Ocean Temperature and the effect on Marine Species
Reproduction
The temperature of the ocean has a massive effect on the reproduction of many marine species. The temperature of the ocean affects fish massively as many species will only spawn under the right temperature conditions.
Temperature regulates reproduction in many fish by regulating several aspects. One aspect temperature regulates is the time at which gonads mature and the release of sperms and ova. Another aspect of fish reproduction that the temperature of the ocean controls are the embryonic and larval stages of a fish's life.
Click the picture above for more information
In temperate seas the cold temperature of the water causes a cease in the breeding of many fish species. Also some fish species stop eating below a certain temperature so will not grow to a certain size without the correct diet because of the low temperatures. Fish of the same species because of the latitude in which they reside can see a difference in size; the colder latitudes will show fish of a smaller size compared to the warmer latitudes.
The sex of an embryo can be determined in some fish depending on the temperature at which they reside. If the sea they reside in is low in temperature it can cause a female to develop where as if the sea is warmer in temperature a male embryo can develop. Atlantic Silverside embryos are an example of this.
More information about fish reproduction and the effect of temperature can be found by clicking the picture below.
