Larval fish assemblages in Independencia Bay,Pisco, Peru: temporal and spatial relationships

The structure of the larval fish assemblages in Independencia Bay on the coast of Peru was examined using a combination of univariate and multivariate techniques. The plankton of Independencia Bay was sampled during 2000, to ascertain ichthyoplankton composition, abundance, and seasonality. These data were used to assess the function of the bay as spawning and nursery grounds and were related to the regional oceanography. In total, 16,156 fish larvae, representing 34 families, 48 genera, and 48 species were collected. Engraulidae, Normanichthyidae, Blenniidae, Gobiesocidae, Haemulidae, Labrisomidae, Pinguipedidae, and Atherinidae comprised 96.8% of the larvae captured; the remaining 3.2% included 26 families. Greatest mean larval fish densities, 319–1,381 per 100 m³, were recorded between September and November, suggesting a major spring spawning period. The most abundant fish larvae during this period were preflexion stage mote sculpins (Normanichthyidae) and newly hatched and preflexion stage anchovies (Engraulidae). A second, smaller summer peak was dominated by preflexion stage anchovies, followed by preflexion stage mote sculpins. The occurrence of high larval fish densities and the wide range of larval stages suggest that Independencia Bay is a regionally important spawning and nursery ground for marine fish. The principal component analysis showed that temperature and salinity were the dominant variables within the first two principal components, which accounted for 74.4% of the variation in environmental conditions. These conditions varied over time, station, and depth; however, interaction terms could not clearly be identified. Fitting a multinomial logistic model showed that larval fish assemblages and environmental conditions were associated in a complex way. The spring and summer ichthyoplankton abundance peaks in Independencia Bay coincided with high zooplankton standing stock and also coincided approximately with the periods of increased upwelling in the area.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/Luhe     

Offshore distributional patterns of Hawaiian fish larvae

An analysis of ichthyoplankton samples based on relative abundance reveals pronounced inshore/offshore distributional gradients for most Hawaiian fish larvae. Larvae of pelagic bay species are found almost exclusively in semi-enclosed bays and estuaries. Larvae of pelagic neritic species are more or less uniformly distributed with distance from shore. The larvae of reef species with non-pelagic eggs are most abundant close to shore, while those of reef species with pelagic eggs are most abundant offshore. Finally, the larvae of offshore (primarily mesopelagic) species show no clear pattern but frequently occur in high numbers nearshore. Within any group, variation in pattern was often evident; for example, although Hawaiian fishes of both the families Labridae and Mullidae spawn pelagic eggs, larvae of the former had not peaked in abundance 12 km from shore while larvae of the latter had peaked between 0.5 and 2 km. Some larvae which occur offshore are highly specialized morphologically for a pelagic existence (e.g. Chaetodontidae, which is illustrated) while others are little modified (e.g. Labridae). These findings indicate ichthyoplankton surveys in tropical areas must sample offshore areas in addition to the inshore adult habitat to obtain a complete picture.Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology Contribution No. 484.     

Intra- and interannual variability in the larval fish assemblage off Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) over 2005–2007

The present study provides the longest and most intensive plankton and larval fish seasonal variability analysis in the Canary Islands and forms a basis for understanding life cycle scheduling and interactions among species, as well as the potential variability in transport processes of early life stages. Larval fish assemblages were studied weekly at Gran Canaria Island, Canary Islands, from January 2005 to June 2007, which represented two contrasting hydrological and biological periods. The former year was characterized by lower temperature and salinity that increased through 2006 and 2007. In contrast, chlorophyll concentration and mesozooplankton biomass decreased through the same period, especially when only the late winter bloom period was evaluated. However, ichthyoplankton abundance did not exhibit any clear pattern, as larger values were observed during 2006. The larval fish community of this oceanic island, located near the NW African upwelling, was composed of both neritic and oceanic taxa. Two families accounted for almost half of the collected larvae: Clupeidae (21.9%) and Myctophidae (20.5%). Although total larval concentration did not exhibit any seasonal peak linked to changes in zooplankton, the ichthyoplankton composition gradually changed during the year due to the high diversity and extended spawning periods of the fish species represented in samples. “Winter” and “summer” larval assemblages were identified, corresponding to the mixing and stratification periods of the water column, respectively. These assemblages were characterized by changes in the contribution of the most abundant annual taxa (Sardinella aurita, Cyclothone braueri, Ceratoscopelus spp. and Gobids) and by the presence of larvae of winter (Pagellus bogaraveo, Pomacentridae sp1) or summer spawners (Pomacentridae sp2, Trachinus draco, Arnoglossus thori, Tetraodontidae sp1). Upwelling filaments shed from the NW African coast reached the sampling area three times during this study, but changes in the local larval community were only detected in August 2005.     

Patterns of spatial and species abundance within the larval fish assemblage of the North Pacific central gyre during late summer

The larval fish assemblage in the epipelagic zone of the North Pacific central gyre near Lat. 28°N, Long. 155°W during late summer was sampled with stratified opening/closing bongo nets. This assemblage exhibited recurring patterns of spatial and species distributions. Spatial patterns included species vertical distributions, co-occurrence and pathchiness; species patterns included species composition and abundance relations. Both types of patterns changed with depth, the most dramatic change occurring in relation to the bottom of the summer mixed layer. An examination of the physical and biological environments of the epipelagic zone with relation to the summertime species and spatial patterns and to seasonal changes in larval fish species structure indicates that the thermal structure of the upper water column may exert a major influence on overall ichtyoplanton species and spatial structures within the gyre.     

Distribution and abundance of fish larvae off the coast of West Pakistan

The material was collected during 4 different cruises on the shelf off the coast of W. Pakistan in November–December, 1964 and in March, 1967 and 1968. The hydrography as well as the zooplankton-biomass distribution are briefly described. A total of 5777 larval fish were taken in 33 positive vertical hauls by an Indian Ocean Standard Net. The number of larvae in positive hauls ranged from 2 to 1262 larvae haul^-1. The most productive area of the ichthyoplankton was the waters south of Karachi, covered during the Machera Cruise, where 828 to 1262 larvae haul^-1 were obtained. The larvae were identified to species, genera or family. Sardinella sindensis (specific identification uncertain) larvae dominated in abundance. The other abundant larvae belonged to Benthosema spp., Amentum commersonii, Vinciguerria spp. and Diaphus spp. Larval distributions and abundances are described. Aggregation and spawning of adult Sardinella (sindensis) in the waters off the coast of W. Pakistan in November/December, 1964, are discussed. Presumably, the waters south of Karachi represent good feeding grounds for s. (sindensis) larvae. Displacement volume, length and weight relationships of various larval size groups have been studied and a high rate of larval mortality (at a length of 5.0 to 8.5 mm) observed.     

Spatial patterns of ichthyoplankton distribution in relation to hydrographic features in the Northern Benguela region

The spatial distribution of the most abundant eggs and larvae of teleost fish species on the continental shelf and slope off the northern Benguela region was studied in April 1986. The horizontal and vertical distribution of eggs and larvae were analysed together with environmental data, in order to determine patterns of ichthyoplankton distribution. Both species composition and relative egg and larval abundance levels exhibited important latitudinal differences during a period of quiescent upwelling with an intense intrusion of Angolan water into the system. Larval diversity was higher in the northern part of the study area, where, because of the intrusion of the warmer Angolan water, the water column was more stratified than in the southern part, where the affect of upwelling of South Atlantic Central Water was continuous and only a few species spawned. The frontal zone appeared to be a nursery ground for the most important pelagic species of the region:Trachurus trachurus capensis, Engraulis capensis, andSardinops ocellatus. Vertical egg and larval distributions showed evidence of stratification, with highest concentrations located in the uppermost 50 m. In comparison, during periods of intense upwelling, longitudinal gradients were responsible for the horizontal distribution of ichthyoplankton, and the vertical distribution of eggs and larvae were much more extensive because of the greater mixing of the water column.     

Vertical structure of very nearshore larval fish assemblages in a temperate rocky coast

Small-scale vertical patterns of larval distribution were studied at a very nearshore larval fish assemblage, during the spring–summer period of several years, at two depth strata (surface and bottom) using sub-surface and bottom trawls. A total of 4,589 larvae (2,016 from surface samples and 2,573 from bottom samples) belonging to 62 taxa included in 22 families were collected. Most larvae belonged to coastal species. Although inter-annual variations in larval density and diversity could be found, total larval abundance was always higher near the bottom whereas diversity was higher at the surface. A marked distinction between the structure of surface and bottom assemblages was found. Sixteen taxa explained 95% of the similarity among surface samples. Larvae which contributed most to this similarity included species like clupeiformes, sparids and serranids, and also blenniids, tripterygiids and some labrids. In the bottom samples, fewer species were present, with only six taxa, almost exclusively from species which lay demersal eggs, contributing to 95% of the similarity between samples. Larvae present at the surface were significantly smaller than at the bottom. For some of the most abundant species found at the bottom, only small larvae occurred at the surface while the whole range of sizes was present at the bottom, indicating that larvae may be completing the entire pelagic phase near the adults’ habitat. These results indicate that larval retention near the reefs probably occurs for these species, although for others dispersal seems to be the prevailing mechanism.     

Larval ecology of the great barracuda, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sphyraena barracuda</Emphasis>, and other sphyraenids in the Straits of Florida

The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) is a widespread, ecologically and socioeconomically important coastal fish, yet very little is known about its larvae. We examined spawning and larval ecology of Western Atlantic sphyraenids using monthly ichthyoplankton samples collected over 2 years along a transect spanning the east–west axis of the Straits of Florida (SOF). Samples were dominated by the great barracuda (92.8%) and sennets (Sphyraena borealis and Sphyraena picudilla; 6.6%). While larval sennets and S. barracuda displayed similar vertical distributions (majority in upper 25 m), horizontal and temporal patterns of abundance suggested a spatial and temporal species replacement between larval S. barracuda and sennets that tracks adult ecology. The diet of both taxa consisted largely of copepods, with inclusion of fish larvae at 8 mm SL, and in S. barracuda alone, a switch in the wet season to exclusive piscivory by 12 mm SL (18 days post-hatch). A lack of piscivory in S. barracuda larvae captured in the dry season corresponded to slower larval growth than in the wet season. Larval growth was also related to size-at-hatch and larval age such that larvae that were larger at hatch or larger (older) at capture grew faster at earlier ages, suggesting faster larval growth, and indirectly larger hatch size, conveys a survival advantage. Unlike larval growth, instantaneous mortality rate did not differ with season, and no lunar cyclic patterns in spawning output were identified. Our results provide insight into the pelagic phase of sphyraenids and highlight the importance of both diet and hatch size to the growth and survival of fish larvae in low latitude oceanic environments.     

Dynamics of larval fish assemblages over a shallow coral reef in the Florida Keys

Few time series collections have been made of the larval ichthyofauna in waters directly above shallow coral reefs. As a result, relatively little is known regarding the composition and temporal dynamics of larval fish assemblages in shallow-reef waters, particularly those near a major western boundary current. We conducted a series of nightly net tows from a small boat over a shallow reef (Pickles Reef) along the upper Florida Keys during four new moon and three third-quarter moon periods in July (two new moons), August, and September 2000. Replicate tows were made after sunset at 0–1 m and at 4–5 m depth to measure the nightly progression in community composition, differences in depth of occurrence, and abundance and diversity with lunar phase. A total of 66 families was collected over the 3-month period, with a mean (±SE) nightly density of 23.7±2.1 larvae per 100 m ³ and diversity of 24.2±0.9 taxa per tow. A total of 28.8% of the catch was composed of small, schooling fishes in the families Atherinidae, Clupeidae, and Engraulidae. Of the remaining catch, the top ten most abundant families included reef fishes as well as mangrove and oceanic taxa (in descending order): Scaridae, Blennioidei (suborder), Gobiidae, Paralichthyidae, Lutjanidae, Haemulidae, Labridae, Gerreidae (mangrove), Balistidae, and Scombridae (oceanic). These near-reef larval fish assemblages differed substantially from those collected during previous offshore collections. Taxa such as the Haemulidae were collected at a range of sizes and may remain nearshore throughout their larval period. Overall, the abundance and diversity of taxa did not differ with depth (although within-night vertical migration was evident) or with lunar phase. Temporal patterns of abundance of larval fish families clustered into distinct groups that in several cases paralleled family life-history patterns. In late July, a sharp shift in larval assemblages signaled the replacement of oceanic water with inner shelf/bay water. In general, the suite and relative abundance of taxa collected each night differed from those collected on other nights, and assemblages reflected distinct nightly events as opposed to constant or cyclical patterns. Proximity to the Florida Current likely contributes to the dynamic nature of these near-reef larval assemblages. Our results emphasize the uniqueness of near-reef larval fish assemblages and point to the need for further examination of the biophysical relationships generating event-related temporal patterns in these assemblages.     

The role of the generally unrecognised microprey source as food for larval fish in the Irish Sea

Few studies have studied the food supply to larval fish in the Irish Sea; thus, we have assessed the full prey-field available to larval fish, ranging from protozoa to copepods. Specifically we assessed if fish larvae feed on protozoa, as suggested by others, and if densities of the protozoa and the appropriate size of metazoan prey were previously underestimated. By examining the gutcontents of fish larvae, the prey available to them, and the potential accessibility of prey to fish, we develop a simple food web, presented as a box-model. By doing so, we indicate that the lack of focus on small metazoa and protozoa has underestimated the food available to fish larvae; without these, we might have concluded that prey levels were too low to support the growth of the larval fish assemblage. Our methods were as follows. Sampling was at two sites, off the Isle of Man, with distinct physical and biological structures, soon after fish spawning: the southwest coast, where many species occur in spring-summer (23 April; 6, 19 May; 1, 22 June; 12 July) and the east coast, where only herring larvae occur in September–November (12, 28 October). Microplankton (15–200 μm), mesozooplankton, and larval fish were collected at 1, 15, and 25 m: microplankton with 1.5 L bottles and a 64 μm-mesh net; mesozooplankton and larval fish with a Gulf VII high-speed sampler (280 μm mesh). The 64 μm mesh net, mounted on the Gulf VII, provided simultaneous hauls. Fixed samples were evaluated to determine species composition, abundance, and biomass. Larval fish diet was determined from fish collected by short net hauls: fixed guts were examined and prey, including protozoa, analysed. Using physical data as a guide, plankton data were integrated through the water column to determine standing stocks. Size-based food availability to larval fish was estimated from the gut contents. The role of protozoa was examined, assuming that they are digested at the same rate as metazoan and if they are digested 2.5–10 times faster; increased digestion rates indicated that they contributed substantially to the larval fish diet.     

Nutritional condition and growth rate of anchovy larvae (Engraulis mordax) in the California Current: two contrasting years

A large number of northern anchovy larvae, Engraulis mordax, were collected in the Southern California Bight on two CalCOFI cruises during spring 1987, and the amounts of triacylglycerol, cholesterol and polar lipids were measured in each individual larva using the latroscan TLC/FID (thin-layer chromatography/flame ionization detection) system. The 1987 larvae were compared to larvae taken in the Bight during the previous year. Canonical correlation analyses revealed a significant relationship between the larval lipid components and physical/biological data collected at each occupied station during the late 1987 spring cruise, similar to that recorded in 1986. The short-term nutritional condition of the copepod Calanus pacificus was the most important station variable in both cruises. Their triacylglycerol:cholesterol ratio indicated that few of the 1987 larvae had been starving, but their very low contents of length-specific cholesterol and polar lipid indicated that they had been growing very slowly. Otolith readings on defatted larvae confirmed that the 1987 larvae had been growing significantly more slowly than the 1986 larvae. Furthermore, the data suggested that in the 1986 population the faster growing larvae were also those with the highest lipid content. This situation was reversed for the 1987 larvae, when the faster growing larvae in the population seemed to achieve their faster growth only at the expense of a lowered lipid content. The abundance of anchovy larvae was much higher in spring 1987 than in spring 1986 but, despite this, the apparent recruitment (number of Age 0 fish in July of each year) was not higher in 1987.     

Diel vertical migration and timing of metamorphosis of larvae of the Dungeness crab Cancer magister

Joint USA/USSR ichthyoplankton surveys off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and northern California during the years 1981 to 1985 sampled more than 120 stations each year, from 5 to 360 km offshore and between Latitude 40° and 48° N, providing information on ontogeny and diel migration of larvae of the Dungeness crab Cancer magister on a scale not studied previously. We developed a maximum likelihood method for estimating abundance and fraction in the neuston at each station from a neuston tow and an oblique bongo tow. Latestage megalopae migrate vertically on a diel basis, with the fraction in the neuston being (on average) 62% at night (19.00 to 08.00 hrs Pacific Standard Time, PST) and 8% during the day (08.00 to 19.00 hrs PST). The hourly pattern of this migration includes a peak in the early evening, possibly another in the early morning, and an intermediate level in the late afternoon. We detected no dependence of vertical migration on cloud cover or sea state. Early-stage megalopae were present in much lower fractions in the neuston, but weakly displayed the same diel pattern of migration. Zoeae appeared to be below the neuston at all times, except for 2 or 3 h in the evening. From an abrupt change in larval stage in samples from a north-south cruise, we concluded that the majority of the larvae metamorphose from zoeae to megalopae over a fairly short time span (2 to 4 wk) at a given latitude. In later cruises, 95% of the larvae were megalopae, indicating that metamorphosis over the study area either occurs at the same time or proceeds from south to north over a time span of less than a month in early spring.     

The bathypelagic Decapoda,Lophogastrida, and Mysida of the eastern Gulf of Mexico

The Earth’s greatest living space is found in the bathypelagic zone of the oceans (depths >1,000 m), yet little research has been dedicated to these ecosystems. The micronekton of the bathypelagic zone in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (EGOM) was investigated with the goal of comparing its community structure with that of the well-studied mesopelagic micronekton. Herein is described a portion of that community, specifically species belonging to the orders Lophogastrida, Mysida, and Decapoda. A total of 46 species were collected, most of which have broad zoogeographic distributions. Seventeen of the species had not previously been collected above 1,000 m in the same location despite over 20 years of sampling. Compared to the mesopelagic zone, the bathypelagic community showed increased contributions to abundance and estimated biomass from the Oplophoridae and Eucopiidae, with a simultaneous decrease in the importance of the Dendrobranchiata. In addition, the bathypelagic zone was distinguished by a relatively high percentage of individuals that brood their eggs (77% vs. 15% in the mesopelagic zone). The results are interpreted as evidence that the bathypelagic zone contains a distinct pelagic community, with a biology and ecology fundamentally different from that of the mesopelagic zone.     

Biomasses,catch rates and abundances of demersal fishes,particularly predators of prawns,in a tropical bay in the Gulf of Carpentaria,Australia

The demersal fish fauna of Albatross Bay, in the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, was sampled on seven cruises from August 1986 to November 1988, using a random stratified trawl survey. Four depth zones between 7 and 45 m were sampled during both day and night. The mean biomass of fish from all seven cruises was 297 kg ha^–1 for days trawls and 128 kg ha^–1 for night trawls. The overall mean catch rates were 922 kg h^–1 for day trawls and 412 kg h^–1 for night trawls. There were marked differences between cruises in both the biomass and catch rate. Approx 890 000 fish of 237 species were collected. Of these, 25 species comprised 82% of the total biomass and 74% of the overall catch rate. The dominant families were Leiognathidae, Haemulidae and Clupeidae, with Sciaenidae and Dasyatidae important at night.Leiognathus bindus was the most abundant species. Twenty-five species occurred in more than 50% of trawls, withCaranx bucculentus the most frequently caught (96% of all trawls). Thirty four species were predators on prawns; their absolute mean biomass was 50 kg ha^–1 during the day and 39 kg ha^–1 at night. The corresponding catch rates were 171 and 125 kg h^–1. Multiple-regression analyses were used to discriminate the effects of diel, seasonal, depth and cruise patterns. Of the 31 most abundant species, 15 showed diel patterns of abundance; 11 species showed seasonal patterns of abundance; 23 species had differential depth distribution; and 13 species showed significant cruise-to-cruise variation in abundance. Cruise variations in abundance were tested against salinity, temperature, tidal exchange, plankton biomass and prawn abundances as well as periods (and lags) of total rainfall prior to sampling. Only total rainfall showed any significant correlation. Total rainfall over a period of 6 wk immediately prior to sampling showed significant positive correlations with the abundances of five species, with overall daytime catch rates, and with the suite of 34 prawn predators. Rainfall and river runoff into Albatross Bay were significantly correlated. In Albatross Bay, the complex of factors affecting fish abundances and the magnitude of between-cruise differences indicate that such tropical communities may be unpredictable and are not seasonally constant. The high catch rates in Albatross Bay relative to similar tropical areas elsewhere are discussed and attributed to the light exploitation of the Albatross Bay stocks. Other than a prawn fishery, there is no commercial trawling in Albatross Bay. Hence, the only fishing mortality is a result of by-catch from prawn trawling. The annual total of such fish by-catch is probably less than 10% of the estimated standing stock of 93 000 tonnes.     

Relationship between zooplankton distribution,geographic characteristics and hydrographic patterns off the Catalan coast (Western Mediterranean)

Astract Northern anchovy larvae, Engraulis mordax, were collected on five cruises covering the Southern California Bight, one cruise in April 1984, four cruises in January, February and May 1986. The amounts of triacylglycerol, cholesterol and polar lipid were measured in individual anchovy larvae as indicators of their nutritional condition. There was a significant difference in each of the size-specific lipid components between the stations for four of the five cruises. This indicates that all the ocean habitats within a cruise were not equal in promoting growth (and presumably survival) in the anchovy larvae. There were also differences between cruises, where the percentage of the larvae judged to be in poor condition varied from 8 to 27%. Canonical correlation analyses revealed a significant relationship in most cases between the larval fish parameters and the physical and biological data collected from each occupied station. Cholesterol and triacylglycerol were the most important larval components, and the short-term energy storage component in the copepod Calanus pacificus was the most important station component. The data, however, are not sufficient to identify and characterize stations in the field which produce anchovy larvae in good condition.     

Deep-water decapod crustacean communities in the Northwestern Mediterranean: influence of submarine canyons and season

The specific composition and abundance of bathyal decapods in the Catalan Sea were investigated. A total of 109 bottom trawls were effected at depths ranging from 141 to 730 m on the continental slope in the Catalan Sea (northwestern Mediterranean) during two sampling cruises in spring and autumn 1991. Multivariate analysis of the samples revealed four groups of the decapod crustacean communities: (1) A shelf-slope transition-zone group at depths between 146 and 296 m, primarily characterized by the presence of Plesionika heterocarpus; (2) an upper-slope community between 245 and 485 m, characterized by the presence of the mesopelagic species Pasiphaea sivado and Sergestes arcticus, with Processa nouveli, Solenocera membranacea and Nephrops norvegicus as secondary species; (3) a middle-slope community below 514 m, with Aristeus antennatus and Calocaris macandreae as the most abundant species; (4) a group at 430 to 515 m, comprising all samples collected exclusively within or in the vicinity of submarine canyons. Mesopelagic decapods were predominant on the slope, while benthopelagic fishes (Merluccius merluccius, Micromesistius poutassou, Gadiculus argenteus) replaced mesopelagic decapods on the shelf. There were seasonal variations, with higher densities of mesopelagic species in spring, which were probably related, among other factors, to variations in the photoperiod. Our surveys also revealed higher species richness in the canyons together with seasonal changes in the megafaunal biomass. Generally, the upper and middle-slope communities both displayed seasonal changes in the composition and abundance of megabenthos.     

Flows, droughts, and aliens: factors affecting the fish assemblage in a Sierra Nevada, California, stream

The fishes of Martis Creek, in the Sierra Nevada of California (USA), were sampled at four sites annually over 30 years, 1979-2008. This long-term data set was used to examine (1) the persistence and stability of the Martis Creek fish assemblage in the face of environmental stochasticity; (2) whether native and alien fishes responded differently to a natural hydrologic regime (e.g., timing and magnitude of high and low flows); and (3) the importance of various hydrologic and physical habitat variables in explaining the abundances of native and alien fish species through time. Our results showed that fish assemblages were persistent at all sample sites, but individual species exhibited marked interannual variability in density, biomass, and relative abundance. The density and biomass of native fishes generally declined over the period of study, whereas most alien species showed no significant long-term trends. Only alien rainbow trout increased in both density and biomass at all sites over time. Redundancy analysis identified three hydrologic variables (annual 7-day minimum discharge, maximum winter discharge, and number of distinct winter floods) and two habitat variables (percentage of pool habitat and percentage of gravel substrate) that each explained a significant portion of the annual variation in fish assemblage structure. For alien taxa, their proportional contribution to the total fish assemblage was inversely related to mean annual streamflow, one-day maximum discharge in both winter and spring, and the frequency of springtime floods. Results of this study highlight the need for continuous annual monitoring of streams with highly variable flow regimes to evaluate shifts in fish community structure. Apparent successes or failures in stream management may appear differently depending on the time series of available data.     

Seasonal variation in the diversity and abundance of pelagic larvae of Antarctic marine invertebrates

Most marine benthic macroinvertebrate species reproduce via a larval phase but attempts to explain the occurrence of different larval strategies (feeding or non-feeding, pelagic or benthic) in different habitats have been largely inconclusive. There have been very few year-round surveys of meroplankton at any latitude and in consequence fundamental data on the diversity, abundance, and timings of larval life history phases are lacking. There has been considerable debate regarding the viability of pelagic larvae in cold waters with highly seasonal primary production but there has been only one year-round study of meroplankton in the Southern Ocean, and that was outside of the Antarctic Circle. We present data from the first year-round survey of meroplankton assemblages at a location within the Antarctic Circle. We surveyed abundances of meroplanktonic larvae over 1.5 year at Rothera Point, West Antarctic Peninsula (67°34′S, 68°07′W). Larvae were collected in monthly diver-towed net samples close to the seabed at 20 and 6 m total water depths at each of three locations and were identified and counted live immediately after sampling. A total of 99 operationally defined taxonomic types representing 11 phyla were recorded but this is likely to be an underestimate of true diversity because of inherent difficulties of identification. Larvae were present in all months of the year and although planktotrophic larvae were more abundant in summer, both feeding and non-feeding types were present in all months. Comparisons of seasonal larval abundances with data from a settlement study at the same sites and from the literature show that larvae of mobile adults settle in summer regardless of developmental type, whereas sessile taxa settle in all seasons. We suggest that this is a consequence of differences in the food requirements of mobile and sessile fauna and that the availability of food for post-larval juveniles is more critical for survival than factors affecting the larval stage itself.     

Hydrography and distribution dynamics of larval and juvenile fishes in the coastal waters of the Tanshui River estuary,Taiwan, with reference to estuarine larval transport

Distribution dynamics of fish larvae and juveniles in the coastal waters of the Tanshui River, Taiwan was studied fortnightly using surface horizontal tows with a larval net in daytime during the period from early April through early June 1991. Environmental factors, including water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, transparency and depth at sampling stations, were also monitored. A total of 10737 fish eggs and 1387 individuals, representing 43 families and 93 species, was collected during five cruises from 12 stations in the coastal waters. Most fish were estuarine-dependent marine species. Liza macrolepis, Ambassis gymnocephalus, Terapon jarbua, Mullidae and Gobiidae were the most dominant, making up 64.7% of the total catch. Early life stages, including egg, preflexion, flexion and postflexion larvae were abundant in surface samples. However, yolk-sac larvae were absent in the surface water, probably due to an ontogenetic behavioral shift as a consequence of a change in specific weight during early development. The species composition of fish larvae and juveniles was related to the microhabitats found in the coastal waters. The physico-chemical conditions, along with ontogenetic behavior, played an important role in larval fish distribution in the coastal waters.