The LARVDYN table was developed by Edward D. Houde and Colleen E. Zastrow (1993) who kindly supplied it for distribution through FishBase. We quote from their publication (p. 290):

"Growth rates, mortality rates, and energetic properties of teleost larvae differ among species and among ecosystems. In this synthesis, the ingestion rates required to support mean growth of larvae were estimated and energy budgets were developed. Weight-specific growth coefficients (G), instantaneous mortality rates (Z), larval stage durations (D), gross growth efficiencies (K₁), and weight-specific oxygen uptake (QO₂) were obtained from published sources and categorized by marine and freshwater species. Rates and properties were subcategorized by marine ecosystems and by taxonomic groups. The strong temperature dependencies of rates and properties for larvae were adjusted by analysis of covariance to allow mean values to be compared among ecosystems and taxa."

The table covers about 100 species with information drawn from more than 200 references. This information is used to generate different types of graphs. Fig. 48 is one illustration. We intend to expand that coverage, as new information becomes available. Inputs and queries from FishBase users would be much appreciated.

You get to the LARVDYN table by clicking on the Biology button in the SPECIES window, the Reproduction button in the BIOLOGY window and the Larval dyn. button in the next window.

On the Internet, you get to the LARVDYN table by clicking on the Larvaldyn. link in the ‘More information’ section of the ‘Species Summary’ page. Alternatively, you can select the Larval dynamics radio button in the ‘Information by Topic’ section of the ‘Search FishBase’ page.