浙江舟山近海仔稚鱼时空动态变化及与环境因子的关系

为探明舟山近海海域仔稚鱼丰度的分布、出现概率及与环境因素的综合关系,进一步研究该海域渔业资源的补充机制,根据2019年3、4、7、11月在舟山近海海域开展的4个航次仔稚鱼生态调查资料,研究了舟山近海仔稚鱼的出现概率、群落结构(种类组成及优势种数量)的动态变化,探讨仔稚鱼群落的季节变化和对环境变化的响应,以及环境变化对仔稚鱼补充量的影响。结果显示:空间上,调查海区水深范围5～50 m,仔稚鱼集中分布于水深10～20m的近岸河口岛礁区;时间上的季节变化比较大,春夏季丰度高,冬季少。GLM模型结果显示:近岸河口型仔稚鱼在近岸出现的概率为0.65～0.95,在近海出现的概率为0.26～0.60;近海型仔稚鱼在近岸出现的概率为0.12～0.34,在近海出现的概率为0.32～0.54。仔稚鱼优势种春夏季各出现1种,秋冬季各出现2种,全年仔稚鱼优势种有4种。数量分布为:仔稚鱼种类数春季(19种)、夏季(16种)、秋季(10种)、冬季(5种),具有明显的季节性变化。按种类适温属性划分,调查海区仅出现暖温性和暖水性两种,其中暖温性15种(占已知适温类型种类的60%),暖水性10种(占40%);按生态类型...     

Distribution and abundance of eggs,larvae and early juveniles of saury Scomberesox saurus scombroides (Richardson) off the south-western Cape,South Africa, 1977/78

The distribution patterns of saury eggs, larvae and early juveniles have been investigated over the continental shelf off the South-Western Cape from August 1977 to August 1978. Young saury tend to occupy water of 18°C or warmer in all seasons and are found offshore of the Benguela oceanic front when inshore upwelling is evident. Their distribution in the region appears to be linked to seasonal hydrography. Spawning in the study area occurs mainly between Cape Columbine and Cape Point, and to a lesser extent east of Cape Point. The ratio of large larvae and early juveniles to small larvae is greater off the West Coast than off the South Coast. Most spawning appears to take place in summer, with a peak abundance of larvae and early juveniles towards the end of this season. Instantaneous natural mortality was calculated: 5 – 30 mm, Z = 0,14·day^?1; 30 – 100 mm, Z = 0,02·day^?1. There is therefore a marked but unexplained decline in mortality shortly after the transition from the larval to the juvenile phase.     

Influence of summer conditions on the larval fish assemblage in the eastern coast of Tunisia (Ionian Sea,Southern Mediterranean)

The structure of the summer larval fish assemblage off the eastern coast of Tunisia and its relation to environmental conditions was studied, from ichthyoplankton samples taken during a survey conducted between 23rd June and 9th July 2008. A total of 68 larval fish taxa were identified, 52 to species level. The taxonomic composition and abundance of the larval fish assemblage showed high spatial heterogeneity. Mesoscale hydrographic features, such as eddies, seem to play an important role in the spatial distribution of fish larvae in the area, enhancing concentration and retention. The larval fish assemblage was dominated by the small pelagic species Sardinella aurita (26.6% of the total larval fish abundance), followed by Engraulis encrasicolus (22.6%), Spicara spp. (8.6%) and Mullus barbatus (6.8%). Shannon–Weaver index (H′) ranged between 0 and 2.62. The highest values were found offshore, at 95 miles east of Sousse, over depths around 250 m. The diversity was higher in this region as a result of transport by currents and retention by eddies. It has also been shown that the eastern coast of Tunisia is a spawning ground for the tuna species Auxis rochei, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus alalunga. Larvae of mesopelagic fishes represented 5.46% of the total abundance, with Cyclothone braueri, Ceratoscopelus maderensis and Lampanyctus crocodilus being the most important species. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that depth was the most important environmental factor in explaining species distribution.     

Horizontal spatial and temporal distribution patterns of nearshore larval fish assemblages at a temperate rocky shore

There have been no previous studies of the composition of nearshore larval fish assemblages along the coast of Portugal. We aimed to describe the composition and horizontal distribution patterns of larval fish assemblages and their temporal dynamics near a rocky reef at depths shallower than 13 m (inshore) and at two miles (3.70 km) from shore (offshore), as well as along transects perpendicular to the shoreline, from the reef to 10 miles offshore (18.52 km). Samples were taken using 5 min sub-surface trawls at the rocky shore of the Arrábida Marine Park (W Portugal). A total of 1021 larvae were collected, belonging to 61 taxa inshore and to 29 taxa offshore. Along transects, 626 larvae of 52 taxa were collected. Most larvae belonged to coastal species associated with rocky reefs. Total larval abundance and diversity were higher from May to July, which is consistent with the spawning activity of adults. Diversity and total larval abundance decreased significantly with increasing distance from shore, both in the inshore/offshore comparison and in the transects, where this decrease was evident at a very small spatial scale (within the first mile from the reef). Species assemblages differed in the pattern of distribution, with most species clearly associated to the extreme nearshore. The distribution patterns obtained were independent of the spawning mode of species. Results are discussed in the light of the possible physical mechanisms that can potentially act at the Arrábida Marine Park to facilitate larvae retention and the role of larval behaviour.     

Growth variability and stable isotope composition of two larval carangid fishes in the East Australian Current: The role of upwelling in the separation zone

The larvae of two carangid fishes, silver trevally (Pseudocaranx dentex) and yellowtail scad (Trachurus novaezelandiae), were compared among coastal water masses and the East Australian Current (EAC). Samples followed a north to south gradient including a southern region of upwelling, generated as the EAC separated from the coast. Mean larval carangid densities were greater in the mixed layer (10-30 m) than the surface, but there was no difference between inshore and offshore stations or along latitudinal gradients. Overall, P. dentex recent larval growth over two days pre-capture was faster than T. novaezelandiae, and faster at inshore, coastal stations than in the EAC. Integrated larval growth rate (mm d⁻¹) was usually faster at inshore stations for both species. T. novaezelandiae were enriched in both nitrogen (??¹⁵N) and carbon (??¹³C) stable isotopes relative to P. dentex. Larvae of both species captured within the upwelling region were enriched in ??¹⁵N and depleted in ??¹³C relative to other sites. Recent larval growth had a significant positive relationship with fluorescence (as a proxy of chlorophyll a biomass), and integrated larval growth rate had a significant positive relationship with fluorescence and larval isotope (??¹⁵N) composition. Recent and integrated growth of larval T. novaezelandiae and P. dentex was enhanced by EAC separation and upwelling, and also in coastal water; stimulated by food availability, and potentially through exploitation of a different trophic niche.     

南海北部上层鱼类浮游生物多样性和丰度的季节变化

The objective of this study was to investigate the seasonal variations of ichthyoplankton diversity and abun-dance in the northern South China Sea based on the data collected during summer, winter and spring. In total, 95 taxa of larval fishes were identified. The greatest number of species was recorded in spring, followed by summer and winter. The number of species was distributed mainly in the coastal waters from the east of Leizhou Peninsula to the southeast of Hainan Island during the surveyed periods of summer and spring, but in the offshore waters during winter. The abundance of larval fish was lowest in winter, increased in spring, and reached the maximum in summer. High abundance of larval fish was generally restricted to coastal waters with the isobaths less than 50 m. Seasonal variations of larval fish richness, abundance and diversity index were significant （P〈0.001）. Carangidae was the most common and abundant taxon in summer and winter, whileSardinella sp.,Thrissa mystax andLeiognathus sp. were dominant in spring. High diversity and abundance of larval fish might be attributed to increased temperature and coastal upwelling in spring and summer.     

Temporal and cross-shelf distribution of ichthyoplankton in the central Cantabrian Sea

Environmental variables have been measured and sampling for ichthyoplankton has been conducted monthly, since April 2001, at three stations, located at the inner (1), middle (2) and outer (3) shelf of the central Cantabrian Sea. This paper presents the results of the study of the ichthyoplankton collected from July 2001 to June 2004. Fish larvae from 99 species, belonging to 37 families, were identified. Families with higher number of species were Gadidae, Sparidae and Labridae. The larval fish assemblage was dominated by pelagic fish species, with Sardina pilchardus, as the most abundant. There was a pronounced spring peak in larval abundance, dominated by S. pilchardus. A smaller peak, dominated by S. pilchardus and Micromesistius poutassou, was recorded in late winter at Stns 2 and 3. This pattern was evident for the three-year study. Results also indicate that this study was limited to the coastal larval fish assemblage inhabiting the central Cantabrian Sea shelf. This assemblage was temporally structured into other three assemblages: winter, late winter–spring and summer–autumn. Temperature was apparently a key factor in larval fish assemblage succession. In a scenario of global warming, this study constitutes a basis to evaluating the ongoing changes in the pelagic coastal ecosystem of the central Cantabrian Sea.     

2014年夏季南海北部浮游植物群落结构

2014年8月20日-9月6日对南海北部(18°~22°N,114°~116°E)的11个站位进行了浮游植物群落结构的调查,其中2个站位为时间连续站。共鉴定出浮游植物4门68属229种(包括变种、变型及未定种),其中硅藻门43属147种,甲藻门20属75种。浮游植物平均细胞丰度为16.318×103 cells/L,硅藻的平均细胞丰度为14.653×103 cells/L,占总丰度的89.80%,硅藻的分布决定了浮游植物的分布。近岸冲淡水含有丰富的营养盐,因此近岸海域的细胞丰度高于大洋海域,垂直分布表现出先增加后降低的趋势。本次调查的优势种为铁氏束毛藻(Trichodesmium thiebautii)、中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)、拟脆杆藻(Fragilariopsis sp.)、短孢角毛藻(Chaetoceros brevis)、菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)、柔弱伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima)、尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens)、扁面角毛藻(Chaetoceros compressus)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus)以及海洋角毛藻(Chaetoceros pelagicus),各优势种的分布趋势相似,呈现出近岸高于外海的趋势。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数与Pielou均匀度指数的平均值分别为2.37和0.56。浮游植物昼夜垂直变化明显。典范对应分析结果显示浮游植物空间分布主要受总氮盐、硅酸盐、微型浮游动物与盐度的影响。根据细胞丰度进行的站位的聚类分析显示浮游植物群落明显可划分为近岸群聚与大洋群聚。     

曹妃甸邻近海域浮游动物群落时空变化及其影响因素

根据2013年8月(夏季)和2014年5月(春季)在曹妃甸邻近海域的调查资料,研究了浮游动物群落的种类组成、丰度、生物量、优势种和多样性的时空变化特征,分析了其与环境因子的关系,并结合2004年调查资料对比分析了浮游动物丰度和优势种的变化特征及围填海的影响。结果表明,研究海域浮游动物共鉴定得到31种(类),以桡足类和浮游幼体为主,优势种主要包括双刺纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)、拟长腹剑水蚤(Oithona similis)和桡足类幼体(Copepodid larva)等。春季的浮游动物丰度和生物量均高于夏季,多样性和均匀度指数均低于夏季。浮游动物丰度的空间分布主要受温度、叶绿素a(Chl-a)等环境因子影响,春季基本为近岸高、远岸低的空间分布规律,夏季则相反,基本为近岸低、远岸高的空间分布规律。与2004年相比,本次调查春季和夏季的浮游动物丰度明显下降,可能与浮游植物丰度及DIP浓度降低有关。春季,西侧、东侧海域的浮游动物丰度分别明显降低、升高,与围填海后营养盐重新分布促进了东侧海域浮游植物增殖有关。夏季则主要受河流输入影响,浮游动物丰度的变化不具有空间差异。     

Monsoon-forced distribution and assemblages of appendicularians in the northwestern coastal waters of South China Sea

This study examines species composition and abundance of appendicularians in the northwestern coastal waters of South China Sea based on in situ data obtained by 169 μm planktonic nets during summer and winter, and discusses the influence of environmental factors on their distribution and assemblages. A total of 19 appendicularian species (including one unidentified species) was collected. Species richness is higher in summer than in winter, and it increases from inshore to offshore waters. Average abundance of appendicularians is 103.1 (±198.1) and 54.6 (±111.1) ind. m⁻³ in summer and winter, respectively. The abundance distribution of appendicularians is generally high around inshore waters during summer and winter, and with a higher abundance assemblage along the eastern coast from Leizhou Peninsula to Hainan Island, especially at the eastern mouth of Qiongzhou Strait in summer. Oikopleurids accounted for 97.5% and 99.6% of total appendicularians abundance in summer and winter, and the region of high values was the same to that of total appendicularians abundance. Oikopleura longicauda, Oikopleura rufescens, and Oikopleura fusiformis are dominant species during summer and winter. Results showed that spatial distribution of species richness of appendicularians is considered to be the result of physical factors such as temperature and salinity in summer and winter, while variations in abundance of appendicularians are affected by the combination of physical and biological factors. In particular, variations of appendicularians abundance are affected by food availability in summer.     

Seasonal and spatial dynamics of Centropages typicus and C. hamatus in the western North Atlantic

Centropages typicus and Centropages hamatus are two of the most abundant copepods on the continental shelf in the mid-Atlantic region of the western North Atlantic. Their range extends from the Scotian Shelf (C. typicus) and the Grand Banks (C. hamatus) in the north to Cape Hatteras in the south. South of Cape Hatteras they have only been observed in inshore waters of North and South Carolina and not offshore on the continental shelf or in coastal waters of eastern Florida. However, C. hamatus has been observed in western Florida. Abundances of both species are greatest in inshore regions in the mid-Atlantic Bight with C. hamatus tending to have a more coastal distribution. In this region seasonal variability is low with high abundances from late fall through mid-summer. In the north year-round presence of both species is confined to inshore areas and offshore banks such as Georges Bank, and Browns Bank, Emerald Bank and Western Bank on the Scotian Shelf. In this northern region there is a pronounced seasonal cycle in abundance with high abundances during late summer and fall. Periods of high reproductive rates are closely linked to blooms of large phytoplankton and food availability rather than temperature appears to be controlling population abundances.     

The Larval Fish Assemblage in Nearshore Coastal Waters off the St Lucia Estuary, South Africa

This paper reports on the composition, abundance and distribution of the larval fish assemblage in the nearshore coastal waters off the St Lucia Estuary mouth, South Africa. Ichthyoplankton samples were collected over a 12 month period from five stations located along a transect up to 2·5 km offshore, and from two stations north and south of the estuary mouth, respectively. In all, 6126 fish larvae, representing 89 families and 186 species, were collected. Larvae in the families Myctophidae and Tripterygiidae comprised 21% and 16% of the total catch, respectively. The most abundant species were an unidentified triplefin, Tripterygiid 1 and the lanternfish Benthosema fibulatum, together which contributed nearly 18% of the total catch. Larvae of marine spawners independent of estuaries dominated the catch both in terms of density (90%) and in terms of number of taxa (89%). Some larvae of estuarine-associated species were present, in addition to a few specimens of estuarine resident species. Overall the dominant environmental variable affecting larval densities was temperature, particularly for Trypterygiid 1 where temperature contributed to 9% of the variance model. Densities of fish larvae peaked in November and December 1990 (late spring and early summer) and were lowest from January to June 1991 (summer, autumn an early winter). Different taxa dominated the catch each month with reef- and shelf-associated species accounting for the peak in August and September 1990, oceanic species in November 1990 and a mixture of the two groups in December. Overall larval densities were significantly higher in bottom samples with a trend of increasing densities offshore for reef and shelf taxa. The larvae of reef and shore taxa were predominantly preflexion larvae, whilst the few estuarine spawner species that were collected were mainly postflexion. Ontogenetic patterns related to depth and distance offshore were evident for the dominant species in each estuarine-association category.The present study has shown that temporal and spatial variations in the larval fish assemblage off St Lucia are related to environmental conditions and ontogenetic behavioural patterns of certain species. The origin of many of the larvae in the assemblages off the coast of St Lucia is probably from both local spawning populations in the shelf waters off KwaZulu-Natal and spawning populations farther north in shelf waters off Mozambique. Additional studies with more detailed oceanographic measurements will further our understanding of the physical processes that supply larvae to the St Lucia region.     

Life history of white stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps (Pisces: Sparidae) off South Africa

Fishery-dependent and fishery-independent distribution analyses together reveal four discrete areas of white stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps abundance between Port Nolloth and the Kei River off the Cape Province of South Africa: the Western Cape (Saldanha Bay), the South-Western Cape, the Southern Cape and the South-Eastern Cape. On the basis of migratory patterns determined from tagging and catch data, and on differences in growth rate and size-at-maturity, it is concluded that these areas of abundance represent four separate stocks. Each stock apparently disperses offshore in winter (to c. 130 m depth) and concentrates inshore (<60 m depth) in response to ocean ographic patterns during summer. Growth rate and size-at-50% maturity (L ₅₀) increased clinally from the South-Eastern Cape through to the South-Western Cape, and in all three regions males matured at larger size than females. Sizes at maturity for male and female R. globiceps were respectively 18.6 and 15.3 cm (fork length, FL) in the South-Eastern Cape, 22.1 and 18.1 cm in the Southern Cape and 24.3 and 23.6 cm in the South-Western Cape. The fitted Von Bertalanffy growth equations for the three regions were: L_t = 349 (1?e^{?0.114(t+3.60)}) mm for the South-Eastern Cape; L_t = 337 (1?e^{?0.207(t+1.05)}) mm for the Southern Cape; and L_t = 379 (1?e^{?0.290(t+0.16)}) mm for the South-Western Cape. Maximum ages recorded in each region were 21 years for the South-Western Cape, 20 years for the Southern Cape and 10 years for the South-Eastern Cape. Lack of older fish in the South-Eastern Cape sample, attributed to inadequate sample size, has probably resulted in overestimates of both L _∞ and K in this region. Spawning is from August to February, with a peak in spring (September–November). Early juvenile R. globiceps recruit into estuarine and surf-zone marine nursery areas at around 2–5cm (±3 months), but move progressively farther offshore with growth; those trawled deeper than 50 m east of Cape Agulhas were predominantly adults (20–35 cm FL). Because of cooler water temperatures west of Cape Agulhas, adults there are found from the surf zone to depths of only 20 m in summer.     

Impact of a new invasive ctenophore (Mnemiopsis leidyi) on the zooplankton community of the Southern Caspian sea

The invasive ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi (Agassiz), which was transported from the Black Sea into the Caspian Sea at the end of the 1990s, has negatively affected the ecosystem of the Caspian Sea. Zooplankton abundance, biomass and species composition were evaluated on the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea during 2001–2006. A total of 18 merozooplankton (13 species composed of larvae of benthic animals) and holozooplankton (four Copepoda and one Cladocera) species were identified. The total number of zooplankton species found here was 50% less than in a previous investigation performed in the same region in 1996 before the introduction of Mnemiopsis leidyi into the Caspian Sea. Cladocera species seemed to be highly affected by the invasion of Mnemiopsis leidyi; only one species, Podon polyphemoides, remained in the study area, whereas 24 Cladocera species were found in the study carried out in 1996. Whereas among the Copepoda Eurytemora minor, Eurytemora grimmi, Calanipeda aquae dulcis and Acartia tonsa that were abundant before the Mnemiopsis leidyi invasion, only A. tonsa (copepodites and adults) dominated the inshore and offshore waters after the invasion. The maximum in zooplankton abundance (22,088 ± 24,840 ind·m^?3) and biomass (64.1 ± 56.8 mg·m^?3) were recorded in December 2001 and August 2004, respectively. The annual mean zooplankton abundance during 2001–2006 was in the range of 3361–8940 ind·m^?3; this was two‐ to five‐fold less than the zooplankton abundance in 1996. During 2001–2006, the highest abundance and biomass of Mnemiopsis leidyi were observed during summer‐autumn months coincident with warm temperatures and generally when the abundance of other zooplankton organisms was low.     

Occurrence and feeding of three shark species,Carcharhinus brachyurus,C. obscurus and Sphyrna zygaena,on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa

The shark species Carcharhinus brachyurus, C. obscurus and Sphyrna zygaena, which attain more than 2 m when adult, occur in coastal waters of the Southern Cape as juveniles. They use these coastal waters as nursery areas and their relative abundance there varies through the year, possibly because of seasonally varying oceanographic conditions. Adult C. brachyurus occur in the same geographic area but usually deeper, although there is some overlap in juvenile and adult depth ranges. Adult C. obscurus prefer the warmer subtropical and tropical waters north of the study area. Adult S. zygaena are found over deep reefs at the edge of the continental shelf. There was considerable dietary overlap between the three species, the prey of all three being dominated by small schooling fish, such as pilchard, and squid. For the three species, animals of total length >2 m took larger prey, such as elasmobranchs, with greater frequency, although they continued to prey on squid and schooling fish. It is postulated that the nursery areas are in the study area because of the abundance of food there, and that avoidance of cannibalism would be enhanced by the use of such nurseries.     

Distribution and transport of organic matter along a filament-eddy system in the Canaries – NW Africa coastal transition zone region

The distribution and transport of chlorophyll a (Chla), particulate (POC) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon, and the respiratory ETS activity of the microplankton community were studied along a filament-eddy system located in the transition zone between the NW Africa upwelling and Canary Islands waters. Two independent filaments (F1 and F2) stemming from the coastal jet, between Cape Juby and Cape Bojador, merged about 100 km offshore, turning southward and onshore forced by the circulation of a recurrent oceanic cyclonic eddy. In general, the coastal upwelling waters presented higher Chla, but lower POC, DOC and ETS activity than filament waters. However, differences in organic carbon distribution and respiratory activity were observed among stations from the two filaments. The bio-chemical fields were strongly influenced by a complex sub-mesoscale hydrography resulting from the interaction of cyclonic and anticyclonic island eddies with the filaments. The combined F1 + F2 filament system transported 97.1 kg s⁻¹ of excess (non-refractory) total organic carbon (e-TOC), a value comparable to other published estimates from upwelling filaments in the NE Atlantic. About 90% of e-TOC was exported as DOC, since eddy re-circulation precluded the offshore transport of POC. Assuming that the calculated transport of e-TOC is representative of the annual average, the yearly offshore transport (3.1 x 10⁹ kg C) would represent about 25% of the upwelling primary production of the region of study.     

秋季南黄海浮游动物分布及其影响因素

基于2007年秋季在南黄海（32°20'~37°00'N;124°E以西）进行的浮游动物及环境因子大面调查;分析了秋季南黄海浮游动物种类组成、分布特征及其影响因素;主要结果如下:共鉴定浮游动物113种（不包括25种浮游幼体）;中华哲水蚤（Calanus sinicus）、强壮滨箭虫（Aidanosagitta crassa）、磷虾幼体（Euphausia larvae）和小齿海樽（Doliolum denticulatum）是秋季优势种;浮游动物丰度为（156.37±12.04）ind/m3;生物量为（172.57±10.41）mg/m3;与历史调查数据相比;本航次浮游动物丰度和生物量相对处于较高水平;磷虾幼体分布趋势与中华假磷虾（Psudeuphausia sinica）一致;说明秋季是中华假磷虾种群的一个重要的补充时期;小齿海樽在南黄海的大量出现系自身种群补充的结果;精致真刺水蚤（Euchaeta concinna）和肥胖软箭虫（Flaccisagitta enflata）主要分布在深水区;在近岸海区很少出现。中华哲水蚤、强壮滨箭虫丰度高值区倾向分布于海洋锋附近;进一步佐证了海洋锋对浮游动物的积聚作用。     

Distribution, abundance, and growth of larval tautog, Tautoga onitis, in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, USA

Tautog, Tautoga onitis, is an abundant species of fish in estuaries of the northeastern United States. Planktonic tautog larvae are abundant in summer in these estuaries, but there is little information on rates of growth of tautog larvae feeding on natural assemblages of food in the plankton. We examined abundance and growth of larval tautog and environmental factors during weekly sampling at three sites along a nearshore‐to‐offshore transect in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, USA during summer 1994. This is the first study of a robust sample size (336 larvae) to estimate growth rates of field‐caught planktonic tautog larvae feeding on natural diets, using the otolith daily‐growth‐increment method. The study was over the entire summer period when tautog larvae were in the plankton. The sampling sites contrasted in several environmental variables including temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and chlorophyll a concentration. There was a temporal progression in the abundance of tautog larvae over the summer, in relation to location and temperature. Tautog larvae were first present nearshore, with a pronounced peak in abundance occurring at the nearshore sites during the last 2 weeks in June. Larvae were absent at this time further offshore. From late June through August, larval abundance progressively decreased nearshore, but increased offshore although never approaching the abundance levels observed at the nearshore sites. The distribution and abundance of tautog larvae appeared to be related to a nearshore‐to‐offshore seasonal warming trend and a nearshore decrease in DO. Otoliths from 336 larvae ranging from 2.3 to 7.7 mm standard length had otolith increment counts ranging from 0 to 19 increments. Growth of larval tautog was estimated at 0.23 mm·day^?1, and length of larvae prior to first increment formation was estimated at 2.8 mm indicating that first increment formation occurs 3–4 days after hatching at 2.2 mm. Despite spatial and temporal differences in environmental factors, there were no significant differences in growth rates at any of three given sites over time, or between sites. Because larval presence only occurred at a narrow range of temperature (17–23.5 °C) and DO (6.5–9.3 mg·l^?1), in situ differences in growth did not appear to be because of differences in larval distribution and abundance patterns relative to these parameters.     

Plankton net community production and dark respiration in the Arabian Sea during September 1994

Plankton community net and gross production and dark respiration were determined from in vitro changes in dissolved inorganic carbon and dissolved oxygen during September 1994 along a southeast offshore transect in the Arabian Sea. Surface rates of gross production decreased from 17±0.7 mmol C m^-3 d^-1 at a coastal upwelling station to 3±0.8 mmol C m^-3 d^-1 at the most offshore station. The euphotic zone at the time of sampling was predominantly heterotrophic, with integrated net community production values ranging from 15±7 mmol C m^-2 d^-1 inshore to −253±32 mmol C m^-2 d^-1 offshore. Calculations of the respiration attributable to the major plankton groups could account for 61–87% of the dark community respiration measured at the inshore stations, but only 15–26% of the community respiration determined offshore. Comparison of the fluxes of dissolved inorganic carbon and oxygen revealed a tendency for higher respiratory quotients than those calculated for organic metabolism prevailing at the offshore stations.     

Interranual variability in horizontal patterns of larval fish assemblages in the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean) during early summer

Larval fish community structure was studied in the northeastern Aegean Sea (NEA) over an area influenced by the advection of Black Sea water (BSW). Sampling was carried out in early summer during a period of 4 years (2003–2006). Taxonomic composition and abundance presented high variability in space that remained relatively constant among years. Tow depth and indicators of trophic conditions in the upper water column (i.e., zooplankton displacement volume, fluorescence) explained significantly the structure of larval assemblages during all surveys. The northern continental shelf (Thracian and Strymonikos shelf), where a large amount of enriched, low salinity BSW is retained, was dominated by larvae of epipelagic species, mainly anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus). Interannual changes in horizontal extension of the BSW seemed to match closely observed changes in the distribution of anchovy larvae. Mesopelagic fish larvae were particularly abundant beyond the continental shelf (over the North Aegean Trough) where a strong frontal structure is created between the low salinity waters of BSW origin and the high salinity waters of the Aegean Sea. Larvae of certain mesopelagic species (e.g., Ceratoscopelus maderensis) may occasionally be transported inshore when the prevailing current meanders towards the coast or feeds anticyclonic gyres over the continental shelf.