Developmental RNA : DNA ratios of fed and starved laboratory-reared Japanese flounder larvae and juveniles,and its application to assessment of nutritional condition for wild fish
W.
S. Gwak, M. Tanaka-2001
Journal of Fish Biology, 59(4):
902-915
Abstract:
Starved Japanese flounder Paralichthys
olivaceus larvae were characterized by relatively lower
levels of RNA content throughout their early life
stages. Significant differences in the RNA:DNA ratios
were found between fed and starved fish, and appeared
to increase as starvation proceeded. Ontogenetic
changes in RNA:DNA ratios were clearly observed during
metamorphosis, especially decreasing during the period from
the late-metamorphic to post-metamorphic stages.
The criteria established from these laboratory
experiments, were applied to the nutritional condition
of wild larvae and juveniles collected in Wakasa Bay,
Sea of Japan in 1994 and 1995 by measuring RNA and DNA
content. Starved fish were mainly found in stage I
(settling stage) fish during the late season of
settlement in 1995. This suggests that starvation
could be associated with settlement in Japanese
flounder.
(The University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo
Island, GA, 31327, U.S.A., Tel.: +1 912 485 2225; fax: +1 912 485 2133;
e-mail:gwakws@arches.uga.edu)