High Pressure Resistance and Adaptation of European Eels

Sébert, Philippe; Vettier, Aurélie; Amérand, Aline; Moisan, C.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-9095-0_5

Cited by 16 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 103 publications

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“…There may be associated physiological benefits to the daily descent/ascent rhythm, as pressure changes can affect such parameters as buoyancy and gas exchange (Sébert et al 2009), aerobic metabolism (Scaion et al 2008) and efficiency (Theron et al 2000). However, any overall metabolic benefit is presently unknown (Sébert et al 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Vertical migrations may control maturation in migrating female Anguilla dieffenbachii

Jellyman¹,

Tsukamoto²

2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The marine spawning area of the New Zealand longfin eel Anguilla dieffenbachii is unknown. The present study used 3 popup tags to obtain information on the offshore swimming behaviour and possible swimming directions and destination of migrating eels. All 3 eels showed very consistent behaviour and underwent daytime dives to depths of 600 to 900 m, where they experienced temperatures of 6 to 7°C. These dives were followed by nighttime ascents to depths of 200 to 300 m. From the consistency of these dives, we propose that eels are using regular exposure to cool temperatures to regulate the rate of maturity. While swimming at depth could also reduce predation, the increased pressure would stimulate development of the ovaries, something mediated by ascent to shallower water. Comparisons of ascent locations and swimming speeds are consistent with spawning in the tropics, possibly in the South Fiji basin. KEY WORDS: Anguilla dieffenbachii · Freshwater eel · Diving · ThermoregulationResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, any overall metabolic benefit is presently unknown (Sébert et al 2009). Whatever the benefits, they must outweigh those of choosing a fixed intermediate swimming depth and temperature, where eels could experience water cooler than near-surface, and possibly avoid the necessity of daily dives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vertical migrations may control maturation in migrating female Anguilla dieffenbachii

Jellyman¹,

Tsukamoto²

2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…under different pressure and temperature conditions are a challenge to undertake (Nilsson et al , 1981). One option is to use a modified barochamber in combination with a swim tunnel (Sébert et al , 2009 a ). A recent experiment, limited to males due to their smaller size, shows that A. anguilla under pressure have a significantly lower oxygen consumption than those swimming at the same speed at atmospheric pressure (−40% at 0·5 L T s −1 ).…”

Section: Daring To Go Deep: How Anguilla Spp Respond To High Pressuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Anguilla spp. migration problem: 40 million years of evolution and two millennia of speculation

Righton

Aarestrup

Jellyman³

et al. 2012

Journal of Fish Biology

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Anguillid eels Anguilla spp. evolved between 20 and 40 million years ago and possess a number of remarkable migratory traits that have fascinated scientists for millennia. Despite centuries of effort, the spawning areas and migrations are known only for a few species. Even for these species, information on migratory behaviour is remarkably sketchy. The latest knowledge on the requirements for successful migration and field data on the migrations of adults and larvae are presented, how experiments on swimming efficiency have progressed the understanding of migration are highlighted and the challenges of swimming at depth considered. The decline of Anguilla spp. across the world is an ongoing concern for fisheries and environmental managers. New developments in the knowledge of eel migration will, in addition to solving a centuries old mystery, probably help to identify how this decline might be halted or even reversed.

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“…In the American eel Anguilla rostrata a 5-fold increase in the rate of gas deposition has been recorded in silver eels (Kleckner, 1980a ). It therefore is assumed that this maturation is connected to a significant improvement in swimbladder function (Sebert et al, 2009b ; Righton et al, 2012 ).…”

Section: Swimbladder Structure and Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At night time they travel in the upper water level at a depth of about 100 to 300 m, while at daytime they prefer deeper water layers between 500 and 700 m, and may even go down to 1000 m (Aarestrup et al, 2009 ). Although these diurnal migrations typically are not performed in neutral buoyancy at all water levels (Pelster, 1997 , 2009 , 2013 ; Sebert et al, 2009b ), this observation clearly stresses that a functioning swimbladder is essential and probably indispensable for a successful completion of the spawning migration. During this time eels do not feed and the alimentary canal atrophies (Tesch, 1999 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Swimbladder function and the spawning migration of the European eel Anguilla anguilla

Pelster

2015

Front. Physiol.

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The spawning migration of the European eel is an extensive journey over 5000 to 7000 km from the European coast to the Sargasso Sea. Eels do not feed during this journey and on-board fuels must be sufficient to support the journey of 3.5 to 6 month, as well as sexual maturation and the spawning activity. Swimming of eels appears to be quite energy efficient compared to other fish species, and elevated hydrostatic pressure has been shown to even reduce the costs of transport. Recent studies revealed, however, that during traveling eels perform extensive diurnal migrations and swim at a depth of about 100–300 m at night time, but go down to 600–1000 m at day time. At a depth of 200 m eels are exposed to a hydrostatic pressure of 21 atmospheres (2.13 MPa), while at 800 m hydrostatic pressure increases to 81 atmospheres (8.21 MPa). Accordingly, without any compensation at a depth of 800 m swimbladder volume will be reduced to about 25% of the volume established with neutral buoyancy at 200 m. Consequently, these diurnal changes in depth must be taken into consideration for a calculation of the energy requirements of the spawning migration. Without compensation a compression of the swimbladder will result in a status of negative buoyancy, which makes swimming more costly. Trying to keep the status of neutral buoyancy during descent by gas secretion into the swimbladder in turn requires metabolic activity to enhance swimbladder perfusion and for acid production of the gas gland cells to stimulate gas secretion. During ascent gas is passively removed from the swimbladder in the resorbing section and in the blood transported to the gills, where it is lost into the water. Accordingly, the swimbladder appears to be a crucial organ for the spawning migration. It can be assumed that an impairment of swimbladder function for example due to an infection with the nematode Anguillicola crassus significantly threatens the success of the spawning migration.

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High Pressure Resistance and Adaptation of European Eels

Cited by 16 publications

References 103 publications

Vertical migrations may control maturation in migrating female Anguilla dieffenbachii

Vertical migrations may control maturation in migrating female Anguilla dieffenbachii

The Anguilla spp. migration problem: 40 million years of evolution and two millennia of speculation

Swimbladder function and the spawning migration of the European eel Anguilla anguilla

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