Population dynamics of the Brown mussel Perna perna at a Rocky beach near Cape Coast,Ghana

The brown mussel, Perna perna, is an ecologically important species which has a great potential for aquaculture in Ghana. Though it is harvested from the wild for consumption locally, there is no information on its population parameters to guide its management and subsequent culturing. The species inhabiting Iture rocky beach near Cape Coast (Ghana) was therefore investigated to elucidate its growth and other population parameters. Specimens had shell length ranging from 5.00 to 78.0 mm, a modal shell length class of 35.0–39.9 mm, and exhibited negative allometric growth. The asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (K), and growth performance index (Φ') were 80.10 mm, 0.49 per year, and 3.49, respectively. The recruitment pattern showed that P. perna has year-round recruitment with a single peak between April and July. Total mortality (Z) was estimated at 2.79 per year, while natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) were 0.87 and 1.92 per year, respectively. The calculated exploitation level of the population (E = 0.69) suggests possible overfishing of the mussels at Iture rocky beach. These results could serve as baseline information for management of the mussel population in Ghana.     

Reseeding of mussels on denuded rocky shores: preliminary studies with the brown mussel Perna perna

A method is developed to establish clumps of mussels Perna perna in denuded areas on high-energy rocky shores on the south-east coast of South Africa. A total of 20 small (20–30 mm total length) mussels is placed under a 30 cm half-section of perforated PVC drainage pipe bolted to the rock surface. The pipe is left in position for one month before removal to allow the mussels to attach firmly to the substratum. A pilot study in a marine reserve indicated 76% survival of clumps and individuals over a period of a year. Mussels grew at a mean annual rate of 30.1 mm from an initial size of 31.8 mm. A subsequent study of survivorship and growth of three size-classes: 25–35, 50–60 and >70 mm, showed that greatest survivorship and growth were exhibited by the smallest size-class. Apart from the initial drilling of holes, the procedure is simple and inexpensive. Mussels could be harvested after about 12 months and the holes and PVC pipe re-used for repeats of the procedure. The method may be used as a research tool and as a way of rehabilitating areas denuded by other natural or anthropogenic agencies.     

Further refutation of the primary-secondary settlement hypothesis for the brown mussel Perna perna

The primary-secondary settlement hypothesis, that mussels first settle in algae and then move to mussel beds, was rejected as the only mode of recruitment for the brown mussel Perna perna in a previous study at one location over one year on the south coast of South Africa. We investigated recruitment of P. perna into mussel beds and algal turfs over a five-year period (1995–2000) at 3–4 sites at each of four locations on the South and East coasts. Attachment to the two substrata was significantly temporally synchronous at two of the four locations. The disparity among locations could be due to differences in the algal species present or to differences in the importance of turf algae as a facilitator of recruitment. At Zululand, on the East Coast, attachment to mussel beds and algae was measured monthly and found not to be temporally synchronous. At this location, primary settlement into algae was significantly correlated with an increase in the density of juveniles in the mussel beds 2–3 months later, indicating that turf algae can act as irregular but important facultative facilitators of mussel recruitment, supplementing direct input into the mussel beds. However, as amounts of settlers and recruits in mussel beds exceeded those found in algal turfs most years and places, the primary-secondary settlement hypothesis is inapplicable to P. perna under most circumstances.     

Effects of furadan in the brown mussel Perna perna and in the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae

Furadan is a carbamate pesticide used widely to combat agricultural pests. However little information is available about the toxicity of furadan in aquatic macroinvertebrates. The in vivo effects of furadan were evaluated in mussels, Perna perna, and oysters, Crassostrea rhizophorae. Glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT) and cholinesterase (ChE) activities were measured in the gills of both species exposed to furadan (100 microg/l) for 96 h. No changes were observed in GST activity in the exposed groups. CAT activity was higher (9%) in the oysters exposed to furadan. ChE activity was inhibited by 64 and 35%, respectively, in C. rhizophorae and P. perna exposed to furadan, suggesting that the former is more susceptible to the toxic effects of furadan.     

东山湾翡翠贻贝海区半人工采苗技术研究

本文研究了东山湾翡翠贻贝的繁殖期，附苗期及海区半人工采苗技术。结果表明：东山湾翡翠贻贝的繁殖期在５－１０月，其５－６月为繁殖盛期。贻贝附苗季节在６－１１月，主要附苗季节在６月上中旬至７月初。通过对东山湾７片采苗区海水理化因子的测定和采苗效果的比较试验，确定了东山湾合适的采苗区为２＾＃－６＾＃区，其中３＾＃，４＾３，５＾＃区采苗效果最好，同时筛选出了木麻黄，胶皮合股绳和泡沫编织袋等３种附苗效果较好的     

Aspects of the upwelling regime between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas,South Africa

A progressive increase in mean ovary mass (standardized by the cube offish length) over time was observed in specified length classes of pilchard Sardinops ocellatus sampled from purse-seine catches off the west coast of South Africa. This, in earlier investigations, was considered to have been a density-dependent response following the collapse of the stock in the mid 1960s, and it appeared to result mainly from the increasing frequency of occurrence of pilchard entering the batch-spawning cycle, particularly among fish of 16–20 cm L_c . The possibility that the observed trend was an artifact of changing distribution of fishing or shifting seasonality of spawning relative to the three-month period of sample collection was rejected following analysis of variance on spatially disaggregated data and inspection of seasonal patterns in ovary mass. Other causes of the increase in mean ovary mass could have been density-dependence, declining age structure, changes in the environment and selection for early maturity under prolonged high rates of mortality. The data are critically examined to evaluate the likelihood of each of these explanations.     

Reproductive biology of the mackerel scad Decapterus macarellus from Cabo Verde and the implications for its fishery management

The mackerel scad Decapterus macarellus is of great social and economic importance to Cabo Verde citizens; however, in recent years catches have shown an unexplained decline. The harvest is regulated by way of a minimum legal size and a seasonal closure, with both measures based on the results of reproductive studies that did not consider the microscopic characteristics of the gonads. This study aimed to analyse the gonads microscopically in order to classify the sexual development stage of individuals and to estimate the size at first maturity and the reproductive season. This information was then used to analyse the match between the reproductive parameters and the management measures. The samples comprised 284 females (20–36 cm fork length [FL]) and 85 males (21–35 cm FL). The annual variation in gonadosomatic index and the monthly frequencies of mature phases suggest that the reproductive season occurs from March to October, with two spawning peaks, one in March and another from July to October. The current seasonal closure (from July to September) covers the main reproductive period. However, the species has a long spawning period and the timing of peaks can vary between years; hence, a reassessment of this management measure is recommended. The sizes at first maturity were estimated at 24.1 cm FL for females, and 26.6 cm FL for males. These values are higher than the minimum legal size (20 cm FL) currently established for management of the species at Cabo Verde; thus, we strongly recommend an increase in the minimum legal size in an attempt to reduce catches of immature individuals.     

厚壳贻贝性腺不同发育时期肥满度与生化成分分析

为研究厚壳贻贝性腺发育不同时期的营养物质积累和消耗规律,本文分析测定了3个年龄组的厚壳贻贝在性腺发育5个时期的肥满度、含水量及生化成分。结果表明:(1)相同发育时期的肥满度和含水量组间差异不显著(P＞0.05),但在不同发育时期存在显著差异(P＜0.05);成熟期的肥满度最高,为17.76%~19.21%,约为休止期最低时的3.15倍;含水量则正好相反,以休止期最高,为93.29%~95.32%,约为成熟期最低时的1.15倍。(2)总糖、粗脂肪、粗蛋白和灰分在不同发育时期均有显著差异(P＜0.05),粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量在成熟期达到峰值,粗蛋白为72.01%,粗脂肪为13.52%,两者分别在休止期和增殖期最低;总糖含量在排放期最高为13.56%,灰分含量以休止期最高为7.59%,两者均以成熟期含量最低。(3)蛋白质的积累与消减正好与肥满度的变化相吻合,证实厚壳贻贝在性腺发育过程中吸收并贮存大量营养物质,使肥满度逐渐升高,随配子的排放肥满度急剧下降。     

玉环坎门排污口邻近岩相潮间带生物分布特征

2002年8月对玉环坎门污水处理厂排污口邻近岩相潮间带生物进行定性和定量样品采样,共鉴定出生物57种,其中大型藻类8种、多毛类动物2种、软体动物28种、甲壳类动物13种、棘皮动物1种和其它类动物5种。该排污口邻近两侧岩相潮间带平均生物量为1544.72g/m2,平均栖息密度为3948个/m2。位于排污口左侧的I断面生物量和栖息密度(2406.19g/m2和7415个/m2)明显高于II断面(683.27g/m2和484个/m2),I断面的生物多样性指数(0.91)和均匀度指数(0.39)小于II断面(1.80和0.68);两条断面生物量垂直分布均为中潮区>低潮区>高潮区,I断面栖息密度分布为中潮区>低潮区>高潮区,II断面栖息密度分布为中潮区>高潮区>低潮区。对排污口邻近岩相潮间带生物生态分析表明,该潮间带生物数量的水平分布受海岸开敞度的影响,而垂直分布则与潮区的不同和浪击度的强弱有关。     

Spawning strategies and transport of early stages of the two Cape hake species,Merluccius paradoxus and M. capensis,in the southern Benguela upwelling system

Seasonal and short-term variability of environmental parameters influence the spawning strategies of fish species. In this study, the spawning strategies and the transport of early stages of the two Cape hake species off South Africa were investigated. Distribution of eggs and larvae of Merluccius paradoxus and M. capensis was analysed in order to derive more detailed and species-specific information on spawning season, spawning location, and transport of early stages. Samples were collected during three pilot surveys between January and October 2007 and during an extensive survey in September/October 2008 in the southern Benguela upwelling system off South Africa. Eggs and larvae of M. paradoxus were found in greater numbers than those of M. capensis during all surveys. Highest abundances were found from September to October, indicating one spawning peak for M. paradoxus during late austral winter to spring. The western Agulhas Bank was identified as the primary spawning ground, and smaller spawning events occurred on the West Coast. Larvae of both species were mainly distributed in subsurface waters between 25 and 100 m. More than 50% of all larvae caught had a total length between 3 and 4 mm and size increased significantly with decreasing latitude. Merluccius capensis were found closer inshore than M. paradoxus, indicating that early stages of the two species followed separate drift routes. We assume that this distribution pattern most likely evolved from differences in spawning location and phenology. The spawning strategies of M. paradoxus and M. capensis are well adapted to a time-frame of optimal transport conditions favourable for larval survival in the highly variable environment of the southern Benguela upwelling system, but the peak spawning of the two species is separated in time and space.     

Aspects of the biology of the sandsmelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 (Teleostei: Atherinidae) at Oldbury-upon-Severn,Gloucestershire, England

The age structure, annual growth, length-weight relationship, reproduction and other aspects of the general biology in Boyer's sandsmelt, Atherina boyeri, from the Severn estuary, have been studied for the period 1974–1977. The results are compared with those found in previous investigations of A. boyeri from more southerly waters.     

冬季波浪与人工岛联合作用下日月湾海滩冲淤演变特征

人工岛作为一种新兴的海岸工程, 它的建设所引起的岸滩冲淤和防护问题日益受到人们的关注。本文以海南万宁市日月湾人工岛为例, 通过4期实测海滩剖面数据和多时相遥感影像, 分析了冬季波浪与人工岛联合作用对日月湾海滩冲淤变化的影响, 并结合海区波况, 探究了海滩冲淤变化机理。研究表明, 日月湾海区冬半年的平均有效波高与波浪周期明显强于夏半年, 且波浪强度整体上呈现逐年上升的趋势, 但在人工岛建设前后变化幅度较小; 人工岛建设对海滩地貌变化有强烈影响, 海滩呈现出岛后淤积而两侧侵蚀的显著特征, 岛影区海滩不断淤积, 岸线向海淤进达200m, 甚至可能与人工岛相连形成连岛沙坝, 人工岛后两侧海滩侵蚀, 岸线向陆一侧蚀退最大距离达50m; 海滩在冬季波浪和人工岛共同影响下, 岸滩自北向南依次表现为稳定、侵蚀、淤积、相对稳定、略有侵蚀或淤积、侵蚀、淤积的冲淤变化特征。     

Occurrence and Distribution of the Eggs and Larvae of Anchovy, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Engraulis japonicus</Emphasis>, in Jeju Strait,Korea, with Descriptions of Environmental Characteristics

The occurrence and distribution of eggs and larvae of anchovy, Engraulis japonicus, in Jeju Strait, Korea from May to November 2002 were investigated, and the relationships between the abundances of anchovy eggs and larvae and the oceanographic conditions, including meteorological data, were analyzed. During the sampling periods, the anchovy eggs occurred from May to October and about 95% of total egg abundance occurred in only two months from July to August, suggesting that the main spawning season of anchovies is confirmed in summer from July and August in Jeju Strait. The spawning area of anchovies gradually moved to the southern part of the survey area with time. The predominant anchovy larvae collected in this study were mostly smaller than 16.0 mm TL. Correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis showed that the anchovy egg abundance in the study area depended strongly on the wind conditions, especially less than 10 m/s, and increasing water temperature. Salinity variations also had significant effects on the abundance of anchovy larvae.     

南极普里兹湾达恩利角固定冰附近局地高密陆架水的来源

本文采用固定冰数据集和南极象海豹获取的现场观测数据集,分析了南极达恩利角固定冰附近局地高密陆架水的变化。结果表明：首先,达恩利角固定冰存在显著季节变化,对于达恩利角冰间湖及局地高密陆架水的生成都具有重要影响。其次,达恩利角固定冰在2000−2014年期间年际变化很小,无显著增减趋势。第三,达恩利角固定冰附近局地高密陆架水有两个显著来源：（1）3−4月,达恩利角固定冰快速生成时伴随着强烈的盐析作用,进而局地生成高密陆架水;（2）5月,达恩利角固定冰达到最大范围,局地盐析作用减弱至很小,而上游在冰架水抑制作用减弱后,麦肯基湾冰间湖海域的高密陆架水生成增强,能够向西北输运至达恩利角固定冰附近。本研究初步证明达恩利角固定冰除了维持达恩利角冰间湖存在的作用外,对局地高密陆架水生成也可能有重要影响,同时指出一条重要的水团输运路径,这有助于提高对达恩利角附近冰−海相互作用的理解,对该地区开展更多观测或模拟研究是必要的。     

Age, growth and reproduction of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in the Gomishan wetland – southeast Caspian Sea

A total of 2256 specimens of Atherina boyeri caught in Gomishan wetland (a marsh lagoon located at the southeast Caspian Sea) during spawning season from February to August 2007 were examined for life-history attributes. The population has a 4-year life cycle. Length–weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0053TL^3.0181 for males and W = 0.0050TL^3.063 for females, being allometrically positive for both sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth function fitted to back-calculated size at age data was: Lt = 155.17[1 − exp − 0.28(t + 0.738)] and Lt = 162.77[1 − exp − 0.27(t + 0.727)] for males and females respectively. The sex ratio was 1:1.30 in favor of females. The reproductive season, evaluated from GSI, extended from March to July, with a peak in March. The average absolute and relative fecundities were 2976 eggs and 874 eggs g⁻¹ of body weight respectively. The diameter of oocytes ranged from 0.03 to 0.20 mm with a mean value of 0.68. The life-history patterns of A. boyeri in the population under study imply that the population of this species in the southeast Caspian Sea differs markedly from those of other localities of its range distribution. The differences were thought to be due to differences in geographical locations.     

Population dynamics and condition index of natural stock of blood cockle,Tegillarca granosa(Mollusca,Bivalvia,Arcidae) in the Marudu Bay,Malaysia

The population parameters of blood cockles, Tegillarca granosa in the intertidal zone of Marudu Bay, Sabah,Malaysia were investigated based on monthly length-weight frequency data(July 2017 to June 2018). A total of 279 cockle individuals with shell length and weight ranging from 27.7 mm to 82.2 mm and 13.11 g to 192.7 g were subjected to analysis. T. granosa in Marudu Bay showed a consistent moderately high condition index 4.98±0.86 throughout the year. The exponent b of the length-weight relationship was 2.6 demonstrating negative allometric growth. The estimated asymptotic length(L_∞), growth coefficient(K) and growth performance(?) of the T.granosa population in Marudu Bay were estimated at 86.68 mm, 0.98 a~(-1) and 3.87, respectively. The observed maximum shell length was 82.55 mm and the predicted maximum shell length was 84.44 mm with estimated maximum life span(t_(max)) of 3.06 years. The estimated mean lengths at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months of age were 21.31 mm, 31.16 mm, 39.53 mm, 46.63 mm, 52.67 mm and 57.79 mm. Total, natural, and fishing mortalities were estimated at 2.39 a~(-1), 1.32 a~(-1) and 1.07 a~(-1). The exploitation level(E) was 0.45. Results of the current study also demonstrated that T. granosa in the Marudu Bay has two major recruitment peaks; one in March and another in October. The exploitation level revealed that natural stock of T. granosa in the Marudu Bay was approaching the maximum exploitation level. If such trend continues or demand for T. granosa is increasing,coupled with no effective fisheries management in place, possibility of the T. granosa population in the Marudu Bay to collapse is likely to elevate.     

中华豆蟹对青岛海区贻贝的感染及危害初探

20 0 0年 10月～ 2 0 0 1年 12月 ,对青岛太平角养殖海区的贻贝寄生中华豆蟹的感染情况进行了调查。以肥满指数为指标 ,通过对感染和未感染贻贝的比较 ,分析了中华豆蟹对贻贝的危害程度。结果表明 ,中华豆蟹对贻贝的感染率为 2 .0 %～ 2 0 .4 %。2 0 0 0年 11月和 2 0 0 1年 11月出现 2次感染高峰 ,分别为 9.7%和 2 0 .4 % ;最低感染率出现于 2 0 0 1年 1月和 3月 (均为 2 .0 % )。感染强度为 1～ 5 ,多数为 1(占感染个体的 83.2 % )。贻贝所感染的豆蟹的性别及感染强度与宿主的大小有关。小个体贻贝仅见雄豆蟹感染 ,绝大多数雌豆蟹见于壳长大于 2 cm的贻贝。未发现同一宿主体内同时感染 2只或以上的雌豆蟹。在调查的 15个月中 ,有 11个月被感染贻贝的肥满度显著低于未感染的贻贝 ,且雌豆蟹对宿主肥满度的影响大于雄豆蟹     

北冰洋门捷列夫海岭富锰棕色层稀土元素组成特征与来源初步分析

北冰洋深海广泛分布的富锰棕色沉积层(棕色层)是海冰、洋流、物源供给等多种因素共同作用的结果,本文基于西北冰洋门捷列夫海岭ARC07-E25岩芯沉积物稀土元素与微量元素含量、颜色反射率参数、粗颗粒组分和无机碳含量的变化特征,对该类沉积层中稀土元素的组成特征、形成机制和物质来源进行了综合分析。结果显示,沉积物稀土元素总含量(∑REE)在122.37×10⁻⁶～231.94×10⁻⁶之间变化,北美页岩标准化配分模式显示出轻微的中稀土(MREE)富集以及由La、Ce、Nd主导的较强的轻稀土(LREE)优势。沉积物中∑REE随着粗组分颗粒(如冰筏碎屑)的增多而呈现降低趋势,表明门捷列夫海脊沉积物中的稀土元素主要富集在细粒沉积物中。根据∑REE在沉积物中的变化特征将E25岩芯沉积物划分为4种地层,反映出了冰期/间冰期的气候转变过程中温暖条件下形成的棕色层与寒冷条件下形成的浅灰绿色沉积层(灰色层)的岩性旋回中稀土元素组成的差异,由于两种沉积层在形成时受到不同的底层水氧化还原环境的控制,导致了铈(Ce)元素在氧化水体中会由Ce³⁺氧化为Ce⁴⁺并发生沉降,而在还原水体中则由Ce⁴⁺还原为Ce³⁺发生溶解,这一特性使LREE含量产生较大波动,进而影响到∑REE,使之趋于在代表氧化条件的棕色层中升高而在代表还原条件的灰色层中降低。R型因子分析和物质来源判别结果显示,E25岩芯沉积物中稀土元素与亲碎屑元素(Nb、U、Th)有较好的相关性,主要来源于东西伯利亚海和新西伯利亚群岛的近岸侵蚀物质以及勒拿河物质的输入。     

黄海北部近岸鱼类资源数量分布与群体结构

通过 1998 年 6 月和 9 月共 24 个站位的底拖网调查,分析了黄海北部近岸渔获物的组成,其结果表明,该海域鱼类资源量指数较低,为 17.068 kg / 网·h,鱼类资源经济品质结构低值化,鱼类资源群体结构小型化、低龄化更加突出,一些个体小、价值不高的种类如青鳞鱼、鳀鱼、斑鰶等占据了春季渔获量的主要部分,秋季捕获的经济鱼类如兰点马鲛、鲐鱼等全部是当年生幼鱼。     

Assessing the response of sandy-beach macrobenthos to recreation and the ecological status of the beach ecosystem at Liandao,China

Sandy beaches, prime recreational assets that attract more people than other types of shorelines, are the main assets underpinning many coastal economies and developments. However, the intense stressors to the ecology of sandy beaches caused by recreational activities are generally underestimated or ignored. This study was the first to emphasize the ecological characteristics of recreational beaches in China and assess the response of macrobenthos at Liandao Beach, a typical sandy beach in the central part of China. Using the Before/During/After/Control/Impact (BDACI) method, differences in multiple variables (species richness, mean density, diversity) between a heavily recreationally impacted transect (TrH/Impact) and a less-impacted transect (TrL/Control) in different impact periods (Before, During & After) were applied to assess the response of sandy-beach macrobenthos to recreation and tourism. Meanwhile, a comparison between the macrobenthos conditions of the studied beach and reference conditions calculating from historical data of similar beaches with little recreation and tourism disturbances was carried out. Furthermore, the quality control chart approach was used to detect in detail the macrobenthos stable state and yearly response to recreational activities. The results showed that recreation and tourism posed a serious threat to the beach ecosystem; macrobenthos on the studied beach were seriously disturbed by recreational activities, and their variations were highly negatively related to the human recreational level. After monthly recreational impacts, the macrobenthos decreased sharply and recovered with difficulty during 1 year. Over the long-term, the macrobenthos had a sharp decreasing trend, which indicated that the ecological environment of the beach was highly disturbed. Conservation measures for recreational beaches are very challenging because of the economic value and popularity of sandy beaches as recreational sites. However, practicable conservation measures could be implemented that prevent or slow ecological degradation. A number of management and conservation suggestions are put forward, such as the establishment of the ecological carrying capacity of Liandao Beach in terms of direct recreational use, creation of themed exhibitions related to the beach macrobenthos and beach ecosystem and dissemination of this knowledge to visitors, implementation of spatial zoning of beach use, visitor management and environmental education.