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Sensory variability in Chinese sturgeon in relation to fish feeding experience on formulated diets
Author(s) -
Liang X.F.,
Xiao H.,
Wen H.,
Wei Q.W.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied ichthyology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.392
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1439-0426
pISSN - 0175-8659
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0426.2010.01640.x
Subject(s) - sturgeon , biology , taste , fish <actinopterygii> , oral cavity , chemoreceptor , larva , sensory system , zoology , feeding behavior , food science , fishery , ecology , biochemistry , neuroscience , medicine , receptor , orthodontics
Summary The reasons for the individual differences in feeding performance when using formulated diets in cultures of larvae and juveniles of Chinese sturgeon ( Acipenser sinensis ) were investigated. Using the cultured individuals which accepted formulated diets, the sensory basis of feeding behaviour was studied and compared with previous results obtained from those fish which refused to feed on formulated diets. Chemoreception was found to be more effectively utilized in their feeding behaviour, and olfaction and oral gustation appeared to be the most important senses to initiate searching and feeding activity. The individual variations in the development of taste buds in the oral cavity may be critical to the readiness for intake of formulated diets. We found that the distribution of taste buds in the oral cavity of Chinese sturgeon was largely on the upper lips. We were able to demonstrate for the first time that the taste bud numbers in Chinese sturgeons which are perhaps involved in accepting formulated diets were much higher in the feeding group than in those which refused formulated diets.