FAH/REU: The Influence of Environmental and Nutritional Event on Recruitment Variability

鱼类早期生命阶段死亡率、生长率或阶段持续时间的相对较小差异可能会导致鱼类补充量的波动。对增长率变异性的分析可能比对死亡率的调查估计更可靠，可以对招聘水平波动的问题提供重要的见解。为了了解幼虫的补充情况，必须确定哪些变量(生长速度、温度、营养)对幼虫存活有显著影响，并随后将其补充到成虫种群中。使用显微结构耳石分析，以及耳石和身体组织的稳定同位素组成，将被用作过去环境温度和食物条件的指标。而且，通过执行受控的实验室实验，将研究可能改变耳石的微结构以及耳石和身体组织的化学成分的变量。此外，幼虫的饲养将为在这一重要但难以捉摸的阶段研究生长、取食、生理和定居提供一个独特的机会。改进和应用新出现的耳石分析方法不仅将进一步发展和推进这项技术，而且还将为适用的渔业问题提供答案。

Fluctuations in fish recruitment can be precipitated by relatively small variations in mortality rates, growth rates or stage durations in the early life stages of fish. The analyses of growth rate variability which may be more reliable than survey estimation of mortality rates, can provide important insights into the problem of fluctuating recruitment levels. To understand recruitment, it is essential to identify which variables (growth rates, temperature, nutrition) significantly affect larval survival, and subsequent recruitment into the adult population. The use of microstructural otolith analyses, as well as stable isotopic composition of both otoliths and body tissues, will be used as indicators of past environmental temperatures and food conditions. And, through the execution of controlled laboratory experiments, variables which may alter the microstructure of otoliths and the chemical composition of otoliths and of body tissues will be investigated. In addition, the rearing of larvae will provide a unique opportunity for the study of growth, feeding, physiology, and settlement during this important, but elusive phase. The refinement and application of emerging methodologies of otolith analyses will not only further develop and advance the technology, but will also provide answers to applicable fisheries problems.