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Reproductive tactics and larval development of bigeye flounder, Hippoglossina macrops, off central Chile

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2006

Mauricio F. Landaeta
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Oceanografía Pesquera y Ecología Larval, Departamento de Oceanografía, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile Postgraduate Programme in Oceanography, Universidad de Concepción
Guillermo A. Herrera
Affiliation:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Section of Vertebrates (Ichthyology), 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
Milton Pedraza
Affiliation:
Master in Fisheries Programme, Universidad de Concepción
Claudia A. Bustos
Affiliation:
Master in Zoology Programme, Universidad de Concepción
Leonardo R. Castro
Affiliation:
Laboratorio de Oceanografía Pesquera y Ecología Larval, Departamento de Oceanografía, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile

Abstract

Through a series of ichthyoplankton surveys carried out off central Chile, we characterize the offshore spawning and coastal nursery ground of the bigeye flounder Hippoglossina macrops. Eggs were collected in higher abundances over the continental shelf during late winter, over the shelf-break in mid spring, and at the continental slope in late summer, showing a seasonal depth gradient in spawning. No significant spawning was detected nearshore (less than 8 km offshore). Field data suggest a longitudinal progression from offshore to onshore of larval stages from preflexion to transformation stage. Finally, vertically stratified samples showed that eggs and larvae were present mainly in the upper 100 m. We discuss the potential onshore transport of early life stages of H. macrops through the compensatory flow of Equatorial Subsurface Waters that balances the surface offshore transport in the Ekman layer during upwelling events. Additionally, larval development from yolk-sac to transformation stage is briefly described.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
2006 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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