Assignment No.
Critical Analysis: Is it possible to photoperiod manipulate spawning time in
planktivorous fish? A long-term experiment on Atlantic herring
Subject KSA405
Semester 2
Name
Word count: 1009
Critical Analysis: Is it possible to photoperiod manipulate spawning time in
planktivorous fish? A long-term experiment on Atlantic herring
The scientific paper, Is it possible to photoperiod manipulate spawning time in
planktivorous fish? A long-term experiment on Atlantic herring, by Schmidt et al., 2022b,
outlined the role of photoperiod on the vitellogenesis in the planktivorous Atlantic herring
(Clupea harengus). Primarily, the investigation was whether the photoperiod affected the
spawning time or feeding opportunity. The study’s methodology involved a prolonged
experiment in which herring were raised from larvae to maturity under two lighting schedules:
one following a natural photoperiod and the other with a 6-month offset photoperiod. The results
showed a shift of 6-month delay in reproductive time and demonstrated that the vitellogenesis in
the herring was greatly influenced by altering their natural photoperiod. It was concluded that
there was no role of feeding opportunities influencing the photic zeitgeber of Atlantic herring
rather it was patented by displacing the changes in day-length (photoperiod).
The introduction presents the foundational overview of the influence of photoperiod
manipulation in oocyte development (vitellogenesis) in Atlantic herring. It precisely emphasizes
the importance of photoperiod under the photic zeitgeber and provides a clear rationale for the
experimental focus on comparing natural and delayed lighting conditions. A big start with
additional background information may enhance the understanding of the readers, especially
those who are new to aquaculture but, in general, it lacks a detailed review of prior research and
past interests about the specific topic. It may be strengthened by providing a broader discussion
of the previous studies on the same or related topics. This would better highlight the research
gaps and contextualize the significance of the current study. Moreover, the link between the
experimental design and its potential real-world applications or impacts is unclear. While the
objectives are clearly outlined, it would be more beneficial with a good contextual background of
the related field to better position the current investigation within the existing research gaps.
Overall, it provides a foundational framework but lacks a more in-depth exploration of related
studies and research gaps.
The research aims are properly emphasized, with a definite focus on evaluating how the
disparate photoperiod conditions sway the reproductive cycles or vitellogenesis in planktivorous
Atlantic herring. The primary aim of investigating the effects of a 6-month delayed photoperiod
compared to natural light cycles on the timing and development of oocytes is both timely and
relevant. It enhances readers’ interest in realizing how environmental changes and external
factors influence fish reproduction. However, the rendition of the research design and the
methods employed for appointing these aims warrants a detailed critique.
The research design is explained in an organized manner, ordaining the manipulation of
lighting conditions and the ongoing observation of reproductive parameters in herring. The
experimental design of the research comprises the rearing of herring from larval stages to
maturity under two different photoperiods —natural and offset—and contrasting physical
makeups (phenotypic traits) and reproductive cycles between these categories. A direct
comparison of how two lighting conditions affect oocyte development (vitellogenesis) in
Atlantic herring provides a solid framework for achieving the study’s objectives. Particularly
significant, a common garden experiment controls for environmental variables, thereby isolating
photoperiod as the main factor affecting reproductive outcomes, is well relevant. Nevertheless, a
more explicit discussion on the strengths and limitations of experimental designs by clear
information about the tank’s controlled conditions and environment to stimulate natural cycles of
the herring and managing external factors like temperature and pressure could be more
beneficial.
Evaluating the methodology, the principle component analysis (PCA), and linear
aggression for the phenotypic traits and reproductive stages are suitable for managing the type of
data gathered and deep analysis by comparing the two light regimes. This methodology allows
the researchers to effectively identify the patterns and relationships between the different
photoperiods and reproductive parameters. However, the setup lacks a comprehensive
description of analytical techniques, the slight touch of these techniques can be available in any
scientific paper in the related research but this paper could fill the gap and could be better by
underscoring the sensitivity to sample size, data distribution assumptions, details on maintenance
of environmental conditions, and how to control external factors (temperature variations, etc.).
The paper has clear participant details such as, full or half-siblings are created by single
mothers with two fathers in the breeding stock. Although this approach reduces environmental
parental influences ensuring that the observed differences result mainly from the experimental
photoperiod conditions rather than from variations in parentage, it instigates genetic uniformity
that could affect the study’s results. There is precise information about the number of
participants at distinct sampling points. However, the study’s clarity could be enhanced by
providing further explanation of the rationale for this choice, its potential implications, and
techniques of calculations of sample sizes. The author could enhance the transparency by
including the power analysis or at least discussing how the sample size could influence the
reliability of their findings. It would be more beneficial if the study presented a stronger
justification for choosing this approach and discussed the potential trade-offs like the possibility
of masking the population level by genetic uniformity.
Furthermore, the input of several graphs, tables, and illustrations of data representation
are effective enough to engross the readers’ interests. The rational visual representation can be
seen through correctly labeled and clear figures while comprehending data distribution is present
in the incorporated tables. Notably, the consistency between the illustrations and narrative is
maintained by the authors who did not over-interpret the data with these visual aids.
In conclusion, this scientific study provides valuable insights into the impacts of
photoperiod manipulations on Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus). Primarily investigate, whether
the actual influencer of photic zeitgeber is changes in the natural reproductive cycles or the
feeding opportunities in the fish, with clear objectives and experiments. However, improvements
could be made in offering contextual background and addressing the rationale limitations in
genetic uniformity which may influence the study’s outcomes. Further studies should aim to
focus on broader genetic samples and better link experimental conditions to real-world scenarios.
Overall, the paper is methodologically sound, but it could be enhanced with a more thorough
analysis.
References
Schmidt, T. C. D. S., Berg, F., Folkvord, A., Pires, A. M., Komyakova, V., Tiedemann, M., &
Kjesbu, O. S. (2022b). Is it possible to photoperiod manipulate spawning time in
planktivorous fish? A long-term experiment on Atlantic herring. Journal of Experimental
Marine Biology and Ecology, 552, 151737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2022.151737
Kjesbu, O. S., Righton, D., Krüger-Johnsen, M., Thorsen, A., Michalsen, K., Fonn, M., &
Witthames, P. R. (2010). Thermal dynamics of ovarian maturation in Atlantic cod (Gadus
morhua). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 67(4), 605–625.
https://doi.org/10.1139/f10-011
Witthames, P. R., Thorsen, A., Murua, H., Saborido-Rey, F., Greenwood, L. N., Dominguez, R.,
Korta, M., & Kjesbu, O. S. (2009). Advances in methods for determining fecundity:
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Harley, J., Grinnell, M., Hebert, K., Cleary, J., Thompson, M., & Rooper, C. (2024). Forecasted changes
to the timing of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawn in a warming ocean. Marine Ecology
Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14630
Ory, N. C., Gröger, J. P., Lehmann, A., Mittermayer, F., Neuheimer, A. B., & Clemmesen, C. (2024b).
Early arrival of spring‐spawning Atlantic herring Clupea harengus at their spawning ground in
the Kiel Fjord, western Baltic, relates to increasing winter seawater temperature. Journal of Fish
Biology. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15811
Harley, J., Grinnell, M., Hebert, K., Cleary, J., Thompson, M., & Rooper, C. (2024b). Forecasted
changes to the timing of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawn in a warming ocean. Marine
Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14630
Berg, F., Seljestad, G., & Folkvord, A. (2024). Growth of spring- and autumn-spawned larvae of
Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus); results from a long-term experiment mimicking seasonal
light conditions. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14521
Ljungström, G., Francis, T. B., Mangel, M., & Jørgensen, C. (2018). Parent-offspring conflict over
reproductive timing: ecological dynamics far away and at other times may explain spawning
variability in Pacific herring. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 76(2), 559–572.
https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy106
