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Ontogenetic changes in the larval condition of Downs herring: use of a multi-index approach at an individual scale

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Abstract

Evaluating fish larval condition in terms of nutrition and growth is essential as it will influence their development and survival capacity. The present study aims to investigate larval condition of Downs herring (Clupea harengus L.) during winter in the Eastern English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea. Four condition indices including ingestion rate based on gut fluorescence, instantaneous growth based on RNA/DNA, DNA/C ratios, and otolith microstructure were combined at an individual scale on herring larvae collected during the 2015 International Bottom Trawl Survey—MIK sampling. The four indices demonstrated a clear shift in the larval condition occurring at a larval size of 13 mm. While smaller larvae were shown to feed and grow, larger larvae exhibited a slower growth rate though actively feeding. This suggests that 13 mm could be a critical size for Downs herring larvae. This ontogenetic shift in the larval condition is discussed regarding environmental conditions, diet shift, and growth strategies. It is concluded that the shift from an omnivorous to a carnivorous diet constitutes an additional critical step besides such as the shift from endogenous to exogenous nutrition.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge IFREMER and the Pôle Métropolitain de la Côte d’Opale for their financial supports. They also would like to thank the scientific staff and crew of the RV Thalassa involved each year in the IBTS survey. Finally, the authors are very grateful to the two anonymous referees and the editor, who helped to greatly improve the initial manuscript with their positive and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. French Research Institute of the Sea - IFREMER, Channel and North Sea Fisheries Research Unit, 150 quai Gambetta, 62321, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

    Jérémy Denis, Kélig Mahe, Paul Marchal, Elvire Antajan, Josselin Caboche, Valérie Lefebvre, Rémy Cordier & Christophe Loots

  2. UMR 8187 CNRS - LOGLaboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences, Univ. Littoral Côte d’Opale, 32 avenue Foch, 62930, Wimereux, France

    Eric Tavernier, Sébastien Monchy, Dorothée Vincent & Carole Vallet

  3. Ecole Supérieure du Professorat et de l’Education – Lille Nord de France, Communauté d’Universités et d’Etablissements, 59658, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France

    Carole Vallet

Authors
  1. Jérémy Denis
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  2. Kélig Mahe
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  3. Eric Tavernier
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  4. Sébastien Monchy
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  5. Dorothée Vincent
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  6. Carole Vallet
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  7. Paul Marchal
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  9. Josselin Caboche
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  10. Valérie Lefebvre
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  11. Rémy Cordier
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  12. Christophe Loots
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christophe Loots.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: C. Harrod.

Reviewed by M. Paulsen and an undisclosed expert.

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Denis, J., Mahe, K., Tavernier, E. et al. Ontogenetic changes in the larval condition of Downs herring: use of a multi-index approach at an individual scale. Mar Biol 164, 154 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3180-3

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