基于全长转录组测序的金乌贼微卫星位点筛选与特征分析

以金乌贼(Sepia esculenta)转录组测序获得的177,951条Unigene为对象，采用Micro Satellite (MISA)软件检测及分析其中的简单重复序列(Simple sequence repeat, SSR)的位点信息。结果显示，在金乌贼转录组中共检测出161,327个SSR位点，分布在64,933条Unigene中，SSR位点发生频率为36.49%，出现频率为90.66%。其中，最主要的重复类型为单核苷酸、二核苷酸和三核苷酸，分别占SSR总数的46.00%、39.93%和9.48%。SSR包含的重复基元中，A/T是单核苷酸的优势重复基元，AT/AT和AC/GT是二核苷酸的优势重复基元类型。66,004个重复基元长度≥20 bp，占SSR总数的40.91%，且其中含有低级重复基元(二、三核苷酸重复)的SSR位点数量占优。以上结果表明，金乌贼转录组中SSR位点出现频率较高且类型丰富、多态性潜能较高，研究结果可为更好地开发金乌贼SSR分子标记、种质资源保护利用、遗传多样性评价和分子标记辅助育种等提供参考。     

文蛤转录组中微卫星位点生物信息分析#br#

采用生物信息学方法分析了文蛤(Meretrix meretrix)转录组中微卫星序列(简单重复序列,simple sequence repeat)的分布规律。结果表明:在文蛤转录组SSR中,单碱基重复序列的数量最多,有3001个;其次为三碱基和四碱基重复序列,分别为2254和2200个;二碱基重复序列1052个;五碱基重复序列332个;六碱基重复序列最少,仅13个。文蛤转录组SSR共包含26种重复基元,其中优势基元为单碱基重复A/T有2809个,其次为三碱基重复AAC/TTG有907个,四碱基和二碱基重复中的AAAC/TTTG和AT/TA分别有588和561个,说明文蛤转录组微卫星位点的分布对A/T具有偏好性。文蛤完整SSR的平均长度为18.34 bp,长度分布在12~20 bp,约占41%。研究结果将为研究文蛤SSR标记开发、群体遗传多样性、遗传连锁图谱、种质资源鉴定和分子遗传育种等后续研究提供基础数据。     

基于牙鲆RNA-seq数据中SSR标记的信息分析

通过对牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)进行转录组测序(RNA-seq),利用Micro SAtellite(MISA)软件对1~6个碱基重复、碱基数在10 bp以上的微卫星进行鉴定。结果表明,牙鲆转录组水平上,共发现42 183个SSR位点,分布在26 457条Unigene上,发生频率为27.12%,平均密度为339个/Mbp。获得的SSR一共有216种重复基元,其中二核苷酸重复基元类型数量最多,共有17 570个,占所鉴定SSR总数的41.65%。同时用SPSS statistics 20.0软件对牙鲆转录组SSR的多态性进行了评估。     

虾虎鱼科(Gobiidae)基因组微卫星DNA的分布特征

为了解虾虎鱼科(Gobiidae)鱼类基因组遗传结构特征，本研究自主开发矛尾复虾虎鱼(Synechogobius hasta)微卫星序列153条，结合从 GenBank 中筛选出的虾虎鱼科微卫星序列535条，合计686条微卫星序列，隶属于19种虾虎鱼，序列总长度为295062 bp，包含473个微卫星位点，微卫星位点累计长度为33370 bp。统计微卫星重复类型，发现在所有微卫星重复类型中以二碱基重复出现次数最多，位点数为361个，占总微卫星的76.32%，其中，重复拷贝类别最多的是 AC (340个)，占全部微卫星的71.88%，占二碱基重复微卫星的94.18%，在二碱基重复类型中没有发现 AT 和 GC 两种重复类型。三碱基重复位点数为35个，占总微卫星的7.4%，其中以 ACT 重复拷贝类别最多(12个)，占三碱基重复微卫星的34.29%。四碱基重复位点数为68个，其中以 CTAT 重复最多(31个)，占总微卫星的14.38%。五碱基重复类型中只有 TCTGG和 ATCTA 两种类型，只占全部微卫星的0.42%。六碱基重复7个，占总微卫星的1.48%，六碱基重复中各重复类型出现次数相当。在所有微卫星重复类型中没有发现单核苷酸重复类型。     

基于RNA-seq技术的江鳕转录组SSR位点信息分析

为开展江鳕(Lota lota)遗传多样性、系统分化分析,开发有效分子标记,采用转录组测序RNA-seq方法,挖掘江鳕微卫星标记。结果显示:通过聚类、从头组装和拼接,获得Unigene共计106 084条。所有的Unigene中,共识别17 619个SSR位点,包含SSR位点的Unigene序列数量为10 893条,占总Unigene的10.27%。江鳕转录组中SSR含量较为丰富,一至六核苷酸重复类型均存在。其中,单核苷酸重复类型的数量最多(7 102个),占总SSR位点数的40.31%。江鳕转录组SSR位点中,以10次重复次数最多,达2 788个位点,占总SSR位点的15.82%。江鳕转录组SSR的片段长度从10～66 bp均有分布,大部分集中在10～24 bp,占SSR总数的87.24%。     

基于转录组测序的圆口铜鱼微卫星标记筛选

分析圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)的遗传多样性,可为其人工繁殖家系鉴别、分子标记辅助育种及长江上游珍稀特有鱼类的种质资源保护提供理论依据和技术支撑。以室内循环水养殖的圆口铜鱼为研究对象,提取其肝脏RNA,通过Illumina HiSeq~(TM) 2000高通量测序平台进行转录组测序,利用MISA软件对测序获得的unigene进行微卫星(SSR)位点挖掘和特征分析,设计SSR位点引物并进行验证。结果显示,圆口铜鱼转录组测序共获得80 688条unigene,通过查找获得34 155个SSR位点,分布在25 947条序列上,发生率为32.2%。圆口铜鱼SSR中主要重复单元类型为单碱基和二碱基,其中A/T和AC/GT为优势单碱基和二碱基重复单元,占总SSR数量的57.2%和19.7%。SSR重复数在5～60次,其中有40.3%的SSR序列集中在11～15次;SSR序列长度变化显著,单碱基至六碱基重复类型的总体长度在11～101 bp,其中12～35 bp序列长度占78.8%。随机选取50个SSR位点合成引物对9尾圆口铜鱼样本进行PCR扩增验证,可稳定扩增出目的条带的有40对引物,其中16对具有多态性,证明了通过转录组测序开发圆口铜鱼SSR标记的可行性。     

黄鳍鲷基因组微卫星的分离

采用磁珠富集法构建黄鳍鲷(Acanthopagrus latus Houttuyn)基因组微卫星富集文库。共挑选60个克隆进行测序,分析发现58个克隆分别含(GA)n或(CA)n两碱基重复单元。进一步通过序列比对,最终获得41个具有特异微卫星序列的阳性克隆。其中,23个克隆含有(GA)n或(CT)n两碱基重复序列,17个克隆含有(GT)n或(CA)n重复序列,另1个含有以上两种重复类型。获得的微卫星序列中,单一型及间断型序列各有20条,另有1条属于复合型序列。序列长度为117~512 bp,平均259 bp。微卫星核心序列两碱基重复5到38次,绝大多数序列重复次数大于10。基于微卫星两端的侧翼序列设计并获得了3对能够在黄鳍鲷基因组有效扩增的微卫星引物。本研究旨为进一步开展黄鳍鲷分子育种及资源评价分析提供基础资料。     

乌鳢和斑鳢EST序列微卫星信息分析

乌鳢(Channa argus,♂)、斑鳢(Channa maculatus,♀)是杂交鳢"杭鳢1号"的亲本。利用高通量测序技术对乌鳢和斑鳢的肝脏进行转录组测序获得大量EST序列后,利用MISA软件进行微卫星信息分析,结果表明,通过转录组测序获得乌鳢EST序列59 959条,长度45 mb,发现15 428个SSR,出现频率为25.73%;获得斑鳢EST序列44 337条,长度27 mb,发现8 439个SSR,出现频率为19.03%。在乌鳢和斑鳢EST-SSR中,重复单元以1~2碱基重复为最多,并以长度小于16 bp的短重复序列为主,间隔SSR和复合SSR的EST序列RPKM均值要低于单纯型SSR的EST序列RPKM均值,且在单纯型SSR中SSR长度越长,其RPKM均值则越低。     

斑点叉尾鮰全基因组微卫星分布特征分析

为了解斑点叉尾鮰(Ictalurus punctatus)全基因组中完整型微卫星的分布特征,本研究使用生物信息学软件MISA对其全基因组微卫星进行了搜索并分析。结果显示,在斑点叉尾鮰29条染色体中,筛选到完整型微卫星共510 256个,总长度达11 036 941 bp。其中,微卫星数量最多的是2号染色体(25 284个),其次分别是3号、1号和5号染色体,29号染色体的微卫星数量最少,只有11 591个。每条染色体长度与位于其上的微卫星的数量均显著相关(SPSS, r=0.98, P<0.01)。27号染色体的微卫星相对丰度最大(785.03个/Mb),11号染色体的微卫星相对丰度最小(615.89个/Mb)。6种重复拷贝类型的微卫星中,单碱基的数量最多,占总数的45.31%,随后依次是二碱基(38.53%)、三碱基(8.73%)、四碱基(6.93%)、五碱基(0.46%)和六碱基(0.04%)。斑点叉尾鮰全基因组微卫星中,前10种优势重复拷贝类别为A、AC、AG、AT、AAT、AAAT、C、AAC、AAAC和AAG,表现出明显的A、T碱基优势。本研究结果可为进一步研究斑点叉尾鮰全基因组特征提供参考,并为今后进行斑点叉尾鮰分子标记辅助育种及遗传信息评估等工作提供基础资料。     

基于转录组测序的圆口铜鱼SSR标记初步筛选及特征分析

分析圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)的遗传多样性,可为其人工繁殖家系鉴别、分子标记辅助育种及长江上游珍稀特有鱼类的种质资源保护提供理论依据和技术支撑。以室内循环水养殖的圆口铜鱼为研究对象,提取其肝脏RNA,通过Illumina HiSeq? 2000 高通量测序平台进行转录组测序,利用MISA软件对测序获得的unigene进行微卫星（SSR）位点挖掘和特征分析,设计SSR位点引物并进行验证。结果显示,圆口铜鱼转录组测序共获得80 688条 unigene,通过查找获得34 155个SSR位点,分布在25 947条序列上,发生率为32.2%。圆口铜鱼SSR中主要重复单元类型为单碱基和二碱基,其中A/T和AC/GT为优势单碱基和二碱基重复单元,占总SSR数量的57.2%和19.7%。SSR重复数在5~60次,其中有40.3%的SSR序列集中在11~15次;SSR序列长度变化显著,单碱基至六碱基重复类型的总体长度在11~101 bp,其中12~35 bp序列长度占78.8%。随机选取50个SSR位点合成引物对9尾圆口铜鱼样本进行PCR 扩增验证,可稳定扩增出目的条带的有40对引物,其中16对具有多态性,证明了通过转录组测序开发圆口铜鱼SSR标记的可行性。     

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.