Development changes in the escape response of larval winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus from hatch through metamorphosis

Abstract

A predatory amphipod was used to elicit escape responses in larval winter flounder ranging in age from time of hatch to metamorphosis. The escape response observed consisted of fast c-start type acceleration followed by a period of burst swimming. Mean and maximum speed over the duration of the response increased linearly with larval total length. Total distance travelled by the larvae during the response was also positively linearly related to larval total length. Despite the extensive morphological reorganization that larval flounder undergo during metamorphosis, no decrease in escape response parameters of larvae was found during metamorphosis. Larval winter flounder displayed lower mean escape speeds than many other organisms found in the plankton. Size-specific mean escape speeds of larval flounder are lower than those reported for other species of larval fish. -Authors