(DRAFT) - Taxonomy
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
TAXONOMY
NAME - herring, Atlantic thread
OTHER COMMON NAMES -
ELEMENT CODE - 07/26/84
AOU CODE - 03/28/85
07/15/88
CATEGORY - Fish
PHYLUM AND SUBPHYLUM - Chordata,
CLASS AND SUBCLASS - Osteichthyes,
ORDER AND SUBORDER - Clupeiformes,
FAMILY AND SUBFAMILY - Clupeidae,
GENUS AND SUBGENUS - Opisthonema,
SPECIES AND SSP - oglinum,
SCIENTIFIC NAME - Opisthonema oglinum
AUTHORITY - Leseuer
TAXONOMY REFERENCES - 816
COMMENTS ON TAXONOMY -
This is one of two members of genus in the western Atlantic, and the only
species in United States' water *816*.
Taxonomy - 1 (DRAFT) - Status
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
STATUS
Coded Status
Migrant
See Comments
REFERENCES FOR STATUS - 1362, 3709 and 1372
COMMENTS ON STATUS -
The commercial importance among fisheries in Chesapeake Bay is slight,
and they are rarely used for food *1362*. They are occasionally caught
by vessels fishing for menhaden *3709*. They are utilized along with
menhaden in the manufacture of fertilizer and oil when taken in sufficient
quantities *1362*. They are a good forage fish *1372*.
Status - 1 (DRAFT) - Distribution
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution - 1 HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS
HABITAT - Aquatic
REFERENCES FOR HABITAT - 816
LAND USE -
Water
Bays and Estuaries
REFERENCES FOR LAND USE - 816 and 1362
NATIONAL WETLAND INVENTORY CODES
NWI NWICLS NWIMOD NWISPEC
Marine, subtidal OW0
REFERENCES FOR NWI - 1372, 3713 and 3706
COMMENTS ON HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS -
They are generally oceanic or coastal *816*, although primarily a tropical
fish, and never abundant in temperate waters *1372*. Juveniles are reported
in small numbers from nearshore and estuarine areas, but it apparently
prefers offshore waters *3713*. Juveniles are sometimes in great abundance
in the Chesapeake Bay during summer months *3706*.
ANIMAL/PLANT SPECIES ASSOCIATIONS -
3709
3709
Habitat Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Food Habits
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
FOOD HABITS
TROPHIC LEVEL -
Filter Feeder
REFERENCES FOR TROPHIC LEVEL - 1362
LIFESTAGE FOOD FOOD PART
General Zooplankton Not Applicable
General Animals Not Specified
General Crustaceans Not Specified
General Copepods Not Specified
General See Comments; Food See Comments
Important See Comments; Food See Comments
Larva Animals Not Specified
Larva Crustaceans Not Specified
Larva Copepods Not Specified
Larva See Comments; Food Not Specified
Adult Animals Not Specified
Adult Crustaceans Not Specified
Adult Copepods Not Specified
Adult See Comments; Food See Comments
REFERENCES FOR GENERAL FOOD - 1362 and 3709
REFERENCES FOR IMPORTANT FOOD - 816 and 1362
REFERENCES FOR ADULT FOOD - 1362
REFERENCES FOR LARVAE FOOD - 3709
COMMENTS ON FOOD -
The diet is chiefly zooplankton *816*. Stomach contents of 3
specimens comprised copepods exclusively *1362*.
COMMENTS ON ADULT FOOD -
Data is based on the stomach contents of 3 specimens *1362*.
COMMENTS ON LARVAE FOOD -
Copepods were the predominant food item in captivity *3709*.
Food Habits - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G = General A = Adult
LIM = Limiting RA = Resting Adult
J = Juvenile FA = Feeding Adult
RJ = Resting Juvenile BA = Breeding Adult
FJ = Feeding Juvenile P = Pupae
L = Larvae E = Egg
RL = Resting Larvae
FL = Feeding Larvae
LIFESTAGE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
G Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
G Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
G Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
E Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
FL Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
FL Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
RL Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
RL Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
FJ Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
FJ Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
RJ Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
RJ Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
FA Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
FA Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
FA Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
FA Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
FA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
FA Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
RA Water Temperature: Greater than 27 degrees C
RA Water Temperature: Between 21-27 degrees C
RA Water Temperature: Between 15-21 degrees C
RA Water Temperature: Below 15 degrees C
RA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Open water [pelagic zone]
RA Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
BA Water Temperature: Specified in Comments
BA Aquatic Habitat Zonation: Specified in Comments
BA Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
REFERENCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3709 and 3714
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3714 and 3711
REFERENCES FOR RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3714 and 3711
REFERENCES FOR BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3708
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3713 and 3715
REFERENCES FOR RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3713 and 3715
Environment Associations - 1 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
REFERENCES FOR FEEDING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3708
REFERENCES FOR RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3708
REFERENCES FOR EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ - 3708
COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS -
The surface temperature range is 5-35 degrees C, although they preferred
the summer temperature to be 26-29 degrees C. They are usually absent
below 17 degrees C *3714,3711,3715*. They preferred salinity from 32-34
ppt *3714,3711*. They are seldom at depths of more than 18 meters, and
usually in water less than or equal to 12 meters deep frequently within
the upper 3 meters of water *3711*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
They preferred salinity from 32-34 ppt, as reported from freshwater
*3714,3711*. They are seldom at depths of more than 18 meters, and
usually in water less than or equal to 11 meters, frequently within
the upper 3 meters of water *3711*.
COMMENTS ON FEEDING ADULT ENVIRONTAL ASSOC_ -
The preferred salinity is 32-34 ppt, reported from freshwater *3714,3711*.
They are seldom at depths greater than 18 meters, and usually in water
less than or equal to 11 meters deep usually within the upper 3 meters
of water *3711*.
COMMENTS ON BREEDING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
They prefered temperatures from 22.5-30.3 degrees C, with most above 25
degrees C. The prefered salinity is from 32.4-36.8 ppt, with most above
35 ppt. Most were at depths of less than 50 meters within 50 km of the
coast *3708*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
They are found between 5-34.9 degrees C, with the majority above 20
degrees C *3715*. They prefer offshore waters *3713*, with a minimum
salinity of 5 ppt. Most occur above 15 ppt *3715*.
COMMENTS ON FEEDING JUVENILE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Juveniles feed in offshore waters *3713*, at temperatures from 5-34.9
degrees C, with the majority feeding above 20 degrees C *3715*. The
minimum salinity is 5 ppt, but most occur above 15 ppt *3715*.
COMMENTS ON RESTING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
The greatest abundance is at surface salinties and temperatures of 35-36.5
ppt and 25-30 degrees C *3708*. They prefer water depths less than 50
meters *3708*.
COMMENTS ON FEEDING LARVAE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
The greatest abundance is at surface salinities and temperatures of 35-36.5
ppt and 25-30 degrees C *3708*. They prefer a water depth less than 50
meters *3708*.
Environment Associations - 2 (DRAFT) - Environment Associations
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
COMMENTS ON EGG ENVIRONMENTAL ASSOC_ -
Incubation takes less than 24 hours at water temperatures of 25-30
degrees C *3708*.
Environment Associations - 3 (DRAFT) - Life History
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
LIFE HISTORY
Physical description: The dorsal fin rays number 17-22, anal fin
rays 20-25, caudal fin rays 9 + 10 + 9 + 6-7, pectoral fin rays 15-19,
and pelvic fin rays 8-9. The scale rows between the gill opening and
the base of the caudal equal 42-50, vertebrae 45-49, ventral scutes
32-36, and prepelvic scutes 17-19. The postpelvic scutes number 13-17,
gill rakers about 125-158. The proportions as percent of standard length
are: body depth 30-40, caudal peduncle depth 8.5-11, and head length 19-28.
The eye diameter is 6-8.5,maxillary length=8.8-12, anal fin
base=16.7-21.5, pelvic fin length=8.5-11.5, pectoral fin length=17-21,
length of last dorsal ray=33.3-40.4; body elongate, strongly
compressed, ventral outline convex, dorsal outline only slightly
convex; head small, snout lacking definite median notch; maxillary
broadly rounded, reaching anterior margin of pupil; mandible
slightly projecting, upper margin forming obtuse angle; jaws toothless;
scales thin, deeper than long with somewhat irregular membraneous edges;
predorsal median line scaled to nape; anal and dorsal bases with low
sheath of scales; last dorsal ray elongate, more than twice that of next
longest ray; gill rakers increase in number with age; bluish-green to
silvery-blue above, silvery on sides and below, usually with dark
shoulder spot, dorsal scale rows with dark lines, fins translucent, tips
of dorsal fin and caudal lobes dusky; maximum length about 300 mm
*1229*; larvae and juveniles are also described *1229*;
REPRODUCTION:
Spawning was reported from Straights of Florida, eastern Gulf of Mexico, and
North Carolina *3709,3708,1383*; based on egg collections, spawning
occurs where depths are <50 m, mostly at depths Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
potential yield ranging from 60300 to 120600 metric tons *3708*; larval
mortality from time of spawn until 19 days (15.5 mm SL) was 98% to 99+%
*3708*;
AQUATIC/TERRESTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS: juveniles often mix with
schools of juvenile Harengula pensacolae and/or Sardinella aurita
*3713,3707*
REFERENCES FOR LIFE HISTORY- 1229, 1362, 3709, 3713, 3714, 3708, 1383, 3716, 3717, 3858, 3718, 3712 and 3707
Life History - 2 (DRAFT) - Management Practices
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
RESULT MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
Existing Other management practices [specified in comments]
REFERENCES FOR EXISTING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - 1362 and 3709
COMMENTS ON MANAGEMENT PRACTICES -
They are utilized along with menhaden in the manufacture of fertilizer
and oil when taken in sufficient quantities. The commercial importance
among fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay is slight *1362*. The method of
capture is by purse seine vessels *3709*.
Management Practices - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
References
816* Lee, D.S., Gilbert, C.R., Hocutt, C.H., McAllister, R.E.,
Stauffer, J.R., Jr. (ed.)1980. Atlas of North American
Freshwater Fishes. Pub. 1980-12 of N. Car. Biol. Surv, N. C.
State Mus. of Nat. Hist. Raleigh:854.
1229* Jones, P. W., Martin, F. D., Hardy, Jr. J. D. 1978.
Development of fishes of the mid-Atlantic Bight. Vol. 1. U. S.
Fish and Wildl. Serv. Washington, D. C:366.
1362* Hildebrand, S.F., Schroeder, W.C. 1928. Fishes of
Chesapeake Bay. Bull. U.S. Bur. Fish. 43 (1927) Pt. 1:366.
1372* Ursin, M.J. 1977. A guide to fishes of the temperate
Atlantic coast. Sunrise Book New York.
1383* Hildebrand, S.F. 1963. FISHES OF THE WESTERN NORTH
ATLANTIC. 1(3). Sear Found. Mar. Res., Mem.
3706* Schwartz, F.J. 1960. Recent additions to the upper
Chesapeake Bay fish fauna. Ches. Sci. 1:210-212.
3707* Christensen, R.F. 1965. An ichthyological survey of
Jupeter Inlet and Loxahatchee River, Florida. M.S. Thesis,
Florida State Univ. Florida State Univ:318.
3708* Houde, E.D. 1977. Abundance and potential yield of the
Atlantic thread herring, Opisthonema oglinum, and aspects of
it's early life history in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. NOAA
Fish. Bull. 753, 2:493-519.
3709* Pristas, P.J., Cheek, R.P. 1973. Atlantic thread herring
(Opisthonema oglinum)-movements and population size inferred
from tag returns. Fish. Bull., U.S. 71:297-301.
3711* Tagatz, M.E. 1967. Fishes of the St. Johns River, Florida.
Quant. J. Florida Acad. Sci. 30:25-50.
3712* Beaven, G.F. 1960. Temperature and salinity of surface
water at Solomans, Maryland. Chesapeake Sci. 1:2-11.
3713* Fuss, C.M., Jr., Kelly, J.A., Jr., Prest, K.W., Jr. 1969.
Gulf thread herring aspects of the developing fishery and
biological research. Gulf Caribb. Fish. Inst. Proc. 21:111-125.
3714* Kinnear, B.S., Fuss, C.M., Jr. 1971. Thread herring
distribution off Florida's west coast. Commer. Fish. Rev.
33:27-39.
3715* Perret, W.S., Latapie, W.R., Pollard, J.F., Mock, W.R.,
Adkins, G.B., Gaidry, W.J., White, C.J. 1971. Fishes and
invertebrates collected in trawl and seine samples in Louisiana
References - 1 (DRAFT) - References
Species herring, Atlantic thread
Species Id M010047
Date 27 AUG 96
estuaries. Coop. Gulf Mexico Estuarine Invent. Study, Louisiana,
Phase I, Descriptive and Phase IV, Biology. fish, invertebrates,
estuarine:39-111.
3716* Walls, J.G. 1975. FISHES OF THE NORTHERN GULF OF MEXICO.
TFH Publications Neptune City, NJ:432.
3717* Martinez, S. 1972. Fecundity, sexual maturation and
spawning of scaled sardine (Harengula pensacolae). M.S. Thesis,
Univ. Miami. Univ. Miami:51.
3718* Richards, W.J., Miller, R.V., Houde, E.D. 1974. Egg and
larval development of the Atlantic thread herring, Opisthonema
oglinum. U.S. Natl. Mar. Fish. Ser. Fish. Bull. 72:1123-1136.
3858* Houde, E.d., Fore, P.L. 1973. Guide to identiry of eggs
and larvae of some Gulf of Mexico clupeid fishes. Leaflet Ser. 4
4. Fla. Dep. Nat. Res., Marine Res. Lab:1-14.
References - 2