1 research outputs found
Vertical distribution and migration of fish larvae in the NW Iberian upwelling system during the winter mixing period: implications for cross-shelf distribution
The vertical distribution and vertical migrations of fish
larvae and implications for their cross-shelf distribution
were investigated in the northern limit of the NE
Atlantic upwelling region during the late winter mixing
period of 2012. The average positive values of the
upwelling index for February and March of this year
were far from normal, although the average hydrographic
conditions during the period of study were of
downwelling and the water column was completely
mixed. Fish larvae, most in the preflexion stage, were
concentrated in the upper layers of the water column
and their distribution was depth stratified, both day
and night. However, the larval fish community was
not structured in the vertical plane and fish larvae did
not show significant diel vertical migration (DVM),
although five species showed ontogenetic vertical
migration. In regions of coastal upwelling and in the
absence of DVM, the location of fish larvae in the
water column is crucial for their cross-shelf distribution.
Thus, the cross-shelf distribution of the six most
abundant species collected in this study can be
explained by the surface onshore flow associated with coastal downwelling, retaining larvae of the coastal
spawning species with a relatively shallow distribution
in the shelf region and transporting larvae of slope
spawning species onto the shelf. The wide vertical distribution
shown by larvae of the offshore spawning
species could be an adaptation of these species to
ensure that some larvae reach the inshore nursery
areasPlan Nacional de I+D+i (CRAMERCTM2010- 21856-CO3-02), Junta de Galicia (ECOPREGA-10MMA602021PR), Principado de Asturias (GRUPIN14-144)Postprint2,044