Abstract:

These data were included in analyses of larval Spanish Mackerel abundance, condition and trophic dynamics (C and N stable isotopes) in relation to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS). Ichthyoplankton samples were collected monthly (May through August) along a cross-shelf transect off the coast of Alabama (USA) during years prior (2007-2009), during (2010) and after (2011) the DWHOS. Samples were collected during daylight hours using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Sampling System (BIONESS; Open Seas Instrumentation, Inc.). The BIONESS had a 0.25-m2 mouth opening fitted with 333 um or 202 um mesh nets. All Spanish Mackerel larvae used in the morphometric analyses were imaged under a dissecting microscope fitted with a high-resolution digital camera (Canon EOS Rebel T3i). Body dimensions were measured using i-Solution Lite imaging software (IMT i-Solution, Inc.). All stable isotope samples were analyzed using continuous flow stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) with a Costech Elemental Analyzer coupled to a Thermo-Fisher Scientific Delta V Advantage Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s stable isotope facility.

Suggested Citation:

Frank Hernandez, John Ransom, Jesse Filbrun. 2016. Abundance estimates, morphometric measurements and stable C and N isotope data for larval Spanish Mackerel collected in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Distributed by: Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC), Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7J67DZM

Publications:

Ransom, J., J.E.Filbrun, J., & Hernandez Jr, F. (2016). Condition of larval Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus in relation to the Deepwater Horizon Oil spill. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. doi:10.3354/meps11880

Purpose:

The purpose of this data set was to analyze larval Spanish Mackerel abundance, condition and trophic dynamics (C and N stable isotopes) in relation to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (DWHOS)

Data Parameters and Units:

Sample ID Unique plankton sample identification number Fish # Number assigned to individual Spanish Mackerel larvae within a given sample Year Year of collection Month Month of collection Date Cruise Date (format: DD/MMM/YYYY) Station Station Name: T10 (30.1609 N, 88.1229 W); T20 (30.0902 N, 88.19 W); T35 (29.7905 N, 88.2083 W) NL Larval fish notochord length in millimeters DPF Larval fish depth at pectoral fin in millimeters DA Larval fish depth at anus in millimeters HL Larval fish head length in millimeters HH Larval fish head height in millimeters ED Larval fish eye diameter in millimeters LJL Larval fish lower jaw length in millimeters Fish dry wt (mg) Larval fish dry weight in milligrams (mg) Cruise Cruise name (format: Vessel-Year-Month-Leg Number) Station Station Name: T10; T20; T35 Mesh_size Plankton net mesh size in μm: 333 202 Depth_bin Depth bin (in m below surface) where the sample was collected Sample ID Unique plankton sample identification number Density (larvae/10m2) Standardized larval Spanish Mackerel abundance (larvae / 10m2) # of fish Number of fish combined for stable isotope analysis Wt (mg) Weigth of all fish combined in milligrams d 13C/12C δ13Carbon value for larval Spanish Mackerel sample in per mil (‰). Reported relative to Vienna PeeDee Belemnite limestone carbon d 15N/14N δ15Nitrogen value for larval Spanish Mackerel sample in per mil (‰). Reported relative to atmospheric nitrogen C:N Carbon to nitrogen ratio for Spanish Mackerel larvae samples

Methods:

Ichthyoplankton samples were collected monthly (May through August) along a cross-shelf transect off the coast of Alabama (USA) during years prior (2007-2009), during (2010) and after (2001, 2013) the DWHOS. Samples were collected during daylight hours using a Bedford Institute of Oceanography Net Sampling System (BIONESS; Open Seas Instrumentation, Inc.). The BIONESS had a 0.25-m2 mouth opening fitted with 333 um or 202 um mesh nets. All Spanish Mackerel larvae used in the morphometric analyses were imaged under a dissecting microscope fitted with a high-resolution digital camera (Canon EOS Rebel T3i). Body dimensions were measured using i-Solution Lite imaging software (IMT i-Solution, Inc.). All stable isotope samples were analyzed using continuous flow stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) with a Costech Elemental Analyzer coupled to a Thermo-Fisher Scientific Delta V Advantage Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory’s stable isotope facility.

Individual Files: