scholarly journals Flawed evidence supporting the Metabolic Theory of Ecology may undermine goals of ecosystem-based fishery management: the case of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish in the western Atlantic

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 1256-1267
Author(s):  
Diego Valderrama ◽  
KathrynAnn H. Fields
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Fish Mortality ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Metabolic Theory ◽  
Prey Fish ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Metabolic Theory Of Ecology

Given its ability to yield predictions for very diverse phenomena based only on two parameters—body size and temperature—the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE) has earned a prominent place among ecology’s efficient theories. In a seminal article, the leading proponents of the MTE claimed that the theory was supported by evidence from Pauly’s (On the interrelationships between natural mortality, growth parameters, and mean environmental temperature in 175 fish stocks. Journal Du Conseil International Pour L’Exploration de la mer 39:175–192) dataset on natural mortality, biomass, and environmental temperature for 175 fish stocks spanning tropical, temperate, and polar locations. We demonstrate that the evidence presented by the proponents of the MTE is flawed because it fails to account for the fact that Pauly re-estimated environmental temperatures for polar fish as ‘physiologically effective temperatures’ to correct for their ‘abnormally’ high natural (mass-corrected) mortalities, which on average turned out to be similar to (rather than lower than) the mortalities recorded for temperate fish. Failing to account for these modifications skews the coefficients from MTE regression models and wrongly validates predictions from the theory. It is important to point out these deficiencies given the broad appeal of the MTE as a theoretical framework for applied ecological research. In a recent application, the MTE was used to estimate biomass production rates of prey fish in a model of invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) predation in Bahamian reefs. We show that the MTE coefficients may lead to a drastic overestimation of prey fish mortality and productivity rates, leading to erroneous estimations of target densities for ecological control of lionfish stocks. A set of robust mortality-weight coefficients is proposed as an alternative to the MTE.

Natural mortality, growth parameters, and environmental temperature in fishes revisited

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Griffiths ◽  
Chris Harrod
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Lower Mortality ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Reef Habitat ◽  
Morphological Defences

Pauly (1980. J. Cons. Int. Explor. Mer, 39: 175–192) showed that natural mortality rates in fish could be predicted from body growth parameters and environmental temperature but found no evidence for ecological or taxonomic influences. Using an updated database and techniques that avoid some of the earlier analytical problems, we confirm Pauly's conclusion that mortality is correlated with growth and temperature. A path model supports the role of ecological effects on mortality. A phylogenetic effect is also apparent: perciform fishes occupy warmer environments than other species, but in the predator-rich reef habitat they suffer much lower mortality rates. Species that are cryptic or hide in burrows or have morphological defences against predators show the lowest mortality rates.

Model of Monthly Marine Growth and Natural Mortality for Babine Lake Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

1986 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 999-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Furnell ◽  
J. R. Brett
Keyword(s):  
Sockeye Salmon ◽  
Environmental Temperature ◽  
Oncorhynchus Nerka ◽  
Inverse Function ◽  
Fish Mortality ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Cultured Fish ◽  
Mortality Estimates

Monthly marine growth and natural mortality rates were calculated for each major life history type of Babine Lake sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and compared with estimates by other methods. Growth rates were based on sizes at the beginning and end of each marine year and adjusted according to seasonal changes in environmental temperature. Temperature effects were derived from information on growth responses of cultured fish. Mortality estimates were based on a model which equates mortality rate to an inverse function of weight. Monthly sizes determined from the growth model were substituted into the mortality model, together with estimates of smolt and adult runs (catch plus escapement), to examine the population dynamics of an average Babine Lake smolt cohort. Using these predictions we suggest that 90% of natural mortality occurred during the first 4 mo at sea.

scholarly journals Age, growth, mortality, and exploitation rate of blueline snapper, Lutjanus coeruleolineatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Lutjanidae), from Dhofar Governorate, Sultanate of Oman

2021 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
Dawood Almamari ◽  
Said Rabia ◽  
Joo Myun Park ◽  
Laith A. Jawad
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Total Mortality ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Exploitation Rate ◽  
Reported Study

The blueline snapper, Lutjanus coeruleolineatus (Rüppell, 1838), is a significant commercial fish species harvested from the traditional fishery in the Sultanate of Oman. Deficient data on this species, however, make the management strategies challenging, especially in fisheries ecology. A total of 978 specimens were obtained from Dhofar Governorate off the coast of the Arabian Sea during the period between February 2015 and March 2016. In total, 296 sectioned otoliths were analyzed and growth was estimated from non-seasonal growth by using von Bertalanffy method. The parameters of von Bertalanffy growth function, total mortality (Z), natural mortality (M), fishing mortality (F), and exploitation rate (E) were determined and compared with those for Lutjanidae fishes elsewhere. The age structure of male fishes was between 1 and 14 years for males while the age of females ranged from 1 to 18 years. Growth rate (K) was 0.21 y–1 and 0.16 y–1 for males and females, respectively. The hypothetical length of female (L∞ = 46 cm) was relatively higher than that of male (L∞ = 42 cm). The natural mortality (M) was 0.296, total mortality (Z) was 0.372, fishing mortality was 0.076, and exploitation rate (E) was estimated as 0.2. The presently reported study is conducted to examine this fish in relation to growth parameters by analyzing otolith structure. The results of the presently reported study will contribute towards planning the regional fishery management policies in Oman.

Morphometric Relationship, Growth Parameters, and Natural Mortality as Estimated Primary Inputs for Fishery Management in Newfishing Areas for Bivalve Molluscs (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge A. López-Rocha ◽  
Francisco J. Fernández-Rivera Melo ◽  
Ernesto Gastélum-Nava ◽  
Estefani Larios-Castro ◽  
Abril Romo-Piñera
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Bivalve Molluscs

The Metabolic Theory of Ecology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Resting Metabolic Rate ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Thermal Ecology ◽  
Model Data ◽  
Metabolic Theory ◽  
Physical Explanation ◽  
Boltzmann Factor ◽  
Scaling Exponents ◽  
Metabolic Theory Of Ecology

The model of West, Brown & Enquist (WBE) is built on the assumption that the metabolic rate of cells is determined by the architecture of the vascular network that supplies them with oxygen and nutrients. For a fractal-like network, and assuming that evolution has minimised cardiovascular costs, the WBE model predicts that s=metabolism should scale with mass with an exponent, b, of 0.75 at infinite size, and ~ 0.8 at realistic larger sizes. Scaling exponents ~ 0.75 for standard or resting metabolic rate are observed widely, but far from universally, including in some invertebrates with cardiovascular systems very different from that assumed in the WBE model. Data for field metabolic rate in vertebrates typically exhibit b ~ 0.8, which matches the WBE prediction. Addition of a simple Boltzmann factor to capture the effects of body temperature on metabolic rate yields the central equation of the Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE). The MTE has become an important strand in ecology, and the WBE model is the most widely accepted physical explanation for the scaling of metabolic rate with body mass. Capturing the effect of temperature through a Boltzmann factor is a useful statistical description but too simple to qualify as a complete physical theory of thermal ecology.

Variation in size distribution of juvenile pink shrimps Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and F. paulensis in the estuarine-adjacent ocean area of Cananéia, south-eastern coast of Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 101 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-129
Author(s):  
Dalilla da Silva Salvati ◽  
Júlia Fernandes Perroca ◽  
Sabrina Morilhas Simões ◽  
Antonio Leão Castilho ◽  
Rogerio Caetano da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Development Time ◽  
Carapace Length ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Juvenile Phase ◽  
Juvenile Recruitment ◽  
Estuarine Lagoon ◽  
Closed Season

AbstractThe study characterized the structure of juveniles and sub-adults of Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis and F. paulensis in the Cananéia-Iguape estuarine lagoon system and its adjacent coastal area by evaluating the period of juvenile recruitment, sex ratio, growth, longevity, natural mortality, and development time until the late juvenile phase. Samples were collected from July 2012 to June 2014. Shrimps were identified by species and sex, and measured (carapace length – CL mm); 889 individuals of F. brasiliensis and 848 of F. paulensis were analysed. Females were more abundant than males for both species. The growth parameters of F. brasiliensis were: CL∞ = 45.5 mm, k = 1.8 year−1 for males and CL∞ = 55.2 mm, k = 1.6 year−1 for females; longevity of 2.52 years (males) and 2.88 years (females); and natural mortality of 1.71 (males) and 1.55 (females). For F. paulensis, the following values were observed: CL∞ = 40.7 mm, k = 2.3 year−1 for males and CL∞ = 56.5 mm, k = 1.9 year−1 for females; longevity of 2.04 years (males) and 2.37 years (females); and natural mortality of 2.39 (males) and 2.05 (females). The juvenile recruitment of both species peaked in January 2014. The development time until late juvenile phase was ~7 months (F. brasiliensis) and ~5 months (F. paulensis). Even though the highest abundance of juveniles did not occur in the closed season, fishing is forbidden in the estuarine area and the migration towards the adult population occurred close to or even during the closed season.

Movement, Growth and natural mortality rate of the Red Spot King Prawn, Penaeus longistylus Kubo, from the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon

1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 399 ◽  
Author(s):  
MCL Dredge
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Nursery Areas ◽  
Reef Lagoon

Movement, growth and natural mortality rate of the red spot king prawn, Penaeus longistylus, occurring in waters of the Great Barrier Reef off Townsville, Queensland, were investigated in a series of tagging experiments. Adult P. longistylus did not migrate after leaving nursery areas. Their growth rate was slower than that of the conspecific species P. plebejus, and significant inter-annual variation in growth parameters was observed. The natural mortality rate, assessed by sequential tagging experiments that eliminated the possibility of confounding with the rate of fishing mortality, was estimated to be 0.072 (week-1).

First data on the age, growth and sexual maturity of the piked spurdog, Squalus megalops (Chondrichthyes: Squalidae), in the Gulf of Gabès (central Mediterranean Sea)

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sondes Marouani ◽  
Hasna Kadri ◽  
Mohamed Nejmeddine Bradai
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Central Mediterranean ◽  
Gulf Of Gabes ◽  
Band Formation ◽  
Mortality Estimation ◽  
Gulf Of Gabès ◽  
Central Mediterranean Sea ◽  
Males And Females

The occurrence of the piked spurdog (Squalus megalops) in the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia, central Mediterranean Sea) was recently confirmed. The present study is the first to report the age, growth, longevity, natural mortality and size and age at maturity of this species in the Mediterranean Sea, precisely in the Gulf of Gabès. Marginal increment and edge analysis suggested annual band formation. Age estimates ranged from 0 to 26 and from 0 to 29 years for males and females respectively. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters derived from length-at-age data were: the theoretical asymptotic length L∞=82.31±1.55cm, the growth-rate coefficient k=0.06±0.003 years–1, the theoretical age at length zero t0=–3.89±0.25 years for females; and L∞=68.55±0.98cm, k=0.08±0.003 years–1, t0=–4.65±0.25 years for males. Males and females reached maturity at 44.36- and 56.41-cm total length, corresponding to 8.39 and 15.38 years respectively. Longevity estimates were 32.85 and 46.11 years for males and females respectively. On the basis of life-history parameters, natural mortality estimation M ranged from 0.14 to 0.17.

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