Modelling changes in the length-frequency distributions of fish larvae using field estimates of predator abundance and size distributions

Authored by P Pepin, AR Paradis

Date Published: 2001

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2419.2001.00167.x

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

The goal of this study is to determine if an individual-based size-dependent model can realistically simulate changes in the length-frequency distributions of several species of fish larvae collected in Conception Bay in 1993 and 1994, using field estimations of growth and predator abundance. We first model the length-frequency distribution of field samples with the best possible estimates of mean growth rate. Then, we add predation mortality given the characteristics of the predator community observed during our surveys, which was composed of macrozooplankton and adult capelin. The larval fish community is generally not affected by predation by macrozooplankton, as the average instantaneous mortality rate predicted by the model was 0.004 day(-1). Fish larvae appear to be more vulnerable to predation by the population of adult capelin. We estimate that an abundance of adult capelin ranging between 0.2 and 1.0 individuals per 1000 m(-3) may have a substantial impact on the larval fish community. The predictions of an individual-based model are directly related to the accuracy of estimates of the mean growth rates of the larval fish cohorts. We find that it is difficult to differentiate size-selective removal of individuals from random selection by analysing changes of the length-frequency distributions of the larval fish community.

Tags

Mortality zooplankton Growth-rate Marine fish Herring clupea-harengus Capelin mallotus-villosus Pelagic fish Conception bay Prey abundance Newfoundland