广东沿海牡蛎体Pb含量水平及时空变化趋势

为了了解广东沿海Pb含量水平的时空变化特点,l989-1997年,实施"南海贻贝观察”对广东沿海12个地点牡蛎体Pb含量进行了连续监测.广东沿海牡蛎体Pb含量范围为0.22×10-6～2.06×10-6(湿重),总平均值为0.77×10-6.牡蛎体Pb污染指数的范围和平均值分别为0.11～1.03和0.39,总体上属轻污染水平.牡蛎体Pb含量的空间分布呈粤西海区≥珠江口海区＞粤东海区.广东沿海牡蛎Pb含量水平在1989-1993年间呈微弱下降趋势,1994年Pb含量明显升高,此后Pb含量基本持平.     

广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs的时空变化趋势研究

为了解广东沿岸牡蛎体内滴滴涕(DDTs)的残留水平和时空分布情况,于1989-1993和2003-2012年间每年3月份采集广东沿岸海域的近江牡蛎,用气相色谱法测定其DDTs的含量,同时结合1980-1985年广东省海岸带污染调查的相关数据,分析了广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs的残留量、时空分布和组成特征,并评价了其食用安全性与生物质量。结果表明：广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs检出率为96.9%,检出的样品中含量范围为0.11～76.3 ng/g,平均值是(3.87±7.40) ng/g。在时间上,广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs含量呈现明显的阶段性变化特点, 1980s-1990s初期为显著下降阶段,2003-2007年先小幅反弹后略微下降,2008-2012年总体呈归于平稳的趋势,且该时段各年份间无显著差异（P > 0.05）。空间上,1980s初期珠江口岸段牡蛎体DDTs含量远高于粤东、粤西岸段,随着时间推移,3个岸段之间含量差距逐渐缩小,1989年之后各年间3个区域DDTs平均含量在统计学上没有显著差异（P > 0.05）。DDTs的组分特征分析显示,广东沿岸海域牡蛎体内DDTs主要来源于历史使用残留,但在1989-1993年和2003-2007年时段内可能有三氯杀螨醇来源的DDTs输入。评价结果表明,就DDTs而言,广东沿岸海域所有样品均未超我国相关残留限量标准,近年来大部分站点牡蛎食用安全,生物质量状况良好。     

1989~2010年广东沿海牡蛎体镉含量时空分布特征及其健康风险评价

为评价广东沿海牡蛎体镉(Cd)含量的时空分布特征及其食用健康风险,实验根据2001-2010年广东17个海湾的牡蛎体Cd含量监测结果及1989-1999年的历史数据,分析了广东沿海总体及粤东、珠江口、粤西3大海区牡蛎体镉含量的时空分布特征;并采用风险商法评价其健康风险.1989-2010年广东沿海累计268频次的监测结果表明:牡蛎体Cd含量变化范围为未检出～10.80 mg/kg(均值1.14 mg/kg,以湿重表示,下同),检出率97.01％;其中98.64％符合中国、美国牡蛎体或贝类的Cd含量限量标准(≤4 mg/kg).珠江口海域达标率为三大海域最低(86.5％),是今后生物监测与海洋环境管理的重点.2001-2010年牡蛎体Cd含量的健康风险依次为儿童-青少年(5～17岁)＞老年人(60岁以上)＞成年人(18～59岁);连续食用广东沿海牡蛎10年,其Cd含量在70年内不会对人体构成Cd摄入过量的风险.     

广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs的时空变化趋势

为了解广东沿岸牡蛎体内滴滴涕(DDTs)的残留水平和时空分布情况,于1989-1993年和2003-2012年间每年3月份采集广东沿岸海域的近江牡蛎,用气相色谱法测定其DDTs的含量,同时结合1980-1985年广东省海岸带污染调查的相关数据,分析了广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs的残留量、时空分布和组成特征,并评价了其食用安全性与生物质量.结果显示,广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs检出率为96.9％,检出的样品中含量范围为0.11～76.3 ng/g,平均值是(3.87±7.40) ng/g.在时间上,广东沿岸牡蛎体内DDTs含量呈现明显的阶段性变化特点,20世纪80年代至90年代初期,为显著下降阶段,2003-2007年先小幅反弹后略微下降,2008-2012年总体呈归于平稳的趋势,且该时段各年份间无显著差异.空间上,20世纪80年代初期,珠江口岸段牡蛎体DDTs含量远高于粤东、粤西岸段,随着时间推移,3个岸段之间含量差距逐渐缩小,1989年之后各年间3个区域DDTs平均含量在统计学上没有显著差异.DDTs的组分特征分析显示,广东沿岸海域牡蛎体内DDTs主要来源于历史使用残留,但在1989-1993年和2003-2007年时段内可能有三氯杀螨醇来源的DDTs输入.结果表明,就DDTs而言,广东沿岸海域所有样品均未超我国相关残留限量标准,近年来大部分站点牡蛎食用安全,生物质量状况良好.     

广东沿海牡蛎体中BHC和DDT的变化趋势

本文根据１９８９－１９９３年广东沿海１０个地点牡蛎体ＢＨＣ和ＤＤＴ的测定数据，论述了广东沿海牡蛎体ＢＨＣ和ＤＤＴ的变化趋势。牡蛎体ＢＨＣ和ＤＤＴ含量的空间分布格局，１９８９年以前呈珠江口海区明显高于粤东和粤西海区的特点，１９８９年以后三个海区间已无显著差异。牡蛎体ＢＨＣ和ＤＤＴ含量的时间变化趋势相似，均表现出１９８３—１９８９年和１９８９—１９９１年两个明显下降时段。１９９２年以后，牡蛎体中二者的含量均已降至检测限水平     

2003～2005年和1991～1993年广东沿海牡蛎体六六六和滴滴涕残留比较

于2003-2005年的每年春季,在广东沿岸10个海湾,每个海湾采集近江牡蛎（Crassostrea rivularis）成体30只,测定其中六六六（BHCs）和滴滴涕（DDTs）的含量。结果显示,2003-2005年近江牡蛎体中DDTs平均含量是68.7ng/g（干重）,为1991-1993年的5.54倍。样品中DDTs年平均含量在2003-2005年快速增加,但在1991-1993年前是缓慢减少。2003-2005年DDE/DDTs含量比为12.8%-39.1%,比12年前的45%-55%明显更低。2003-2005年牡蛎样品中BHCs平均含量是3.27ng/g（干重）,仅相当于1991-1993年的16%。样品中BHCs年平均含量在2003-2005年持续降低,降速比1991-1993年缓慢。2003-2005年γ-BHC/BHCs平均含量比为19.6%,低于12年前的26%。样品中BHCs、DDTs区域平均含量由高到低依次为粤东沿岸、珠江口、粤西沿岸/粤东沿岸、粤西沿岸、珠江口,与12年前的区域分布格局相同。本研究采集的牡蛎样品中,BHCs、DDTs含量范围分别是未检出-1.21μg·kg^-1和0.11-76.3μg·kg^-1（湿重）,均低于中国和欧美的最低残留限量（湿重）。     

广东沿海近江牡蛎体砷含量水平、地理分布特点和变化趋势

１９８９～１９９５年广东沿海近江牡蛎体砷的测定数据和有关历史资料表明,所有牡蛎样品的砷含量在（０．３１～２．５１）×１０－６之间,总平均值为１．３０×１０－６,均低于海洋生物污染评价标准值,属正常本底水平。牡蛎体砷含量的地理分布呈粤东和粤西西部高、珠江口和粤西东部低的格局。１９８１～１９９１年,牡蛎体砷的平均含量呈下降趋势,１９９１年以后,牡蛎体砷的平均含量虽有波动,但年际间没有明显差异。     

广东沿岸牡蛎体内HCHs的时空分布特征

于1989—1993和2003—2012年间每年春季采集广东沿岸的近江牡蛎样品(Crassostrea rivularis Gould),用气相色谱法测定其中六六六(HCHs)的含量,并结合1980—1985年广东省海岸带污染调查的相关数据,分析和探讨了广东沿岸牡蛎中六六六(HCHs)的时空分布特征,并评价了其食用风险与生物质量.结果表明,广东沿岸牡蛎体内HCHs含量范围在未检出~42.4 ng/g之间,平均值为(1.70±6.13) ng/g,总体检出率为92.3%.广东沿岸海域牡蛎体内HCHs自20世纪80年代初期禁用六六六以来先快速下降,90年代以后降幅放缓并逐渐趋于平稳,30年间HCHs含量降低至20世纪80年代初期的0.06%.在空间上,80年代初期珠江口岸段HCHs含量远高于粤东和粤西岸段,随着时间的推移,粤西岸段HCHs的含量比逐渐升高,而珠江口的则逐渐降低,三者含量差距缩小.HCHs组分特征分析认为,80年代末期以来,广东沿岸海域牡蛎体内HCHs主要来源于历史使用残留,但在20世纪90年代到21世纪初期期间,广东沿岸地区牡蛎体内HCHs可能源于林丹的使用.评价结果表明,所有样品中HCHs均远低于中国相关残留限量标准,但1989年有75.0%的样品中HCHs超出中国《海洋生物质量》一类标准;通过食用牡蛎,每日HCHs摄入量在0.11~83.62 ng/(kg·d),远低于世界粮农组织(FAO)和世界卫生组织(WHO)规定的每日允许摄入量.     

1989—2010年广东沿海牡蛎体内锌的时空分布特征与污染水平分析

根据历史和调查资料,对1989—2010年广东沿海牡蛎体内锌(Zn)的时空分布特征和污染水平进行了分析与比较。结果表明,牡蛎体内Zn的浓度总平均值为211.5 mg/kg,从总体看其浓度出现频率呈对数正态分布。在时间上,牡蛎体内Zn总体平均浓度的分布呈阶段性变化,具体表现为1989—2007年Zn的浓度呈微弱降低的趋势,基本维持在197.0 mg/kg的水平;2007—2009年牡蛎体内Zn的浓度有明显升高的趋势,之后Zn的浓度有所降低。在空间上,粤东和粤西沿海牡蛎体内Zn浓度的变化均呈先降低后增加的趋势,且基本与广东沿海牡蛎体Zn平均浓度的变化趋势相同,而珠江口牡蛎体Zn的浓度水平相对较高并表现出趋于稳定的变化规律。单因子指数和非致癌性风险指数评价结果均表明,牡蛎体内Zn的总体不存在明显的污染,但从当前保护环境角度应当尽快设立我国水产品中Zn含量的限定标准。     

南海北部马面鲀渔获率初步研究

根据2009-2014年在南海北部生产的183艘渔船的渔捞日志,分析了南海北部海域马面鲀渔获率随作业方式、年际分布与季节分布间的变化特征。分析结果表明,渔获马面鲀主要作业类型为双拖、单拖、桁杆拖虾、围网、定置张网和刺网6种,其中单拖、双拖网作业渔获率较高;2009-2014年,南海北部马面鲀渔获率低于南海南部,整体渔获率呈逐年递减趋势,仅2011年渔获率突增,2014年马面鲀渔获率降为最低。马面鲀常年主要分布于珠江口、粤西、海南岛沿岸及北部湾海域,粤东海域偶有分布。海南岛沿岸、粤西及珠江口海域渔获率密度较大,北部湾和粤东海域渔获率密度相对较小。各区域渔获率季节变化明显,渔获率最大值常在夏季出现,春、秋季次之,冬季最小。引起渔获率差异的主要原因为自然条件与捕捞压力。本文通过对马面鲀渔获率变化及原因分析,为南海北部马面鲀合理捕捞提供依据。     

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.