Biochemical composition and somatic growth of pelagic larvae of three fish species from the Bay of Biscay

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 382:173-183 (2009) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07941 Biochemical composition and somatic growth of pelagic larvae of three fish species from the Bay of Biscay E. Díaz1,* J. M. Txurruka2, F. Villate3 1AZTI Arrantza Baliabideen Saila, Txatxarramendi ugartea, z/g. 48395 Sukarrieta, Bizkaia, Spain 2University of the Basque Country, Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, 48080 Bilbao, Spain 3University of the Basque Country, Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, 48080 Bilbao, Spain *Email: ediaz@suk.azti.es ABSTRACT: The growth strategies of pelagic larvae of 3 fish species from the Bay of Biscay belonging to 2 different shape groups, the eel-like anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardina pilchardus, and the tadpole-like horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus, are compared in terms of changes in their biochemical composition and energy allocation. In anchovy and sardine, the relative amount of protein increased and relative amounts of carbohydrates and lipids decreased throughout their growth. The biochemical composition in horse mackerel did not change significantly during growth. Differences between the 2 shape groups could be associated with the various energy allocation patterns related to dissimilar growth strategies. Although the patterns of change in biochemical composition during growth are different in the 2 shape groups, they show a very similar biochemical composition at the notochord flexion stage, indicating convergences in life-history patterns of the different species. KEY WORDS: Anchovy · Sardine · Horse mackerel · Fish larvae · Biochemical composition · RNA/DNA · Growth strategy Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Díaz E, Txurruka JM, Villate F (2009) Biochemical composition and somatic growth of pelagic larvae of three fish species from the Bay of Biscay. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 382:173-183. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07941 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 382. Online publication date: April 30, 2009 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.