1
|
Neves J, Veríssimo A, Múrias Santos A, Garrido S. Comparing otolith shape descriptors for population structure inferences in a small pelagic fish, the European sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2023; 102:1219-1236. [PMID: 36880257 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Otolith shape analysis has been one of the most used approaches to study population structure in the past decades. Currently, two sets of shape descriptors are used to perform otolith shape analysis, namely, Elliptic Fourier descriptor (EFd), which focuses on the overall otolith shape differences, and Discrete Wavelet descriptor (DWd), which is sensible to local differences along the otolith contour. Here, the authors conducted a comparative analysis of the performance of both the descriptors in reconstructing the population structure and connectivity patterns in a small pelagic fish species with a wide geographical distribution and fast growth rate, the European sardine Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792), for the first time. A combination of each otolith shape descriptor and shape indices was explored using multivariate statistical methods. The two otolith shape descriptors showed similar, although limited, overall classification success associated with the population dynamic characteristics of the species. Both descriptors point to migration among adjacent areas, such as northern Atlantic locations, eastern Mediterranean and even across well-defined physical obstacles, such as the Strait of Gibraltar, among Atlantic and western Mediterranean locations. Both descriptors supported the division of the populations of Mediterranean waters into three main groups but slightly differed in the group limits of the Atlantic waters. A comparison of the present results with those from previous otolith shape analysis studies using EFd on a decadal time scale revealed differences in the population structure and connectivity patterns compared to the earlier period. These differences not only may be attributed to changes in environmental variables leading to changes in population dynamics but can also be the result of the sardine biomass sharp decrease that occurred in the past decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Neves
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Vairão, Portugal
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Veríssimo
- CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Vairão, Portugal
| | - António Múrias Santos
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- CIBIO - Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Susana Garrido
- Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Anderson AB, Bernardes MB, Pinheiro HT, Guabiroba HC, Pimentel CR, Vilar CC, Gomes LEO, Bernardino AF, Delfino SDT, Giarrizzo T, Ferreira CEL, Joyeux JC. Niche availability and habitat affinities of the red porgy Pagrus pagrus (Linnaeus, 1758): An important ecological player on the world's largest rhodolith beds. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:179-189. [PMID: 35538668 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) is a carnivore bottom dweller sparid, inhabiting flat sandy bottoms, rhodolith and seagrass beds of the Mediterranean Sea, the Western Atlantic (from Florida to Argentina) and the Eastern Atlantic (from Britain to Gabon). Along its native range, the red porgy is highly targeted by commercial and artisanal fisheries. In the past 40 years, the population decline of the species has been widely reported. In many locations, such as the Brazilian coast, stocks have collapsed. The central portion of the Brazilian coast harbours the largest rhodolith beds in the world and the highest levels of nektonic and benthic biodiversity. Along the rhodolith megahabitat, P. pagrus density is disproportionately higher (by 480%) than that of conspicuous benthic fishes inhabiting the same environment. Despite the ecological and economic importance of such an important species along its native range, little is known regarding its habitat use, niche availability and population responses to global warming. Here we present habitat affinities based on data sampled using baited remote stereo-video systems, and modelled niche availability and global warming populational responses. Our findings reveal that the red porgy is a species highly associated with rhodolith beds along the central portion of the Brazilian coast. The presence of a disproportional density and biomass of the red porgy, compared to other marine fish species, indicates that the species plays a key ecological role as a carnivore, mesoconsumer and prey/predator tolerant species, maintaining essential ecological functions in the habitat. In a global warming scenario, the model predicted populational niche shifts poleward and a severe niche erosion at lower latitudes as expected. Conservation initiatives (implementation of Maine Protected Areas, trawling exclusion zones, mining exclusion zones, fisheries management policies) are urgent to secure future stocks of the red porgy and also preserve the fragile rhodolith beds they inhabit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antônio B Anderson
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
| | - Manuela B Bernardes
- Department of Environmental Education, V. Velha Town Hall, Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Hudson T Pinheiro
- Center for Marine Biology, University of São Paulo, São Sebastião, Brazil
- California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Helder C Guabiroba
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Caio R Pimentel
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Ciro C Vilar
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Luiz E O Gomes
- Benthic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Stephanie D T Delfino
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Tommaso Giarrizzo
- Núcleo de Ecologia Aquática E Pesca da Amazonia, Grupo de Ecologia Aquática, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, Brazil
| | - Carlos E L Ferreira
- LECAR-Federal Fluminense University, Department of Marine Biology, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Jean-Christophe Joyeux
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Unravelling Stock Spatial Structure of Silverside Odontesthes argentinensis (Valenciennes, 1835) from the North Argentinian Coast by Otoliths Shape Analysis. FISHES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes7040155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The marine silverside (Odontesthes argentinensis) is an euryhaline species, distributed along the southwest coast of the Atlantic Ocean, present in estuaries, brackish coastal lagoons and shallow marine waters. It is a significant economic resource for local fisheries in southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The aim of this work was to contribute to knowledge on the stock spatial structure of the silverside, using otolith shape analysis, based on samples from nine locations in the Argentinian Sea, covering a large distribution range of the species. A combination of elliptic Fourier descriptors, Wavelet coefficients and otolith Shape indices were explored by multivariate statistical methods. The application of wavelet and combined wavelet, Fourier and Shape Indices were the most effective variables to discriminate between sampling sites (7.42 total error). PERMANOVA analysis of otolith shape revealed multivariate significant differences between north versus south locations (p < 0.0001). The results obtained show that the spatial structure of O. argentinensis presents a North–South gradient with marked differences between the extreme localities of the north (Mar del Plata, Quequén) with more elliptical shapes than those in the south (San Blas, San Antonio Este) and an isolated group conformed by Puerto Lobos.
Collapse
|
4
|
Comparative Otolith Morphology of Two Morphs of Schizopygopsis thermalis Herzenstein 1891 (Pisces, Cyprinidae) in a Headwater Lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. FISHES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fishes7030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Teleost otoliths provide a pivotal medium for studying changes in population structure and population dynamics of fish. Understanding the otolith-fish size relationship and intraspecies variation in otolith morphology is essential for the accurate assessment and management of fishery resources. In our study, we aimed to estimate the relationships between otolith morphological measurements and fish length, and detect differences in the otolith morphology of planktivorous and benthivorous morphs of Schizopygopsis thermalis in Lake Amdo Tsonak Co on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). Both morphs exhibited strong linear otolith-fish size relationships; otolith morphology was sexually dimorphic in each morph; the morphs differed significantly in otolith shape and size (e.g., posterior side, the region between the posterior and ventral otolith, otolith length, circularity, and surface density). In addition, we found that the differences in otolith morphology between morphs are related to habitat preferences, diet, and growth. Basic data on the biology of S. thermalis are essential for poorly studied Lake Amdo Tsonak Co, and our study emphasizes that intraspecific variation in otolith morphology should be taken into consideration when differentiating stocks, populations, and age classes based on otolith morphology.
Collapse
|