Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Myctophid'

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) is the largest topographic feature in the Atlantic Ocean, yet little is known about the food web structure and trophic ecology of fishes inhabiting mesopelagic waters along the MAR. To better understand the food web structure and to compare the feeding ecology of abundant MAR fishes to those in offridge areas, MAR-ECO, a Mid-Atlantic Ridge ecosystem field project of the Census of Marine Life, sampled the pelagic fauna of the northern MAR (Iceland to the Azores) during June-July, 2004. Samples were collected with two midwater trawls outfitted with multiple opening and closing cod ends to sample discrete depths from the surface to >2300 m at predefined stations within four ridge sections. Fishes of the family Myctophidae were the most abundant fishes collected, with the myctophid Benthosema glaciale the numerically dominant species. The feeding ecology of three myctophid species, B. glaciale, Protomyctophum arcticum, and Hygophum hygomii, were quantified through dietary analysis. Each species was predominantly zooplanktivorous, consuming copepods, euphausiids, ostracods, and other crustacean zooplankton, with each myctophid species exhibiting unique dietary patterns. Different abiotic parameters influenced variability in the diet of B. glaciale and P. arcticum as determined by canonical correspondence analysis. Of the measured parameters, ridge section and time of day were significant explanatory variables in the diet of B. glaciale, while only depth was significant in the diet of P. arcticum. Daily consumption by B. glaciale and P. arcticum was highest at the Reykjanes Ridge and Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone, respectively; consumption by H. hygomii was only measured at the Azorean Zone. Daily consumption of all three species was less than 1% of dry body weight. Active transport of carbon out of the euphotic zone by diel vertically migrating MAR myctophids through respiration of CO2, excretion of dissolved organic carbon, and egestion of particulate organic carbon (POC) was also estimated, and compared to passive sinking of POC in the North Atlantic. Active carbon flux by the 0-200 m integrated migrant myctophid biomass, uncorrected for trawl efficiency, ranged from 0.01-0.4% of sinking POC flux at 150 m and 0.02-0.95% at 300 m. If myctophid biomass was corrected for low gear efficiency, flux increased to 0.1-1% and 0.3-3.5%, respectively, of sinking POC. Lower MAR myctophid biomass resulted in lower active carbon transport compared to myctophids in the Pacific and zooplankton in the North Atlantic estimated in previous studies, but myctophid active transport should still be considered in models of MAR carbon cycling. Due to the role of myctophids as both predators of numerous zooplankton taxa and as prey of higher taxa, information on the feeding ecology and daily consumption of these fishes is necessary to accurately assess their role in the MAR food web and the overall trophic structure of this hydrodynamically and topographically unique ecosystem.

Foraging forms the cornerstone of an animal’s life-history. An individual's foraging success shapes the demography and health of a population. Understanding key facets of maternal foraging behaviour are crucial to get a holistic picture of both regional and local environmental factors that drive foraging behaviour. This study aimed to measure the maternal foraging behaviour of a marine top predator, the Subantarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis), from Marion Island (MI) over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Arctocephalus tropicalis females from MI have one of the longest duration foraging trips for the species. They are most similar to conspecifics at temperate Amsterdam Island, but differ considerably from those at subantarctic Îles Crozet and Macquarie Island. Hitherto, no diving data existed for MI females. I illustrate how their diving behaviour is more similar to individuals from Îles Crozet despite their differences in foraging trip parameters. Together with Îles Crozet, MI females have one of the deepest mean diving depths (34.5 ± 2.2 m , 45.2 ± 4.8 m summer and winter respectively) and longest dive durations (70.2 ± 3 s , 104.3 ± 7.8 s summer and winter respectively) for the species. In summer, females follow the diel vertical migration of their myctophid prey. Counter intuitively, during the winter, females performed short and shallow crepuscular dives, possibly foraging on different prey. Considering that these individuals dive in deep waters, this is most likely related to myctophids occupying lower depths in the water column during winter. At dusk and dawn they are inaccessible to diving fur seals. At-sea data from multiple foraging trips per female illustrated that females have both a colony- and individual preferred foraging direction which varied seasonally. Individuals travelled consistently in the same direction regionally, but locally appear to track prey in a heterogeneous environment. The few trips in the winter to the west of MI suggest that this is a short-term response to varying prey availability rather than a long-term foraging tactic. Six years of observer-based attendance cycle data were used to augment telemetry data. Multi-state mark-recapture models were used to determine the probability of a female being missed when she was present (detection probability). Attendance data were corrected accordingly. Neither El Niño (EN) nor anomalous seasurface temperature (SSTa) influenced any of the attendance cycle parameters, as foraging trip duration is a poor predictor of weak environmental change. Only season and pup sex had a significant impact on female provisioning rates. Foraging trip duration was longer during winter than during summer. Females spent a higher percentage of time on land when they had female pups rather than male pups. Although observational attendance data remain useful it ideally requires concomitant data on pup growth, production and female body condition to elucidate changes in female provisioning rates. Temporally, season had the most influence on female foraging behaviour. Spatially, it appears that a lack of prominent local bathymetrical features overshadows MI's favourable position in the productive Polar Frontal Zone. Arctocephalus tropicalis females from MI work harder at foraging than at any other island population of conspecifics.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Zoology and Entomology
Unrestricted

Com o objetivo de investigar a influência das massas de água sobre a distribuição horizontal e vertical das larvas de Myctophidae e de analisar a condição nutricional, o crescimento e a mortalidade de Myctophum affine, amostragens foram realizadas através de arrastos oblíquos (rede bongô) e estratificados (rede Multinet), em águas do sudeste brasileiro, desde a costa até o talude, entre cabo de São Tomé (RJ) e ilha de São Sebastião (SP). A intrusão da Água Central do Atlântico Sul diminuiu a extensão da Água Tropical (AT) sobre a plataforma. Como as larvas de Myctophidae foram associadas à AT, esse processo reduziu a ocorrência dessas larvas na plataforma. As espécies apresentaram diferentes padrões de distribuição vertical e horizontal, ressaltando a importância da identificação em nível taxonômico específico para a obtenção de um padrão de distribuição mais refinado. A análise histológica dos hepatócitos de Myctophum affine, a espécie mais abundante, evidenciou que a maioria das larvas estava em boa condição nutricional; apenas aquelas nos estágios menos avançados apresentavam sinais de inanição severa. Sua taxa de crescimento média (0,33 mm/dia) foi considerada intermediária entre os mictofídeos e a duração de seu período larval uma das menores. A taxa de mortalidade (11,8%) ficou abaixo da média obsevada para espécies de peixes marinhos, sendo similar a de alguns epipelágicos da região. Dessa forma, a alta abundância, baixa taxa de mortalidade e boa condição nutricional das larvas de M. affine mostraram que essa área é um importante berçário para essa espécie, e provavelmente para outros mictofídeos.
In order to investigate the influence of water masses on the horizontal and vertical distribution of Myctophidae larvae and to analyze the nutritional condition, growth and mortality of Myctophum affine, oblique and stratified tows were done using bongo net and Multinet respectively, in the southeastern Brazilian Bight, between São Tomé cape (RJ) and São Sebastião island (SP) from the coastal region to the continental slope. The intrusion of South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) reduced the extent of Tropical Water (TW) over the shelf. As Myctophidae larvae were associated with TW, this process reduced larval abundance in the shelf. Species showed different patterns of vertical and horizontal distribution, emphasizing the importance of identification at species level to obtain a more detailed distribution pattern. Histological analysis of hepatocytes of the M. affine, the most abundant species, showed that the majority of larvae was in good nutritional condition; only those in early stages presented signs of severe starvation. The average growth rate of the M. affine (0.33 mm/day) was considered intermediate among lanternfishes, and the duration of its larval period is among the shortest one. The mortality rate (11.8%) was below average compared with other marine fish species, but it was similar to some epipelagic fishes that occur in the region. Therefore, high abundance, low mortality rate and good nutritional condition of M. affine larvae, showed that this is an important nursery area for this species, and probably to other lanternfishes.

Du fait de l’isolement géographique de l’océan austral et des conditions météorologiques qui y règnent, la collecte de données océanographiques par les moyens conventionnels est particulièrement couteuse dans cette région du globe. Pour pallier à ces difficultés, l’utilisation d’enregistreurs électroniques embarqués sur des prédateurs marins, et notamment sur les éléphants de mer austraux, s’est révélée être une approche intéressante. Les femelles éléphants de mer s’alimentent en grande partie de petits poissons méso-pélagiques bioluminescents, les myctophidés. Leur forte abondance et leur comportement de migration nycthémérale confèrent à ces organismes un rôle écologique de première importance dans l’océan austral. Cependant, la distribution spatiale des proies de l’éléphant de mer, et les processus physiques et biologiques qui influent sur la dynamique de cette distribution sont encore mal connus. Cette thèse se propose d’enquêter sur ces sujets à partir des données à haute fréquence d’échantillonnage collectées par des femelles éléphants de mer. L’analyse du comportement de plongée des femelles éléphants de mer, en relation avec les variations du taux de rencontre de proie dont les données d’accélération permettent d'avoir une estimation, est au cœur des différents travaux développés dans cette thèse. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent notamment, (1) une diminution de l’abondance des proies avec la profondeur ainsi qu’une homogénéisation de leur distribution, (2) une distribution en couches de cette ressource, (3) l’intervention de contraintes verticales délimitant l’étendue verticale de ces couches et ainsi capable de moduler leur densité, (4) au sein des couches, une dispersion relativement importante des proies en comparaison de la portée des capacités de perception du prédateur, et enfin (5) un rôle significatif des tourbillons méso-échelle et de leur bordure sur la structuration de la distribution des ressources alimentaires de l’éléphant de mer durant l’été austral
Because of the remoteness and harsh meteorological conditions of the southern ocean, data sampling is more costly in this area. Use of electronic devices attached to marine predators (Bio-logging), such as southern elephant seals, has emerged as an interesting approach to cope with this problem. Female southern elephant seals primarily feed on small bioluminescent meso-pelagic fishes called myctophids. Because of their large abundance and of their diel vertical migration behaviour, these organisms have a major ecological importance in the southern ocean. However, the spatial distribution of the elephant seals prey, as well as the bio-physical processes affecting the dynamics of this distribution, are still poorly known. This thesis intends to investigate this issue using high sampling frequency bio-logging data collected by female southern elephant seals. This work is based on the analysis of elephant seals diving behaviour in relation to changes in the occurrence of prey encounter events detected from acceleration data. Our results suggest that (1) prey abundance decreases with depth and that their distribution tend to standardize, (2) prey are distributed into layers, (3) vertical constraints could modulate the prey density by acting on the vertical spread of these layers, (4) prey items are well dispersed in comparison to the perception range of elephant seals, and finally (5) that meso-scale eddies, notably their edges, play a structuring role in the prey distribution during the austral summer

The diet of mesopelagic lanternfishes (Myctophidae) was investigated in the Perth Canyon off the Western Australian coast. Previous studies have investigated the abundance and diversity of larval fishes in the waters of the canyon but most components of the pelagic food web and their relationships have not yet been studied. Taking advantage of their diel migration pattern, larval Diaphus sp. (n = 80) and adult Myctophum asperum (n = 41) and Myctophum phengodes (n = 7) were captured at night using a large 1 mm mesh size surface net. Concurrent netting of zooplankton was also undertaken to assess the availability of prey using 150 µm, 500 µm and 1 mm mesh nets. The gut contents of the myctophids were identified and revealed almost no nighttime feeding among larval Diaphus sp. confirming the relationship between ontogenetic stage, eye development and an inability to feed at night. In contrast, the morphometrics of adult M. asperum and M. phengodes and the size and number of prey in the diet revealed a positive relationship between fish size and prey size, but no significant increase in the number of prey as fish size increased. Calanoid copepods were consumed by 83% of M. asperum and 100% of M. phengodes specimens and, respectively, they constituted 39% and 62% of the number of prey items in their guts. Euphausiid adults were consumed by 48% of M. asperum and 100% of M. phengodes specimens and, respectively, constituted 15% and 25% of the number of prey items in their guts. Selectivity was assessed using Ivlev’s and Chesson’s indices and, contrary to their abundance in the diet, calanoids were not typically positively selected with both Myctophum species showing a preference for euphausiids. This investigation represents the first study of the role of myctophids in the pelagic food web in the Perth Canyon and Southeast Indian Ocean and as such is an initial baseline to fill this knowledge gap.

Os peixes da família Myctophidae constituem do ponto de vista ecológico o grupo mais importante da fauna mesopelágica, tanto em número de espécies, quanto em biomassa. Fazem parte da dieta de uma grande variedade de cetáceos e peixes oceânicos. Representam também uma considerável fonte de proteína animal, ainda não diretamente explorada. Além disso, estes peixes tem papel importante na transferência de energia das camadas superficiais oceânicas para as mais profundas através de um comportamento migratório vertical diário de centenas de metros característico. O material deste estudo provém de um Programa de Avaliação do Potencial Sustentável de Recursos Vivos na Zona Econômica Exclusiva (Programa Revizee), no qual foram efetuados arrastos com rede de meia água com o N/Oc. Atlântico Sul, entre as isóbatas de 100 e 1500 m, de 22oS a 35oS, realizados no inverno de 1996, outono e primavera de 1997, e outono e primavera de 1999. As características morfológicas descritivas das 37 espécies coletadas foram analisadas e comparadas com dados morfológicos de exemplares coletados de outras regiões do Atlântico, constantes da literatura. A análise destas comparações mostrou que 17 das espécies apresentaram pelo menos uma diferença morfológica consistente nos caracteres estudados, sugerindo isolamento e diferenciação na área pesquisada. Além disso, informações sobre a distribuição geográfica destas espécies no Atlântico são apresentadas e discutidas frente aos padrões biogeográficos estabelecidos pelos pesquisadores para organismos mesopelágicos do Atlântico. Fica evidente que apesar da contribuição que este trabalho trouxe em relação ao conhecimento destes peixes nesta região, o número de amostras analisadas até hoje no Atlântico Sul ainda é pequeno para que o conhecimento taxonômico e de distribuição dos Myctophidae torne-se conclusivo.
From an ecological point of view the Myctophidae fishes constitute the most important group of the mesopelagic fauna, considering as much as number of species, as biomass. They are part of the diet of a great variety of cetaceans and marine fishes. They also represent a remarkable animal protein source, although not directly exploited. Besides these fishes have important role at energy transference from the upper productive zones to deeper, trophically poorer, through a daily vertical migratory behavior of hundreds of meters. The material of this study results from a Program of Evaluation of the Sustainable Potential of the Livings Resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (Revizee Program), in which sampling was done using mid water trawl on board R/V Atlântico Sul, between 100 and 1500 meters deep, latitudes between 20oS and 30oS, during winter of 1996, autumn and spring of 1997, and autumn and spring of 1999. The descriptive morphological characteristics of the 37 collected species were analyzed and compared to the morphological data of specimes collected from other regions of Atlantic Ocean, according to the literature. The analysis of these comparisons showed that 17 of the species presented at least one consistent morphological difference in the studied characters, suggesting isolation and differentiation in the studied area. Moreover, information concerning geographical distribution of these species at the Atlantic Ocean are presented and argued front to the biogeographics patterns established by researchers of the mesopelagical ichthyofauna of the referred ocean. It is evident that despite the contribution of the present study to the knowledge of these fishes in this region, the quantity of samples analyzed until now in the South Atlantic Ocean is still small so that the taxonomic knowledge and distribution of the Myctophidae becomes conclusive.

Mestrado em Biologia Marinha
This work aims to analyse the density and distribution of neuron cells on retinae of myctophid fishes in relation to ecological and behavioural parameters. Retinal wholemounting technique allowed the observation of topographic densities for photoreceptors (PRs), retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and amacrine cells (ACs) in adult myctophids. These data allowed the identification of retinal specializations and the estimation of visual acuity and sensitivity, and sensitivity to bioluminescence flashes and to downwelling light. The seven analysed myctophid species showed high density of PRs and low density for RGCs. Different retinal specializations reflect behavioural differences between myctophid species. Visual parameters are influenced mainly by ecological factors, but phylogenetic relationships are also a factor that may explain the distribution of retinal cells in myctophids. In conclusion, all species in this study showed high visual sensitivity and low acuity, suggesting a great adaptation to mesopelagic light conditions.
O objectivo deste trabalho centrou-se na análise das distribuições de densidade em células neuronais de retinas de mictofídeos e na relação com parâmetros ecológicos e comportamentais. Retinal wholemounting technique permitiu a determinação de densidades topográficas de fotoreceptores (PRs), células ganglionares da retina (RGCs) e células amácrinas (ACs) em mictofídeos adultos. Estes dados possibilitam a identificação de especializações retinais e desenvolver estimativas de acuidade e sensibilidade visual, assim como sensibilidade à luz de origem bioluminescente ou solar. As sete espécies de mictofídeos analisadas apresentam elevada densidade de PRs e baixas densidades de RGCs. Especializações retinais divergentes reflectem diferenças comportamentais entre espécies de mictofídeos. Os parâmetros visuais são influenciados essencialmente por factores ecológicos, mas as relações filogenéticas são também um factor que poderá explicar os padrões de distribuição de células retinais em mictofídeos. Concluindo, as espécies estudadas revelam elevada sensibilidade visual e baixa acuidade, sugerindo uma grande adaptação às condições de luminosidade da zona mesopelágica.

There are a large number of research vessels and fishing vessels equipped with echosounders plying the world ocean, making continual observations of the ocean interior. Developing data collation programmes (e.g. Integrated Marine Observing System) and automated, repeatable analyses techniques enable the upper c. 1,200 meters of the world ocean to be sampled routinely, and for their characteristic deep scattering layers (DSLs) to be compared. Deep scattering layers are comprised of zooplankton (e.g. euphausiids) and fish, particularly myctophids or lantern fish, and comprise the majority of sub-surface biomass. Here we present, by the analysis of a global acoustic dataset, a mesopelagic biogeography of the sea. This was accomplished by (i) the collation and processing of a global active acoustic dataset, (ii) the development of a standardised and automated method of sound scattering layer (SSL) extraction and description, (iii) the derivation of the environmental drivers of DSL depth and biomass, (iv) the definition of a mesopelagic biogeography based on the drivers of DSL metrics and (v) the prediction, using output from the NEMO-MEDUSA-2.0 coupled model, of how the metrics and biogeography may change by 2100. Key findings include, the development of the Sound Scattering Layer Extraction Method (SSLEM) the inference that primary production, water temperature and wind stress are key drivers in DSL depth and biomass and that mesopelagic fish biomass may increase by 2100. Such an increase is a result of increased trophic efficiency from the shallowing of DSLs and rising water temperatures, suggesting, that as the climate warms the ocean is becoming more efficient. The biophysical relationships and biogeography derived here, serve to improve our understanding of mesopelagic mid-trophic level dynamics in open-ocean ecosystems. This will aid both fisheries and conservation management, which now adopt more holistic approaches when monitoring and evaluating ecosystem health and stability.

La compréhension du couplage entre les processus biologiques et physiques est un élément fondamental pour évaluer l’état des océans afin de protéger les écosystèmes marins des effets du changement climatique, de l’exploitation humaine, de la pollution, ainsi que pour comprendre le rôle des océans dans le système climatique. En effet, comme les organismes marins vivent dans un environnement fluide et sont continument transportés par les courants, les phénomènes physiques et biologiques sont intimement liés. Ainsi, au contraire de ce qui se passe sur terre, où la topographie du paysage change sur des échelles de temps évolutionnaires (dans l’ordre de centaines ou millions d’années), dans l’océan le paysage évolue sur les mêmes échelles de temps que celles des processus écologiques. Dans cette thèse j’analyse, en particulier, le rôle des structures à fine échelle (désignées dans la suite de ce document comme les « fine échelles »), qui présentent un pic dans le spectre d’énergie océanique, et dont les échelles de temps (jours à semaines) se superposent avec d’importants processus écologiques tels que le développement des blooms phytoplanctoniques ou la durée des périodes de nourrissage des prédateurs supérieurs. Il a été déjà démontré que les fines échelles jouent un rôle central dans le conditionnement de la production primaire, dans l’abondance et la composition des niveaux trophiques inférieurs, et dans le comportement des prédateurs supérieurs. Cependant, leur influence sur les niveaux trophiques intermédiaires est moins connue, alors que ces échelons constituent une partie essentielle de la chaine trophique et sont sous une pression sans précédents de la part activités humaines. Ceci est principalement causé par la disponibilité limitée des données à grande échelle, et à des difficultés de mesures depuis les navires océanographiques. Cette thèse traite ce manque de connaissances sur deux problématiques. La première question concerne l’impossibilité de détecter les niveaux trophiques intermédiaires par satellite, ce qui nécessite le développement des nouvelles stratégies de surveillance ad hoc. La deuxième question irrésolue concerne l’interaction entre la capacité de nage du necton avec les dynamiques de fine échelle. Pour essayer de répondre à ces questions, dans ce travail j’adopte une approche Lagrangienne, en me focalisant donc sur les trajectoires des particules d’eau, et je l’intègre à des nouvelles méthodologies appliquées aux données acoustiques, à l’analyse des systèmes complexes ainsi qu’à la théorie des réseaux. Je me focalise sur la région de Kerguelen, à cause de son importance écologique et de la grande disponibilité d’information qui a permis de caractériser ses dynamiques écologiques relativement simples, basées principalement sur la limitation de la production primaire par le fer qui est fourni par le plateau. Je considère les myctophidés comme le poisson de référence de cette étude par leur abondance dans tous les bassins océaniques, et par l’intérêt qu’ils pourraient recevoir prochainement de la part de la pêche commerciale. (...)
The comprehension of the coupling between physical and biological dynamics is a pivotal step to assess the health of the oceans, in order to protect the ecosystems therein from the effects of global change, human exploitation and pollution as well as for understanding the role of the ocean in the climate system. Indeed, in the oceans, physical phenomena and biological processes are intimately linked, since marine organisms live in a fluid environment, continuously under the effect of the currents. Thus, contrary to what happens on land, where the landscape topography changes over evolutionary timescales (periods in the order of hundreds to millions of year) in the ocean the landscape ("seascape") evolves on the same timescales of ecological processes. In the present thesis I analyse in particular the role of the fine scales, which present a peak in the ocean energy spectrum, and whose time scales (of days to weeks) overlap important marine ecological processes like the development of planktonic blooms and the duration of foraging trips for top predators. The fine scale features have been already shown to play a central role into conditioning primary production, lower trophic levels abundance and composition, and apex predators behaviors. However, less is known on their influence on intermediate trophic levels, i.e. swimming organisms (such as fish), which however constitute an essential part of the trophic chain, and which are under unprecedented pressure by human activities. This is mainly due to the scarce availability of data on them at large scales, and to problems of ship-based measurements. Two knowledge gaps are addressed in this thesis. The first is the fact that intermediate trophic levels distributions cannot be detected by remote sensing, and thus require the development of novel, ad hoc sampling strategies. The second open challenge addressed by this thesis is how the swimming ability of the nekton can interact with the fine scale physical dynamics. In order to address the aforementioned questions, in this work I adopt a Lagrangian approach, therefore focusing on water parcel trajectories, and I integrate it with novel methodologies applied to acoustic data, complex system analysis and network theory. I focus on the Kerguelen region, because of its ecological importance and the large availability of informations, which permitted to characterize its relatively simple ecological dynamics, mainly based on iron limitation which is furnished by the plateau. I consider the myctophids as reference fish of the present study, for their worldwide abundance and for their importance for the ecology of the area, and because they may constitute a future target by commercial fishing. (...)

碩士
國立高雄海洋科技大學
漁業生產與管理研究所
95
Reproductive biology of the myctophids (Benthoscopelus pterotum) was described based on 2,057 specimens(1,160 females and 897 males)caught by trawlers in the coastal waters off southwestern Taiwan from November 2005 to October 2006. B. pterotum spawned throughout the year with reproduction activity peaking in March and August-November. The sex ratio (female/total) of all specimens was 0.56 (1,160/2,057), which was significantly different from 0.5 with χ2 test. The estimated size at first maturity for female and male were 30.77 mm and 31.36 mm fork length, respectively. The batch fecundity of this species estimated a range from 273 to 692 eggs, with a mean (standard deviation；SD) as 470.39 (88.08) eggs. Batch fecundity increased with increasing gonad weight, and a linear relationship also existed between batch fecundity and body weight. The linear relationship were estimated to be BF＝453.71×BW+172.13.

碩士
國立高雄海洋科技大學
漁業生產與管理研究所
104
The lanternfish Benthosema pterotum is one of the dominant fishes in the coastal waters off southwestern Taiwan. Lanternfishes are the important key species for the vertical transport of energy flows in the marine environment. They play an essential role in the marine food web. Food habits of this species are investigated by examining the stomach contents of fish samples collected from the Tungkang fish market, which caught by shrimp otter trawlers in the southwestern Taiwan. Six hundreds specimens were collected on a monthly random sampling 50 specimens basis in 2006. For investigating the daily feeding intensity of B. pterotum during their diurnal migration, a 24-h continuous sampling was conducted in May 25, 2007, and a total 300 samples were collected from shrimp otter trawlers during the daytime and bull trawlers at night. The size of this species ranged from 16.02-47.21mm SL. The stomach contents and feeding habits of B. pterotum were examined based on 540 specimens. B. pterotum is a carnivore species. Based on the IRI values, copepods and “other crustacea” are its main prey in this area. copepods include calanoidae and oncaeidae; other crustacea include mysidae and euphausiidae. There feeding intensity in summer are stronger than in other seasons, and is mainly at night. Feeding intensity of immature fish is weaker then that of mature fish.

碩士
國立高雄海洋科技大學
漁業生產與管理研究所
94
The age and growth of the myctophids Benthoscopelus pterotum were investigated by examining the rings of otolith and length-frequency data of fish collected from the coastal waters off southwestern Taiwan. To describe the age and growth using seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth equation (VBGE) estimated from Electronic Length Frequency Analysis (ELEFAN), the length-frequency data of 24,475 specimens were examined on a monthly basis during August 2003-October 2004 from the landings by Tungkang shrimp otter trawlers. During November 2004 to December 2005, 162 specimens were also examined to obtain the relationship between the growth increments of otoliths and body length. Parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation with seasonal fluctuations were estimated as asymptotic length (L∞) =58.35 mm; growth coefficient (K) =1.15 yr-1; amplitude of growth oscillation (C) =0.60; winter point (WP) =0.16. The total mortality coefficient, Z estimated by using of the length-converted catch curve was 5.23 yr-1. The longevity tmax approached to 3 years old. As for the otolith character of this species, the number of ring increased with the otolith radius, and the otolith weight and otolith radius increment also increased with the individuals’ growth. These results suggested that the otolith of this species is a good character of age-determination. Based on the results of this study and the findings of other studies, the periodical rings of otolith should be not a daily growth mark. The periodicity of ring formation was discussed in detail in this study.

The diel vertical migration (DVM) and feeding periodicity of myctophids (lanternfishes) were studied in the high-latitude Masfjorden, Norway, and the tropical Red Sea. In Masfjorden, a bottom-mounted echo sounder permitted continuous studies throughout the year, and revealed a diverse seasonal DVM behavior. During spring and summer, when zooplankton peaks in the epipelagic zone, migrating glacier lanternfish performed normal DVM (NDVM), ascending to the epipelagic zone during night and residing below ~200m during daytime. During autumn and winter, when Calanus overwinters between ~150–300 m, migrating glacier lanternfish mainly performed inverse DVM (IDVM), ascending to feed on Calanus in mid-waters during daytime. Non migrating (NoDVM) individuals were present all year below ~300 m in Masfjorden. In the Red Sea, where zooplankton has an epipelagic distribution, the whole population of skinnycheek lanternfish performed NDVM, feeding in the epipelagic zone at night, while residing at ~500–750 m during daytime. The warm waters of the Red Sea were hypothesized to limit the time individuals can stay in the mesopelagic zone without migrating to feed in the epipelagic layers. The DVM behavior of myctophids largely seemed to relate to the distribution of zooplankton, and it was hypothesized that NDVM will prevail with epipelagic distribution of prey, while IDVM and NoDVM are common in areas where zooplankton migrate seasonally to mesopelagic depths. Potential predators were continuously present, found to apparently attack glacier lanternfish, at mesopelagic depth in Masfjorden. Thus, myctophids are under threat of predation even at mesopelagic depth.