Development and allometric growth patterns during early larval stages of the spotted sand bass <i>Paralabrax maculatofasciatus</i> (Percoidei: Serranidae)

Abstract

SUMMARY: We describe the allometric growth patterns of Paralabrax maculatofasciatus larvae raised under culture conditions. From hatching to day 30, ten to fifteen larvae were sampled each day and measured using digital photograph software. Morphometric measurements included total length, head length, body length, tail (post anal) length, head depth, body depth, muscle height, tail depth, mouth length and eye diameter. Allometric growth was modeled by a power function and patterns in allometry were described by the growth coefficient (power function exponent). Based on the changes in the growth coefficients we can infer changes in ontogenetic priorities related to developmental stages of the spotted sand bass. During the yolk sac and preflexion stages (TL interval = 1.57 to 4.38 mm) there is an evident priority to enhancing the feeding and swimming capabilities by promoting accelerated growth in the head and tail length. During the flexion stage (TL interval = 4.89 to 7.54 mm), there is a major decrease in the growth coefficients, indicating a change in growth priorities. At the end of the postflexion stage there is an evident tendency to isometry for all the growth coefficients. The present results support the hypothesis of differential growth patterns for primary functions during early ontogeny.Keywords: allometric growth, larval development, spotted sand bass, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus. RESUMEN: DESARROLLO Y PAUTAS DE CRECIMIENTO ALOMÉTRICO DURANTE LOS PRIMEROS ESTADIOS LARVARIOS DE LA CABRILLA ARE-NERA PARALABRAX MACULATOFASCIATUS (PERCOIDEI: SERRANIDAE). -Este estudio describe los patrones de crecimiento alométrico de Paralabrax maculatofasciatus en cultivo. Desde la eclosión hasta los 30 días, de diez a quince larvas fueron recolectadas y medidas utilizando un software de fotografía digital. Las mediciones incluyeron longitud total, longitud de la cabeza, longitud del cuerpo, longitud de la cola (post anal), altura de la cabeza, del cuerpo, muscular, y de la cola, longitud de la boca y diámetro del ojo. Los patrones de crecimiento alométrico fueron calculados como una función potencial. Sobre la base de los cambios en los coeficientes de crecimiento se infieren cambios en las prioridades ontogenéticas relacionadas con los estadios de desarrollo. Durante los estadios de larva vitelina y preflexión (TL intervalo = 1.57 -4.38 mm) existe una evidente prioridad para incrementar las capacidades alimenticias y natatorias. Durante la etapa de flexión (TL intervalo = 4.89 -7.54 mm) se observa un cambio en las prioridades de crecimiento. Al final de la etapa de postflexión existe una evidente tendencia a la isometría en todos los coeficientes de crecimiento. Estos resultados apoyan la hipótesis de patrones diferenciales de crecimiento para funciones primordiales durante la ontogenia inicial.Palabras clave: crecimiento alométrico, desarrollo larvario, cabrilla arenera, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus.

Early development and allometric growth patterns of rheophilic cyprinid common dace Leuciscus leuciscus (Cyprinidae: Leuciscinae)

“…In the posterior part of the body, rapid tail growth of dace individuals (allometric growth of TAL, BDA, and TD) was concomitant with the development of musculature, unpaired fins, caudal peduncle, and fin rays. Such changes contribute to improved swimming ability (Fuiman 1983;Peña and Dumas 2009;Khemis et al 2013;Kupren et al 2014a, b). The reported positive allometric growth of the anterior and posterior parts of the larval body, prior to the development of the trunk region, could be also interpreted as an adaptation to increase swimming efficiency Koumoundouros et al 1999).…”

Characterization of the early development of Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889 (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from the Paraguay River Basin

“…To test for growth changes in specific body parts, the morphometric variables (dependent variables) were plotted against the total length (TL) (explanatory variable), and analyzed their relationships using several regression models (Kováč et al, 1999). The dependent variables used were body height at the level of the pectoral fin (BH), head height (HH), eye diameter (ED), body height at the level of the anus (BHa), and caudal peduncle height (CPH) (Peña & Dumas, 2009). First, we tested the hypothesis that body ratio development is continuously isometric using a simple linear regression model.…”

“…For the analyses of allometric growth patterns, linear regressions of log(x)-transformed data were calculated to obtain b value (coefficient of growth) extracted from the equation y=a+bx, where y is the dependent variable (body parts measurements), x is the independent variable (total length), a is the intercept and b is the coefficient of growth (Peña & Dumas, 2009). The allometry and isometry patterns were described for all development stages, according to the values of growth coefficient obtained, i.e., if b<1, the allometric growth is negative; if b>1, the allometric growth is positive; and if b=1, the growth is isometric (Peña & Dumas, 2009).…”

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“…This pattern of development resulted in the transition from a longitudinally-elongated body shape to more fusiform streamlined body and has been explained as an adaptation to reduce and optimize the energy costs of larval transport (van Snik et al, 1997), reduce drag forces on the body and attain higher locomotion speed. A similar growth tendency is also observed in other fish species with good swimming abilities during their larval period (Koumoundouros et al, 1999;Peña and Dumas, 2009;Kupren et al, 2014b). The positive allometry of body depth (BD) observed during the larval period is also probably linked with the development of the digestive tract and associated glands.…”

“…The level of ontogenic development at hatching is species-specific and highly dependent on environmental conditions, especially of water temperature (Kamler, 1992;Teletchea et al, 2009;Kupren et al,2011b, Palińska et al, 2014. For example, many marine species from warm and temperate regions which produce numerous small eggs are extremely poorly developed at hatching (Gisbert et al, 2002;Peña and Dumas, 2009;Çoban et al, 2012).…”