Daily dynamic of digestive processes in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae and post-larvae

Feeding is a complex process including food uptake, digestion and processing of the absorbed nutrients, therefore it is required to cover the postprandial period to obtain a global and integrated view of the digestive function. As in the case of fish larvae where the animals may eat ad libitum, it is more adequate to study the feeding and digestion patterns on a daily basis. The aim of the present work was to present an overview on the digestive process throughout the daily cycle in Senegalese sole larvae and post-larvae. The work has included the assessment of feeding and digestion patterns, as well as the regulation of the digestive processes, with the global objective to improve the knowledge of the physiological basis underlying the digestive function and, as consequence, to improve feeding efficiency.