Effect of light intensity on feeding of striped trumpeter Latris lineata larvae

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of light intensity on feeding of striped trumpeter larvae, correlating feeding responses with changes in morphology of the retina during growth. A pigmented single-cone retina had differentiated one day before first feeding, and rod precursor cells and double cones were visible in the retina on the 23rd, and 25th day after hatching, respectively. Feeding performance at four light intensities (0, 1, 30, 150 and 700 lux), revealed that striped trumpeter larvae are primarily dependent on vision, a light-dependent behaviour, to feed. The youngest larvae tested (15, 18 and 19 days of age) showed a poor feeding response at 1 lux (range 2–10%), but a 98–100% feeding response at 30, 50 and 700 lux. By 28 days of age, feeding behaviour had changed significantly, with 52% of fish now feeding at 1 lux, 100% of fish feeding at the intermediate light intensities of 30 and 150 lux, and only 62% of fish feeding at 700 lux. The apparent increased photopic sensitivity in 28-day-old fish may reflect increased areas for photon capture provided by double cones, or may reflect ontogenetic changes in cone spectral sensitivity.