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Does lighting manipulation during incubation affect hatching rhythms and early development of sole?
B Blanco-Vives1, M Aliaga-Guerrero, J P Cañavate
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Espinardo Campus, Murcia, Spain. borja@um.es
Chronobiology International
|May 5, 2011
Summary
Blue light and light-dark cycles significantly improve Senegal sole egg hatching rates and larval development. This highlights the importance of mimicking natural underwater light conditions for successful fish incubation and early growth.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture
- Fish Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Biological rhythms in fish are crucial and influenced by light.
- Previous studies show light impacts Senegal sole spawning and larval development.
- Hatching rhythms and light's effect during incubation in Senegal sole remain unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of light spectrum and photoperiod on Senegal sole eggs and larvae up to 7 days post-hatching.
- Determine optimal light conditions for hatching and early larval development in Solea senegalensis.
Main Methods:
- Eggs were incubated under various light conditions: continuous light (LL), continuous darkness (DD), and light-dark (LD) cycles (12L:12D) of white, blue, or red light.
- Hatching rates and rhythms were monitored.
- Larval development, including eye pigmentation and mouth opening, was assessed up to 7 days post-hatching (dph).
Main Results:
- Blue light (LD(B)) resulted in the highest hatching rate (94.5%), while red light (LD(R)) and DD had the lowest.
- Hatching rhythm peaked at ZT8 under LD(B), earlier than LD(W) and LD(R) (ZT11).
- Larvae under LD(B) exhibited superior growth and development from 4 dph, unlike those under LD(R) and DD.
Conclusions:
- Light spectrum and photoperiod critically control developmental rhythms in fish eggs.
- Replicating natural underwater light conditions (blue wavelengths in LD cycles) is vital for successful incubation and early larval development in fish.
- Blue light conditions promote higher hatching success and enhanced early larval development in Senegal sole.
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