MEPS

Marine Ecology Progress Series

MEPS is a leading hybrid research journal on all aspects of marine, coastal and estuarine ecology. Priority is given to outstanding research that advances our ecological understanding.

Online: ISSN 1616-1599

Print: ISSN 0171-8630

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps

Impact Factor2.1 (JCR 2025 release)

Article Acceptance Rate52.2% (2024)

Average Time in Review216 days (2024)

Total Annual Downloads2.793.091 (2025)

Volume contents
Mar Ecol Prog Ser 669:139-149 (2021)

Spatial and temporal variation in the species diversity of coastal California fish eggs

ABSTRACT: Ichthyoplankton studies can be used to assess the abundance, distribution, and reproductive activity of marine fishes, but few studies have monitored spawning activity at inshore sites. This study utilized weekly plankton sampling to construct a year-long time series of fish spawning at 6 pier sites along the California coast—Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, and La Jolla; sampling at the La Jolla site continues ongoing monitoring initiated in 2012. Fish eggs were sorted from the collected plankton and identified to species level using DNA barcoding of the COI and 16S genes. While only one year of data has been collected from 5 of the sites, the 2 sites north of Point Conception show markedly reduced diversity compared to the southern sites. Although the species observed reflect the local environment of each site, this pattern of reduced diversity at the northern sites is consistent with the well-documented decline in species richness with latitude along the California coast. The 7-year time series from La Jolla has revealed that spawning activity varies greatly among years, both in terms of egg production and species diversity, with a continuing trend of highest egg numbers in years with colder average winter sea surface temperature.

KEYWORDS

Emma S. Choi (Corresponding Author)

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
emmasuechoi@gmail.com

Laura E. Furtado (Co-author)

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
  • A. Watson Armour III Center for Animal Health and Welfare, John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, USA

Ronald S. Burton (Co-author)

  • Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA