ABSTRACT
In the first paper of this series (Steven, 1948) it was shown that the tissues of the trout (Salmo trutta Linn.) normally contain β-carotene, lutein and astacene. Lutein and astacene occur as esters in the red and yellow chromatophores of the skin, and may also be present in the muscles as free hydroxy-carotenoids. Carotene is present in the liver, which also contains xanthophylls but no astacene. The ripening oocytes, however, contain all three types of carotenoid. Red and yellow chromatophores first appear during the larval period of development before the young fish has commenced to feed independently, and appear to obtain their pigment from the carotenoids laid down in the yolk. This paper records the chemical changes and distribution of these substances from the maturation of the oocytes to the stage of metamorphosis of the larva.
Adult trout were obtained alive from a reservoir near Edinburgh. Some ova were obtained from ripe fish in the laboratory, and fertilized with sperm from males of the same batch. Larger numbers were supplied by the Howietoun and Northern Fisheries, Stirling, as ‘eyed’ ova, and were used for most of the experiments on the larval period of development. Ova and larvae were reared in batches of about 100 each in glass aquarium jars, which were immersed nearly to the rim in a larger tank through which passed a rapid flow of water taken direct from the mains supply. This arrangement gave satisfactory temperature stabilization for the period of the experiments, from January to the end of March. Temperature variation was less than 1° C. for periods of more than a week, and remained within the range 4–6° C. for the whole period.
Since this paper was sent to press a number of larvae, from which the carotenoids had been removed, have been reared successfully on live Enchytraeus. At the time of writing (June 1949) they completely lack xanthophores and erythrophores and are exceptionally pale in colour. In all other respects (growth rate, behaviour, etc.) they appear to be normal.
