黄、渤海区不同生态类型鱼卵卵膜和受精孔区亚显微形态

黄、渤海区分布的硬骨鱼类鱼卵几乎涵盖了所有鱼卵生态类型。本研究借助扫描电镜观察技术对近年来黄、渤海渔业资源监测调查期间采集的15种不同生态类型鱼卵卵膜和受精孔区亚显微形态特征进行观察,以阐明其亚显微结构并总结提炼可用于鱼卵形态分类的特征,同时将相应鱼种产卵场环境因子引入到卵膜形态特征的认识中,以揭示其生境适应性。结果显示不同生态类型或不同鱼种卵膜形态不尽相同,浮性鱼卵和口含鱼卵卵膜较薄,沉性鱼卵和具卵膜丝鱼卵卵膜较厚;浮性鱼卵卵膜表面壁孔密度、卵膜外表面呈现的蚀刻或特殊结构以及受精孔形状类型,沉性鱼卵卵膜黏膜层表面结构、受精孔形状类型,具卵膜丝鱼卵卵膜丝数量、着生位置及受精孔形状类型,口含鱼卵受精孔区形状及周边附着丝数量等均可用于鱼卵形态分类。鱼卵卵膜和受精孔区亚显微结构差异与鱼种系统分类地位、产卵场环境和地理分布区相关联。鱼卵卵膜表面结构可以作为区分鱼类科或属的性状,卵膜壁孔密度、表面呈现的蚀刻或奇异结构是鱼卵形态分类的重要依据;受精孔结构则一般具有物种特异性。卵膜结构与厚度可反映鱼卵对不同生境的适应性,而卵膜表面的许多特殊结构和装饰被认为是鱼卵应对产卵场环境的保护和适应性策略。本研究将为黄、渤海区硬骨鱼类早期生活史阶段个体发生和鱼卵形态分类研究积累基础资料。     

大宗淡水鱼类粘性卵水霉病的发生与控制策略

一、粘性鱼卵水霉病发生的条件1.鱼卵的损伤与死亡研究表明,死卵、受伤的鱼卵容易被水霉感染,而活卵卵膜表面很少有水霉寄生。宋学宏等(2007)试验发现,绝大多数已死亡的黄颡鱼受精卵着生大量水霉,而活卵卵膜外面虽然有少量水霉菌丝,但菌丝不能通过卵周隙进入胚胎,胚胎可继续发育成稚鱼破膜而出。由此证明,鱼卵的损伤与死亡是引发水霉寄生的主要因素。     

诱导栉孔扇贝雌核发育时精子入卵的扫描电镜观察

取栉孔扇贝 (Chlamysfarreri)精子在 80 0 μW/(cm2 ·s)的紫外线下辐射 ,然后与正常卵子受精 ,每隔 0 .5min取“受精卵”固定。在扫描电镜下连续观察精子的入卵过程 ,然后与正常精子的入卵过程进行比较。结果表明 ,紫外辐射后的精子可以划分为 3种类型 :I类精子 ,基本无明显变化 ,可以激发卵黄膜举起形成受精膜 ,同时诱发卵子发生皮层反应 ,在受精锥的作用下正常入卵 ,但入卵的时间较正常精子晚 ;II类精子 ,顶体膜破裂 ,顶体丝伸出 ;III类精子 ,顶体丝伸出 ,鞭毛脱落。由于II、III类精子在紫外辐射条件下诱发了顶体反应 ,融解卵膜的酶提前释放 ,因而不能入卵。精子鞭毛的脱落 ,使精子丧失了运动能力 ,是导致卵表面附着的精子数量较少的原因之一。无论是正常精子还是辐射后的精子 ,入卵后在卵表面都留下一个类似受精孔的通道。实验组中未发现有多精入卵现象     

基于DNA宏条形码技术的沙氏下鱵幼鱼食性分析

为详细了解鱼类早期生活史阶段的食物组成,以黄海北部海水池塘养殖环境下不同发育阶段的沙氏下鱵(Hyporhamphus sajori)幼鱼为对象,提取其胃含物及水环境样品DNA,选用18SrDNA V4区作为分子标记进行扩增,通过DNA宏条形码技术(DNA metabarcoding)鉴定其食物组成及摄食选择性。结果显示, 33日龄沙氏下鱵幼鱼胃含物样品中共检出17个物种门类,其中节肢动物门(45.29%)序列数占比最高,其他物种序列数占比超过1%的门类依次为绿藻门(20.34%)、硅藻门(12.35%)、甲藻门(12.42%)、纤毛虫门(2.41%)、链形植物门(1.75%)、鞭毛虫门(1.24%)和子囊菌门(1%),同期水环境样品中甲藻门序列数占绝对优势(76.64%),其次分别为纤毛虫门(2.52%)、刺胞动物门(1.50%)、异鞭藻门(1.34%)、丝足虫门(1.12%); 63日龄沙氏下鱵幼鱼胃含物样品中共检出18个物种门类,其中节肢动物门序列数占绝对优势(97.31%),其他门类物种序列数占比均小于1%,同期水环境样品中甲藻门(57.92%)为优势门类,其他物种序列数占比超过...     

汉江中游银的繁殖生物学

初步研究了2004年5～8月汉江鱼类资源调查中采集的银(鱼句)的繁殖生物学.汉江中游的银(鱼句)5月中旬至8月上旬繁殖,成熟亲鱼个体全长6.5～16cm,平均(9.25±2.34)cm,平均体重(9.51±3.28)g;亲鱼97.5%为2～3龄鱼,2.5%为4龄鱼,均无明显的第二性征;左右两性腺等重,绝对怀卵量平均(4 823±1 023)粒,相对怀卵量平均(365±43)粒/g,成熟卵粒径(0.98±0.11)mm;属一次产卵类型.繁殖亲鱼评估数量为15.26万尾,产卵3.68亿粒,有谷城、茨河等7个产卵场;产卵水温17.5～27℃,多处于两个江水上升峰之间的波谷期产卵;卵粒吸水膨胀后具双层卵膜,外膜具微粘性,是漂流性卵系中唯一具双膜的鱼卵;卵外膜直径(3.6±0.42)mm,内膜直径(1.88±0.12)mm;胚胎发育分为4个阶段、50个发育期.     

瓦氏黄颡鱼胚胎发育及幼苗发育的观察

瓦氏黄颡鱼卵呈近似圆球形、浅油黄色,为沉性卵,卵球极柔软.具有二层卵膜,内层薄而透明,卵径平均为1.67mm,外层厚且遇水后产生很强粘性而附着在异物上.卵受精后吸水膨胀,卵直径达2.14mm.刚孵化出的仔鱼全长4.85～5.35mm,出膜后第3～4天开始摄食,10～12天各器官发育完善,幼鱼的外部形态特征基本与成鱼相同.     

鸭绿沙塘鳢胚胎壳膜结构的电镜观察

扫描电镜观察发现,鸭绿沙塘鳢(Odontobutis yaluensis)卵壳膜由卵柄和卵体两部分构成.卵柄基部为丝状纤维围成的直径200μm、高12.5μm的"圆盘状"结构,使卵子黏附在附着物上.卵柄基部正中有一直径为20 μm的凹陷受精孔.卵柄丝为圆柱体.未受精卵子的系丝表面光滑,呈发散状向外扩散.随着胚胎发育,受精卵的系丝逐步拉长,直径变小,脆性增加.卵壳主要分为两层:内层具有卵膜孔,肌节出现后内膜孔直径为0.2～0.5μm,眼点出现后达到0.9～1.22μm,破膜前期为0.4μm,平均每100μm2有卵孔38个;卵膜外层规则地排布有直径为0.30～0.63μm的孔径.文中讨论了卵壳膜和受精孔的结构与受精卵孵化生态环境的统一.     

汉江中游银(鱼句)的繁殖生物学

初步研究了2004年5～8月汉江鱼类资源调查中采集的银(鱼句)的繁殖生物学.汉江中游的银(鱼句)5月中旬至8月上旬繁殖,成熟亲鱼个体全长6.5～16cm,平均(9.25±2.34)cm,平均体重(9.51±3.28)g;亲鱼97.5%为2～3龄鱼,2.5%为4龄鱼,均无明显的第二性征;左右两性腺等重,绝对怀卵量平均(4 823±1 023)粒,相对怀卵量平均(365±43)粒/g,成熟卵粒径(0.98±0.11)mm;属一次产卵类型.繁殖亲鱼评估数量为15.26万尾,产卵3.68亿粒,有谷城、茨河等7个产卵场;产卵水温17.5～27℃,多处于两个江水上升峰之间的波谷期产卵;卵粒吸水膨胀后具双层卵膜,外膜具微粘性,是漂流性卵系中唯一具双膜的鱼卵;卵外膜直径(3.6±0.42)mm,内膜直径(1.88±0.12)mm;胚胎发育分为4个阶段、50个发育期.     

波纹唇鱼(Cheilinus undulatus)的胚胎发育及初孵仔鱼的形态观察

波纹唇鱼(Cheilinus undulatus)是世界著名的濒危礁栖鱼类,具有特殊的生物学特性和较高的经济价值。本研究对波纹唇鱼的胚胎发育及初孵仔鱼的形态进行了观察,将其全过程划分为胚盘形成、卵裂、囊胚、原肠-神经胚、器官发生和孵化6个阶段,共26个发育时期。波纹唇鱼的受精卵为无色透明的浮性卵,圆球形,卵径为(635.6±50.0) μm,具油球1个,其卵径显著小于多数海水鱼类。在水温27.7–29.0℃、盐度30的条件下,受精卵历时15 h 30 min孵出仔鱼。初孵仔鱼全长为(1305.5±50.0) µm,卵黄囊前部长于仔鱼头部,且油球位于卵黄囊的最前端。结果显示,波纹唇鱼卵子较小,胚胎发育较快,其较快的胚胎发育与较小的初孵仔鱼可能是导致胚后发育阶段死亡率较高的重要原因。     

洋浦湾的鱼卵及其仔鱼调查(一)

本文是从1963年4月25日至同年5月25日,在海南岛儋县洋浦湾用52GG筛绢制成的卫生鱼卵网拖取鱼卵标本16次,其中有5次是在晚7～9点;一次在中午,其余10次都是在上午7时30分～10时。 现将整理出的8种,内隶属鲱科 Clupeidae的 4种即脂眼鲱 Etrumenus micropus、玉鳞角Kowala coval、斑鰶Clupanodon punctatus、无齿鰶 Anodontoma chacunda;鱚科Sillagidae 的多鳞鱚 Sillago sihama;裸颊鲷科 Lethrinidae 的线棘裸颊鲷 Lethrinus nematacanthus;石鲈科 Pomadasyidae的三线矶鲈,paraprisipoma trilineatum;(鱼衔)科Callionymidae的一种Callionymus sp。 就该8种鱼卵、仔鱼拖到的时间及当时水温、盐度和孵化时间等归纳以下几个问题: (1)这些鱼类的卵及其仔鱼除三线矶鲈外,其他7种在本海区尚属第一次报道。 (2)该8种鱼卵均属圆球形,无色透明,彼此分离,天然受精卵浮于水面。在发育过程中有色素胞出现,脂眼鲱、玉鳞鱼、斑鰶、无齿鰶和三线矶鲈的卵黄有泡沫状龟裂,而(鱼衔)属的一种卵膜具有整齐的六角形龟裂纹(卵径0.61～0.68毫米),是其主要特征,与其他7种卵子极易区别。在16次采样中,它们分布在水温28～30℃、盐度30.70～31.62％之间。 (3)它们在湾内的产卵期均在4～5月前后,根据卵内的发育时间推测,其放卵时间均应     

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.