INTRODUCTIONTop

The Soleidae (Pleuronectiformes) are benthic, dextral flatfishes occurring commonly in coastal waters of the Northern and Southern hemispheres (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp., Nelson 2006Nelson J.S. 2006. Fishes of the World. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 624 pp.). Soles are pelagic spawners, some with potentially complex spawning migrations and early life history strategies. Despite the abundance of soleids in coastal habitats, the ecology and description of early life history stages is not fully elucidated for southern African species. The larval stages of nine of the 56 species of Pleuronectiformes have been described from southern African waters (Wood 2000Wood A.D. 2000. The description of Austroglossus pectoralis (Teleostei: Soleidae) larvae from the south-east coast of South Africa. Sci. Mar. 64(4): 387-392., Thompson et al. 2007Thompson E.F., Strydom N.A., Hecht T. 2007. Larval development of Dagetichthys marginatus (Soleidae) obtained from hormone-induced spawning under artificial conditions. Sci. Mar. 71(3): 421-428.) but few studies have shed light on the complexity of the early life history of these species. Solea turbynei (formerly known as Solea bleekeri) is a case in point in which the larvae, in various stages of development, occur in a variety of coastal habitat types yet the ontogeny and ecology has not been described.

Solea bleekeri Boulenger, 1898 was replaced by Solea turbynei Gilchrist, 1904 as the former name was found to be a junior synonym of Pegusa nasuta. After redescription, all representatives known as S. bleekeri and Solea simonensis von Bonde, 1922 were classified as Solea turbynei (Vachon et al. 2005Vachon J., Desoutter M., Chapleau F. 2005. Solea bleekeri Boulenger, 1898, a junior synonym of Pegusa nasuta (Pallas 1814), with the recognition and redescription of Solea turbynei Gilchrist, 1904 (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae). Cybium 29(4): 315- 319.). The species is a common endemic inhabitant of estuarine and coastal areas ranging from Tanzania, on the east coast of Africa, to the Oliphants Estuary on the Western Cape coast of South Africa (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp., Montoya-Maya and Strydom 2009Montoya-Maya P.H., Strydom N.A. 2009. Description of larval fish composition, abundance and distribution in nine south and west coast estuaries of South Africa. Afr. Zool. 44: 75-92.). Solea turbynei is classified as a marine estuarine-opportunist species that usually spawns at sea, with the juveniles occurring in estuaries but also at sea (Whitfield 1998Whitfield A.K. 1998. Biology and Ecology of Fishes in South African Estuaries. Ichthyol. Monogr. J.L.B Smith Inst. Ichthyol., No. 2, 223 pp., Potter et al. 2013Potter I.C., Tweedley J.R., Elliott M., et al. 2013. The ways in which fish use estuaries: a refinement and expansion of the guild approach. Fish and Fisheries 16: 230-239.). Adults are known to prefer turbid waters, particularly over muddy substrates in estuaries (Cyrus and Blaber 1987Cyrus D.P., Blaber S.J.M. 1987. The influence of turbidity on juvenile marine fishes in estuaries. Part 1 Field studies at Lake St. Lucia on the southeastern coast of Africa. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 109: 53-70., Richardson et al. 2006Richardson N., Whitfield A.K., Paterson A.W. 2006. The influence of selected environmental parameters on the distribution of the dominant demersal fishes in the Kariega Estuary channel, South Africa. Afr. Zool. 41: 89-102.), where they feed mainly on the siphon tips of the bivalve Solen spp. but also on amphipods and tanaids (Heemstra and Heemstra 2004Heemstra P.C., Heemstra E. 2004. Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and the National Inquiry Service Centre. 488 pp.). There is evidence for seaward migration for spawning by S. turbynei, from winter through to mid-summer on the subtropical coast of South Africa (Cyrus and Blaber 1987Cyrus D.P., Blaber S.J.M. 1987. The influence of turbidity on juvenile marine fishes in estuaries. Part 1 Field studies at Lake St. Lucia on the southeastern coast of Africa. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 109: 53-70.). Completion of metamorphosis of S. turbynei is thought to occur approximately two months after hatching (Cyrus and Martin 1991Cyrus D.P., Martin T.J. 1991. The importance of estuaries in life histories of flatfish species on the southern coast of Africa. Neth. J. Sea Res. 27(3-4): 255-260.). Larvae are known to occur in the nearshore (Beckley 1986Beckley L.E. 1986. The Ichthyoplankton assemblage of the Algoa Bay nearshore region in relation to coastal zone utilization by juvenile fish. S. Afr. J. Zool. 21: 244-252.; Pattrick and Strydom 2008Pattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2008. Composition, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes in the shallow nearshore of the proposed Greater Addo Marine Reserve, Algoa Bay, South Africa. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 79: 251-261.), surf zones (Strydom 2003aStrydom N.A. 2003a. Occurrence of larval and early juvenile fishes in the surf zone adjacent to two intermittently open estuaries, South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 66: 349-359., Pattrick and Strydom 2014aPattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2014a. The effects of exposure in sandy beach surf zones on the early life history stages of fishes within Algoa Bay, South Africa. J. Fish Biol. 84: 1354-1376.) and estuaries (Melville-Smith and Baird 1980Melville-Smith R., Baird D. 1980. Abundance, distribution and species composition of fish larvae in the Swartkops estuary. S. Afr. J. Zool. 15: 72-78, Kruger and Strydom 2010Kruger M., Strydom N.A. 2010. Spatial and temporal variability in the larval fish assemblage of a warm temperate South African estuary, with notes on the effects of artificial channelling. Afr. Zool. 45(2): 195-212). The reported complexities of the reproductive biology of Solea turbynei (Cyrus 1991Cyrus D.P. 1991. The reproductive biology of Solea bleekeri (Teleostei) in Lake St. Lucia on the south-east coast of Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 10: 45-51., Van Schie and de Boer 2003Van Schie A.M.P., De Boer W.F. 2003. Population dynamics and spawning of the flatfish Solea bleekeri and Pseudorhombus arsius in the intertidal area of Inhaca island, Mozambique. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 25: 49-60.) and the occurrence of early life history stages in nearshore, surf and estuarine waters warrants a more detailed investigation into the early life history strategy of this species. Algoa Bay provided the ideal study site to expand and synthesize knowledge of the species in order to understand the early life history strategy. The study area is subject to longer, dedicated ichthyoplankton research across a range of habitat types where larvae are known to occur, thereby enabling a better understanding of complex patterns of occurrence with ontogeny.

The aim of this paper was to describe the larval development and better understand the early life history strategy of the species by assessing patterns of occurrence of larvae at an ontogenetic stage in the various fish nursery habitats sampled.

MATERIALS AND METHODSTop

Study area

Algoa Bay is a wide, shallow (<70 m deep), log-spiral bay approximately 80 km in length located in the Indian Ocean on the southeast coast of South Africa (Schumann et al. 2005Schumann E.H., Churchill J.R.S., Zaayman H.J. 2005. Oceanic variability in the western sector of Algoa Bay, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 27: 65-80., Goschen and Schumann 2011Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 2011. The physical oceanographic processes of Algoa Bay, with emphasis on the western coastal region. South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the Institute of Maritime Technology (IMT). IMT document number: PO106-10000-730002. 85 pp.) (Fig. 1). The Bay is influenced by nearshore oceanographic features as well as the warm Agulhas Current flowing south westwards along the edge of the continental shelf about 50 km offshore of the Bay (Goschen and Schumann 1994Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 1994. An Agulhas Current intrusion into Algoa Bay during August 1988. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 14: 47-57.). This current dominates large-scale oceanography in the area as well as the presence of shear-edge eddies and plumes which penetrate over the shelf and are driven into the Bay. On occasion, these warm water intrusions provide significant changes to nearshore oceanography and biological interactions (Goschen and Schumann 1994Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 1994. An Agulhas Current intrusion into Algoa Bay during August 1988. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 14: 47-57., Pattrick and Strydom 2014bPattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2014b. Larval fish variability in response to oceanographic features in a nearshore nursery area. J. Fish Biol. 85: 857-881.). The climate in the region is warm temperate, with autumn and spring peaks in rainfall and nearshore sea-surface temperatures ranging from 11°C to 24°C (Whitfield 1998Whitfield A.K. 1998. Biology and Ecology of Fishes in South African Estuaries. Ichthyol. Monogr. J.L.B Smith Inst. Ichthyol., No. 2, 223 pp., Beckley 1986Beckley L.E. 1986. The Ichthyoplankton assemblage of the Algoa Bay nearshore region in relation to coastal zone utilization by juvenile fish. S. Afr. J. Zool. 21: 244-252.). The prevailing wind directions in Algoa Bay are parallel to the seascape. The predominant west-southwesterly and east-northeasterly winds drive the ocean currents within the bay (Goschen and Schumann 2011Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 2011. The physical oceanographic processes of Algoa Bay, with emphasis on the western coastal region. South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the Institute of Maritime Technology (IMT). IMT document number: PO106-10000-730002. 85 pp.), with the resulting swell creating onshore and alongshore transport of water (Schumann et al. 2005Schumann E.H., Churchill J.R.S., Zaayman H.J. 2005. Oceanic variability in the western sector of Algoa Bay, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 27: 65-80.). Nearshore currents are largely driven by seasonal wind events in the shallow coastal waters of the bay (Pattrick et al. 2013Pattrick P., Strydom N.A., Goschen W.S. 2013. Shallow-water, nearshore current dynamics in Algoa Bay, South Africa, with notes on the implications for larval dispersal. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 35(2): 269-282.). Easterly winds induce upwelling on the southern side of the two headlands of the bay, at Cape Recife and Cape Padrone (Goschen and Schumann 1995Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 1995. Upwelling and the occurrence of cold water around Cape Recife, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 16: 57–67., 2011Goschen W.S., Schumann E.H. 2011. The physical oceanographic processes of Algoa Bay, with emphasis on the western coastal region. South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the Institute of Maritime Technology (IMT). IMT document number: PO106-10000-730002. 85 pp.). These upwelling events contribute vital nutrients to the coastal environment for primary and secondary production (Schumann et al. 2005Schumann E.H., Churchill J.R.S., Zaayman H.J. 2005. Oceanic variability in the western sector of Algoa Bay, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 27: 65-80., Pattrick and Strydom 2014bPattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2014b. Larval fish variability in response to oceanographic features in a nearshore nursery area. J. Fish Biol. 85: 857-881.). Two large permanently open estuaries, namely the Sundays and the Swartkops, open into the western half of the Bay (Fig. 1).

Field sampling and laboratory analysis

The early life history stages of Solea turbynei were collected in Algoa Bay as part of a larger ichthyoplankton research programme that sampled over multiple years and all seasons using plankton nets, larval seine or fyke nets, depending on the habitat sampled. Mesh size for all gear types ranged from 500 to 1000 µm. The samples were fixed in 10% formalin and later preserved in 70% ethanol. Nearshore samples were collected from 2005 to 2007 at three sites (SN1 - SN4) along ~5 and 15 m depth contours (Fig. 1). Nearshore data were supplemented with sampling on the 30m depth contour at six sites (N1-N6) between August 2010 and July 2012. Samples were collected with a 75 cm ring net or a 75 cm Bongo net with a mesh aperture of 500 µm using stepped oblique tows. Catches were expressed as density per 100 m³. Samples were collected from surf zones in Algoa Bay from December 2010 to October 2012. A modified beach seine net measuring 4.5 m wide and 1.5 m in height with a mesh aperture of 500 µm was used. The net was hauled by two people, over a distance of 25 m parallel to shore. Catches were expressed as catch per unit effort (CPUE). The permanently open mouth region of the Swartkops and Sundays estuaries was sampled from December 2010 to October 2012. Samples were collected on ebb and flood tides over a 24-h period on each occasion. Four fyke nets were anchored in the estuary margin to sample each tide state over a set time period. The double-winged, 1-mm mesh aperture net was stabilized with 1.9-m-long iron bars on each end of the net. Two nets faced downstream and two nets faced upstream on each sampling occasion. Catches were emptied after each turn of the tide. Catches were expressed as CPUE. Water temperature (°C), salinity and turbidity (NTU) were recorded at each sampling site on each sampling occasion using a Yellow Springs Instrument 6600 multi-parameter water quality meter.

In the laboratory, all specimens were identified as Solea turbynei, using the ‘Series method’ based on adult fin ray and vertebrae counts in conjunction with morphometric, meristic and pigmentation characteristics of larvae. The larval stage is defined as the period after hatching to the attainment of a full fin ray complement and no longer possesses temporary specializations for pelagic life (Neira et al. 1998Neira F.J., Miskiewicz A.G., Trnski T. 1998. Larvae of Temperate Australian Fishes. Laboratory Guide for Larval Fish Identification. University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands, 474 pp.). A Leica M80 stereomicroscope fitted with an eyepiece micrometer was used for measuring specimens <10 mm in size. Vernier callipers were used for larger specimens. All specimens were measured three times to reduce error. Specimens were measured to the nearest 0.1 mm according to Neira et al. (1998)Neira F.J., Miskiewicz A.G., Trnski T. 1998. Larvae of Temperate Australian Fishes. Laboratory Guide for Larval Fish Identification. University of Western Australia Press, Nedlands, 474 pp.. The notochord length (NL) was measured in preflexion and flexion stages while standard length (SL) was measured in postflexion, settlement and juvenile stages. These measurements are hereafter referred to as body length (BL). Head length (HL) was measured from the snout to the posterior region of the operculum and body depth (BD) was measured at the base of the pectoral fin and excluded the finfolds. Pre-anal length (PAL) was measured from the snout to the posterior end of the anus. All measurements were expressed as a percentage of BL, categorizing the overall body shape, head size and gut size of the species. The larval characteristics were described through the developmental series and comprise changes in pigmentation, gut morphology, air bladder, eyes, mouth, teeth and the sequence of development of fins and vertebrae. Specimens that best represented the various developmental end-points were selected and drawn using a Leica M80 mounted Camera Lucida. Larvae were also cleared and double stained to aid meristic counts. Representative specimens used in this description were deposited in the National Fish Collection at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown (Ref: SAIAB 200511).

Data analysis

Data were tested for normality and homogeneity of variance using the Shapiro Wilks and Levene test, respectively, and density and CPUE data did not conform to parametric test assumptions. Non-parametric analyses were performed using Statistica 11 (2012). A significance level of P≤0.05 was used for all tests. A Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (H) by ranks was used to test for seasonal differences in catch in the nearshore, surf zone and estuaries sampled. Each habitat was treated separately as data were collected using different methods. A Mann-Whitney U-test (U) was used to test for catch difference between windward and leeward surf zones in Algoa Bay. A multiple linear stepwise regression was used to investigate the relationship between physico-chemical variables and larval catches in each nursery habitat.

RESULTSTop

Larval description

The description of the larval stages of Solea turbynei was obtained from 29 wild-caught larvae ranging from preflexion to juvenile stages. Preflexion larvae ranged from 2.6 to 3.0 mm BL (Fig. 2A). Flexion occured between 3.0 and 4.0 mm (Fig. 2 B). Postflexion larvae ranged in length from 4.3 to 4.5 mm BL (Fig. 2C). Only one near-settlement stage larva (4.8 mm BL) was examined and was in the early stage of metamorphosis (Fig. 2D). A juvenile, collected with fyke nets, is also shown (Fig. 2E).

Morphology

The body shape of larvae was classified as moderate (BD 32%-38%) throughout development (Fig. 2A-D). The BD increased from the preflexion to the flexion stage (38%) and then decreased with the onset of metamorphosis (32 %) in the late postflexion stage (>4.5 mm BL) (Table 1). Larvae have a moderate-sized head (HL 24%-30% BL) throughout development. The hindbrain is located between two distinct dorso-anterior protrusions on the forehead that are prominent in larvae <4 mm BL (Fig. 2A, B) but their prominence decreases by 4.3 mm BL. The eye is prominent throughout larval development. The mouth does not reach the rear of the eye until the postflexion stage (Fig. 2C). Thereafter, it decreases in size as the head develops. The mouth in the juvenile stage is lower and the snout slightly hooked (Fig. 2E). Bluntly pointed teeth occur on the dentary of preflexion larvae at 3.0 mm BL and on the premaxilla during flexion at 3.1 mm BL. The gut is moderate in size and fully coiled throughout development (PAL 33%-44%). The gas bladder is visible throughout larval development and is located above the large gut.

Fin meristics and sequence of formation

No fin spines or extraordinary large rays are present in the fins of Solea turbynei larvae during development. The visible dorsal fin count at flexion (3.0-4.0 mm BL) ranged from 40 to 64 fin rays. Dorsal fin rays increased to 58-65 at ~4.5 mm BL. The anal fin rays appear simultaneously with the dorsal fin numbering 30-49 during the flexion stage and 43-49 during the postflexion stage. Postflexion larvae >4.3 mm BL possess the dorsal and anal fin ray complement for adults (D 64-74 and A 46-59). The last dorsal and anal fin ray is joined to the base of the caudal fin by a basal membrane in the settlement stage (4.8 mm BL) (Fig. 2D). Ossification of the pectoral fin occurs after settlement, when 5+5 rays become evident on the blind and ocular side. The caudal fin count matches those of the adult (C=20) by 4.8 mm BL in the settlement stage (Fig. 2D). The sequence of fin formation shows that preflexion larvae possess a noticeable median fin fold until 3.0 mm BL. The very large transparent pectoral fin buds occur from hatching and persist until the settlement stage (Fig. 2A-D), after which ossification occurs. The dorsal and anal fin anlagen appear simultaneously at ~3 mm BL. Caudal fin formation also starts at flexion (3.0 mm BL). The pelvic fin is not visible until the settlement stage (4.8 mm BL, Fig. 2D).

Myomeres and vertebrae

Myomeres were difficult to count on small larvae. From the flexion stage, myomeres ranged from 9 to 10+22-24, including the urostyle. Cleared and stained specimens showed a vertebral count ranging from 32 to 34, within the range for adults (32 to 37) in southern Africa (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp.).

Pigmentation

The general pigmentation characteristics remain similar throughout early larval development. The preflexion to postflexion stages are lightly pigmented. In the preflexion stage (3.0 mm BL), larvae have discrete external stellate melanophores along the dorsal and ventral margin, on the gut and operculum. A distinctive characteristic for this species is the presence of two melanophores on the dorsal finfold (<3 mm BL) that become blotches on the dorsal fin rays by 4.8 mm BL. These are located midway and two thirds, respectively, along the dorsal fin from the posterior head hump (Fig. 2A-E). In all larval stages there is internal pigmentation on the forebrain situated posterior to the two dorsal humps on the head. One to two stellate melanophores occur above the eye in preflexion larvae and persist with development to the settlement stage (Fig. 2A-D). Pigmentation on the tip of the upper jaw can be seen in all developmental stages, becoming more pronounced in the settlement stage (Fig. 2D). Numerous minute stellate melanophores occur on and around the gas bladder, becoming more numerous with development. The presence of a melanophore series along the dorsal and anal fin pterygiophore bases as well as randomly dispersed stellate melanophores along the trunk is evident from preflexion larvae and becomes more pronounced through development to the settlement stage (Fig. 2D), after which the larvae become heavily pigmented. A single melanophore is noticeable at the midpoint of the caudal peduncle at the base of the caudal fin by 4.3 mm BL and persists through to the juvenile stage (Table 2). In juveniles, the ocular pectoral fin is dark in colour and is an obvious identification criterion (22.8 mm BL).

Larval ecology

Temporal occurrence

Larval S. turbynei were recorded in the nearshore, surf zone and estuarine habitats sampled in Algoa Bay (Fig. 1). The density of S. turbynei in plankton tows varied significantly among seasons in the nearshore of Algoa Bay between 5 and 30 m depths (H_{(3, 210)}=49.58, P<0.05), with a notable increase in larval occurrence in the summer season (Table 3). Mean larval size in summer was 2.3 (±0.7) mm BL, followed by means sizes of 2.4±0.7 mm BL (autumn), 2.0±0.6 mm BL (winter) and 2.8±0.6 mm BL (spring). Similarly, abundance in the surf zone from larval seine net catches was also higher in summer (H_(3,160)=13.47, P<0.05) (Table 3). Mean larval size in summer in the surf zone was 5.0 (±1.4) mm BL, followed by means sizes of 4.5±1.2 mm BL (autumn), 10.8±8.5 mm BL (winter) and 6.3±1.17 mm BL (spring). There was no noticeable peak in the larval and juvenile abundance in the mouth regions of the two bay estuaries in the fyke net catches (Table 3). Mean larval size in summer was 4.3 (±0.31) mm BL, followed by mean fish sizes of 24.0±33.9 mm BL (autumn), 20.5±0.5 mm BL (winter) and a single specimen of 24.4 mm BL in spring.

Spatial occurrence

At the nearshore sites (N1-N6) at the 30-m depth contour there was no significant difference in larval abundances along the length of the bay (H_(5,144)=5.43, P>0.05). However, in the surf zone, larval abundances were significantly different between the leeward and windward sites (Fig. 3) along the length of the bay (U_(2,160)=2690.5, P<0.05). Mean surf zone abundance of 6.2 (CPUE range, 1.3-13.3) was significantly higher at the windward sites of Algoa Bay compared with the mean CPUE of 2.27 (range, 0-5.33) at leeward sites (Fig. 3). Data for estuarine catches were too few for analysis.

Larval fish size varied among habitat samples. In the nearshore samples, mean larval size was 2.7 (±1.12) mm BL, ranging from newly hatched larvae at 1.2 to 7.8 mm. Slightly larger larvae were found in the surf zone with a mean size of 5.9 (±3.6) mm BL, ranging from 1.8 to 43.5 mm BL. Fish entering the estuaries had a mean size of 12.3 (±15.6) mm BL, ranging from 3.6 to 61.3 mm BL. The ontogenetic migration of larvae shoreward is clearly reflected in the developmental stages collected across the habitats sampled (Table 4, Fig. 4).

Environmental drivers

In the nearshore there was a weak relationship between temperature, salinity and turbidity and larval densities (R² adj = 0.099; R=0.33; P<0.05). Temperature was the most significant factor contributing to the relationship. This trend also existed in the surf zone (R² adj=0.041; R=0.24; P<0.05). In the estuaries, S. turbynei seem to be significantly influenced by turbidity (P<0.05).

DISCUSSIONTop

Solea turbynei can be identified as a Soleidae species due to the moderately pigmented, moderate body shape in early developmental stages; the absence of fin spines or extremely long dorsal fin rays in postflexion stages and the movement of the eye from the left side to the right side during metamorphosis. When compared with other South African soleid species, the lower myomere count of S. turbynei distinguishes this species from other common coastal inshore Pleuronectiformes in this warm temperate region (Table 2). The appearance of a deep notch forming on the top of the snout during the postflexion stage seems to be a characteristic of some soleids, after which the left eye migrates through this notch during the settlement stage (Thompson et al. 2007Thompson E.F., Strydom N.A., Hecht T. 2007. Larval development of Dagetichthys marginatus (Soleidae) obtained from hormone-induced spawning under artificial conditions. Sci. Mar. 71(3): 421-428.). The larvae are moderately pigmented (Wood 2000Wood A.D. 2000. The description of Austroglossus pectoralis (Teleostei: Soleidae) larvae from the south-east coast of South Africa. Sci. Mar. 64(4): 387-392., Thompson et al. 2007Thompson E.F., Strydom N.A., Hecht T. 2007. Larval development of Dagetichthys marginatus (Soleidae) obtained from hormone-induced spawning under artificial conditions. Sci. Mar. 71(3): 421-428.) and become heavily pigmented only at the settlement stage. The larval stages of Austroglossus pectoralis and the often sympatric Heteromycteris capensis show some resemblance to S. turbynei as they have similar pigmentation characteristics in the preflexion to early postflexion stages. However, S. turbynei becomes more heavily pigmented in the settlement stage than the other two species (Thompson et al. 2007Thompson E.F., Strydom N.A., Hecht T. 2007. Larval development of Dagetichthys marginatus (Soleidae) obtained from hormone-induced spawning under artificial conditions. Sci. Mar. 71(3): 421-428.). Austroglossus pectoralis has a similar size to S. turbynei at flexion but all three aforementioned species have dissimilar myomere/vertebral counts, with A. pectoralis and H. capensis having much higher counts than S. turbynei (Wood 2000Wood A.D. 2000. The description of Austroglossus pectoralis (Teleostei: Soleidae) larvae from the south-east coast of South Africa. Sci. Mar. 64(4): 387-392.).

Juvenile S. turbynei are distinctive from other Soleidae as they have a very small, heavily pigmented pectoral fin on the ocular side (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp.). Synapturichtys kleini have a similar pectoral fin shape and ray count (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp.). However, the dorsal and anal fins of Solea turbynei are connected to the caudal peduncle by a basal membrane, which is not the case for S. kleini (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp.). Monochirus luteus and M. ocellatus have a similar basal membrane and have similar pigmentation characteristics to S. turbynei, but their blind side pectoral fin is rudimentary and their range is from Namibia northwards (Smith and Heemstra 1995Smith M.M., Heemstra P.C. 1995. Smiths’ Sea Fishes. Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg, xx + 1047 pp.).

Based on the occurrence of newly hatched and preflexion stage larvae in the nearshore during this study, Solea turbynei appears to be spawning predominantly in the ocean despite some speculation in the literature on isolated estuarine spawning events in South Africa (Wallace 1975Wallace J.H. 1975. The estuarine fishes of the east coast of South Africa. 3. Reproduction. The Oceanographic Research Institute South Africa, Durban (No. 41). 51 pp., Cyrus 1991Cyrus D.P. 1991. The reproductive biology of Solea bleekeri (Teleostei) in Lake St. Lucia on the south-east coast of Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 10: 45-51., Kruger and Strydom 2010Kruger M., Strydom N.A. 2010. Spatial and temporal variability in the larval fish assemblage of a warm temperate South African estuary, with notes on the effects of artificial channelling. Afr. Zool. 45(2): 195-212.). Larval abundance peaks in summer in the nearshore and surf zone habitats of Algoa Bay, coinciding with spring to summer spawning of many coastal fish species and the highest food availability for young fishes (Beckley 1986Beckley L.E. 1986. The Ichthyoplankton assemblage of the Algoa Bay nearshore region in relation to coastal zone utilization by juvenile fish. S. Afr. J. Zool. 21: 244-252., Whitfield 1998Whitfield A.K. 1998. Biology and Ecology of Fishes in South African Estuaries. Ichthyol. Monogr. J.L.B Smith Inst. Ichthyol., No. 2, 223 pp.). Pattrick and Strydom (2008)Pattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2008. Composition, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes in the shallow nearshore of the proposed Greater Addo Marine Reserve, Algoa Bay, South Africa. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 79: 251-261. recorded significantly larger BLs of larvae of marine estuarine-opportunist and marine estuarine-dependent species closer to shore, including S. turbynei. This finding supports the proposal of spawning and hatching in the nearshore environment and a general shoreward movement towards surf zone habitats with ontogeny. Solea turbynei larvae also use surf zones as an alternative nursery area for the juveniles (Whitfield 1989Whitfield A.K. 1989. Ichthyoplankton in a southern African surf zone: nursery area for the postlarvae of estuarine associated fish species? Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 29: 533-547.). It has been proposed that postflexion larvae and juveniles can spend a considerable amount of time in surf zones before recruitment into estuaries (Potter et al. 1990Potter I.C., Beckley L.E., Whitfield A.K., et al 1990. Comparisons between the roles played by estuaries in the life cycles of fishes in temperate Western Australia and southern Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 28: 143-178., Strydom 2003aStrydom N.A. 2003a. Occurrence of larval and early juvenile fishes in the surf zone adjacent to two intermittently open estuaries, South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 66: 349-359.). The surf zone represents a homogenous environment when compared with estuaries (Whitfield 1989Whitfield A.K. 1989. Ichthyoplankton in a southern African surf zone: nursery area for the postlarvae of estuarine associated fish species? Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 29: 533-547.). The well-oxygenated environment has a uniform salinity and affords opportunities for shelter in wave-cut depressions and old rip current channels despite the high wave energy (Watt-Pringle and Strydom 2003Watt-Pringle P.W., Strydom N.A. 2003. Habitat use by larval fishes in a temperate South African surf zone. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 58: 765-774.). The surf zone environment in Algoa Bay provides a large amount of food in the form of the mysid, Mesopodopsis slabberi, surf diatoms, copepods, and crustacean larvae (Lasiak 1981Lasiak T.A. 1981. Nursery grounds of juvenile teleosts: evidence from the surf zone of King’s Beach, Port Elizabeth. S. Afr. J. Sci. 77: 388-390., Whitfield 1989Whitfield A.K. 1989. Ichthyoplankton in a southern African surf zone: nursery area for the postlarvae of estuarine associated fish species? Est. Coast. Shelf Sci. 29: 533-547., Campbell and Bate 1991Campbell E.E., Bate G.C. 1991. Ground water in the Alexandria dune field and its potential influence on the adjacent surf-zone. Water SA. 17(2): 155-160.). Many fishes then migrate into estuaries due to changes in dietary requirements, increased need for shelter and rich food resources (Lasiak 1981Lasiak T.A. 1981. Nursery grounds of juvenile teleosts: evidence from the surf zone of King’s Beach, Port Elizabeth. S. Afr. J. Sci. 77: 388-390., Whitfield 1998Whitfield A.K. 1998. Biology and Ecology of Fishes in South African Estuaries. Ichthyol. Monogr. J.L.B Smith Inst. Ichthyol., No. 2, 223 pp.). Recruitment into estuaries begins in the postflexion larval stage for many marine estuarine-opportunist and marine estuarine-dependent species in temperate South Africa (Strydom 2014Strydom N.A. 2014. A review of larval fish occurrence in temperate South African estuaries with particular emphasis on estuary type and freshwater inflow. Estuar. Coasts 38: 268-284). Postflexion S. turbynei larvae are found in permanently open estuaries on the warm temperate coast of South Africa typically at a mean of 7.9 mm BL (range 4.1-14.8 mm BL) (Strydom et al. 2003aStrydom N.A. 2003a. Occurrence of larval and early juvenile fishes in the surf zone adjacent to two intermittently open estuaries, South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 66: 349-359.). High turbidity plumes emerging from rivers and estuaries are known to produce a cueing response in postflexion larvae, as was observed off the mouth of the Van Stadens and Kabeljous estuaries after localized flooding. The significantly higher abundance of S. turbynei larvae on the windward side on Algoa Bay also indicates that the distribution of postflexion larvae may be influenced by the prevailing oceanography of the region. However, it is known that larval fishes have significant sensory and mobility capabilities and are able to alter their spatial and temporal position to increase their chances of survival (Watt-Pringle and Strydom 2003Watt-Pringle P.W., Strydom N.A. 2003. Habitat use by larval fishes in a temperate South African surf zone. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 58: 765-774.). The high abundance of surf diatoms on the windward side of the bay may serve as an important dietary component for settlement stages. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation as few studies have focused on wild larval fish diet in southern African waters.

The higher prevalence of juvenile S. turbynei in autumn in estuaries corresponds to the summer recruitment of postflexion and settlement stage larvae into estuarine nurseries from the nearshore of Algoa Bay. Similarly, S. turbynei also recruited into a subtropical South African estuary at similar sizes ranging from 5 to 15 mm BL (Cyrus and Martin 1991Cyrus D.P., Martin T.J. 1991. The importance of estuaries in life histories of flatfish species on the southern coast of Africa. Neth. J. Sea Res. 27(3-4): 255-260.). Van Schie and de Boer (2003)Van Schie A.M.P., De Boer W.F. 2003. Population dynamics and spawning of the flatfish Solea bleekeri and Pseudorhombus arsius in the intertidal area of Inhaca island, Mozambique. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 25: 49-60. expanded the understanding of recruitment dynamics of this species and proposed two different estuarine recruitment periods on the subtropical coast of South Africa: (1) from the breeding stock spawning within estuaries in summer, resulting in the presence of larval stage S. turbynei in the estuary; and (2) the offshore juvenile stock recruiting back into the estuary in winter.

In the nearshore and surf zone habitats, larval occurrence was significantly linked to temperature and this finding is probably linked to the effects of adult spawning patterns in the region and higher larval survival with higher summer secondary productivity. Salinity changes (Pattrick and Strydom 2008Pattrick P., Strydom N.A. 2008. Composition, distribution and seasonality of larval fishes in the shallow nearshore of the proposed Greater Addo Marine Reserve, Algoa Bay, South Africa. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 79: 251-261.) and other as yet unidentified cues (Strydom 2003aStrydom N.A. 2003a. Occurrence of larval and early juvenile fishes in the surf zone adjacent to two intermittently open estuaries, South Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 66: 349-359.) are also known to influence larval occurrence in the nearshore and surf zones closer to the mouths of estuaries. Adults tend to have a strong affinity to muddy substrates and higher turbidity (Potter et al. 1990Potter I.C., Beckley L.E., Whitfield A.K., et al 1990. Comparisons between the roles played by estuaries in the life cycles of fishes in temperate Western Australia and southern Africa. Environ. Biol. Fishes 28: 143-178., Cyrus 1991Cyrus D.P. 1991. The reproductive biology of Solea bleekeri (Teleostei) in Lake St. Lucia on the south-east coast of Africa. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 10: 45-51.). This finding is supported by those of this study, as turbidity was a significant factor affecting recruitment dynamics of older developmental stages of S. turbynei in the bay estuaries. Estuaries play a pivotal role as nurseries for larval and juvenile fishes in South Africa, providing higher temperatures for faster growth, greater food supply and, calmer, sheltered areas with increased protection from predators (Wallace et. al. 1984Wallace J.H., Kok H.M., Beckley L.E., et al. 1984. South African estuaries and their importance to fishes. S. Afr. J. Sci. 80: 203-207., Strydom 2003bStrydom N.A. 2003b. An assessment of habitat use by larval fishes in a warm temperate estuarine creek using light traps. Estuar. 26(5): 1310-1318., Strydom 2014Strydom N.A. 2014. A review of larval fish occurrence in temperate South African estuaries with particular emphasis on estuary type and freshwater inflow. Estuar. Coasts 38: 268-284).

This species exhibits a complex early life history strategy spanning the nearshore, surf zones and estuarine habitats, which is underpinned by environmental drivers such as food availably, shelter and physico-chemical and/or settlement cues. Nursery habitat partitioning with ontogeny provides an important selective advantage, reducing competition with other species and enabling Solea turbynei to successfully access and colonize estuaries along the South African coast.

Larval fish descriptions are a prerequisite for identifying the early developmental stages of fishes in order to fully understand the complexities of fish populations worldwide. Fish descriptions are therefore a fundamental scientific tool for ichthyology (Strydom and Neira 2006Strydom N.A., Neira F.J. 2006. Development and ecology of the larvae of Glossogobius callidus and Redigobius dewaali (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from temperate South African estuaries. Afr, Zool. 41(2): 240-251.). However, larval descriptions spanning the entire developmental series are lacking for many coastal fish species in South Africa. Much effort is needed in this research field in order to fully complement the understanding of fish populations and their conservation in South Africa.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSTop

The National Research Foundation of South Africa is thanked for providing funding to support this research (Grant number 79733, N.A. Strydom). Water quality instrumentation was provided through a grant from the International Foundation for Science. Numerous field workers are thanked for their field assistance.

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