A full life cycle Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for Peruvian anchovy Engraulis ringens in the northern Humboldt Current system (NHCS) with a focus on early-life history traits

The environmental conditions of the northern Humboldt Current system (NHCS) are highly variable and will evolve in the context of climate change. Therefore, to better understand how these changing conditions may affect the species’ biological processes, we have developed the first comprehensive Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model for Peruvian anchovy ( Engraulis ringens ), which describes its maturity, growth, and reproduction as a function of temperature and food concentration experienced by individuals. It is key to understand how these environmental conditions will affect the life history traits of this keystone species, as E. ringens sustains the world’s largest single-species fisheries and plays a crucial role in the marine food web. Model parameters were estimated using data on larval growth (standard length) at different temperatures obtained from laboratory experiments, von Bertalanffy growth curves for juveniles and adults, and batch fecundity. The model was able to properly reproduce the observed growth patterns in length and weight of larvae, juveniles and adults, as well as ages and sizes at transitions between life stages. As the main interest was focused on early-life stages in terms of growth and survival under food deprivation and as a function of temperature, we developed and compared alternative formulations to describe the variability of the shape coefficient during early life stages. Results will be particularly valuable for improving our understanding on how environmental conditions affect larval survival and, ultimately, recruitment success.