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The structure of the larval fish assemblage of Massachusetts Bay in 2008–2012 and 2015–2022
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2025
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Source: Fish. Bull. 123:105–118 (2025)
[PDF-1.58 MB]
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Journal Title:Fishery Bulletin
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Description:Ichthyoplankton samples were collected monthly at 2 stations in Massachusetts Bay from 2008 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2022 to characterize the larval fish assemblage for this area. The fauna was composed of 2 major assemblages that were 87% dissimilar from each other and associated with season and water temperature. A cold-water assemblage of low density (43.26 larvae/1000 m3) occurred from November through May at mean water column temperatures between 4.1°C and 10.3°C, with sand lances (Ammodytes spp.) the dominant taxon as a group. A warmwater assemblage of higher density (432.58 larvae/1000 m3) occurred from June through October at mean water column temperatures between 12.3°C and 16.1°C, with the silver hake (Merluccius bilinearis) the dominant taxon. Within the cold-water assemblage, statistically distinct groups occurred in November, December–March, and April–May. The Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus), sand lances, and the American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) were the dominant taxa in those periods, respectively. Within the warmwater assemblage, statistically distinct groups occurred in June–August and September–October, with the cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) and true hakes as a group (Urophycis spp.) the dominant taxa in those periods, respectively. Water temperature explained 28% of the annual variation in the cold-water assemblage, and there was no significant relationship between temperature and annual variation in the warmwater assemblage. This larval fish characterization provides a baseline against which potential changes in the assemblages in this area can be measured.
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Source:Fish. Bull. 123:105–118 (2025)
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Rights Information:CC0 Public Domain
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