Differential effects of the environment on the growth of arabesque greenling (Pleurogrammus azonus): does rising temperature benefit young but not old fish?

Abstract

Annual and spatial variations in the growth condition of the arabesque greenling (Pleurogrammus azonus) were examined in relation to temperature and food availability. We found age-dependent effects of temperature and sex-dependent effects of zooplankton biomass on the growth condition. Growth condition increased with bottom temperature in the 1+ group, but this effect was reversed in the older groups. This age-dependent effect of temperature on growth condition was consistent with regional differences in growth patterns. Arabesque greenling living in cool sea areas reached a larger final adult size (i.e. larger L ∞), but the juveniles grew slower (i.e. smaller k) than those living in warm sea areas. Based on our results, we suggest that the negative effect of climate warming on growth condition might be more severe for older individuals and that a climate change-driven decrease in the somatic growth of adult fish could bring a population growth rate decline through maternal effects.