High affinity of cadmium and copper to head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate bioaccumulation of metals in various tissues of the freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio L. exposed to cadmium and copper (a xenobiotic and a microelement). The fish were subjected to short-term (3 h, Cd-S and Cu-S) or long-term (4 weeks, Cd-L and Cu-L) exposures to 100 % 96hLC₅₀ or 10 % 96hLC₅₀, respectively. Blood, gill, liver, head and trunk kidney were isolated weekly from 5 fish of each group for 4 weeks (post-short-term exposure and during long-term exposure). Atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique was applied to measure concentrations of metals (Cd and Cu) in fish tissues. Initial concentrations of copper in fish tissues were higher than levels of cadmium. Cadmium and copper levels increased in all tissues of metal-exposed fish. After short-term exposures (at higher concentration) and during long-term exposures (at lower concentration), similar changes in metal concentrations were observed. The values of accumulation factor (ratio of final to initial metal concentration) were higher for cadmium as compared to copper. Comparison of metal levels and accumulation factors in various tissues revealed that cadmium and copper showed very high affinity to head kidney of common carp (higher than to other tissues), but accumulation factors for cadmium in trunk, head kidney and liver were much higher than for copper. The concentrations of copper in organs of Cu-exposed fish increased only slightly and quickly returned to the control level, which shows that fish organism easily buffered metal level. On the other hand, concentrations of cadmium considerably increased and remained elevated for a long time which suggests that activation of mechanisms of sequestration and elimination of cadmium required more time.     

Specific accumulation of heavy metals in squid collected from offshore Korean waters: preliminary results for offshore biomonitoring and food safety assessment

ABSTRACT:   Japanese common squid Todarodes pacificus collected from the East Sea/Sea of Japan were analyzed for cadmium, zinc and copper to elucidate the specific accumulation of heavy metals in various organs of squid of varying size and sex. There was no relationship between the size and sex of squid and the concentrations of heavy metals in various organs. Amongst organs, the liver contained the highest concentrations of all metals and the mantle had the lowest concentrations. In the liver and gills, concentrations of copper were higher than the other metals because of the existence of copper in hemocyanin in the blood. Cadmium showed the highest ratios (L/M) of the concentrations in the liver and in the mantle, even though cadmium in liver had lower concentrations than copper and zinc. This indicates that cephalopods constitute an important source of cadmium for cephalopod predators. The results show that the Japanese common squid is a useful bioindicator of metal pollution in offshore Korean waters.     

Cd胁迫对泥蚶Cd积累及相关生理代谢的影响

为了探讨镉(Cd)胁迫对泥蚶(Tegillarca granosa)体内重金属 Cd 含量积累、相关酶活力变化及基因表达水平的影响, 本研究将泥蚶暴露于 Cd 质量浓度为 0 mg/L、0.05 mg/L、0.1 mg/L、0.5 mg/L 的海水中, 对其软体部 Cd 含量, 超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和三磷酸腺苷酶(ATP)的酶活力, 丙二醛(MDA)含量以及 ATP 结合盒转运子 A 家族(ABCA3)、 金属硫蛋白(MT)、ATP 合酶(ATP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)基因表达等指标的变化进行分析。结果显示, Cd 胁迫后泥蚶软体部 Cd 含量明显增加, 呈现明显的时间–剂量效应；Cd 胁迫后 0.05 mg/L 和 0.1 mg/L 质量浓度组中鳃和外套膜 Cd 含量显著高于其他组织(P＜0.05), 0.5 mg/L 组内脏团 Cd 含量最高。Cd 胁迫后泥蚶内脏团中 SOD 酶和 ATP 酶活力及 MDA 含量前期呈上升趋势, 后期呈现下降趋势, 且均高于对照组。Cd 胁迫后 ABCA3、SOD、MT 基因表达上调, ATP 合酶基因的表达与对照组相比没有显著变化。胁迫后泥蚶软体部 Cd 大量增加, 诱导机体产生氧化应激反应, 泥蚶通过调整自身酶活力和相关基因表达水平的变化, 减少 Cd 胁迫产生的氧自由基对自身的毒害作用。     

Heavy Metal Content of Coho Oncorhynchus kisutch and Chinook Salmon O. tschawytscha Reared in Deep Upwelled Ocean Waters in Hawaii1

Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and chinook salmon (O. tschawyrscha) were reared in seawater pumped from the 600 m depth at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii. Fish were reared in either 100% deep water at 11 C, or a mixture of 55% deep and 45% surface waters at 17 C. Salmon flesh was analyzed for mercury, zinc, cadmium and lead. Mercury concentration in coho salmon reared at 11 C was significantly lower than the concentration in coho reared at 17 C (P < 0.05), but other heavy metal concentrations in tissue did not differ between the two species or between the two rearing temperatures. Compared with wild salmon from the northwest Pacific Ocean, salmon reared in Hawaii had significantly lower concentrations of mercury and lead (P < 0.05), but significantly higher concentrations of zinc and cadmium. These differences in heavy metal concentration between wild and cultured salmon were most readily explained by differences in the heavy metal content of diets and the lack of heavy metal concentrations in rearing water. The concentration of mercury in salmon tissue was at least 20 times less than the 1.0 μ/g U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for mercury. Action levels have not been established for zinc, cadmium, and lead.     

The behaviour of the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii in cadmium-contaminated solutions

The accumulation of cadmium by living and dead cells of the green microalgae Tetraselmis chuii was studied both in cell suspensions and in growing conditions. Microalgal cell suspensions accumulated a maximum of 292.60 (23.09) and 210.54 (16.05) mg Cd (g biomass)-1 when living and dried cells were used, respectively. After biosorption, the total cadmium accumulated was efficiently desorbed with concentrated EDTA solution, indicating that cadmium accumulation took place through surface structural components. During cell growth in cadmium-contaminated medium, the toxic effect of the metal proved to be higher for increasing metal concentrations in the medium. This increasing toxicity had a marked influence upon cell productivity. Cadmium was not incorporated during growth of T. chuii cells.     

人工湿地系统中梭鱼草和香蒲对镉积累的动态变化

为探讨人工湿地系统中挺水植物梭鱼草(Pontederia cordata)和香蒲(Typha orientalis)对镉(Cd)积累的动态变化,通过在室外表面流人工湿地采样和室内分析相结合的方法,对8-12月梭鱼草和香蒲地上部和地下部的生物量、镉含量及积累量的动态变化进行了分析。结果表明,梭鱼草根部和茎叶镉含量为0.25~0.70mg/kg和0.07~0.18mg/kg,香蒲根部和茎叶镉含量为0.16~0.39mg/kg和0.11~0.17mg/kg,根部镉含量均显著高于各自的茎叶部,两种植物各部位镉含量均在10月达到最大值,两者对镉的富集与转运能力均随着月份的变化而变化,都呈先增高、后降低的趋势;其中,梭鱼草对底泥镉的富集系数为0.76~3.13,香蒲为0.63~0.91,两者的富集系数最高值均出现在10月;两者的转运量系数分别为1.12~10.47、3.25~8.10,最大值分别出现在9月、10月。在10月之前,同一月份梭鱼草地上部的生物量和对湿地中镉积累量均极显著或显著高于香蒲。两种植物地上部分生物量和对湿地中镉积累量均极显著高于地下部分(P<0.01)。综合考虑两种植物的生物量及对镉的积累量,9月和10月分别为梭鱼草和香蒲地上部分最佳收获月份,能够最大化去除湿地系统中的镉。     

栉孔扇贝对铜、铅、镉的累积效应

试验结果表明:当常规理化指标一致时,随着Cu、Pb、Cd质量浓度的升高,栉孔扇贝各组织的蓄积量明显升高;Cu、Cd在扇贝组织中蓄积量是内脏团>鳃>肌肉,Pb在扇贝组织中的蓄积量是鳃>内脏团>肌肉;当Cu、Pb、Cd质量浓度(0.1 mg/L)相同时,其鳃、内脏团、肌肉中重金属蓄积量的上升速率是Cu>Cd>Pb。     

锌对海湾扇贝中镉累积和亚细胞分布的影响

采用室内模拟混合暴露方式,研究了在镉(Cd)质量浓度一定(0.05 mg/L)的条件下,添加不同质量浓度(0 mg/L、0.1 mg/L、0.5 mg/L、1 mg/L)的锌(Zn)对海湾扇贝整体、组织及亚细胞水平Cd累积和分布的影响。结果表明,Zn能显著抑制扇贝全贝对Cd的富集,并且这种抑制作用随暴露时间的延长和Zn浓度的升高而增强。在扇贝不同组织中Zn对Cd的富集均具有抑制作用,其中以鳃最为明显。在亚细胞水平,扇贝各组织累积的Cd主要分布在类金属硫蛋白(MTLP)和细胞碎片(CD)组分。在内脏各亚细胞组分中,Zn对Cd的抑制作用显著,且Zn的加入使CD中的Cd百分比从32%下降到21%~27%,而MTLP中的Cd百分比从57%增加到59%~67%。鳃组织中Zn对Cd百分比的影响更加明显,CD中Cd百分比从36%下降到14%~17%,MTLP中Cd百分比从59%增加到76%~79%;而性腺中MTLP和细胞器(ORG)组分中Cd百分比受Zn浓度影响较为明显,随着Zn浓度的升高,MTLP中Cd百分比下降,而ORG中Cd百分比升高;肌肉组织中Cd含量及百分比分布在亚细胞水平没有明显规律。     

Bioaccumulation of cadmium and its biochemical effect on selected tissues of the catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>)

The present study examines the pattern of accumulation of cadmium (Cd) and its biochemical effects on selected tissues of a variety of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), after exposure to various doses of Cd. The results obtained indicate that at the end of 21 days of exposure, the total tissue organ cadmium concentration followed the pattern kidney > gill > liver > muscle for each of the exposure concentrations. The levels of Cd in these organs were higher than those in ambient water. Moreover, while the rate of uptake of Cd increased with time in the kidney, liver and muscle, it decreased in the gill. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly elevated only in the kidney of catfish treated with 0.2 and 0.4 ppm of Cd for 7 days compared with the control. Conversely, gill SOD was significantly decreased in the same concentrations of Cd-treated catfish relative to the control. Statistically similar levels of SOD were observed in the liver, brain and muscle with all the treatments after the same duration of treatment. In the fish exposed for 21 days, SOD activity was significantly decreased in the kidney with a corresponding increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO), but it manifested only with the 0.2- and 0.4-ppm Cd treatment relative to the control. In the liver, however, Cd exposure significantly increased SOD in the 0.2- and 0.4-ppm treatments of the same duration. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the accumulation of Cd and its effect on SOD and LPO in C. gariepinus is dependent on concentration, tissue and time     

混合金属离子Pb、Zn和Cu的相互作用对Cd在鲫体内积累的影响

采用室内生态学方法研究混合重金属离子Pb、Zn和Cu的相互作用对Cd在鲫组织中积累的影响.结果表明,混合重金属离子相互作用对Cd在鲫组织中积累的影响与离子的种类、数量及组织类型有关.Cd的积累受单一重金属影响不显著,与Pb、Zn、Cu的混合作用关系密切.随重金属离子种类的增加,相互作用对积累的影响显著;Pb、Zn、Cu的混合降低了Cd在鳃中的积累量,增加了Cd在肝脏中的积累量,对Cd在肌肉中的积累无影响.Cd在鲫组织中的积累顺序为:肝胰脏>鳃>肌肉.     

Effects of silvering state on induced maturation and spawning in wild female Japanese eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis>

ABSTRACT:   The effects of silvering state of wild female Japanese eels Anguilla japonica on the success of induced maturation and the following spawning were examined. Thirty-eight females, collected in Mikawa Bay, were divided into four stages based on their silvering state: yellow (Y1), late-yellow (Y2), silver (S1) and late silver eels (S2). Despite injections of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) through the standard technique, Y1 and Y2 eels did not respond to the treatment with undeveloped gonad (gonad-somatic index [GSI]: 0.3–0.9), and all these females died by 5 weeks, probably due to an abnormal physiological condition. Most S1 (81%) and S2 eels (100%) matured completely (GSI: 17.8–51.4), and finally spawned successfully (69% for S1, 89% for S2). S2 eels fully matured with oocytes of over 750 μm in diameter by significantly smaller number of injections of SPE (5–6 times) than the case of S1 eels (6–8 times). The amount of eggs released by S2 eels (0.65 ± 0.11 g/fish per body weight [BW]) was significantly larger than those by S1 eels (0.54 ± 0.09 g/fish per BW). There was no difference in fertilization and hatching rates between eggs released by S1 eels and those of S2 eels. These results indicate that the success of induced maturation and spawning in wild female Japanese eels depends on their silvering state, and matured eggs can be obtained efficiently through the use of S2 eels rather than other stages.     

Lipid content and fatty acid composition of muscle,liver, ovary and eggs of captive-reared and wild silver Japanese eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis> during artificial maturation

ABSTRACT:   Changes in lipid content and fatty acid composition of muscle, liver and ovary of captive-reared and wild silver Japanese eel Anguilla japonica were examined during artificial maturation induced by salmon pituitary homogenate (SPH) injections. Although the relative levels of n-3 and n-6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in liver and ovary were higher than in muscle in both captive and wild silver eels before SPH injection, these tended to decrease with maturation. The relative levels of n-6 HUFA in muscle, liver, ovary and eggs of wild silver eels were remarkably higher than those in captive eels. Therefore, we attempted to alter the ratio of n-6 HUFA in eggs by feeding eels a diet supplemented with linoleic acid-rich plant oil. Although the percentage of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids to total fatty acids in eggs of eels fed the supplemented diet was similar to wild silver eels, the percentage of n-6 HUFA remained remarkably lower than in wild silver eels. Hence, it appears that the supplemented diet affected the fatty acid composition of eggs, but did not result in much conversion of linoleic acid to its higher homologs in eels.     

Oogenesis in the common Japanese conger Conger myriaster

ABSTRACT:    We investigated the process and characteristics of oogenesis in the common Japanese conger Conger myriaster . Young fish caught in November 1996 were reared for use in this experiment. Fish were sampled monthly from December 1997 to August 1998. Some were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin to stimulate ovarian maturation from May to August 1998. Oocytes from the chromatin nucleolus stage to the secondary yolk globule stage were obtained from non-hormone-treated fish; those of more advanced stages were obtained from hormone-treated ones. We divided oocyte development into eight stages from the chromatin nucleolus stage to the maturation stage. The yolk vesicle stage was not separated because yolk vesicles began to appear just after appearance of yolk globules. Oocyte, oil droplet, yolk globule and nucleus diameters all increased concomitant with oocyte development. Oil droplet and yolk globule diameters increased remarkably at the maturation stage. However, zona radiata thickness peaked at the secondary yolk globule stage, decreasing gradually thereafter. Increased gonadosomatic index was related to oocyte development as found in European and Japanese eels receiving hormone treatment to mature. The present study is the first report describing oogenesis characteristics in congrid eels. It indicates that oogenesis is almost identical to that of other anguillid eels.     

Welfare aspects of live chilling and freezing of farmed eel (Anguilla anguilla L.): neurological and behavioural assessment

The overall objective of the study was to evaluate a slaughter method of eels, which consisted of chilling until their body temperature was <5 °C for stunning, and subsequently placing them in cold brine at −18 °C for 15 min for killing. Three distinct experiments and a control were performed.

Firstly, 19 eels with an average live weight of 758±44 g were restrained and equipped with EEG, ECG electrodes and a temperature sensor inside the body. Then, they were placed in the ice water. Indices for the induction of unconsciousness and insensibility were the appearance of theta and delta waves and no response on pain stimuli, which disappeared at a body temperature of 8.0±2.1 °C after 12±5 min in 15 eels. The responses to pain stimuli did not disappear in three eels. Within a confidence level of 95%, the percentage of eels that is not effectively stunned during the procedure in ice water of <5 °C was at least 5%. The heart rate decreased from 24±10 beats/min (n=14) to 7±4 (n=11) and became irregular during cooling down. When placed in the brine water of −18 °C, the EEG showed rapid and extreme depolarisation of the membranes, which started after 27±17 s (n=18). The ECG showed fluttering of the heart in all eels. None of the eels recovered after this procedure.

For 10 eels with an average live weight of 128±27 g, it was observed that the body temperature decreased from 17.1±0.6 to 4.0±0.5 °C in the ice water. After 15 min in the brine water of −16.1±2.2 °C, the body temperature decreased to −3.1±2.3 °C.

Finally, three groups of seven eels and eight single eels were placed in ice water of −0.0±0.1 °C. The observation of unrestrained eels revealed four phases. Animals were (1) swimming around in the water, (2) attempting to escape from the ice water, (3) pressing their nose to the wall or corner while showing clonic muscle cramps, and finally (4) breathing only, while all other muscle activity was totally suppressed. Afterwards, they were transferred to cold brine at −18 °C, and none of the eels recovered.

The eight control eels, which were transferred to water at 18 °C, swam around, except for one that was lying in an S-shape position at the bottom. After 570 and 605 s, two eels tried to escape from the box.

The obtained results show that the eels, which were transferred from water at 18 °C to ice water, might be stressed, a specific behaviour and an irregular heart rate were observed. From an animal welfare point of view, it is therefore not recommended to stun eels by live chilling. Moreover, at least 5% of the eels will not be stunned at a body temperature of <5 °C. Placing eels in brine water of −18 °C is an effective method to kill the eels before slaughter. However, it cannot be recommended to place conscious eels in cold brine water, because it takes more than 27 s before unconsciousness may be induced.     

Estimation of gonadal status of Japanese female eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla japonica</Emphasis> by a single injection of salmon pituitary extract

ABSTRACT:   Cultivated eels often either lack a part of the ovary (abnormal) or do not have any gonadal tissue (completely sterile). These abnormalities may cause a failure of induction of sexual maturation of female eels. In order to effectively induce sexual maturation and obtain good quality eggs, female eels having normal ovaries should be selected before induction of maturation. The present study examined effects of injection of salmon pituitary extract (SPE) on serum estradiol-17β levels to estimate gonadal status of sexually immature Japanese eels. At the initial stage (just prior to SPE injection), serum estradiol-17β levels were low and no significant difference was observed among eels possessing the different gonad types (normal, abnormal, and sterile), suggesting that gonadal status cannot be estimated by the measurement of serum estradiol-17β levels. A single injection of SPE significantly increased serum estradiol-17β levels in eels possessing normal and abnormal ovaries, but not in sterile eels. Serum estradiol-17β levels significantly increased from 24 h and were high on day 3. These data indicate that eels possessing ovaries can be distinguished from sterile eels by measurement of serum estradiol-17β between 1 and 3 days after a single injection of SPE.     

Insulin-like growth factor I of Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica: cDNA cloning, tissue distribution, and expression after treatment with growth hormone and seawater acclimation

In an attempt to understand growth regulation in the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, we cloned insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) cDNAs and examined their mRNA expression in several tissues. Two eel IGF-I (eIGF-I) cDNAs encoding preprohormones, eIGF-I-Ea1and eIGF-I-Ea2, were cloned from the liver by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The preproIGF-Is were identical in signal peptide and mature IGF-I, but different in the E domain—eIGF-I-Ea2 mRNA was 36 bp longer than eIGF-I-Ea1 mRNA. Eel IGF-I was 83–94% identical with that of teleosts, 71% identical with that of dogfish, 87% identical with that of bullfrog and chicken, and 83% identical with that of humans. In both males and females the highest eIGF-I-Ea1 mRNA levels were observed in the liver, with detectable levels also found in the gills, heart, stomach, spleen, kidney, intestine, swim-bladder, muscle, and gonads. eIGF-I-Ea1 mRNA levels in the liver were higher in females than in males whereas in the intestine they were lower than in males. eIGF-I-Ea2 mRNA was detected in all the tissues examined and at similar levels in males and females. In this experiment higher eIGF-I-Ea1 mRNA levels were observed in the liver of larger glass eels than in those of smaller fish. eIGF-I-Ea2 mRNA levels were also higher in larger eels, although they were lower than IGF-I-Ea1 mRNA levels. Both eIGF-I mRNA levels in liver were positively correlated with the body size of the␣glass eels. Intraperitoneal injection of recombinant eel GH (reGH), 0.25 μg g⁻¹ body weight, into glass eels resulted in a significant increase in both eIGF-I mRNAs in the liver 1 day after injection compared with control fish, but no elevation was observed 2 days after injection. Incubation of liver slices with reGH at concentrations of 10, 100, and 1,000 ng mL⁻¹ for 24 h resulted in a significant concentration-dependent increase in the levels of both eIGF-I mRNAs. Higher levels of eIGF-I-Ea1 and Ea2 mRNA were observed in the gills ofseawater-reared eels than in those of freshwater-reared fish, but no differenceswere observed in the whole kidney. These results suggest that IGF-I is involved in the regulation of somatic growth and also in adaptation of the Japanese eel to seawater.     

Induction of metallothionein synthesis in rainbow trout,Salmo gairdneri,during long-term exposure to waterborne cadmium

Rainbow trout were exposed to 200 g cadmium/l in the water during four months at 6–10°C. The liver, kidney and gills were analyzed for cadmium, copper, zinc, metallothionein and metallothionein mRNA. Cadmium accumulated in all three organs and reached the highest concentration in the kidney. The tissue zine and copper concentrations showed no major alterations during the experiment. The cytosolic distribution of cadmium, copper and zinc was followed during four months of exposure by Sephadex G-75 chromatography. It was found that cadmium was predominantly associated with proteins of an apparent molecular vieght of 10,000 daltons. These proteins were further identified as metallothioneins after fast protein liquid chromatography on a Mono-Q column. The metallothionein concentration was significantly higher in liver of exposed fish than in control fish after only one month. The kidneys reached significantly elevated levels of metallothionein in the exposed group after three months. In the gills, elevated metallothionein concentrations were observed after four months of exposure. After four months of exposure, the metallothionein mRNA content of liver and kidney was analyzed using a rainbow trout anti-sense RNA probe. Elevated MT mRNA levels were observed in both kidney and liver. These results demonstrate thatde novo synthesis of metallothionein is induced by cadmium in rainbow trout after exposure to the metalvia water.     

Changes in Serum Steroid Hormones and Vitellogenin Levels in Cultured Female European Eels Anguilla anguilla during Artificially Induced Ovarian Development

Changes in serum concentrations of estradiol-17β, testosterone, 17α,20βdihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, and vitellogenin were investigated during ovarian development induced by injection of a salmon pituitary extract in cultured European eel Anguilla anguilla . Vitellogenesis was induced with a weekly dose of 50 mg pituitary extract/kg body weight. In eels receiving that dose, gonadsomatic indices ranged from 20–43% after the 10th–11th weekly injection. Body weights were relatively stable during vitellogenesis, but increased dramatically during final maturation. Serum estradiol-17β levels increased slightly during vitellogenesis and peaked at an average of 6.95 ng/mL at final maturation. The profile of serum vitellogenin followed that of estradiol-17β which increased markedly from an average of 0.36 to 20.72 mg/mL. Control levels of vitellogenin were undetectable throughout the study. Average serum levels of testosterone increased to a peak of 17.74 ng/mL in the early stage of vitellogenesis, followed by a sharp drop to initial levels (3.86 ng/mL) in the late stage of vitellogenesis, and then increased again to an average of 8.84 ng/mL at the final maturation stage. Serum 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was not detected (<50 pg/mL) throughout the experiment. Profiles of serum estradiol-17β, testosterone, and vitellogenin observed during ovarian development appear different from those found in salmonids and other teleosts. This study indicates, however, that cultured European eels are a useful model for study of gonadal maturation in the eel.     

Using otolith microchemistry to reconstruct habitat use of American eels Anguilla rostrata in the St. Lawrence River–Lake Ontario system

Catadromy among freshwater eels is increasingly recognised as being facultative, with some individuals carrying out growth exclusively in brackish or coastal marine waters, or switching between brackish or marine waters and freshwater habitats. In an attempt to reconstruct habitat use of yellow‐stage American eels in a large river‐lake ecosystem, trace element line scans were obtained, using LA‐ICP‐MS, from the otoliths of 110 eels sampled at various locations throughout the St. Lawrence River–Lake Ontario (SLRLO) system. Elemental profiles for strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), manganese (Mn) and magnesium (Mg) enabled us to distinguish three chemical signatures that appear to represent three distinct habitats within the SLRLO. Of these, one was shown to likely correspond to the brackish estuary (high strontium values). The other two signatures, characterised by low strontium but variable concentrations of barium and manganese, may correspond to habitats within the main‐stem St. Lawrence River and one or more of its tributaries. Most (78%) of the switches among habitats occurred within the first four years after recruitment suggesting an increasing likelihood for eels to maintain residence in one habitat as they grow older. This suggests that tributaries may provide important habitats for American eels during the first several years after recruiting to the SLRLO. In addition, our results suggest that a small proportion American eels in the SLRLO can undertake movements on the order of at least 200 km during the early growth stage. This information has important implications for the management and conservation of this species in the system.     

镉暴露对鲢幼鱼游泳行为影响的研究

为了探讨水体镉(Cd)污染对鱼类的生态毒理效应,在实验室条件下,测定了不同浓度Cd(0、0.36、0.73、1.09和1.46 mg/L)暴露对鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)幼鱼半致死浓度、组织(肝、鳃、肌肉)Cd累积量、相对临界游泳速度(Ucrit)、以及耗氧率(MO_2)的影响。结果显示:Cd暴露导致重金属在幼鱼组织中累积,与对照组比较,Cd在鳃和肌肉中累积量差异不显著;肝脏中累积量差异显著,暴露浓度为0.73 mg/L时肝脏中镉累积量最高。鲢幼鱼相对临界游泳速度随着Cd暴露增加显著降低,浓度为1.46 mg/L时Ucrit为对照组的69.75%。临界游泳速度与鳃和肌肉组织中镉累积量呈显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.96(P=0.01)和-0.90(P=0.04)。Cd暴露导致鲢幼鱼耗氧代谢范围增加,暴露浓度为0.73 mg/L时耗氧代谢范围较对照组增加了19.32%。低浓度Cd暴露导致鳃和肌肉损伤,并引起鲢幼鱼游泳过程中耗氧代谢效率降低,有氧运动能力和游泳能力下降。