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Sole larval distribution (Solea solea) in the eastern English Channel and Southern Bight of the North Sea

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2001

A. Grioche ,
P. Koubbi ,
X. Harlay  and
B. Sautour
A. Grioche
Affiliation:
UPRES-A CNRS 8013, Ichtyo-écologie marine, Université du Littoral—Côte d'Opale, 17 avenue Blériot, BP 699, 62228 Calais CEDEX, France
P. Koubbi
Affiliation:
UPRES-A CNRS 8013, Ichtyo-écologie marine, Université du Littoral—Côte d'Opale, 17 avenue Blériot, BP 699, 62228 Calais CEDEX, France
X. Harlay
Affiliation:
UPRES-A CNRS 8013, Ichtyo-écologie marine, Université du Littoral—Côte d'Opale, 17 avenue Blériot, BP 699, 62228 Calais CEDEX, France
B. Sautour
Affiliation:
UPRES-A CNRS 8013, Ichtyo-écologie marine, Université du Littoral—Côte d'Opale, 17 avenue Blériot, BP 699, 62228 Calais CEDEX, France
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Abstract

The distribution of sole (Solea solea) eggs and larvae were described from two cruises conducted in April and May 1995 along the French coast of the eastern English Channel and the Belgian coast of the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Sole migration was investigated using larval stages and univariate spatial analysis as geostatistics (variograms). Important environmental parameters were selected by comparison with larval distribution. Path analysis was used to remove spatial correlation and to define links between abundance and environmental variables.  Sole larvae were found to be coastal throughout their development. Strong links between larval distribution and environmental parameters were identified, particularly for the younger stages which were found in higher abundance in areas of high chlorophyll-a concentration. The association was not direct, suggesting that the larval spatial distribution was influenced by an undetermined, intermediate variable, such as larval prey. Sole larvae are retained in the coastal area throughout ontogeny despite the strong hydrodynamics which characterize the region. Larval distribution resulted from behavioural mechanisms as well as environmental influences.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 81 , Issue 4 , August 2001 , pp. 673 - 678
Copyright
2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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