α-苯基苯并吡喃对中华绒螯蟹免疫相关酶的影响

用α-苯基苯并吡喃作为饲料添加剂饲喂中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)10 d后,测定了其对中华绒螯蟹血淋巴细胞中相关免疫因子的影响。实验设3个α-苯基苯并吡喃添加重复组,分别为A组(2 mg/kg)、B组(4 mg/kg)、C组(6 mg/kg)和1个对照重复组(0 mg/kg)。结果表明:α-苯基苯并吡喃添加剂量为4 mg/kg(B组)可显著地提高中华绒螯蟹血淋巴细胞中酚氧化酶(PO)、溶菌酶(LSZ)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力(P<0.05),说明具有生物活性的α-苯基苯并吡喃可刺激中华绒螯蟹机体免疫相关酶活性的提高。     

低氧胁迫下中华圆田螺的肝脏转录组学分析

为了探究低氧胁迫下中华圆田螺(Cipangopaludina cathayensis)肝脏组织基因的差异表达,本研究通过高通量测序技术,分析中华园田螺低氧胁迫组(2.5 mg/L)和常氧组(6.9 mg/L)某些基因的差异表达,并对差异基因进行生物信息学分析,进一步采用实时荧光定量PCR (RT-qPCR)对关键差异表达基因进行验证。结果显示,测序共获得232 379条基因(unigenes),与对照组比较,低氧胁迫组筛到176个差异基因,包含64个上调基因和112个下调基因。GO功能注释分析显示,差异基因主要富集在生物学过程中的几丁质代谢过程和含氨基葡萄糖的复合代谢过程,细胞组分中的胶原三聚体成分,分子功能中的几丁质结合功能和糖衍生物结合功能。KEGG通路富集分析显示,差异基因主要集中于环境信息处理、遗传信息处理、代谢和生物系统这4大类通路。6个关键差异基因的RT-qPCR结果显示,热休克蛋白70B2和热休克蛋白β-6基因表达量上调,几丁质酶蛋白4、α-1胶原蛋白(XIV)、α-4胶原蛋白(XIV)、5-磷酸酶蛋白基因表达量下调,证实了转录组测序结果的可靠性。本研究发现,低氧胁迫激活了中华圆田螺适应缺氧的生理活动,并获得了低氧胁迫下中华圆田螺肝脏组织中相关功能基因的表达信息,为深入研究中华圆田螺响应低氧胁迫的调控机制提供了基础数据和理论依据。     

氨氮胁迫对中华绒螯蟹免疫指标及肝胰腺组织结构的影响

以中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)为研究对象,蟹初始体质量为(71.25±1.13)g。设计对照组(不额外添加氨氮,水中本底氨氮质量浓度约为1 mg/L)、低浓度组(10 mg/L NH4Cl)、中浓度组(50 mg/L NH4Cl)、高浓度组(100 mg/L NH4Cl)4种不同的氨氮质量浓度,分别于胁迫的第1天、3天、5天、15天抽取血淋巴进行相关免疫指标测定,并观察氨氮胁迫15 d后对肝胰腺组织结构的影响。结果表明:(1)3个处理组的血细胞密度(DHC)在胁迫初期(第1天和第3天)均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);在胁迫第5天,各组血细胞密度均升至最高;但至第15天时,高浓度组的DHC下降,显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。低浓度的氨氮胁迫在短期内可促进超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性,高浓度的氨氮胁迫却抑制其活性;随胁迫时间延长,SOD活性变化趋势与DHC相似,CAT活性在胁迫第5天时出现显著下降(P<0.05),且3个氨氮处理组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而第15天时各组之间差异不显著。丙二醛(MDA)含量随胁迫时间延长而不断增加,不同浓度的氨氮胁迫使MDA增加速度不同,浓度越高,MDA在体内累积量越大;(2)与对照组相比,3个氨氮处理组的中华绒螯蟹在遭受氨氮胁迫15 d后,其肝胰腺B细胞数量均减少,转运泡体积明显增大,细胞核增大且数量增多;而且在高浓度组中,中华绒螯蟹的部分肝小管基膜破裂、细胞结构模糊,少量细胞核解体。结论认为,随着氨氮胁迫浓度的增加和胁迫时间的延长,中华绒螯蟹DHC逐渐下降,MDA含量逐渐增加,机体非特异性免疫防御系统遭到损伤,同时机体细胞和组织受到伤害甚至出现死亡。研究结果从免疫学与形态学的角度阐明了氨氮胁迫对中华绒螯蟹的毒害机制。     

正常与性早熟中华绒螯蟹的Y-器官转录组分析

性早熟是中华绒螯蟹养殖过程中普遍存在的一个问题。为发掘中华绒螯蟹性早熟相关的重要功能基因,实验采用Illumina Hiseq 2000高通量测序技术获得了正常与性早熟雌蟹的Y-器官转录组数据,并进行比较分析。结果显示,测序分别获得44 619 538和43 052 958个clean reads,比对发现2655个差异表达基因,Gene Ontology(GO)功能分类分析将文库中的差异表达基因归类到3大功能(生物过程、细胞组分和分子功能)的42个类别中。KEGG富集分析将文库中的差异表达基因富集到134条特定的KEGG代谢途径,其中4条是显著性富集,包括酮体合成和降解、丁酸甲酯代谢、神经营养因子信号通路和碱基切除修复通路。通过RNA-seq技术获得了丰富的中华绒螯蟹Y-器官转录组信息,为中华绒螯蟹新基因克隆、性早熟成因与预防和Y-器官的研究提供有价值的数据。     

噻虫嗪对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的亚急性毒性效应

在水温(23±2)℃下，采用63 cm×43 cm×20 cm水族箱和半静态毒性实验法，设(0.00μg/L、28.25μg/L、56.5μg/L、113μg/L和226μg/L)5个噻虫嗪(C8H10Cl N5O3S)浓度梯度，测定了平均壳长(2.78±0.23)cm中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹血淋巴细胞数量、肝胰腺和血淋巴相关免疫酶活性以及肝胰腺和鳃组织免疫和代谢基因表达情况，研究了噻虫嗪对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的21 d亚急性毒性效应，为噻虫嗪在稻田养殖河蟹的合理用药提供理论依据。结果表明：噻虫嗪对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的96 h半致死浓度(LC50)为452μg/L，安全浓度(SC)为45.2μg/L。噻虫嗪暴露第14 d和21 d,113μg/L和226μg/L噻虫嗪组河蟹的血淋巴细胞数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)；第1 d、4 d、7 d和14 d,28.25μg/L噻虫嗪组河蟹超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05)，第7 d、14 d和21 d,226μg/L组SOD活性显著低于对照组(P<0.05)；第4 d、7 d、...     

中华绒螯蟹Scarb1基因功能及其与生长性状的关联分析

为研究B类Ⅰ型清道夫受体(SCARB1/SR-BI)在中华绒螯蟹代谢、生长以及免疫等生物学过程中的分子功能，实验对中华绒螯蟹Scarb1的克隆及时空表达进行了分析，观察了RNA干扰该基因后的相关组织结构和类胡萝卜素含量变化，筛选了该基因的SNP标记并与生长相关性状进行关联分析。结果显示，中华绒螯蟹的Scarb1由2个外显子和1个内含子组成，开放阅读框为2 415 bp，编码805个氨基酸；系统进化分析显示中华绒螯蟹与三疣梭子蟹的氨基酸同源性高达80.51%，具有较高的物种间保守性。该基因在不同蜕壳时期的肝胰腺、肠道、血淋巴细胞、心脏、鳃和肌肉组织中均有表达，但在肝胰腺、肠道和血淋巴细胞中的表达量相对较高。RNA干扰Scarb1后，组织切片观察发现肝胰腺的肝小管管腔模糊并产生了部分空泡化结构，肠道内膜的肌肉层和黏膜下层处出现显著空洞现象；肝胰腺的颜色由黄色变成灰白色，其中的类胡萝卜素含量显著下降。在该基因的第一外显子筛选到1个SNP位点(C432T)与蜕壳后体重和壳长增长率存在显著相关性。本研究结果为Scarb1在中华绒螯蟹的遗传研究和育种应用提供参考。     

不同pH下硫化物胁迫对中华绒螯蟹亲体卵巢发育的影响

中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)亲体初始体质量为(80.228±6.270)g。实验采用2×3因子设计,设置pH 6.5条件下的3个硫化物浓度组LS1(0.1 mg/L)、MS1(0.33 mg/L)和HS1(1.0 mg/L),以及pH 8.5下的3个硫化物浓度组LS2(0.1 mg/L)、MS2(0.33 mg/L)和HS2(1.0 mg/L),共6个处理组;另设一个不添加硫化物的对照组CTR(自然pH值为7.5),设2个平行处理,分别在实验后第10天、20天和30天取样,以性腺指数(GSI)、卵巢卵黄磷蛋白(Lv)含量、卵巢Lv总含量和卵巢蛋白质含量的变化为评判指标,研究了硫化物胁迫对中华绒螯蟹亲体卵巢发育的影响。结果表明,不同pH条件下各处理组的GSI在30 d时均低于对照组,其中HS组显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。在各取样时间点,所有处理组蟹卵巢的Lv含量均低于对照组,且MS和HS组在前20 d显著低于对照组(P<0.05),但这种差异随时间的推移而逐渐减小;至暴露结束时仅HS1组蟹的卵巢Lv含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。各处理组蟹的卵巢Lv总含量始终低于对照组,且这种差异随时间的推移而逐渐增大;第10天时仅HS1组的Lv总量显著降低,而时间延长至30 d后,各处理组Lv总量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论认为,慢性硫化物胁迫会抑制中华绒螯蟹雌体的卵巢发育,相比之下,弱酸条件下水体中硫化物的毒性作用有所增强。     

中华绒螯蟹血淋巴抗凝剂的筛选

选用草酸钾等 10种抗凝剂对中华绒螯蟹血淋巴进行抗凝试验，结果表明，1．67倍抗凝剂 8(0．23 mol/LNaCl、0．17mol/L葡萄糖、50．00mmol/L柠檬酸三钠、43．33mmol/L柠檬酸、16．67mmol/LEDTA- Na₂，pH5．5)为中华绒螯蟹血淋巴一种比较理想的抗凝剂，当抗凝剂与血淋巴体积比为 2∶5时，这种抗凝剂不仅能有效延长中华绒螯蟹血淋巴的凝固时间达69．8min以上，而且还能较好地维持中华绒螯蟹血细胞形态的完整性。     

镉、汞单独及联合胁迫对中华绒螯蟹的急性毒性

采用静水体外暴露法,根据Cd2+和Hg2+的24h全致死和无死亡质量浓度区间,按等对数间距设立6个质量浓度组,即Cd2+为25.00、52.23、109.13、228.00、476.37、993.27mg/L,Hg2+为3.00、7.26、17.58、42.57、103.06、249.53mg/L,研究了Cd2+和Hg2+对体质量48.58~87.09g的中华绒螯蟹的急性染毒;以Cd2+、Hg2+的96h半致死质量浓度为一个毒性单位,按照毒性比1∶1设置5个质量浓度组研究了镉-汞联合毒性。4d的试验结果表明,Cd2+对中华绒螯蟹的24、48、72、96h的半致死质量浓度分别为654.226、192.429、70.767、40.279mg/L;Hg2+对中华绒螯蟹的24、48、72、96h的半致死质量浓度分别为164.157、19.214、6.738、3.641 mg/L,Hg2+对中华绒螯蟹的毒性比Cd2+明显。Cd2+、Hg2+对中华绒螯蟹的安全质量浓度分别为4.994mg/L和0.079mg/L。Hg2+和Cd2+联合作用对中华绒螯蟹24、48、72、96h的相加指数分别为4.291、4.587、3.367和2.003,具有显著的协同效应。     

绒螯蟹三个种群形态判别比较

对长江水系中华绒螯蟹、莱茵河野生中华绒螯蟹和日本绒螯蟹三个种群的形态特征进行了判别研究。可数性状分析的结果表明，长江水系中华绒螯蟹、莱茵河野生中华绒螯蟹和日本绒螯蟹三个种群，两两之间差异极显著。聚类分析的结果，把长江水系中华绒螯蟹和莱茵河野生中华绒螯蟹划为一组，日本绒螯蟹为另一组。判别分析建立起三者的判别函数，雌雄蟹判别的正确率分别为83．1％、91．9％。     

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.     

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.     

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.