Identification of Winter Flounder Emphasis Type=

Authors: Dara H Wilber Douglas G Clarke Jenine Gallo Catherine J Alcoba Ann M Dilorenzo Sarah E Zappala

Publish Date: 2013/05/21

Volume: 36, Issue: 6, Pages: 1304-1318

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Abstract

A longterm 2002–2011 spatially robust ichthyoplankton sampling program conducted in the New York/New Jersey Harbor produced 3033 epibenthic samples from which the relationships between winter flounder egg and larval distributions and environmental parameters were examined Variations in water temperature sediment characteristics and tidal phase were all significantly associated with egg distributions Inferences about spawning habitats were based on the presence of earlystage eggs ES1 and ES2 In the Lower Bay LB these habitats were primarily nonchannel and characterized by more sandy substrates averaging 965  sand 23  silt/clay 02  total organic carbon TOC and shallower water average depths of 53 m compared to LB nonchannel stations without ES1 and ES2 eggs 502  sand 420  silt/clay 21  TOC and 79 m depths Occurrences of all stages of eggs in channels were associated with strong tides and severe cold winter water temperatures These conditions increase the probability of egg transport from shallow spawning sites through increased vertical mixing strong tides and delayed development that prolongs the risk of displacement cold temperatures Yolksac YS and Stage2 larvae were smaller in 2010 when spring water temperatures were highest Overall YS larval size decreased with warmer winters cumulative degreedays for the month preceding peak YS larval collections r 2 = 082 p  005 In all years YS larvae collected in LB were smaller and Stage3 larvae collected in channels were larger and possibly older than those from nonchannel habitat Because estuarine winter flounder populations are highly localized adverse effects experienced during egg and larval stages are likely to propagate resulting in detrimental consequences for the year class in the natal estuaryWe thank two anonymous reviewers Chris Chambers and Ken Able for their insightful comments and the many people who contributed substantial effort to the collection and processing of samples during the course of this study Notably HDR staff members David Davis Ehren Deppert Jack Hecht Steve Niero Paul Moccio Nick Wood Kathy Drury Matt Tozer and Darren Sinnott The study could not have been completed without vessel support provided by Captain Michael Marcello Raymond Ryan and Michael Maguire of the Corps of Engineers R/V Hudson Funding for this project was provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers

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