Early development and allometric growth patterns in burbot Lota lota L.

Abstract

This study analyzed the morphological development and allometric growth patterns of Lota lota L. (burbot) larvae reared under controlled laboratory conditions. From hatching to day 50, twenty larvae were sampled each [between 1 and 14 days post-hatch (DPH)] or every second day (between 14 and 50 DPH) and measured under a stereoscopic microscope using analytic software. Based on the external morphology, the different stages during early development of burbot were identified: yolk sac larva 0-8 DPH [3.92-4.37 mm total length (TL)]; preflexion larva 9-26 DPH (4.57-12.06 mm TL); flexion larva (between notochord degradation and its replacement with rays) 28-34 DPH (14.00-16.34 mm TL) and postflexion larva/juvenile 36-50 DPH (18.20-29.27 mm TL). Allometric growth patterns of some parameters (e.g., total length, head length, body length, tail length, head depth, body depth, eye diameter) were modeled by a power function and described by the growth coefficient. Organogenesis and changes of body proportions in burbot larvae were more rapid and complex during the yolk sac and preflexion phase of development as larvae developed most of their sensorial, feeding, respiratory and swimming systems and after notochord flexion, when most morphological changes were related to the progressive transformation from pelagic larva to demersal larva/juvenile.

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

“…In most fish species, e.g. Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii (see Gisbert 1999), California halibut Paralichthys californicus (see Gisbert et al 2002), African catfish Clarias gariepinus, carp (see van Snik et al 1997), and burbot Lota lota (see Kupren et al 2014a), the process of early remodeling was linked to the positive allometric growth of many morphological characters. During a short period, growth slows down (Hoda and Tsukahara 1971;Fuiman 1983).…”

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“…probably linked to the development of nervous (midbrain and hindbrain), sensory (vision and olfaction), respiratory (gill arches and filaments) and feeding systems, as increasing head size is associated with a more developed nervous system, allowing better oxygen uptake and the uptake of food particles of increasing size (Fuiman, 1983;van Snik et al, 1997;Koumoundouros et al, 1999;Gisbert et al, 2002;Kupren et al, 2014aKupren et al, , 2014b. In the posterior part of the body, rapid tail growth (allometric growth of TAL, BDA and TD) was concomitant with the development of musculature, unpaired fins, caudal peduncle and fin rays.…”

“…disappearance of finfold, acquisition of the adult complement of fin rays or squamation (Urho, 2002;Nikolioudakis et al, 2010). From an ecological point of view its most significant aspect is the occurrence of a niche and habitat shift of larvae (Urho, 2002;Kupren et al, 2014a). The objective of the present study was to provide biological knowledge on the morphological and functional development of European chub free embryos, larvae and early juvenile reared under intensive conditions, with a focus on the age and size at transformation.…”

Early development of two tropical fishes (Perciformes: Sciaenidae) from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…Thus, unequal (or differentiated) growth during the ontogenetic development of these species is suggested. The changes in functional development and, consequently, in body shape are particularly striking during the first days of life and may lead to the formation of allometric growth patterns (Kupren et al, 2014). According to Huysentruyt, Moerkerke, Devaere and Adriaens (2009), the sequence of these allometric changes may be chronologically related to important early life history events, and therefore reflect an evolutionary ontogenetic response to functional requirements, such as feeding and locomotion.…”