Jp. Bergeron et al., USE OF CARBON RATHER THAN DRY-WEIGHT TO ASSESS THE DNA CONTENT AND NUTRITIONAL CONDITION INDEX OF SOLE LARVAE, ICES journal of marine science, 54(1), 1997, pp. 148-151
A new biochemical index has been proposed, based on the DNA amount in
the larva related to dry weight, to estimate the nutritional condition
of marine fish larvae. Starvation induces a strong and fast increase
of this index, which can be assessed al the individual level. Weighing
very small quantities of dry matter is difficult. It is suggested tha
t carbon content should be used, which can be quantified by accurate s
tandard techniques, Results of a preliminary calibration experiment on
sole larvae fed in captivity at three temperatures show a strong corr
elation between dry weight and carbon. DNA/C values are not the same f
or the early development stages (symmetrical larva) or the later ones
(metamorphosing larva), both levels being quite independent of the rea
ring temperatures despite great differences in growth rates. DNA/C sho
uld provide a convenient and accurate tool for assessing the nutrition
al condition of field-caught specimens. (C) 1997 International Council
for the Exploration of the Sea.