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Vertebral deformity in cultured Atlantic cod larvae: ontogeny and effects on mortality
Author(s) -
Puvanendran Velmurugu,
CalderCrewe Colleen,
Brown Joseph A
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
aquaculture research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2109
pISSN - 1355-557X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2109.2009.02268.x
Subject(s) - biology , larva , incubation , deformity , broodstock , ontogeny , predation , incubation period , anatomy , zoology , fishery , ecology , endocrinology , aquaculture , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , genetics
The effects of different egg incubation densities on the incidences of vertebral deformities in Atlantic cod larvae were investigated. Cod eggs were incubated at four different densities, 3, 6, 12 and 48 mL eggs L −1 , of water. When all the eggs hatched, larvae were reared in 30 L glass aquaria. Larval samples were taken at 0, 14, 42 and 56 days post hatch (dph) for deformity analysis. Larval samples were stained using bone and cartilage staining methods to determine vertebral deformity. Incubation densities did not have any significant effects on vertebral deformities in Atlantic cod larvae. However, the incidence of larval vertebral deformity was high at hatch and decreased as the larvae grew older until 42 dph, indicating selective mortality of deformed larvae during this period. Larvae at 56 dph, however, showed an increase in the incidence of vertebral deformity, indicating a possible nutritional or prey‐type effect. To our knowledge, no studies have documented the occurrence of variable patterns in vertebral deformities in cod at various developmental stages. Overall, our results suggest that broodstock husbandry, genetics and/or nutrition could play a major role in causing vertebral deformities in Atlantic cod at hatch; however, nutrition and prey type may play a major role during metamorphosis.