Size metrics, longevity, and growth rates in Umbellula encrinus (Cnidaria: Pennatulacea) from the eastern Canadian Arctic

Umbellula encrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a deep-water sea pen commonly found in the eastern Canadian Arctic. It can reach heights of >2 m, and it has often been caught as fishing bycatch. Here, we characterized abundance/density, size metrics, longevity, and growth rates of U. encrinus colonies fro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arctic science 2018-12, Vol.4 (4), p.722-749
Main Authors: de Moura Neves, Bárbara, Edinger, Evan, Hayes, Vonda Wareham, Devine, Brynn, Wheeland, Laura, Layne, Graham
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Barium
Bycatch
Calcium
Colonies
Deep water
deep-water corals
Divers
Environmental information
Fisheries
Fishing
Fishing gear
Frequency distribution
Growth rate
Growth rings
Longevity
Magnesium
Marine invertebrates
Marine molluscs
radiocarbon analysis
Rayon
size distribution
Statistical analysis
Strontium
Surface salinity
Threatened species
trace element analysis
Trace elements
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Summary:Umbellula encrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a deep-water sea pen commonly found in the eastern Canadian Arctic. It can reach heights of >2 m, and it has often been caught as fishing bycatch. Here, we characterized abundance/density, size metrics, longevity, and growth rates of U. encrinus colonies from Baffin Bay (between Greenland and Canada). No prevalent size classes were identified at most locations, except for Jones Sound and Cape Dyer, where small-size colonies dominated. Average number of growth rings in the internal skeleton (axis) of the examined colonies ranged between 2 and 68, with a maximum of 75. A bomb- 14 C analysis yielded 14 C curves comparable with those of other deep-water octocorals with annual ring formation. A trace element analysis of Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, Ba/Ca, and Na/Ca yielded values oscillating along the axis radius, with the number of peaks and growth rings being comparable. Growth rates averaged 0.067 ± 0.015 mm year −1 (radial extension) and 4.5 ± 1.2 cm year −1 (linear extension), considering rings to be formed annually. Relationships between radial growth rates, depth, and surface salinity were weak but statistically significant. Umbellula encrinus is a long-lived species, vulnerable to various types of fishing gear, with a skeleton that stores biological and environmental information.
ISSN:2368-7460
2368-7460
DOI:10.1139/as-2018-0009