Reproductive traits and their effect on embryos and larvae of vendace, Coregonus albula (L.). Part III. Size and viability of larvae

Abstract

Length of vendace larvae at hatching (5103 measurements) varied slightly between groups originating from different lakes and between years of spawning. The length depended on egg dry weight and on time of hatching within the total time of hatching in batches. The latter factor (time) negatively affected yolk sac volume. Dry weight of larvae did not vary much; it amounted to ca 70%of egg dry weight. High survival of embryos (from fertilization to hatching) resulted in high correlation between larval and egg dry weights, and vice versa. Vitality of starving larvae appeared to be best determined by egg or larval dry weight.