Description: Abstract Vinciguerria nimbaria larvae caught in August/September 1998 above the plateau and in the deep water area around the Great Meteor Seamount were analysed for nutritional condition and growth based on RNA/DNA ratios, size in length, dry weight, and otolith increment pattern. Data analysis was based on the following hypothesis: Due to its oceanographic features ("Taylor" column, retention area) the Great Meteor Seamount favours growth and nutritional condition for larval fish. Vinciguerria larvae caught above the plateau of the seamount showed significantly higher dry weights compared to the oceanic area, although the nutritional condition as measured by RNA/DNA ratios and dry-weight to larval-size relationships did not show any significant differences. Age-structure analysis based on otolith increments and growth rates indicated no significant differences between the sampling areas. Kurzfassung Beeinflusst die Große Meteorbank Wachstum und Ernahrungszustand von Fischlarven, insbesondere Vinciguerria nimbaria? Der Ernahrungszustand und das Wachstum von Vinciguerria-nimbaria-Larven, die im August/September 1998 iiber dem Plateau und im Tiefseebereich der Großen Meteorbank gefangen wurden, wurden mittels RNA/DNA-Analysen, Langen- und Gewichtsbestimmungen und anhand der Otolith-Tagesringstruktur analysiert. Folgende Hypothese wurde gepriift: Aufgrund ihrer hydrographischen Besonderheiten (Taylor-Säule, "Retention"-Bereich) ermöglicht die Meteorbank besseres Wachstum und eine bessere Ernahrungslage fur Fischlarven. Vinciguerria-Larven aus dem Bereich oberhalb des Seeberges hatten im Vergleich zum ozeanischen Bereich signifikant hi:ihere Trockengewichte, die RNA/DNA-Verhaltnisse und die Gewichts-Langen-Beziehungen zwischen den beiden Untersuchungsgebieten sowie die Altersverteilungen und Wachstumsraten zwischen beiden Gebieten ergaben keine signifikanten Unterschiede.

Description: Standard length, dry mass and RNA : DNA ratio measurements of 3876 Atlantic cod Gadus morhua larvae and juveniles from 26 families of recruit (fish during their first year of spawning) and repeat spawners (fish which were in their subsequent spawning season) reared in two mesocosms (2500 and 4400 m3) under semi-natural conditions were analysed over a period of 10 weeks using microsatellites. Larvae from recruit spawners were significantly longer and heavier at hatch and throughout the 10 weeks. RNA : DNA ratios from recruit spawner offspring were only significantly higher at week 1. The smaller (2500 m3) mesocosm was characterized by low plankton density during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding followed by a higher density during the metamorphosis period (weeks 4 and 5), with the reverse pattern evident in the 4400 m3 mesocosm. Patterns of larval growth followed patterns of zooplankton density. Significant differences in RNA : DNA ratios between the mesocosms at all comparable sampling dates were found and within each mesocosm individual fish exhibited a wide range of growth and condition responses under the same environmental conditions. RNA : DNA ratios as a function of size differed in the amount of variability between mesocosms, indicating that the higher food density led to a higher proportion of well-conditioned larvae in the first 3 weeks. Food availability probably has a major role in determining offspring growth and condition, with limited effects due to maternal effects in cases where the broodstock females are approximately of similar size and condition.