MEPS 371:221-232 (2008)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07648

ABSTRACT: Weight-specific growth rate (G) and growth performance (the fraction of maximum growth realized, G _pf) are key demographic characteristics. The ratio of RNA/DNA (RD) can provide information on both G and G _pf. Estimating G from RD in larval fish requires an adjustment for the activity of RNA at different temperatures. Based on a meta-analysis of published data, we present a general model for the relationship between G in marine fish larvae and fluorometrically derived RD and temperature (T), and suggest that this model can be used to estimate G in marine fish larvae. Several options for estimating G _pf are also considered, including the use of a reference growth rate (G_ref). RDs of well-fed larvae appeared to be independent of water temperatures between 4 and 28°C, suggesting that any increase in growth rate with temperature was accomplished by increased activity rather than increased concentrations of RNA. However, for the best-fit meta-analysis RD–T–G model, the relationship between RD and G _pf was temperature dependent for fish less than fully fed.

KEY WORDS: RNA/DNA ratio · Growth · Larvae · Temperature effects · Nucleic acids · Fluorometric microplate assay · Multi-species meta-analysis