Thermally induced phenotypic plasticity of swimming performance in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles

Koumoundouros, G; Ashton, C; Sfakianakis, D G; Divanach, P; Kentouri, M; Anthwal, N; Stickland, N C

Abstract

The vulnerability of embryonic and larval stages of European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax to environmental temperature and the longer-term consequences for the early juveniles was demonstrated. This phenotypic plasticity was highlighted by subjecting D. labrax at 15.2 +/- 0.3 or 20.0 +/- 0.4 degrees C (mean +/- s.d.) up to metamorphosis and then at the same temperature (18.5 +/- 0.7 degrees C). After 4-6 weeks at the same temperature, the measurement of critical swimming speed at four exercise temperatures (15, 20, 25 and 28 degrees C) showed a significantly higher swimming capacity in the fish initially reared at 15 degrees C than for fish initially reared at 20 degrees C. This performance was correlated with significant differences in the phenotype of red muscle. Thermally induced phenotypic plasticity was clearly demonstrated as an important mechanism controlling swimming performance in early juveniles of D. labrax.

Citation

Koumoundouros, G., Ashton, C., Sfakianakis, D. G., Divanach, P., Kentouri, M., Anthwal, N., & Stickland, N. C. Thermally induced phenotypic plasticity of swimming performance in European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax juveniles. Journal of Fish Biology, 74(6), 1309-1322. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02206.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2014
• Journal: Journal of Fish Biology
• Print ISSN: 0022-1112
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1309-1322
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02206.x
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1426227
• Additional Information: Corporate Creators : Crete, Institute of Aquaculture, Patras