Biophysical modeling of survival and dispersal of Central and Eastern Baltic Sea flounder (Platichthys flesus) larvae

Hinrichsen, Hans‐Harald; Petereit, Christoph; Dewitz, Burkhard von; Haslob, Holger; Ustups, Didzis; Florin, Ann‐Britt; Nissling, Anders

doi:10.1016/j.seares.2018.09.004

Cited by 7 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…As empirical data of larval drift characteristics of this newly identified species are lacking, we examine dispersal patterns in relation to different drifting depth, including a comparison of drift with free dispersal, under the assumption that larvae may adapt their behaviour to local conditions in optimizing probabilities for settlement in a suitable nursery area. The selected drifting depths (0 m/surface, 10 m and 22 m) are in agreement with what is known about the vertical distribution of European flounder larvae during the pelagic stage in both the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat-Skagerrak area (Moksnes et al, 2014;Hinrichsen et al, 2018); occurring at ca 0-30 m depth with the highest abundance at ca 0-20 m depth. This depth range is in accordance with what is known about the depth range of spawning of Baltic flounder; at ca 3-20 m depth (Bonsdorff and Norkko, 1994;Nissling et al, 2014), i.e.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…In accordance with the assumption that flatfish larvae may adapt their vertical positions to enhance probabilities for settlement in a suitable nursery habitat (see Bailey et al, 2005;Leis, 2007;Sentchev and Korotenko, 2007), effects of different larval drifting depths (surface, 10 m and 22 m) on the larval dispersal pattern was considered. Chosen drifting depths are in agreement with the vertical distribution of European flounder (P. flesus) larvae, derived from sampling in the Bornholm Basin (SD 25), Baltic Sea using a multi opening-closing net (Hydrobios, Germany) with sampling at 5 m layer intervals from the surface to the bottom, showing that larvae are distributed in the upper 30 m with the majority occurring at 0-20 m depth (Hinrichsen et al, 2018). These depths are in agreement with what is known about the depth range of spawning of Baltic flounder in the area; ca 3-20 m (Supplementary information), i.e.…”

Section: Larval Characteristic Featuressupporting

confidence: 78%

“…Similarly, larvae of Baltic flounder, with the same size as European flounder at hatching (Wallin and Nissling, unpublished), and occurring at ca 7 psu, can be expected to be able to adjust their vertical position. Further, according to data presented in Hinrichsen et al (2018) no clear differences in larval vertical distribution during night compared to during daytime exists and has not been considered in the model. Thus, the chosen drifting depths correspond to fixed depths, in agreement with depths in the large-scale connectivity database (see below).…”

Section: Larval Characteristic Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the particles at specified drifting depths the density was not relevant as there was no vertical movements. Duration of particle drifting was based on data of the number of days from hatching to larval settling at metamorphosis (see Hinrichsen et al, 2018), derived from readings of daily increments in otoliths of newly settled flounder individuals (n=25; ) from different cohorts sampled in nursery areas at Gotland (3.d. 28-2; site 1), i.e.…”

Section: Larval Characteristic Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Less attention has been directed to the larval stage prior to settling, including transportation/drift from spawning areas to suitable nursey areas. Recently however, survival and dispersal of flounder larvae of the deep basin spawning species (European flounder) in the was studied using biophysical modelling (Hinrichsen et al, 2018), and Petereit et al (2014) studied drift of early European flounder larvae in the Western Baltic Sea (3.c. 22 and 3.b.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling of larval dispersal of Baltic flounder (Platichthys solemdali) revealed drifting depth as a major factor determining opportunities for local retention vs large-scale connectivity

Corell

Nissling

2019

Fisheries Research

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For flatfishes, transportation of larvae to nursery areas is regarded a key mechanism for recruitment, with adaptations in larval behaviour to reach a suitable habitat. Here we model different possibilities of larval drifting of coastal spawning Baltic flounder Platichthys solemdali (recently identified as a species from European flounder P. flesus) to reveal opportunities for local retention vs large-scale dispersal to ensure settling in coastal nursery areas. Drifting depth, duration of drifting and effects of year and time during season were modelled using 1) a high-resolution local dispersal model, and 2) a large-scale connectivity database. The outcome revealed drifting depth as a major factor affecting larval dispersal.Drift at 10-22 m depth involved retention along the coast with the majority of larvae (≥94% or 69-93% according to 1 and 2, respectively) with end points ≤20 km from the coast enabling further successful migration to nursery habitats. Contrary, larval drift close to the surface resulted in advection with end points in the open sea (72-76%), i.e. loss of larvae, but with a small fraction (5-12%) displaying cross-basin connectivity. The results suggest, in agreement with depth distribution of spawning, a larval behaviour promoting drift in the lower part of the water mass, favouring retention close to coastal nursery areas. Obtained dispersal patterns may sustain both local recruitment but also connectivity with other areas, potentially explaining the low genetic diversity between areas for P. solemdali. Low interannual variability in dispersal patterns when drifting at 10-22 m depth suggests that larval drift is not a major bottleneck explaining recruitment variability in P. solemdali in the area.The study highlights the differences in life-history strategies of the species pair of flounder in the Baltic Sea; P. flesus spawning in the deep basins with extensive larval dispersal, and coastal spawning P. solemdali with, according to the model outcome, mainly local larval dispersal for sustaining a viable population, i.e. request for different management strategies.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 86%