Early Development of Cephalic Skeleton in Hatchery-Reared Gilthead Seabream, Sparus aurata

WOS: 000262450700022The development of the cephalic skeleton in gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata (L. 1758), larvae was examined from 1 to 41 days post-hatching during the early ontogeny tinder intensive culture conditions. At hatching, S. aurata larvae had 2.68 mm total length (TL) and were devoid of any cephalic elements. At 2.85 mm TL, the trabecular bars and the ethmoid plate appeared. Development of jaws started during the yolk-sac stage. Teeth first appeared at larval stage (7.78 mm TL) and gill filaments formed at size ranging between 8.05 and 8.9 mm TL. Finally, the dentary, maxillary and Mcckel's cartilage began to ossify at 9.20 mm TL. It is Concluded that cartilaginous elements and structures could be related with vital functions in S. aurata larvae. Also, onset time of skull was found different although same developmental pattern of skull has been described for most Sparidae species to date.The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey [VHAG 2111]This study was supported by The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Project No: VHAG 2111. The authors thank the staff of Teknomar Sea Fish Broodstock Centre where the experiments were conducted (Akuvatur Marine Product Inc., Izmir, Turkey) for their excellent technical assistance