重金属离子铜对鱼类早期发育阶段的毒性

文章综述了重金属离子铜（Cu^2＋）对鱼类早期发育阶段的毒性影响。高剂量的Cu^2＋可造成鱼类胚胎孵化率降低和畸形率增加，对于仔鱼、稚鱼和幼鱼也有较大毒性作用，严重者可致死。文章分析了Cu^2＋对各种鱼类早期发育阶段的半致死浓度和安全浓度，探讨了铜和其他重金属等毒物对鱼类的联合毒性作用，对渔业水质监测和渔药的使用等提出建议。     

氨氮对台湾泥鳅胚胎及卵黄囊期仔鱼的毒理效应

为探究不同质量浓度的氨氮对台湾泥鳅胚胎、卵黄囊期仔鱼发育和毒性的影响,在水温(26±1)℃下,将发育至囊胚期的台湾泥鳅受精卵分别置于0(对照组)、5、10、20、40、80 mg/L质量浓度氨氮中,显微镜观察并记录台湾泥鳅的胚胎发育和仔鱼的孵化率、孵化时间、死亡率、畸形率,体长、心率、卵黄囊吸收率和特定生长率。试验结果显示,在一定条件下[温度(26±1)℃,pH 8.0±0.1],随着氨氮质量浓度的升高,台湾泥鳅胚胎孵化率、死亡率和仔鱼畸形率均显著增加(P0.05),但氨氮的暴露对台湾泥鳅胚胎的孵化时间及胚胎期心率无显著影响(P0.05);40 mg/L和80 mg/L质量浓度组仔鱼分别在出膜后48 h和12 h内全部死亡;高质量浓度组抑制了台湾泥鳅仔鱼的生长和卵黄囊吸收率(P0.05),而低质量浓度组(5、10 mg/L)在胚胎发育和仔鱼生长期间与对照组均无显著差异(P0.05)。本研究通过探索氨氮暴露对台湾泥鳅胚胎—仔鱼期的毒理效应,为台湾泥鳅繁育、养殖提供理论依据。     

微囊藻毒素对太湖翘嘴红鲌早期发育阶段的毒性研究

(24±1) ℃时采用半静止式生物毒性试验法分析了5个不同质量浓度(500、250、125、62.5、31.25 μg/L)微囊藻毒素(MC-LR)对太湖翘嘴红鲌早期发育阶段的影响.试验结果表明,微囊藻毒素对翘嘴红鲌受精过程影响较小,对胚胎发育的影响较大,胚胎发育后期对微囊藻毒素的敏感性大于胚胎发育前期,对初孵仔鱼的毒性小于对胚胎的毒性;但对早期发育的各个阶段均有一定的致死和致畸毒性作用,主要表现为胚胎发育延缓、引起各种畸形、胚胎死亡和仔鱼运动性差、死亡率增高等.同时计算了MC-LR对翘嘴红鲌的受精过程的EC50分别为998.66、1519.26 μg/L;对卵裂期胚胎、囊胚期胚胎、原肠期胚胎和仔鱼的LC50分别为243.65、181.10、215.99、367.15 μg/L;对卵裂期胚胎、囊胚期胚胎、原肠期胚胎和仔鱼致畸作用的EC50分别为201.07、180.03、176.38、287.98 μg/L.     

几种重金属离子对半滑舌鳎胚胎发育和仔稚鱼的毒性效应

利用半滑舌鳎胚胎为试验材料,研究了Cu、Hg、Zn、Cd、Pb5种重金属对胚胎发育的毒性效应。胚胎在0.01、0.08和0.1mg/LCu2 溶液中孵化率较低,与对照组差异显著(P≤0.05);除0.125、0.25和0.5mg/LCd2 会促进胚胎发育速率外,其余4种重金属都会在不同程度上减慢胚胎孵化速率。重金属离子在胚胎发育过程中引起了各种各样的畸形现象,如眼睛残缺、胚胎异常死亡、胚体解体模糊、胚胎尾部弯曲;初孵仔鱼不能破膜而出,初孵仔鱼脊椎弯曲成“S”形、“V”形、“L”形等。综合孵化率、仔鱼畸形率和胚胎畸形程度等指标可以得出5种重金属对胚胎的毒性大小依次为:Cu>Hg>Cd>Zn>Pb。还研究了Hg、Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn等5种重金属对半滑舌鳎初孵仔鱼、10d仔鱼和20d稚鱼急性(96h)毒性影响,并计算了几种重金属对半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼的半数致死浓度(LC50)和安全浓度。     

五种重金属对早繁鮸鱼胚胎和仔鱼的毒性效应

在水温27.5℃、盐度29条件下,研究了Cu2+、Cd2+、Zn2+、Cr6+和Pb2+5种重金属对早繁鮸鱼胚胎发育和初孵仔鱼的影响。结果表明:重金属在胚胎发育过程中引起各种畸形,如胚胎尾巴弯曲、初孵仔鱼不能出膜、胚胎死亡等;胚胎和初孵仔鱼上出现黑色颗粒,初孵仔鱼脊柱弯曲成L、V、S形或尾部没有展开呈逗号状,褶皱边缘被破坏等畸形。Cu2+、Cd2+、Zn2+、Cr6+和Pb2+5种重金属均延迟胚胎发育速率。综合孵化率、胚胎畸形和仔鱼畸形率等指标得出5种重金属对胚胎的毒性大小依次为Cu2+>Cd2+>Zn2+>Pb2+>Cr6+。计算了5种重金属对早繁鮸鱼初孵仔鱼的LC50和安全浓度,得出5种重金属对早繁鮸鱼初孵仔鱼毒性大小顺序为:Cu2+>Cd2+>Pb2+>Zn2+>Cr6+。     

Cu2+、Zn2 、Pb2 对七带石斑鱼(Epinephelus septemfasciatus)胚胎和初孵仔鱼的毒性效应

在(21.0±0.5)℃条件下,研究了Cu2+、Zn2+、Pb2+3种金属离子对七带石斑鱼胚胎和初孵仔鱼的毒性效应。结果表明:1)随着3种金属离子浓度的升高,受精卵的孵化速率和孵化率逐渐降低,畸形率逐渐增加。重金属引发胚胎发育发生各种畸形,如胚体增生异常而死亡、尾芽弯曲,仔鱼不能正常出膜而死亡,初孵仔鱼脊椎弯曲多呈L、S、V型或尾部未展开呈逗号状畸形。综合孵化速率、孵化率和畸形率等指标,可以看出,3种金属离子对胚胎发育的毒性大小依次为Cu2+Zn2+Pb2+;2)初孵仔鱼的毒性试验周期为96 h,随着时间加长,仔鱼的存活率逐渐降低,且金属离子浓度越大,其下降幅度越大。此外,仔鱼出现脊椎S、V型弯曲等畸形也越来越多。通过计算各时间段的半致死浓度(LC50)和安全浓度得出,3种金属离子对初孵仔鱼的毒性大小依次为Cu2+Pb2+Zn2+。本研究的一系列数据可以为新渔业水质标准的制定和水环境的监测提供理论参数,为七带石斑鱼等鱼类繁育养殖中的重金属监测与治理提供重要科学依据。     

三丁基锡对褐菖鲉胚胎卵黄囊吸收的影响

鱼类胚胎期的营养对各种器官的发育至关重要,环境条件对营养吸收的影响会增加畸形率和死亡率。研究三丁基锡(tributyltin,TBT)对鱼类胚胎期营养吸收的影响有助于深入认识TBT对鱼类胚胎发育的毒性。本实验以海洋经济鱼类褐菖鲉(Sebastiscus marmoratus)为对象,研究环境水平TBT(0.01、0.1、1、10 ng.L-1)对胚胎卵黄囊吸收的影响。通过油红O染色,发现TBT暴露引起褐菖鲉胚胎血管系统中脂类染色信号减少,而卵黄中的脂类染色正常,说明TBT可能影响了胚胎正常血液循环,从而影响了正常的营养运输。另外,TBT对Na+,K+-ATP酶、碱性磷酸酶活性的抑制以及对甲状腺激素受体α和糖皮质激素受体基因表达的影响可能和其对卵黄囊的吸收抑制有关。TBT对鱼类胚胎卵黄吸收的抑制将影响鱼类的生长和发育,增加畸形率和死亡率,最终导致鱼类种群数量减少。     

Cu~(2+)、Zn~(2+)、Pb~(2+)对七带石斑鱼(Epinephelus septemfasciatus)胚胎和初孵仔鱼的毒性效应

在(21.0±0.5)℃条件下,研究了Cu2+、Zn2+、Pb2+3种金属离子对七带石斑鱼胚胎和初孵仔鱼的毒性效应。结果表明:1)随着3种金属离子浓度的升高,受精卵的孵化速率和孵化率逐渐降低,畸形率逐渐增加。重金属引发胚胎发育发生各种畸形,如胚体增生异常而死亡、尾芽弯曲,仔鱼不能正常出膜而死亡,初孵仔鱼脊椎弯曲多呈L、S、V型或尾部未展开呈逗号状畸形。综合孵化速率、孵化率和畸形率等指标,可以看出,3种金属离子对胚胎发育的毒性大小依次为Cu2+Zn2+Pb2+;2)初孵仔鱼的毒性试验周期为96 h,随着时间加长,仔鱼的存活率逐渐降低,且金属离子浓度越大,其下降幅度越大。此外,仔鱼出现脊椎S、V型弯曲等畸形也越来越多。通过计算各时间段的半致死浓度(LC50)和安全浓度得出,3种金属离子对初孵仔鱼的毒性大小依次为Cu2+Pb2+Zn2+。本研究的一系列数据可以为新渔业水质标准的制定和水环境的监测提供理论参数,为七带石斑鱼等鱼类繁育养殖中的重金属监测与治理提供重要科学依据。     

3 种多环芳烃对条纹锯鮨胚胎发育及早期仔鱼的毒性效应

为探讨不同多环芳烃(PAHs)对海水鱼类早期生长发育的毒性效应及作用机制,分别比较研究了多环芳烃中的3环菲(Phe)、4环芘(Py)、5环苯并芘(Bap)单一暴露和与α-萘黄酮(ANF)联合暴露对条纹锯鮨(Centropristis striata)胚胎发育及早期仔鱼的毒性效应。对其胚胎中的细胞色素酶(EROD)活性、发育畸形(以心脏畸形为准)、孵化率和早期仔鱼死亡率等指标进行测定分析,结果显示:(1)Bap、Py的浓度与EROD活性之间的剂量效应关系比Phe明显,3种PAHs对条纹锯鮨胚胎中EROD活性的诱导能力由高到低依次为Bap、Py、Phe,其活性的最大值均出现在各物质的最高浓度组,其活性分别为对照组的857.52%、514.21%、280.50%;在ANF影响下,EROD的活性诱导被抑制,最高浓度组的活性分别为对照组的189.27%、278.55%、195.40%。(2)综合考虑孵化率、畸形指数和早期仔鱼死亡率等指标,3种PAHs对胚胎发育及早期仔鱼的毒性由高到低依次为Bap、Py、Phe,3种物质的浓度与受精卵的孵化率呈明显负相关,与畸形指数和仔鱼死亡率呈明显正相关;在ANF影响下,Bap和Py处理组的毒性效应得到明显抑制,Phe与ANF联合暴露处理组的毒性效应与单一暴露处理相比无相关性(P0.05)。研究表明,3种PAHs对条纹锯鮨的作用机制存在一定差异,Phe为非特异性麻醉毒性机制,Bap和Py可能通过AHR途径和CYP1 A活性诱导两种机制共同作用。     

5种重金属对光棘球海胆胚胎的毒性作用

采用静态毒性试验方法,在水温(21±0.5)℃、盐度32条件下,研究Zn、Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd单独暴露对光棘球海胆的精卵结合和胚胎发育的毒性作用。观察了5种重金属对光棘球海胆精子超微结构的损伤。试验结果表明,3个暴露浓度下,5种重金属均可导致光棘球海胆受精率极显著下降,胚胎延滞率和胚胎畸形率极显著上升,并呈剂量—效应关系。5种重金属对海胆精子细胞超微结构的损伤,可能是导致海胆受精率降低、胚胎延滞率和畸形率升高的原因之一。     

重金属对鱼类的生态毒理学研究进展

水体重金属污染是目前日益严重的环境问题之一,随着工农业的发展,生产生活中的重金属可以通过多种途径进入水生态系统。水生态系统重金属污染具有来源广泛、易在生物体内蓄积、不易分解的特点,不仅对水生生物各类群及整个生态系统产生影响,还可以通过食物链间接危害人类健康,重金属对水生态系统的影响及其对水生生物毒理学研究已成为全球环境研究的热点。鱼类作为水生态系统重要的组成部分,近年来国内外针对重金属及其生态毒理学开展了大量的研究工作。在总结分析国内外研究的基础上,综述了鱼类重金属的来源、赋存和迁移转化规律,阐述了重金属对鱼类个体水平、细胞水平、分子和遗传水平的毒理学效应以及鱼类对重金属的耐受机制;并结合重金属对鱼类生态毒理学研究中不足,对未来可能的研究方向进行了展望。     

The effects of cadmium and copper on embryonic and larval development of ide Leuciscus idus L.

The effects of Cd and Cu on embryos and larvae of the ide Leuciscus idus were evaluated. The ide is an European cyprinid fish, natural populations of which tend to decrease. The ide is also used as a bioindicator organism to evaluate water quality. However, sensitivity of ide early developmental stages to heavy metal intoxication is not known. Fish were exposed to Cd or Cu (100 μg/L) during embryonic, larval or both developmental periods. Survival of the embryos, time of hatching, size and quality of newly hatched larvae were evaluated at the end of embryonic period. Correctly developed larvae from the control and Cd or Cu-exposed groups were transferred to clean water, Cd or Cu solutions (100 μg/L) immediately after hatching. Larval development was observed, and the larvae were photographed. Time of yolk sac resorption, onset of active feeding and swim bladder inflation were evaluated, and the measurements were done on body and swim bladder size. The results showed that exposure of embryos to Cd and Cu significantly reduced embryonic survival and increased frequency of body malformations and death in newly hatched larvae and delayed hatching. Exposure to Cd and Cu during larval period reduced larval survival, growth and delayed development (yolk utilization, beginning of active feeding and swim bladder inflation). Cadmium was more toxic to the ide embryos and larvae than copper. Exposures to metals during embryonic period alone caused adverse impact on larval performance even when larval development took place in clean water. However, exposure of embryos to Cu reduced toxic impact of metal on larvae in continuous Cu exposure compared to the non-preexposed fish, but no such an effect occurred in case of Cd exposure. The results show that even a short-term exposure to Cd or Cu during early development of ide may adversely affect recruitment of this species. Among the measured endpoints, quality of newly hatched larvae (frequency of body malformations and larvae dead immediately after hatching) and swim bladder size were the most sensitive to intoxication with both metals. Embryos were more sensitive to Cu intoxication than larvae, while in case of Cd, sensitivity of both stages was similar.     

Modelling the retention and survival of Browns Bank haddock larvae using an early life stage model

Browns Bank, the principal spawning ground for haddock on the south-west Nova Scotian shelf, is composed of two distinct production zones: the inshore Bay of Fundy (BoF) region and the offshore south-west Nova (SWN) bank region. Fish growing in the BoF are larger at age than those in the SWN region. Analysis of research vessel (RV) data shows that the majority of age-2 haddock have the size of south-west Nova Scotia fish, suggesting that the majority of surviving fish were retained in SWN. We used an early life stage (ELS) model to address two questions. First, we asked whether the length-at-age difference between Bof and SWN is evident at the larval stage. Using a temperature-based growth model, we found that predicted size differences for late larvae would be less than 0.5 mm. From consideration of the average growth curves to age-2 for the two regions, we showed that this difference was not the seed for the size difference in later life stage. The second question we addressed was how well the ELS model predicted partitioning of late larvae between SWN and the BoF corresponding to the ratio of SWN/BoF age-2 juveniles found in the RV data. We ran the model on a representative number of years between 1973 and 1992, and found a significant correlation between the model simulation and the data (cor=0.71, P =0.047). This indicates that the age-2 size distribution is a reflection of retention and survival occurring during the first two months of life. Model/data discrepancies are explained in terms of differential mortality between the two regions.     

Efficacy of different types of live and non-conventional diets in endangered clown knife fish Chitala chitala (Hamilton-Buchanan) during its early life stages

In the present study, the growth and survival of early life stages (ELS) of Chitala chitala were studied in nylon hapa for 28 days, followed by rearing in fibreglass reinforcement plastic (FRP) tanks for a period of 30 days. Ten‐day‐old ELS of C. chitala reared in hapa were fed with three different diets namely Indian Major Carp (IMC) spawn (<8 mm), live tubifex and fresh fish eggs. In the second phase, 28‐day‐old ELS were stocked in 200‐lit FRP tank and supplied four different live diets namely live tubifex worm, chironomous larvae, zooplanktons and mosquito larvae. Fish accepted all types of diets in the experimental rearing period in both the systems. The experiments conducted in hapa showed a higher specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain per cent and survival rate in larvae fed with live tubifex (SGR=1.76±0.02) than fish eggs (0.77±0.31) and IMC spawn (0.46±0.12). The study carried out in FRP tanks revealed that SGR was higher in ELS fed on chironomous larvae (4.44±0.61), followed by mosquito larvae (3.29±0.40) and live tubifex (3.28±0.36), whereas minimum SGR was recorded with zooplanktons (2.84±0.66). A significant difference (P<0.05) in SGR, final mean weight and weight gain (%) was also recorded. The highest mean survival rate (100%) of ELS in an FRP tank was observed in chironomous larvae and zooplanktons, whereas with live tubifex and mosquito larvae the same survival rate (80%) was recorded. The rate of survival of the ELS reared in hapa varied from 65% to 85%. The experiments showed that ELS of C. chitala could be reared successfully in hapas and fibreglass reinforcement tanks for attaining better survivability and growth.     

Immunostimulatory effects of dietary poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate in European sea bass postlarvae

The stable production of high‐quality fry in marine aquaculture is still hampered by unpredictable mortality caused by infectious diseases during larval rearing. Consequently, the development of new biocontrol agents is crucial for a viable aquaculture industry. The bacterial energy storage compound poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) has been shown to exhibit beneficial properties on aquatic organisms such as enhanced survival, growth, disease resistance and a controlling effect on the gastrointestinal microbiota. However, the effect of PHB on the developing immune system of fish larvae has so far not been investigated. In this study, the effect of feeding PHB‐enriched Artemia nauplii on survival, growth and immune response in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) postlarvae was examined. Amorphous PHB was administered to 28‐day‐old sea bass postlarvae over a period of 10 days. The survival and growth performance were monitored, and the expression of 29 genes involved in immunity, growth, metabolism and stress‐response was measured. While the expression of the insulin‐like growth factor 1 (igf1), an indicator of relative growth, was upregulated in response to feeding PHB, the larval survival and growth performance remained unaffected. After 10 days of PHB treatment, the expression of the antimicrobial peptides dicentracin (dic) and hepcidin (hep) as well as mhc class IIa and mhc class IIb was elevated in the PHB fed postlarvae. This indicates that PHB is capable of stimulating the immune system of fish early life stages, which may be the cause of the increased resistance to diseases and robustness observed in previous studies.     

南海北部海域经济鱼类的重金属含量与分布研究

研究了南海北部海域经济鱼类的重金属Ｃｕ、Ｐｂ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ、Ｃｒ和Ｎｉ等的含量与分布。结果表明，重金属在鱼体不同器官组织中的分布是不均衡的，肌肉中的重金属含量最低；底层鱼类的重金属含量相对较高；肉食性鱼类的Ｃｄ含量较高，但其余５种金属含量与鱼类食性的关系不明显；近海鱼类的重金属含量与河口咸淡水鱼类的重金属含量之间无显著差异；经济鱼类受重金属污染的影响不明显，其食用价值尚未受影响。     

鱼类早期发育阶段异速生长及核酸、消化酶变化的研究进展

鱼类早期发育阶段是其生活史中的关键时期之一,生理、形态学变化剧烈,死亡率极高。研究鱼类早期发育阶段的生长规律及其生理特性,可为了解鱼类早期阶段的致死因子提供理论依据,有助于提高苗种阶段的生长率和成活率,也对制定合理的早期培育策略具有重要的指导意义。异速生长模式对确定仔鱼的养殖模式有重要的指示作用,鱼类在早期阶段会优先发育与生命活动关系较密切的器官,以期达到较高的早期成活率。RNA/DNA是评价鱼类早期发育阶段生长率的有效指标,也可用于评价仔稚鱼的生长潜力、营养状况、饲料营养水平以及确定关键期。研究仔稚鱼消化酶的发生和演变有助于深入了解鱼类在个体发育早期的消化生理,有助于选择适口饵料和制定投喂策略。因此,本文综述了鱼类早期发育阶段的异速生长模式、核酸及蛋白含量变化规律以及消化酶的发生和变化,为鱼类早期阶段健康养殖的发展提供依据。     

Development of diets for the intensive culture of Pacific lamprey

The Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus is an ancestral species of critical importance to the ecosystem and indigenous cultures in the Pacific Northwest. Conservation aquaculture has been proposed as a potential technique to restore Pacific lamprey populations. Intensive culture methods and diets for this species have not been developed. A sixteen week feeding trial tested the effects of seven diet treatments on the survival, growth, fatty acid profile and whole body lipid content of Pacific lamprey ammocoetes. Dietary treatments were: active dry yeast, yeast plus fish oil emulsion, micro‐algae, micro‐algae plus fish oil emulsion, yeast with micro‐algae, yeast with micro‐algae plus fish oil emulsion and yeast with larval fish diet. Each diet was offered to five replicate tanks stocked with 20 ammocoetes that were 51 days post hatch. Survival during the trial was not affected by diet. The greatest length and weight increases were in fish fed diets containing yeast. Growth decreased as the amount of algae in the diet was increased. Lipid retention was significantly higher in fish fed yeast with larval fish diet relative to the other treatments. Feed conversion ratio was lowest in fish fed diets containing yeast. Whole body fatty acid profiles tended to reflect the fatty acid profile of the diet. Percentages of 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 were significantly higher in fish fed diets containing fish oil emulsion. Overall, yeast with larval fish diet provided the best growth performance in larval Pacific lamprey.     

Interannual differences in larval haddock survival: hypothesis testing with a 3D biophysical model of Georges Bank

The ultimate goal of early life studies of fish over the past century has been to better understand recruitment variability. As evident in the Georges Bank haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) population, there is a strong relationship between recruitment success and processes occurring during the planktonic larval stage. This research sought new insights into the mechanisms controlling the recruitment process in fish populations using biological–physical modeling methods together with laboratory and field data sets. We created the first three‐dimensional model of larval haddock on Georges Bank by coupling models of hydrodynamics, lower trophic levels, a single copepod species, and larval haddock. Interactions between feeding, metabolism, growth, vertical behavior, advection, predation, and the physical environment of larval haddock were quantitatively investigated using the coupled models. Particularly, the model was used to compare survival over the larval period and the sources of mortality in 1995 and 1998, 2 years of disparate haddock recruitment. The results of model simulations suggest that the increased egg hatching rates and higher food availability, which reduced starvation and predation, in 1998 contributed to its larger year‐class. Additionally, the inclusion of temperature‐dependent predation rates produced model results that better agreed with observations of the mean hatch date of survivors. The results from this biophysical model imply that food limitation and its related losses to starvation and predation, especially from hatch to 7 mm, may be responsible for interannual variability in recruitment and larval survival outside of the years studied.     

Do protein hydrolysates improve survival and growth of newly-hatched spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), a non-metamorphic aquaculture fish species?

Despite larval robustness characterized by the absence of metamorphosis and readiness for exogenous feeding based on commercial feed, the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) displays highly variable survival at first-feeding. In this study, we investigated the use of three dietary concentrations of protein hydrolysates (PH, pre-digested proteins) (0, 10 and 20%) when newly hatched juvenile wolffish were held at three different rearing temperatures namely, 5, 8 and 12 °C to determine whether digestion of protein was a limiting factor for fish growth and survival. Final weights for fish at 5, 8,and 12 °C at day 60 were respectively 0.35, 1.19 and 2.02 g. Mean specific growth rates were 1.97, 4.01 and 4.88%/day and survival rates were 49.8, 53.4 and 33.2% respectively. No significant effects of PH were observed on growth or survival at any time during the experiment. However, as a general trend, fish survival was always higher when the diet contained 20% PH. We suggest that the degree of hydrolysis of the PH used may have been insufficient to induce specific digestive enzyme stimulation for promoting larval growth. Moreover, precocious ontogeny of the digestive system may have precluded any significant effect of using dietary protein hydrolysates. Our results are discussed in comparison with metamorphic species which characteristically display incomplete development of the digestive system.