Vertical Migrations of a Deep-Sea Fish and Its Prey

Afonso, Pedro; McGinty, Niall; Graça, Gonçalo; Fontes, Jorge; Inácio, Mónica; Totland, Atle; Menezes, Gui

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0097884

Cited by 37 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Increased micronekton abundance at seamounts likely supports important biomasses of benthic fishes and attracts numerous pelagic visitors (Morato et al, 2008b). Studies conducted in the Azores have shown that several benthic and benthopelagic fish species rely on SL constituents for food (Gomes et al, 1998;Morato et al, 2001;Colaço et al, 2013) and that the vertical distribution of these fishes at seamounts is driven by the dynamics of the SL (Afonso et al, 2014a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Enhancement of Micronekton Backscatter at the Summits of Seamounts in the Azores

et al. 2017

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Knowledge of the dynamics of micronekton at seamounts is critical to understanding the ecological role of these ecosystems. Active acoustic techniques are an effective tool to monitor the distribution and movements of pelagic organisms. We carried out several day-and nighttime active acoustic surveys over a 3-year period (2009)(2010)(2011) to characterize the spatial and temporal distribution of micronekton backscatter on two seamounts (Condor and Gigante) in the Azores and in the surrounding open-waters. The highest mean volume backscattering strength (MVBS) was consistently found in the water column over the seamount summits, regardless of the season and diel period. MVBS over the summits was 14-26 times higher than over the slopes, and 10 times higher than in open-waters. Diel variations in backscatter intensity were more pronounced in open-waters and in Gigante seamount, with higher values during the day in open-waters, and at night over the summits and slopes of Gigante. Over Condor seamount, diel changes in backscatter intensity were small, but MVBS was generally higher at night than during the day, as in Gigante. Persistence of strong acoustic backscatter over the summits of Condor and Gigante seamounts is a key finding of this study and may be explained by the presence of a seamount-associated micronekton community and by the retention of vertically migrating micronekton. The latter hypothesis is consistent with observed day-night differences in backscatter, suggesting that nocturnal migrants may be passively transported or actively swim above seamount summits and slopes. Possible physical mechanisms leading to the observed patterns in micronekton distribution are discussed. This study contributes to a better understanding of how seamounts may influence the spatial and temporal dynamics of micronekton assemblages.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent Enhancement of Micronekton Backscatter at the Summits of Seamounts in the Azores

et al. 2017

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“…depth, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen) [1,5,6]. The use of animal-borne telemetry sensors has also allowed scientists to gather ocean observation data remotely and at affordable costs [7], leading to a better understanding of the oceanographic processes and the effects of environmental variables on the movements and distribution of marine species [8,9]. Thus, the information obtained via animal telemetry has allowed us to better understand the spatial ecology of key aquatic species and informed management and conservation efforts [7,[10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of acoustic telemetry in Europe and the need for a regional aquatic telemetry network

et al. 2018

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Background: Globally, there are a large and growing number of researchers using biotelemetry as a tool to study aquatic animals. In Europe, this community lacks a formal network structure. The aim of this study is to review the use of acoustic telemetry in Europe and document the contribution of cross-boundary studies and inter-research group collaborations. Based on this, we explore the potential benefits and challenges of a network approach to identify future priorities and best practices for aquatic biotelemetry research in Europe. Results: Over the past decade, there was an approximately sevenfold increase in the number of acoustic telemetry studies published on marine and diadromous species in Europe compared to a sixfold increase globally. Over 90% of these studies were conducted on fishes and undertaken in coastal areas, estuaries, or rivers. 75% of these studies were conducted by researchers based in one of five nations (Norway, UK, France, Portugal, and Spain) and, even though 34% were based on collaborations between scientists from several countries, there was only one study with an acoustic receiver array that extended beyond the borders of a single country. In recent years, acoustic telemetry in European waters has evolved from studying behavioural aspects of animals (82.2%), into more holistic approaches addressing management-related issues (10%), tagging methods and effects (5%), and technology and data analysis development (2.8%). Conclusions: Despite the increasing number of publications and species tracked, there is a prominent lack of planned and structured acoustic telemetry collaborations in Europe. A formal pan-European network structure would promote the development of (1) a research platform that could benefit the acoustic telemetry community through capacity building, (2) a centralized database, and (3) key deployment sites and studies on priority species requiring research in Europe. A network may increase efficiency, expand the scope of research that can be undertaken, promote European science integration, enhance the opportunities and success of acquiring research funding and, ultimately, foster regional and transatlantic collaborations. It may also help address research priorities such as the large-scale societal challenges arising from climate change impacts and assist the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive via identification of good environmental status of endangered or commercially important species.

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“…These differences suggest a change in foraging strategy of sablefish prompted by seasonal and depth variations in prey availability. Changed foraging behavior in response to seasonal variations in light penetration at deeper habitats and in pelagic food resources (Genin, ) was thought to be the cause of seasonal patterns of DVM seen in the blackspot seabream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ), which occupied shallower depths during the day in the winter and early spring (average depth: ~200 m) and deeper depths during the summer (average depth: ~350–500 m; Afonso et al., ). Likewise, Kotwicki, Horne, Punt, and Ianelli () hypothesized that vertical distribution of walleye pollock in the southeastern Bering Sea shifts downward in late summer and early fall in response to decreased zooplankton abundance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diel vertical migration of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

Sigler

Echave

2019

Fisheries Oceanography

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To investigate their diel vertical migration (DVM), 599 sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) were implanted with electronic archival tags in the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and the eastern Bering Sea. Of these tags, 98 were recovered with usable depth data (7,852,773 recordings representing 81,233 days) that we used to identify DVM and to classify DVM into one of two types: normal DVM (rise from the bottom during nighttime) and reverse DVM (rise from the bottom during daytime). The results of our study highlight three important attributes of DVM for sablefish. First, all tagged sablefish carried out DVM, although the occurrence was intermittent (26% of the days with usable data) and most commonly for short durations (10 days or less). Second, bottom depth for normal DVM was about 78 m shallower than for reverse DVM. Third, normal DVM occurred most often in fall and least often in spring, whereas this high/low pattern was shifted about 3 months later for reverse DVM; reverse DVM occurred most often in winter and least often in summer. Normal DVM likely occurred to increase foraging opportunity (e.g., nightly shift to match depth of prey). Reverse DVM more commonly occurred during winter and may represent an increase in foraging by sablefish during the daytime to compensate for decreased pelagic resources. The default foraging strategy for sablefish may be benthic because of the uncertainty of vertically migrating to a location where the occurrence of prey is not guaranteed; sablefish may invoke DVM when the non‐DVM foraging benefit is reduced.

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Vertical Migrations of a Deep-Sea Fish and Its Prey

Cited by 37 publications

References 23 publications

Persistent Enhancement of Micronekton Backscatter at the Summits of Seamounts in the Azores

Persistent Enhancement of Micronekton Backscatter at the Summits of Seamounts in the Azores

A review of acoustic telemetry in Europe and the need for a regional aquatic telemetry network

Diel vertical migration of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

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