Laboratory rearing of sardine larvae, Sardina pilchardus (Walb.), and early effects of starvation: a preliminary experiment

Abstract

A rearing experiment of larual sardine is descnbed. Preliminary results on the early effects of staruation on larual growth, suroiual and digestive system hiitology are also presmted. Fed laroae shoioed a normal morphological deuelopment under laboratory conditions. Obseroed growth and mortality rates are comparable to the ualues for other Clupeoid laruae cited in the luerature. . Out results suggest that growth is depressed and mortality increases soon after the onset of staroation conditions. No signs of degenerative changes in digestive organs toere obsrroed. However, laroae subjected to food deprivation could be distinguished from fed laroae by the lack of histological evidence of digestive activity.