Skeletal anomalies in reared European fish larvae and juveniles. Part 1: normal and anomalous skeletogenic processes

This critical review summarizes the knowledge about fish skeletal tissues and inherent normal and anomalous development. Particular emphasis is given to existing literature on reared European fishes. The aim was to identify the main gaps of knowledge that require to be filled, in order to precociously identify anomalous developmental patterns that lead to skeletal anomalies in reared finfish larvae and juveniles. The review also aims to extend our knowledge about the factors that are possibly involved in the onset of skeletal anomalies. The final goal is the optimization of the morphological quality of farmed juvenile fish.LARVANET COST action [FA0801]; Italian Ministry for Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policy [5C149, 6C82, 6C144]; Commission of the European Communities [SSP-2005-44483]; NSRF of the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs, Greece [09SYN-24619]; Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology - FCT [PDTC-MAR-105152-2008]; CRUP-MICINN [AI-E-54]; European Community [222719-LIFECYCLE]; Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIIN) [AGL2008-03897-C04-01, AIB2010-PT-00313]