Development of embryos and larvae in the common Japanese conger Conger myriaster

Development of embryos and larvae in the common Japanese conger Conger myriaster was observed after artificial fertilization. Eggs were obtained from females matured artificially by hormone injections and milt was obtained from males matured naturally. Fertilized eggs were kept in seawater at 12–14°C. The first cleavage occurred at 4 h, epiboly began at 24 h, the embryonic body was formed at 38 h and hatching occurred at 84 h after insemination. Newly hatched larvae were approximately 2.5 mm (total length) and similar to those of Anguilla japonica in terms of external features. The mouth and anus opened on the 7th day after hatching. Pigments began to appear at the tip of the tail on the 10th day. The total length of the larvae reached approximately 8 mm on the 11th day. Eye pigmentation began on the 14th day. One larva lived for 19 days without food.     

Stages of embryonic development and changes in enzyme activities in embryogenesis of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

The early development of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) from fertilization to hatching was described. Hatching occurred at 108 h post-fertilization (hpf) in 14 °C. Yolk syncytial layer and blastocoel formed at morula stage and low stage, respectively. Neural rod derived from the ectoderm appeared and the first somite formed in the middle of the embryonic body at 90 % epiboly stage, and notochord primordium formed at complete epiboly stage. Kupffer’s vesicle appeared at 59 h 35 min hpf and degenerated at 89 hpf. At 72 hpf, the digestive tract formed in the ventral side of the embryonic body, and the posterior digestive tract of embryo was ciliated at 89 hpf. Enzymes play a key role in the catabolism of yolk during embryogenesis of fishes. In this study, the main enzymes alkaline phosphatase (AP), leucine aminopeptidase N (LAP), pepsin, trypsin and Leucine-alanine peptidase (Leu-ala) were all observed in unfertilized eggs and embryo of S. maximus, but amylase was not detected, speculating that amino acids appear to be the main energy substrate during embryonic development of S. maximus, while carbohydrates is less essential. AP reached the lowest value at the gastrula stage and then increased rapidly reaching the highest value at hatching. LAP showed the highest value in unfertilized eggs and kept on decreasing until the blastula stage with the lowest value and then increased at the gastrula stage, followed by a gradual decline thereafter. Trypsin reached the lowest value at the blastula stage and then fluctuated with the maximal value at hatching. Pepsin reached the highest and the lowest values at the unfertilized eggs and the cleavage stage, respectively, but disappeared at hatching. Leu-ala had the maximum activity at the blastula stage and then declined to the minimum at the gastrula stage followed by a gradual increase thereafter.     

Histological development of digestive tract in discus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symphysodon</Emphasis> spp. larvae

The present study provides information on the histomorphological development of digestive system of discus, Symphyosodon spp., larvae during the first month of life. Discus larvae are altricial at hatching, with an undifferentiated digestive tract and a large yolksac, which is completely consumed within 7 days. The mouth opens 3 days after hatching (DAH) and the larvae starts feeding on AF Artemia at 4 DAH when offered. At 3 DAH the digestive tract is differentiated with distinct esophagus, stomach anlage, and mid- and hindguts. At 5 DAH, discus larvae is an active feeder, equipped with partly developed jaws and ossified gill arches and an inflated swim bladder. The liver and pancreas are present and supranuclear inclusion vacuoles (SIV) appear in the hindgut for the first time. Gastric glands in stomach were first observed 7 DAH and proliferated by 11–13 DAH. SIV were a common feature in the midgut and hindgut epithelium until 15–23 DAH. Therefore, exclusive use of artificial diets should be postponed until 2–3 weeks after hatching.     

Incubation experimentale et developpement embryonnaire de la daurade royale, Sparus aurata (L.), a differentes temperaturesIncubation and embryonic development of gilthead bream, Sparus aurata (L.), at a range of temperatures

Eggs of raised gilthead bream, Sparus aurata (L.), were incubated to hatching at various temperatures ranging from 7.7°C to 26.3°C. For four stages of development, the relationship between temperature and incubation time is given. Time from fertilization to hatching varies from 135 h at 11°C to 40 h at 21.3°C. In our experiments no egg hatched below 11°C or above 22°C. The highest hatching rate and the lowest rate of larval abnormalities were both observed at 14.5°C which is also the spawning temperature.     

Bacterial diversity in gut of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea and black sea bream Sparus macrocephalus reared in an inshore net pen

Fisheries Science - Bacterial diversity in the foregut, midgut and hindgut of large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea and black sea bream Sparus macrocephalus reared in an inshore net pen,...     

Ploidy level,morphological characteristics and performance of interploid hybrids by Megalobrama amblycephala♀× allo‐tetraploids ♂

Interploid hybrids were produced by mating allo‐tetraploid males, an interspecific tetraploidy induced by blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) ♀× black bream (Megalobrama terminalis) ♂, with blunt snout bream females. The fertilization rate was high in the interploid hybrids. Although significant (P<0.05) mortalities were observed at hatching, swim‐up and 30‐day stages, respectively, the survival percentage of the interploid hybrids became stabilized after the 60‐day stage. In different interploid hybridization batches, 64–97% of juveniles were identified as 3n and 1–36% as 2n. Less than 2% of tetraploids were obtained in these interploid hybridization batches. The daily growth rate of the interploid 3n increased 7.5%, compared with that of diploid blunt snout breams during the 180‐day culture. Moreover, a method using seven morphological parameter ratios was set up with a relatively high classification accuracy of 93.8% to harmlessly discriminate interploid 3n from allo‐tetraploids, black bream and blunt snout bream.     

牙鲆幼鱼消化道内蛋白酶活性及食糜蛋白的GFP示踪

用添加绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）饲料投喂牙鲆,研究了不同消化时间内食糜在牙鲆消化道中的分布情况,采用福林一酚法测定了不同时间胃、前肠、中肠和后肠各组织黏液蛋白酶活性。结果表明,牙鲆在摄食后消化道蛋白酶活性随着食糜在消化道内的分布而变化,食物的刺激引起消化腺体分泌蛋白酶。牙鲆摄食后1h食糜达到中肠,胃和中肠蛋白酶活性与空腹相比迅速增高;食糜在5h时遍布整个消化道,此时胃蛋白酶活性几乎检测不出,而前肠蛋白酶活性迅速增高,5h达到最高,然后开始降低;8h时中肠蛋白酶活性一直很高,之后降低;而后肠直到12h其蛋白酶活性仍维持在较高水平,说明牙鲆这种消化道较短的鱼类其肠道比胃在蛋白质消化过程中发挥更重要的作用。     

Intergeneric Hybridization in Sparidae

Early development of white sea bream, Diplodus sargus, ♀ X common dentex, Dentex dentex, ♂ hybrids was compared to those of the parental species. Percent fertilization and percent hatching in the hybrid was not significantly different from those of parental species. Mean hatching time of the hybrid was intermediate between those of the parental species and was significantly different from both parental species. Growth of white sea bream and hybrid fry form days 6 to 30 was not significantly different. All common dentex fry died during this period. Results from this study suggest that this hybrid may be a suitable candidate for fish farming.     

Embryonic and larval development of serpae tetra Hyphessobrycon eques (Steindachner, 1882)

In this study, the embryonic and larval development stages of one of the most important ornamental fish serpae tetra (Hyphessobrycon eques) are described. The early life stage is documented from fertilization until the beginning of the juvenile period. The fertilized eggs (the average diameter = 938.55 ± 35.20 µm) were incubated at a water temperature of 26 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage finished in 1:10 hr (=h) and the early blastula stage occurred at 1:26 hr post fertilization (hpf). The gastrulation started at 3:05 hpf, and 50% epiboly was observed at 3:25 hpf. Segmentation stage was monitored at 7:26 hpf. Embryonic developmental stage was completed and hatching occurred 20–21 hpf. The total length (TL) of newly hatched larvae was 2.64 ± 0.21 mm. The larval development of serpae tetra was divided into four different periods: Yolk‐sac larva (1–4 DAH, TL = 2.77 ± 0.09 mm ‐ 3.85 ± 0.11 mm), preflexion larva (5–12 DAH), flexion larva (13–15 DAH, TL = 5.78 ± 0.46 mm on the 15th day) and post‐flexion larva (16–30 DAH, TL = 10.7 ± 0.27 mm on the 28th–30th days). The mouth and anus are closed at 1 DAH. The mouth and anus opened at 4 DAH. Exogenous feeding started on the 4th day. The first gulping of the swim bladder was on days 3. The larva begins to swim freely, and the yolk sac was completely consumed at 4 DAH. Histological structures of the eye and brain of new hatched larva were clearly identified at 1 day after hatching (DAH). According to histological findings, the digestive system (stomach, intestine) started to develop and the liver could be seen on the ventral side of the swim bladder at 5 DAH. No histological difference was observed between the anterior intestine and the posterior intestine at 15–16 DAH. The larval metamorphosis was completed, and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 28–30 DAH.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract of larval percula clownfish, Amphiprion percula (Lacépède 1802): a histological perspective

An understanding of the development of the digestive system of marine fish larvae is of critical importance in determining optimal feeding regimes for their culture. The present study provides information on the histomorphological development of the digestive system of clown fish, Amphiprion percula , larvae during the first month of life. Before hatching, clownfish larvae possess an alimentary tract, liver and pancreas with absorptive and digestive capabilities. The yolk sac is completely consumed within 5–7 days at 25 °C. Clownfish larvae readily accept rotifers after hatching and a complete dietary shift from rotifer to Artemia can be accomplished at 10 days after hatch (DAH). Gastric glands in the stomach first develop 11 DAH and proliferate by 15 DAH. Both non-staining vacuoles (NSV) and supranuclear inclusion vesicles (SIV) appear at 11 DAH in the midgut and hindgut respectively. Pinocytosis and extracellular digestion coexist for about 2 weeks after hatching. While SIV disappeared completely at 25 DAH, NSV continued to be a prominent feature of the midgut during the first month.     

美洲鲥(Alosa sapidissima)胚胎发育形态学及组织切片观察

通过显微镜及连续切片技术,研究了美洲鲥(Alosa sapidissima)胚胎发育过程中的形态学及组织学特征.结果显示,在孵化温度为(21.0±0.5)℃的条件下,美洲鲥受精卵经过71 h 15 min大量孵化出膜,其胚胎发育阶段主要分为6个时期.受精卵第1-5次卵裂均为经裂,第6次卵裂(64细胞期),纬裂出现,胚盘被分为外部的包被层和内部的深层细胞两部分.受精6 h 2 min,内外卵黄合胞体层形成.受精7h 40 min,囊胚腔出现.受精10 h 39 min,胚盘下包30％,胚盾形成;受精14 h 50 min,下包50％,三胚层形成;受精17 h 33 min,下包75％,神经板形成;受精21 h 13 min,下包90％,脑原基、视囊、脊索原基和体节出现;受精24h 15 min,完全下包,神经胚、听囊、前脑、中脑及后脑出现.受精24 h 55 min,克氏囊形成.受精35 h 44 min,心脏和消化管出现;42h50 min肾小管形成;47 h 35 min克氏囊消失;60 h 15 min角膜出现.70h 15 min,仔鱼大量出膜,初孵仔鱼具有一个大而均质的卵黄囊,上面布有明显的色素.美洲鲥胚胎发生发育的特征与大多数报道的硬骨鱼类类似,但在分化发育的时序上具有较大的差异.     

条石鲷早期发育阶段的生长模式

为研究条石鲷在早期发育阶段的生长特性和重要功能器官的异速生长规律,测定了条石鲷仔稚幼鱼(0~50日龄)全长和体质量随日龄的生长变化。通过统计学方法分析发现,全长、体质量随日龄的变化均符合Cubic函数关系式,其变化曲线呈S型。全长、体质量随日龄的变化可分为3个阶段,不同阶段的全长、体质量生长率具有显著性差异(P<0.05)。运用SPSS 13.0和OriginPro 7.5软件分析了条石鲷仔稚幼鱼头长、头高、体高、眼径、口裂、吻长、腹长、尾鳍长等外部形态参数与全长的变化关系,发现各功能器官的生长均呈现出异速生长的特点,但生长的拐点却各不相同。研究表明,在条石鲷的早期发育过程中,有关运动、摄食、消化等的重要器官(眼、口、腹部、尾鳍等)具有优先发育的特征,且发育的时段各有差异,故在其苗种的培育过程中,应根据其生长、生态规律为其创造最佳的环境条件,以提高苗种的存活率。     

施氏鲟Acipenser schrenckii ♀×西伯利亚鲟A.baeri ♂杂交子代胚胎发育的观察

对施氏鲟Acipenser schrenckii♀×西伯利亚鲟A.baeri♂进行人工繁殖,观察杂交子代的胚胎发育过程。结果表明,在水温15~22℃时,杂交鲟胚胎发育历时141~151 h,所需总积温为2 608.5~2 793.5℃·h。施氏鲟成熟卵为多黄卵,卵裂呈特殊的辐射裂,受精后胚盘隆起不明显。根据对施氏鲟♀×西伯利亚鲟♂杂交子代胚胎发育外部形态及典型特征的观察,将胚胎发育分为受精卵、卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、大小卵黄栓塞期、神经胚期、眼囊形成期、心脏形成博动期和孵出期9个时期。     

Ontogeny of the digestive system in hatchery produced Beluga (Huso huso Linnaeus, 1758); a comparative study between Beluga and genus Acipenser

The study on histological characteristics of the digestive system of Beluga (Huso huso) was conducted from hatching until 50 days posthatching at 16.5 °C. Development of the digestive system in this species followed the general pattern described for other Acipenserids, although there were differences in the timing of organ development among species. At hatching, the mouth was opened and digestive system was represented by a gastric cavity filled with yolk and lined by endodermal cells, and a partially differentiated hindgut. Gastric glands started to differentiate at 46.5 degree‐ days posthatching (ddph), the earliest appearance time among sturgeon fishes studied to date. At the onset of exogenous feeding (144.9 ddph), yolk sac reserves were not completely depleted in the stomach, suggesting a period of mixed nutrition. The complete development of the digestive system was not accomplished until 235.2 ddph when it showed all histomorphological features typical of juvenile specimens. According to histological results, it seems advisable to start co‐feeding H.huso larvae with inert diets at the onset of exogenous feeding, because exocrine pancreas and glandular stomach are fully differentiated, although the complete substitution of live prey by inert feed is not recommended until 235 ddph.     

Is batch variability in hatching time related to size heterogeneity and cannibalism in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)?

Larval size heterogeneity is known to induce cannibalism, and procedures to avoid larval size differences are consequently implemented already during egg incubation and hatching. We investigated the relation between larval development variability, size heterogeneity and cannibalism in pikeperch. Larvae were sorted into five groups according to the time of hatching during a 65‐h period. The larvae with different times of hatch were then reared separately or together during an 18‐day period. Late hatched larvae were longer (P=0.003) and had less yolk remaining (P<0.001) than early hatched individuals at the time of hatching. However, on 11 days post fertilization, the late‐hatching larvae tended to have larger yolk reserves than earlier hatched individuals (P=0.07). Furthermore, the next day, a lower proportion in the late fraction had switched to exogenous feeding (P=0.024). That larvae with a late hatching time developed slower suggests a positive relationship between the hatching time and the embryonic developmental rate. However, differences in the length and available yolk reserves at hatching between larval fractions with different hatching times suggest that hatching is not strictly associated with a specific developmental stage, and that factors other than the development rate of the embryo are involved in the timing of hatching.     

Identification and Characterization of Megalocytivirus Type 3 Infection with Low Mortality in Starry Flounder,Platichthys stellatus,in Korea

MVSF‐12 belonging to megalocytivirus type 3 was isolated from cultured starry flounder; Platichthys stellatus, at the moribund or subclinical stage with low mortalities in Korea. Of 20 apparently healthy fish in the farms, 17 were also confirmed in nested polymerase chain reaction to be infected by megalocytivirus. When starry flounder; rock bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus; and olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, were artificially infected by MVSF‐12 or iridovirus sachun‐1 (IVS‐1, megalocytivirus type 1), starry flounder and olive flounder showed no mortality until Day 24, without any clinical signs including enlarged spleen, while rock bream showed 100% mortality by IVS‐1 infection within 11 d but no mortality by MVSF‐12. Although it was not pathogenic, MVSF‐12 in infected fish at Day 24 was viable when successfully cultured in vitro using primary rock bream embryo cells and produced a cytopathic effect (CPE) with the viral copy numbers between 1.76 × 10⁷ and 5.23 × 10⁷/mL of culture supernatant. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the low pathogenicity of MVSF‐12 and low susceptibility of starry flounder and olive flounder to both MVSF‐12 and IVS‐1. Indeed, MVSF‐12 at the subclinical stage could be replicated with CPE in vitro, indicating a possibility to induce pathogenic effects and mortality under adverse environment or physiologic conditions.     

Embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi,Boulenger, 1895) under laboratory conditions

The embryonic and larval development of black skirt tetra, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, are described under controlled laboratory conditions. In addition, major histomorphological changes and the allometric growth patterns during larval development have been described. The laboratory‐reared broodstock, that is 1 year of age, were spawned. Hatching occurred 20–21 h after spawning at 24 ± 0.5°C. The cleavage was finished in 2 h and the early blastula stage occurred at 2:04 hours after spawning. The gastrulation started at 3:20 hours and 30% epiboly was observed at 3:34 hours after spawning. Eight‐somite stage was observed at 08:33 hours. And embryonic developmental stage was completed at 21 h after spawning. The newly hatched larvae were 1442 ± 14.3 μm in mean total length (TL). The mouth opened at 3 days after hatching (DAH). The yolk sac had been totally absorbed and the larvae started to swim actively within 3–4 days. Notochord flexion began at 11 DAH. The metamorphosis was completed and the larvae transformed into juveniles at 32 DAH. In this paper, the full developmental sequence from egg to juvenile of G. ternetzi is described for the first time.     

Effects of storage and incubation temperature on the viability of eggs, embryos and larvae in two strains of an African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis (Siluriformes, Clariidae)

Two experiments, dealing with short‐term storage of ova and thermal conditions to optimize gamete and eggs management in hatcheries of the African catfish, Heterobranchus longifilis, were carried out. In the first experiment, ova collected by stripping from two strains of H. longifilis were stored for intervals up to 8 h at two temperature regimes: in a domestic refrigerator (3–5°C) and at ambient room temperature (20.5–22°C). In the second experiment, eggs were incubated from fertilization to hatching at different experimental temperatures (21, 25, 29, 32 and 35°C) to determine the effects of temperature on the kinetics of white egg appearance, hatching times and hatching quality. Gamete storage at warmer temperatures significantly prolonged viability irrespective of the strain used. In fact, the hatching rate for ova stored at 20.5–22 and 3–5°C for 5 h ranged between 75.2–79.3% and 6.5–9.4% respectively. Loss of viability was most noticeable after 6 h storage at ambient room temperature. Post‐storage viability significantly declined after 2 h exposure to the domestic refrigerator temperature. No hatching of normal larvae took place after 8 h post‐storage time. Results from the second experiment showed that time to maximum whitening of eggs was both strain‐ and temperature‐dependent. The time to maximum mortality of eggs was shorter in the Layo strain (LS) than in the Noun strain (NS), regardless of incubation temperature. The appearance of white eggs was shorter with increasing incubation temperatures. Hatching times decreased with increasing temperature, regardless of strain. Hatching took place from 21 to 27 h and 19 to 24 h after fertilization at temperature of 29°C, respectively, for NS and LS. The length of the hatching period was remarkably shorter for LS than NS at any tested incubation temperature, except 35°C. No hatching took place at 21°C. The highest proportion of normal larvae occurred at 25 and 29°C, respectively, for NS and LS. Hatching rate was highest at 25 and 29°C, respectively, for NS and LS. There was a significantly higher proportion of deformed larvae at 35°C regardless of the strain.     

雅砻江鲈鲤的人工繁殖、胚胎及卵黄囊仔鱼发育

采用不同配伍的外源激素对培育成熟的野生鲈鲤进行人工催产,并对其胚胎和1-10日龄卵黄囊仔鱼的发育进程进行详细的观察和描述。注射促黄体素释放激素类似物A2、地欧酮和绒毛膜促性腺激素的鲈鲤亲鱼组的催产效果明显好于注射鲤鱼脑垂体和促黄体素释放激素类似物A2的亲鱼组,效应时间为58h,平均受精率和平均孵化率分别为87.33%和90.75%。在水温(16±2)℃条件下,鲈鲤胚胎发育历时117.83h,所需积温为1855.33℃·h,出膜10d后仔鱼开始平游。鲈鲤胚胎发育分为受精卵、卵裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、神经胚期、器官形成期和出膜期7个阶段,共26个时期。分析发现,在人工催产配伍激素中添加适量的绒毛膜促性腺激素,有助于鲈鲤亲本顺利排卵;鲈鲤卵黄囊仔鱼在孵化出膜后的前5d处于内营养阶段,第6d起转入混合营养阶段,为仔鱼培育的第一危险时期。     

宽口裂腹鱼消化系统解剖和组织学观察

该研究采用解剖、石蜡切片和HE染色法对宽口裂腹鱼(Schizothorax eurystomus)消化系统解剖特征和组织切片进行观察。结果显示,其消化管管壁由内向外分别为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层和浆膜,主要差别在于黏膜层和肌层。食道黏膜上皮为复层扁平上皮,上皮间分布有大量杯状细胞;前肠和中肠黏膜上皮为单层柱状上皮,明显可见刷状缘、杯状细胞和淋巴细胞分布其间;后肠黏膜上皮为假复层柱状上皮,其间也有杯状细胞和淋巴细胞分布,肠道中杯状细胞由前至后逐渐增多。食道肌层为内环外纵的骨骼肌;前肠肌层为内环外纵的平滑肌;中肠和后肠为内螺旋外环行的平滑肌。消化腺由肝脏和胰腺组成,胰腺弥散状分布在肝脏中,肝小叶不明显。研究表明,宽口裂腹鱼消化系统组织学特征与其食性具有适应性。