The ecology of focal forage fish species and its impact on marine predators

重点饲料鱼种的生态及其对海洋捕食者的影响

• 批准号: 283212-2007
• 负责人: Davoren, Gail
• 金额: $ 1.58万
• 依托单位: University of Manitoba
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2013-01-01 至 2014-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=525637
• 关键词: ecology; focal; forage; fish; species

Capelin, a small minnow-like fish, is the focal forage fish species that preys on many invertebrates and is in turn preyed on by most large predators, including cod, seals, whales and birds in the Northwest Atlantic. Capelin provide essential linkages for energy transfer among trophic levels and, thus, are often thought to mediate ecosystem-level changes. I recently discovered capelin spawning in deep water (demersal) in coastal Newfoundland, where this species is primarily thought to spawn on beaches. Large aggregations of capelin form at these spawning sites, causing predators to concentrate. This results in areas where high abundances of organisms gather, often referred to as 'biological hotspots'. My research focuses on the interaction of capelin with their physical environment and other species within these hotspots. Specifically, I examine whether capelin select between beach and demersal spawning habitat on the basis of current environmental conditions or whether capelin have evolved into different populations of obligate beach and demersal spawners. Additionally, I examine how foraging within hotspots influences the biology of capelin predators. To do this, I employ a novel assemblage of sophisticated marine electronic equipment aboard ships. I combine these measures with laboratory-based tank experiments, genetic analyses, otolith microstructure and stable isotope techniques, along with predator foraging strategies. My research involves collaborative efforts between university scientists and commercial fishers, which has and will continue to make major advancements in our understanding of fish ecology and food web dynamics. Ultimately, this research will increase the accuracy of capelin stock assessment indices and promote novel, incisive fisheries management approaches to avoid ecological and socioeconomic catastrophes that have occurred in our coastal waters and communities around the globe.

毛鳞鱼是一种小型的小鱼，是捕食许多无脊椎动物的主要饲料鱼类，反过来又被大多数大型捕食者捕食，包括西北大西洋的鳕鱼、海豹、鲸鱼和鸟类。毛鳞鱼为营养级之间的能量转移提供了必要的联系，因此，通常被认为是调解生态系统水平的变化。我最近发现毛鳞鱼产卵在深水（底栖）在沿海纽芬兰，在那里这个物种主要被认为是产卵在海滩上。大量的毛鳞鱼聚集在这些产卵地，导致捕食者集中。这导致了高丰度生物聚集的地区，通常被称为“生物热点”。我的研究重点是毛鳞鱼与它们的物理环境和这些热点内的其他物种的相互作用。具体而言，我研究毛鳞鱼是否选择之间的海滩和底层产卵栖息地的基础上，目前的环境条件或毛鳞鱼是否已演变成不同的人口的专性海滩和底层产卵。此外，我研究如何觅食的热点影响毛鳞鱼捕食者的生物学。为了做到这一点，我在船上使用了一种新颖的复杂海洋电子设备。我结合联合收割机这些措施与实验室为基础的坦克实验，遗传分析，耳石显微结构和稳定同位素技术，沿着捕食者觅食策略。我的研究涉及大学科学家和商业渔民之间的合作努力，这已经并将继续在我们对鱼类生态学和食物网动态的理解方面取得重大进展。最终，这项研究将提高毛鳞鱼种群评估指数的准确性，并促进新的，深刻的渔业管理方法，以避免生态和社会经济灾难发生在我们的沿海沃茨和社区周围的地球仪。