Ichthyoplankton, including fish eggs, larvae, and juveniles, is the basis for the sustainable utilization of fishery resources, with survival directly influencing recruitment. Because of absent or weak independent swimming capabilities and a drifting nature, ichthyoplankton are poorly adapted to changing environmental conditions. Thus, ichthyoplankton are sensitive and susceptible to environmental changes and, therefore, a suitable indicator of variations in the ecological environment. Also, these planktonic stages should be more sensitive to future climate change than their adult counterparts. However, limited by the life history characteristics of ichthyoplankton, research on sample collection, species identification, community structure changes, and responses to environmental and climate changes at this stage is lagging and weak.
This Research Topic will take marine ichthyoplankton as the research object, and solicit research papers on the following aspects:
1) Sample collection methods and preservation techniques
The improvement of sample collection methods and the detailed introduction of sample preservation techniques, to realize the complete collection and long-term preservation of samples.
2) Advanced morphological and molecular identification
Species identification based on morphological characteristic descriptions and molecular biotechnology (such as meta-barcode technology) to achieve accurate and rapid identification of marine ichthyoplankton.
3) Seasonal and/or annual changes based on field survey data
Based on field survey data, reveal the seasonal changes in ichthyoplankton community structure and detailed research on annual changes, etc., to reveal potential changes in fishery resources.
4) The relationship between ichthyoplankton and environment
Explore the potential impact of changes in environmental factors on ichthyoplankton to explain the interaction between the environment and ichthyoplankton.
5) Impact of climate change on ichthyoplankton
Use models to study the potential impact of climate change on ichthyoplankton and reveal its future trends and variations; etc.
Ichthyoplankton, including fish eggs, larvae, and juveniles, is the basis for the sustainable utilization of fishery resources, with survival directly influencing recruitment. Because of absent or weak independent swimming capabilities and a drifting nature, ichthyoplankton are poorly adapted to changing environmental conditions. Thus, ichthyoplankton are sensitive and susceptible to environmental changes and, therefore, a suitable indicator of variations in the ecological environment. Also, these planktonic stages should be more sensitive to future climate change than their adult counterparts. However, limited by the life history characteristics of ichthyoplankton, research on sample collection, species identification, community structure changes, and responses to environmental and climate changes at this stage is lagging and weak.
This Research Topic will take marine ichthyoplankton as the research object, and solicit research papers on the following aspects:
1) Sample collection methods and preservation techniques
The improvement of sample collection methods and the detailed introduction of sample preservation techniques, to realize the complete collection and long-term preservation of samples.
2) Advanced morphological and molecular identification
Species identification based on morphological characteristic descriptions and molecular biotechnology (such as meta-barcode technology) to achieve accurate and rapid identification of marine ichthyoplankton.
3) Seasonal and/or annual changes based on field survey data
Based on field survey data, reveal the seasonal changes in ichthyoplankton community structure and detailed research on annual changes, etc., to reveal potential changes in fishery resources.
4) The relationship between ichthyoplankton and environment
Explore the potential impact of changes in environmental factors on ichthyoplankton to explain the interaction between the environment and ichthyoplankton.
5) Impact of climate change on ichthyoplankton
Use models to study the potential impact of climate change on ichthyoplankton and reveal its future trends and variations; etc.
