Effects of starvation on swimming performance and body condition of pre-settlement Sparus aurata larvae

Abstract

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 U crit ) or 2 d (for swimming endurance). Feeding treatment (fed and or unfed) had no effect on the relationship between U crit 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 U crit 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.KEY WORDS: Gilthead seabream · Swimming performance · Nutritional condition · Sub-lethal effects · RNA/DNA ratio · Fulton's condition factor Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

Relationship between swimming capacities and morphological traits of fish larvae at settlement stage: a study of several coastal Mediterranean species

“…The two families with the most groups and species examined in this study, Mugilidae and Sparidae, have only ever been studied in temperate environments (Clark et al, ; Faillettaz et al, ; Faria et al, ; Pattrick & Strydom, ). For four species of Sparidae tested in this study, results can be compared with the results of Faillettaz et al .…”

“…These studies have demonstrated that many species can swim well enough to compensate for the strength of local currents, confirming that locomotion during late larval stages may contribute to the dispersal and colonisation of coastal fish populations (Houde, ; Leis, ; Staaterman et al, ). Studies have also examined temperate species, although to a lesser degree and mainly using only artificially reared fish larvae (Faria et al, , , ; Koumoundouros et al, ; Pattrick & Strydom, ).…”

A review and assessment of the potential use of RNA:DNA ratios to assess the condition of entrained fish larvae

“…Nonetheless, RNA:DNA have been shown to decrease when fishes are exposed to various organic and inorganic chemicals, including benzophenone (sometimes used in sunscreen), ethyl acetate (used in a wide range of applications), methyl parathion (a pesticide), para-cresol (intermediate compound used in the production of many other chemicals), hexavalent chromium (byproduct of industrial processes), cadmium, mercury and mixture of chemicals (Kearns and Atchison, 1979;Barron and Aldeman, 1984 Finally, researchers have also attempted to correlate RNA:DNA ratios with behavior-related stresses. Faria et al (2011a) found that RNA:DNA ratios varied positively with critical swimming speed and suggested that better condition led to better swimming ability for Spartus aurata larvae. Faria et al (2011b) also attempted to quantify the relationship of RNA:DNA to the critical swimming speed of Senegalese sole.…”

Response of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L., 1758) Larvae to Nursery Odor Cues as Described by a New Set of Behavioral Indexes

“…The response of S. aurata larvae to nursery odor cues increased along ontogeny, thus coinciding with the development of olfactory structures and increased swimming abilities (up to 19.3 cm s −1 , 20.2 body lengths s −1 , Faria et al, 2011), as proposed by the SAAB hypothesis (Teodósio et al, 2016). The absence of pre-flexion and flexion larvae response to odor cues can be due to their incapacity to swim toward the cues, to sensing incapacity, and/or because their attraction to nursery grounds develop later during the ontogeny closer to settlement.…”

“…The swimming capabilities of Sparidae increase along ontogeny (Pattrick and Strydom, 2009;Faria et al, 2011), however, swimming capabilities are limited before post-flexionfor example, up to 3-4 times lower for Pagrus aurata (Sparidae) pre-flexion larvae (Clark et al, 2005). Indeed, a developmental threshold was identified at 24 DPH, before which insufficient swimming capability disabled responsive behavior.…”