红螯螯虾血细胞分类、结构与免疫特性研究

血细胞在甲壳动物免疫过程中起重要作用,探讨红螯螯虾(Cherax quadricarinatus)不同类型血细胞结构与免疫特性有助于其病害防治。应用流式细胞术(FCM),根据前向角散射光(FSC)和侧向角散射光(SSC)的强度差异对血细胞进行分类,利用特异性荧光染料进行标记,分析血细胞总数(THC)、线粒体数量、溶酶体数量、吞噬活力、活性氧(ROS)含量、一氧化氮(NO)含量和非特异性酯酶活力。结果显示,应用FCM可以区分透明细胞(HC)、半颗粒细胞(SGC)和颗粒细胞(GC)三类血细胞,其占比分别为9.82%、61.11%和25.24%;红螯螯虾平均血细胞总数(THC)为(8.43±0.87)×10~6个/mL;GC含有最多数量的线粒体和溶酶体,HC中含量最少;HC、SGC和GC的吞噬率分别为2.54%、14.45%和6.98%,SGC吞噬活力最强,HC最弱;HC、SGC和GC的活性氧(ROS)含量分别为7.80、45.95和134.69 AU,GC的ROS含量最高,HC最低;HC、SGC和GC的一氧化氮(NO)含量分别为8.20、79.78和344.31 AU,GC的NO含量最高,HC最低;HC、SGC和GC的非特异性酯酶活力分别为86.59、121.84和236.91AU,GC的酯酶活力最高,HC最低。研究表明,红螯螯虾三类血细胞在形态结构、数量及免疫特性上均存在差异,SGC的数量最多、吞噬活力最强,而GC含有最多与能量供应、免疫防御相关的细胞器,并拥有最强的氧化活力和酯酶活力,表明GC和SGC是红螯螯虾免疫防御过程中发挥主要作用的血细胞类型。     

长牡蛎糖原磷酸化酶基因SNPs与生长性状和糖原含量的相关性分析

为研究糖原磷酸化酶基因多态性与长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)生长和糖原含量的相关性,本研究对长牡蛎糖原磷酸化酶基因(Cg-GPH)编码区单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)与来自5个家系322个长牡蛎个体的生长性状(包括壳高、壳长、壳宽、总体质量以及软体部质量)和糖原含量进行了关联分析.结果表明,在1940 bp的长牡蛎糖原磷酸化酶基因中共检测到82个SNPs位点,其中63个SNPs位点位于外显子区域,1个SNPs位点位于5′-UTR区,18个SNPs位点位于3′-UTR区,编码区SNPs平均密度为1/25 bp;5个SNPs位点与生长性状存在显著相关(P<0.05),未检测到与糖原含量相关SNPs.根据以上5个SNPs位点共构建得到6个SNP单倍型,其中,Cg-GPH基因的H6(CTGAT)单倍型在总体质量性状方面均显著高于其他5种单倍型(P<0.05),表明H6单倍型可能是对长牡蛎体质量增加最有利的单倍型.研究结果为今后长牡蛎生长性状的遗传改良提供了基础资料.     

香港牡蛎不同育肥方式的育肥效果

香港牡蛎营养丰富,味道鲜美,在上市前会通过集中育肥提高风味口感和经济价值。为探明不同育肥方式对香港牡蛎的育肥效果,对经过池塘育肥和外海育肥后香港牡蛎的壳高、壳长、壳宽、体质量、软体质量、出肉率、糖原含量、甜菜碱含量、蛋白含量等指标进行检测,并与内海对照组牡蛎进行比较分析。检测结果显示,经过池塘育肥,香港牡蛎的壳高、体质量、糖原含量和蛋白含量均显著升高( P <0.01),甜菜碱含量显著降低( P <0.01),壳长、壳宽、软体质量、出肉率无显著变化;经过外海育肥的香港牡蛎糖原含量显著升高( P <0.01),壳高、壳长、体质量、软体质量( P <0.01)和甜菜碱( P < 0.05 )含量显著降低,壳宽、出肉率和蛋白含量无显著变化。试验结果表明,池塘育肥比外海育肥效果要好;不论哪种育肥方式,育肥后牡蛎的糖原含量均显著升高,甜菜碱含量均显著降低,出肉率均无显著变化。     

不同育性长牡蛎性腺发育过程中糖原和脂质的组织化学研究

为探讨不同育性长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)性腺发育过程中主要供能物质的利用和变化差异,利用过碘酸雪夫氏染色(PAS染色)和油红O染色法对不同育性三倍体长牡蛎及二倍体长牡蛎性腺组织进行观察分析。结果显示,增殖期,二倍体和三倍体长牡蛎性腺结缔组织中均含有大量糖原和脂质。随着性腺发育,二倍体和可育型三倍体(3nα型)长牡蛎性腺结缔组织中糖原含量明显下降,到成熟期几乎检测不到糖原,说明性腺结缔组织中的糖原为配子发生提供能量。脂质主要存在于性腺结缔组织和卵母细胞的细胞质中,说明脂质是卵细胞发育的重要组成物质。雌性二倍体和3nα型长牡蛎性腺结缔组织中的脂类含量随着性腺发育并未发生明显下降,推测糖原可能转化为脂质以满足性腺发育的物质需求。脂质在二倍体雄性长牡蛎的性腺发育过程中出现明显的减少,说明脂类在雄性性腺发育中的主要功能可能是供能而不是结构组成。糖原和脂类作为长牡蛎性腺发育过程中重要的供能和组成物质,在不育型三倍体(3nβ型)长牡蛎性腺发育过程中含量没有发生明显的变化,这与3nβ型配子发生受阻密切相关。推测3nβ型长牡蛎由于配子发育受阻,性腺发育初期积累的糖原和脂质并未分配至生殖细胞,而留在结缔组织中,从而使其在繁殖季节仍然能够保持快速生长。研究结果为牡蛎生殖发育调控机制及育性控制育种提供重要信息。     

5种壳色长牡蛎不同组织常规营养成分分析与评价

对壳黑、壳紫、壳橙、壳金和壳白5种壳色长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)不同组织包括闭壳肌、外套膜、鳃、性腺-内脏团的营养成分(水分、总蛋白质、总脂肪、糖原、灰分)进行检测分析,比较它们与普通养殖群体营养成分的差异以及5种壳色长牡蛎各组织间营养成分的差异。结果表明,在闭壳肌中,壳紫长牡蛎的总脂肪含量显著高于壳橙长牡蛎(P0.05),其他组分在6个群体中未表现出显著性差异(P0.05);在外套膜中,壳金长牡蛎总脂肪含量显著高于壳黑、壳橙和普通养殖群体(P0.05),壳白长牡蛎的灰分含量显著高于普通养殖群体(P0.05),其他组分在各群体之间未表现出显著性差异(P0.05);在鳃中,长牡蛎壳橙、壳紫、壳白选育群体的糖原含量显著低于对照组(P0.05),其他组分在6个群体之间没有显著性差异(P0.05)。长牡蛎5种壳色选育群体和普通养殖群体的性腺-内脏团在水分、总蛋白质、总脂肪、糖原和灰分中均无显著性差异(P0.05)。4个组织中水分和灰分均以外套膜和鳃中含量最高,闭壳肌中总蛋白质的含量则在4个组织中居首位,总脂肪和糖原含量均以性腺-内脏团中最高。研究结果表明不同壳色长牡蛎之间以及不同壳色与普通对照群体之间在一些重要营养成分上已表现出分化,这为长牡蛎壳色品系选育提供了重要的参考资料。     

近江牡蛎HSC70基因对溶藻弧菌感染的反应

人工注射溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)感染近江牡蛎(Crassostrea hongkongensis),通过实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法检测了近江牡蛎6种不同组织器官(外套膜、鳃、消化腺、闭壳肌、心脏和血细胞)中HSC70基因表达量的变化;同时采用平板活菌计数法测定了近江牡蛎不同组织器官中溶藻弧菌菌量的变化。结果显示,人工注射感染溶藻弧菌后,近江牡蛎6种组织器官中HSC70基因表达量均显著性升高(P<0.05),且随时间变化均呈现出先升高后恢复至对照水平的趋势;其中鳃组织中HSC70基因分别在第6小时和第72小时出现2次显著性高表达,且在第72小时的表达量高于第6小时(P<0.05)。在多数组织器官中,HSC70基因出现显著高表达后便急剧下降至对照水平,而在消化腺中高表达持续的时间长达18 h(第6 24小时)。在注射感染溶藻弧菌后第6小时,血细胞中HSC70基因的表达量达到峰值,接近于对照水平的15倍;而在其他组织器官中,该基因表达峰值仅为对照水平的2.5倍左右。人工注射感染溶藻弧菌后3 h,3种组织(消化腺、闭壳肌和血淋巴)中均能检测到溶藻弧菌的积累,其中闭壳肌中含菌量最高,6 h时闭壳肌中含菌量急剧下降,随后又增加并维持在一定水平直至72 h;消化腺中菌量随着时间推移而增加,到达峰值后又逐步下降;血淋巴中,溶藻弧菌含量整体上随时间不断增加,到48 h稳定在较高水平。各组织中HSC70表达量与溶藻弧菌含量之间存在一定的关联性,尤其在溶藻弧菌攻击的靶器官(消化腺)中最为明显。由此可见,病原菌感染可以诱导近江牡蛎HSC70基因高表达,并且HSC70可能参与了机体抗病原菌感染的相关作用,这为进一步研究近江牡蛎HSC70基因在抗病免疫中的作用机制奠定了基础。     

不同育性三倍体长牡蛎性腺发育过程中的营养成分比较

为阐明不同育性三倍体长牡蛎性腺发育与营养成分变化的关系,实验对不育型和可育型三倍体长牡蛎性腺发育过程中的主要营养成分(糖原、总蛋白质和总脂肪含量)进行分析,并与二倍体长牡蛎进行比较。结果显示,三倍体长牡蛎性腺—内脏团、闭壳肌和外套膜3种组织中的糖原含量均显著高于同时期的二倍体长牡蛎,性腺—内脏团和闭壳肌中的总蛋白质含量则显著低于同时期的二倍体。随着性腺发育,可育型三倍体长牡蛎性腺—内脏团的糖原含量下降了31.88%,二倍体长牡蛎下降82.41%,而不可育型三倍体长牡蛎糖原含量下降了0.55%,这与糖原为配子发生供能密切相关。此外,不育型三倍体长牡蛎性腺—内脏团的糖原、总蛋白质和总脂肪含量在繁殖季节中均没有发现明显的波动,而可育型三倍体长牡蛎由于性腺一定程度的发育,其营养成分含量的变化趋势与二倍体类似。研究表明不育型和可育型三倍体长牡蛎在繁殖季节营养成分存在明显的差异,不育型三倍体的糖原品质性状优于可育型,这为长牡蛎育性控制育种提供了重要参考依据。     

凡纳滨对虾不同类型血细胞的活性氧水平和酯酶活性

应用流式细胞术(FCM)测定凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)不同类型血细胞(透明细胞、小颗粒细胞和大颗粒细胞)的非诱导性和诱导性活性氧(ROS)含量以及非特异性酯酶活性,探讨不同类型血细胞的免疫功能.结果显示,透明细胞的非诱导性ROS含量最低,显著低于小颗粒细胞和大颗粒细胞(P＜0.05),大颗粒细胞的非诱导性ROS含量最高;经脂多糖(LPS)刺激后,透明细胞的ROS含量没有显著变化(P＞0.05),小颗粒细胞和大颗粒细胞的ROS含量显著提高(P＜0.05);大颗粒细胞的酯酶活性显著高于小颗粒细胞和透明细胞(P＜0.05).研究表明,3类血细胞在活性氧含量和酯酶活性的功能上存在差异,两类颗粒细胞的活性氧水平较高,大颗粒细胞的酯酶活性较强.     

近江牡蛎冻干组织糖原含量近红外模型的建立

糖原直接影响牡蛎的风味和营养品质,常作为评价牡蛎品质质量的重要标准。近红外光谱(NIR)模型可以实现糖原含量的快速准确检测。本研究以近江牡蛎(Crassostrea ariakensis)为研究对象,采用微量蒽酮法、近红外技术分别获取了外套膜、鳃、闭壳肌、肝胰腺、唇瓣、性腺等6个组织及全软体部混样共909份样品的糖原含量及光谱数据,结合最小二乘法建立了近江牡蛎6个组织及全软体部的糖原含量预测模型,并对该模型进行了外部验证和交叉验证。结果显示,所测样品光谱数据经一阶求导、乘法散射校正及平滑预处理后,建立的模型最优;所建立的7个模型的建模相关系数(RC)为0.971 6~0.996 3,其外部验证相关系数(REV)及交叉验证相关系数(RCV)分别为0.949 0~0.990 8和0.969 4~0.996 9,且模型交叉验证和外部验证的RPD值均大于2.5,表明所建立的模型能准确预测近江牡蛎相应组织样品的糖原含量。本研究建立的近江牡蛎糖原含量NIR分析模型,不仅丰富了牡蛎糖原含量检测方法的研究资料,还为实现近江牡蛎糖原成分的快速、准确测定提供了技术支撑,在近江牡蛎品质性状改良等领域具有重要的应用价值。     

流式细胞术在克氏原螯虾血细胞的分类、活性和免疫功能研究中的应用

应用流式细胞术(FCM)对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)血细胞的分类、活性和免疫功能进行了研究。结果显示:血细胞可分为透明细胞、小颗粒细胞和大颗粒细胞三个亚群,组成比例分别为(26.25±5.29)%、(51.44±7.02)%和(11.20±1.82)%;螯虾血细胞的平均总凋亡率约为3.12%;血细胞对荧光大肠杆菌的吞噬活力显著(P<0.05)高于荧光微球,吞噬率分别为17.04%和14.57%;血细胞在自然生理状态下含有一定量的活性氧,其在两类颗粒细胞的含量显著(P<0.05)高于透明细胞,在大颗粒细胞中最高。结果表明,FCM能较好地应用于虾类的血细胞分类和功能研究。     

驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼形态观察

对驼背鲈(Chromileptes altivelis)的胚胎发育及仔、稚、幼鱼的形态特征进行了详细的观察与研究,描述了从受精卵到仔、稚、幼鱼各发育期的时间和形态特征变化。结果表明,在水温25-26℃、盐度30的海水中,受精卵历时27 h 25 min完成整个胚胎发育过程,经历从卵裂、囊胚、原肠、神经胚到肌节形成、各器官的逐渐形成、变化、完善等一系列的胚胎发育和变化过程;根据其卵黄囊消长情况、鳞片的覆盖状态、体色发生的不同变化以及第二背鳍和腹鳍的消长,将胚后发育分为仔、稚、幼鱼3个阶段。在水温22-26℃、盐度29-31、DO≥5 mg/L的条件下,2-3 d仔鱼卵黄囊消失,开口摄食;生长发育至31 d,仔鱼已变态进入稚鱼期;培育至57 d,稚鱼完成变态,成为幼鱼。第二背鳍棘和腹鳍棘的生长与收缩等石斑鱼类早期发育的共性生长特征及其体表特性体色变化特征为驼背鲈胚后发育过程中最明显的特征。     

Anguilla huangi Teng, Lin, and Tzeng, 2009, is a junior synonym of Anguilla luzonensis Watanabe, Aoyama, and Tsukamoto, 2009

Anguilla luzonensis and A. huangi were each described in 2009 using eels obtained from northern Luzon Island. We examined the taxonomic status of these two groups of eels using morphological and molecular genetic characters. There were no significant differences in two vertebrae counts between eels of A. luzonensis and A. huangi. Mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b genes sequences were obtained and compared among 28 specimens of A. luzonensis, the holotypes of A. luzonensis and A. huangi, and one specimen of the other 15 anguillid species. The specimens of A. luzonensis exhibited almost identical sequences, including the holotype, with only a few site differences, and the genetic difference between the holotypes of A. luzonensis and A. huangi was within the range of differences of specimens of A. luzonensis. The other anguillid species were genetically very different from A. luzonensis and A. huangi, although A. interioris is a closely related species. It is clear that A. luzonensis and A. huangi are the same species, and according to the principle of priority in zoological nomenclature, A. luzonensis Watanabe, Aoyama, and Tsukamoto, 2009 is the valid species name, and A. huangi Teng, Lin, and Tzeng, 2009 is a junior synonym of A. luzonensis.     

Effect of Salinity on Embryonic Development,Hatchability, and Growth of African Catfish,Clarias gariepinus,Eggs and Larvae

Abstract

Effects of salinity on embryonic development and growth of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, eggs and larvae were studied. Eggs were incubated at 27-29°C in 2,4,6,8, and 10 ppt sodium chloride. Rate of embryonic development was delayed in all salt solutions by 15, 15,28 and 30 minutes, in 2,4,6, and 8 ppt sodium chloride, respectively, when compared with the control group (0% salt); total mortality occurred at 12 hours after gastrula stage in the 10 ppt concentration. Percentage hatching was 45.1,47.7, 59.5,49.2, and 26.6% while percentage deformity was 10.4, 16.1, 52.0, 28.6, and 71.6% in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ppt salt treatments, respectively. There were significant differences (P <0.05) in the hatching percentage and in deformity percentage between 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of yolk absorption was significantly faster in the control and 2 ppt salt treatments, but slower in 4, 6, and 8 ppt. Rate of increase in length was slower with increasing salinity. The optimum salinity for African catfish eggs and was between 0-2 ppt and acceptable up to 6 ppt. The results suggest that increasing salinity delayed hatching and development of African catfish eggs and larvae, respectively, as well as increased the deformity of the larvae.     

Effect of Temperature on Growth,Energy Budget,and Physiological Performance of Green,White, and Purple Color Morphs of Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

As an intertidal species, Apostichopus japonicus is subject to diel and seasonal temperature fluctuations. Color variation is a distinct characteristic of A. japonicus, and a new color morph, purple A. japonicus, was recently found on the coast of Rushan, Weihai City. This study was conducted to compare the performance of green, white, and purple color morphs of A. japonicus at different water temperatures to help improving aquaculture technology and management. In this study, green, white, and purple color morphs of juvenile A. japonicus (1.5 ± 0.1 g) were cultured at 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26 C for 60 d, according to the suitable temperature range for sea cucumber growth. Temperature was shown to have a significant effect on growth, energy budget, and physiology of sea cucumbers (P < 0.05). Specific growth rates, feed conversion efficiencies, and the proportion of energy allocated to growth of all three color morphs were optimal at 18 C. Activities of the enzymes related with oxidative stress, immune response, and digestion were determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and trypsin activities generally reached a maximum in all three color morphs at 18 C. The purple color morph of A. japonicus was higher in growth rate, food conversion efficiency, and proportion of energy allocated to growth than green and white color morphs at 18 and 22 C, consistent with its higher trypsin and SOD activity, indicating the mutual effect of growth and physiology. At 18, 22, and 26 C, the green color morph had the highest level of lysozyme activity and purple color morph had the lowest, indicating possible infection by external pathogens of green color morph, which might be caused by high temperature. These results suggested that the optimum temperature for culture of the three color morphs was approximately 18 C, the purple had a better adaption to high temperature, and the green and white color morphs may be more susceptible to thermal stress than the purple color morph.     

Surface disinfection of Pacific threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis, and amberjack, Seriola rivoliana, eggs

The effects of exposing the eggs of Pacific threadfin and amberjack eggs (AEs) to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for 5 min on hatch rate and survival were assessed in a series of experiments using a petri dish model rearing system. Despite significant inter‐batch variation in hatch rate, it was shown that eggs of both species could be safely exposed to up to 11 340 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 5 min. Exposure to 34 230 mg L⁻¹ H₂O₂ for 5 min was shown to be lethal to AEs at a late stage of development. In two further experiments, it was demonstrated that Pacific threadfin eggs were resistant to all tested concentrations of a range of polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine (PVP‐I) concentrations and contact times (up to 1000 mg L⁻¹ PVP‐I for 10 min). The level of bacteria adhering to the eggs of both species was highly variable. Where eggs were heavily colonized (>10⁴ cfu egg⁻¹), hydrogen peroxide concentrations of at least 11 340 mg L⁻¹, or PVP‐I concentrations higher than 500 mg L⁻¹ for 10 min, were required for effective sterilization. In less colonized batches, rinsing in sterile seawater or exposure to lower (550 mg L⁻¹) concentrations of H₂O₂ was sufficient to result in high apparent levels of surface sterility (<1 cfu egg⁻¹).     

Effects of levamisole,echinacea, and thyme oral administration on growth factors,blood parameters,and immunity in beluga,Huso huso

A total of 180 fish (95.50 g) were fed with 0.1% levamisole, 0.5% thyme, and 0.5% echinacea crude extract for 60 days. The control group received no stimulant. The results of growth parameters indicated a significant positive effect of levamisole in comparison with the control group, though it was not significantly different from echinacea and thyme treatments (P > 0.05). No mortalities were observed in the treatments. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio did not differ significantly between the treatments. The highest numbers of white and red blood cells and the greatest amounts of hemoglobin and hematocrit were detected in the levamisole treatment, showing significant differences with the other groups in the percentage of hemoglobin only (P < 0.05). The highest levels of MCH and MCHC were also measured in the levamisole treatment. Differential count of white blood cells revealed no significant differences in neutrophil and lymphocyte levels with the control. There was a significant increase in the percentage of eosinophil in the levamisole treatment alone. No significant differences were recorded in total protein, albumin, and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase enzymes. Levamisole treatment displayed the highest activities of glutathione peroxidase and lysozyme as well as the greatest amount of immunoglobulin. So 0.1 levamisole yielded better results in the growth, blood, and immunity parameters and can be used as a stimulant without injuring body organs.     

盐化幅度、速度及方式对凡纳滨对虾仔虾生长和存活率的影响

本研究测定了盐化幅度(3/d、6/d、9/d、12/d和15/d)、盐化速度(1、3、6、12和18 h/次)和盐化方式(前期盐化、中期盐化、后期盐化和间隔盐化)与凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)仔虾生长发育、活力和存活率的关系。研究结果显示,不同盐化幅度、盐化速度和盐化方式均显著影响盐化标粗过程中仔虾的生长发育、活力和存活率(P<0.05)。综合考虑生长性能、苗种活力和存活率等因素,最适盐化幅度为3~6/d,在该盐化幅度范围内,仔虾存活率可达74.07%~78.83%;盐化幅度超过9/d时,仔虾存活率显著下降(P<0.05),其中,盐化幅度达到15/d时,存活率仅为43.37%。过快的盐化速度导致存活率和活力显著下降,盐化速度>1 h/次时,仔虾死亡率接近50%;随着盐化速度的放缓,仔虾生长速度加快,盐化速度为6~18 h/次时,生长速度维持稳定,日增重量为1.48~1.51 mg。在盐化方式方面,后期盐化和间隔盐化时,苗种的质量和存活率优于前期盐化和中期盐化,仔虾活力表现为间隔盐化>后期盐化>中期盐化>前期盐化。综合考虑,仔虾的最适盐化幅度为3~6/d,最佳盐化速度为6~12 h/次,后期盐化和间隔盐化更有助于仔虾保持较好活力和较高存活率。本研究通过探讨凡纳滨对虾苗种盐化标粗的最适盐化幅度、盐化速度和盐化方式,丰富了凡纳滨对虾高盐环境抗逆性研究,为凡纳滨对虾苗种的盐化标粗生产实践提供了理论支持。     

Meristics and Morphometrics of Golden Shiner,Notemigonus crysoleucas,Rudd, Scardinus erythrophthalmus,and Their Reciprocal F1 Hybrids

Rudd, Scardinus erythrophthalmus, a European minnow, has been hybridized with golden shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas, in an attempt to produce sterile hybrids. If these hybrids are to be used as bait, easy means of differentiating the parental species and their hybrids is needed to ensure that no rudd are being sold. The scale pattern along the keel is the easiest and quickest way to distinguish the two species and their hybrids: the keel is raised and scaleless in the golden shiner, and it has 6-9 scales in the rudd; in hybrids, the keel is scaled, but the scales have different shapes and insertions than those in the rudd. No other phenotype can be used to positively identify these groups. No phenotype can be used to separate the reciprocal hybrids.     

Influence of density and background color to stress response, appetite, growth, and blind-side hypermelanosis of flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

To study the relevance of density and background color to stress response, appetite, and growth in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, we reared two duplicate groups of juveniles (total length 4.46 ± 0.06 cm, body weight 0.77 ± 0.03 g) in flat-bottom aquaria with dark-green (control) and white backgrounds for 120 days. We measured cortisol and glucose levels in blood and calculated the daily food intake, food conversion efficiency, survival rate, and growth rate. To study the relevance of density and background color to malpigmentation (hypermelanosis) on the blind side, we also compared malpigmented ratios and prepro-melanin-concentrating hormone mRNA activities in the brain between the dark-green and white background groups, as well as between a relatively lower density (60 days) and higher density (120 days). Although we measured relatively higher levels of cortisol and glucose in the white background group and over 200 % of coverage area [PCA]), the bright background failed to induce an acute stress response of more than 20 ng/ml cortisol and 40 mg/dl glucose both in 60 days and 120 days, but did enhance appetite and growth. Also, a bright background color delayed hyperpigmentation only at a low density below 200 % PCA, but did not inhibit malpigmentation at a high density of more than 200 % PCA. In addition, below 200 % PCA, expression of MCH mRNA was significantly higher in the white group, but the level was reversed and was lower in the white group at more than 200 % PCA. In conclusion, although did not induce a high stress response over 200 % PCA, the bright background color resulted in a moderate increasing of cortisol level in blood below 20 ng/ml and enhanced appetite and growth. Moreover, at a density below 200 % PCA, the bright color inhibited hypermelanosis with high MCH mRNA activity, but at more than 200 % PCA did not inhibit malpigmentation, and the fish showed low MCH mRNA activity, indicating that the inhibitory effect of a bright background color on hypermelanosis is density dependent.     

Coral communities of Biscayne Bay,Florida and adjacent offshore areas: diversity,abundance, distribution,and environmental correlates

• 1. Hardbottom habitats of Biscayne Bay, a shallow lagoon adjacent to the city of Miami, Florida, USA, contain a limited number of coral species that represent a small subset of the species found at nearby offshore hardbottom and reef habitats of the Florida Reef Tract. Although the physical characteristics of this basin make it a marginal environment for coral growth, the presence of dense populations of Siderastrea radians and Porites furcata indicate that these, as well as other corals that are found at lower densities, are able to tolerate extreme and fluctuating conditions. Three factors, temperature, sedimentation, and salinity, appear to limit coral abundance, diversity, and distribution within Biscayne Bay.
• 2. Temperatures exhibit high frequencies of extreme high and low values known to cause coral stress and mortality elsewhere. Similarly, sedimentation rates are very high and sediment resuspension caused by currents, storms and boating activities commonly bury corals under sediment layers. Sediment burial was shown experimentally to influence growth and mortality of S. radians.
• 3. The salinity of Biscayne Bay is influenced by freshwater inputs from canal, sheetflow and groundwater sources that create a near‐shore environment with low mean salinity and high salinity fluctuation. Coral communities along this western margin have the lowest coral density and species richness. Chronic exposure to low salinity was shown experimentally to cause a decrease in the growth of S. radians.
• 4. The location of Biscayne Bay, downstream of a large restoration effort planned for the Everglades watershed, highlights the need to understand the relationship between the physical environment and the health of benthic communities. The data presented here provide the type of scientific information needed so that management decisions can take into account the potential impacts of human activities on the health of coral populations that are already near their tolerance limits for temperature, salinity, and sedimentation.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.