Distribution of Short-finned Squid (IIlex illecebrosus) Larvae and Juveniles in Relation to the Gulf Stream Frontal Zone Between Florida and Cape Hatteras
Year: 1985
Type: article
Abstract: Catches of rhynchoteuthion type C' larvae, which are considered to be II/ex illecebrosus, and I. il/ecebrosus juveniles over the edge of the continental shelf between Cape Hatteras and Florida are examined in relation to the water masses and their dynamics along the Gulf Stream~Slope Water frontal zone. All larvae and juveniles were captured at stations where the temperature~salinity (T-S) properties of the upper 50 m of the water column were closely grouped, with temperatures of 21.0° to 23.5° C and salinities of 36.30 to 36.80, which are very similar to those of Continental Edge Water. Although the actual depths of capture of the larvae and juveniles in the bongo and midwater trawl tows are unknown, it is likely that the majority were taken in the upper 50 m. Larvae and juveniles were intermixed along the entire frontal zone, but there are indications of some differences in microscale distribution. Although juveniles were nearly always captured at stations where larvae were taken, larvae were captured at only 44% of the stations where juveniles were found. The intermixture of larvae and juveniles with a broad range of size (mantle length) indicates that spawning occurs either along the Gulf Stream~Slope Water frontal zone south of Cape Hatteras or in a relatively small area to the south of the surveyed area. The possible role of frontal eddies in causing the intermixture of larvae and juveniles is discussed.
Authors: T. W. Rowell, R. W. Trites, Earl G. Dawe
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2734953455