Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Larval fish distribution, growth and feeding in Patagonian fjords: potential effects of freshwater discharge

  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In fjord systems, freshwater inputs occur by ice melting and river discharge, affecting seawater salinity along fjord and adjacent waters, and potentially the ecology of early life stages of marine fish occurring in the area. During austral spring 2008, a bio-oceanographic cruise was carried out in southern Chile between 47°00′ and 50°09′S, an area influenced by Baker River discharge and ice melting of Northern and Southern Ice Fields, the largest glaciers from Patagonia. Surface salinity and temperature ranged from 1.22 to 32.80, and from 8.11 to 10.68°C, respectively. Larval lightfish Maurolicus parvipinnis (Sternoptychidae) and Falkland sprat Sprattus fuegensis (Clupeidae) were the dominant species, with abundances of 2.2–39.9 larvae 10 m−2 and 3.4–77.1 larvae 10 m−2, respectively. Postflexion stages of both species were collected mainly in surface density fronts. Otolith-based growth analyses estimated linear growth rates of 0.136 mm day−1 for M. parvipinnis of 4.1–15.1 mm, and 0.448 mm day−1 for S. fuegensis of 5.4–20.5 mm. Recent Otolith Growth Index (ROGI), based on the residual analysis of the relationship between increment width of outermost five microincrements and otolith radius, indicates that larval M. parvipinnis collected in low salinity waters showed a reduction of its recent growth rate compared those collected in saltier waters. Also, ROGI was positively correlated with salinity of the water column for larval M. parvipinnis. Gut content analysis showed that large larvae collected near sources of freshwater had lower number of prey in its guts and preyed on different items than fish larvae collected in saltier waters. Therefore, freshwater inputs from rivers and glaciers from Patagonia affected horizontal distribution, recent growth and feeding of larval fish in fjords and channels of southern Chile.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aguilera B, Catalán IA, Palomera I, Olivar MP (2009) Otolith growth of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) larvae fed with constant or varying food levels. Sci Mar 73(1):173–182. doi:10.3989/scimar.2009.73n1173

    Google Scholar 

  • Alshuth S (1988) Daily growth increments on otoliths of laboratory-reared sprat, Sprattus sprattus L., larvae. Meeresforschung 32(1):23–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Antezana T (1999) Hydrographic features of Magellan and Fuegian inland passages and adjacent Subantarctic waters. Sci Mar 63(Supl.1):23–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Antezana T, Giraldo A, Hamamé M (2002) Clorofila y alimentación del zooplancton fraccionado por tamaño, en subcuencas del sistema de canales Magallánicos y Fueguinos durante la primavera de 1998. Cienc Tecnol Mar 25(1):109–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Aranis A, Meléndez R, Pequeño G, Cerna F (2007) Sprattus fuegensis en aguas interiores de Chiloé, Chile (Osteichthyes: Clupeiformes: Clupeidae). Gayana 71(1):102–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Balbontín F, Bernal R (2005) Cambios estacionales en la composición y abundancia del ictioplancton de los canales australes entre el Golfo Corcovado y Golfo Elefantes, Chile. Cienc Tecnol Mar 28(1):99–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Basedow SL, Eiane K, Tverberg V, Spindler M (2004) Advection of zooplankton in an Arctic fjord (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). Est Coast Shelf Sci 60:113–124. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2003.12.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumann H, Peck MA, Götze HE, Temming A (2007) Starving early juvenile sprat Sprattus sprattus (L.) in western Baltic coastal waters: evidence from combined field and laboratory observations in August and September 2003. J Fish Biol 70:853–866. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01346.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belluco A, Hara A, Almeida EM, Rossi-Wongtschowski CLB (2004) Growth parameters estimates of Maurolicus stehmanni Parin and Kobyliansky 1996 (Teleostei, Sternoptichydae) from south and southeastern Brazilian waters. Braz J Oceanogr 52(3/4):195–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Boehlert GW, Wilson CD, Mizuno K (1994) Populations of sternoptychid fish Maurolicus muelleri on seamounts in the Central North Pacific. Pac Sci 48(1):57–69

    Google Scholar 

  • Bœuf G, Payan P (2001) How should salinity influence fish growth? Comp Biochem Physiol C 130:411–423. doi:10.1016/S1532-0456(01)00268-x

    Google Scholar 

  • Bustos CA, Landaeta MF, Balbontín F (2008) Environmental effects on the spatial variability of the ichthyoplankton from southern Chile during November 2005. Rev Chil Hist Nat 81:205–219

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bustos CA, Landaeta MF, Balbontín F (2011) Ichthyoplankton spatial distribution and its relation with water column stratification in fjords of southern Chile (46°48′S-50°09′S) in austral spring 1996 and 2008. Cont Shelf Res 31:293–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cass-Calay SL (2003) The feeding ecology of larval Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California current region: an updated approach using a combined OPC/MOCNESS to estimate prey biovolume. Fish Oceanogr 12:34–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo G, Aguilera E, Herrera G, Bernal PA, Butler JL, Chong J, Gonzalez H, Oyarzún C, Veloso C (1985) Larval growth rates of the Pacific sardine Sardinops sagax off central Chile, determined by count of daily rings in otoliths. Biol Pesq (Chile) 14:3–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Castro LR, Hernandez EH (2000) Early life survival of the anchoveta Engraulis ringens off central Chile during the 1995 and 1996 winter spawning seasons. Trans Am Fish Soc 129:1107–1117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortés E (1997) A critical review of methods of studying fish feeding based on analysis of stomach contents: application to elasmobranch fishes. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 54:726–738

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowan EA, Powell RD (1990) Suspended sediment transport and deposition of cyclically interlaminated sediment in a temperate glacial fjord, Alaska, U.S.A. Geol Soc Spec Publ 53:75–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daniels HV, Berlinsky DL, Hodson RG, Sullivan CV (1996) Effects of stocking density, salinity, and light intensity on growth and survival of southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma larvae. J World Aquac Soc 27:153–159. doi:10.1111/j.1749-7345.1996.tb00264.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dávila PM, Figueroa D, Müller E (2002) Freshwater input into the coastal ocean and its relation with the salinity distribution off austral Chile (35–55°S). Cont Shelf Res 22:521–534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Ciechomski J (1971) Estudio sobre los huevos y larvas de la sardina fueguina Sprattus fuegensis y de Maurolicus muelleri, hallados en aguas adyacentes al sector patagónico argentino. Physis 30:557–567

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiane K, Daase M (2002) Observations of mass mortality of Themisto libellula (Amphipoda: Hyperidae). Polar Biol 25:396–398

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk-Petersen I-B, Falk-Petersen S, Sargent JR (1986) Nature, origin and possible roles of lipid deposits in Maurolicus muelleri (Gmelin) and Benthosema glaciale (Reinhart) from Ullsfjorden, northern Norway. Polar Biol 5:235–240. doi:10.1007/BF00446091

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giske J, Aksnes DL (1992) Ontogeny, season and trade-offs: vertical distribution of the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus muelleri. Sarsia 77:253–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodson MS, Giske J, Rosland R (1995) Growth and ovarian development of Maurolicus muelleri during spring. Mar Biol 124:185–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández EH, Castro LR (2000) Larval growth of the anchoveta Engraulis ringens during the winter spawning season off central Chile. Fish Bull 98:704–710

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera G, Aguilera E, Castillo G, Bernal P (1985) Growth of anchovy larvae Engraulis ringens in central Chile, determinated by daily increment count in otolith. Biol Pesq (Chile) 14:11–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinojosa IA, Pizarro M, Ramos M, Thiel M (2010) Spatial and temporal distribution of floating kelp in the channels and fjords of southern Chile. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 87:367–377. doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2009.12.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hiroi J, Sakakura Y, Tagawa M, Seikai T, Tanaka M (1997) Developmental changes in low-salinity tolerance and responses of prolactin, cortisol and thyroid hormones to low-salinity environment in larvae and juveniles of Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Zool Sci 14:987–992

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hovenkamp F, Witte JIJ (1991) Growth, otolith growth and RNA/DNA ratios of larval plaice Pleuronectes platessa in the North Sea 1987 and 1989. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 70:105–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Husebø Å, Slotte A, Stenevik EK (2007) Growth of juvenile Norwegian spring-spawning herring to latitudinal and interannual differences in temperature and fish density in their coastal and fjord nursery areas. ICES J Mar Sci 64:1161–1172

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeffrey JA, Taggart CT (2000) Growth variation and water mass associations of larval silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) on the Scotian Shelf. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 57:1728–1738

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaartvedt S, Aksnes DL (1992) Does freshwater discharge cause mortality of fjord-living zooplankton? Est Coast Shelf Sci 34:305–313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaartvedt S, Torgersen T, Klevjer TA, Røstad A, Denive JA (2008) Behavior of individual mesopelagic fish in acoustic scattering layers of Norwegian fjords. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 360:201–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaartvedt S, Røstad A, Klevjer TA (2009) Sprat Sprattus sprattus can exploit low oxygen waters for overwintering. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 390:237–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kingsford MJ (1995) Drift algae: a contribution to near-shore habitat complexity in the pelagic environment and an attractant for fish. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 116:297–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kristoffersen JB, Salvanes AGV (1998) Life history of Maurolicus muelleri in fjordic and oceanic environments. J Fish Biol 53:1324–1341

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristoffersen JB, Salvanes AGV (2009) Distribution, growth and population genetics of the glacier lanternfish (Benthosema glaciale) in Norwegian waters: contrasting patterns in fjords and the ocean. Mar Biol Res 5:594–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landaeta MF, Castro LR (2002) Spring spawning and early nursery zone of the mesopelagic fish Maurolicus parvipinnis at the coastal upwelling zone off Talcahuano, central Chile. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 226:179–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landaeta MF, Castro LR (2006) Larval distribution and growth of the rockfish Sebastes capensis (Sebastidae, Pisces), in the fjords of southern Chile. ICES J Mar Sci 63:714–724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landaeta MF, Muñoz MI, Castro LR (2009) Variabilidad estacional y a pequeña escala en la distribución vertical del ictioplancton en un fiordo estratificado del sur de Chile. Cienc Tecnol Mar 32(2):27–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Lankford TE Jr, Targett TE (1994) Suitability of estuarine nursery zones for juvenile weakfish (Cynoscion regalis): effects of temperature and salinity on feeding, growth and survival. Mar Biol 119:611–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leal E, Canales TM, Aranis A, Gonzáles M (2011) Reproductive activity and maturity length of Patagonian sprat Sprattus fuegensis in Chiloé inland seawaters, Chile. Rev Biol Mar Oceanogr 46:43–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • León R, Castro LR, Cáceres M (2008) Dispersal of Munida gregaria (Decapoda: Galatheidae) larvae in Patagonian channels of southern Chile. ICES J Mar Sci 65:1131–1143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lopes PC (1979) Eggs and larvae of Maurolicus muelleri (Gonostomatidae) and other fish eggs and larvae from two fjords in western Norway. Sarsia 64:199–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Marín VH, Delgado L (2001) La taxocenosis de copépodos calanoídeos en los canales Magallánicos: un patrón anidado. Cienc Tecnol Mar 24:81–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Moya C, Valdovinos C, Moraga A, Romero F, Debels P, Oyanedel A (2009) Patrones de distribución espacial de ensambles de macroinvertebrados bentónicos de un sistema fluvial Andino Patagónico. Rev Chil Hist Nat 82:425–442. doi:10.4067/S0716-078X2009000300009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen RB, Richardson K, Simonsen V (2002) Population differentiation of eelpout Zoarces viviparus in a Danish fjord. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 227:97–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson MS, Comyns BH, Rakocisnksi CF, Fulling GL (1999) Does salinity affect somatic growth in early juvenile Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus (L.)? J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 238:199–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ré P, Gonçalves E (1993) Growth of sprat Sprattus sprattus larvae in the German Bight (North Sea) as inferred by otolith microstructure. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 96:139–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salvanes AGV, Aksnes D, Fosså JH, Giske J (1995) Simulated carrying capacities of fish on Norwegian fjords. Fish Oceanogr 4:17–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sánchez RP, Remeslo A, Madirolas A, de Ciechomski JD (1995) Distribution and abundance of post-larvae and juveniles of the Patagonian sprat, Sprattus fuegensis, and related hydrographic conditions. Fish Res 23:47–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sassa C, Kawaguchi K (2004) Larval feeding habits of Diaphus garmani and Myctophum asperum (Pisces: Myctophidae) in the transition region of the western North Pacific. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 278:279–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savinykh VF, Baytalyuk AA (2010) New data on biology of pearlfish Maurolicus imperatorius (Sternopthychidae) from the Emperor Seamount Chain. J Ichthyol 50(2):148–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Syvitski JPM (1989) On the deposition of sediment within glacier-influenced fjords: oceanographic controls. Mar Geol 85:301–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valenzuela GS, Vargas CA (2002) Comparative larval growth rate of Sprattus sprattus in relation to physical and biological oceanographic features in the North Sea. Arch Fish Mar Res 63:213–230

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Oscar Gallo and the crew of RV Vidal Gormaz for their help in the collection of zooplankton samples. J. Francisco Ruiz helped in the separation of ichthyoplankton at laboratory. Also we thank Pámela Palacios-Fuentes for her help with the English version, and two anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions. This research was partially funded by CIMAR C14F 08-02 project adjudicated to CAB, and Fondecyt 11090020, adjudicated to MFL.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile

    Mauricio F. Landaeta, Nicolás Suárez-Donoso & Fernando Balbontín

  2. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Uruguay 151 - (6300), Santa Rosa de la Pampa, Argentina

    Gisela López

  3. Programa Doctorado en Acuicultura, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile

    Claudia A. Bustos

Authors
  1. Mauricio F. Landaeta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gisela López
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nicolás Suárez-Donoso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Claudia A. Bustos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fernando Balbontín
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mauricio F. Landaeta.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Landaeta, M.F., López, G., Suárez-Donoso, N. et al. Larval fish distribution, growth and feeding in Patagonian fjords: potential effects of freshwater discharge. Environ Biol Fish 93, 73–87 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9891-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-011-9891-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation