Distribution, Feeding Habits, and Growth of Chub Mackerel, Scomber japonicus, Larvae During a High-Stock Period in the Northern Satsunan Area, Southern Japan

To evaluate the importance of northern Satsunan area in southern Japan as a spawning and nursery ground for chub mackerel ( Scomber japonicus ), we investigated early life history characteristics (e.g., larval distribution, feeding habits, growth) S. over five successive years. This is considered main habitat congeneric species, australasicus . Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, first confirmed that larvae were abundant area, potentially representing major Japanese Pacific coastal area. The number recorded started to increase 2016, corresponding population dynamics stock which has shown increasing trends recent Morphological DNA metabarcoding analyses gut contents stable isotope analysis showed that, addition copepods, fed substantially on appendicularians. trophic pathway involving appendicularians might support habits , promoting its coexistence with other dominant species. Both instantaneous growth rate daily specific comparable those East China Sea, Our data strongly suggest favorable conditions sustaining high densities, even during phases numbers. results provide insights fisheries management especially high-stock periods.