Morphofunctional dynamics of metamorphosis in eel leptocephali and its application for aquaculture

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25450270
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Aquatic bioproduction science
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: KUROKI Mari 東京大学, 農学生命科学研究科, 助教 (00568800)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 回遊魚 / ウナギ / レプトセファルス / 変態

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Morphofunctional dynamics of metamorphosis and occurrence of deformities in reared eel leptocephali were studied to contribute to establishing artificial production techniques of glass eels for eel aquaculture. It was revealed that 1) eight types of vertebral deformity (compression, luxation, fusion, brachyspina, modification, lordosis, kyphosis and scoliosis) that were seldom found in wild glass eels occured. 2) Ionocytes distributing all over the body surface of leptocephali showed immunoreaction of ion transporters such as NKA, NKCC1 and CFTR, and these transporters appeared to play an important role for keeping the ion balance of the leptocephalus body. 3) Leptocephali reared at the higher water velocities in the circulating rearing tank showed smaller body sizes and higher occurrence of notochord curvature suggesting importance of current condition in the tank.

Free Research Field

水圏生態学