Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (21)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Grioche, A.
Right arrow Articles by Lago, L.F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Grioche, A.
Right arrow Articles by Lago, L.F.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Journal of Plankton Research Vol.22 no.10 pp.1813-1828, 2000
© Oxford University Press 2000

Vertical migrations of fish larvae: Eulerian and Lagrangian observations in the Eastern English Channel

A. Grioche, X. Harlay, P. Koubbi and L.Fraga Lago

UPRES-A CNRS 8013, ichtyoécologie marine, Université du littoral – Côte d'opale, 17 avenue Blériot, BP 699, 62 228 Calais Cedex, France

The Eastern English Channel is known for its strong hydrodynamics. Tidal and residual currents are reinforced by the south-western dominant wind and drift waters from the English Channel to the North Sea. Previous spatial studies have shown that the advection of larvae could differ from one species to another. Flounder (Pleuronectes flesus) larvae were found offshore, drifting to the north until the fins were formed; then they were found near the coast. However, sole (Solea solea) larvae remained in coastal waters during their development. The difference in larval spatial distribution is assumed to be related to the interaction between vertical migration and advection by alternative tidal currents, leading to a selective tidal stream transport. To describe the vertical distribution of these larvae, two strategies were used. First, a Eulerian study was carried out with samples taken at the same geographical location every 1.5 h for 41 h. Ichthyoplankton were collected in the water mass using a Bongo net and with a suprabenthic multi-net sledge, at four layers above the sea bed, between 0.1 and 1.4 m. Secondly, to enable water movement to be disregarded, a Lagrangian study was carried out by using a Bongo net every 3 h, following a drifting buoy for 3 days. The results show that even during the youngest stages, sole larvae are able to perform tidal and diel vertical migration. We assume that they may limit their advection to the North Sea because of their upward migration during ebb and at night, which may enable them to remain in the same area dealing with the currents. Flounder larvae begin their vertical migration at the stage of notochord flexion, which ends their drift to the north. The larvae reach the bottom of the water column, particularly during ebb when they are concentrated in the first 40 cm above the bottom. This behaviour favours their advection during flow, leading to efficient and fast transport towards the coast.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J PLANKTON RESHome page
G. Cotonnec, C. Brunet, B. Sautour, and G. Thoumelin
Nutritive Value and Selection of Food Particles by Copepods During a Spring Bloom of Phaeocystis sp. in the English Channel, as Determined by Pigment and Fatty Acid Analyses
J. Plankton Res., July 1, 2001; 23(7): 693 - 703.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.