title: Freshwater influences on embryos, hatching and larval survival of euryhaline Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis and potential constraints on habitat distribution.
abstract: The influence of fresh water on potential habitat occupancy of early life-history stages of euryhaline Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis was determined by evaluating fertilization of freshwater-spawned eggs and subsequent survival of embryos and larvae in comparison with saline water (salinity 7). Overall per cent fertilization of eggs was low (mean ± s.e. = 20·21 ± 0·03%). Embryo survival was greater in saline water, but hatching rate (mean ± s.e. = 81·6 ± 0·1%) and post-hatch survival of larvae in fresh water (mean ± s.e. = 74·5 ± 0·1%) was relatively high. Therefore, the relative limitation of fresh water on habitat distribution of F. grandis changes with development, stimulating further questions on factors that may constrain habitat distribution of euryhaline fishes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Box 9690, Mississippi State, MS, 39762-9690, U.S.A.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ramee
authors.affiliation: Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Box 9690, Mississippi State, MS, 39762-9690, U.S.A.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Allen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D005618:Fresh Water; D023781:Fundulidae / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum; D012098:Reproduction; D054712:Salinity
keywords: euryhaline; hatching; hypo-osmotic