Seasonal differences in muscle fibre recruitment of pilchard larvae in the north‐western Mediterranean

摘要: The recruitment of slow and fast myotomal muscle fibres with respect to growth in body length European pilchard larvae Sardina pilchardus [(3.5-13.5 mm standard (Ls)] was significantly higher November 1998 than February 1999. This resulted a significant seasonal difference the relationship between fibre number Ls, particularly for muscle. Mean sea surface temperature c. 6° C February, whereas mean abundance potential prey items (copepod nauplii) comparable cruises. Laboratory field data obtained from other clupeid species have indicated importance early thermal experience on patterns. Differences average therefore provide plausible mechanism observed differences characteristics.