汕头南澳-东山海域初级生产力的时空特征

根据2014年9月(秋季)、12月(冬季)、2015年4月(春季)、2016年7月(夏季)在南澳岛与东山岛之间的近海海域进行的生态环境调查,分析了该海域叶绿素a浓度和初级生产力的时空变化特征。结果表明,叶绿素a浓度变化范围为0.37～14.9μg/L,平均值分别为:夏季(8.2μg/L)秋季(4.9μg/L)冬季(1.52μg/L)春季(1.47μg/L)。表层初级生产力的波动范围为0.6～45 mg(C)/(m~3·h),平均值分别为:秋季20.3 mg(C)/(m~3·h)夏季18.2 mg(C)/(m~3·h)春季14.4 mg(C)/(m~3·h)冬季5.6 mg(C)/(m~3·h)。水柱初级生产力变动范围为14.1～3066.6 mg(C)/(m~2·d),平均值分别为:秋季1034.2 mg(C)/(m~2·d)夏季715.5 mg(C)/(m~2·d)春季453.4 mg(C)/(m~2·d)冬季133.8 mg(C)/(m~2·d)。除夏季外,整个调查海域的叶绿素a浓度空间变化规律基本为由西北向东南方向递减;夏季调查海域表层叶绿素a的浓度都较高,在南澳岛的南面出现一个叶绿素a的低值区。该海域初级生产力的空间分布规律性较差。叶绿素a和初级生产力与营养盐浓度在春季均呈显著正相关,但在其他季节相关性不强。氮营养盐在春季和秋季可能是南澳-东山海域浮游植物生长的潜在限制因子。为获得较好的渔业增养殖效益,应该根据初级生产力现状对该海域的养殖品种和规模进行合理规划。     

三峡水库小江回水区叶绿素a与环境因子的时空变化

2013年1-12月在小江水华暴发的敏感区域高阳断面开展了水文、营养盐、叶绿素a等指标长期、定点监测,分析库湾水体叶绿素a及环境因子的时空变化特征及其相互关系。结果表明,高阳断面水体在1月、10-12月处于混合状态,3-8月则处于弱分层到稳定分层状态。水体处于混合状态时,各层营养盐浓度变化不显著,处于分层状态时,则呈现较显著差异;时间分布上,冬季氮磷营养盐浓度(TN:1.52~1.74 mg/L,TP:0.092~0.095 mg/L)略高于夏季(TN:1.16~1.56 mg/L,TP:0.037~0.085 mg/L),干流水体倒灌作用对其影响显著。叶绿素a浓度呈现夏季高、冬季低的趋势,水体分层对叶绿素a垂向分布影响显著;当水体处于分层状态时,表层叶绿素a浓度(18.56~92.23 mg/m~3)明显高于中、底层(2.54~21.56 mg/m~3)。营养盐为小江高阳叶绿素a变化的限制因素,各层水体叶绿素a浓度与硝氮和可溶性磷酸盐呈显著负相关。表层水体叶绿素a与环境因子相关性较强,叶绿素a与营养盐、溶解氧、透明度、水温、表底温差等呈极显著相关(P0.01);中层叶绿素a与营养盐、水温、透明度、水深、水体稳定系数等呈极显著相关(P0.01),表明水体扰动是影响中层水体叶绿素a增长的关键因素之一;底层水体叶绿素a与硝氮(P0.01)、磷酸盐(P0.05)、水深(P0.05)呈极显著或显著相关。     

泼河水库叶绿素a的分布特征与环境因子的关系

本实验在2012年9月~2013年9月期间,每季节采样一次,测定泼河水库叶绿素a(chl.a)的浓度,分析泼河水库叶绿素a的分布特征及其与总氮(TN)及总磷(TP)等环境因子的相关性。结果发现,泼河水库叶绿素a浓度的季节分布由高至低为夏季春季秋季冬季;空间分布为春季和夏季河流入库口叶绿素a的浓度高于其他水域;因子相关性分析表明,春季和夏季泼河水库叶绿素a浓度与水体中总磷的浓度相关,其中夏季相关性极其显著。     

獐子岛邻近海域悬浮颗粒物的时空分布特性

根据2015年秋季(10月)和2016年冬季(1月)、春季(4月)、夏季(7月)4个航次的调查研究,分析了獐子岛养殖海域表、底层水体中总悬浮颗粒物(TPM)、颗粒有机物(POM)和颗粒有机物比例(PCOM,%)的时空分布特征,结合POM与叶绿素a(Chl-a)及环境因子的相关性分析,探讨了悬浮颗粒物的影响因素及其与虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)底播养殖之间的潜在联系。结果显示,獐子岛海域TPM和POM的浓度变化范围分别为16.76~97.54、2.20~17.20 mg/L,年平均浓度分别为(31.65±9.58)、(6.97±2.08)mg/L。PCOM值的变化范围为8.69%~37.09%,平均值为(22.25±4.18)%。TPM浓度的季节变化趋势为秋季春季夏季冬季,最大值出现在秋季表层。而POM和PCOM的最高值出现在夏季,冬季的值最低。POM与TPM的平面分布趋势相似,大部分海域的平面分布比较均匀;春、夏季POM的分布呈现中部略高、四周略低的特点,秋、冬季与之相反;夏季底层显著高于表层(P0.01),其他季节表、底层无显著差异(P0.05)。4个季节中,獐子岛海域的POM与Chl-a的含量呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01);其中,春季底层和夏季表层的POM与Chl-a均存在极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。另外,只有夏季表层POM与盐度之间存在显著负相关关系(P0.05),说明夏季陆源输入对该海域的悬浮颗粒有机物有显著影响。     

2008年闽江口海域叶绿素a时空分布及其与环境因子的相关性分析

2008年3月-12月对闽江口海域进行了每月1次共10航次的调查,分析了该海域叶绿素a的时空分布特征,以及与环境因子的相关性.结果表明:闽江口海域叶绿素a浓度范围为0.25 ～45.38μg/L,平均值为3.93 μg/L.叶绿素a浓度的平面分布在春季和夏季总体呈琅岐岛附近海域＞川石岛以东海域＞定海湾的趋势,秋季和冬季平面分布较均匀.叶绿素a浓度的季节变化总体呈现为夏季＞秋季＞春季＞冬季的特征.相关性分析显示,叶绿素a与水温呈极显著正相关,与盐度、活性磷酸盐呈显著负相关.     

华阳河湖群叶绿素a浓度的季节动态和空间分布

为了探究华阳河湖群叶绿素a浓度的季节动态与空间分布规律,2016年4月(春季)、7月(夏季)、10月(秋季)和2017年1月(冬季),对华阳河湖群叶绿素a的季节动态及环境因子进行调查,在龙感湖、黄大湖和泊湖分别设置9个(S_1～S_9)、8个(S_(10)～S_(17))和7个(S_(18)～S_(24))采样点,共计24个采样点;通过分层聚类法分析叶绿素a的时空分布特征,并运用主成分分析法探讨了华阳河湖群叶绿素a与环境因子的关系。结果显示,华阳河湖群水体叶绿素a浓度呈现明显的时空分布特征,叶绿素a年均值为7.18μg/L,变化范围0.27～66.61μg/L,最大值出现在2016年10月(秋季),最小值出现在2017年1月(冬季);叶绿素a浓度的季节变化呈现夏、秋季较高,春、冬季较低的动态特征。在空间变化上,叶绿素a浓度在龙感湖最高,其次是泊湖,黄大湖最低。运用分层聚类分析法将华阳河湖群的叶绿素a的时空特征分为三类;主成分分析表明,水体中营养盐是影响叶绿素a季节动态和空间分布的主要环境因子,总氮在3个湖泊中与叶绿素a显著正相关,总磷与叶绿素a在泊湖和黄大湖呈负相关,而在龙感湖呈正相关。研究表明,越冬水鸟的排泄物对叶绿素a的时空分布有重要影响。     

沙湖叶绿素a的时空分布特征及其与环境因子的关系

为探究沙湖水体叶绿素a的时空分布特征及其与水环境因子关系,2015-2017年冬季(1月)、春季(4月)、夏季(7月)、秋季(10月)对沙湖水体叶绿素a含量和常规水环境因子进行采样与检测,分析沙湖叶绿素a含量与环境因子之间的相关性,通过逐步回归法和通径分析探讨了时空性变化对叶绿素a含量的影响。结果表明,沙湖叶绿素a季节变化明显,夏季最高,冬春两季相对较低,最大值出现在2017年7月(夏季),最小值出现在2015年4月(春季),2017年叶绿素a含量最高,年均值为18.94μg/L,空间分布也存在明显差异。相关分析表明,总磷(TP)、化学需氧量(COD_(Cr))、五日生化需氧量(BOD_5)和透明度(SD)是影响沙湖叶绿素a含量的主要环境因子;逐步回归分析表明,不同季节、不同采样点影响沙湖叶绿素a含量的环境因子存在差异,有机污染物与氮磷营养盐是主要的影响因子;通径分析表明,化学需氧量和总磷的总决定系数(d_(ij))分别为0.379和0.373,是影响沙湖叶绿素a含量最主要的两个环境因子;其中总磷对沙湖叶绿素a含量的直接作用较大,是对叶绿素a起决定性作用的限定性营养盐。     

南海湖营养盐季节特征及其与叶绿素a的相关性研究

为了解包头市南海湖水体水质状况及富营养化趋势，于2017年4月-2018年3月，在南海湖中选取20个采样点，对水体中叶绿素a含量及主要营养盐进行测定，并对叶绿素a和营养盐含量进行相关系分析。结果表明：南海湖水体总氮和总磷指标均超过了地表水Ⅴ类标准。南海湖氮磷营养盐存在着时空差异，总氮和氨氮随季节变化明显，其含量均呈现冬季>秋季>夏季>春季；总磷的含量主要表现为秋季最高，春季最低；硝态氮的含量在四个季节差异不大。空间上各营养盐均呈现东部、北部高，西部、南部低的趋势。水体中叶绿素a含量的变化区间为21.94~40.92μg·L-1，时间上呈现秋季>夏季>春季>冬季。空间上呈现东北高、西南低的趋势，与氮磷营养盐的分布趋势相同。叶绿素a在四个季节中与总氮，氨氮，总磷均呈现显著正相关（P＜0.05）。     

大冶湖水体光学特性的季节变化及其影响因子

基于2018年对大冶湖全湖四季的野外调查与水质监测,结合大冶湖的形态,将研究范围划分为西区和东区两大部分,均匀设置15个采样点,在1、4、8、10月对各点位进行水样采集;通过分析水体光学衰减系数(K_d)、真光层深度(Z_(eu))及其他水体光学特性重要参数,得到大冶湖周年的光合有效辐射(PAR)衰减特性,可为大冶湖流域生态管理及沉水植物恢复提供参考。结果显示:(1)大冶湖的K_d在季节上以冬季最低,夏季最高,平均值为3.17/m,由春至秋的季节变化不明显;(2)大冶湖水体光学特性最主要的影响因子为叶绿素a(Chl-a)、悬浮物(SS)和溶解性有机物(DOM),相关系数最高分别达到0.606、0.445和0.419,是限制水体K_d的主要因子,关系式为:K_d=0.019Chl-a+0.011SS-0.029DOM+2.364,降低水体Chl-a、SS和DOM浓度成为改善大冶湖水体光学特性的重要内容;(3)大冶湖适宜进行沉水植物恢复的季节为春季,全湖其他季节的光学阈值(真光层深度/水深,Z_(eu)/D_w)均小于1,不利于沉水植物的萌发生长,恢复区域以磊山、蚌壳岭以东湖区、南部湖区沿岸浅水地带以及湖西侧的河道浅滩为宜。     

影响香溪河库湾不同时期叶绿素a浓度的相关因子分析

三峡上游梯级水库蓄水发电后,三峡水库支流库湾水华情势有显著不同。为弄清新情势下影响三峡水库支流库湾水华的影响因素,于2015年对香溪河库湾开展了为期一年的跟踪监测研究。结果表明：叶绿素a浓度季节性变化显著,夏季最高,春秋季次之,冬季最低,全年平均值为14.38μg/L,变化范围为0.36μg/L ~108.00μg/L；春季,叶绿素a浓度与水温、pH、混合层深度表现为正相关,与浊度总氮、总氮溶解性硅、真光层深度表现为负相关；夏季,叶绿素a浓度与水温、pH、滞留时间、混合层深度表现正相关,而与总氮表现为负相关；秋季,叶绿素a浓度与水温、混合层深度表现正相关,与浊度、溶解性硅、真光层深度表现负相关；冬季,叶绿素a与溶解性硅表现为负相关,与其他环境因子具有一定的相关性,但相关性不显著。总氮、总磷和叶绿素a的浓度水平均指示香溪河水体处于富营养化状态。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.