U.S.-Japan Cooperative Science: Ecophysiology of Larval-Stage Dispersal in Estuarine Fishes

9725942 Secor该奖项支持马里兰大学David Secor教授和日本京都大学Masaru Tanaka教授之间为期三年的合作研究项目。研究人员将探索河口鱼类幼虫期扩散的生态生理学。河口鱼类的一个关键阶段是幼虫期和幼鱼期的过渡。对于日本海鲈鱼来说，过渡阶段的鱼类从咸淡水栖息地迁移到淡水栖息地。研究人员将从以下方面研究这种栖息地转变的时间：(1)幼虫适应盐度变化栖息地的生理能力；(2)幼虫的大小和年龄；(3)环境条件。该项目将结合耳石微分析和免疫细胞化学的方法。耳石的化学记录将作为一个计时表，记录相对于年龄和大小的栖息地转移的时间。个体水平的内分泌功能分析将表明幼虫是否有能力改变栖息地。该项目汇集了两个具有互补专业知识、研究能力和设备的实验室的努力。此次合作将把美国研究人员在耳石微分析方面的专长与日本研究人员在免疫细胞化学方面的专长结合起来。耳石微分析的研究结果将确定幼虫进入或离开幼鱼栖息地的地点和时间。此外，内分泌状况和幼虫生长速度将提供如何成功完成栖息地转移的信息。通过思想和技术的交流，该项目将扩大我们的基础知识基础，促进国际了解与合作。＊＊＊

9725942 Secor This award supports a three year collaborative research project between Professor David Secor of the University of Maryland and Professor Masaru Tanaka of Kyoto University in Japan. The researchers will be exploring ecophysiology of larval-stage dispersal in estuarine fishes. A critical phase in estuarine fishes is the transition between larval and juvenile stages. For Japanese sea bass, transition- phase fish move from brackish to freshwater habitats. The researchers will examine the timing of this habitat shift in relation to: (l) the physiological ability of larvae to adapt to changing salinity habitats; (2) the size and age of larvae; and (3) environmental conditions. The project will couple methodologies in otolith microanalysis and immunocytochemistry. The otolith's chemical record will serve as a chronometer on the timing of the habitat shift relative to age and size. Individual level analysis of endocrine function will indicate whether a larva is competent to change habitats. This project brings together the efforts of two laboratories that have complementary expertise, research capabilities and equipment. The collaboration will unite the U.S. researcher's expertise in otolith microanalysis with the Japanese expertise in immunocytochemistry. Research results of otolith microanalysis will establish the where's and when's of larval ingress or egress into juvenile habitats. Also the endocrine status and larval growth rate will provide information on how the habitat shift is successfully accomplished. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***