大菱鲆生长和耐高温性状的遗传参数估计

对来自40个家系的753尾大菱鲆个体进行耐高温实验,测定其生长和耐高温性状.基于是否考虑全同胞家系效应,建立了两种动物模型,用于估算大菱鲆生长和耐高温性状的遗传参数.利用WOMBAT程序采用平均信息约束极大似然法估计各模型中性状的方差组分,用似然比检验法进行不同模型的差异检验.方差组分分析结果显示,估计体质量遗传参数时,采用模型Ⅰ效果较好,相应遗传力为(0.22±0.09)；估计肥满度时,两模型间差异不显著,其遗传力范围为(0.21±0.18)～(0.39±0.11)；估计耐热性时,采用模型Ⅰ比较理想,遗传力为(0.026±0.034).表型和遗传相关分析结果表明,体质量与肥满度、耐热性的表型相关系数分别为0.13和0.04,肥满度与耐热性的表型相关系数为0.13；体质量与肥满度、耐热性遗传相关系数分别为0.01和-1.00,肥满度与耐热性的遗传相关系数为0.05.研究结果表明,没有考虑全同胞家系效应的模型Ⅰ是估计大菱鲆生长和耐高温性状遗传参数的较好模型.     

凡纳滨对虾幼虾耐高温性状的遗传力评估

为探明高温对凡纳滨对虾幼虾遗传变异的影响,自2018年由国外引进的4个凡纳滨对虾种群(EGDB、PRMA、API、SIS)构建的育种群中随机选取40个全同胞家系,每个家系随机取100尾个体,分成2份放入指定的试验桶中,共计4000尾仔虾,采用水浴加热法,对试验桶进行升温并记录其相应的存活时间及温度,用单性状动物模型对其耐高温性状进行遗传参数的评估。结果显示：凡纳滨对虾仔虾各家系的耐热性为782.64～2074.33℃?h,表明凡纳滨对虾仔虾家系间的耐热性存在显著性差异;家系间耐热性值的变异系数为10%～68%;当水温由28℃升至40℃时,各家系的累计存活率为58%～99%;利用单性状动物模型结合系谱信息,获得凡纳滨对虾幼虾耐高温性状的遗传力估计值0.22±0.05,属于中等遗传力。试验结果表明,凡纳滨对虾幼虾耐高温性状具有较高的遗传变异水平,遗传改良的潜力较大。本试验结果可为凡纳滨对虾夏季高温养殖和耐高温品系的选育提供数据参考。     

应用时间序列分析模型对大菱鲆选育F1优良家系发育的动态研究

根据Box-Jenkins建模原理,采用ARIMAR(p,d,q)模型,以大菱鲆选育F1优良家系为研究对象,应用时间序列分析方法对在3～27月龄间不同发育阶段体重的生长速度进行动态模拟,建立各家系的预测模型。结果表明,家系E♂1×E♀2和F♂2×E♀4符合ARIMAR(2,0,0)模型(2个家系的模型都不含常数项),家系F♂4×N♀3、E♂2×F♀1和F♂1×F♀4符合ARIMAR(1,0,0)模型(3个家系的模型都不含常数项),且所建模型的残差均为白噪声。由此预测出27～27.5及27.5～28月龄各家系体重生长速度,经与相应实测数据的验证说明,5个家系各自所建模型在一定程度上能够反映大菱鲆体重生长速度的动态变化过程,对各家系体重生长速度的趋势预测有一定的适用性。通过对每一家系后期生长速度的预测,结合前期生长速度的实测值,综合分析体重生长速度的动态变化,为在大菱鲆选择育种过程中确定最佳选择时间提供理论依据。     

淇河鲫不同家系生长性能的比较

为选育优良的淇河鲫家系,本实验以4个鲤群体和1个淇河鲫(Carassius auratus var.Qihe)群体为亲本共建立家系19个。6月龄时从各家系随机选取50尾个体植入PIT标记,22月龄时测量其体长、体高与体质量,比较各个家系的养殖成活率、生长性状、变异系数及体型。共筛选出7号、10号和15号3个养殖成活率较高的家系、2号和11号2个快速生长家系以及2号和29号2个体型较高的家系,研究显示:各家系的养殖成活率、生长速度和体型与同源或异源精子无明显关联,而与具体的父母本有关,但是其变异系数在同源精子和异源精子建立的家系之间差别较大。     

大菱鲆子二代家系白化与正常幼鱼生长及形态学差异

白化现象是大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)生产中存在的主要问题之一.2009年,采用大菱鲆育种标准化苗种培育方案培育大菱鲆子二代全同胞家系32个,选取其中白化较为严重的16个全同胞家系(包括6对半同胞家系组合)作为样本家系,抽样测定统计各家系85日龄(dph)幼鱼的形态指标,比较了各全同胞家系白化和正常鱼的形态特征,以及全同胞家系间生长的差异.大菱鲆幼鱼体色分为完全正常、局部白化和完全白化3个类型,白化率统计时将部分白化幼鱼归于白化幼鱼一类.16个全同胞家系的白化率处于17.2％～86.7％范围内,6对半同胞家系组合的白化率差别较大,姊妹家系间白化率差值0 ～ 46％,因此认为白化可能受到母系遗传或卵子质量的影响.多数家系的白化与正常幼鱼的全长、体长、总高、体高、全重差异不显著(P＞0.05).16个全同胞家系样本中,除2个家系外,其余家系的白化与体色正常鱼的可比性状差异不显著(p＞0.05).将各全同胞家系抽样的全部90尾鱼的全重平均值作为指标进行比较,发现全重的生长差异在全同胞家系间表现较为明显.因此,白化鱼与原色鱼的生长和身体形态整体上不存在显著差异.本研究还获得速生候选家系1个,高体型候选家系3个.根据研究结果分析大菱鲆白化现象发生的原因,认为虽然遗传不是大菱鲆白化与否的决定因素,但却是一个重要因素.     

大菱鲆子二代家系及亲本耐高温能力比较

通过高温刺激和高温水养殖幼鱼的方法研究了大菱鲆不同子二代(F2)家系耐高温能力。对2010年建立的36个子二代(F2)家系50日龄幼鱼,记录使用30℃高温海水进行突变热刺激2h后48h的死亡率;对2009年和2010年所建立的22个和36个大菱鲆F2家系100日龄幼鱼,按照2℃/d速率将养殖温度分别由21.0℃和14.8℃逐步升温至27.0℃和25.0℃,记录不同家系在不同时间的死亡情况。根据热激后存活率表型筛选出高温耐受力强的20个F2家系和11尾F1亲鱼,所筛选出的亲鱼和子代家系有望成为核心育种群体构建的组成部分。     

菲律宾蛤仔家系的建立及早期生长发育

采用不平衡巢式设计建立33个菲律宾蛤仔家系(11个父系半同胞家系和33个全同胞家系),并对各家系蛤仔的卵径、受精率、孵化率及生长、存活和变态的相关指标进行了分析。结果表明:各家系蛤仔的卵径、受精率无显著差异(P>0.05,n=90),但孵化率有明显差异(P<0.05,n=90)。在不同时期各家系蛤仔的生长情况不同。幼虫期间,9日龄C2生长最快比生长最慢的F2平均壳长大28.24%,且差异显著(P<0.05,n=90)。D3绝对生长最大比平均值高37.24%。稚贝期间,40日龄I1生长最快比生长最慢的B3平均壳长大78.29%,且差异显著(P<0.05,n=90)。I1绝对生长也最大比平均值高87.61%,其中400～500μm个体占30%,500μm以上个体占53.33%,家系内个体趋于大型化,而B1、B3家系内个体生长性状出现衰退现象,趋于小型化,300μm以下个体分别占整个家系的83.33%、90%。在相同时期各家系蛤仔的存活率不同。幼虫期间,9日龄I2存活率最高比平均存活率高94.14%,E3存活率最低比平均存活率低72.65%。稚贝期间,40日龄时各家系稚贝的存活率较高,都在85%以上。变态期间,同胞...     

凡纳滨对虾全同胞家系的建立及生长比较

全同胞家系是遗传分析的重要材料。采用自然交配法建立了62个凡纳滨对虾第一代全同胞家系，对其中17个家系进行了比较研究。结果表明，各家系的孵化率、出苗率与雌性亲本的大小相关性不显著。17个家系中有7个家系显示生长优势，其大小顺序依次是A02＞A11＞A01＞A17＞A06＞A08＞A16；7个家系在40周内的生长速度较17个家系的平均值高23.2%。在所有家系中，A01、A02、A11等3个家系的体重显著大于其它家系（P＜0.05），其平均生长速度较所有家系平均生长速度分别快25.5%、31.6%和31.0%。这3个家系的整齐度良好，在养殖中期的个体变异系数分别为11.58%、9.95%和8.48%，后期均小于5%，显示出优良的经济性状，为进一步选择培育凡纳滨对虾的快速生长新品系奠定了基础。     

虾夷扇贝耐高温育种家系的建立与早期筛查

对于贝类选择育种,维系大量家系养殖设施的成本巨大,如果能在贝类早期发育阶段对生长、存活进行筛查,提前舍弃那些存活率低、生长慢的家系,将有助于节约家系育种的成本。本实验通过室内模拟升温,比较了10个稚贝期全同胞家系在不同温度下存活率的差异,并对这10个家系在自然海区的生长、存活进行了一周年连续监测。结果表明:在室内8、13、18和23℃4个温度梯度下,10个家系经蓄养15~20 d后,18和23℃实验组的稚贝存活率差异显著,其中A08和A09家系的存活率最高,即为提前筛选出的耐高温家系;经自然海区一周年养成后,存活的4个家系(A01、A03、A08和A09)的存活率分别为0.9%±0.1%、0.5%±0.1%、34.3%±3.5%和46.5%±5.3%,但家系间壳高差异不显著,表明家系生长与存活无明显相关性;而A08和A09为耐高温家系,这与室内稚贝期升温筛选的结果一致。本实验验证了高温是导致虾夷扇贝夏季大规模死亡的主要原因,并提供了一种在家系稚贝期进行耐高温性提前筛查的方法,将为虾夷扇贝耐高温品系的选育提供参考依据。     

大菱鲆不同进口群体杂交后代的早期生长差异

2003-2005年间,分5批收集不同批次进口的大菱鲆群体,从各群体中挑选性腺发育良好的个体,利用人工授精技术,通过不平衡巢式交配设计,构建了5种杂交组合,测试其杂交子一代生长性能,为培育优良的大菱鲆养殖新品种提供基础资料.5个杂交组合共生产31个家系,在初孵仔鱼第25天和第80天,从每个家系随机取样50尾,测定其体长、体重等性状值,计算各杂交组合和家系25～80 d的绝对增重率,通过方差分析、聚类分析比较各组合、家系间的生长性能的差异,并对不同家系25 d和80 d的体长体重相关性进行了分析.结果表明:杂交组合25 d、80 d体重性状间存在较大变异,80 d体重LSD多重比较显示丹麦与法国进口群体的杂交组合(D×F)子一代生长优于其它杂交组合.系统聚类分析表明,丹麦×智利(D×C)组合与丹麦×法国(D×F)组合生长性能较为接近聚为一类,丹麦×西班牙(D×S)组合、丹麦×英国(D×E)组合和英国×西班牙(E×S)3个组合聚为一类,且前者的生长速度高于后者.家系间生长性能聚类分析表明,生长速度最快的家系分布在不同的杂交组合,80 d体重的组合内家系间方差分析也表明组合内家系间存在较大变异.组合间和家系间生长分析发现大部分组合和家系在25 d和80 d的体长、体重性状值排序上不一致.家系相关分析表明,25 d体长、体重与80 d体长、体重间相关系数(0.132、0.096)和决定系数(0.017、0.009)均较小,25 d体长体重对80 d体长体重的影响甚微.     

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.