Large females connect Atlantic cod spawning sites

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Olsen, Esben Moland; Karlsen, Orjan; Skjaeraasen, Jon Egil
• 署名单位: University of Agder; Institute of Marine Research - Norway
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-8796
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adi1826
• 发表日期: 2023-12-08
• 关键词: gadus-morhua; evolutionary; size; movements; megabiota; FIDELITY; collapse; output; SPACE; drift

摘要

The Earth's ecosystems are increasingly deprived of large animals. Global simulations suggest that this downsizing of nature has serious consequences for biosphere functioning. However, the historical loss of large animals means that it is now often impossible to secure empirical data revealing their true ecological importance. We tracked 465 mature Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) during their winter spawning season and show that large females (up to 114 centimeters in length), which are still found in mid-Norway, were characterized by more complex movement networks compared with smaller females. Large males were sparse but displayed similar movement patterns. Our finding implies that management programs promoting large fish will have positive impacts on population resilience by facilitating the continued use of a diversity of spawning habitats and the connectivity between them.