半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)体表色素细胞观察及POMC表达特性分析

为认识养殖半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化的细胞学特性,利用显微观察方法研究了其皮肤黑色素细胞、黄色素细胞和虹彩细胞的形态特征,比较了3种色素细胞在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常和黑化皮肤中的数量分布特征。为进一步揭示无眼侧黑化的分子机制,克隆了半滑舌鳎POMC基因的cDNA序列。结果显示,黑色素细胞较大,含黑色和棕色的色素颗粒,有树突状分枝不明显和延伸成放射状两种形态;黄色素细胞较小,含黄色素颗粒;虹彩细胞最小,含鸟粪素颗粒。半滑舌鳎POMC基因的cDNA序列长910 bp,包括一个114 bp的5?非翻译区和一个154 bp的3?非翻译区,开放阅读框长度为642 bp,共编码213个氨基酸,包含ACTH、α-MSH、β-MSH、γ-LPH、β-内啡肽5个多肽序列,但缺失γ-MSH和大部分连接区。半滑舌鳎POMC基因的氨基酸序列与其他鱼类的同源性为30%?64%。定量PCR分析显示,POMC mRNA主要在垂体中表达,其次是脑、性腺和无眼侧黑化皮肤。正常与黑化皮肤中的差异表达结果显示,无眼侧黑化皮肤中POMC mRNA表达量最高,并与有眼侧皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的POMC mRNA表达量差异显著,揭示了POMC的表达与无眼侧黑化性状密切相关。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ克隆及组织表达特性

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了其组织表达特性。半滑舌鳎RARα cDNA序列全长为1823 bp,编码443个氨基酸;RARγ cDNA序列全长为1959 bp,编码489个氨基酸。同源性分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ同源性高达60.8%,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达97.0%,具有较强的进化保守性。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ分别归属于单独的分支,且与其他鱼类聚合成簇。组织表达分析显示,RARα mRNA在肾中表达量最高,而RARγ mRNA在脾中表达量最高,RARα和RARγ mRNA在其他组织中均有表达,表明半滑舌鳎2种RAR都可能参与多种生理过程调控。半滑舌鳎2种RAR mRNA在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧黑化皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达量依次升高,且发现RARα在正常有眼侧皮肤的表达高于RARγ,而RARγ在无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达显著高于RARα,无眼侧黑化皮肤中RARα表达高于RARγ。RAR基因在有眼侧和无眼侧皮肤组织中的差异表达可能和RA/RAR系统调节体色有关。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素富集激素基因的克隆和表达

为研究黑色素富集激素基因(MCH)表达调控与半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)无眼侧黑化性状的关系,通过分子克隆获得了半滑舌鳎pMCH2,通过NCBI获得了pMCH1 cDNA序列,分析了pMCH mRNA的组织表达特性,探索了脑垂体和皮肤中的pMCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系.结果显示,pMCHl cDNA序列长476 bp,编码134个氨基酸,与鲽形目、鲤形目和鲈形目鱼类的pMCH1氨基酸聚为1个进化分支.pMCH2 cDNA序列全长为626 bp,编码147个氨基酸,与鲽形目和鲍形目鱼类的pMCH2氨基酸聚为1个进化分支.2种MCH mRNA在垂体中表达量最高,同时,MCH1 mRNA在除肌肉外的其他组织中均可检测到表达;MCH2 mRNA在脑、有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常皮肤、性腺和鳃组织中也可检测到较高表达.MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系分析显示,脑垂体和皮肤中MCH1 mRNA表现出相似的表达变化趋势,都是10％黑化组的表达量最高,而后随黑化程度加大显著降低.对于MCH2而言,无眼侧正常鱼和无眼侧50％黑化鱼的脑垂体中都具有较高的MCH2 mRNA表达水平,但在无眼侧10％黑化组和无眼侧80％黑化组,其表达水平显著降低.皮肤中MCH2表现出随黑化程度加大而显著升高的趋势.本研究结果可为认识MCH基因与半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的表达调控关系提供基础资料.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素富集激素基因的克隆和表达

为研究黑色素富集激素基因(MCH)表达调控与半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)无眼侧黑化性状的关系,通过分子克隆获得了半滑舌鳎pMCH2,通过NCBI获得了pMCH1 cDNA序列,分析了pMCH mRNA的组织表达特性,探索了脑垂体和皮肤中的p MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系。结果显示,pMCH1 cDNA序列长476 bp,编码134个氨基酸,与鲽形目、鲤形目和鲈形目鱼类的pMCH1氨基酸聚为1个进化分支。pMCH2 cDNA序列全长为626 bp,编码147个氨基酸,与鲽形目和鲀形目鱼类的pMCH2氨基酸聚为1个进化分支。2种MCH mRNA在垂体中表达量最高,同时,MCH1 mRNA在除肌肉外的其他组织中均可检测到表达;MCH2 mRNA在脑、有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧正常皮肤、性腺和鳃组织中也可检测到较高表达。MCH mRNA表达与无眼侧黑化程度的关系分析显示,脑垂体和皮肤中MCH1 mRNA表现出相似的表达变化趋势,都是10%黑化组的表达量最高,而后随黑化程度加大显著降低。对于MCH2而言,无眼侧正常鱼和无眼侧50%黑化鱼的脑垂体中都具有较高的MCH2 mRNA表达水平,但在无眼侧10%黑化组和无眼侧80%黑化组,其表达水平显著降低。皮肤中MCH2表现出随黑化程度加大而显著升高的趋势。本研究结果可为认识MCH基因与半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的表达调控关系提供基础资料。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ克隆及组织表达特性

利用RT-PCR和RACE方法获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis) 2种视黄酸受体RARα和RARγ的c DNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了其组织表达特性。半滑舌鳎RARαc DNA序列全长为1823 bp,编码443个氨基酸;RARγc DNA序列全长为1959 bp,编码489个氨基酸。同源性分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ同源性高达60.8%,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达97.0%,具有较强的进化保守性。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎RARα和RARγ分别归属于单独的分支,且与其他鱼类聚合成簇。组织表达分析显示,RARαmRNA在肾中表达量最高,而RARγmRNA在脾中表达量最高,RARα和RARγm RNA在其他组织中均有表达,表明半滑舌鳎2种RAR都可能参与多种生理过程调控。半滑舌鳎2种RARm RNA在有眼侧皮肤、无眼侧黑化皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达量依次升高,且发现RARα在正常有眼侧皮肤的表达高于RARγ,而RARγ在无眼侧正常皮肤中的表达显著高于RARα,无眼侧黑化皮肤中RARα表达高于RARγ。RAR基因在有眼侧和无眼侧皮肤组织中的差异表达可能和RA/RAR系统调节体色有关。     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR)表达特性及其与无眼侧黑化的关系

利用cDNA末端快速克隆技术(RACE)获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)2种黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR1和MCHR2)的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了MCHR mRNA的组织表达特性,研究了其与无眼侧黑化程度的关系.结果显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1 cDNA序列全长为1685 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长为1080 bp,编码359个氨基酸,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达83.3％.系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1与鲋形目、鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支.MCHR2 cDNA序列全长为1626bp,ORF长为1044bp,编码347个氨基酸,与鲽形目同源性最高达到90％以上.系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR2与鲽形目、鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支.MCHR1 mRNA在鳃中表达量最高,而MCHR2 mRNA在有眼侧皮肤中表达量最高,性腺次之.另外,MCHR1和MCHR2 mRNA在其他组织中均检测到表达,这表明半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集素(MCH)可能通过内分泌方式和各组织中的MCHR介导参与生理调控.不同黑化面积表达分析显示,在无眼侧黑化发生早期,脑垂体中MCHR1 mRNA显著升高,在无眼侧50％黑化组达到峰值,皮肤中MCHR1 mRNA在无眼侧10％黑化组显著升高,其后保持较高水平;脑垂体和皮肤中MCHR2mRNA表达表现出一致的变化趋势,在无眼侧黑化发生早期都达到峰值,其后逐渐下降至相对较低水平.表明MCHR可能直接或通过其他信号通路参与了半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的调控过程.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR)表达特性及其与无眼侧黑化的关系

利用cDNA末端快速克隆技术(RACE)获得了半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)2种黑色素聚集素受体(MCHR1和MCHR2)的cDNA全长序列,并采用定量PCR技术分析了MCHR mRNA的组织表达特性,研究了其与无眼侧黑化程度的关系。结果显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1 cDNA序列全长为1685 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长为1080 bp,编码359个氨基酸,与牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)同源性高达83.3%。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR1与鳉形目、鲽形目和鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支。MCHR2 cDNA序列全长为1626 bp,ORF长为1044 bp,编码347个氨基酸,与鲽形目同源性最高达到90%以上。系统进化分析显示,半滑舌鳎MCHR2与鲽形目、鲈形目鱼类聚为1个小分支。MCHR1 mRNA在鳃中表达量最高,而MCHR2 mRNA在有眼侧皮肤中表达量最高,性腺次之。另外,MCHR1和MCHR2 mRNA在其他组织中均检测到表达,这表明半滑舌鳎黑色素聚集素(MCH)可能通过内分泌方式和各组织中的MCHR介导参与生理调控。不同黑化面积表达分析显示,在无眼侧黑化发生早期,脑垂体中MCHR1 mRNA显著升高,在无眼侧50%黑化组达到峰值,皮肤中MCHR1 mRNA在无眼侧10%黑化组显著升高,其后保持较高水平;脑垂体和皮肤中MCHR2 mRNA表达表现出一致的变化趋势,在无眼侧黑化发生早期都达到峰值,其后逐渐下降至相对较低水平。表明MCHR可能直接或通过其他信号通路参与了半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化性状的调控过程。     

半滑舌鳎酪氨酸酶基因(TYR)和多巴色素异构酶基因(DCT)的克隆表达与分析

作为我国鲆鳎鱼类中的一种主要养殖品种,半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)有时会发生无眼侧黑化(Melanism)、有眼侧白化(Albinism)的体色异常现象。本研究克隆了半滑舌鳎体色相关的酪氨酸酶基因(TYR)和多巴色素异构酶基因(DCT)的cDNA序列,并对这2个基因进行系统发育分析和时空表达分析。实验获得了TYR基因编码区cDNA序列长度为1620 bp,编码539个氨基酸;DCT基因编码区cDNA序列长度为1551 bp,编码516个氨基酸。结果显示,TYR和DCT在20日龄前的鱼苗体内表达量较高,尤其是在变态关键时期(15~20日龄)表达量最高,30日龄时的表达量锐减到很低水平;在其他时期的皮肤组织中,这2个基因在有眼侧正常皮肤和无眼侧黑化皮肤的表达量最高,在有眼侧白化皮肤和无眼侧正常皮肤中表达量极低;在其他时期的其他组织中,在眼睛中的表达量最高,其次是肝脏,在脾脏和肌肉中表达量极低。研究表明,TYR和DCT基因是半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化发生和有眼侧体色维持的关键基因。本研究为查明半滑舌鳎体色异常机制提供了重要依据和参考。     

半滑舌鳎lnc-XR_003049606.1及其靶基因pmelb在无眼侧皮肤黑化过程中的表达

为探究人工养殖半滑舌鳎无眼侧皮肤经常出现黑化现象的成因,实验根据本课题组前期全转录组数据分析结果预测得出lnc-XR＿003049606.1与pmelb在基因层面上存在反式调控的关系。在半滑舌鳎无眼侧黑化皮肤中克隆获得pmelb的c DNA序列。生物信息学分析结果显示,pmelb的c DNA序列全长1 755 bp,编码584个氨基酸,其预测的蛋白分子量为63.94 ku,理论等电点为5.12,预测的二级蛋白结构含有1个Pleckstrin同源域、1个布鲁顿酪氨酸激酶富胱氨酸基序、1个Src同源3域、1个Src同源2域和1个酪氨酸激酶催化结构域。系统进化树分析显示,pmelb与其他鱼类对应的基因聚为一支。氨基酸同源性分析显示,半滑舌鳎的pmelb与大菱鲆和牙鲆的相似性最高(分别为68.05%和66.28%)。分别通过分析半滑舌鳎lnc-XR＿003049606.1和pmelb的表达分析发现,lnc-XR＿003049606.1在1龄半滑舌鳎的皮肤和肝脏中表达,皮肤中表达量在60 d达到顶峰,随着时间延长而降低;而pmelb则主要在皮肤中表达,表达量在时间线上先升高再降低。本研究初步探究...     

池塘养殖牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)无眼侧体色黑化消褪机理

针对池塘养殖牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)无眼侧体色黑化消褪的现象,本研究从形态、血清和mRNA水平上对其生理学机制进行了研究.光镜观察显示,无眼侧消褪区域的黑色素细胞数量显著少于有眼侧和无眼侧黑化区域(P＜0.05),电镜观察发现,无眼侧消褪区域皮肤中黑色素颗粒模糊,黑色素细胞中色素体存在凋亡现象.无眼侧黑化区域消褪过程中,鳞片类型经历了由栉鳞—弱栉鳞—圆鳞转变的过程,栉鳞上硬棘数量也随之减少.无眼侧黑化消褪的牙鲆血清中的黑色素聚集激素(MCH)肽含量显著高于无眼侧正常和无眼侧黑化的牙鲆(P＜0.05),但无眼侧体色黑化的牙鲆血清中的黑色素细胞刺激激素(MSH)肽含量显著高于其他2种类型的牙鲆(P＜0.05).基因表达分析显示,无眼侧黑化消褪鱼垂体MCH mRNA表达水平显著高于无眼侧黑化鱼(P＜0.05),而垂体POMC1 mRNA表达水平显著低于无眼侧黑化鱼(P＜0.05),但都与无眼侧正常鱼无显著差异.研究结果可为阐释池塘养殖牙鲆无眼侧体色黑化调控机制提供理论支持.     

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.