Enzymatic, skeletal, and histological ontogeny of shi drum (Umbrina cirrosa) larvae under intensive culture conditions

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the structural and ontogenetic development of the skeletal system and digestive tract histologically and enzymatically in larvae of shi drum (U. cirrosa) under intensive rearing conditions until 40days after hatching (DAH). Among digestive enzymes, amylase was detected at 0.89 ± 0.12mUmg protein-1 on the first hatching day. The specific activities of trypsin and lipase were detected simultaneously with mouth opening on 3 DAH with 28.47 ± 3.52 and 2.8 ± 0.32mUmg protein-1, respectively. In addition, pepsin was found for the first time at 0.88 ± 0.21mUmg protein-1 on 15 DAH in association with stomach formation and increased sharply up to 40 DAH. In the structural development of the skeletal system, the development of the caudal fin in larvae was morphologically associated with the flexion of the notochord. It was observed that the shape of the fin and spine, which reached 40 DAH, became similar to the adult shape. Histologically, 3 DAH, the mouth and anus were opened. The formation of the primitive stomach was observed at the end of the seventh day-the pyloric sphincter formed between 13 and 18days. A functional stomach was seen on the 15th DAH. Therefore, U. cirrosa is believed to have critical aquaculture potential that can be cultured under intensive conditions. The developmental profile of skeletal, enzymatic, and histological ontogeny observed in U. cirrosa is similar to that described for other sciaenid species.