Ecology of Anguilliform Leptocephali: Remarkable Transparent Fish Larvae of the Ocean Surface Layer

Miller, Michael J.

doi:10.5047/absm.2009.00204.0001

Cited by 138 publications

(257 citation statements)

References 260 publications

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“…The long spawning migration, the mating and spawning process in the Sargasso Sea, the development of eggs and larvae, and the larval migration to the continental feeding grounds are all under the influence of oceanic factors and climate variation. Large-scale environmental fluctuations such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) have been linked to significant changes in the physical and biological structure of the North Atlantic Ocean, affecting thermal, wind and mixing parameters in areas of the Sargasso Sea that correspond spatially to the spawning grounds of the European eel (Knights, 2003;Miller, 2009;Miller et al, 2009). Environmental changes within the spawning and early larval development areas of eels in the Sargasso Sea might reduce the number of successful breeders and surviving larvae (Friedland et al, 2007;Bonhommeau et al, 2008).…”

Section: Oceanic Influence On Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the one hand, there are several anthropogenic factors mainly affecting eels on their continental phase, such as overfishing, migration barriers (dams and hydroelectric power plants), habitat loss, pollution (PCBs and heavy metals) and human-introduced diseases (EVEX virus) and parasites (the swimbladder nematode Anguillicoloides crassus) (Van den Thillart et al, 2009). On the other hand, climatic and oceanic events might contribute to the decline as they influence silver eel migration, mating and spawning success of adults in the Sargasso Sea, egg and larvae development, and larval survival during migration to the continental feeding grounds (Knights, 2003;Friedland et al, 2007;Bonhommeau et al, 2008;Miller, 2009;Miller et al, 2009;Martin et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Genetic patchiness in European eel adults evidenced by molecular genetics and population dynamics modelling

Pujolar

Bevacqua

Andrello

et al. 2011

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

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a b s t r a c tDisentangling the demographic processes that determine the genetic structure of a given species is a fundamental question in conservation and management. In the present study, the population structure of the European eel was examined with a multidisciplinary approach combining the fields of molecular genetics and population dynamics modelling. First, we analyzed a total of 346 adult specimens of known age collected in three separate sample sites using a large panel of 22 EST-linked microsatellite loci. Second, we developed a European eel-specific model to unravel the demographic mechanisms that can produce the level of genetic differentiation estimated by molecular markers. This is the first study that reveals a pattern of genetic patchiness in maturing adults of the European eel. A highly significant genetic differentiation was observed among samples that did not follow an Isolation-by-Distance or Isolation-by-Time pattern. The observation of genetic patchiness in adults is likely to result from a limited parental contribution to each spawning event as suggested by our modelling approach. The value of genetic differentiation found is predicted by the model when reproduction occurs in a limited number of spawning events isolated from each other in time or space, with an average of 130-375 breeders in each spawning event. Unpredictability in spawning success may have important consequences for the life-history evolution of the European eel, including a bet-hedging strategy (distributing reproductive efforts over time) which could in turn guarantee successful reproduction of some adults.

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Section: Oceanic Influence On Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic patchiness in European eel adults evidenced by molecular genetics and population dynamics modelling

Pujolar

Bevacqua

Andrello

et al. 2011

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Early studies reported empty guts in eel larvae (Miller 2009), while more recent studies based on visual identification of gut contents proposed dissolved and particulate organic matter as sources of eel larval nutrition, possibly in the form of marine snow, larvacean houses, or zooplankton faecal pellets (Otake et al 1993;Mochioka & Iwamizu 1996). Unfortunately, these reports mostly concerned other eel species and were based on large (35-129 mm) larvae beyond the first feeding stage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, these reports mostly concerned other eel species and were based on large (35-129 mm) larvae beyond the first feeding stage. Artificially reproduced larvae of the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) can survive on a diet based on shark egg yolk (Tanaka et al 2003;Miller 2009), but this is unlikely to be a food source in nature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Sargasso Sea is generally oligotrophic, but the spawning by both European and American eels (Anguilla rostrata) is associated with relatively productive frontal zones (Kleckner & McCleave 1988), which could enhance feeding opportunities for newly hatched larvae. However, the lack of knowledge about the feeding biology of eel larvae prevents an understanding of the eel life cycle (Miller 2009). Moreover, recent drastic declines in the European eel have led to its listing in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES'), appendix SII.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Qualitative assessment of the diet of European eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea resolved by DNA barcoding

et al. 2010

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European eels ( Anguilla anguilla ) undertake spawning migrations of more than 5000 km from continental Europe and North Africa to frontal zones in the Sargasso Sea. Subsequently, the larval offspring are advected by large-scale eastward ocean currents towards continental waters. However, the Sargasso Sea is oligotrophic, with generally low plankton biomass, and the feeding biology of eel larvae has so far remained a mystery, hampering understanding of this peculiar life history. DNA barcoding of gut contents of 61 genetically identified A. anguilla larvae caught in the Sargasso Sea showed that even the smallest larvae feed on a striking variety of plankton organisms, and that gelatinous zooplankton is of fundamental dietary importance. Hence, the specific plankton composition seems essential for eel larval feeding and growth, suggesting a linkage between eel survival and regional plankton productivity. These novel insights into the prey of Atlantic eels may furthermore facilitate eel larval rearing in aquaculture, which ultimately may replace the unsustainable use of wild-caught glass eels.

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Lipid Composition and Utilization in Early Stage Leptocephalus Larvae of Bonefish (Albula vulpes)

Mejri

Adams

Shenker

et al. 2020

Lipids

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In order to encourage the survival of both captive and wild populations of bonefish (Albula vulpes), a deeper understanding of the species' early developmental characteristics is necessary. During ontogenesis, bonefish utilize lipids as a source of energy before the start of exogenous feeding. The goal of this study is to gain insight into the energetic needs of bonefish leptocephalus larvae in the post‐hatch larval stage. Broodstock were collected in the wild and hormone induced. Spawning yielded eggs that were fertilized and were then incubated until hatching. Larval development was monitored throughout the duration of the trial until all larvae perished. Samples of larval tissue were taken to the lab for lipid analysis and composition was compared at different developmental stages. Larval lipid composition was significantly different across sample groups showing a change in lipid content related to development. After hatching, larvae gradually depleted wax esters‐sterol ester (WE‐SE) reserves over a period of 4 days, while simultaneously increasing hydrocarbon (HC). The role of WE‐SE is seemingly tied to both buoyancy and energy reserves due to its high abundance immediately post‐hatch and selective catabolism. As larvae weaned off of the nutrition provided by the yolk, exogenous feeding began to diversify lipid composition and overall lipid reserves were depleted. Future directions included the development of optimal larval feeds based on this analysis in order to gain more insight into the nutritional needs and requirements during the critical leptocephalus stages.

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Ecology of Anguilliform Leptocephali: Remarkable Transparent Fish Larvae of the Ocean Surface Layer

Cited by 138 publications

References 260 publications

Genetic patchiness in European eel adults evidenced by molecular genetics and population dynamics modelling

Genetic patchiness in European eel adults evidenced by molecular genetics and population dynamics modelling

Qualitative assessment of the diet of European eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea resolved by DNA barcoding

Lipid Composition and Utilization in Early Stage Leptocephalus Larvae of Bonefish (Albula vulpes)

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