Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• naghmeh Jafari ¹
• Bahram Falahatkar ¹
• Rute Sofia Tavares Martins ²
• Adelino Vicente Mendonça Canário ²

¹ University of Guilan

² Universidade do Algarve

Abstract

In this study, 8 dpf (days post fertilization) larvae were placed into nine 35 L tanks at the density of 18 larvae L-1. Three temperature groups each with triplicate were considered including A (control): 8-64 dpf at ambient temperature, 18-19 ºC, B (21 ºC): until 8 dpf at ambient temperature, 8-32 dpf at 21 ºC and 32-64 dpf at ambient temperature, C (27 ºC): until 8 dpf at ambient temperature, 8-11 dpf at 21 ºC and 12-14 dpf in 24 ºC, 15-32 dpf at 27 ºC and 32-64 dpf in ambient temperature and growth performance and morphometric and meristic development of the skeleton of sterlet sturgeon was investigated. The results indicated that growth parameters including specific growth rate, daily growth rate and weight gain (1525.70 ± 87.22 mg) showed significant increase in group C compared with groups A and B under temperature manipulation (P <0.05).Examining the morphological characteristics of the skeleton showed that the number of pectoral, pelvic and anal radials have significant increase in group C compared than the group A and B (P <0.05). Moreover, calcification process in different structures such as dorsal and lateral scutes, distal radials and spine of pectoral fin was accelerated in larvae that experienced 27 °C in a short period. Therefore, the results of this study showed that short-term temperature increase can accelerate larvae skeletal development and calcified structures in sterlet sturgeon, and controlling the temperature properly can potentially improve growth performance during the first two months of life.

Keywords

• Skeleton
• Sterlet sturgeon
• Temperature
• Calcification
• Morphology

Main Subjects

• Developmental