Reproductive strategy, egg characteristics and embryonic development of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides)
21
Citation
54
Reference
10
Related Paper
Citation Trend
Abstract:
Abstract Domínguez-Petit, R., Ouellet, P., and Lambert, Y. 2013. Reproductive strategy, egg characteristics and embryonic development of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 342–351. Despite the commercial importance of Greenland halibut (GH), important gaps exist in our knowledge of the reproductive and early life stage biology for this species. The present study examined through laboratory experiments the spawning strategy, realized fecundity, egg characteristics, biochemical composition, and embryonic development of GH. The results confirmed the hypothesis that GH is a single-batch spawner producing large eggs, resulting in low realized fecundity. Embryonic development and hatching time are highly dependent on incubation temperature; 50% hatching occurred after 46, 30, and 24 days at 2, 4, and 6°C, respectively. Few changes in the biochemical composition of the eggs are observed during embryonic development. Newly hatched larvae are not well developed, having a large yolk sac, no pigmentation and incomplete development of the jaws. Egg specific density confirmed the mesopelagic distribution of the eggs at sea. However, important buoyancy changes occurring in the last 3–4 days before hatching indicate that larvae hatch higher in the water column. These results are important for understanding advection and dispersion processes of GH eggs and larvae and the connectivity between spawning grounds and nursery areas.Keywords:
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Live yolk‐sac halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.) larvae from rearing experiments at Austevoll Aquaculture Station, Norway, were examined from hatching to past first feeding for developmental morphology and behaviour. The findings include development of the respiratory and circulatory organs, eye pigmentation, mouth formation, organs of the digestive system and the process of yolk absorption, as well as swimming speed and activity levels. A stomodeum is not present at hatching although drinking is possible through a pair of branchial pits which gradually develop into the operculum and gill basket. The mouth normally opens slowly, the gape being restricted by a transverse septum until bones are formed. The amount of time spent swimming varies from less than 15% of the observation period during the first 2 weeks after hatching to between 70 and 100% around the seventh week after hatching, when individual differences become more apparent. Larvae generally react with a burst of swimming when two come into contact. Speed and duration of swimming seems to be correlated with development of eye pigment, heart size and fin formation. The yolk‐sac period is divided into four stages.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Operculum (bryozoa)
Yolk
Cite
Citations (115)
Abstract Domínguez-Petit, R., Ouellet, P., and Lambert, Y. 2013. Reproductive strategy, egg characteristics and embryonic development of Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70: 342–351. Despite the commercial importance of Greenland halibut (GH), important gaps exist in our knowledge of the reproductive and early life stage biology for this species. The present study examined through laboratory experiments the spawning strategy, realized fecundity, egg characteristics, biochemical composition, and embryonic development of GH. The results confirmed the hypothesis that GH is a single-batch spawner producing large eggs, resulting in low realized fecundity. Embryonic development and hatching time are highly dependent on incubation temperature; 50% hatching occurred after 46, 30, and 24 days at 2, 4, and 6°C, respectively. Few changes in the biochemical composition of the eggs are observed during embryonic development. Newly hatched larvae are not well developed, having a large yolk sac, no pigmentation and incomplete development of the jaws. Egg specific density confirmed the mesopelagic distribution of the eggs at sea. However, important buoyancy changes occurring in the last 3–4 days before hatching indicate that larvae hatch higher in the water column. These results are important for understanding advection and dispersion processes of GH eggs and larvae and the connectivity between spawning grounds and nursery areas.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Cite
Citations (21)
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Yolk
Cite
Citations (52)
In general fish larvae emerge from the protective egg after secreting a hatching enzyme (HE) from diffusely located hatching gland cells (HGCs). This proteolytic enzyme is distributed over the entire inner part of the eggshell (zona radiata). In a marine flatfish halibut, (Hippoglossus hippoglossus), we have found a more specialized hatching process. A strategic location of the HGCs in a narrow belt on the anterior part of the yolk sac leads to restricted degradation of the eggshell resulting in cleavage of the eggshell into two distinct rigid parts. This hatching process--termed "rim-hatching"--results in an empty eggshell with a lid approximately 1/4 the size of the bottom shell. During the hatching process the yolk sac is reshaped. The posterior part of the yolk sac contracts and the yolk mass is squeezed forward before hatching. This mechanism ensures close contact between the HGCs and the eggshell during the release of the hatching enzyme, which is a prerequisite for restricted degradation of the eggshell.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Yolk
Cite
Citations (24)
Effects of an iodophor (Buffodine™) on eggs and larvae of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus were investigated. Eggs were treated for 10 min with various concentrations of Buffodine and at different developmental stages from 4 h to 12 d after fertilization. Survival of the yolk-sac larvae was recorded at 37 d after hatching; survivors were then examined for developmental abnormalities. Survival and development were significantly affected by both the developmental stage at which eggs were treated and the concentration of disinfectant. The highest number of normal larvae were obtained when eggs were disinfected with 1% Buffodine 9 d after fertilization. Disinfection increased survival of eggs and larvae and reduced the prevalence of opaque tissue and occurrence of damaged rostral mouth. When six different egg batches were tested with 1% Buffodine, the increase in number of normal larvae, relative to untreated controls, varied among batches.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Iodophor
Cite
Citations (27)
Yolk
Cite
Citations (25)
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Incubator
Dry weight
Yolk
Cite
Citations (25)
Abstract Growth of Pacific halibut Hippoglossus stenolepis larvae was studied in the laboratory during 1989 and 1991. Larvae increased in length from 6.3 mm at hatching to 9.9 mm 20 d post‐hatch. The average daily length increment was 0.17 mm. Dry weight of the larvae increased from an average of 210 μg at hatching to 570 μ g on day 20, providing a specific growth rate of 4.99. During the same period, mean yolk sac weight decreased from 1,390 μ g to 646 μ g, resulting in a yolk to body conversion efficiency of 48.5%. At hatching, the larval body made up only 13% of total dry weight. On day 20, the larval body made up 46.9% of the total weight. Larvae started feeding at a length of 12 mm after about 90% of their yolk sac had been absorbed.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Dry weight
Yolk
Wet weight
Cite
Citations (6)
The development of the visual system in Atlantic halibut was studied from hatching until the time of first feeding by following the organogenesis of the retina and by analysing the resolving power at various stages. Larvae reared under continuous darkness were compared with larvae reared in 0.3 μEm−2 s−1 white light. The retinal morphology in the two groups followed the same pattern of development. This was also true for the thickness of the various cell layers, lens diameter and photoreceptor density. The only significant difference we observed was that the inner plexiform layer was 1.5% thicker in the light‐reared group. Visual acuity calculated from the optomotoric response was about 5° for halibut larvae at the stage of first feeding. Visual acuity in this period, calculated from histological sections, was approximately 0.6°. Acuity was not different between the two groups. The results indicate that light is not a critical factor for normal morphogenesis of the retina of halibut to the time of first feeding.
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Darkness
Cite
Citations (15)
The development of the fertilized eggs and the development and growth of yolksac larvae of Tinca tinca in the period of starvation were observed and the point of no return (PNR) was also studied. The results show that: (1) The embryo was hatched for about 52 h before hatching out with water temperature 21.5℃. (2) After hatching, the larvae started to feed on the seventh day with low initial feeding rate, the initial feeding rate reached the highest figure 100% on the ninth day, and then decreased to 50% on the twelfth day, while the larvae reached the pointofnoreturn. (3) After hatching, the highest yolksac consuming rate happened on the first day, while the highest growth rate of total length of larvae occurred on the second day. (4) On the eighth day after hatching, the yolk sac was absorbed completely, from then the starved larvae decreased in total length.
Yolk
Cite
Citations (1)