The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience
Dr. Leonardo Ibarra-Castro obtained a B.S in Aquaculture from the University Autonomous of Sinaloa, Faculty of Marine Science in 1997. In 2005, under Dr. Neil Duncan, he earned a M.S. degree in Marine Fish Reproduction and in 2008 earned a Ph.D. also in Marine Fish Reproduction under Dr. Luis Sergio Alvarez-Lajonchere. Both degrees were obtained at the Research for Food and Development A.C. from Mazatlan Sinaloa Mexico. During 2009 and 2010 he was a postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin, in the Marine Science Institute and in the University National Autonomous of Mexico, working with the reproduction and larval culture of marine fish.
Email: l.ibarracastro@whitney.ufl.edu
The marine finfish aquaculture industry requires a healthy and constant supply of larvae to ensure the sustainable production of commercial fish. However, external fertilization with floating eggs and exposure to ambient changes before hatching can negatively affect the larvae’s development and survival. The first feeding stage is particularly critical, as any failure or lack of adequate food supply can result in developmental alterations, reduced growth, and even mortality.
To better understand each larvae stage, Dr. Ibarra-Castro uses various approaches such as biology development, histology, biochemical, and molecular studies to integrate basic research and facilitate the development of state-of-the-art management strategies for optimizing larval grow-out. He focuses on applying research-based knowledge transfer and reproductive management practices to improve finfish production.
