Research on Antarctic Coastal Ecosystem Rates (RACER): Ichthyoplankton

将从物理和生物过程方面研究南极洲Gerlache海峡内鱼类早期生命阶段的分布、丰度、食性和生长速度。该项目是跨学科项目RACER(南极生态系统速率研究)的一部分。样本是在(春季)、1991年12月-1992年1月(夏季)和1992年4-5月(初冬)历时一个月的航程中采集的。用垂直和水平分层的浮游动物拖网和倾斜拖网对幼鱼群进行采样。实验室工作将包括使用耳石每日生长轮进行胃内容物分析和生长率测定。该项目是首次详细描述南极半岛近岸水域的幼鱼群落。它将使人们能够评估相对于近海水域的高生产力沿海地区在支持浮游鱼群和影响幼体扩散的机制方面的重要性。它将增加关于沿海生态系统这一高生产力地区较高营养水平的信息。它还将提供关于具有商业和生态重要性的鱼类种群幼鱼阶段的基本生物学信息。

The distribution, abundance, feeding habits and growth rates of fish early life stages within Gerlache Strait, Antarctica will be examined in relation to physical and biological processes. This project is part of the interdisciplinary program RACER (Research on Antarctic Ecosystem Rates). Samples were collected during one month long cruises during October-November 1989 (spring), and December 1991-January 1992 (summer) and April-May 1992 (early winter). Young fish assemblages were sampled with vertically and horizontally stratified zooplankton tows and oblique tows. Laboratory work will include stomach content analysis and growth rate determination using otolith daily growth rings. This project is the first detailed description of larval fish assemblages in nearshore Antarctic Peninsula waters. It will permit evaluation of the importance of the highly productive coastal area relative to offshore waters in supporting ichthyoplankton assemblages and mechanisms affecting larval dispersal. It will add information on higher trophic levels in this highly productive regions of the coastal ecosystem. It will also provide basic biological information on the young stages of commercially and ecologically important fish stocks.