草鱼幼鱼对烟酸的需要量

草鱼幼鱼的初始体重为(12.43±0.80) g,试验分为7组,其饲料中烟酸含量分别为5.1、9.8、16.6、32.2、66.7、130.1、271.5 mg·kg-1,每组设3个重复,每桶30尾鱼,日投喂率2%～3%,饲养试验周期为8周.研究不同含量烟酸对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养组分、造血功能及血脂的影响,以确定草鱼幼鱼饲料中适宜烟酸需要量.试验结果表明:①添加烟酸显著提高了特定生长率、增重率和草鱼幼鱼的存活率,对草鱼幼鱼肥满度无显著影响;烟酸含量为32.2 mg·kg-1时草鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与其它各组存在显著差异;②添加烟酸对草鱼全鱼水分、灰分无显著影响,显著提高了全鱼粗脂肪含量,但各添加组间无显著差异,饲料中烟酸含量为66.7 mg·kg-1时,全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于对照组及9.8 mg·kg-1组;③添加烟酸显著提高了血液红细胞计数和血红蛋白含量,但对血清胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著影响,烟酸含量为16.6 mg·kg-1及以上时显著提高血清高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与低密度脂蛋白胆固醇,与对照组和9.8 mg·kg-1组存在显著差异.基于折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时对饲料中烟酸的最低需求量为25.5 mg·kg-1.     

饲料维生素E添加量对花鲈生长、组织中维生素E积累量

采用单因子试验设计方法，进行了饲料中添加维生素E对花鲈生长（增重率、存活率、特定生长率、饲料效率）、组织中维生素E积累量和免疫指标（血清中溶菌酶活性和总补体活性）影响的研究，设计了5个不同维生素E水平（0.6、24.7、49.0、98.8、198.2 mg•kg-1）的等氮等能饲料，对花鲈进行为期8周的生长实验，每个水平含3个重复，每个养殖单元放养初始体重为10.1g左右的花鲈20尾。饲养试验在海水网箱（1.5×1.0×1.0 m)中进行。结果表明：饲料中未添加维生素E组的增重率、饲料效率、特定生长率以及存活率显著低于维生素E添加组，随着饲料中维生素E添加量由0.6提高到49.0 mg•kg-1时，花鲈的增重率和特定生长率显著提高，以增重率和特定生长率为指标，花鲈最佳生长性能的饲料维生素E添加量为60.5 mg•kg-1左右；对鱼体生物学指标的分析表明，饲料中维生素E添加量达到49 mg•kg-1时能显著影响鱼体的肝体比指数，鱼体水分、粗脂肪不受饲料中维生素E添加水平的影响,然而对鱼体粗蛋白含量的影响显著；随着饲料中维生素E添加量由0.6提高到49.0 mg•kg-1时，花鲈肌肉和肝脏中维生素E的积累量显著升高，但当维生素E添加量达到49.0 mg•kg-1后，肌肉和肝脏中维生素E的积累量变化不显著；饲料中未添加维生素E组的花鲈血清溶菌酶和总补体活性显著低于维生素E添加组，花鲈血清溶菌酶和总补体活性随着维生素E添加量的增加而显著升高，饲料维生素E添加量达到98.8 mg•kg-1时，血清溶菌酶和总补体活性较高。综上所述，花鲈生长和免疫的维生素E适宜添加量为60.5～98.8 mg•kg-1左右。     

饲料中添加生物素对草鱼幼鱼生长、体成分和血清生化指标的影响

在纯化饲料中分别添加生物素0、0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40、0.80、1.60 mg/kg投喂初始质量为(5.92±0.25)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼8周,研究了不同生物素添加量对草鱼幼鱼生长性能、饲料系数、机体营养成分、血清生化指标的影响。试验结果显示:与对照组相比,添加生物素提高了草鱼幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率,降低了饲料系数。添加量为0.40 mg/kg时草鱼幼鱼的特定生长率和增重率最大,饲料系数最低,并与对照组存在显著差异(P<0.05);添加不同水平生物素对草鱼幼鱼全鱼水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著影响,但添加量为0.40 mg/kg时粗蛋白含量最大。0.10 mg/kg组和0.20 mg/kg组的全鱼灰分含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05);添加生物素对血清总蛋白(TP)、血糖(GLU)和总胆固醇(TC)无显著影响,但显著提高了血清甘油三酯(TG)含量,各添加组TG含量均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),1.60 mg/kg添加组的高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。综合本试验结果,草鱼幼鱼饲料中生物素适宜添加量为0.40 mg/kg。     

饲料中添加硫酸锌对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼生长合机体抗氧化功能的影响

试验以硫酸锌为锌源，评价不同锌水平对奥尼罗非鱼幼鱼（Oreochromis aureus♂×Oreochromis niloticus♀）生长和抗氧化能力的影响。体质量为(4.13±0.32)g罗非鱼随机分配在18个水族箱中，每箱20尾，每3个箱为1个处理组，分别以添加锌为0、20、40、80、160和320 mg•kg^-1的6种饲料投喂，日投喂率为鱼体重5%～9%。8周的试验结果表明：20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的增重率和鱼体蛋白含量显著高于其它各组(P＜0.05)，蛋白质效率、饲料转化率也明显高于其它各组；全鱼脂肪含量随着饲料锌水平的升高而升高，但320mg•kg^-1锌饲料组降低；20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组，脊椎骨中锌离子浓度达到最大值且显著高于0mg•kg^-1锌饲料组(P＜0.05)；20mg•kg^-1与40mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的血液中红细胞数量显著高于其它各添加组(P＜0.05)，20mg•kg^-1锌饲料组的血液中血比容显著高于0mg•kg^-1组(P＜0.05)，与其它各组没有显著差异；肌肉中，硫代巴比妥酸反应产物(TBARS)(Thiobarbituricacid reactive substances)的量，锌为0mg•kg^-1饲料组显著高于其它各组(P＜0.05)。综上所述，饲料中锌添加量为20mg•kg-1饲料促进了罗非鱼生长，使鱼体抗氧化功能增强。     

草鱼幼鱼肌醇营养需要量的研究

以酪蛋白、明胶和鱼粉为蛋白源,配制含肌醇水平分别为0、50 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、400 mg/kg8、00 mg/kg、1 600 mg/kg的7组实验饲料。每组设3个重复,连续投喂体质量(4.78±0.18)g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)幼鱼9周,通过测定生长指标、部分血清生化指标和全鱼营养成分来评价饲料肌醇添加水平对草鱼幼鱼的影响。结果表明,饲料中肌醇添加水平≥200 mg/kg使草鱼幼鱼增重率(WGR)、特定生长率、血清中总胆固醇(TC)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量与对照组相比有显著提高(P<0.05),而血清甘油三酯(TG)含量比对照组有显著降低(P<0.05);200 mg/kg和400 mg/kg肌醇添加组草鱼幼鱼饲料系数(FCR)比对照组有显著降低(P<0.05);饲料中添加肌醇对草鱼幼鱼存活率、血清中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和全鱼营养成分无显著影响(P>0.05)。对WGR、FCR、TC、TG和LDL-C进行折线回归分析得出饲料中肌醇添加水平为166～214 mg/kg对草鱼幼鱼的生长比较适宜。     

真鲷维持氮需要量的研究

采用氮平衡试验和无氮日粮法研究了体重为50、100、150、200和250 g左右真鲷幼鱼，在饲喂粗蛋白质含量为38%～46%饲料条件下的维持氮需要量(Nm)。氮平衡试验结果表明：在总摄入氮中，氮沉积量的变化为0.15～0.30 mg•g-1•d-1，占总摄入氮12.1%～20.3%；粪氮排泄量为0.20～0.32 mg•g-1•d-1，占总摄入氮16.4%～21.6%；而内源氮排泄量是总摄入氮中主要的氮消耗部分，为0.80～0.96 mg•g-1•d-1，占总摄入氮的62.8%～67.7%。维持氮需要量与体重呈正相关，体重越大，Nm越大；但单位体重的Nm与体重呈负相关，个体越小，单位体重的Nm越大。在试验的体重范围内，单位代谢体重的Nm′，各生长阶段中没有显著差异(P>0.05)，平均为0.498 mg•g-1•d-1。无氮日粮法的结果表明：Nm′与无氮日粮的采食量呈负相关；随着真鲷采食量下降，Nm′增加；当无氮日粮的采食量为零（绝食）时，Nm′值为0.510 mg•g-1•d-1，与150 g体重的氮平衡试验0.508 mg•g-1结果相接近。考虑到试验鱼的应激反应和结果的稳定性，建议在维持氮测定时采用氮平衡试验方法。本试验还给出了不同生长期维持鱼体蛋白质所需要的饲料蛋白质含量。图3表6参22     

饲料中添加不同水平的维生素D_3对草鱼幼鱼生长和体成分的影响

本文以酪蛋白和脱脂豆粕为蛋白源,糊精为糖源,玉米油和豆油为脂肪源的半纯化饲料为基础饲料,研究维生素D3对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)幼鱼生长及体成分的影响。维生素D3共设0,100,200,500,1000,2000,3000 IU/kg 7个添加梯度,每一梯度设3个重复,每个重复放养60尾初始体质量(3.86±0.34)g的草鱼,在(26.9±3)℃的流水系统中养殖8周。结果显示:维生素D3对草鱼幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数、存活率、体水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪含量和血清钙浓度没有显著性影响(P>0.05);对照组和添加100 IU/kg维生素D3的试验组中,草鱼幼鱼的粗灰分显著低于其它试验组(P<0.05);与对照组相比,饲料中添加维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量、血清磷离子浓度以及碱性磷酸酶活性影响显著(P<0.05)。根据维生素D3对全鱼钙磷含量的影响,草鱼幼鱼饲料中维生素D3适宜的添加量为1000 IU/kg。     

草鱼幼鱼对饲料中泛酸需要量的研究

研究了饲料中泛酸钙添加量对平均体重(4.80±0.32)g的草鱼幼鱼生长和部分生理指标的影响。在相同基础配方中分别添加泛酸钙0、8、15、30、60、120、240 mg/kg饲料,进行为期8周的养殖试验,每个处理3个重复。结果表明:饲料中添加泛酸钙能提高草鱼幼鱼的增重率和特定生长率,降低饲料系数,对成活率无显著影响(P>0.05)。对照组的总胆固醇、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著低于添加组(P<0.05),各添加组无显著差异(P>0.05)。鱼体灰分含量不受饲料中泛酸钙含量的影响,但能提高鱼体水分、蛋白和脂肪含量(P<0.05)。基于特定生长率折线法分析,草鱼幼鱼获得最佳生长时的饲料泛酸钙最低需求量为25 mg/kg。     

饲料蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物水平对草鱼生长和组织营养成分组成的影响

采用蛋白质、脂肪、碳水化合物含量不同的７种颗粒饲料，饲养初始体重约１６ｇ的草鱼，经６０天后取样分析，发现草鱼相对生长率随饲料蛋白质添加量的升高而显著上升；高蛋白质饲料一定程度上升高全鱼和肌肉的粗蛋白含量，并显著增加肝胰脏脂质，主要是中性脂质的积累。全鱼、肌肉和肠－肠系膜脂肪含量随饲料脂肪添加量增加而显著升高。这表明，饲料蛋白质添加量是影响草鱼肝脏脂质积累的主要因素     

饲料锌对团头鲂幼鱼生长性能、血清生化指标和抗氧化功能的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源,七水硫酸锌(Zn SO4·7H2O)为Zn源,分别配制成7种Zn含量(7.4 mg/kg、20.3 mg/kg、32.1 mg/kg、51.0 mg/kg、84.4 mg/kg、169.7 mg/kg、332.4 mg/kg)的半纯化饲料,投喂初始体重为(3.6±0.1)g团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)12周,考察Zn对团头鲂幼鱼生长性能、血清生化指标和抗氧化功能的影响,确定团头鲂幼鱼对饲料Zn的需要量。结果表明,随着饲料Zn含量增加,团头鲂增重率、特定生长率和全鱼Zn含量呈先增加后稳定的趋势;全鱼水分含量显著降低(P0.05),粗蛋白含量显著增加。饲料Zn含量对团头鲂饲料系数无显著影响。饲料中添加Zn显著影响血清总蛋白、尿素氮、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、总胆固醇以及甘油三酯含量,而对血清白蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶活性无显著影响。随着饲料中Zn含量的增加,团头鲂肝丙二醛含量显著降低(P0.05),而肝过氧化氢酶和超氧化物歧化酶活性在各处理间均无显著差异。折线回归分析表明,团头鲂幼鱼(体重3.6~26.7 g)获得最佳生长时对饲料Zn需要量为32.6 mg/kg,获得最大鱼体Zn含量时Zn的需要量为47.6 mg/kg。本研究旨在确定团头鲂幼鱼对饲料中Zn的需要量,为配制团头鲂高效环保饲料提供科学依据。     

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.