Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of rearing temperature on sex ratio in juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus

  • Full Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several flatfish species exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination. This research investigated the effects of rearing temperature on sex ratio in Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, a species in which females grow larger and faster than males under culture conditions. Previous research has shown that ovarian differentiation occurs in Atlantic halibut in the size interval of 38–50 mm, and precedes the differentiation of testes. In the current study, triplicate groups of juvenile Atlantic halibut were reared at each of three temperatures (7, 12 and 15°C) from an initial mean size of 21 mm to a final mean size of 80 mm (total length). The sex of each fish was then determined by macroscopic and histological examination of the gonads. Sex ratios were not significantly different from 1:1 in any group, suggesting that sex in this species is not influenced by temperature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Azuma T, Takeda K, Doi T, Muto K, Akutsu M, Sawada M, Adachi S (2004) The influence of temperature on sex determination in sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka. Aquaculture 234:461–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baroiller J-F, D’Cotta H (2001) Environment and sex determination in farmed fish. Comp Biochem Physiol 130C:399–409

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baroiller J-F, Guiguen Y, Fostier A (1999) Endocrine and environmental aspects of sex differentiation in fish. Cell Mol Life Sci 55:910–931

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Björnsson B (1995) The growth pattern and sexual maturation of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.) reared in large tanks for 3 years. Aquaculture 138:281–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charnov EL, Bull JJ (1977) When is sex environmentally determined? Nature 266:828–830

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conover DO, Heins SW (1987) The environmental and genetic components of sex ratio in Menidia menidia. Copeia 1987(3):732–743

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Cotta H, Fostier A, Guiguen Y, Govoroun M, Baroiller J-F (2001a) Search for genes involved in the temperature-induced gonadal sex differentiation in the tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. J Exp Zool 290:574–585

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D’Cotta H, Fostier A, Guiguen Y, Govoroun M, Baroiller J-F (2001b) Aromatase plays a key role during normal and temperature-induced sex differentiation of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Mol Repro Dev 59:265–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devlin RH, Nagahama Y (2002) Sex determination and sex differentiation in fish: an overview of genetic, physiological, and environmental influences. Aquaculture 208:191–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Godwin J, Luckenbach JA, Borski RJ (2003) Ecology meets endocrinology: environmental sex determination in fishes. Evol Dev 5:40–49

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goto R, Kayaba T, Adachi S, Yamauchi K (2000) Effects of temperature on sex determination in marbled sole Limanda yokohamae. Fish Sci 66:400–402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goto R, Mori T, Kawamata K, Matsubara T, Mizuno S, Adachi S, Yamauchi K (1999) Effects of temperature on gonadal sex determination in barfin flounder Verasper moseri. Fish Sci 65:884–887

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goto-Kazeto R, Abe Y, Masai K, Yamaha E, Adachi S, Yamauchi K (2006) Temperature-dependent sex differentiation in goldfish: establishing the temperature-sensitive period and effect of constant and fluctuating water temperatures. Aquaculture 254:617–624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendry CI, Martin-Robichaud DJ, Benfey TJ (2002) Gonadal sex differentiation in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). J Fish Biol 60:1438–1499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendry CI, Martin-Robichaud DJ, Benfey TJ (2003) Hormonal sex reversal in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Aquaculture 219:769–781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Howell BR, Baynes SM, Thompson D (1995) Progress towards the identification of the sex-determining mechanism of the sole, Solea solea (L.), by the induction of diploid gynogenesis. Aquacult Res 26:135–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Jákupsstovu SHÍ, Haug T (1988) Growth, sexual maturation, and spawning season of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, in Faroese waters. Fish Sci 6:201–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen TM, Imsland AK, Kadowaki S, Stefansson SO (2000) Interaction of temperature and photoperiod on growth of Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus L. Aquacult Res 31:219–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen TM, Imsland AK, Stefansson SO (1999) The interaction of temperature and fish size on growth of juvenile halibut. J Fish Biol 54:556–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lagomarsino I, Conover DO (1993) Variation in environmental and genetic sex determining mechanisms across a latitudinal gradient in the fish, Menidia menidia. Evolution 47:487–494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luckenbach JA, Godwin J, Daniels HV, Borski RJ (2003) Gonadal differentiation and effects of temperature on sex determination in southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Aquaculture 216:315–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka MP, van Nes S, Andersen Ø, Benfey TJ, Reith M (2006) Real-time PCR analysis of ovary- and brain-type aromatase gene expression during Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) development. Comp Biochem Physiol 144B:128–135

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nomura T, Aria K, Hayashi T, Suzuki R (1998) Effect of temperature on sex ratios of normal and gynogenetic diploid loach. Fish Sci 64:753–758

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sproul JT, Tominga O (1992) An economic review of the Japanese flounder stock enhancement project in Ishikari Bay, Hokkaido. Bull Mar Sci 50:75–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Strüssmann CA, Nakamura M (2002) Morphology, endocrinology, and environmental modulation of gonadal sex differentiation in teleost fishes. Fish Physiol Biochem 26:13–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tvedt HB, Benfey TJ, Martin-Robichaud DJ, McGowan C, Reith M (2006) Gynogenesis and sex determination in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Aquaculture 252:573–583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Nes S, Andersen Ø (2006) Temperature effects on sex determination and ontogenetic gene expression of the aromatases cyp19a and cyp19b, and the estrogen receptors esr1 and esr2 in Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Mol Repro Dev 73:1481–1490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Nes S, Moe M, Andersen Ø (2005) Molecular characterization and expression of two cyp19 (P450 aromatase) genes in embryos, larvae, and adults of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus). Mol Repro Dev 72:437–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto E (1999) Studies on sex-manipulation and production of cloned populations in hirame, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck et Schlegel). Aquaculture 173:235–246

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by funds from AquaNet, Canada’s Network of Centres of Excellence for Aquaculture, with additional funding and infrastructure support provided by Fisheries and Oceans, Canada. We thank Peter Grant, Kevin Buchan, Erin Foster and Aaron Bennet for their assistance. We also thank Drs. Michael Reith, Makoto Matsuoko and Deborah MacLatchy for their advice. The experimental design and handling of fish was approved by the SABS Animal Care Committee, meeting guidelines established by the Canadian Council for Animal Care.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, Canada, E3B 5A3

    Victoria Hughes & Tillmann J. Benfey

  2. Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 531 Brandy Cove Road, St. Andrews, NB, Canada, E5B 2L9

    Victoria Hughes & Deborah J. Martin-Robichaud

Authors
  1. Victoria Hughes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tillmann J. Benfey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Deborah J. Martin-Robichaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tillmann J. Benfey.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hughes, V., Benfey, T.J. & Martin-Robichaud, D.J. Effect of rearing temperature on sex ratio in juvenile Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus . Environ Biol Fish 81, 415–419 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-007-9214-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-007-9214-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation