Storm-Induced Spawning by the Atlantic Menhaden

先前的研究导致了一种假设，即大西洋鲱鱼， >Brevoortia arynnus>，在风暴期间产卵，在附近的水中上升 墨西哥湾流的西墙 这个假设是基于 从存活幼虫的大小和出生日期推断。 一 这一假设的严格测试，并调查其 适应性的重要性，需要研究最近产卵的鸡蛋， 以及由此产生的幼虫。 必须制定方法， 为这些研究提供便利。 特别是， 光学粒子计数器用于区分和计数鸡蛋， 被评价。 光学计数器也可以区分卵黄囊 大西洋鲱鱼的幼虫在自然聚集的 浮游动物 测试将在实验室进行， 大西洋鲱鱼的卵和幼虫， 股票，并在海上为期七天的巡航，部署 光学计数器与CTD的拖体。 的能力 无线电跟踪，表面漂流跟随一片大西洋 并会测试鲱鱼卵及仔鱼。 一小群 具有气象学、物理、化学和 生物海洋学，和理论将满足计划一个严格的 调查天气对产卵和产卵的影响， 大西洋鲱鱼的幼虫生态。 这项工作将提供 结果对大西洋鲱鱼和其他 有浮游卵和/或幼虫的生物。 此类生物体 通常在募集中表现出很大的变化。 %%%

Prior research led to the hypothesis that the Atlantic menhaden, >Brevoortia tyrannus>, spawns during storms in water upwelled near the western wall of the Gulf Stream. This hypothesis is based on inference from the sizes and birth dates of surviving larvae. A rigorous test of this hypothesis, and investigation of its adpative significance, requires studies of recently spawned eggs and the resultant larvae. Methods must be developed to facilitate such studies. In particular, the ability of an optical particle counter to distinguish and count eggs needs to be evaluated. The optical counter may also distinguish yolk sac larvae of the Atlantic menhaden in natural assemblages of the zooplankton. Tests will be done in the larboratory, with live eggs and larvae of the Atlantic menhaden from a captive spawning stock, and at sea during a seven day cruise, deploying the optical counter with a CTD on a towed body. The ability of a radio tracked, surface drifter to follow a patch of Atlantic menhaden eggs and larvae will also be tested. A small group of scientists with expertise in meteorology, physical, chemical and biological oceanogaphy, and theory will meet to plan a rigorous investigation of weather effects on the spawning and egg and larval ecology of the Atlantic menhaden. The work will provide results valuable for the Atlantic menhaden and also other organisms with pelagic eggs and/or larvae. Such organisms typically exhibit large variation in recruitment. %%%