Swimming abilities of wild-caught,late-stage larvae of Diplodus capensis and Sarpa salpa (Pisces: Sparidae) from temperate South Africa

Understanding the movement of marine fish larvae in coastal habitats requires an assessment of active swimming abilities. The critical speed (U-crit) and endurance swimming of late-stage larvae of Diplodus capensis and Sarpa salpa (Family Sparidae), common inshore recreational linefish species, were measured in a laboratory swimming chamber. Postflexion and settlement-stage larvae were collected from the wild in a small bay on the warm temperate coast of South Africa. Larvae were allowed to acclimate in captivity and were tested soon after capture. For the endurance tests a speed of 18 cm s⁻¹ was selected, as this approximated the mean current speed observed in the coastal environment of the area. The mean U-crit value (maximum swimming speed) for D. capensis (19 cm s⁻¹) was similar to that of S. salpa (18 cm s⁻¹), and similarly mean endurance (km swum) for S. salpa (8 km) was similar to that of D. capensis (6 km). The increase in critical speed and endurance swimming abilities with standard length was best described by a linear relationship. At lengths between 12 and 15 mm BL, D. capensis was the better swimmer, whereas S. salpa was the better swimmer between 15 and 16 mm BL. Of all the larvae that swam at critical speed, 90% were in an inertial environment. These swimming speeds exceed the modal current velocities observed in the shallow nearshore of the study region where these larvae occur abundantly. These swimming abilities provide larvae with the potential to influence their dispersal trajectories and ultimately influence their distribution in their nearshore nursery areas.     

Searching speeds and the energetic feasibility of an obligate whale-scavenging fish

Two recently published models reach opposite conclusions on the energetic feasibility of a scavenging fish that specialises on whale carcasses. We argue that the key difference between these models lies in their estimate of the likely searching speed of such a hypothetical scavenger. Neither of the previous models considers that although faster searching will allow food sites to be found more quickly, it will also reduce the time between meals that the fish can survive on its reserves. Hence, we present a novel model that encapsulates this trade-off, and use this model to predict the optimal searching speed for such a hypothetical scavenger. The model predicts that the optimal speed should increase with mass and be in the range 0.1–0.2 m s⁻¹ for fish of the range of sizes found for the ubiquitous grenadier Coryphaenoides armatus. These values accord with most estimates of the swimming speeds for this species. Hence, we conclude that rejection of a whale-carcass feeding specialist fish on energetic grounds is premature. Although, we see no reason to dismiss such a specialist on energetic grounds, we argue that such a fish will be unlikely on ecological grounds, although a deep-sea fish that gathered much of its energy from scavenging at relatively large food packages on the ocean floor should be feasible.     

Fish assemblages in a north Atlantic coastal ecosystem: Spatial patterns and environmental correlates

Analyses of six years of bottom trawl data collected from Northumberland Strait, southern Gulf of St. Lawrence revealed four major fish assemblages, two of which occurred in the same two geographic areas each year. One of the two persistent assemblages occurred in deeper water off northwestern Prince Edward Island and consisted mostly of demersal fishes. The other persistent assemblage contained a mixture of demersal and pelagic fishes and occurred primarily in shallow water of central Northumberland Strait. Analyses of abiotic (depth, bottom temperature, substratum type) and biotic (presence of American lobster Homarus americanus, northern lady crab Ovalipes ocellatus) factors revealed bottom temperature and catches of lady crab correlate best with the fish assemblage structure each year, but correlation values were low (ρ_w ≤ 0.48). Combinations of all abiotic and biotic variables only marginally improved the strength of the correlations in four of six years (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006). Changes observed in the Northumberland Strait ecosystem over the six years included an increase in the ratio of pelagic to demersal fishes, disappearance of one of the four assemblages, and increased spatial overlap between the two persistent assemblages, which coincided with an increase in bottom temperature. The increasing importance of pelagic fishes, relative to demersal fishes, suggests a shift in food web structure may be occurring in Northumberland Strait.     

The Diel Behaviour of Small Demersal Fish on Soft Sediments on the West Coast of Scotland using a Variety of Techniques: with Special Reference to Lesueurigobius friesii (Pisces; Gobiidae)

Abstract. The diel behaviour of communities of small demersal fishes was studied in situ on the west coast of Scotland using trawling, diving, underwater television and underwater time-lapse photography techniques. Lumpenus lampretaeformis and Pomatoschistus norvegicus were shown to have crepuscular behaviour patterns. Lesueurigobius friesii was a day active fish, spending the night close to or within its burrow and feeding through the day. Disruptions to this behaviour pattern occurred at high abundances of gadoids and during the spawning season. The fish community as a whole showed a crepuscular periodicity. The various observational methods are discussed. There did not appear to be any close association between Lesueurigobius friesii and the decapod Nephrops norvegicus.     

Observer presence may alter the behaviour of reef fishes associated with coral colonies

Although underwater visual census (UVC) is the most frequently used technique for quantifying reef fish assemblages, remote video analysis has been gaining attention as a potential alternative. In the South Atlantic Ocean, Millepora spp. (class Hydrozoa) are the only branching coral species; however, little is known about the ecological role that they play for reef fish communities. We compared these two observation methods (remote video and UVC) to estimate reef fish abundance and species richness associated with colonies of the fire‐coral Millepora alcicornis at Tamandaré Reefs, Northeast Brazil. Additionally, the two different techniques were used to compare species behaviour in association with fire‐corals in order to examine the biases associated with each technique and provide useful information for behavioural ecologists studying fish–coral associations. There were no differences in reef fish abundance or species richness sampled by remote video or UVC. However, a significant difference in the behaviour of associated fish was recorded between the two methods. In the presence of a diver carrying out a UVC, fish were observed spending more time sheltered amongst the coral branches compared with passively swimming on coral colonies with the remote video technique. Specifically, on the remote video recordings agonistic interactions between fish and passive swimming accounted for 33.3% and 22.2% of the census time, respectively. By comparison, when observed by a diver fish spent 34.8% of their time sheltering amongst the coral branches. We demonstrate that both techniques are similarly effective for recording fish abundance and species richness associated with fire‐corals. However, differences were observed in the ability of each method to detect the behaviour of coral‐associated fishes. Our findings show that behavioural ecologists studying complex fish–coral associations need to ensure that their aims are clearly defined and that they choose the most appropriate technique for their study in order to minimize methodological biases.     

Estimating Synaphobranchus kaupii densities: Contribution of fish behaviour to differences between bait experiments and visual strip transects

Kaup's arrowtooth eel Synaphobranchus kaupii is a small-bodied fish and an abundant inhabitant of the European continental slope. To estimate its local density video information using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Victor 6000 were collected at three locations in the Bay of Biscay slope. Two methods for estimating local densities were tested: strip transect counts and bait experiments. For bait experiments three behaviour types were observed in about equal proportions for individuals arriving near the seafloor: moving up the current towards the ROV, moving across the current and drifting with the current. Visible attraction towards the bait was the highest for individuals swimming against the current (80%) and about equally low for the other two types (around 30%); it did not depend on current speed nor temperature. Three main innovations were introduced for estimating population densities from bait experiments: (i) inclusion of an additional behaviour category—that of passively drifting individuals, (ii) inclusion of reaction behaviour for actively swimming individuals and (iii) a hierarchical Bayesian estimation framework. The results indicated that about half of individuals were foraging actively of which less than one third reacted on encountering the bait plume and the other half were drifting with the current. Taking account of drifting individuals and the reaction probability made density estimates from bait experiments and strip transects more similar.     

Depth related trends in proximate composition of demersal fishes in the eastern North Pacific

The proximate chemistry of the white muscle and liver of 18 species of demersal fish from the eastern North Pacific was studied to determine trends with depth, locomotory mode and buoyancy mechanism, foraging strategy and to elucidate energetic strategies. Data for 24 species from shallow water were taken from the literature and included for analysis of muscle water content. Benthopelagic species, primarily gadiforms, have significantly larger lipid-rich livers than benthic species. The benthopelagic species may use this lipid to add buoyancy, but it is also used as energy storage. Buoyancy mechanism was directly related to proximate composition. Fishes using gasbladders had normal muscle composition. The two species of benthopelagic fishes without gasbladders have either very high muscle lipid content (Anoplopoma fimbria) or gelatinous muscle (Alepocephalus tenobrosus) to aid in achieving neutral buoyancy. The macrourid, Albatrossia pectoralis, has a very small gasbladder and also has gelatinous muscle. Both of these benthopelagic fishes with gelatinous muscle feed on pelagic organisms. Gelatinous muscle was also found in two flatfishes that inhabit the oxygen minimum zone. For these fishes, high water content may serve to lower metabolic costs while maintaining large body size. Scavengers such as Coryphaenoides armatus and Coryphaenoides acrolepis have lipid rich livers and others such as A. fimbria and Pachycara sp. have high and variable muscle lipid content. Thus foraging mode also acts to influence proximate composition. Several depth-related trends in proximate composition were found. White muscle water content increased significantly with depth, and all four gelatinous species occurred at bathyal depths. This adds evidence in support of the hypothesis that decreasing light levels shorten reactive distances and relax the selective pressure for high locomotory capacity. In addition significant declines in liver protein content were observed, suggesting that the rates of metabolism in this organ also decline with depth. There was little evidence for food availability affecting proximate composition. There were no significant changes in either muscle or liver lipid or caloric density with depth. Total lipid stores actually increased significantly, but they were driven primarily by the abyssal scavenger C. armatus suggesting that foraging strategy rather than depth may be the most important factor determining total lipid stores.     

Using at-sea experiments to study the effects of airguns on the foraging behavior of sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico

Acoustic exposure and behavior of 8 sperm whales were recorded with acoustic and movement-recording tags before, during and after 5 separate 1–2 h controlled sound exposures of industry-provided airgun arrays. None of the 8 whales changed behavioral state (7 foraging, 1 resting) following the start of ramp-up at distances of 7–13 km, or full array exposures at 1–13 km. The most closely approached whale rested throughout exposure but started a foraging dive shortly after the airguns ceased, possibly indicating a delay in foraging during exposure. Using visual tracking and dead-reckoning of tagged animals, we found that their direction-of-movement was random with respect to the airguns, but correlated with their direction-of-movement just prior to the start of exposure, indicating that the tested whales did not show horizontal avoidance of the airguns. Oscillations in pitch generated by swimming movements during foraging dives were on average 6% lower during exposure than during the immediately following post-exposure period, with all 7 foraging whales exhibiting less pitching (p=0.014). Buzz rates, a proxy for attempts to capture prey, were 19% lower during exposure but given natural variation in buzz rates and the small numbers of whales, this effect was not statistically significant (P=0.141). Though additional studies are strongly recommended, these initial results indicate that sperm whales in the highly exposed Gulf of Mexico habitat do not exhibit avoidance reactions to airguns, but suggest they are affected at ranges well beyond those currently regulated due to more subtle effects on their foraging behavior.     

Composition of fish species in the Bering and Chukchi Seas and their responses to changes in the ecological environment

Based on trawl surveys in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea during the 2010 Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition, fish biodiversity characteristics, such as fish composition, dominant species, biodiversity, and faunal characteristics were conducted. We also discussed the responses of fishes to the quick changes in Arctic climate. The results showed that a total of 41 species in 14 families were recorded in these waters. The dominant species were Hippoglossoides robustus, Boreogadus saida, Myoxocephalus scorpius, Lumpenus fabricii, and Artediellus scaber. There were 35 coldwater species, accounting for 85.37%, and six cold temperate species, occupying 14.63%. The habitat types of fish could be grouped as follows: 35 species of demersal fishes, five benthopelagic fishes, and one pelagic fish. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index(H)(range between 0 and 2.18, 1.21 on average) was not high, and descended from south to north. Climate change has caused some fishes to shift along their latitudinal and longitudinal distribution around the Arctic and Subarctic areas, and this could lead to the decline of Arctic fishery resources.     

Behavioural responses to structures on the seafloor by the deep-sea fish Coryphaenoides armatus: Implications for the use of baited landers

Coryphaenoides armatus plays a fundamental role in the dispersal of organic matter on the deep-sea floor by consuming food-falls. The use of baited cameras to study population parameters (e.g. abundances and size frequencies) assumes that members of this species follow odour plumes directly to bait, appear immediately in the field of view, and depart as predicted by optimal foraging theory. Described here are behaviours to the contrary observed during the operation and development of more complex baited camera systems. Of the 247 C. armatus observed by a video lander, 72.5% of the fish explored the structure whilst only 6% fed, and 21.5% were indifferent. This exploratory behaviour increased individual staying time by 38.4% compared to those that just fed. Experiments with several models of in situ fish respirometry lander showed the importance of both equipment design, and an understanding of the behaviour of the target animals in maximising capture success. These results show how previously unexpected aspects of behaviour by C. armatus can greatly affect the chances of capturing members of this species and influence the results of baited camera experiments.     

俄国鱼类行为与感觉研究（Ⅰ）

本文简述俄国鱼类行为及感觉系统研究的发展，概述了在洄游及基本行为类型研究结果，鱼在水流中行为，其水动力学特征及游泳速度、温度选择、与个体生理状态相关的鱼行为，以及鱼类行为遗传研究。     

白令海和楚科奇海鱼类种类组成及其对生态环境变化的响应

根据第4次中国北极科学考察在白令海与楚科奇海进行的鱼类拖网调查资料,分析了白令海与楚科奇海鱼类生物的种类组成、优势种、物种多样性和区系特征,探讨了鱼类生物对北极气候快速变化的响应。结果表明,白令海与楚科奇海两个海域共鉴定鱼类生物14科41种;主要优势种类为粗壮拟庸鲽(Hippoglossoides robustus)、北鳕(Boreogadus saida)、短角床杜父鱼(Myoxocephalus scorpius)、斑鳍北鳚(Lumpenus fabricii)、粗糙钩杜父鱼(Artediellus scaber);从适温性来看,冷水性种类最多,有35种,冷温性种类6种;从栖息地生态类型来看,底层鱼类、近底层鱼类和中上层鱼类分别为35、5和1种;Shannon-Wiener多样性指数平均为1.21,呈现南高北低的特点,整体多样性水平不高;气候变化引起部分北极、亚北极海区鱼类出现不同程度的纬向和纵向移动,由此将引起北极渔业资源分布格局的变化。     

Diet composition of Bathylagus euryops (Osmeriformes: Bathylagidae) along the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, from Iceland to the Azores (MAR), is the largest topographical feature in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its size, few studies have described dietary patterns of pelagic fishes along the MAR. MAR-ECO, a Census of Marine Life field project, aimed to describe the food web structure of abundant fish species along the ridge through a series of research expeditions to the MAR. Among the midwater fishes sampled during the MAR-ECO project, Bathylagus euryops (Osmeriformes: Bathylagidae) was the biomass-dominant pelagic species and ranked third in total abundance. In this paper, we describe the dietary composition of B. euryops along the MAR. Overall, copepods represented the dominant prey group consumed by B. euryops. Multivariate analyses, including a cluster analysis and a canonical correspondence analysis, revealed that fish size significantly influenced the diet of B. euryops with ostracods representing the most important prey group at small sizes (<95 mm) and decapod shrimp and calanoid copepods becoming more important with increasing fish size. Due to the high abundance and biomass observed along the MAR combined with its role as a link for energy transfer between zooplankton and higher trophic level predators, B. euryops appears to be an ecologically important species in the oceanic food web of the North Atlantic Ocean.     

The benthopelagic fish fauna on the summit of Seine Seamount,NE Atlantic: Composition,population structure and diets

Benthopelagic fishes were sampled during three cruises to Seine Seamount, NE Atlantic, using bottom trawls and an epibenthic sledge. A total of 16 fish species were caught on the summit plateau of the seamount at 160–180 m depth, belonging to 15 different families. Four species were common to all types of trawls, whereas the other species were found only in part of the catches. Most fish caught were small species and typical for shelf and seamount communities. The most abundant fish was the snipefish, Macroramphosus spp., which was important also in terms of biomass. The population structure (size classes and length/weight relationships) of the five most abundant species (Macroramphosus spp., Capros aper, Anthias anthias, Callanthias ruber and Centracanthus cirrus) shows that usually two or three size classes, probably representing age groups (year classes), were present, and that growth rates were high. A stomach content analysis of these fishes revealed a predominance of pelagic prey, mainly small copepods. No indications for a seamount effect in terms of enhanced biomass or topographic blockage were found.     

Observations on the predatory behaviour of the sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus

Studies on the feeding behaviour of large predatory sharks are inherently problematic because of the size of the animals, the difficulty in observing and handling them and the risks to the investigator. Observations on the feeding behaviour of the sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus over a seven-year period revealed this species to display at least four distinct foraging strategies. A particular strategy, or a combination of two or more, was employed depending on the size and type of prey being subdued. The four primary factors that appear to influence prey selection were prey size, availability and density, and scavenging. The behaviour of a prey species influences the predator's foraging and hunting behaviour. The success of the sevengill shark as an apical predator can be attributed, in part, to the feeding strategies it employs to subdue prey.     

几种幼鱼曲线游泳能力的比较研究

于１９８９年３－５月，利用视觉运动反应方法测定了黑鲷、黄鳍鲷、鲻鱼、鲤鱼和白鲢５种幼鱼的曲线游泳能力。结果表明，幼鱼游泳速度随环形水道半径增加而加快，但加快的速率逐渐减缓。随游泳时间的延长，游泳速度线性下降，实测耐久时间，黑鲷为６６．７ｍｉｎ；黄鳍鲷为６６．８ｍｉｎ；鲻鱼为１０４．４ｍｉｎ；鲤鱼为７０．３ｍｉｎ；白鲢为５８．８ｍｉｎ。游泳能力指数，黑鲷为２９０．６；黄鳍鲷为１４７．３；鲻鱼为４８５     

Effects of acoustic alarms, designed to reduce small cetacean bycatch in gillnet fisheries, on the behaviour of North Sea fish species in a large tank

World-wide many cetaceans drown incidentally in fishing nets. To reduce the unwanted bycatch in gillnets, pingers (acoustic alarms) have been developed that are attached to the nets. In the European Union, pingers will be made compulsory in some areas in 2005 and in others in 2007. However, pingers may effect non-target marine fauna such as fish. Therefore in this study, the effects of seven commercially-available pingers on the behaviour of five North Sea fish species in a large tank were quantified. The species tested were: sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), pout (Trisopterus luscus), thicklip mullet (Chelon labrosus), herring (Clupea harengus), and cod (Gadus morhua). The fish were housed as single-species schools of 9-13 individuals in a tank. The behaviour of fish in quiet periods was compared with their behaviour during periods with active pingers. The results varied both between pingers and between fish species. Sea bass decreased their speed in response to one pinger and swam closer to the surface in response to another. Thicklip mullet swam closer to the bottom in response to two pingers and increased their swimming speed in response to one pinger. Herring swam faster in response to one pinger, and pout and cod (close relatives) showed no behavioural responses to any of the pingers. Of the seven pingers tested, four elicited responses in at least one fish species, and three elicited no responses. Whether similar responses would be elicited in these fish species in the wild, and if so, whether such responses would influence the catch rate of fisheries, cannot be derived from the results of this study. However, the results indicate the need for field studies with pingers and fish. Based on the small number of fish species tested, the present study suggests that the higher the frequency of a pinger, the less likely it is to affect the behaviour of marine fish.     

The ecology, distribution, and abundance of midwater fishes of the Subarctic Pacific gyres

We describe the distribution and abundance of the midwater fish community, between 200 m and 500 m, in the North Pacific. The main area of interest was the Subarctic Pacific gyres, but we include species from the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. There were 196 species identified in each gyre, 38 of which were common to both gyres. The most abundant species belong to the family Myctophidae and the most ecologically important myctophid probably is Stenobrachius leucopsarus. This species could have a biomass of approximately 21 million tonnes (t) in the Subarctic Pacific (including the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk). S. leucopsarus is a small (about 8 cm maximum length) fish that lives up to 7 years. It is prey for a variety of other fishes, birds and mammals and may migrate into the mixing layer each evening where it feeds mainly on euphausiids and copepods.The total abundance of midwater fishes appears to be large relative to total catches of other fish in the same areas. The vertical migratory behaviour of some of the residents provides a mechanism to transfer production out of the mixing layer. The movement into the surface layer by some fishes at night indicates that dynamic changes occur in the midwater community between the day and night, and the ecosystem dynamics in the surface layer are different in the day and in the night. This behaviour and the huge biomass relative to commercial species means that the dynamics of fish communities in the Subarctic Pacific are complex and need to be studied over a 24 hour period. The large biomasses may eventually attract commercial interest, thus it is important to establish international, cooperative programs now to learn more about the dynamics of these populations and the relationships with other species.