Carotenoids and reproductive performance in fish: gobies as a model system, Dr.gr.stip. og utenlandsstipend til Skottland

Prosjektsammendrag: This project investigates the role of carotenoids in the development of fish eggs and larvae. The eggs of many fishes are yellow-orange, due to the presence of carotenoid pigments. Such pigments cannot be synthesised de novo by the fish, but stem from the natural food of the species. Carotenoids could have both positive and negative effects on the vaiability of fish eggs and larvae. The main positive effect is likely to be an improved ability to avoid deleterious effects of free radicals during growth. Bu t high intake of certain carotenoids hase been shown to have negative effect. An improved understanding of the role carotenoids in fish eggs is not only interesting from a scientific point of view, but also highly relevant e.g. for aquaculture. The projec t puts together competence on sexual signalling and behaviour, carotenoid biochemistry, and fish physiology/food organisms. The proposed experiment will use the two-spotted goby(Gobiusculus flavescens) as a mode organism. This species is a very abundant and ecologically importmant part of coastal ecosystems. It is highly suited for exper9mental work, and is specifically interesting because of its visual signalling of egg carotenoids through the skin.