A carregar...
Publicação
The distribution of estuarine fish larvae: nutritional condition and co-occurrence with predators and prey
| Nome: | Descrição: | Tamanho: | Formato: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 363.66 KB | Adobe PDF |
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
Fish larvae were collected monthly between March and September 1997 in the Mira and Guadiana estuaries (southern Portugal).
Hydrological parameters were registered and zooplankton samples were obtained simultaneously. Densities of fish larvae (ind·100 m–3) were calculated from 211 samples and larval nutritional condition measured as RNA/DNA ratios were obtained for 346 individuals, using a fluorimetric method for nucleic acid quantification. Correlating variables were further studied using multiple regression analysis in order to
assess the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors affecting within-year trends in abundance and nutritional condition of estuarine fish larvae. Results indicated that: 1) the abundance of fish larvae seems conditioned by temperature and predation; and 2) their nutritional condition
is dependent on temperature and prey availability. Temperature is an important variable structuring estuaries and therefore conditions the behaviour and physiology of fish larvae. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of predators and larvae might be related to similar feeding patterns or comensalism. Whenever feeding conditions are suitable, they usually determine enhanced growth and nutritional condition. However, predation
seems to control this latter relationship through its effect on larval mortality.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Fish larvae Distribution RNA DNA ratios Nutritional condition Capelin Mallotus-Villosus
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Esteves, E.; Pina, T.; Chicharo, M. A.; Andrade, J. P. The distribution of estuarine fish larvae: Nutritional condition and co-occurrence with predators and prey, Acta Oecologica-International Journal of Ecology, 21, 3, 161-173, 2000.
Editora
Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS