What is Smoltification in salmon?
The physiological adaptions allowing the salmon to survive and grow in seawater are called smoltification or parr‐smolt transformation (Hoar 1988). After a somatic growth period of 1–3 years, salmon migrate back to their native river for sexual maturation and spawning (Metcalfe and Thorpe 1990; Klemetsen et al. 2003).
What is Smolting fish?
: a young salmon or sea trout about two years old that is at the stage of development when it assumes the silvery color of the adult and is ready to migrate to the sea.
What happens in smoltification?
Physiological changes during smoltification include modified body shape, increased skin reflectance (the measure of the proportion of light or other radiation striking a surface which is reflected off it.), and increased Na+/K+-ATPase in the gills. A number of mechanisms assist with osmoregulation.
Why is smoltification important?
Successful smoltification is an essential prerequisite to marine survival of both salmon and trout. Thus in an Irish context the protection, conservation and management of these species will rely on identifying and addressing anything potentially perturbing the smoltification process.
What triggers smoltification?
The smoltification process is stimulated by a photoperiodic cue, that is, the lengthening of the photoperiod in the spring (Zydlewski et al., 2014). An overview of the light-brain-pituitary axis that illustrates the role of brain changes during smoltification on endocrine and physiological development.
What are the effects of smoltification on the body?
Physiological changes during smoltification include modified body shape, increased skin reflectance (the measure of the proportion of light or other radiation striking a surface which is reflected off it.), and increased Na + /K + -ATPase in the gills. A number of mechanisms assist with osmoregulation.
What happens to a salmonid fish during smoltification?
Smoltification (also known as Parr-Smolt transformation) is the series of physiological changes where juvenile salmonid fish adapt from living in fresh water to living in seawater. Physiological changes during smoltification include altered body shape, increased skin reflectance (silvery colouration), and increased Na+/K+-ATPase in the gills.
What does a smolt mean for a salmon?
A Smolt is a stage of a salmon life cycle that is getting ready to go out to sea. More to learn! As salmon begin to mature, they adapt for life in salt water in an intermediary stage known as smolts. This process marks the beginning of their first migration from their home stream to the ocean.