吉富罗非鱼成鱼对饲料中有效磷的需要量

为获得吉富罗非鱼成鱼对饲料中有效磷的需要量,以磷酸二氢钾(KH₂PO₄)为磷源,配制含有效磷水平分别为0.15％(对照组)、0.40%、0.66%、0.91%、1.17%和1.43%的6组等氮等能的半纯化饲料,每组饲料饲喂3个重复,每个重复饲养20尾初始体质量为(184.46±8.13)g吉富罗非鱼,经过9周的饲养后,对生长性能、饲料效率、成活率、全鱼基本营养成分、脊椎骨及鳞片的磷含量进行测定。结果显示,饲料有效磷为0.66％或0.91%时,鱼体增重率和特定生长率较其它各组均显著提高(P<0.05),饲料效率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。随着饲料有效磷含量的增加,实验鱼体的脏体指数、肝体指数和肥满度均显著降低(P<0.05),成活率无显著性变化(P＞0.05);全鱼粗蛋白、粗灰分及磷含量均显著提高(P<0.05),粗脂肪含量显著下降(P<0.05);脊椎骨和鳞片的粗灰分和磷含量均显著提高(P<0.05)。用抛物线模型拟合特定生长率与饲料有效磷含量,罗非鱼获得最大生长时,对饲料中有效磷需要量为0.85%;分别对全鱼磷含量、鳞片磷含量和脊椎骨灰分含量与饲料有效磷含量进行相关回归分析,罗非鱼对饲料中有效磷需要量分别为0.88%、1.14%、1.23%。     

不同无机盐预混料含量对鲈鱼生长和钙磷代谢的影响

以初始体质量(5.50±1.63)g的鲈鱼为研究对象,探讨饲料中添加不同含量的无机盐预混料对鲈鱼生长、鱼体成分及鱼体和脊椎骨钙和磷含量的影响。基础饲料中分别加入0%、1%、2%和4%的无机盐预混料制成4种等氮等能(蛋白质42%,总能20 kJ/g)的试验饲料,进行10周的摄食生长试验。试验结果表明,饲料中添加不同含量的无机盐预混料对鲈鱼的成活率无显著影响。随着饲料中无机盐预混料含量的升高,鲈鱼的饲料效率和特定生长率均呈上升趋势,并且当饲料中添加4%无机盐预混料时,鲈鱼的饲料效率和特定生长率均显著高于添加量为0%、1%和2%组(P<0.05)。饲料中添加不同含量的无机盐预混料对鲈鱼鱼体的水分含量无显著影响,但饲料中添加2%和4%的无机盐预混料时,鲈鱼鱼体的蛋白质和灰分含量均显著高于0%和1%添加量组(P<0.05),而脂肪含量显著低于0%和1%添加量组(P<0.05)。鱼体中钙和磷的变化趋势与鱼体灰分的变化趋势一致,均随着饲料中无机盐预混料含量的升高呈现明显的上升趋势,当饲料中添加4%无机盐预混料时鱼体钙和磷的含量显著高于添加量为0%组(P<0.05)。鱼体脊椎骨钙和磷的变化趋势与脊椎骨灰分的变化趋势一致,均随着饲料中无机盐预混料含量的升高呈现明显的下降趋势,并且当饲料中添加4%无机盐预混料时脊椎骨钙和磷的含量显著低于添加量为0%组(P<0.05)。在本试验条件下,鲈鱼配合饲料中无机盐预混料的推荐添加量为4%。     

花鱼骨对饲料中磷的营养需求

以酪蛋白-明胶为蛋白源,磷酸二氢钾为磷源配制6个磷水平(0.32%、0.58%、0.83%、1.09%、1.35%和1.59%)的等氮等能的精制饲料,饱食投喂花(鱼骨)[初始体质量为(7.97±0.07)g]8周,探讨饲料磷水平对花(鱼骨)生长、饲料利用、骨组织无机物含量、血清磷的影响,确定花(鱼骨)对饲料磷的需要量.试验结果表明:(1)当饲料磷水平从0.32%上升到0.83%时,增重、饲料效率随之而提高,但超过此水平后各组差异不显著(P0.05),折线模型分析饲料磷水平与相对增重率之间的关系,花(鱼骨)获得最大增重时饲料磷的最低需求为0.91%.(2)脊椎骨、鳃盖骨和鳞片的矿物组成受到饲料磷水平的显著影响(P<0.05),二次曲线回归方程拟合饲料磷水平与脊椎骨灰分率的关系,花(鱼骨)脊椎骨达到最大矿化时饲料磷为1.17%.(3)血清磷水平随饲料磷的增加而升高,饲料磷对血清钙没有显著影响.综合分析体增重、磷存留率、骨灰分含量、血清磷浓度等多项生物学指标,花(鱼骨)对饲料磷的需要量为0.91%～1.17%.     

饲料钙磷水平对宝石鲈生长和体成分的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶作为蛋白源，乳酸钙（Ca-lactate）和磷酸二氢钠(NaH2PO4•2H2O)为钙源和磷源，配制成D1（0.0%钙，0.0%磷）、D2（0.5%钙，0.0%磷）、D3（0.0%钙，0.6%磷）、D4（0.5%钙，0.6%磷）、D5（1.0%钙，0.6%磷）和D6（1.5%钙，0.6%磷）六种等氮等能纯化试验饲料。每组饲料饲喂3个重复，每重复饲养20尾宝石鲈幼鱼，经过室内网箱60天生长试验，探讨在饲料中添加钙磷对宝石鲈幼鱼（初始体质量13.42±0.68g）生长性能、全鱼和肌肉营养成分以及脊椎骨钙磷含量的影响。试验结果表明: 饲料中未添加磷组（D1和D2）试验鱼的终末体质量、特定生长率和脊椎骨钙磷含量显著低于添加组(P<0.05)，而饲料系数、全体和肌肉脂肪含量显著高于添加组(P<0.05)。当饲料中未添加磷时，添加0.5%钙对宝石鲈的特定生长率、饲料系数、全鱼和肌肉营养成分、脊椎骨的灰分和钙磷含量没有显著影响(P>0.05)。当饲料中添加0.6%磷时，钙的添加量（0~1.5%）对宝石鲈的终末体质量、特定生长率、饲料系数、全鱼组成、肌肉组成（水分、粗蛋白和灰分）和脊椎骨组成（粗灰分、磷和钙磷比）没有显著影响(P>0.05)。饲料中钙添加量过大（1.5%）组脊椎骨钙含量显著减少(P<0.05)。饲料中添加磷显著降低了鱼体中粗脂肪含量(P<0.05)，但提高了脊椎骨钙磷的含量(P<0.05)。各组脊椎骨钙磷比均处于1.78～1.82范围内，组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。通过宝石鲈幼鱼生长性能和脊椎骨矿化作用分析表明，当饲料中添加0.6%磷时，钙的适宜添加量为0.5%。 关键词：宝石鲈；钙；磷     

酸制剂对罗非鱼生长和饲料利用的影响

为考察不同酸制剂对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长和饲料利用的影响,在基础饲料(对照组)中分别添加0.3%磷酸、富马酸、柠檬酸和乳酸,饲养奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼9周(初始平均体重约1.9g)。结果表明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸饲料组的罗非鱼特定生长率显著高于对照组和添加富马酸组(P<0.05);磷酸组、柠檬酸组和乳酸组的饲料效率较对照组有提高趋势(P>0.05),乳酸组的饲料效率显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05);柠檬酸组和乳酸组鱼体水分含量显著高于富马酸组(P<0.05),体粗蛋白、粗脂肪和灰分含量在组间差异不显著(P>0.05);胃蛋白酶活性在富马酸组显著低于其它饲料组(P<0.05),肠淀粉酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组(P<0.05);肝脏代谢酶活性在柠檬酸组和乳酸组显著高于对照组、磷酸组和富马酸组(P<0.05),相应地,柠檬酸组和乳酸组罗非鱼血清甘油三酯含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果说明,添加0.3%柠檬酸和乳酸能显著促进罗非鱼幼鱼生长,提高饲料的利用,富马酸降低罗非鱼对饲料的利用。     

草鱼对饲料中磷需要量的研究

采用酪蛋白—明胶(7:1,W/W)为基础的精制饲料,以磷酸二氢钙作磷源,用梯度法进行草鱼对饲料中磷需要量的试验,证实草鱼的生长受饲料中磷含量的影响较大。饲料中磷不足,草鱼生长缓慢,饲料系数高,整条鱼体水分、灰分、钙、磷和钙磷比低下,脂肪积累,脊椎骨磷含量低下。饲料中磷含量过高引起草鱼生长缓慢,甚至死亡。根据鱼的增重率、饲料系数等分析判断:草鱼饲料中磷的适宜范围为0.95—1.10％,草鱼对饲料中有效磷的需要量为0.85—1.00％。试验表明:草鱼饲料中的盐类添加应以磷为主体。     

赤眼鳟鱼种配合饲料适宜钙磷水平及其比例的研究

选取平均体重为4.05 g的赤眼鳟(Squaliobarbus curriculus)鱼种1080尾,随机分成9组,每组3个重复,每个重复置1个1.6 m×1.2 m×1.4 m的养殖池饲养。采用3×3析因试验,研究赤眼鳟鱼种对配合饲料中钙磷的需要量及适宜钙磷比。钙和磷各分别设3个水平:0.6%、1.2%和1.8%,共配制9种试验饲料喂养45 d。结果表明:饲料中钙、磷的交互作用对赤眼鳟的特定生长率有显著影响(P<0.05),但钙、磷的交互作用对饲料系数和成活率的影响不显著(P>0.05)。饲料中钙水平对赤眼鳟的特定生长率和饲料系数无显著影响(P>0.05),但磷水平对赤眼鳟的特定生长率和饲料系数有显著影响(P<0.05)。赤眼鳟对钙、磷的需要量分别为0.6%～1.8%、1.2%～1.8%,而适合赤眼鳟生长的钙磷比为1∶1～1∶3。试验各组赤眼鳟肌肉的钙、磷含量及钙磷比以及脊椎骨的钙磷比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。但饲料中钙水平对赤眼鳟脊椎骨中钙、磷含量影响显著(P<0.05),骨中钙、磷含量均随饲料中钙水平增加而增加。     

饲料蛋白水平对史氏鲟幼体消化率的影响

本实验研究了饲料蛋白水平对史氏鲟 (Acipenserschrenki)幼体消化率的影响。试验设计了四个饲料蛋白水平 ,分别为 :2 8%、 32 %、 36 %、 41 %。结果表明饲料的蛋白质含量对史氏鲟幼体总消化率 (干物质消化率 )影响不显著 ,但对饲料中各主要营养成分的消化率有明显作用。饲料蛋白质含量对鲟鱼幼体的蛋白消化率影响极显著 ,二者呈三次曲线关系 :y=0 92 +0 0 0 0 5 (x - 36) 2 +4 44(x - 36) 3,饲料蛋白含量 36 %的试验组幼鲟对蛋白质的消化率最高 ,达到 93 % ;鲟鱼对饲料粗脂肪的消化率也受到饲料蛋白水平的显著影响 ,蛋白含量为 32 %和 36 %的两个试验组对脂肪的消化率显著高于其他两组 ;幼鲟对糖类的消化率同饲料蛋白水平间呈显著的对数曲线关系 :y=1 90 3 - 84 2lgx。综合分析认为 ,当饲料中的蛋白含量在 36 %时 ,幼鲟对饲料各营养物质的消化率最高 ,所以幼鲟饲料的蛋白含量控制在 36 %左右比较适宜     

饲料蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体组成及血浆生化指标的影响

以鱼粉为蛋白源,配制5个不同蛋白质水平(34.85%,40.48%,46.54%,51.54%,56.69%)的等能饲料.以初始体质量为(54.52±0.23)g的星斑川鲽(Platichthys stellatus)为实验对象,在室内循环水养殖系统中进行54 d的摄食生长实验,研究饲料蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼生长、体组成及血浆生化指标的影响.结果显示:(1)增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)随着饲料蛋白水平的增加而上升,51.54%和56.69%饲料组之间差异不显著(P>0.05),其余各组差异显著(P<0.05);51.54%饲料组的蛋白质效率(PER)显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);51.54%饲料组的蛋白质沉积率(PRE)也显著高于34.85%、46.54%和56.69%组(P<0.05),但与40.48%饲料组差异不显著(P>0.05).以增重率为参考指标,折线回归分析结果表明,星斑川鲽幼鱼获得最佳增重时对饲料中蛋白质的需要量为53.56%.(2)饲料不同蛋白水平对星斑川鲽幼鱼鱼体灰分含量没有显著影响,但显著影响了鱼体粗蛋白、粗脂肪和水分的含量(P<0.05).51.54%饲料组鱼体粗蛋白含量最高,显著高于34.85%组(P<0.05),而与40.48%、46.54%和56.69%组之间无显著差异(P>0.05);鱼体粗脂肪含量随着饲料蛋白水平的升高而下降,水分含量表现出与粗脂肪含量相反的趋势.(3)饲料蛋白含量对星斑川鲽幼鱼部分血浆生化指标也产生了显著性的影响.血浆总蛋白(TP)以51.54%组最高,与56.69%组差异不显著(P>0.05),,但显著高于34.85%、40.48%和46.54%组(P<0.05);40.48%、51.54%和56.69%组间血浆尿素氮(BUN)含量差异不显著(P>0.05),但显著低于34.85%和46.54%组(P<0.05).综合以上结果,星斑川鲽饲料中蛋白质适宜添加量为51.54%～53.56%.     

饲料中不同水平磷对西伯利亚幼鲟(Acipenser baeri)血浆生化指标的影响

选择平均体重14.5±1.0g,体长16.0±0.5cm的西伯利亚鲟鱼,随机分成11组,每组3个重复,每个重复15尾.试验以磷酸二氢钙为磷源,配成磷含量分别为0.12%、0.20%、0.29%、0.39%、0.48%、0.60%、0.69%、0.80%、0.99%、1.19%和 1.38%的11组饲料,研究饲料中不同水平磷对西伯利亚幼鲟血浆生化指标的影响.结果表明:血浆总蛋白含量、白蛋白含量和球蛋白含量随饲料磷含量的增加呈逐渐上升趋势,在饲料磷含量0.69%时达最高(18.81g/L、6.99 g/L、11.63 g/L),然后随磷水平升高又逐渐下降;当饲料中磷含量大于0.29%时,磷含最对血浆中总胆固醇和甘油三酯含量_尢显著性影响(P>0.05);由血浆蛋白含量可以得出:西伯利亚鲟最适磷需要量为0.69%.     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.