Effect of two thermal regimes on the muscle growth dynamics of sea bass larvae, Dicentrarchus labrax L.

Muscle growth was studied in larvae of sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax L., reared at two temperatures: real ambient temperature (equivalent to15degreesC during vitelline phase and increased gradually) and 19degreesC from fertilization until the end of larval development. Muscle cellularity, body length and body weight were measured. Early temperature influenced larval development and so, pre-larval phase finished earlier at 19degreesC than at ambient temperature (4 and 6 days, respectively). Temperature also affected muscle growth such that at hatching and at mouth opening hypertrophy of muscle fibres was greater at 19degreesC (P < 0.05), whereas hyperplasia was similar in both groups. After 25 days, the cross-sectional area of the white muscle was greater at 19°C (P < 0.05), which was mainly associated with a higher proliferation of new white muscle fibres. At this stage the body length was also higher at 19degreesC. Metamorphosis finished earlier in fish reared at 19degreesC (52 days) than at natural temperature (82 days). At this developmental stage body length and cross-sectional area of the myotome were similar in both groups. However, muscle cellularity differed between groups. Thus, hypertrophy of muscle fibres was higher in fish reared at ambient temperature (P < 0.05), whereas proliferation of new muscle fibres was higher at 19°C (P > 0.05).