Growth of a deep-water, predatory fish is influenced by the productivity of a boundary current system

H.M. Nguyen; A.N. Rountrey; J.J. Meeuwig; P.G. Coulson; M. Feng; S.J. Newman; A.M. Waite; C.B. Wakefield; M.G. Meekan

doi:10.1038/srep09044

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Growth of a deep-water, predatory fish is influenced by the productivity of a boundary current system

Journal article

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Growth of a deep-water, predatory fish is influenced by the productivity of a boundary current system

H.M. Nguyen, A.N. Rountrey, J.J. Meeuwig, P.G. Coulson, M. Feng, S.J. Newman, A.M. Waite, C.B. Wakefield and M.G. Meekan

Scientific Reports, Vol.5(Article number: 9044)

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep09044

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Abstract

The effects of climate change on predatory fishes in deep shelf areas are difficult to predict because complex processes may govern food availability and temperature at depth. We characterised the net impact of recent environmental changes on hapuku (Polyprion oxygeneios), an apex predator found in continental slope habitats (>200 m depth) by using dendrochronology techniques to develop a multi-decadal record of growth from otoliths. Fish were sampled off temperate south-western Australia, a region strongly influenced by the Leeuwin Current, a poleward-flowing, eastern boundary current. The common variance among individual growth records was relatively low (3.4%), but the otolith chronology was positively correlated (r = 0.61, p < 0.02) with sea level at Fremantle, a proxy for the strength of the Leeuwin Current. The Leeuwin Current influences the primary productivity of shelf ecosystems, with a strong current favouring growth in hapuku. Leeuwin Current strength is predicted to decline under climate change models and this study provides evidence that associated productivity changes may flow through to higher trophic levels even in deep water habitats.

Details

Title: Growth of a deep-water, predatory fish is influenced by the productivity of a boundary current system
Authors/Creators: H.M. Nguyen (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
A.N. Rountrey (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
J.J. Meeuwig (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
P.G. Coulson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
M. Feng (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
S.J. Newman (Author/Creator) - Government of Western Australia
A.M. Waite (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
C.B. Wakefield (Author/Creator) - Government of Western Australia
M.G. Meekan (Author/Creator) - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Publication Details: Scientific Reports, Vol.5(Article number: 9044)
Identifiers: 991005544249407891
Murdoch Affiliation: Murdoch University
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science