Seasonal distribution of the early life stages of the small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) and its dynamic controls adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary

The distribution of the early life stages of Larimichthys polyactis indicates the availability of suitable spawning and nursing grounds and enables a better understanding of the distribution of its geographic subpopulations and isolation. Large-scale quantitative ichthyoplankton surveys of L. polyactis were performed from March to July 2018, and a numerical hydrodynamic model was applied to explore the spatiotemporal distribution and habitats of L. polyactis early life stages adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary. Two distinct early life stage distribution patterns were found. One occurred during March and April in the deep waters seaward of the Changjiang River bottom plume front, to the east and southeast of the Changjiang River Estuary. The other occurred in May and June throughout the entire water column in coastal waters to the east and north of the Changjiang River Estuary. Rising seasonal temperatures, and the local dynamic processes such as the Changjiang River plume, determined the transitions between the two distribution patterns. A potential fish larval migration route from the southern deep shelf waters to the northern coastal waters within the motor-trawl prohibition line was suggested. This study contributes to our understanding of the mixture of habitats used by the two L. polyactis subpopulations in the southern Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.