Accumulation of fluorescent age pigments in embryos and larvae of pike,Esox lucius (Esocidae,Teleostei) at different incubation temperatures

Synopsis Accumulation of fluorescent age pigments (FAP) was measured in pike,Esox lucius, during embryogenesis and larval development at different temperatures. Chloroform-as well as methanol-soluble age pigments from eggs and larvae were quantified. Chloroform-FAP accumulated linearly with embryonic and larval development. After yolksack resorption, FAP concentrations reached a maximum and declined thereafter. Chloroform-FAP accumulation was not temperature dependent. Similar patterns of methanol-soluble pigment accumulation were found but accumulation of methanol-FAP was, in contrast, significantly temperature dependent. As a result, methanol-FAP concentrations increased in direct proportion to the rising incubation temperature, but the maximum methanol-FAP fluorescence was found at 15°C and not at 180°C.