Institute of Aquaculture

Genetics & Reproduction Group

John is a Research Fellow within the Genetics and Reproduction Group at the Institute. He holds a BSc (1999) and MSc (2000) in Aquaculture and completed a NERC ROPA funded PhD with additional support from the British Trout Association and Scottish Salmon Hatcheries studying “the effects of photoperiod manipulation on growth and reproduction in rainbow trout” in 2004.

His main research interest is in the environmental regulation of growth, physiology and maturation in commercially farmed fish stocks, with special interest in salmonids. Specific fields of interest include delaying early puberty in fish, light perception, the use of novel lighting systems in commercial aquaculture, hormonal variations under altered environmental conditions, and endocrine signalling between the somatotropic and reproductive axis. He has been a research fellow on several projects including NERC ROPA Award (GR3/R9827): Interactions of photoperiod with growth and reproduction in rainbow trout; IDEMA Aqua and Marine Harvest Ltd Industry project: The effects of new LED lighting on performance and stress in Atlantic salmon post-smolts; EU 6th Framework (EU Capacity) CODTECH: Light Technology for Photoperiod Regulation in Cod Mariculture. His research network includes numerous international collaborations with RTD partners and key industry partners within the aquaculture industry.

John is currently developing his research to focus on exploring the use of sterile (triploid) fish in the Atlantic salmon industry as a means to help negate the impact of escapees on wild populations and improve harvest quality. This research also focuses on improving production performance by examining the interactions between family selection and ploidy. The current research forms part of the transnational EU Capacity project: SALMOTRIP: Feasibility study of triploid salmon production co-ordinated by Dr H Migaud.

In addition to his research, John lectures on salmonid broodstock management and current industry practice as part of the Institute MSc Aquaculture/Aquatic Pathobiology/Aquatic Veterinary courses AQUPF4 and AQUPF6. He has also supervised several PhD, MSc and BSc research students within the group.

Selected peer reviewed publications include

Martínez-Palacios, C.A, Tovar, E.B., Taylor, J.F., Durán, G.R. & Ross, L.G. (2002). Effect of temperature on growth and survival of Chirostoma estor estor, Jordan 1879, monitored using a simple video technique for remote measurement of length and mass of larval and juvenile fishes, Aquaculture, 209,369-377.

Taylor, J.F., Porter, M.J.R., Randall, C.F. & Bromage, N. R. (2003). The interactions of photoperiod and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the control of rainbow trout reproduction. Fish Physiology and Biochemsitry, 28, 449-450.

Taylor, J.F., Migaud, H., Porter, M.J.R. & Bromage, N.R. (2005). Photoperiod influences growth rate and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels in juvenile rainbow trout. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 142, 169-185.

Taylor, J.F., North, B.P., Porter, M.J.R., Bromage, N.R. and Migaud , H. (2006). Photoperiod can be used to enhance growth rate and improve feeding efficiency in farmed rainbow trout. Aquaculture, 256, 216-234.

Migaud H, Taranger G.L., Taylor J., Davie A., Cerda´-Reverter J.M., Carrillo M., Hansen T., & Bromage N.R., (2006). Pineal gland sensitivity to light intensity in salmon (Salmo salar) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): an in vivo and ex vivo study Journal of Pineal Research, 41, 42-52.

Fletcher R. C., Roy W, Davie A., Taylor J., Robertson D. & Migaud H. (2007) Evaluation of new microparticulate diets for early weaning of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): implications on larval performances and tank hygiene. Aquaculture, 263, 35-51.

Taylor, J.F., Needham, M.P., North, B.P., Morgan, A., Thompson, K. and Migaud, H. (2007) The influence of ploidy on saltwater adaptation, acute stress response and immune function following seawater transfer in non-smolting rainbow trout. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 152, 314-325.

Migaud, H., Cowan, M., Taylor, J. and Ferguson, H. W. (2007). The effect of spectral composition and light intensity on melatonin, stress and retinal damage in post-smolt Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Aquaculture, 270, 390-404.

Taylor, J.F., Porter, M.J.R., Bromage, N.R. and Migaud , H. (2008) Relationships between environmental changes, maturity, growth rate and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in female rainbow trout. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 155, 257-270.

Migaud H, Davie A., Taranger G.L., Taylor J., Martinez Chavez, C., & Carrilo M., (2008) Diversity of circadian organisation and light sensitivities among teleosts species. International Journal of Ichthyology, 32: 37

Taylor J.F. and Migaud, H., 2009. Timing and duration of exposure to constant light affects rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth during winter grow-out. Aquaculture Research (in press).

Selected trade journal articles include:

Taylor, J.F., North, B., Porter, M.J.R. & Bromage, N.R. (2002). Photoperiod manipulation can be used to improve growth rate and feeding efficiency in rainbow trout. Trout News, 33, 20-23.

Davie A. & Taylor J.F. Light manipulation helps achieve market size sooner. Aquaculture Risk (Management) Ltd Annual Newsletter (2003).

North, B., Turnbull, J., Taylor, J., Ellis, T. & Bromage, N.R. (2004). Assessing the effects of stocking density on the welfare of farmed rainbow trout. Trout News, 38 , 13-17.

Migaud H., Davie A., Taylor J., North B., Sprague M., 2004. New species - new lighting techniques. Fish Farming International, May 2004.

Migaud H., Davie A., Taylor J., Sprague M., 2006. Shining the light on salmon: Part 1. Current knowledge. Skretting Outlook Journal. No. 25 - Summer 2006.

Migaud H., Davie A., Taylor J., Sprague M., 2006. Shining the light on salmon: Part 2. New concepts and developments. Skretting Outlook Journal. No. 26 - Winter 2006.

Taylor J. and Migaud H., 2008 Shining The Light On Trout: Where we are now? Finfish News, 5, 11-17.

Migaud H., Taylor J., Hansen T., 2008. Sterile salmon: toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly industry. Fish Farmer, October 2008.

Conference presentations (2007-2009) include:

Migaud H., Davie A., Taylor J. (2007) Light perception in Atlantic cod. 2nd Scottish Cod ecology meeting, Glasgow, May 2007

Davie A., Taylor J & Migaud H (2007) Environmental regulation of reproduction in cod: From laboratory to commercial practice. 2nd Scottish Cod ecology meeting, Glasgow, May 2007

Ágústsson T., Schram J.G., Migaud H., Taylor J., Davie A., Lyså P.A., Taranger G.L., Pickova J., Björnsdóttir R., Björnsson B.Th. and Sigurgísladóttir S., 2007. The effects of photoperiod manipulations on maturation and growth in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.): use of cold cathode light technology in seacages. European Aquaculture Society Conference 2007, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2007.

Migaud H., Cowan M., Davie A., Taylor J., 2007. Research and development of stock management strategies to optimise growth potential in ongrowing cod and halibut. The British Marine Finfish Association Conference, 14-16th November 2007.

Migaud H, Davie A., Taylor J., Carrilo M. & Taranger G.L., (2007) Diversity of circadian organisation and light sensitivities among teleosts species; implications for the management of reproduction in commercial culture. 8th International Symposium on the Reproductive Physiology of Fish, St Malo, June 2007.

Migaud H., Davie A., Vera L., Taylor J., Martinez-Chavez C.C., (2008) Current knowledge, new concepts and future developments in light perception in fish and implications for artificial lighting regimes in aquaculture. Aquaculture Europe 2008, Krakow, September 2008.

Migaud H., Davie A., Taylor J.F., Martinez Chavez C., Al-Khamees S. (2008) Comparative studies of the circadian light axis in teleosts. 24th Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists, Genoa, September 2008.

Migaud H., Davie A., Cowan M. and Taylor J.F., (2009). Optimisation of on growing of marine finfish- a welfare perspective. Scottish Aquaculture - A Sustainable Future, The Royal Society of Edinburgh and Scottish Agriculture Research Forum, 21st - 22nd April 2009.

Migaud H., Davie A., Vera L. & Taylor J (2009). Perception of light by cod, intensities and spectrum, effect of shading, in the lab and commercial seapens. Sats pa Torsk 2009, Bergen, Norway, February 2009

Davie A., Taylor J., Bourhill A., Thompson K., Adams A. & Migaud H. (2009). UK commercial scale trials of narrow-bandwidth lighting systems to control maturation in Atlantic cod. Sats pa Torsk 2009, Bergen, Norway, February 2009.