•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Egg abundance of Maurolicus japonicus, a dominant mesopelagic fish in the Japan Sea, was analyzed during 1981-2005 as an index of the spawning-adult abundance. There was a major change in egg abundance around 1988/1989, with negative anomalies occurring during 1981-1988 and positive anomalies occurring from l989. At about the same time (1986/1987), the Tsushima Current shifted from cold to warm conditions. Environmental indices were found to be positively correlated with egg abundance two years later. Our results suggest that the abundance of M. japonicus is affected by climatic regime shifts, and that it could be used as an indicator species.

COinS