Abstract
Ossification of the vertebral column in the cod larvae was first observed in the neural arches on the anterior part of the spine (21 dph, >6.9 mm standard length, SL.), followed by the vertebrae (25 dph, >7.9 mm SL.), haemal arches (31 dph, >= 8.4 mm SL.) and parapophysis (35 dph. >8.7 mm SL). Ossification of all vertebral elements was observed in 45-day-old larvae >= 11.4 mm SL. Large variations between larvae in number of ossifying structures between 31 and 35 dph demonstrated that this was the period of most rapid skeletal change (size range 8.2-11.4 mm SL.), and that the ossification process was more susceptible to fatty acid lipid source rather than to quantity of dietary fatty acids. We suggest that an optimal dietary content of n-3 HUFA in feed for cod larvae is higher than in the PL1-diet. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.