Loading...
Publication
Effects of starvation on swimming performance and body condition of pre-settlement Sparus aurata larvae
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.49 MB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Body condition in larval fishes is an important determinant of survival in the natural
environment. However, few studies correlate body condition with behavioural traits critical for survival, such as swimming performance. In the present study, we compared normally fed larvae of gilthead seabream Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758, at various intervals post-hatch with larvae which were
starved for 1 to 3 d (for Ucrit) or 2 d (for swimming endurance). Feeding treatment (fed and or unfed)
had no effect on the relationship between Ucrit and larval size. However, in the endurance experiment, fed individuals swam twice as far as unfed larvae (19.7 km for fed larvae and 9.5 km for unfed
larvae). The RNA/DNA ratio was higher in fed larvae in the Ucrit experiment, but significant effects
were only detectable after a 3 d period of starvation. Fulton’s condition factor was significantly higher
in fed larvae in the endurance trial, which suggests that growth (in weight) of starved larvae was
affected by long-term swimming. Taken together, these results suggest that for aging and orientation
behaviours (activities in which critical speeds might be involved) are not affected by reduced feeding
over a few days, but that sub-lethal effects of starvation may affect dispersal potential (for which
endurance swimming is critical) and therefore compromise subsequent recruitment to the adult
population.
Description
Keywords
Gilthead seabream Swimming performance Nutritional condition Sub-lethal effects RNA DNA ratios
Citation
Faria, A. M.; Chicharo, M. A.; Goncalves, E. J. Effects of starvation on swimming performance and body condition of pre-settlement Sparus aurata larvae, Aquatic Biology, 12, 3, 281-289, 2011.