滆湖鱼类学调查及渔获物分析

Ichthyological survey in Lake Gehu was carried out from January to December 2008, The analysis of species composition and diversity were also done. Age-structure of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix （ Cuvier et Valenciennes）, Aristichthys nobilis （Richardson） and Carassius auratus （Linnaeus） were investigated in the protected areas. 30 species of fishes belonging to 7 orders, 9 families were collected and identified. The results indicated that the dominant species were Pseudobrama sirnoni （Bleeker）, Carassius auratus （Linnaeus）, Aristichthys nobilis （Richardson） , et al. Average characters of biodiversity indicated that Margalef＇s index was 2.68, Shannon-Weiner diversity index H＇ and H＂were 2.02 and 2.08, Pielou＇s index J＇and J＂ were 2.02 and 2.08. The fishery community in Lake Gehu took on character of miniaturization. Age-structure of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix （ Cuvier et Valenciennes） , Aristichthys nobilis （Richardson） and Carassius auratus （Linnaeus） were reasonable. The protection effect was good. Finally, the fishery strategy for the lake has been put forward in view of the above results.     

水产养殖动物基因组研究的现状及其应用前景

The genomic resources from human and several model organisms have been increased very fast since 1990. The techniques for developing genomic resources have already been very advanced and smart. These could make scientists see and improve organism in genomic level. For Chinese aquaculture scientists and aquatic industry, developing genomic resources and genetic tools for the native species are most important in the genomic era. The genomic resources and genetic tools for several aquatic species have been developed and some of them have been used in the marker based selection and other researches. The genome research work on aquaculture species was reviewed in this paper, especially a USDA genome project was focused. Some functional genomic research for aquatic animal was also discussed here. The importance and necessity of China aquaculture species genome project were discussed. Common carp and other cultured fishes in Cyprinidae such as grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp etc were recommended as the candidate species for genome research, because the output of all carps is almost up to 1/3 of total fisheries output in China. Common carp with another virtue for genome research is that there are much more families and strains in common carp than those in other cultured species in China, and those families and strains are the basis for genome research and mapping quantitative trait loci associated with important economic trait. Although the first linkage map of common carp made by Sun needs to be added with more markers for mapping QTL and Type I markers ,it has laid the groundwork for QTL mapping and markerassisted selection in common carp. Because the model organism zebrafish and common carp, grass carp and other carps cultured in China all belong to Cyprinidae, the China carp genome research will obtain a lot of useful information from zebrafish genome research. How the China carp genome program will be conducted and what kinds of strategy involved in this program were all suggested. How the results of the genome research of aquaculture species will be used in the aquaculture industry was reviewed and analyzed here.     

ABSTRACTS AND KEY WORDS

Fisheries Resource Utilization of Main Fishing Gears in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea
Abstract fishing capacity stow net, trawl in order to find the Yellow Sea Surveys for catch structure and of main type of fishing gears such as and gillnet were conducted in 2009 out the fishery resource utilization in and Bohai Sea.     

鲍遗传育种研究进展

Abalones are important farming species with a high economic value. They have already been farmed for more than 50 years. As problems and new requirements rose continuously in culture industry of abalone, studies on genetic and breeding techniques are needed to improve characteristics and to gain new traits. This review concentrates on advances in genetics and breeding techniques in abalone. As for genetic studies, karyological analyses, allozyme, DNA markers and genetic diversity were reviewed. So far, karyological analyses in abalone have been performed in 12 species that can be divided into three groups according to the chromosome number. In some economically important species, loci of allozymes and. microsatellites have been isolated and applied to investigate the genetic structure of natural and hatchery populations and to identify the result of chromosome set manipulation, but the related reports are only a few yet. The resultsof investigation with DNA markers and allozymes showed that the genetic structure of natural populations presents two characteristics: excessive homozygosity and subdivision. Advances of various breeding techniques, including introduction, selection,hybridization, polyploidy, gynogenesis and gene manipulation, were reviewed in the other part. Although Haliotis discus discus, introduced from Japan, has become one of the most important culture species in China, the economic, social and environmental effects of introduction have been rarely studied. Selection is one of the most important and basic breeding techniques, but the studies on selection are only a few and preliminary, referring to the relations between genetic characteristics and the traits of growth and resistance, genetic diversity and heritability of quantitative traits, and the effect of selection. Interspecific hybridization was the first breeding program carded out in abalone. Experimental hybridization have been carded out for about 20 crosses. Heterosis,such as faster growth and high survival rate, has been observed in some crosses. Triploids have been successfully induced in many species of abalone with physical or chemical shock, e.g.H, discus hannai, H. rufescens, H.diversicolor diversicolor and H. rnidae. Field experiments were conducted in some species of triploid abalone. In comparison with triploid, the research on tetraploid is still in quest stage. The progress of induction of gynogenesis in abalone is quite slow. Conditions of sperm inactivation, diploid restoration and nuclear behavior of gynogenetically activated eggs have been researched on in H. discus han nai. Notwithstanding the gene transfer technology in abalone is in the quest stage, the research have already involved preparation of exogenic DNA,means of gene transfer, identification integration and expression of target gene, etc. Three research directions in these topics were proposed : to investigate the germplasm resources of abalone deeply and widely, to make use of traditional breeding methods and modem biotechnique synthetically, and to combine the science research with production practice.     

韶关市北江水系水利枢纽对鱼类繁殖的影响

The fish spawning ground had been investigated on the Beijiang River near Shaoguan city and the influence on fishes breeding from 7 dam had been estimated.Main result are as follows:the four dam building and designed will result in a big destruction.including disrupt the fish migration(Mengli Dam and ChangshanDam),the fish spawning ground disappear(below Zhangtan Dam).a huge destruction in Ankou fish spawning ground by Changan Dam and a serious of damage on grass lying -egg species will caused by Wantou Dam,especially for catifish Mystus suttatus.On the other hand Zhangtan Dam,Kongiiang Dam,and Menzhou Dam obstructed the fish exchange between upstream and lower stream,however a large water surface became before the dam supported a better condition for fish growth,it seems balance in positive and negative action.The conclusion is that those dam building or designed would be stop or delay in order to maintain fish population and aquatic ecological balance.     

大西洋中部金枪鱼延绳钓渔场大眼金枪鱼的生物学特性

Based on the biological data of bigeye tuna measured from the longlining ground of the Central Atlantic Ocean from Jun. 2001 to Oct. 2001, this paper analyzed the bigeye tuna‘s maturity stages of the gonad, feeding intensity, species composition of prey, sex ratio, fork length distribution, relationships between fork length and dressed weight, fork length and round weight, round weight and dressed weight by statistic and regression methods. The results indicate: ( 1 ) Maturity at Ⅳ-Ⅵ of the gonad are dominant with the highest percentage of Ⅴ (30.11% ). (2)The feeding intensity is mainly in the class 1 ,class 2 or class 3,totally 83.16%. (3)In the bigeye tuna‘s species composition of prey, the percentage of miscellaneous fish or cephalopod is relatively high, 38.05 % or 30.48 % respectively. Catch rate of bigeye tuna can be enhanced when cephalopod is used as the bait. (4) The male-female ratio is 2 : 1. This pattern might result from elevated mortality of adult females. (5) The fork length distribution is suitable for the normal. The dominant fork length is 1.13 - 1.49m, 64.16%, with the mean value of 1.32m. (6)The relationship between fork length and dressed weight. (7)The relationship between fork length and round weight. If the fork length is the same, the round weight converted in this paper‘s formula is a little lighter than the round weight converted in Parks‘s formula concluded at 1981 of the longline bigeye tuna catch. It might be caused by the different sampling areas or sampling time. (8)The relationship between round weight and dressed weight. The round weight conversion factor in this paper is a little higher than the ICCAT. It might be caused by the different processing methods. ICCAT is recommended to adapt this paper‘s conversion factor.     

美洲黑石斑鱼营养成分分析与营养价值评价

In this experiment, the contents of the main nutrients such as protein, fat, moisture, ash, calcium and phosphorus were analysed, and the contents of the trace elements, amino acids and fatty acids in its muscle were determined for Centropristis striata. Moreover, its nutritional value was evaluated and compared with other fishes,livestocks and poultries. The results showed that the content of dry matter and protein are higher in its muscle. Then, all of 17 common amino acids（AA） contents in muscle was 17.51% in the fresh sample, and 7 of them are human essential amino acids（EAA）41.58% in the total amino acids（TAA）. The ratio of essential amino acids to nonessential amino acids（EAA/NEAA） was 84.46% ,and the essential amino acids index（EAAI） was 57.71. According to AAS and CS,which basically accorded with the issued standard value by FAO and WHO. The content of 5 delicious amino acids was 44.37% in the TAA, and the ratio of branched chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids was 2.83. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was 22.3% rich in its muscle also, in particular EPA and DHA. In conclusion, Centropristis striata is a species of delicious and high nutritional value,which well deserves exploitation and utilization. At the same time, this experiment was preparing for the next study to provide reference data for artificial feed and the expansion of aquaculture.     

黄海北岸大洋河大麻哈鱼类的移植

According to the salmon‘s(Oncorhynchus) biological character of return to its hatching river, adopting the method of transplant and releasing, 9839000 eyed eggs of the salmon were introduced (Oncorhynchu, keta, O.gorbuscha, O. kisutch, O. masou) from Japan, total 8409000 juvenile fish was hatched and cultivated for 11 years running from 1985 to 1996. total 127 returning and mature salmons were collected from 1987 to 1995. It proved that the salmon could exist in the Yellow Sea area and return to its releasing river.     

我国赤潮频发现象分析与海藻栽培生物修复作用

In this paper, the history, main events and present status of red tide (HAB, harmful algal blooms) along China coast in recent years were reviewed and presented. It showed that the HAB's frequency and scale, number of HAB spec ies, percentage of toxic HAB events and the degree of damages to marine environment and economy have sharply increased in China since 1960's. Eutrophication was key factor for high occurrence of red tide. In this paper, main causes of frequent HAB occurrence along China coast was discussed. Many factors might influence the occurrence of red tide, which included weather, climate, coastal current, tidal current, water temperature, salinity, hydrodynamic and nutrient conditions, trace metals and the variation of biological environment. Numerous evidences from all over the world revealed the linkage between the increases in nutrient loading and the occurrences of high biomass blooms. Eutrophication was one of the important causes that involved in high occurrence of HAB. The main sources of nutrients potentially stimulating HABs included terrestrial runoff, aquaculture selfpollution, atmospheric deposition, sea projects and other pollution events in the ocean. Studies showed that the input from land contaminations and the selfpollution of marine aquaculture accelerated eutrophication in coastal waters and were also important impact factors on red tide. Researches suggested that nutrient composition could affect the species composition of phytoplankton as well as the development of some HABs. The changes in nutrient supply ratios, primarily N∶P, often resulted in shifts in red tide species composition. The correlation between cysts and formation of HAB was discussed from the viewpoi nt of transformation of cyst and vegetative cell, the effects of trace elements and other organic substances on the occurrence of HAB were presented also. It indicated that the nutrient control could be an effective way to reduce the risk of red tide occurrence. Seaweed would play an important role for decreasing marine eutrophication. Among the different methods of red tide controlling studied, seaweed biomass has received much attention due to the cost saving, low sensitivity to environmental and impurity factors, the possible contaminant recovery from the biomaterial and its elevated adsorption capacity. Cultivated seaweeds have very high rates of productivity higher than that of seaweed in its natural habits and grow well in water bodies with higher nitrogen and other nutrients. Seaweeds are able to absorb large quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon dioxide, produce large quanti ties of oxygen, and have excellent effect on decreasing eutrophication. Large amounts of C, N and P are accumulated into seaweed tissues as they accumulate considerable biomass over a period of months or years depending on the cultivation season. When seaweeds are harvested, nutrients are removed from the sea area. An investigation was carried out for inorganic nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus concentration at Lusi Coast, Qidong County, Jiangsu Province in China, where there were about 270 hm2 for Porphyra yezoensis cultivation with eutrophic sea water in recent years. While during Porphyra yezoensis cultivation, from Sep 2003 to May 2004, the concentration of ammonium nitrogen declined form 0.511-0.778 mg·L^-1 to 0.006-0.057 mg·L^-1, nitrite nitrogen concentration declined from 0.010-0.040 mg·L^-1 to 0.001-0.009 mg·L^-1, and nitrate nitrogen concentration declined from 0.466-0.549 mg·L^-1 to 0.286-0.0568 mg·L^-1, the average concentration of inorganic phosphorus declined from 0.024 mg·L^-1 to 0.019 mg·L^-1. Furthermore, during five hours, the concentration of ammonium nitrogen in the seawater declined form 220.88 μmol·L^-1 to 8.59 μmol·L^-1 by cultivated Gracilaria lemanaiformis, and the concentration of ammonium nitrogen declined form 213.84 μmol·L^-1 to zero by cultivated Enteromorpha clathrata. Other bioremediation mechanisms of seaweed inhibiting the red tide microalgae such as nutrients competition and allelopathic effects were also discussed.     

6种常用渔药对厚颌鲂鱼苗的急性毒性试验

The acute toxicity of the mixture of copper sulphate and ferrous sulphate （ratio 5： 2）, potassium permanganate （ KMnO4 ） , trichlorphon （ C4H8O4 C13P） , strong-chloride, bromochloropropene and formalin towards Larva of Megalobrama pellegrini was studied at by biological toxic test method at the water temperature of 29℃ to 30℃. The results showed that the median-lethal concentrations of 48h were 5.78,6.50,4.90,2.55,0. 042,120 mg/L, respectively; the safe concentrations were 0. 445,0. 528 、0. 268,0. 190,0. 003,7. 500mg/L, respectively. The larva of Megalobrama pellegrini is more sensitive than other fish, bromochloropropene can＇t be used. The drug dosage and time should be based on the specific situation circumstances in production.     

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.