Wann-Nian Tzeng

Effects of salinity and ontogenetic movements on strontium:calcium ratios in the otoliths of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica Temminck and Schlegel

Abstract To study the mechanism of Sr incorporation into otoliths of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica , a total of 100 elvers collected from an estuary were reared in the laboratory at salinities of 0, 10, 25 and 35%. for approximately seven months. The elvers grew from 56 mm TL to 100–300 mm TL. Twenty elvers were randomly selected and the Ca and Sr concentrations of their otoliths were analyzed from the primordium to the edge, using an electron microprobe equipped with a four-channel wavelength-dispersive spectrometer. Sr Ca ratios in the otoliths of eels reared in various salinities were much lower than the ratio of 15 × 10 −3 observed in elvers about one month before they arrived at the estuary. The irreversibility of Sr Ca ratios at 35%. salinity in this experiment indicated that the drastic change of the Sr Ca ratios in otoliths of elvers was not due to the reduction of salinity in the coastal waters, but more likely to the development from leptocephalus to glass eel. The mean Sr Ca ratios in the new increments of the otoliths of eels during the rearing period were highly correlated with salinity ( S ), [ Sr Ca ] × 10 3 = 3.797 + 0.14S ( n = 20, r = 0.77), which can be used to predict elver movements and habitat utilization rates.

The timing of metamorphosis and growth rates of American and European eel leptocephali:: A mechanism of larval segregative migration

Abstract Elvers of the American eel Anguilla rostrata (Le Sueur) and of the European eel Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus were collected, mostly during the 1995 fishing season, from six estuaries along the Atlantic coast of North America and from five European estuaries. The time of metamorphosis from leptocephalus to glass eel was determined from otolith daily growth increments in which the increment width and strontium:calcium ratios changed drastically. The overall mean age of European elvers was 350 days at metamorphosis ( T m ) from leptocephalus to glass eel and 448 days at estuarine arrival ( T t ), with 98 days between metamorphosis and estuarine arrival ( T t–m ). These ages were all significantly greater than those of American elvers ( T m was 200 days; T t , 255 days and T t–m , 55 days) ( p p

Structure, composition and seasonal dynamics of the larval and juvenile fish community in the mangrove estuary of Tanshui River, Taiwan

The temporal and spatial patterns of species composition and abundance of fish larvae and juveniles in the Tanshui River mangrove estuary (Taiwan) were studied monthly using a drift bag-net in daylight. A total of 44591 individuals representing 55 families and 105 species were collected over 12 mo (August 1989 to July 1990). The community was dominated numerically by a few species. Sardinella melanura was most numerous, making up 70.15% of the total catch, followed by Stolephorus buccaneeri (19.59%), Thryssa kammalensis (2.96%), and Gerres abbreviatus (2.61%). These four species constituted ca. 95% of the total catch, the remaining 5% consisted of another 101 species. This estuary functions as a nursery and feeding area in the early life history of these fish. There was a separation in peak-immigration and seasonal utilization of the estuary by the dominant species. The abundance of fish larvae and juveniles decreased in an upstream direction.

Plio-Pleistocene sea level and temperature fluctuations in the northwestern Pacific promoted speciation in the globally-distributed flathead mullet Mugil cephalus

BackgroundThe study of speciation in the marine realm is challenging because of the apparent absence of physical barriers to dispersal, which are one of the main drivers of genetic diversity. Although phylogeographic studies using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) information often reveal significant genetic heterogeneity within marine species, the evolutionary significance of such diversity is difficult to interpret with these markers. In the northwestern (NW) Pacific, several studies have emphasised the potential importance of sea-level regression during the most recent glaciations as a driver of genetic diversity in marine species. These studies have failed, however, to determine whether the period of isolation was long enough for divergence to attain speciation. Among these marine species, the cosmopolitan estuarine-dependent fish Mugil cephalus represents an interesting case study. Several divergent allopatric mtDNA lineages have been described in this species worldwide, and three occur in sympatry in the NW Pacific.ResultsTen nuclear microsatellites were surveyed to estimate the level of genetic isolation of these lineages and determine the role of sea-level fluctuation in the evolution of NW Pacific M. cephalus. Three cryptic species of M. cephalus were identified within this region (NWP1, 2 and 3) using an assignment test on the microsatellite data. Each species corresponds with one of the three mtDNA lineages in the COI phylogenetic tree. NWP3 is the most divergent species, with a distribution range that suggests tropical affinities, while NWP1, with a northward distribution from Taiwan to Russia, is a temperate species. NWP2 is distributed along the warm Kuroshio Current. The divergence of NWP1 from NWP2 dates back to the Pleistocene epoch and probably corresponds to the separation of the Japan and China Seas when sea levels dropped. Despite their subsequent range expansion since this period of glaciation, no gene flow was observed among these three lineages, indicating that speciation has been achieved.ConclusionsThis study successfully identified three cryptic species in M. cephalus inhabiting the NW Pacific, using a combination of microsatellites and mitochondrial genetic markers. The current genetic architecture of the M. cephalus species complex in the NW Pacific is the result of a complex interaction of contemporary processes and historical events. Sea level and temperature fluctuations during Plio-Pleistocene epochs probably played a major role in creating the marine species diversity of the NW Pacific that is found today.

Identification and growth rates comparison of divergent migratory contingents of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica).

The strontium (Sr) and calcium (Ca) concentrations in the otoliths of the Japanese eels Anguilla japonica collected from China, Japan and Taiwan were measured by electron probe micro-analyzer. The Sr/Ca ratios indicated that the eels beyond elver stage can be classified into three types of migratory contingents. Type 1 (seawater), the Sr/Ca ratios from approximately 150 Am from primordium to edge of the otolith maintained at the level of approximately 4–10x, indicating that the eel after elver stage stayed in sea water until the silver eel stage. Type 2 (freshwater), the ratios were lower than 4x, indicating that the eel stayed in freshwater from elver stage to the silver eel stags. Type 3 (estuarine), the ratios fluctuated between those of Types 1 and 2, indicating that eel migrated between freshwater and sea water before the silver stage. The estuarine contingents constituted the majority of the eel population and grew faster than the freshwater contingents. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Synchronous changes of morphology and gonadal development of silvering Japanese eel Anguilla japonica

Abstract The gonadal development of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica during silvering was examined via gonadal histology and morphometric characteristics. Specimens were collected from the Kaoping River of Taiwan between November 1998 and November 2001. Female eels predominated, constituting 87.6% of the sex-determined eels. The degree of gonadal development was assessed by skin coloration, with female eels divided into yellow, pre-silver, and silver phases. Males were divided into yellow and silver phases because of small sample size. Silver phase eels predominated in the winter. Mean (±S.E.) total length of silver-phase eels was significantly larger in females (642.2±10.4) than males (564.8±14.6) (p

Relationship between growth rate and age at recruitment ofAnguilla japonica elvers in a Taiwan estuary as inferred from otolith growth increments

The growth history and recruitment dynamics of eel (Anguilla japonica) elvers were studied. Observations were based on growth increments in sagittal otoliths of elvers collected from Shuang-Chi River estuary off northeastern Taiwan, from November 1985 to February 1986. Total lengths of elvers upon arrival at the estuary were similar in most case; mean total lengths were from 55.99 to 59.06 mm. Daily ages of elvers at arrival ranged from 112.8±9.4 (±SD) to 156.5±13.5 d, indicating that migration of eel larvae from their oceanic spawning ground to the estuary requires 4 to 5 mo. Elver hatching dates, back-calculated from estimated daily ages, indicated that the spawning season lasted 5 mo (from late June to early October). Furthermore, the earlier eels spawned, the earlier elvers reached the estuary. The transition in growth history during the larval stage was obvious, as indicated from the change in increment width in elver otoliths. The inverse correlation between daily age and mean daily growth rates of fish length and otolith indicated that the age of elvers upon arrival at the estuary was susceptible to larval growth rate. In other words, the time taken on migration from oceanic spawning ground to the estuary was shorter for fast-growing larvae than for slowgrowing ones.

Evaluation of Multi-Scale Climate Effects on Annual Recruitment Levels of the Japanese Eel, Anguilla japonica, to Taiwan

Long-term (1967–2008) glass eel catches were used to investigate climatic effects on the annual recruitment of Japanese eel to Taiwan. Specifically, three prevailing hypotheses that potentially explain the annual recruitment were evaluated. Hypothesis 1: high precipitation shifts the salinity front northward, resulting in favorable spawning locations. Hypothesis 2: a southward shift of the position of the North Equatorial Current (NEC) bifurcation provides a favorable larval transport route. Hypothesis 3: ocean conditions (eddy activities and productivity) along the larval migration route influence larval survival. Results of time series regression and wavelet analyses suggest that Hypothesis 1 is not supported, as the glass eel catches exhibited a negative relationship with precipitation. Hypothesis 2 is plausible. However, the catches are correlated with the NEC bifurcation with a one-year lag. Considering the time needed for larval transport (only four to six months), the one-year lag correlation does not support the direct transport hypothesis. Hypothesis 3 is supported indirectly by the results. Significant correlations were found between catches and climate indices that affect ocean productivity and eddy activities, such as the Quasi Biennial Oscillation (QBO), North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and Western Pacific Oscillation (WPO). Wavelet analysis reveals three periodicities of eel catches: 2.7, 5.4, and 10.3 years. The interannual coherence with QBO and the Niño 3.4 region suggests that the shorter-term climate variability is modulated zonally by equatorial dynamics. The low-frequency coherence with WPO, PDO, and NPGO demonstrates the decadal modulation of meridional teleconnection via ocean–atmosphere interactions. Furthermore, WPO and QBO are linked to solar activities. These results imply that the Japanese eel recruitment may be influenced by multi-timescale climate variability. Our findings call for investigation of extra-tropical ocean dynamics that affect survival of eels during transport, in addition to the existing efforts to study the equatorial system.

Movement Patterns of American Eels in an Impounded Watercourse, as Indicated by Otolith Microchemistry

Abstract Otolith Sr:Ca ratios were used to determine migrational histories of American eels Anguilla rostrata in an eastern Canadian coastal stream that is impounded at the head of tide. American eels sampled from the estuary were smaller (41.0 ± 9.3 cm (mean ± SD), N = 324) and younger (ages 1–4) than those in a freshwater pond (65.0 ± 7.5 cm, N = 265; ages 11–26) 2.5 km upstream of the head of tide. The Sr:Ca ratios permitted identification of three migrational contingents. In 7 of 13 (54%) American eels taken in the estuary, Sr:Ca ratios declined to 4.76 ± 1.22 × 10−3, indicating direct migration from the sea to estuarine settlement sites. In the 6 other American eels (46%), Sr:Ca ratios indicated an approach to freshwater soon after arrival in continental waters, followed by settlement in the estuary where ratios stabilized at 4.50 ± 1.23 × 10−3. In all 15 American eels sampled from the freshwater pond, Sr:Ca ratios indicated settlement in freshwater in the elver year and no subsequent change of habit...

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.