PreprintArticleVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
Comparison of Abundance and Structure of Fish Larvae Community Between Autumn and Spring in the Waters Surrounding the Taiwan Bank, Western North Pacific
Hsieh, H.-Y.; Lee, M.-A.; Chiu, W.-L.; Meng, P.-J. Comparison of Abundance and Structure of Larval Fish Assemblages between Autumn and Spring in the Waters Surrounding Taiwan Bank, Western North Pacific. Fishes2024, 9, 16.
Hsieh, H.-Y.; Lee, M.-A.; Chiu, W.-L.; Meng, P.-J. Comparison of Abundance and Structure of Larval Fish Assemblages between Autumn and Spring in the Waters Surrounding Taiwan Bank, Western North Pacific. Fishes 2024, 9, 16.
Hsieh, H.-Y.; Lee, M.-A.; Chiu, W.-L.; Meng, P.-J. Comparison of Abundance and Structure of Larval Fish Assemblages between Autumn and Spring in the Waters Surrounding Taiwan Bank, Western North Pacific. Fishes2024, 9, 16.
Hsieh, H.-Y.; Lee, M.-A.; Chiu, W.-L.; Meng, P.-J. Comparison of Abundance and Structure of Larval Fish Assemblages between Autumn and Spring in the Waters Surrounding Taiwan Bank, Western North Pacific. Fishes 2024, 9, 16.
Abstract
The fluctuations in both time and space of the fish larvae community in relation to hydrographic characteristics in the waters surrounding the Taiwan Bank were studied in October 2021 (autumn) and March 2022 (spring). Throughout the study period, we identified a total of 149 taxa of fish larvae, encompassing 96 genera and 71 families. Engraulis japonicus, Diaphus slender type, unidentified Gobiidae, Apogon sp., unidentified Clupeidae, and Benthosema pterotum were the six most dominant taxa, together constituted 47.39% of the total catch. No significant temporal difference in abundance of fish larvae was found, but the species number of fish larvae was more diverse in spring than in autumn. There was a notable difference in species composition between the cruises, and the cluster analysis unveiled a distinct temporal structure in the assemblage of fish larvae. The dynamics of prevailing currents induced by seasonal monsoons play an important role in the transport of fish larvae. The distribution of fish larvae was closely linked to hydrographic features, where seawater temperature and salinity emerged as the primary explanatory factors influencing the composition of fish larvae assemblages in the waters surrounding the Taiwan Bank. While the increased influx of nutrients from upwelling ensures abundant food availability, the hydrographic conditions may not be suitable for every fish larva.
Biology and Life Sciences, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
