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Larval distribution pattern of Muraenesox cinereus (Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae) leptocephali in waters adjacent to Korea

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Abstract

To understand the transport and recruitment processes of the daggertooth pike conger, Muraenesox cinereus, in the marginal seas of East Asia, we investigated the distribution pattern, estimated spawning areas and periods, and recruitment mechanisms of M. cinereus, based on 51 individuals of leptocephali collected from Korean waters during 2010–2014. Back-calculated hatching dates, determined from the daily incremental growth rates of the otoliths, indicated that the spawning period for M. cinereus was during July–September. The size range of M. cinereus leptocephali collected offshore of Jeju Island and southeast of the Korea-Japan intermediate zone was 16.6–20.9 mm TL (age, 18–23 d). We hypothesize that one of the spawning grounds of M. cinereus is located offshore in the East China Sea. In Korean waters, the ages and body lengths of M. cinereus leptocephali increased northward from latitude 31°30′N to 34°40′N, with metamorphosis occurring at latitude 34°40′N. Therefore, we surmised that the hatched preleptocephali of M. cinereus were transported from offshore areas in the East China Sea to Jeju Island and the Korea Strait (KS) by the Kuroshio and Tsushima Warm Current.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fisheries Resources Management Division, NFRDI, Busan, 691-705, Korea

    Hwan-Sung Ji, Taeg Yun Oh, Jung Hwa Choi, Young Il Seo & Dong Woo Lee

  2. Department of Marine Biology, College of Fisheries Sciences, Pukyoung National University, Busan, 608-737, Korea

    Jin-Koo Kim

  3. Dokdo Fisheries Research Center, East Sea Fisheries Research Institute, NFRDI, Pohang, 790-110, Korea

    Kwang Ho Choi

Authors
  1. Hwan-Sung Ji
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  2. Jin-Koo Kim
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  3. Taeg Yun Oh
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  4. Kwang Ho Choi
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  5. Jung Hwa Choi
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  6. Young Il Seo
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  7. Dong Woo Lee
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Correspondence to Taeg Yun Oh.

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Ji, HS., Kim, JK., Oh, T.Y. et al. Larval distribution pattern of Muraenesox cinereus (Anguilliformes: Muraenesocidae) leptocephali in waters adjacent to Korea. Ocean Sci. J. 50, 537–545 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12601-015-0049-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12601-015-0049-6

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