.pl
NOAA-Fisheries, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon 97365. Email:
bill.peterson@noaa.gov
The River Odra Estuary (Pomeranian Bay, Szczecin Lagoon and the strait
connecting these two areas) is a coastal area characterized by high dynamics of
changes in the biotope, where the hydrological regime is shaped by freshwater
flow of Odra river. Despite the high variability of the environment, Pomeranian
Bay is one of the main spawning sites of spring-spawning herring in the southern
Baltic Sea. The goal of this work was to study the occurrence of herring larvae
in the mouth of Oder (Szczecin Lagoon and the strait connecting Lagoon
with Pomeranian Bay) in comparison to their abundance in the Pomeranian
Bay basin. Two sets of data were analyzed: 1994-1998 and 2007-2012. In
both periods the herring larvae samples were collected between April and July
at ca.15 stations located in the same area. The mean density varied from 18
to 557 ind./100 m3 in the Pomeranian Bay and from 0 to 420 ind./100 m3
in the Odra mouth. The presence of herring larvae in the Odra mouth were
positively correlated with increased salinity, which was due to the inflows of
marine waters into the estuary. At the same time, absence of yolk-sack stages
indicates that presence of herring larvae in the Odra mouth was related to
nearby spawning sites in Pomeranian Bay rather than to local spawning places
in the Odra mouth.
We have examined relationships between El Niño events and variability in SST,
hydrography, and the abundance and species composition of copepods, krill
eggs, larvae and adults, and ichthyoplankton in waters of the northern California
Current. We have sufficient hydrographic, copepod and ichthyo-plankton data
to compare the impact of ten past El Niño events on lower trophic levels (196869, 1972-73, 1976-77, 1982-83, 1991-92, 1997-98, 2002-03, 2004-05, 200607 and 2009-10). The time of year when El Niño signals arrive in the NCC
and the duration of the event shapes the ecological consequences of oceanic
anomalies thus the variability in the timing and duration are important factors
in understanding the differences between individual El Niño events. Five
strong events (max ONI ≥ 1.5) have occurred in equatorial waters since the
early 1970s most of which were initiated in spring, and lasted ~ 12 months.
Three of these events have coincided with positive phases of the PDO (198283, 1991-92, 1997-98) while two occurred during negative phases of the PDO
(1972-73 and 2009-10). The ecological impacts of El Niños are moderated
by conditions associated with negative PDO; and conversely, impacts are
exacerbated during positive PDO conditions. Ordinations of copepod species
abundance will be used to demonstrate relationships between El Niño events
and unique community types. Indicator species analysis will identify those
species which are typical of strong vs. weak El Niño events. Two of the best
indicators are presence of subtropical copepod species and late-stage zoea of
Emerita analoga.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Monday, June 3 — 3:00 PM
Alexander Room
Alexander Room
ADULT DIET AND LARVAL DIET INFLUENCE SURVIVOR
SKILLS OF RED DRUM LARVAE
Presentation type: Poster
PEREZ, K.O., FUIMAN, L.A.
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive,
Port Aransas, TX 78373-5015 USA. Email: kestrel.perez@austin.utexas.edu
EFFECTS OF PRESERVATION METHOD ON EUROPEAN HAKE
MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS LARVAE SIZE
Essential fatty acids, those that must come from either the larval or maternal
diet, are required for normal growth and development. Correlations have been
reported between concentrations of two egg fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid
(DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), and larval escape performance, with the
suggestion that some effects may be irreversible. We produced batches of eggs
that varied in ARA and DHA by manipulating adult diet and then measured
larval escape swimming ability, routine swimming speed, growth, and survival.
To evaluate whether deficiencies in maternally-derived fatty acids could be
compensated or fatty acid surpluses could be generated by the larval diet, larvae
were fed four different diets that varied in fatty acid content. Of the five traits
that were related to egg fatty acid content, latency and routine swimming speed
were significantly lower than predicted by egg content when larvae were fed
an enriched larval diet, indicating that for some performance traits the larval
diet can compensate for poor egg quality. Significant changes in response
distance when larvae were fed highly enriched diets, however, suggest potential
generation of a fatty acid surplus that had a detrimental effect on performance.
The other two larval traits did not differ significantly among the different diets,
indicating that those effects of egg quality may be irreversible and caused by
variations in adult diet. These causes of variation in larval performance suggest
that adult diet dynamics are important for our understanding of mechanisms
behind larval survivorship and recruitment.
RODRÍGUEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, L., LEAL, A., LAGO, M.J., LAIZ-CARRIÓN, R.,
SÁNCHEZ, F.J., PIÑEIRO, C.
Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo Apartado
1552, Cabo Estai-Canido, 36200 Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain. Email: carmen.
pineiro@vi.ieo.es
The objective of this study was to determine how preservation method affects
the standard length (SL) of European hake larvae. Four fixative mediums were
employed: i) freezing in sea water at −20ºC (SW-20); ii) RNA-later at −80ºC
(RL-80); iii) 4% formalin borax-buffered (F4); and iv) freezing with liquid
nitrogen (NL). Hake larvae SL were initially measured and individually fixed
in one of the four fixatives. In order to evaluate the effect of the preserved time
in each conservative, the SL of each larva were obtained for a second time after
three different preservation periods (15, 44 and 91 days). To assess the effect of
the initial size on the final shrinkage, two larvae groups of 15 and 24 days after
hatch were analyzed, with size ranges of 3.5–5.0 and 4.2–7.3 mm respectively.
Most shrinkage occurred within the first period of preservation in all four
fixatives, with no effect of the preserved time on the percentage shrinkage for
any preservative (Two-Way Anova, F(6, 344)=0.641, p>0.05). Likewise,
no differences in the shrinkage has been observed between both groups of
larval size, covariated by initial SL (Ancova, F(1, 353)=2.323, p>0.05).
However, initial SL affect the % shrinkage depending of the fixative used (TwoWay Anova, F(3, 343)=6.603, p<0.001). The greater percent shrinkage
(mean±sd) has been caused by RL-80 (27.6±0.5) followed by NL (11.9±0.5),
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 50
SW-20 (8.9±0.5) and F4 (6.8±0.5). Four correlation equations are suggested
to convert an initial SL in a final contracted hake larvae size for each fixative.
Financed by CRAMER-MICINN and ECOPREGA–Xunta de Galicia.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
SEASONAL GROWTH RATE VARIABILITY OF YOUNG-OF-THEYEAR EUROPEAN HAKE (MERLUCCIUS MERLUCCIUS) BASED
ON OTOLITH MICRO-STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
RODRÍGUEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, L., QUINTANILLA, J., GARCÍA, A., CABANAS,
J.M., PIÑEIRO, C.
Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo Apartado
1552, Cabo Estai-Canido, 36200 Vigo, Pontevedra, España. Email: carmen.
pineiro@vi.ieo.es
Daily growth of Atlantic juvenile hake (Merluccius merluccius) from northwest
Spanish Iberian coasts was estimated by counting daily increments of the
transversal sections of otoliths. The microstructural analysis of otoliths enabled
to estimate seasonal variability of growth rates. Juveniles were sampled in one
of the most important recruitment areas of the species of NW Atlantic Iberia
in surveys that were carried out during spring and summer of 2012. A total of
130 otoliths (sagittae) of individuals ranging from 5 and 25 cm total length
were analyzed. The results indicated that juvenile growth show growth pulses
of varying intensity throughout the year. The evolution of daily increments
widths indicate higher growth in spring than in winter, where average mean of
increment widths varied from 8 µm in spring to 6 µm in summer. This study
was made possible by the financial support of projects CRAMER-MICINN
and ECOPREGA–Xunta de Galicia.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 3:50 PM
Alexander Room
IMPACT OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY ON FISH POPULATIONS,
USING THE FISH LARVAE DATASET FROM THE CONTINUOUS
PLANKTON RECORDER
PITOIS, S.G.
Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR330HT, Suffolk, UK. Email: sophie.pitois@
gmail.com
The Continuous Plankton Recorder dataset on fish larvae has an extensive
spatio-temporal coverage that allows the responses of fish populations to past
changes in climate variability, including abrupt changes such as regime shifts,
to be investigated. This newly available dataset offers a unique opportunity
to investigate long-term changes over decadal scales in the abundance and
distribution of fish larvae in relation to physical and biological factors. Here, we
applied a principal component analysis using 7 biotic and abiotic parameters is
applied to investigate the impact of environmental changes in the North Sea
on 5 selected taxa of fish larvae during the period 1960 to 2004. The analysis
revealed that the larvae of clupeids, sandeels, dab and gadoids seemed to be
affected mainly by changes in the plankton ecosystem, while the larvae of
migratory species such as Atlantic mackerel responded more to hydrographic
changes. Climate variability seems more likely to influence fish populations
through bottom-up control via a cascading effect from changes in the North
Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) impacting on the hydro dynamic features of the
North Sea, in turn impacting on the plankton available as prey for fish larvae.
The responses and adaptability of fish larvae to changing environmental
conditions, particularly to changes in prey availability, are complex and speciesspecific. This complexity is enhanced with fishing effects interacting with
climate effects and this study supports furthering our under - standing of such
interactions before attempting to predict how fish populations respond to
climate variability.
Spain’s Antoni Gaudí sensuous, sophisticated
architecture is evoked by Miami’s Mayfair Hotel. Built in
the 1980s, the building’s round walls, copper façade, and
many bas reliefs are superb representations of Coconut
Grove’s artsy, funky vibe and eclectic lifesyle.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 3 — 4:10 PM
Crystal Ballroom
THE GROWTH OF LARVAL ATLANTIC COD AND HADDOCK IN
THE IRISH SEA: A MODEL WITH TEMPERATURE, PREY SIZE,
AND TURBULENCE FORCING
PITOIS S.G., ARMSTRONG, M.
Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, U.K. Email: sophie.pitois@
cefas.co.uk
Cod and haddock are commercially important whitefish species in the Irish
Sea. As with many North Atlantic cod stocks, Irish Sea cod has undergone
a continuous decline in spawning-stock biomass. In contrast, haddock
has continued to experience relatively strong year classes at intervals, thus
causing conflicting management requirements for the two stocks. Growth
and survival through the early life-stages being of critical importance to
successful recruitment in marine fishes, we need to understand better how
cod and haddock larvae interact with their prey environments. We applied a
physiological individual-based model for the foraging and growth of cod and
haddock larvae using data from the Irish Sea, collected during the spawning
season in 2006. The model was used to examine the different productivities of
the cod and haddock stocks under the conditions encountered in the Irish Sea.
Both larvae showed similar responses to changes in environmental conditions
and survival was found to be better on the western side of the Irish Sea,
covering the spawning ground for haddock and about half of that for cod. Prey
availability was found to be the limiting factor of larval growth, but exploration
of stock assessment data suggests that others factors have a role to play to ensure
successful recruitment. We suggest that the increasing population of clupeids
may have added predatory pressure on the eggs and larvae of gadoids in the
Irish Sea, thus fitting the same pattern reported elsewhere, of forage fish being a
significant factor impacting on recruitment success of demersal species.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 51
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:20 AM
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Alexander Room
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF EARLY
HERRING (CLUPEA HARENGUS L.) LIFE STAGES IN A SHALLOW
WESTERN BALTIC LAGOON
OCEAN INFLUENCES ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND
ABUNDANCE OF FLYINGFISH LARVAE IN THE NORTHERN
GULF OF MEXICO
POLTE, P., HEILER, J., BEYER, S., MOLL, D., KOTTERBA, P.
RANDALL, L., ROOKER, J.R.
Thuenen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Alter Hafen Sued 2, D-18069 Rostock,
Germany. Email: patrick.polte@ti.bund.de
Texas A&M University, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553. Email:
lrandall22@neo.tamu.edu
Larval herring of Atlantic sub-populations hatched in shallow inshore lagoons
of the Baltic Sea develop in a quite different suite of coastal habitats than their
shelf bank spawned counterparts in the neighboring North Sea. Hypothesizing
that herring larvae that hatched in the upper littoral zone of shallow brackish
lagoons leave this fluctuating environment during further development, we
sampled pelagic and littoral sites in a major spawning ground of Western Baltic
spring spawning herring for eggs and larvae. Additionally we sampled the open
water areas of the bay to investigate the vertical distribution of larvae. This was
based on the assumption that in the shallow waters of the lagoon larvae are
homogenously distributed in the water column since the area is characterized
by a well-mixed water body without any observed stratification. Results
reveal that spawning is concentrated in littoral spawning beds above the 2m
isobath. Despite escalating temperatures in the littoral zone considerably high
larval abundances were found which, however, were subjected to site-specific
topography. Unexpectedly larvae in the pelagic zone showed distinct depth
distributions at daytime which varied between stations. Furthermore the
results indicate size specific differences in the vertical distribution of larvae of
5-9 mm and 10-15 mm respectively. These findings potentially have important
implications for the development of distribution models and further analyses
of environmental variables structuring larval survival in the coastal Baltic Sea.
Flyingfish occupy a crucial link in pelagic food webs, and understanding their
distribution and abundance can lead to an improved understanding of their
population dynamics. Here, we report on summer ichthyoplankton cruises
conducted in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGoM) during 2009-2011.
Samples were collected using neuston nets towed through the upper meter of
the water column in the outer shelf and slope waters of the NGoM. Over the
three year sampling period, a total of 12,478 flyingfish larvae were collected.
Interannual variation was detected with densities of flyingfish larvae higher
in 2009 and 2010 (14.7 and 9.7 larvae 1000 m2, respectively) than 2011 (2.6
larvae 1000 m2). Flyingfish larvae were present in each year and month along
our sampling transect, and percent frequency of occurrence ranged from
56% in July 2011 to 100% in June 2010, suggesting that flyingfish represent
a common and important component of the ichthyoplankton assemblage in
the NGoM. Multivariate procedures were used to investigate the link between
relative abundance of flyingfish larvae and oceanographic conditions in the
NGoM, and models indicate that larval abundance increased in waters with
lower temperatures and negative sea surface height, which corresponds to
frontal boundaries and cyclonic features in the NGoM.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
KEY TO IDENTIFICATIONS OF COMMON SPECIES OF
LARVAL SEA BASSES AND HAMLETS (FAMILY SERRANIDAE,
SUBFAMILY SERRANINAE) IN THE WESTERN ATLANTIC AND
THE CARIBBEAN
SHIROZA, A., PRIVOZNIK, S.L.
NOAA/RSMAS, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL 33149. Email: sarah.
privoznik@noaa.gov
Species of the subfamily Serraninae, such as sea basses and hamlets, are abundant
in ichthyoplankton samples from the US Virgin Islands and Leeward Islands,
as well as South Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. These larval stages are poorly
described, however, as only five of the 35 species recorded in this area are fully
described. Further, identification of these larvae to species through meristics is
difficult, due to substantial overlap in meristic characters among species, and
lack of fin development in pre-flexion larvae. This project investigated potential
species-specific pigment patterns in the larval stages of Serraninae that may
be useful for visual identification. These patterns were then verified through
genetic barcoding. Out of 380 larval serranines, 119 specimens were successfully
sequenced, and eight species and two unidentifiable species were identified.
Hierarchical clustering revealed groupings of species at three flexion stages by
their pigment patterns, and Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates was
used to determine discriminating pigment location(s) for the species by their
flexion stage. These results demonstrated that pigment locations are useful for
larval identification in three species and a two-species group within Serraninae,
and allowed for the development of an identification key for each flexion stage.
The success of this study suggests that pigment patterns exist within species or
species groups that can be used to identify larvae to species, and similar keys can
be developed to advance visual identification techniques.
Monday, June 3 — 10:40 AM
Alexander Room
INTERANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY INFLUENCES
THE ANNUAL AND SPATIAL OVERLAP OF TUNA SPECIES
DURING THE LARVAL STAGE
REGLERO, P., CIANNELLI, L., BALBÍN, R., ALVAREZ-BERASTEGUI, D.,
ALEMANY, F.J.
Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Centre Oceanogràfic de les Balears, Moll
de Ponent s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Email: patricia.reglero@ba.ieo.es
The distribution of recently-hatched larvae suggests spatially segregated
spawning habitats of three tuna species at the local scale in the Balearic Sea
(NW Mediterranean). Whereas bluefin tuna shows environmental preferences
for spawning, bullet tuna and albacore are driven mainly by geography,
therefore less variable over time. As they develop, larval tuna can quickly
become piscivorous. Previous analysis have indicated that predation rates
during the larval stages has the potential to impact recruitment dynamics.
In spite of the different attributes of their habitats, the three species of larval
tuna can spatially overlap around the Balearic region. Thus it is important to
understand the mechanisms that lead to increased spatial overlap among the
three species and between young and older stages of the same species, in order
to understand the mechanisms of recruitment dynamics. We develop an annual
and spatial overlap metric and analyze how environmental heterogeneity
influence tuna species coexistence over a 5 years period. Our results show that
the species overlap is constrained in the warmer years and enhanced in the
colder years. The results obtained for small and big larvae of the same species
indicate habitat shifts during the larval ontogeny. Inter-annual differences in
the mesoscale activity explain differences in the spatial pattern of coexistence
of the larvae across years. A spatial hotspot for significant overlaps is related
to summer consistent frontal structures. We confirm spawning strategies and
environmental variability explain the overlap of tuna species over the larval
ontogeny and identify key mechanisms that control recruitment.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 52
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 3:50 PM
Alexander Room
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT: DIET OVERPRINT IN LARVAL REEF
FISH OCEAN ACIDIFICATION STUDIES?
RHYNE, A.L., WILCOX-FREEBURG, E., BOURQUE, B., CERINO, D., TLUSTY,
M., HANNIGAN, R.E.
Roger Williams University / New England Aquarium, Department of Biology/
Marine Biology, One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, RI 02809. Email: arhyne@rwu.edu
Interest in the effects of ocean acidification reef fish is accelerating. Several
larval studies have been completed on reef fish, but they have had mixed results.
While there is standard methodology for measuring the physical parameters
such as calcium saturation state, the methodology for the husbandry of the
animals including larval rearing tanks, flow regimes, and diet, is far from
standardized. Prior studies have found clownfish (which were reared on rotifers
and Artemia) to be sensitive to the effects of increased acidity. In an attempt to
mimic a natural diet, we reared three clownfish species on calanoid copepods.
Our results suggest that when fed this copepod diet, the clownfish were not
as affected by increasing acidification treatments, a result that is contradictive
to the existing literature. This results implies that a more natural larval diet,
containing natural levels of n-3HUFAs, results in more robust larvae which
are less sensitive to the pH stressor of Ocean Acidification studies. We suggest
that diet significantly influences an animal’s ability to mediate environmental
stressors, and is a factor that needs to be accounted for in future ocean
acidification trials.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Session: Reproduction and early life history of highly migratory species
Monday, June 3 — 11:20 AM
Alexander Room
STUDIES OF TUNA EARLY LIFE HISTORY CONDUCTED AT
THE INTER-AMERICAN TROPICAL TUNA COMMISION (IATTC)
ACHOTINES LABORATORY, 2012–2013
SCHOLEY, V., MARGULIES, D., WEXLER, J., STEIN, M.
Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, Achotines Laboratory, Las Tablas, Los
Santos, Republic of Panama. Email: vscholey@iattc.org
The IATTC conducts a variety of research on the reproductive biology and early
life history of tuna at the Achotines Laboratory, Republic of Panama. Yellowfin
tuna broodstock have been spawning since 1996 with the resulting eggs, larvae
and juveniles serving as research subjects. A collaborative study funded by
the Pelagic Fisheries Research Program and conducted with scientists of the
Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Macquarie University and the University
of Gothenburg, is investigating the potential effects of ocean acidification on
yellowfin early life stages. Preliminary results suggest potential impacts of
increased acidification. In 2011, a 5-year joint project began at the Achotines
Laboratory and in Japan involving comparative studies of Pacific bluefin and
yellowfin tuna. The joint study is conducted by the IATTC’s Early Life History
Group, Kinki University and the Autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de
Panama. The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency
and the Japan Science and Technology Agency. Comparative investigations of
both species for growth potential, responses to delayed feeding and starvation
in larvae, embryonic development, larval development and genetic monitoring
are ongoing. During 2012, a 3-year study funded by California Sea Grant
was initiated by the IATTC and the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute to
investigate the development of sustainable tuna aquaculture in the U.S.A. The
project includes feasibility studies of air shipment of yellowfin eggs and larvae
from Panama to San Diego, and rearing studies of yellowfin larvae in Panama
and San Diego.
John H.S. Blaxter Award Candidate
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS CONTRIBUTING TO
SMALL SCALE TRANSPORT AND COMPOSITION OF
ICHTHYOPLANKTON AT THE MOUTH OF A SUBTROPICAL
ESTUARY
SCHMITT, V.B., MUELBERT, J.H.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Crystal Ballroom
Universidade Federal de Rio Grande. Email: schmitt.vb@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:40 PM
Environmental conditions affect community structure and dynamics of fish
larvae migration between estuaries and adjacent coast. It is assumed that
transport and composition of ichthyoplankton assemblages are influenced
by the highly variable circulation in the Patos Lagoon Estuary. Thus, spatial
composition and transport of fish larvae were investigated during 24h in three
stations located perpendicular to the mouth of the estuary. At the sample period,
the estuarine circulation varied from salt-wedge, to vertically homogeneous and
laterally stratified. The composition of fish larvae along the transect indicated
a pattern laterally differentiated. The east and center stations were linked and
showed largest salinity and intensity of the currents compared to the west
station. At east predominated the flood system and fish larvae were mainly
transported into the estuary. Whereas at west, the ebb system dominated and
fish larvae were mostly expelled to ocean. Vertical patterns in the composition
of ichthyoplankton assemblages were also observed. Surface stations were
related and showed largest salinity and current intensity. At the bottom, the
assemblages abundance was low as well as the current intensity. Variations
in the circulation system and salinity had a significant influence on patterns
of composition and transport of ichthyoplankton and consistent positive
correlations between this variables were obtained. These results improve the
understanding of the dynamics of ichthyoplankton in the interface between
the estuary and the adjacent coast, and reinforces the importance of small-scale
measurements to enhance the knowledge on the patterns of composition and
transport of larval fish in estuarine regions.
FINE-SCALE HABITAT USE OF JUVENILE GREENLAND COD
(GADUS OGAC) AS REVEALED BY ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY
SCHORNAGEL, D.B., GREGORY, R.S., SNELGROVE, P.V.R.
Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 0 Marine Drive
Logy Bay, NL, Canada, A1C 5S7. Email: dustins@mun.ca
The availability of suitable habitat can increase the survivorship of juvenile fish
by providing enhanced foraging opportunities and refuge from predation. Our
study utilizes the latest technology in acoustic telemetry in association with
detailed seabed habitat mapping to examine the activity and habitat usage
patterns of age-1 Greenland cod (Gadus ogac) in Newman Sound, a coastal fjord
in Newfoundland, Canada. Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted
into 82 juvenile cod and provided fine-scale positions (<6 m) over the course
of a year. Forty-one tags were released in each of October 2010 and November
2011. Aerial photographs and submersible cameras were used to develop
seabed habitat maps (±5 m) of two nursery areas within Newman Sound.
Positions estimated from acoustic telemetry were then overlaid onto seabed
habitat maps to investigate patterns of activity and habitat association over
temporal scales (hours to seasons). Age-1 G. ogac show preference for eelgrass
habitats, and avoidance of kelp. Habitat use and activity also vary over the diel
period, with lower activity and higher site fidelity at night. Developing a better
understanding of juvenile cod habitat use provides invaluable information for
the development of effective conservation and management strategies, such as
the delineation of MPA's and other spatially sensitive management initiatives.
Presentation type: Oral
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (larval fish studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 11:00 AM
Room
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Alexander
VALIDATING OCEAN CIRCULATION MODEL USED FOR
CALCULATING LARVAL FISH TRANSPORT IN CONNECTION
WITH FISH RECRUITMENT AND STOCK MANAGEMENT
SHEREMET, V., BROOKS, L., LOUGH, G., O’BRIEN, L., LEGAULT, C.,
MANNING, J., CHEN, Y.
NOAA Woods Hole Laboratory, 166 Water St, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Email:
vsheremet@whoi.edu
A goal of this FATE project is to develop indices characterizing oceanographic
conditions on Georges Bank that influence the recruitment and that can be
used for fisheries management. Application of numerical models in fisheries
oceanography provides a more realistic approach to investigation of larval
transport in 3D flow fields. FVCOM GOM3 30 year hindcast simulation was
analyzed against available long term observations of temperature from lobster
traps, currents from drifters and moored platforms. A satisfactory agreement
was found in relatively shallow areas, such as Georges Bank. In deeper areas
with stronger density stratification the model shows warmer temperatures
and weaker currents. The model is a useful tool for analyzing various
physical effects such as winds on larval fish transport. Two approaches to
calculating the larval transport were developed: particle tracking
and probability distribution advection. For three species:
cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, the evolution
of larvae probability distribution was calculated
following the hypothetical annual spawning
events. Variability of the retention and year-1
recruitment on Georges Bank for the modeled
years was analyzed against the observed egg,
larval, and young of year densities available
from surveys.
Presentation type: Oral
Crystal Ballroom
REEF FISH LARVAE GROW FASTER IN MESOSCALE EDDIES
SHULZITSKI, K., SPONAUGLE, S., COWEN, R.K.
RSMAS - University of Miami, 1844 SW 23rd Street Miami, FL 33145. Email:
kshulzitski@rsmas.miami.edu
Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous across the world’s oceans and their propagation
along western boundary currents is often accompanied by upwelling and
increased primary productivity. Enhanced productivity suggests that eddies
may serve as important larval habitat, yet there is a paucity of empirical
data on the abundance and growth rates of fish larvae associated with these
eddies. Ichthyoplankton samples and physical data were collected during three
cruises in the Straits of Florida where mesoscale eddies constitute a dynamic
component of the oceanographic environment. We found that abundances of
reef fish larvae were higher in mesoscale eddies for two of the three cruises,
though this pattern was variable at the species level. For five common reef
fishes, Xyrichtys novacula, Cryptotomus roseus, Thalassoma bifasciatum,
Stegastes partitus, and Sphyraena barracuda larval abundances were largely
unaffected by mesoscale eddies. However, otolith analysis revealed that four
of the five species had consistently faster growth inside of eddies. Increased
larval growth has been linked to higher survivorship in the larval and juvenile
stages, thus, independent of patterns of abundance, these faster growing fish
inside eddies likely contribute significantly to population replenishment in this
dynamic system. Our results are consistent with the concept that the increased
productivity associated with mesoscale eddies translates into favorable habitat
for the larval stages of reef fishes.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
ILLUSTRATIONS OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE MOUNTAIN WHITEFISH
SNYDER, D.E., BJORK, C.L.
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 3 — 4:30 PM
Monday, June 3 — 9:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
VARIABILITY IN PREDATION RISK OF JUVENILE FISHES IN
SEAGRASS BEDS EVALUATED FROM PISCIVOROUS FISH
BIOMASS AND PREDATION RATES FROM TROPICAL TO
SUBARCTIC ZONES
SHOJI, J., FUKUTA, A., SCHUBERT, P., CHAPMAN, A., HAUKEBØ, T.
Takehara Marine Science Station, Hiroshima University, 5-8-1 Takehara,
Hiroshima 725-0024, Japan. Email: jshoji@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Seagrass beds are known to be highly productive ecosystems which support
high species diversity. Fish production accounts for a large amount of the
provisioning services although quantitative data of fish community and
production in natural ecosystem are very limited. Investigations on spatial
and temporal variability in fish community structure and trophic flow are
indispensable for sustainable use of the biological resources of coastal ecosystems
in the future. Biological and physical surveys were conducted in seagrass beds
at 25 sites covering tropical to sub-arctic zones. Fish were sampled with a large
seine net (2-mm mesh) and water temperature, salinity, seagrass shoot density
and leaf length were measured at each sampling location. Invertebrates were
collected with a plankton net (0.1-mm mesh). Sampled fishes were processed
for analysis of stomach contents and stable isotopes. Number of fish species per
surveyed area (100 m2) was highest at southernmost sites while fish biomass
(g per 100 m2) was highest at intermediate latitudes (35–40˚N). Comparison
within seagrass beds dominated by a single species, Zostera marina, showed
that piscivorous fish biomass and predation rate (number of fish found in
stomachs of predators per 100 m2) were highest at the intermediate latitudes.
Larval Fish Laboratory, Colorado State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife,
and Conservation Biology, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474.
Email: darrel.snyder@colostate.edu
The mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni (Salmonidae, subfamily
Coregoninae) is native to much of western Canada and the United States on
both sides of the Continental Divide. In Colorado, it is native to the Yampa,
White, and Green River drainages and has been introduced to upper reaches
of the Colorado River and Cache la Poudre River drainages. In Wyoming, it
is found in all basins west of the Powder River, North Platte River, and Great
Divide basins. It is a non-guarding, open-substrate lithophil, broadcasting
its eggs over coarse gravel or cobble substrates. Demersal, non-adhesive, 3-4
mm eggs are spawned in fall, incubate at low temperatures for a few months
in the substrate, and hatch in late winter or early spring at 12-14 mm TL
(total length). Embryos of the mountain whitefish have been moderately
well described and illustrated, but prior to the report on which this poster is
based, their larvae and early juveniles had not. Here we better document the
early morphological development of mountain whitefish with several detailed,
three-view illustrations from a recently hatched 12.6 mm TL protolarva to a
43.5 mm TL young-of-the-year juvenile. Although identification of mountain
whitefish larvae has not been a problem in Colorado and Wyoming, where it is
currently the only representative of the whitefish subfamily, these illustrations
should be helpful elsewhere in its range where that is not the case.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 54
Presentation type: Poster
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
ILLUSTRATIONS OF LARVAL AND JUVENILE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE PLAINS TOPMINNOW
Thursday, June 6 — 10:40 AM
SNYDER, D.E., BJORK, C.L.
Larval Fish Laboratory, Colorado State University, Department of Fish, Wildlife
and Conservation Biology, 1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, Colorado 805231474. Email: darrel.snyder@colostate.edu
The native range of the plains topminnow Fundulus sciadicus (Fundulidae)
consists mostly of two disjunct regions in the Missouri River Basin–one
confined to south-central Missouri and a much larger region covering much
of Nebraska and extending into neighboring states including southeastern
Wyoming and northeastern Colorado. It is a non-guarding, open-substrate
phytophil, typically broadcasting its eggs over aquatic vegetation, including
filamentous algae. Spawning occurs from mid-spring to mid-summer at 18-25
°C. Eggs average 1.8 mm (range 1.6-2.2 mm) in diameter, have thin chorionic
filaments for attachment to vegetation, and hatch in 8-14 days at 21-23 °C.
Embryonic development has been noted as similar to that of diamond killifish
Adinia xenica, but, except for a few descriptive notes, the larvae and early
juveniles had not been previously described or illustrated. We document
morphological development of young plains topminnow with four detailed,
three-view illustrations from a recently hatched, 6.2 mm TL (total length)
flexion mesolarva to a recently transformed, fully scaled, 19.1 mm TL juvenile.
Early larvae are distinguished from the northern plains killifish F. kansae,
the only other fundulid found in Colorado and Wyoming, by much denser
body pigmentation and essentially round rather than moderately oval eyes.
Metalarvae and juveniles are distinguished from northern plains killifish by a
more posterior dorsal fin (origin well behind anal fin origin), fewer dorsal fin
rays, and usually fewer anal fin rays; juvenile plains topminnow also have fewer
scales and do not develop vertical stripes on the lateral body.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Ocean acidification/climate change impacts on the early life
history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 1:40 PM
Crystal Ballroom
IMPROVING ECOSYSTEM-BASED STOCK ASSESSMENT AND
FORECASTING BY USING A HIERARCHICAL APPROACH TO
LINK FISH PRODUCTIVITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL DRIVERS
STAWITZ, C.C., STACHURA, M.M., ESSINGTON, T.E., BRANCH, T.A.,
HALTUCH, M.A., HOLLOWED, A.B., MANTUA, N.J., SPENCER, P.D.
University of Washington, SAFS, Box 355020, Seattle, WA 98195-5020. Email:
cstawitz@uw.edu
Oceanographic conditions can significantly affect productivity in fish stocks, so
incorporating these effects into stock assessment models may improve estimates
and forecasts. Recruitment and somatic growth are the primary processes that
govern fish production dynamics. Thus, by identifying shared recruitment
and growth dynamics patterns across stocks, we can identify groups which
respond similarly to environmental drivers. Here we assessed synchrony in
recruitment and growth dynamics in stocks from the Northeast Pacific
Ocean ecosystems and related these dynamics to life history traits
and environmental time series. We applied h i e r a r c h i c a l
Bayesian meta-analysis techniques to
allow
for group-level parameter estimation
and increase the statistical power of
the analysis. For recruitment, we find
mixed degrees of synchrony across
the three main ecosystems, with highest
synchrony in the Gulf of Alaska. Recruitment dynamics
in this ecosystem were related to regional sea surface height
variability. For growth, we evaluated two alternative models: one
in which unique growth trajectories are assigned to each cohort, and
another in which environmental processes affect growth of all age classes.
We find that differences in cohort initial mean size impact size-at-age in later
years, but annual effects influence growth across cohorts. In summary, a key
challenge in this process was defining groups a priori that have synchronous
production dynamics, highlighting our limited understanding of the processes
and time/space scales at which recruitment and growth are governed.
Alexander Room
IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND WARMING ON
LARVAE OF COMMERCIALLY IMPORTANT FISH SPECIES
SSWAT, M., CLEMMESEN, C., JUTFELT, F., RIEBESELL, U.
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20,
24105 Kiel, Germany. Email: msswat@geomar.de
Effects of increasing carbon dioxide and temperature on commercially
important fish larvae are a major concern for future fisheries. Ocean acidification
and warming can directly affect fish larvae on a physiological level (ossification,
organ development and growth in general) or, possibly even more important,
indirectly due to changes in food quantity and quality. A large-scale mesocosm
experiment on ocean acidification using the Kiel Off-Shore Mesocosms for
Future Ocean Simulations (KOSMOS) is currently on-going in the Gullmar
Fjord at the west coast of Sweden. As part of this five-months-long study, we
investigate the development of fish larvae under conditions where both the
larvae themselves and the plankton community they feed on are exposed to
present-day and projected year 2100 CO2 levels. In parallel, we perform lab
experiments on the combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on
larvae of cod and herring. Our experiments include adult cod, pre-incubated in
CO2-enriched water, where spawning will be induced. We will monitor the egg
development as well as growth, condition and mortality of the larvae. Based on
“DNA-fingerprinting” using microsatellites we aim to track back each tested
larvae to their individual parents. We will show preliminary results from this
study, including larval growth and mortality, and will discuss theses results in
the context of ocean change impacts on commercially important fish species.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Monday, June 3 — 10:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
EFFECTS OF INTER-ANNUAL CLIMATOLOGY ON LARVAL
TRANSPORT FROM SNAPPER SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS IN
CUBA
STAATERMAN, E., PARIS, C.B., KOUGH, A.S., CLARO, R., LINDEMAN, K.
RSMAS, Applied Marine Physics & Marine Biology and Fisheries, University of
Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, Florida 33149-1098, USA. Email:
estaaterman@rsmas.miami.edu
With progressively faster climate change, shifts in distributional ranges have
been reported for many species. The success of organisms at coping with
novel seasonal conditions depends on the mechanisms that determine their
schedules. Snapper migrate to form spawning aggregations with conspecifics
at predictable locations and times as observed in many other coral reef
related species. While spawning is thought to be associated with particular
oceanographic features, dispersal kernels (i.e., the probability of dispersal) from
these ‘hotspots’ of breeding activity are not well understood. They may vary
spatially and temporally, possibly differing between spawning events, seasons,
and years. An earlier biophysical modeling study, which incorporated currents
from a single year (1984) and sequential runs centered on peak spawning
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 55
months and lunar phases, suggested that considerable levels of self-recruitment
structured the Cuban snapper populations. Here we repeat this study over
a decade to investigate the effects of the inter-annual variability on dispersal
kernels and transport pathways. In addition, in an effort to assess the impact
of extreme climatic events on the persistence of local snapper populations (i.e.,
their replacement over space) in Cuba, we quantify the spatial variability of
dispersal kernels for simulated spawning and settlement events during the
passage of hurricanes. This analysis reveals major pathways of larval transport
from spawning aggregations, and demonstrates the effect of extreme events on
their variance and on levels of local and regional connectivity, a component
needed in the design of marine reserve networks.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 1:40 PM
Alexander Room
CLIMATE CHANGE BELOW THE SURFACE: TROPHICALLY
MEDIATED RANGE EXPANSION OF HUMBOLDT SQUID
(DOSIDICUS GIGAS) IN THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT SYSTEM
STEWART, J.S., HAZEN, E.L., BOGRAD, S.J., BYRNES, J.E.K., FOLEY, D.G.,
GILLY, W.F., ROBISON, B.H., FIELD, J.C.
Stanford University, 120 Oceanview Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA, 93950. Email:
jules32@gmail.com
Since the late 1990s, Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas) have been increasingly
abundant throughout the California Current System. There is concern that
when highly abundant, Humboldt squid have the potential to greatly impact
coastal ecosystems and fisheries, as they forage on important commercial
species including Pacific hake, Pacific sardine, market squid, rockfish, and
salmon (as well as their staple diet of myctophid fishes and other lower trophic
level species). As such, there is interest in developing both absolute and relative
abundance indices and understanding the environmental drivers that may be
facilitating their presence in the region. Humboldt squid are highly migratory
and tolerate hypoxic conditions in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) while
their mesopelagic prey, competitors, and predators may be disadvantaged.
Consequently, ongoing and likely future consequences of climate change
below the surface (i.e. OMZ shoaling) may have opened a new ecological
niche for Humboldt squid through new foraging opportunities, and could
be an important driver of their ongoing range expansion. We used a unique,
fifteen-year dataset of in situ observations of predator-prey and environmental
interactions in Monterey Bay, California and took several modeling approaches
to explore the mechanisms behind the Humboldt squid range expansion. Our
results suggest that Humboldt squid are indirectly affected by OMZ expansion
through effects on the mesopelagic community.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Sally Leonard Richardson Award Candidate
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:20 AM
differences in the sensitivity and developmental process of pelagic marine fish
embryos, traditional 96-hr bioassays yielded inconsistent test performance
results, often with low control survival causing numerous test failures.
Development of a novel exposure system, the pelagic embryo-larval exposure
chamber (PELEC), was necessary to conduct consistently successful bioassays
on embryo/larval life stages of pelagic marine fish. By utilizing upwelling
hydrodynamics in replicated recirculating chambers, it was possible to
significantly improve control survival in pelagic marine fish embryo bioassays.
Results indicate that control performance of mahi-mahi (Coryphaena
hippurus) embryos in the PELEC system (89.8% ± 2.12), measured as percent
survival after 96-hrs, consistently outperformed agitated static exposure (76.8%
± 4.49) and traditional static exposure (67.5% ± 4.79) systems. Use of this
bioassay system allows for controlled and accurate testing of fish embryos and
larvae from challenging pelagic species such as mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna
(Thunnus albacares).
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCE ON THE VERTICAL
DISTRIBUTION OF ENGRAULIS ANCHOITA LARVAE IN AN
UPWELLING SYSTEM
TORQUATO, F.O., MUELBERT, J.H.
FURG, INSTITUTO DE OCEANOGRAFIA, LEI, CX. POSTAL 474, CARREIROS, 96200970 - Rio Grande, RS – Brasil. Email: felipe_o_torquato@hotmail.com
This study seeks to understand the influence of environmental forcing on
vertical distribution of Engraulis anchoita larvae in an upwelling frontal
system off Cape Santa Marta Grande (28°S). Data were collected at 15 stations
distributed along three transects perpendicular to the coast during winter 2005
and summer 2007. Larvae were collected during darkness and daytime with a
0.75 m² opening MultiNet equipped with two 200μm and three 330μm meshnets. Ash-free dry copepod (Prey) biomass and abundance of chaetognaths
(Predator) were measured from a 10% aliquot. Water column stratification and
water mass type were determined based on temperature and salinity from CTD
data. Diel variability in depth distribution was represented by displacement of
the mean center of mass (ZCM). Larval abundance was analyzed with respect
to the environmental variables using a Poisson GLM. During winter, the
highest abundance of larvae was mainly in the upper 30m. Small larvae were
present in all water masses, particularly in cold and low salinity water from
Plata Plume Water and Sub-Tropical Shelf Water (STSW). The ZCM showed
that small larvae were concentrated in upper layers during day, and migrated to
deeper layers at dark. Temperature, salinity and depth had explanatory power
and negatively influenced abundance. Prey had explanatory power and was
positively correlated. During summer, most larvae were in the upper 30m in
STSW and Tropical Waters. Prey, predator and temperature were positively
correlated with larval abundance while salinity had a negative influence.
These results showed that vertical distribution of anchovy is controlled by
environment factors.
Presentation type: Oral
Crystal Ballroom
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE BIOASSAY SYSTEM
(PELEC) FOR USE WITH PELAGIC MARINE FISH EMBRYOS
AND LARVAE
STIEGLITZ, J.D., MAGER, E.M., HOENIG, R.H., BENETTI, D.D., GROSELL, M.
University of Miami – RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149.
Email: jstieglitz@rsmas.miami.edu
A novel 96-hr acute toxicity bioassay system has been developed allowing
for toxicity testing embryo and larval stages of pelagic marine fish. Accurate
determination of toxicity to embryo and larval stages of such species requires
the use of scientifically acceptable bioassay protocols and systems. Due to key
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 10:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
IMPROVING THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE EARLY LIFE
HISTORY STAGES OF ELOPOMORPH FISHES IN THE
WESTERN CARIBBEAN USING DNA BARCODING
VASQUEZ-YEOMANS, L., Morales, S., Valdez-Moreno, M.,
Acevedo, D., Martínez, A., Carrillo, L., Malca, E. Victor, B.
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Av. Centenario Km 5.5, Chetumal Quintana Roo,
México, 77014
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 56
The identification of early stages of fishes is a difficult task, especially in tropical
areas where species diversity is high and the requisite effort particularly
daunting. The group Elopomorpha is no exception; since 1989 there has
been an increased effort to systematically identify leptocephalus larvae in
the western North Atlantic Ocean. Nevertheless, progress has been slow and
relatively few species have been described. Recently however, genetic tools
have helped to resolve some of the complexities inherent in identifying larvae
in this particularly species-rich group of fishes. Here, we present the results
obtained using DNA barcoding to identify leptocephali from the region. The
material analyzed was obtained mainly from oceanographic cruises along the
Mesoamerican Reef (NOAA Gordon-Gunter 2006-2007). All our material
was identified morphologically to the lowest feasible taxonomic level and
subsequently analyzed with the DNA barcoding identification engine. A total
of 496 specimens were sequenced including 407 larvae, 15 eggs, and 74 adults.
Overall, 60% of larval and egg sequences matched with a >97% similarity to
reference sequences in the BOLD database, frequently allowing identification
to the species level. Three orders were identified: Anguilliformes, represented
by 6 families including 23 genera, i.e. Congridae, Chlopsidae, Moringuidae,
Muraenidae, Nettastomatidae and Ophichthidae; Elopiformes comprising
Elopidae and Megalopidae with 2 genera; and Albuliformes with Albulidae and
the single genus Albula. We present new records for the region and unknown
stages for some species of Elopomorpha. At present, the ECOSUR Collection
for early stages of Elopomopha is the most complete in the Caribbean.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
FISH LARVAE CHECKLIST (PISCES) FROM NORTH OF THE
YUCATÁN PENINSULA
VASQUEZ-YEOMANS, L., Morales, S., Valdez-Moreno, M.,
Acevedo, D., Martínez, A., Carrillo, L., Malca, E. Victor, B.
ECOSUR Chetumal Q. Roo. Mexico, Ave. Centenario Km.5.5 Col. Pacto obrero.
C.P. 77014 Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico. Email: luluvaye@yahoo.com.mx
A taxonomic checklist for fish larvae occurring at Dzilam (May 1992–April
1993), Celestún ( July 1994–June 1995), La Carbonera ( July 1995–June
1996), Chuburná ( July 1995–June 1996), Río Lagartos (November 1996–
October 1997), Chelem ( July 1999–June 2000) and Yalahau ( June 2001–
May 2002) lagoons located in the north of the Yucatán Peninsula is presented.
Sampling was carried out for five min. using a zooplankton net for fish larvae.
This work aims to provide the current state of the taxonomic composition and
general distribution for 45,471 fish larvae. From those, two classes, 17 orders,
45 families, 86 genera and 127 species were caught, including 10 new records,
where 24 have been found only in the Gulf of Mexico, four in the Caribbean
Sea, and 90 are common to both regions. This study updates and increases the
number of species in stages fish larvae reported by previous workers. It was
found that early reef larval stages were more abundant towards the East of the
Yucatán Peninsula and less to the West. The high number of shared species
(127) suggests that the north region of the Yucatán Peninsula is a transition
zone for fish larval and juvenile between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean
Sea.
Presentation type: Poster
Session: Ecology of early life history stages of fishes
REEF FISH RECRUITMENT IN THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN,
DEVELOPING AN INDEX BASED UPON A SIMPLE, LOW COST
TRAP
YAM-POOT, G., SOSA-CORDERO, E., VASQUEZ YEOMANS, L., LAMKIN, J.T.
Lourdes Vasquez-Yeomans, Ave. Centenario km. 5.5 Col. Pacto Obrero Chetumal
Quintana Roo. C.P. 77014 México. Email: luluvaye@yahoo.com.mx
Recruitment is a major process driving abundance changes in fish populations.
In reef fish, recruitment can be viewed as a combination of three steps: i)
influx of pelagic postlarvae to coastal areas mediated by physical processes;
ii) settlement of postlarvae in selected benthic habitats; iii) post-settlement
survival of juvenile stage to adult. It is of commercial and ecological interest
to monitor reef fish recruitment and its variation in space and time, along
the Caribbean. This study developed a recruitment index for reef fish using a
simple, inexpensive trap deployed in two reef areas of the Mexican Caribbean:
Punta Allen and Xcalak. Each sampling station consisted of multiple sets of
traps in the reef lagoon adjacent to patch reefs, at a mean depth of 2 m, and
was checked daily for larval fish recruitment for 2-3 days during the new moon
of May-August and October 2004. In total, 952 postlarvae were caught, and
49 species were identified, pertaining to 37 genera of 25 families. The most
abundant fish was the labrid Doratonotus megalepis, with 202 postlarvae
specimens (21.2% of the total catch). Six species of the commercially valuable
snapper (Lutjanidae) were collected; with the Schoolmaster Lutjanus apodus
being the most abundant with 80 postlarvae (8.4% of the total catch). Length
ranged greatly (4.6 to 107.3 mm total length). The potential of this trap as an
inexpensive sampling gear for monitoring the influx of postlarval reef fish at a
regional level is discussed, and guidelines for sampling design are also given.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Wednesday, June 5 — 10:40 AM
Crystal Ballroom
FIRST ESTIMATION OF LARVAL SUPPLY AND CONNECTIVITY
OF RESERVES IN THE HAWAIIAN ARCHIPELAGO
VAZ, A.C., PARIS, C.B, KELLEY, C., RICHARDS, K.J., HOLSTEIN, D.
RSMAS, 4600 Rickenbacker CSWY, Miami, FL, 33149. Email: avaz@rsmas.miami.
edu
This study investigates larval dispersal among reserves in the Hawaiian
Archipelago, focusing on bottomfish species (Pristipomoides filamentosus,
Etelis carbunculus and Etelis coruscans) by simulating larval dispersal using an
Individual-based model (IBM) and flow fields from hydrodynamics models. A
range of biological traits were implemented in the IBM their effect on larval
dispersal, and in shaping the demographics of bottomfish populations, and
this information was linked to local fisheries management issues. We addressed
two key questions regarding the location of the reserves in the Hawaiian
Islands: i) are the reserves efficient in supporting populations through larval
retention and connectivity and thus what are the relative contribution of local
retention and export to other protected sites, ii) are the reserves potentially
effective at replenishing fisheries resources through larval dispersal? Larval
transport results indicated that the species considered presented shared
connectivity patterns. Specifically, connectivity was limited between the
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) and the Main
Hawaiian Islands (MHI), indicating the need of distinct management measures
to maintain fisheries stocks along the archipelago. Most of the viable larvae
spawned inside MHI reserves were exported to fishing sites. Therefore, these
areas are potentially achieving their role to replenish fisheries populations by
larval export. However, the reserve network presented limited demographic
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 57
connectivity suggesting that many reserves are relying on larval subsidy from
fishing sites to sustain their populations. The designation of more reserves
could improve the efficiency of the reserve network.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Advances and novel application of methods for the study of
early life history stages of fishes
Tuesday, June 4 — 2:00 PM
Crystal Ballroom
THE USE OF DISPERSANTS TO COMBAT OIL SPILLS
MODIFIES THE EXPOSURE RATE OF FISH EGGS AND LARVAE
TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
VIKEBØ F.B., RØNNINGEN, P., LIEN, V.S., MEIER, S., GRØSVIK, B.E.
Institute of Marine Research, Box 1870 Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway. Email:
frovik@imr.no
Forcing an oil drift and fates model (Oscar) and an individual-based model
(IBM) for Northeast Arctic cod (Gadus morhua) eggs and larvae with
circulation, hydrography and turbulence from the ocean model ROMS,
enables us to integrate the individual exposure of eggs and larvae to oil from
various oil spill scenarios at daily time steps. We can thus evaluate the effect of
time and location of oil spill and spawning grounds on the degree of exposure.
By distinguishing between the egg and larval stage, and including numerical
algorithms for their vertical distribution, we are able to quantify the importance
of individual dynamical vertical positioning of eggs and the vertical behavior of
larvae for exposure to simulated oil concentrations. However, the fates model
also includes the possibility of introducing dispersants to combat the oil spill.
Here, we quantify how this modifies the exposure of egg and larval stages to
total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which explains most of the toxicity in
weathered oil.
Session: Reef fish as model species in ecology and management
Tuesday, June 4 — 11:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
A PICTURE IS WORTH ONE THOUSAND WORDS: IMAGE
ANALYSIS TOOLS FOR OTOLITH STUDIES
WILCOX FREEBURG, E.D. , RHYNE, A.L., HANNIGAN, R.E.
University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment, 100 Morrissey
Blvd., Boston, MA 02155. Email: eric.freeburg001@umb.edu
The fish inner ear bones, or otoliths, have been the subject for much study.
A concise toolset for comparable metrics has been developed for otolith
morphology and surface roughness. Morphology tools have been used
to assess growth changes, but often require programming knowledge to
replicate. Using a MATLAB script written specifically for this sample type,
sample morphology characteristics and ellipsoid approximation are generated.
Roughness characteristics have never been calculated for these sample types.
Using local normalization procedures, SEM imagery can be used to calculate
roughness indices based on grayscale values. Using these two toolsets, advanced
microstructural analysis can be carried out on sub-mm scale objects, such as
larval fish otoliths for use in applied studies.
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Wednesday, June 5 — 2:40 PM
Alexander Room
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON ALBACORE TUNA
(THUNNUS ALALUNGA) DISTRIBUTION IN THE NORTHEAST
PACIFIC: PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
XU, Y., NIETO, K., MCCLATCHIE, S., HOLMES, J., TEO, S.L.H., BOGRAD, S.
NOAA Fisheries, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Fisheries Resources Division,
8901 La Jolla Shores Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1509. Email: steve.teo@noaa.gov
Presentation type: Oral
Session: Larval food webs and predator-prey interactions
Monday, June 3 — 2:00 PM
Presentation type: Oral
Crystal Ballroom
ROCKY REEF POOLS AS NURSERY AREAS FOR FISH LARVAE:
FOOD WEB NETWORK MODELS
VINAGRE, C., Dias, M., Roma, J., Silva A.
Centro de Oceanografia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo
Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal. Email: cmvinagre@fc.ul.pt
Rocky reef tidal pools of southern Europe act as nursery areas for larval and
0-group juvenile marine organisms. Among these organisms are commercially
important fish species like the white seabream Diplodus sargus and other
abundant coastal species like the sand smelt Atherina boyeri and the grey
mullet Liza ramada. Occasionally, species like the European sardine, Sardina
pilchardus, the Zebra seabream, Diplodus cervinus, the Baillon’s wrasse
Symphodus bailloni and the Lesser weever Echiichthys vipera also occur in
tidal pools. Larval forms of D. sargus, A. boyeri and L. ramada reach very high
densities in spring. In summer, most of these larvae reach the juvenile stage, yet
continue to occupy this habitat. Gut contents of fish larvae and juveniles were
analyzed. The food webs of 6 tidal pools, in 4 rocky beaches, were compiled
and food web models were built. Their network structure and properties were
investigated. Fish larvae rely heavily on larval forms of other organisms that
also concentrate in tidal pools, especially those of shrimp. In turn fish larvae
constitute an abundant food resource for juvenile fish and shrimp.
The north Pacific albacore surface fishery is the most important highly
migratory species fishery on the west coast of the US and Canada. However,
relatively little is known about the environmental influences on albacore
distribution in the northeast Pacific (NEP). This study aims to improve our
understanding of the environmental influences on albacore distribution in the
NEP and develop environmental time-series that reflect albacore availability to
NEP fisheries. For our preliminary analysis, we assembled a database of catch
and effort data from logbooks of surface fishery vessels targeting albacore from
1998 to 2011. Weekly fields of SST, SSH anomalies, frontal gradients, and chl-a
concentrations were used as environmental predictors. We also examine the
influence of the North Pacific Current (NPC) bifurcation latitude on albacore
distribution. Statistical models were used to relate environmental predictors to
normalized albacore catch rate. The model domain covered the NEP and was
divided into two sub-regions to study coastal and open ocean spatial fields. We
divided the data into training and testing datasets. Preliminary results show
that the open ocean and coastal ocean oceanographic conditions affected
albacore distribution differently. SST frontal gradients and NPC bifurcation
latitude shifts appear to influence albacore distribution. Predicted albacore
CPUEs showed good agreement with observed CPUEs for both training and
testing datasets. If these relationships are found to be robust, then these types of
analyses could be integrated into population dynamic models to help improve
fisheries management in the face of environmental changes.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 58
Presentation type: Oral
Session: FATE Science Meeting (Other Studies)
Thursday, June 6 — 11:20 AM
Crystal Ballroom
RED FLAGS OR RED HERRINGS? USING ECOSYSTEM
INDICATORS TO DETECT ANOMALOUS CONDITIONS IN THE
GULF OF ALASKA IN 2011
ZADOR, S., ORMSETH, O., RENNER, H.
NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Building 4,
Seattle, WA 98115. Email: stephani.zador@noaa.gov
NOAA compiles and synthesizes information about the Alaska marine
ecosystem annually into an ecosystem considerations report primarily for the
North Pacific Fisheries Management Council, but also the scientific community
and the public. The goal of this report is to provide stronger links between
ecosystem research and fishery management and to spur new understanding
of the connections between ecosystem components by bringing together many
diverse research efforts into one document. There are more than one hundred
time series of physical and biological indicators that are tracked and updated,
many annually. The status and trends of these indicators are monitored for
early signals of ecosystem change that may have management implications.
Here we present the status of ecosystem indicators that cumulatively suggest
that anomalous conditions occurred in the Gulf of Alaska during 2011.
The first indications were noted in upper trophic organisms (seabirds and
Pacific halibut) that experienced reproductive failures and potential nutrient
deficiencies, respectively. Abundance indices of plankton and forage fish;
halibut stomach contents; and ocean surface currents also indicate anomalous
conditions occurred during 2011. We compare multiple lines of evidence
that suggest that changes in bottom-up forcing factors negatively influenced
productivity at the lower trophic level that in turn negatively influenced upper
trophic organisms. We conclude that: (1) synthesis of indicators’ status across
multiple trophic levels can reveal broad-scale changes in the environment that
may have important biological and management implications, and (2) upper
trophic organisms in particular serve as integrative indicators that provide near
real-time cues of environmental state.
The sun sets on Everglades National Park, South Florida’s largest subtropical
wilderness. The park was among the first national parks estalished to protect
fragile ecosystems. The park has been declared an International Biosphere
Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a World Heritage Site.
Among its many delicate ecosystems, the Everglades contain cypress and
mangrove forests, Florida pinelands, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater
sloughs, and marl prairies. The marine portion of the park contains Florida
Bay, home to an incredible diversity of marine and estuarine species, many of
which support a robust sport fishing industry.
Miami 2013 Larval Fish Conference • 59
Author Index
Able, K.W., 22
Acevedo, D., 56, 57
Aceves-Medina, G., 36
Agiv, H., 21
Agostini, S., 25, 31
Aké-Canul, R., 38
Alemany, F.J., 23, 30, 47, 52
Alexander, M., 48
Alós, J., 19, 23, 26
Alvarado Bremer, J.R., 24
Alvarez-Berastegui, D., 47, 52
Alvarez, D., 23
Álvarez, I., 23
Alvarez, P., 31
Aparicio, A., 23
Arlinghaus, R., 19
Armstrong, M., 51
Arula, T., 20
Assumpção, L., 43
Atema, J., 30
Avsar, D., 44
Ayala, D.J., 20
Baensch, F., 20
Bailey, H., 33
Balbín, R., 23, 52
Barcelo, C., 21
Bartlett, L.S., 45
Basterretxea, G., 19
Batchelder, H.P., 45
Beardsley, R.C., 21
Benetti, D.D., 56
Berenshtein, I., 21
Berumen, M.L., 47
Beyer, S., 52
Bignami, S., 21
Bisgambiglia, P.A., 31
Bjork, C.L., 54, 55
Block, B.A., 33
Blood, D.A., 44
Bode A., 39
Bograd, S.J., 33, 41, 56, 58
Bogucki, D., 49
Bond, N., 37
Borges, R., 28
Boucher, J.M., 21
Bourque, B., 53
Branch, T.A., 55
Brodeur, R., 21
Brooks, E.N., 32
Brooks, L., 54
Burad-Méndez, A., 38
Byrnes, J.E.K., 56
Cabanas, J.M., 51
Cabrero, A., 31, 39
Caldarone, E.M., 22
Candelmo, A.C., 22, 23
Carassou, L., 34
Caridad, J.F., 22
Carrillo, L., 22, 43, 46, 56, 57
Cass-Calay, S.L., 46
Catalán, I.A., 19, 23, 26
Cerino, D., 53
Chambers, R.C., 22, 23
Chapman, A., 54
Chen, C., 21, 32
Chen, Y., 54
Churchill, J.H., 32
Ciannelli, L., 21, 27, 47, 48, 52
Claro, R., 55
Clausen, K.C., 24
Clemmesen, C., 24, 49, 55
Comyns, B., 30
Cooper, D.W., 35
Cooper, K.R., 22, 23
Cornic, M., 24
Cortés, D., 30
Cowen, R.K., 21, 24, 32, 33, 54
Craig, J.K., 40
Crec’hriou, R., 25
Curchitser, E., 27
Curti, K., 48
D’Alessandro, E.K., 25, 33
Daly, E., 21
De Forest, L.G., 26, 44
Deary, A.L., 25
Dias, M., 58
Diaz-Gil, C., 26
Ditty, J.G., 24
Dodson, J.J., 40
Doering, K.l., 27
Donahue, M.J., 27
Dos Santos, P.A., 38
Dower, J., 17
Drew, K., 48
Duarte, C.M., 26
Duffy-Anderson, J.T., 26, 27, 35, 44
Dunand, A., 23
Durieux, E.D.H., 31
Ehrler, C.P., 28
Elking, B.A., 28
Enochs, I.C., 21
Essington, T.E., 55
Faillettaz, R., 28
Faria, A.M., 28, 32
Farley, E.V., 35
Favero, J.M., 29
Fay, G., 40
Fey, D.P., 50
Field, J.C., 56
Fletcher, C., 31
Flores-Coto, C., 29
Fogaça, P.L.C., 43
Foley, D.G., 33, 56
Ford, M.D., 29
Foretich, M., 30
Franks, J., 30
Fratantoni, P., 23
Freeburg, E.W., 30
Freire, A.S., 42
Friedland, K.D., 40
Frommel, A., 24
Fuiman, L.A., 33, 50
Fukuta, A., 54
Funes-Rodríguez, R., 29
Gago, J., 31, 39
Garcia-Charton, J., 25
García, A., 30, 31, 39, 51
Garrido, M., 31
Garsi, L.H., 25, 31
Gerigny, O., 31
Gerlach, G., 30
Gibson, D., 30
Gilly, W.F., 56
Glas, M., 31, 37, 40
Goericke, R., 45
Goldstein, E.D., 31
Gonçalves, E.J., 28, 32
Gonzalez-Navarro, E., 36
Graham, W.M., 34
Greenfield, C., 22, 23
Greer, A.T., 24, 32
Gregory, R.S., 53
Gröger, J., 20
Grosell, M., 56
Grøsvik, B.E., 58
Guigand, C.M., 24, 30, 32, 38, 49
Habeck, E.A., 22, 23
Habersack, H., 31, 37, 40
Haltuch, M.A., 55
Hammer, C., 49
Hannigan, R.E., 30, 53, 58
Hare, J.A., 17, 32, 48
Hauff, M.J., 33
Haukebø, T., 54
Havel, L.N., 33
Hazen, E.L., 33, 56
Heiler, J., 52
Heintz, R.A., 26
Hermann, A., 37
Hernandez De Rojas, A., 31, 39
Hernandez, F.J., 34
Herreros, M., 31
Hidalgo, J.M., 23
Hill, K., 45
Hilton, E.J., 25, 48
Hoenig, R.H., 56
Hoff, G., 27
Hoffmayer, E., 30
Hollowed, A.B., 55
Holmes, J., 58
Holstein, D.M., 34, 57
Hoteit, I., 47
Huebert, K.B., 35
Hufnagl, M., 35
Humphries, P., 31, 37, 40
Hurst, T.P., 35, 36
Ianelli, J., 27
Ingram, G.W. Jr., 46
Irisson, J.O., 28, 30, 41, 49
Jacobson, L.D., 45
Ji, R., 32
Jimenez-Rosenberg, S.P.A., 36
Jina, O., 36
Johns, L., 22
Johnson, D.R., 37
Jordi, A., 19
Jutfelt, F., 55
Kaplan, I.C., 37
Karakoylu, E., 45
Karnauskas, M., 27, 37
Katsuragawa, M., 29
Keckeis, H., 31, 37, 40
Kelley, C., 57
Kerber, C.E., 38
Keyes-Pulido, S., 38
Kiflawi, M., 21
Kingsford, M., 30
Kitchens, L.L., 38
Kiyaga, V.B., 44
Konstantinidis, P., 48
Kotterba, P., 52
Kough, A.S., 38, 55
Kreus, M., 35
Kubota, H., 48
Kupchik, M.J., 39
Lago, M.J., 50
Laiz-Carrión, R., 30, 31, 39, 50
Lamkin, J.T., 22, 46, 47, 57
Langseth, B.J., 40
Large, S.I., 40
Larouche, T., 40
Leal, A., 50
Lecaillon, G., 25
Lechner, A.J., 31, 37, 40
Lecomte, F., 40, 46
Legault, C., 54
Legault, L., 40
Legault, M., 46
Leis, J.M., 41, 49
Leising, A.W., 41
Lenfant, P., 25
Levin, P., 37
Li, Y., 32
Lien, V.S., 58
Lindeman, K., 55
Link, J.S., 40
Llopiz, J.K., 41
Loisl, F., 31, 37, 40
Lough, G., 54
Luo, J.Y., 24
Luzuriaga De Cruz, M., 41
Lyczkowski-Shultz, J., 17
Lynch, P., 48
Macedo-Soares, L.C.P., 42
Magel, C.R., 36
Mager, E.M., 56
Makrakis, M.C., 43
Makrakis, S., 43
Malanski, E., 43
Malca, E., 22, 43, 46, 56, 57
Malzahn, A., 49
Maneja, R., 24
Manning, J., 54
Mantua, N.J., 55
Manzello, D.P., 21
Margulies, D., 53
Martínez, A., 56, 57
Matarese, A.C., 26, 44
Mathis, J.A., 36
Mavruk, S., 44
Mayorga Adame, C.G., 45
Mcclatchie, S., 45, 58
Meier, S., 58
Méndez-Campos, H., 38
Miller, E., 45
Miller, S.E., 45
Miller, T.J., 45
Miskiewicz, A.G., 46
Moll, D., 52
Morales-Nin, B., 19
Morales, S., 43, 46, 56, 57
Morissette, O., 46
Morote, E., 30
Morris, J., 43
Muelbert, J.H., 42, 43, 53, 56
Mueter, F., 27
Muhling, B.A. 22, 46, 47
Mumby, P.J., 34
Munk, P., 20, 43
Muntoni, M., 25
Murenu, M., 25
Murphy, M.D., 47
Nanninga, G.B., 47
Napp, J.M., 44
Nash, R., 23
Neidetcher, S.K., 48
Newton, J., 37
Nielsen, T.G., 43
Nieto, K., 58
Nye, J.A., 48
O’Brien, L., 54
Ojaveer, H., 20
Okazaki, Y., 48
Olsson, L., 48
Ordóñez-López, U., 38
Ordoñez-Guillen, F.E., 36
Ormseth, O., 59
Oxenford, H.A., 45
Ozyurt, C.E., 44
Palmer, M.C., 19, 26, 32
Paris, C.B., 21, 27, 30, 34, 37, 38, 41,
49, 55, 57
Pasqualini, V., 31
Pätsch, J., 35
Pattrick, P., 25, 49
Paulsen, M., 49
Pawelczyk, A., 50
Peck, M.A., 35
Perez, K.O., 50
Perrin-Santoni, A., 31
Peterson, B., 50
Peterson, W., 37
Petrik, C., 27
Phelan, B.A., 22, 23
Piatkowski, U., 24
Piñeiro, C., 31, 50, 51
Pinheiro, C., 39
Piskozub, J., 49
Pitois, S.G., 51
Poach, M.E., 22, 23
Polte, P., 49, 52
Powers, S.P., 34
Prahl, F.G., 27
Privoznik, S.L., 46, 52
Quintanilla, J.M., 30, 39, 51
Randall, L., 52
Reglero, P., 47, 52
Renner, H., 59
Rhyne, A.L., 30, 53, 58
Richards, K.J., 57
Riebesell, U., 55
Riemann, L., 20
Robison, B.H., 56
Rodríguez-Fernández, L., 39, 50, 51
Rodriguez, J.M., 23, 30, 31, 39
Roffer, M.A., 47
Roma, J., 58
Rønningen, P., 58
Rooker, J.R., 24, 38, 52
Rulifson, R.A., 28
Rykaczewski, R., 50
Saborido-Rey, F., 31
Saenz-Agudelo, P., 47
Sakaji, H., 48
Saldierna-Martinez, R.J., 36
Sanches, E.G., 38
Sanchez-Velasco, L., 36
Sánchez, F.J., 50
Sanvicente-Añorve, L., 29
Schmitt, V.B., 53
Scholey, V., 53
Schornagel, D.B., 53
Schubert, P., 54
Schueller, A.M., 40
Schultz, E.T., 43
Scott, J., 48
Shashar, N., 21
Shaw, R.F., 39
Sheremet, V., 54
Shertzer, K.W., 40
Shiroza, A., 52
Shoji, J., 54
Shulzitski, K., 54
Siddon, E.C., 26
Siebeck, U.E., 41, 49
Siedlecki, S., 37
Silva, A., 58
Silva, P.K.A., 38
Silva, P.S., 43
Simm, M., 20
Sirois, P., 40, 46
Smart, T.I., 26, 27, 44
Smith, J.W., 40
Smith, R., 22
Snelgrove, P.V.R., 53
Snyder, D.E., 54, 55
Sohn, D., 27
Sosa-Cordero, E., 22, 43, 57
Spencer, P.D., 55
Spies, I.B., 26, 44
Sponaugle, S., 21, 25, 31, 33, 54
Sswat, M., 55
Staaterman, E., 38, 55
Stachura, M.M., 55
Stawitz, C.C., 55
Steckbauer, A., 26
Stein, M., 53
Steinbeck, J.R., 28
Stewart, J.S., 56
Stieglitz, J.D., 56
Stock, C., 48
Stockhausen, W., 27
Stowell, M.A., 27
Strub, T., 45
Strydom, N.A., 25, 49
Sun, Y., 21
Sung, K., 36
Swalethorp, R., 43
Takasuka, A., 48
Teo, S.L.H., 58
Ternengo, S., 25, 31
Thomas, C., 25
Tilley, J., 30
Tlusty, M., 53
Toews, C., 27
Torquato, F.O., 56
Tritthart, M., 31, 37, 40
Turner, J.T., 29
Turner, K.A., 36
Ulanowicz, R.E., 45
Uriarte, A., 30, 39
Valdez-Moreno, M., 56, 57
Valles, H., 45
Varguez-Soberanis, D., 38
Vásquez-Yeomans, L., 22, 43, 46, 56,
57
Vaz, A.C., 57
Vergara-Castaño, A., 31
Verreault, G., 46
Vestfals, C., 27
Victor, B., 56, 57
Vikebø Frode B., 58
Vinagre, C., 58
Von Dorrien, C., 49
Walter, J.F. III, 37, 46
Walter, K.D., 33
Watson, W., 45
Weber, E.D., 45
Wexler, J., 53
Whitlock, R., 33
Wieczorek, D., 22, 23
Wieler, U., 21
Wilcox Freeburg, E.D., 53, 58
Williams, G., 37
Wozniczka, A., 50
Xavier, R., 43
Xu, Y., 58
Yam-Poot, G., 57
Yerman, M.N., 41
Yuksek, A., 44
Zador, S., 59
Zani-Teixeira, M.L., 29
Zavala-Hidalgo, J., 29
Zens, B., 37
Zhan, P., 47
Notes
Notes
Thank you
••••••••
We will meet again at the
38th Annual Larval Fish Conference
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
17–21 August, 2014
For information contact Pascal Sirois
Email: pascal_sirois@uqac.ca