The influence of temperature on the development of Baltic Sea sprat (Sprattus sprattus) eggs and yolk sac larvae

Abstract

In spring 2004 and 2005 we performed two sets of experiments with Baltic sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus Schneider) eggs and larvae from the Bornholm Basin simulating ten different temperature scenarios. The goal of the present study was to analyse and parameterise temperature effects on the duration of developmental stages, on the timing of important ontogenetic transitions, growth during the yolk sac phase as well as on the survival success of eggs and early larval stages. Egg development and hatching showed exponential temperature dependence. No hatching was observed above 14.7°C and hatching success was significantly reduced below 3.4°C. Time to eye pigmentation, as a proxy for mouth gape opening, decreased with increasing temperatures from 17 days post hatch at 3.4°C to 7 days at 13°C whereas the larval yolk sac phase was shortened from 20 to 10 days at 3.8 and 10°C respectively. Maximum survival duration of non-fed larvae was 25 days at 6.8°C. Comparing the experimental results of Baltic sprat with existing information on sprat from the English Channel and North Sea differences were detected in egg development rate, thermal adaptation and in yolk sac depletion rate (YSDR). Sprat eggs from the English Channel showed significantly faster development and the potential to develop at temperatures higher than 14.7°C.North Sea sprat larvae were found to have a lower YSDR compared to larvae from the Baltic Sea. In light of the predictions for global warming, Baltic sprat stocks could experience improved conditions for egg development and survival.

The influence of different salinity conditions on egg buoyancy and development and yolk sac larval survival and morphometric traits of Baltic Sea sprat (<i>Sprattus sprattus balticus</i> Schneider)

“…An egg development duration of 9 days at 6°C agreed well with values (9.5 and 9.2 days) reported by Petereit et al (2008) for Baltic sprat eggs incubated at similar temperatures (6°C and 6.3°C) and fertilized (incubated) at a salinity of 7.1 (14.8). That hatching time is independent of salinity corresponds with the majority of published reports (review paper by Kamler, 2002).…”

“…Due to these factors, different batches of eggs probably experience markedly different abiotic conditions. Although previous studies have quantified the influence of temperature on the survival and development rate of sprat eggs and larvae (Nissling, 2004;Petereit et al, 2008), no studies have evaluated the impact of salinity. The latter is surprising given that salinity has been shown to be a critical factor influencing the reproductive success of other Baltic Sea fish species, such as Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), due to the impacts of salinity on egg buoyancy (Nissling and Westin, 1991b).…”

Efecto combinado de la temperatura y salinidad sobre la supervivencia embrionaria de Galaxias maculatus

“…En el caso de los peces que desarrollan parte de su ciclo de vida en ambientes estuarinos, como es el caso de la población migratoria de G. maculatus, la salinidad y la temperatura son las variables ambientales más influyentes en el metabolismo y desarrollo embrionario (Mihelakakis & Yoshimatsu 1998, Ottesen & Bolla 1998, Bhattacharya et al 2006, Hassell et al 2008, Peterei et al 2008, Abdo-de la Parra et al 2012.…”

Temperature effects on vital rates of different life stages and implications for population growth of Baltic sprat

“…Several important life history parameters of sprat are directly affected by temperature. For instance, rates of development and survival of early life stages (Petereit et al 2008;Peck et al in press) and the maturation and batch fecundity of adult sprat (Petrova 1960;Haslob 2011;Haslob et al 2011) depend upon temperature. During ontogeny, different sprat life stages encounter pronounced differences in ambient temperature due to stage-specific differences in vertical distribution in the highly stratified Baltic Sea ( Fig.…”

“…For the earliest life stages of sprat, eggs, and yolk-sac larvae, the direct effect of temperature on survival has been examined in laboratory experiments (Nissling 2004;Petereit et al 2008). In general, survival is low at temperatures colder than 4°C and warmer than 17°C (Peck et al in press).…”