编码鳗鲡生长激素基因的序列与结构

序列分析表明；欧洲鳗鲡GH基因从ATG到TAG共计2393bp，有4个外显子，3个内含子，推测编码209个氨基酸，第一内含子存在3个重复单体构成的微卫星序列。同源性分析表明：欧洲鳗鲡GH可分为5个结构域，GD1-GD4区域与GH的活性有关，为GH与其受体专一性结合区域，GD5区域与GH分子的结构，稳定性有关。进化分析表明，鱼类GH分可成3个不同的组，欧洲鳗鲡GH基因属Ⅰ组，Ⅱ组可分含4个内含子基因及含5个内含子基因二个亚组。Ⅲ组GH基因有5个内含子，推测原始的GH基因在进化过程中，通过丢失或增加内含子导致基因歧化。     

鲟类线粒体基因组分子标记、遗传距离及系统演化分析

鲟形目鱼类9个物种线粒体基因组的基因组成高度保守,均编码37个基因,长度为16 438bp(达氏鲟)～16 760bp(欧洲鳇)。主编码链的A+T含量为53.3%(密苏里铲鲟)～54.6%(中华鲟和匙吻鲟)。9个蛋白质编码基因(atp6、atp8、cob、cox1、cox3、nad1、nad3、nad4和nad4L)编码氨基酸数目相同,分别为227、55、380、517、261、324、116、460和98个。15个主编码基因的差异位点分析表明,在鲟形目鱼类分子生态和群体遗传的研究中,nad5、nad4、cox1和cob基因是理想的分子标记,可用于分析其不同物种和群体之间的遗传多样性。在9种鲟形目鱼类中,遗传距离最小的是中华鲟与俄罗斯鲟(0.0070),遗传距离最大的是闪光鲟与白鲟(0.1777)。2个科之间的遗传距离远远大于科内部的遗传距离,因此支持传统的科级分类。基于线粒体基因组的系统发育结果表明,鲟形目鱼类分为2支:鲟科的7个物种和匙吻鲟科的2个物种分属2个类群(BPN=100,BPM=100,BPP=100),这与经典的系统分类观点一致。隶属于鲟属的中华鲟、俄罗斯鲟及闪光鲟与欧洲鳇聚类,支持率非常高(BPN=100,BPM=100,BPP=100),而将同为鲟属的高首鲟和达氏鲟排除在外,从而表明,线粒体基因组的数据支持将欧洲鳇并入鲟属。基于线粒体基因组数据支持鲟科内部的亲缘关系为:{[(中华鲟+俄罗斯鲟)+闪光鲟]+欧洲鳇}+(高首鲟+达氏鲟),密苏里铲鲟与它们关系最远。     

长江江苏溆浦段2015 年发现中华鲟野生幼鱼的形态和分子鉴定

在葛洲坝下中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)产卵场连续两年未监测到自然繁殖的情况下,2015年6月在江苏溆浦段发现15尾疑似中华鲟幼鱼。本研究通过形态学和分子生物学方法对该15尾幼鲟进行鉴定。形态学度量结果显示,除1尾个体外,新发现的14尾幼鲟与历史记载的中华鲟野生幼鱼生物学性状完全一致,但其体长和体重低于历史同期出现在该区域的中华鲟。同时采用11个多态微卫星位点,对15尾幼鲟样本和分布于我国的3种鲟鱼,包括30尾中华鲟(A.sinensis)、39尾达氏鲟(A.dabryanus)和33尾施氏鲟(A.dabryanus)进行遗传分析,发现这15尾幼鲟与中华鲟的遗传距离最近(F_(st)=0.039,P0.05),其次为达氏鲟(F_(st)=0.108,P0.05),最远为施氏鲟(F_(st)=0.209,P0.05),从遗传和进化的角度判定该批幼鱼为中华鲟,该结果暗示中华鲟在葛洲坝下游极有可能找到了新的产卵场,为中华鲟的繁殖群体和幼鱼的种群监测提供了依据。遗传多样性分析显示,该批鱼的遗传多样性(SW=1.998)略低于野生中华鲟(SW=1.886),暗示中华鲟幼鱼遗传多样性水平降低,野生亲本的数量仍不容乐观。     

基于微卫星标记的中华鲟亲子关系判别及案例分析

中华鲟（Acipenser sinensis）是一种大型溯河产卵洄游性鱼类。历史产卵场分布于长江上游，距离长江口2500-3000公里。1981年葛洲坝工程阻断了中华鲟洄游通道，随后天然种群数量急剧减少。人工繁殖放流补充工作从1983年开始。由于野生和人工繁殖中华鲟幼鱼有相似的洄游入海特征，因此通过在长江口水域捕获滞留的中华鲟幼鱼并区分人工繁殖个体和野生个体，可以评估中华鲟人工繁殖放流效果。本研究构建了基于四倍体遗传的微卫星标记的亲子鉴定方法，并用全同胞家系、半同胞家系和非亲缘关系群体样本验证本方法的有效性；最后将该方法用于1999年度中华鲟人工繁殖效果评估案例中，评估人工繁殖个体在长江口中华鲟幼鲟群体中的比例。亲子鉴定方法结果显示，三个全同胞家系个体间的平均遗传距离分别为0.43、0.44和0.44；半同胞家系的遗传距离居中（0.57）；长江口中华鲟幼鲟群体间的平均遗传距离是0.74。人工繁殖效果评估结果显示：在2000年度长江口幼鱼群体中，人工繁殖个体的比例较低（0～3.8％），中华鲟补充群体主要来源于自然繁殖，人工繁殖放流个体对中华鲟野生群体增殖作用不明显。     

欧洲鲟形目主要种类生物学

世界鲟鱼类计２科６属２６种，分布在欧洲水域的有１科２属８种。也即欧洲鳇、俄罗斯鲟、裸腹鲟、闪光鲟、小体鲟、波斯鲟、大西洋鲟及意大利鲟。本文就欧洲鲟形目５种主要种类生物学概述如下。１欧洲鳇Ｈｕｓｏｈｕｓｏ（Ｌｉｎｎａｅｕｓ，１７５８）１１形态与食性鱼...     

用坝下微流水养殖鲟鱼

我们利用甸苴坝水库坝下流水常年水温处于鲟鱼最适生长水温，且水流量大，溶氧高，水质清新的优良条件，进行集约化养殖鳄鱼，并根据鲟鱼的生物学特性，我们首批选择底栖动物食性的史氏鲟、杂交鲟、俄罗斯鲟进行试验。一、材料和方法水泥试验地三个，面积分别为：1#地28．6m2，2#池20m2，3驰20m2，其注排水系统均为自流式。试验鱼：史氏鲟、杂交鲟、俄罗斯鲟。二、鲟鱼养殖1．第一阶段养殖（幼鱼养殖）试验鱼于1999年8月13日从四川引进，放养干上述试验池中，其中，肝池放养文庆鳍1064尾，平均规格为9．609／尾；2’地放养杂交鳄414尾，平均…     

大鳍鳠免疫球蛋白轻链3型基因cDNA的克隆及表达

应用同源克隆和RACE-PCR方法获得大鳍鳠免疫球蛋白轻链3型(IgL3)基因的全长cDNA序列,并分析了该基因在组织中的表达。大鳍鳠IgL3的cDNA全长为947 bp,包含5非编码区58 bp,3非编码区184 bp,开放阅读框705 bp,编码234个氨基酸。推测的蛋白质序列分为可变区(VL)和恒定区(CL)。VL被进一步划分为4个骨架区(FR)和3个互补决定区(CDR)。大鳍鳠与其它6种硬骨鱼类免疫球蛋白轻链L3氨基酸序列比对分析表明,大鳍鳠氨基酸序列与斑点叉尾IgL3型(F型)的相似性最高,为68.8%,与南极鱼IgL3型的相似性最低,为47.2%。进化树分析表明,大鳍鳠IgL与斑点叉尾IgL3型(F型)聚为一支并与其它硬骨鱼类IgL3型聚为一簇,明显与L1和L2进化支不同。实时荧光定量PCR显示,大鳍鳠IgL3基因主要在头肾、脾脏和血细胞中转录表达;注射嗜水气单胞菌后,头肾、脾脏和血细胞IgL3基因转录表达量有显著上升。研究表明,头肾、脾脏和血液是大鳍鳠IgL3型基因主要的表达器官,在免疫反应中起重要作用。     

4种笛鲷属鱼类随机扩增多态性DNA及遗传多样性研究

使用RAPD技术分析了红鳍笛鲷、紫红笛鲷、勒氏笛鲷和约氏笛鲷的种内遗传多样性、种间遗传多样性和种间亲缘关系。在120个随机引物中筛选出扩增效果好的引物36个，平均每个引物在每个个体上产生7．7个条带。种内遗传多样性研究结果显示：遗传距离(D)分别为0．2257，0．2228，0．2679和0．2247；遗传多样性指数(H)分别为0．1854，0．1904，0．2015和0．1865。说明目前湛江近海这4种笛鲷的遗传多样性比较丰富，它们的种质资源仍处于一个良好的水平。种间遗传多样性结果显示：勒氏笛鲷与约氏笛鲷遗传距离(Dpq)最小，亲缘关系最密切，勒氏笛鲷与红鳍笛鲷种间Dpq最大，亲缘关系最远。     

欧洲鳗鲡MyD88基因的克隆及其免疫功能分析

髓样分化因子(myeloid differentiation factor 88,My D88)是TLR(toll-like receptor)信号通路的关键接头蛋白,在先天性免疫中发挥重要作用。实验首次克隆了欧洲鳗鲡My D88基因c DNA全长序列,命名为Aa My D88,其全长为1 539 bp,开放阅读框为846 bp,编码282个氨基酸。该蛋白三维丝带空间结构图与人类的My D88十分相似,具有My D88家族典型的死亡结构域和TIR(toll-like/IL-1 receptor)结构域,其中TIR结构域中含有3个序列高度保守的box1、box2和box3。同源性分析显示,欧洲鳗鲡My D88氨基酸序列与斑点叉尾相似性最高,为76.3%,与其他鱼类相似性为67.5%~73.2%,与哺乳动物相似性较低,为61.6%~62.6%。欧洲鳗鲡My D88在系统进化树中与其他鱼类My D88聚为一支,哺乳类以及两栖类My D88分别聚为一支。实时荧光定量PCR检测发现,Aa My D88基因在欧洲鳗鲡各组织器官中均有表达,其中在肝脏中的表达量最高,心脏、肠、脾脏以及肾脏中也有较高的表达,而肌肉和鳃中的表达水平较低;欧洲鳗鲡经山羊Ig G肌肉注射后,肾脏Aa My D88基因在第7天表达量有显著性提高,14 d后恢复至正常水平,而脾脏Aa My D88基因表达水平从第7~21天持续显著上调,于第7天达到峰值,其表达量为肾脏的1.7倍;欧洲鳗鲡鳍细胞系经poly I:C处理后,Aa My D88基因表达水平在3 h显著降低,6~48 h均有显著升高,于12 h达到峰值。LPS处理后的欧洲鳗鲡鳍细胞系Aa My D88基因表达水平在3 h显著降低,6和12 h显著升高,于12 h达到峰值,24 h后恢复至正常水平。poly I:C处理组My D88基因表达水平在12~48 h均显著高于LPS处理组。研究表明,My D88在欧洲鳗鲡抵御外源微生物的免疫应答反应中发挥重要作用。     

内蒙古达里湖及岗更湖东北雅罗鱼D—loop基因序列及多样性研究

文章对内蒙古达里湖和岗更湖东北雅罗鱼（LeuciscuswaleckiiDybowski）的mtDNAD—loop序列进行扩增，获得了896bp的同源基因序列，得到的同源基因片段中A、T、c和G碱基的平均含量，达里湖群体为32．0％、32．2％、21．3％和14．5％；岗更湖群体为32．0％、32．2％、21．4％和14．5％；达里湖和岗更湖鱼群D—loop基因CG含量相当，未见明显差异。2个群体内和群体间都存在丰富的序列多态性，两湖群体的D—loop基因896个位点中存在可变位点33个，其余位点较为保守；达里湖30尾鱼D—loop基因含有多态性位点／突变位点21个，11个单倍型；岗更湖30尾鱼D—loop基因含有多态性位点／突变体位点31个，17个单倍型；岗更湖鱼群D—loop基因多样性高于达里湖。遗传距离计算显示，岗更湖和达里湖鱼群之间的平均遗传距离为0．0070；达里湖鱼群之间的平均遗传距离为0．0036；岗更湖鱼群之间的平均遗传距离为0．0074。岗更湖鱼群D—loop基因的平均遗传距离大于达里湖鱼，前者群体D—loop基因进化速度大于后者。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.