Unique biological characteristics of spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus L.) in Minas Basin, Nova Scotia, a tidally dynamic environment

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney G. Bradford ◽  
T. Derrick Iles
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Tidal Energy ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Gonad Maturation ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Adult Growth ◽  
Unusual Occurrence ◽  
Gonad Production

The unusual occurrence of a spring-spawning (May–June) Atlantic herring population in a tidally dynamic environment (Minas Basin, Nova Scotia) is investigated. Adult growth and reproductive characters are similar to those of a geographically adjacent population that also spawns in a tidally energetic environment but during autumn (August–October), rather than to those of another May- to June-spawning population that reproduces in an environment with low tidal energy. Minas Basin herring are shown to feed intensively during gonad maturation up to and including spawning. This has not been previously documented for Atlantic herring. Condition factor analysis shows that somatic tissues lose weight during gonad maturation in spite of the feeding behaviour. It is concluded that the high fecundity of Minas Basin herring is accomplished by increased gonad production. This suggests that high fecundity is prerequisite to life-cycle closure in highly dispersive environments. Analysis of parasitic larval nematode infection suggests Minas Basin herring are distributed with other herring populations from the Bay of Fundy region that aggregate along the southwestern edge of the Scotian shelf during summer to feed.

Egg Weight, Fecundity, and Gonad Weight Variability among Northwest Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) Populations

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 2045-2054 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney G. Bradford ◽  
Robert L. Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Gonad Maturation ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Gonad Weight ◽  
Maturation Period ◽  
Egg Weight ◽  
Northwest Atlantic ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Ripe Ovary ◽  
Storage Energy

Egg weight varies among northwest Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) populations that spawn in different seasons (n = 12), but the range in weights is less than half of that known for northeast Atlantic populations. Egg weights were similar for both spring (May–June)- and autumn (August–October)-spawning herring (1.06 ×) and most dissimilar between spring- and summer (July)-spawning herring (1.21 ×). Mean population egg weights were not correlated with temperature either at spawning or for the last 2 mo of the egg development period. The product of egg weight and fecundity (standardized to length) differed between spring- and autumn-spawning herring of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Spring-spawners, particularly smaller fish [Formula: see text], have lower ripe ovary weights than do autumn-spawning herring. Differences between spawning seasons in the relative allocation of storage energy to gonad and metabolism, a process mediated by the duration of the gonad maturation period, are the likely basis for the observed patterns.

scholarly journals Spatial and Temporal Differences in Fecundity of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) off Nova Scotia and Consequences for Biological Reference Points

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy J Barrett ◽  
Adrian R. Hordyk ◽  
Melanie A Barrett ◽  
Michael R van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
Stock Biomass ◽  
Spawning Stock ◽  
Over Time

The relationships between fecundity and size of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) were estimated within five different spawning areas off the coast of Nova Scotia in 2019 and 2020. Statistically significant differences in fecundity relative to body weight were observed among spawning areas and between years. Fecundity-at-length on the German Bank spawning ground was 29-36% and 22-28% lower than estimates from 2001 and 1970, respectively. Temporal changes in weight- and relative fecundity- at-age resulted in a decrease in the number of eggs-per-recruit (in an equilibrium unfished state) by 50% and a decrease of 27% in the egg production per tonne of spawning stock biomass (SSB) in 2020 relative to 1970. Decreases in SSB-per-recruit and eggs-per-recruit over time resulted in proportional decreases in equilibrium SSB at maximum sustainable yield (MSY); however, the fishing mortality rate (F) at MSY remained relatively stable over time. Total egg production was shown to be disproportional to SSB. Equilibrium SSB at MSY was greater (and F at MSY lower) when estimated using eggs-per-recruit compared to SSB-per-recruit. Failing to account for fecundity and assuming that egg production is proportional to SSB resulted in an overestimate of stock status

scholarly journals Adaptation to seasonal reproduction and thermal minima-related factors drives fine-scale divergence despite gene flow in Atlantic herring populations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela P. Fuentes-Pardo ◽  
Christina Bourne ◽  
Rabindra Singh ◽  
Kim Emond ◽  
Lisa Pinkham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Intraspecific Diversity ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Population Subdivision ◽  
Seasonal Reproduction ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
High Fecundity

AbstractHigh connectivity and low potential for local adaptation have been common assumptions for most marine species, given their usual high fecundity and dispersal capabilities. Recent genomic studies however, have disclosed unprecedented levels of population subdivision in what were previously presumed to be panmictic or nearly panmictic species. Here we analyzed neutral and adaptive genetic variation at the whole-genome level in Atlantic herring (Clupea harengusL.) spawning aggregations distributed across the reproductive range of the species in North America. We uncovered fine-scale population structure at putatively adaptive loci, despite low genetic differentiation at neutral loci. Our results revealed an intricate pattern of population subdivision involving two overlapping axes of divergence: a temporal axis determined by seasonal reproduction, and a spatial axis defined by a latitudinal cline establishing a steep north-south genetic break. Genetic-environment association analyses indicated that winter sea-surface temperature is the best predictor of the spatial structure observed. Thousands of outlier SNPs distributed along specific parts of the genome spanning numerous candidate genes underlined each pattern of differentiation, forming so-called “genomic regions or islands of divergence”. Our results indicate that timing of reproduction and latitudinal spawning location are features under disruptive selection leading to local adaptation in the herring. Our study highlights the importance of preserving functional and neutral intraspecific diversity, and the utility of an integrative seascape genomics approach for disentangling intricate patterns of intraspecific diversity in highly dispersive and abundant marine species.

scholarly journals Adult body growth and reproductive investment vary markedly within and across Atlantic and Pacific herring: a meta-analysis and review of 26 stocks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thassya C. dos Santos Schmidt ◽  
Doug E. Hay ◽  
Svein Sundby ◽  
Jennifer A. Devine ◽  
Guðmundur J. Óskarsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Body Growth ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Pacific Herring ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Investment In Reproduction

AbstractLife-history traits of Pacific (Clupea pallasii) and Atlantic (Clupea harengus) herring, comprising both local and oceanic stocks subdivided into summer-autumn and spring spawners, were extensively reviewed. The main parameters investigated were body growth, condition, and reproductive investment. Body size of Pacific herring increased with increasing latitude. This pattern was inconsistent for Atlantic herring. Pacific and local Norwegian herring showed comparable body conditions, whereas oceanic Atlantic herring generally appeared stouter. Among Atlantic herring, summer and autumn spawners produced many small eggs compared to spring spawners, which had fewer but larger eggs—findings agreeing with statements given several decades ago. The 26 herring stocks we analysed, when combined across distant waters, showed clear evidence of a trade-off between fecundity and egg size. The size-specific individual variation, often ignored, was substantial. Additional information on biometrics clarified that oceanic stocks were generally larger and had longer life spans than local herring stocks, probably related to their longer feeding migrations. Body condition was only weakly, positively related to assumingly in situ annual temperatures (0–30 m depth). Contrarily, body growth (cm × y−1), taken as an integrator of ambient environmental conditions, closely reflected the extent of investment in reproduction. Overall, Pacific and local Norwegian herring tended to cluster based on morphometric and reproductive features, whereas oceanic Atlantic herring clustered separately. Our work underlines that herring stocks are uniquely adapted to their habitats in terms of trade-offs between fecundity and egg size whereas reproductive investment mimics the productivity of the water in question.

scholarly journals Elemental Inventory in Fish Otoliths Reflects Natal Origin of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) From Baltic Sea Juvenile Areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothee Moll ◽  
Paul Kotterba ◽  
Klaus Peter Jochum ◽  
Lena von Nordheim ◽  
Patrick Polte
Keyword(s):  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Natal Origin ◽  
Fish Otoliths

Interaction Between Stock Area, Stock Abundance, and Catchability Coefficient

1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 989-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Winters ◽  
J. P. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Population Abundance ◽  
Commercial Catch ◽  
Standard Manner ◽  
Clupea Harengus Harengus ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Stock Abundance

The relationship between commercial catch-rates and population density upon which many stock assessment models depend assumes that stock area (A) is constant and independent of population abundance. Starting from a theoretical demonstration that the catchability coefficient (q) is inversely proportional to A, we establish the empirical basis of this relationship through comparisons of q and A of various Northwest Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus) stocks and, in more detail, for Fortune Bay herring. For these stocks the relationship was of the form q = cA−b. For Atlantic herring stocks, levels of b were in excess of 0.80. In Fortune Bay herring, reductions in abundance were accompanied by proportional reductions in A, which in turn was inversely correlated with changes in q. School size, measured as catch per set, also declined as population levels declined but the change was not proportional. Published findings indicate that pelagic stocks in particular, and fish stocks in general, exhibit a common response of reductions in A with interactive increases in the q during periods of rapid population decline. We conclude that the conventional assumption of a constant stock area is usually violated due to the systematic interaction between A and population abundance which is reflected in an inverse relationship between stock abundance and q. Calibration of sequential population models should therefore be restricted to research vessel data collected in a standard manner and covering the distributional area of the stock.

Ultrastructural Studies of Piscine Erythrocytic Necrosis (PEN) in Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus harengus)

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Reno ◽  
Marie Philippon-Fried ◽  
Bruce L. Nicholson ◽  
Stuart W. Sherburne
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Type I ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Inclusion Type ◽  
Cytoplasmic Inclusions ◽  
Ultrastructural Studies ◽  
Clupea Harengus Harengus

Erythrocytes of PEN-positive Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus) were examined to determine their ultrastructure. Cytoplasmic inclusions were of two types when observed under the electron microscope. The first type (type I) appeared coarsely granular, electron dense, round, and up to 1.5 μm in diameter. Virions were closely associated with this type of inclusion. The second type of inclusion (type II) had approximately the same appearance as the surrounding cytoplasm, from which it was separated by a discrete membrane, and was variable in size. Virions were not intimately associated with type II inclusions. Virions occurred singly or in clusters within the cytoplasm or in association with type I inclusions and were hexagonal and 145 nm in diameter. Virions were composed of a rigid hexagonal capsid 8 nm wide, a lighter 16-nm region, and a core 100 nm in diameter. The virus of PEN is presumptively classified as an Iridovirus. Key words: ultrastructure, erythrocytes, virology

Direct and Indirect Estimation of Gillnet Selection Curves of Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus harengus)

1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Winters ◽  
J. P. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Selection Criterion ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Composition Data ◽  
Catch Data ◽  
Specific Selectivity ◽  
Acoustic Surveys ◽  
Clupea Harengus Harengus

Length-specific selection curves for Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) were calculated for a series of gillnets ranging in mesh size from 50.8 to 76.2 mm (stretched measure) using Holt's (1963) model (ICNAF Spec. Publ. 5: 106–115). These curves were than compared with direct estimates of length-specific selectivity obtained from a comparison of gillnet catch length frequencies with population length composition data as determined from acoustic surveys. Selection curves calculated indirectly using the Holt model were unimodal and congruent. The empirical selection curves however were multimodal and fishing power varied with mesh size. These differences in selectivities were due to the fact that herring were caught not only by wedging at the maximum girth but also at other body positions such as the gills and snout. Each of these modes of capture have different length-specific selectivity characteristics and, since the relative contributions of the different modes of capture varied both between nets and annually, the selection curve of herring for a particular mesh size is not unique. It can however be reasonably approximated when girth is used as the selection criterion. Direct empirical selectivities are therefore recommended when interpreting population parameters from herring gillnet catch data.

Potential of Eimeria sardinae (Apicomplexa: Eimeridae) Oocysts for Distinguishing between Spawning Groups and between First- and Repeat-Spawning Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus harengus)

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1379-1385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon E. McGladdery
Keyword(s):  
Clupea Harengus ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Atlantic Herring ◽  
Spawning Grounds ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Mature Fish ◽  
Clupea Harengus Harengus ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Immature Fish ◽  
Northeastern Atlantic

Prevalence of Eimeria sardinae oocysts was closely correlated with the maturity stage of the testes of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus harengus). Prevalence was low in testes of immature fish, increased in ripe and spawning fish, and decreased in postspawning fish. No correlation was found between prevalence and age of spawning herring. The uniformly high prevalences in mature fish indicated the efficiency of transmission on the spawning grounds, where infective oocysts are released. Infection of first-spawning herring (approximately age 3) indicated that the oocysts may be dispersed to surrounding areas or immature fish may associate with spawning aggregations. Therefore, this parasite could not be used to distinguish first from repeat spawners. Prevalence oF E. sardinae peaked in May and September, and possibly in June and early July, thereby distinguishing two, and possibly three, spawning groups. A previous study indicated no correlation between maturity stage and infections by E. sardinae in northeastern Atlantic herring. The difference between the two sides of the Atlantic is attributed to greater mixing of immature and adult herring around spawning grounds and/or greater dispersal of infective oocysts from spawning grounds in the northeastern Atlantic, compared with those in the northwest.

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