Physiological study of larval fishes: challenges and opportunities

  • Burggren W
  • Blank T
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Abstract

Physiological studies of larval fishes have lagged far behind those of adults, yet offer tremendous opportunities for expanding our knowledge of the basic biology of both marine and freshwater fishes. Physiological studies of larval fishes can also improve research and management in areas of applied science, such as aquaculture, fisheries, and environmental assessment. Additionally, larval fishes can be highly effective as general animal models for understanding evolution, development and disease processes in vertebrates. While the small size of larval fishes may initially seem to preclude detailed physiological measurements, physiologists have taken advantage of larval transparency and permeability to drugs and toxins to collect many forms of quantitative physiological data. In this essay we present a number of microtechniques currently employed in larval fish to study the cardiovascular, muscular, neurological, and ionoregulatory systems. Several interesting phenomena, including allometry, developmental plasticity and epigenetic effects, are then discussed from the perspective of the specific contributions that have been or can be made by studies of fish larvae. Ultimately, the integration of larval fish physiology with studies of morphology and behaviour, is both highly feasibly and likely to strengthen basic and applied research in fishes.

Figures

  • FIG. 1. – Cardiovascular measurements in a 44 d old, 120 mg larva of the little skate, Raja erinacea. Intraventricular blood pressure was measured with a micro-pressure measurement system. Arterial blood velocity was determined with a bare pulsed Doppler crystal monitoring flow ejected from the anterior end of the conus arteriosus. Heart rate was derived from the primary blood pressure signal. Such measurements, innovative when Pelster and Bemis (1991) carried them out, are now routine. See text for additional details.
  • FIG. 2. – A computer-generated “vascular cast” of the microcirculation of a zebrafish larva. By capturing the pathway of moving erythrocytes, fine details of the perfused vasculature can be generated. Panel A reveals the overall circulation of the larva, including distinct vertebral vessels for each myotome in the trunk. Panel B shows in more detail the axial artery and vein. (After Fritsche et al., 2000)
  • FIG. 3. – Schematic design of a closed respirometer that can be used for determining the oxygen consumption of swimming larval fishes. The larva is placed into the water-filled swimming chamber of the disassembled respirometer and restraining screens fitted so that the larva stays within the chamber. The respirometer is assembled, and the water pump turned on to create a known water velocity (flow direction indicated by arrows). An oxygen electrode monitors the decline in PO2 of the water as the fish swims. The oxygen consumption rate of the swimming larva can then be calculated from the rate of PO2 decline and the volume of the respirometer. (After Bagatto et al., 2001)
  • FIG. 4. – Body mass (A), heart rate (B) and mass-specific oxygen consumption (C) of early larvae of blue gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus). Contrary to interspecific allometric prediction, heart rate and oxygen consumption actually increase early in development (especially immediately following hatching), despite simultaneously increasing animal body mass during this same time period. (Blank, 2009).
  • FIG. 5. – Interspecific versus intraspecific changes in the appearance of key developmental landmarks in a hypothetical group of organisms. Heterochrony is the term used to describe such changes in an evolutionary context—that is, between species (Gould, 1977; 1992). Heterokairy, however, describes such changes when they occur between individuals or between populations of the same species. Larval fishes provide excellent opportunities for investigating key concepts in both evolutionary and developmental biology and their interactions, especially concerning changes in development within individuals and populations. See text for further discussion.
  • FIG. 6. – Time to loss of equilibrium in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed to acute, severe hypoxia (3-5% O2). One larval population was derived from adults that had been chronically exposed to three weeks of hypoxia, while the other was derived from adults that had not been exposed to hypoxia. Mean values ± s.e. are provided. An asterisk indicates significant difference from control population. (After Ho, 2008).

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APA

Burggren, W., & Blank, T. (2009). Physiological study of larval fishes: challenges and opportunities. Scientia Marina, 73(S1), 99–110. https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.2009.73s1099

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