The effect of water temperature on muscle cellularity and gill tissue of larval and juvenile Lophiosilurus alexandri, a Neotropical freshwater fish

Abstract

The effect of temperature on muscle development and gill tissue were investigated in larval and juvenile of Lophiosilurus alexandri, a carnivorous Neotropical fish species. Larvae and juveniles were reared at temperatures of 23, 26, 29 and 32 °C for 15 and 35 days, respectively. The larvae were fed Artemia nauplii, while the juveniles received a formulated diet. In both stages, high temperatures resulted in increased fiber diameter of white muscle. Moreover, a pronounced effect of hypertrophy was observed in later stages of development. No alterations to minimum fiber diameter, and similar mosaic standards of muscle growth dynamics, were observed in larvae kept at 23–32 °C, suggesting that hyperplasia was not effected during early stages of development. Gills were analyzed by Degree of Tissue Change (DTC), which is based on the severity of lesions. Significant morphological changes were observed in gills when juveniles were kept at 32 °C, which was considered moderate tissue damage. Temperature modulates cellularity in L. alexandri larvae and juveniles, with pronounced alterations of hypertrophy of white muscle fibers in later stages of development when exposed to elevated temperatures. Higher temperatures may also induce muscle growth dynamics with increased recruitment of new white fiber, increased fiber diameter in the early stages and induced gill lesions.