Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) Increases Survival of Larval Sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria.

Jonathan S F Lee,Barry A Berejikian,Jose J Reyes-Tomassini,Frederick W Goetz,Matthew A Cook,Rachel S Poretsky

doi:10.1007/s10886-016-0713-z

Abstract

High concentrations of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a chemical compound released by lysed phytoplankton, may indicate high rates of grazing by zooplankton and may thus be a foraging cue for planktivorous fishes. Previous studies have shown that some planktivorous fishes and birds aggregate or alter locomotory behavior in response to this chemical cue, which is likely adaptive because it helps them locate prey. These behavioral responses have been demonstrated in juveniles and adults, but no studies have tested for effects on larval fish. Larvae suffer from high mortality rates and are vulnerable to starvation. While larvae are generally thought to be visual predators, they actually have poor vision and cryptic prey. Thus, larval fish should benefit from a chemical cue that provides information on prey abundance. We reared larval sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, for one week and supplemented feedings with varying concentrations of DMSP to test the hypothesis that DMSP affects larval survival. Ecologically relevant DMSP concentrations increased larval survival by up to 70 %, which has implications for production in aquaculture and recruitment in nature. These results provide a new tool for increasing larval production in aquaculture and also suggest that larvae may use DMSP as an olfactory cue. The release of DMSP may be a previously unappreciated mechanism through which phytoplankton affect larval survival and recruitment.

Highlights

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulphide (DMS) are chemical cues for some planktivorous fishes and birds (DeBose et al 2008; Nevitt 2011)
This study tested whether first-feeding larvae of sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria, which is a candidate species for aquaculture, survive at higher rates in the presence of DMSP
DMSP concentrations varied among sampled tanks (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulphide (DMS) are chemical cues for some planktivorous fishes and birds (DeBose et al 2008; Nevitt 2011). Extremely high DMSP concentrations (10−5 to 10−2 M) can increase feeding strikes and growth in captivity (Nakajima et al 1990). In nature, where larvae are especially vulnerable to death from starvation, DMSP may improve larval survival and recruitment.

Results

Conclusion