IR Home
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
MEPS 257:303-309 (2003)
|
Abstract
|
Are sardine larvae caught off northern Portugal in winter starving? An approach examining nutritional conditions
M. Alexandra Chícharo1,*, Eduardo Esteves1, A. Miguel P. Santos2, Antonina dos Santos2, Álvaro Peliz2, Pedro Ré3
1CCMAR, FCMA, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
2Instituto de Investigação das Pescas e do Mar (IPIMAR), Avenida Brasília, 1449-006 Lisboa, Portugal
3Departamento de Zoologia e Antropologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
*Email: mchichar@ualg.pt
ABSTRACT: Recently, winter upwelling events off western Iberia have become more frequent. This may affect the production and survival of sardine eggs and larvae through increased offshore transport. By analysis of RNA:DNA ratios, we investigated the
impact of winter upwelling events on the larval condition of Sardina pilchardus larvae as a function of oceanographic conditions and food availability. Larvae were collected on a research cruise off northern Portugal in February 2000. Environmental
parameters such as wind, water temperature, salinity, microzooplankton biomass and daily egg production of the calanoid copepod Calanus helgolandicus were also measured. The mean RNA:DNA ratios were relatively high, indicating that almost all
larvae collected were in good condition. This was in agreement with the high microzooplankton biomass and high daily egg production of the copepod C. helgolandicus recorded during the same period. No adverse effects of upwelling causing offshore
transport of larvae into poor feeding areas could be demonstrated because of the presence of a stratified warm plume with consequent high food production.
KEY WORDS: RNA:DNA ratios · Sardina pilchardus · Fish larvae · Microzooplankton biomass · Daily egg production
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
257
(2003) on August 7
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2003
|
