Geostatistical modelling of the spatial life history of post-larval deepwater hake Merluccius paradoxus in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Optimal and sustainable management of fish resources cannot be ensured without a thorough understanding of the migration patterns and population (demographic stock) structure. Recent studies suggest that these aspects of the economically and ecologically important deepwater hake Merluccius paradoxus are not reflected in the current assessment and management practices for the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem. In this study, we compiled data from multiple demersal trawl surveys from the entire distribution area and applied state-of-the-art geostatistical population modelling (GeoPop) to estimate growth rate, mortality, and spatial and temporal distribution patterns of M. paradoxus. The data and the model enabled us to follow temporal and spatial changes in the distribution and infer movements from the recruitment/nursery areas, through the juvenile phase and the adults’ migration to the spawning areas outside/upstream of the nursery areas. The results indicated one primary recruitment/nursery area on the west coast of South Africa and a secondary less-productive recruitment/nursery area on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Juveniles initially migrated away from the main recruitment area, followed by natal homing by larger individuals. This pattern was highly consistent through the time-series of the study. This perception of a, primarily, panmictic population that performs transboundary migrations between Namibia and South Africa corresponds largely to the hypothesis and data plots given in recent studies. We recommend that fisheries assessment, advice and management take into consideration these aspects of the distribution and population (stock) structure of M. paradoxus.     

Association of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis and epibiotic barnacle Balanus rostratus: inter‐specific interactions and trophic relationships determined by fatty acid analysis

Marine mollusks provide shelter to epibiotic organisms which settle on the outer surface of their hard shells. Epibionts can exert beneficial or detrimental effects on the host mollusk. In this study, the ecology of the association of the commercially valuable marine mobile scallop Patinopecten (=Mizuhopecten) yessoensis with its epibiotic barnacle Balanus rostratus was investigated. Fatty acid analysis was performed to determine the trophic relationships between these species. The distribution of fatty acid markers in this scallop species suggests an important contribution of diatoms, flagellates and animal material in its diet. The fatty acid analysis indicated a predominance of diatoms in the diet of the adult barnacles and some detrital input into the diets of young individuals. It was found that adult barnacles may compete with the scallops for food sources such as diatoms and zooplankton. It was revealed that with a negligible biomass of epibionts, the interactions between the barnacle and scallop may be regarded as commensalisms. An increase in the weight of epibiotic barnacles resulted in decreases in the weights and shell heights of the scallops, testifying to the adverse influence of a high biomass of epibionts on their host.     

大别北麓汤家坪花岗斑岩锆石LA-ICPMS U-Pb定年和岩石地球化学特征及其对岩石成因的制约

河南商城县汤家坪花岗斑岩产于大别造山带北麓,岩体位于早白垩世达权店花岗岩体的南缘。岩体斑晶含量占10%左右,主要由钾长石、斜长石和石英组成,基质主要由钾长石、斜长石、石英和少量黑云母组成,副矿物主要为磁铁矿、赤铁矿、锆石。花岗斑岩中锆石U-Pb年龄为121.6±4.6Ma,为早白垩世中晚期。汤家坪花岗斑岩含白云母,无角闪石,具高硅(SiO272%)、高碱(Na2O+K2O7.4%)的特征,铝饱和指数(ACNK)为0.99～1.18,轻稀土富集、重稀土亏损(La/Yb)N=10.9～44.5,明显亏损Eu(δEu=0.40～0.58)、Sr、Ba、Nb等。P2O5与SiO2含量呈正相关关系、Pb与SiO2含量呈负相关关系、Y、Th随Rb升高而降低,属弱过铝质高分异S型花岗岩。汤家坪花岗斑岩εHf(t)(-17.6～-10.4)和εNd(t)(-15.5～-13.7)值均显示出壳源特征,tDM2(Hf)和tDM2(Nd)分别为1843～2281Ma和2034～2178Ma,反映汤家坪花岗斑岩来源于古老地壳物质的重熔,中等的初始Sr同位素指示源岩中可能有部分低成熟度地壳物质加入。结合稀土元素特征,认为汤家坪花岗斑岩源岩来源较深,主要源于下地壳物质。