Comparison of growth and RNA : DNA ratios in three populations of juvenile turbot reared at two salinities

Salinity significantly influenced growth and RNA : DNA ratios in three populations (Iceland, Norway and France) of juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus as these variables were higher at 15 than at 33·5‰ salinity. Furthermore, growth and RNA : DNA ratios of the two high latitude populations (Iceland and Norway) were higher than those of the low latitude population (France): the Norwegian and the Icelandic populations had RNA : DNA ratios of 6·28 and 5·91, respectively, whereas the ratio of the French population was 5·01. It is concluded that in the upper temperature range for turbot, growth can be improved by rearing at intermediate salinities at least during the first year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]