Righton, David and Westerberg, Håkan and Feunteun, Eric and Okland, Finn and Gargan, Patrick and Amilhat, Elsa and Metcalfe, Julian and Lobon-Cervia, Javier and Sjöberg, Niklas and Janek, Simon and Acou, Anthony and Vedor, Marisa and Walker, Alan and Trancart, Thomas and Brämick, Uwe and Aarestrup, Kim
(2016).
Empirical observations of the spawning migration of European eels: The long and dangerous road to the Sargasso Sea.
Science Advances. 2
, 1-15
[Journal article]
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- Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 1MB |
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1501694
Abstract
The spawning migration of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) to the Sargasso Sea is one of the greatest animal migrations. However, the duration and route of the migration remain uncertain. Using fishery data from 20 rivers across Europe, we show that most eels begin their oceanic migration between August and December. We used electronic tagging techniques to map the oceanic migration from eels released from four regions in Europe. Of 707 eels tagged, we received 206 data sets. Many migrations ended soon after release because of predation events, but we were able to reconstruct in detail the migration routes of >80 eels. The route extended from western mainland Europe to the Azores region, more than 5000 km toward the Sargasso Sea. All eels exhibited diel vertical migrations, moving from deeper water during the day into shallower water at night. The range of migration speeds was 3 to 47 kmday-1. Using data from larval surveys in the Sargasso Sea, we show that spawning likely begins in December and peaks in February. Synthesizing these results, we show that the timing of autumn escapement and the rate of migration are inconsistent with the century-long held assumption that eels spawn as a single reproductive cohort in the spring time following their escapement. Instead, we suggest that European eels adopt a mixed migratory strategy, with some individuals able to achieve a rapid migration, whereas others arrive only in time for the following spawning season. Our results have consequences for eel management.
Authors/Creators: | Righton, David and Westerberg, Håkan and Feunteun, Eric and Okland, Finn and Gargan, Patrick and Amilhat, Elsa and Metcalfe, Julian and Lobon-Cervia, Javier and Sjöberg, Niklas and Janek, Simon and Acou, Anthony and Vedor, Marisa and Walker, Alan and Trancart, Thomas and Brämick, Uwe and Aarestrup, Kim |
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Title: | Empirical observations of the spawning migration of European eels: The long and dangerous road to the Sargasso Sea |
Series/Journal: | Science Advances (2375-2548) |
Year of publishing : | 2016 |
Volume: | 2 |
Page range: | 1-15 |
Number of Pages: | 14 |
Publisher: | American Association for the Advancement of Science |
ISSN: | 2375-2548 |
Language: | English |
Publication Type: | Journal article |
Refereed: | Yes |
Article category: | Scientific peer reviewed |
Version: | Published version |
Copyright: | Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 |
Full Text Status: | Public |
Agris subject categories.: | M Aquatic sciences and fisheries > M40 Aquatic ecology |
Subjects: | (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 1 Natural sciences > 106 Biological Sciences (Medical to be 3 and Agricultural to be 4) > Zoology (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 1 Natural sciences > 106 Biological Sciences (Medical to be 3 and Agricultural to be 4) > Ecology (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 401 Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries > Fish and Aquacultural Science |
Keywords: | eel, migration, European eel, Anguilla anguilla |
URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-4138 |
Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-4138 |
ID Code: | 14266 |
Faculty: | NJ - Fakulteten för naturresurser och jordbruksvetenskap |
Department: | (NL, NJ) > Department of Aquatic Resources |
Deposited By: | SLUpub Connector |
Deposited On: | 28 Apr 2017 07:46 |
Metadata Last Modified: | 09 Sep 2020 14:17 |
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