Trophic level influences larval shortbelly rockfish (Sebastes jordani) development

Identifying the factors influencing fish recruitment is critical for fishery management, and failure to do so can have major ecological and economic consequences. Many hypotheses over the past century have been proposed, and the recently postulated Trophic Efficiency in Early Life (TEEL) hypothesis argues that a shorter food chain length can result in more efficient energy transfer from primary producers to young fishes, thereby increasing growth rate and larval condition, reducing early-life mortality and ultimately leading to a stronger recruitment cohort. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the trophic position (TP) through compound-specific isotopic analysis of amino acids, as well as otolith microstructure and stomach content of larval shortbelly rockfish (Sebastes jordani). Results show larval rockfish that ate lower TP prey were both heavier and faster growing. This suggests the trophic characteristics of early life diet are critical to larval survival, and provide evidence in s..., , , # Trophic Efficiency Facilitates Larval Shortbelly Rockfish (Sebastes jordani) Development

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dfn2z3584](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dfn2z3584)

Identifying the factors influencing fish recruitment is critical for fishery management, but despite 109 years of research, our understanding on the factors controlling fish recruitment remain incomplete. This study showcases that when larval fish consume lower trophic level prey, they are heavier and faster growing. This supports the Trophic Efficiency in Early Life (TEEL) hypothesis which postulates a shorter food chain length (FCL) result in more efficient energy transfer from primary producers to young fishes, and contribute to fish recruitment.

## Description of the data and file structure

Data are saved as CSV files.

**S.jord_All_Revised**
ID = fish ID
station = CalCOFI line_station
year = year sampled during CalCOFI cruise
TP_group1 = low or high TP group
size_cm = total length of larva
weight_mg = total...