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Ecology of survival in some gadoid larvae of the northern North Sea

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The development of the larvae of five gadoid species in the northern North Sea was examined in May 1978 and May 1979. Mortality varied with larval size and period of sampling about high average rates. The limits on survival were due primarily to prey density and prey size. Competition for food did not appear to be a critical survival factor. The growth rates of larvae in the northern North Sea were higher than the growth rates of larvae reared on high densities of prey in the laboratory. Without involving the hypothesis of patchiness, it is suggested that sufficient quantities of prey were available in the field to sustain the high growth rates observed. On the other hand, competitive grazing in the laboratory reduced the amount of prey which fell to the share of each larva. Scarcity of large prey during the first half of May did not favour the survival of late larvae. The significance of spawning in relation to the characteristics of the prey production cycle is discussed.

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  1. PASEGES, Department of Fisheries, 41 Sophocleus St., Athens, 105 52, Greece

    Alcibiades N. Economou

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Economou, A.N. Ecology of survival in some gadoid larvae of the northern North Sea. Environ Biol Fish 19, 241–260 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00003226

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