In order to encourage the survival of both captive and wild populations of bonefish (Albula vulpes), a deeper understanding of the species' early developmental characteristics is necessary. During ontogenesis, bonefish utilize lipids as a source of energy before the start of exogenous feeding. The goal of this study is to gain insight into the energetic needs of bonefish leptocephalus larvae in the post‐hatch larval stage. Broodstock were collected in the wild and hormone induced. Spawning yielded eggs that were fertilized and were then incubated until hatching. Larval development was monitored throughout the duration of the trial until all larvae perished. Samples of larval tissue were taken to the lab for lipid analysis and composition was compared at different developmental stages. Larval lipid composition was significantly different across sample groups showing a change in lipid content related to development. After hatching, larvae gradually depleted wax esters‐sterol ester (WE‐SE) reserves over a period of 4 days, while simultaneously increasing hydrocarbon (HC). The role of WE‐SE is seemingly tied to both buoyancy and energy reserves due to its high abundance immediately post‐hatch and selective catabolism. As larvae weaned off of the nutrition provided by the yolk, exogenous feeding began to diversify lipid composition and overall lipid reserves were depleted. Future directions included the development of optimal larval feeds based on this analysis in order to gain more insight into the nutritional needs and requirements during the critical leptocephalus stages.

中文翻译：

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北梭鱼（Albula vulpes）早期细头鱼幼虫的脂质成分和利用。

为了鼓励圈养和野生骨鱼种群的生存（Albula vulpes)，有必要更深入地了解该物种的早期发育特征。在个体发育过程中，骨鱼在开始外源喂养之前利用脂质作为能量来源。本研究的目的是深入了解骨鱼细头鱼幼虫在孵化后幼虫阶段的能量需求。在野外收集亲鱼并进行激素诱导。产卵产生受精卵，然后孵化直至孵化。在整个试验期间监测幼虫发育直至所有幼虫死亡。将幼虫组织样本带到实验室进行脂质分析，并比较不同发育阶段的成分。不同样品组的幼虫脂质成分显着不同，显示出与发育相关的脂质含量的变化。孵化后，幼虫在 4 天内逐渐耗尽蜡酯-甾醇酯 (WE-SE) 储备，同时增加碳氢化合物 (HC)。WE-SE 的作用似乎与浮力和能量储备有关，因为它在孵化后立即具有高丰度和选择性分解代谢。随着幼虫从蛋黄提供的营养中断奶，外源性喂养开始使脂质成分多样化，总体脂质储备被耗尽。未来的方向包括基于此分析开发最佳幼虫饲料，以便更深入地了解关键的脑头鱼阶段的营养需求和需求。WE-SE 的作用似乎与浮力和能量储备有关，因为它在孵化后立即具有高丰度和选择性分解代谢。随着幼虫从蛋黄提供的营养中断奶，外源性喂养开始使脂质成分多样化，并且总体脂质储备被耗尽。未来的方向包括基于此分析开发最佳幼虫饲料，以便更深入地了解关键的脑头鱼阶段的营养需求和需求。WE-SE 的作用似乎与浮力和能量储备有关，因为它在孵化后立即具有高丰度和选择性分解代谢。随着幼虫从蛋黄提供的营养中断奶，外源性喂养开始使脂质成分多样化，并且总体脂质储备被耗尽。未来的方向包括基于此分析开发最佳幼虫饲料，以便更深入地了解关键的脑头鱼阶段的营养需求和需求。