Spatial and temporal characteristics of grouper spawning aggregations in marine protected areas in Palau,western Micronesia

In Palau, Ngerumekaol and Ebiil Channels are spawning aggregation sites that have been protected from fishing since 1976 and 2000, respectively. Groupers and other targeted fisheries species were monitored monthly over a 1.5 year period at these two spawning aggregations and two nearby exploited reference sites where grouper formerly aggregated to spawn. At the protected aggregation sites, three grouper species (Plectropomus areolatus, Epinephelus polyphekadion, and Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) accounted for 78% of the abundance and 85% of the biomass of all resource species surveyed but comprised <1% of the total abundance and biomass at reference sites not protected from fishing that formally harbored spawning aggregations. Abundance and biomass of grouper species pooled were 54% and 72% higher, respectively, at Ngerumekaol compared to Ebiil. Comparisons with data from the same locations in 1995–1996 showed order of magnitude declines in abundance of E. polyphekadion at both locations. The lower numbers of E. fuscoguttatus and the near absence of E. polyphekadion at Ebiil may reflect the effects of previous and current overexploitation.     

APPLICATION OF CLIMATIC DIVISIONAL DATA TO FLOOD INTERPRETATIONS: AN EXAMPLE FROM LOUISIANA

The East Central climate division of Louisiana is used as a case study to evaluate relationships between divisional climate data and the 15 largest flood events on each of seven rivers during a 25-year period. Monthly precipitation and moisture surplus (a water-budget component) are correlated with number of rivers in flood within the division; the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is not. Although divisional data sets index climatic variability for nearly 100 years, this study indicates that some cautions should be considered when applying divisional data to flood analyses. [Key words: water budget, PDSI, climate division data, flooding, storm precipitation.]     

Spawning behaviour of snapper,Chrysophrys auratus,in captivity (note)

Spawning of snapper was observed in the public aquarium at Napier. Spawning males were characterised by a grey coloration and spawning females were the typical silvery‐pink colour. On four occasions spawning behaviour activity involved several males and one female and on one occasion it initially involved one male and one female, although other males joined in the spawning act. At each spawning event the female swam vertically towards the surface closely pursued by males. Eggs and sperms were released near the surface.     

Planktonic stages of the teleost family carapidae in eastern New Zealand waters

The occurrence of planktonic carapid eggs in Otago waters, of young stages of Echiodon rendahli off Castlepoint, and the possible presence of unrecorded members of the family Carapidae in New Zealand waters is discussed. Young E. rendahli possess a long spine which originates dorsally to a distinctive suspended gut.     

Larval life span,larval settlement,and early growth of Evechinus chloroticus (Valenciennes)

Development, settlement, and subsequent metamorphosis on several substrata were observed in cultures of Evechinus chloroticus larvae. The period from fertilisation to metamorphosis ranged between 30 and 63 days for larvae collected from spawnings induced at 3 different times. Newly settled sea urchins collected from the field grew about 1 mm per month in aquaria. Correlation of the larval life span with the growth rate of newly settled sea urchins suggested that the earliest spawning could occur was mid‐November. This finding corroborates the results of previous histo‐logical studies of the gonads of adult sea urchins in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.     

Two‐dimensional model of diffusion processes around a river mouth

The steady state diffusion equation is solved for two‐dimensional flow around a point source along an infinite straight boundary. Solutions obtained are related to the observed distribution of temperature and salinity around the mouth of the Buller River, South Island, New Zealand.     

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.     

Etropus crossotus, an annual flatfish species; age and growth of the fringed flounder in South Carolina

Fringed flounder, Etropus crossotus, a small flatfish common along the southeastern coast of the US, were collected along the South Carolina coast in the fall of 1992, and in the North Inlet estuary from August 1992 until July 1994. Standard length was 82% of total length and the relationship between standard length and wet weight showed near-isometric growth with no significant differences between males and females. Dry weight was 21% of wet weight and ash-free dry weight 14% of wet weight with no significant differences between sexes. Daily increments in the sagittal otoliths were used for age determination. No annual structures could be identified. The maximum age was about 14.5 months. Age-at-length was not different between the sexes. The relationship between age and length was exponential, with age (in days) equalling an e power of 4.242 + 0.135 × standard length (in cm). Back-calculated hatch dates and catches of early juveniles indicated a spawning season that lasted from March to October. Females started to be sexually mature at 7 to 7.5 cm standard length, but 50% maturity was reached at 8 to 8.5 cm. Females could grow to that size within one spawning season. Individuals hatched early in the spawning season could produce eggs in the latter portion of that season's spawning period.     

徐家河水库近太湖新银鱼(Neosalanx pseudotaihuensis Zhang)的性腺发育与产卵类型

利用斜生栅藻对山东禹城地区碳酸盐水型瘦水与肥水两种水体进行生物改良后,引种短钝蚤作室内培养试验,研究结果表明,短钝蚤在有适宜种类微藻作开始环境的先驱生物存在条件下,可以耐受碳酸盐型水质,并能成功地生长繁殖,本文还对３种培养液及两种培养模式下种群增长的动态规律作了初步的探讨。     

基于产卵场海表温度的阿根廷滑柔鱼资源丰度预测模型研究

阿根廷滑柔鱼(Illex argentinus)为短生命周期种,其资源丰度易受海洋环境变化的影响,尤其是在产卵场的早期生活史阶段。根据2003-2016年我国鱿钓船队在西南大西洋的生产统计数据,以及产卵场海洋表面温度(SST)卫星遥感数据,用相关性分析方法筛选出阿根廷滑柔鱼产卵旺季期间(6月份)表征产卵场SST变化的特征海域;基于阿根廷滑柔鱼产卵场最适SST范围占总面积之比(Ps)与资源丰度单位捕捞努力渔获量(CPUE,t/船)呈正相关性的假设,回溯阿根廷滑柔鱼最适的产卵场及水温环境条件,并据此建立多种基于表征产卵场SST环境因子的资源丰度多元线性预测模型。相关性分析结果表明:6月份有两片连续海域(Area 1、Area 2)的SST与CPUE之间存在显著相关性,分别为42.5°～44°S、57.5°～59°W(Area 1)和39°～39.5°S、45°～46°W(Area 2);回溯的阿根廷滑柔鱼产卵场范围为37.5°～44°S、41.5°～51.5°W,产卵场最适SST范围为16～17.5℃。利用2个特征海域(Area 1、Area 2)SST以及回溯的产卵场Ps建立4种的多元线...