养殖大黄鱼加工和冰藏过程中鲜度和细菌类型的变化

通过对养殖海水以及捕获、加工、流通和冰藏等整个供应链过程养殖大黄鱼的温度履历、感官、化学、微生物的品质监测,评估养殖海水、碎冰和加工过程中大黄鱼细菌卫生状况,分析其在整个过程鲜度和细菌相变化。结果表明,养殖海水和碎冰的菌落总数分别为4.99±0.41 lg cfu/g和3.90±0.32 lg cfu/g,大肠菌群数分别为30~450 MNP/100 g和低于30 MNP/100 g;新捕获养殖大黄鱼的菌落总数为3.82±0.38 lg cfu/g,假单胞菌数为3.13±0.58 lg cfu/g,嗜冷菌数为2.82±0.60 lg cfu/g,大肠菌群数为低于30 MPN/100 g;冰藏第18天时TVBN含量为28.62±0.51 mg/100 g,菌落总数、假单胞菌数、嗜冷菌数和大肠菌群数分别为6.24±0.06lg cfu/g、6.01±0.25 lg cfu/g、5.68±0.21 lg cfu/g和30 MPN/100 g。养殖海水和新捕获鱼中细菌种类繁多,革兰氏阴性菌分别占其总菌株数的64.9%和56.8%;革兰氏阳性菌分别占其总菌株数的27.0%和42.0%;优势菌群为黏性威克斯菌、腐败希瓦氏菌和假单胞菌属。加工结束后,假单胞菌(34.9%)、玫瑰小球菌(32.6%)和缺陷短波单胞菌(14.0%)成为主要菌群。冰藏第4天时仅分离出4种不同类型的细菌,腐败希瓦氏菌比例上升明显,冰藏第10天和第18天时,所占比例分别为63.5%和69.1%,是冷却链养殖大黄鱼产品的优势腐败菌。     

冷藏养殖大黄鱼细菌相组成和优势腐败菌鉴定

从菌落和细胞形态、生理生化特征、细胞脂肪酸组成及同源性分析等方面，结合使用Sensititre、BioFosun、MIDI细菌鉴定系统对0 ℃、5 ℃冷藏养殖大黄鱼货架期终点细菌相进行定性和定量研究，确定优势腐败菌。0 ℃、5 ℃冷藏优势菌为腐败希瓦氏菌，比例分别为75.5%、59.6%，在营养琼脂和胰酶解大豆胨琼脂培养基上菌落圆状隆起，边缘整齐，透明，无色至粉红色，革兰氏阴性杆菌，极生单鞭毛，大小为(0.6～0.9) μm×(1.5～3.3) μm，最适生长温度25～35 ℃、最适pH 7～9。菌株氧化酶和H2S呈阳性，能还原TMAO、液化明胶和Tween40，利用N乙酰基D葡萄糖胺等有机物。菌体主要脂肪酸为16∶1ω7c 、iso15∶0、17∶1ω8c、16∶0，比例分别为21.31 %、13.63%、9.82%、9.76%。菌株测试特征与细菌鉴定系统数据库比照，确定优势腐败菌为腐败希瓦氏菌。     

罗非鱼冷藏过程细菌种群的变化

对养殖尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)0～10℃贮藏过程中感官、化学、微生物品质和细菌种群消长研究表明,初始样品挥发性盐基氮为(8.08±0.29)mg/(100g),菌落总数(CFU/g)的对数值为4.79±0.60;细菌种群复杂,种类繁多,分离到570株菌,其中80.5%为革兰氏阴性菌,13.6%为革兰氏阳性菌,优势菌是假单胞菌(Pseudomonas spp.)(36.5%)、肠杆菌科细菌(Enterobacteriaceae)(14.2%)和气单胞菌(Aeromonas spp.)(15.3%),同时检出了一定比例的不动杆菌和其他细菌。冷藏过程中肠杆菌科细菌、气单胞菌等生长受到抑制,细菌菌相组成逐渐变得单一,适应低温环境下革兰氏阴性菌比例不断增加,0℃、5℃、10℃贮藏至货架期终点时,阴性菌的比例分别达到86.4%、88.9%、100.0%;假单胞菌增殖显著,比例分别达到80.7%、68.1%、60.0%,可确认其为0～10℃贮藏罗非鱼的优势腐败菌。假单胞菌的种类变化趋势显示,优势顺序分别为荧光假单胞菌(P.uorescens)、恶臭假单胞菌(P.putida)、铜绿假单胞菌(P.aeruginosa)、产碱假单胞菌(P.alcaligenes),0℃、5℃、10℃贮藏至货架期终点时,假单胞菌中荧光假单胞菌分别占52.1%、53.1%、59.3%,可确认其为最优势种群。     

冷藏养殖大黄鱼指数腐败货架期模型的构建与评价

通过感官、化学、微生物学分析对0~10℃冷藏养殖大黄鱼鲜度和货架期进行研究,构建和验证了指数腐败货架期模型。结果表明,0~10℃冷藏养殖大黄鱼货架期终点时菌落总数、假单胞菌数、嗜冷菌数和产H2S细菌数分别为6.64~7.60、6.24~6.96、6.16~6.90、6.14~6.62 lg cfu/g,挥发性盐基氮和三甲胺分别为27.15~30.12 mg/100g和8.44~10.83 mg/100g。0、5、8和10℃冷藏大黄鱼的货架期分别为17.8±2.5、9.3±1.1、7.0和5.4±1.3 d,并用于构建指数腐败货架期模型。用0、3、7℃冷藏养殖大黄鱼货架期验证指数腐败货架期模型,相对误差为?6.1%~4.6%,显示该模型可以快速有效预测0~10℃冷藏养殖大黄鱼的剩余货架期。     

冷藏大黄鱼SSO希瓦氏菌致腐能力差异机制初探

为探讨特定腐败菌(SSO)希瓦氏菌(Shewanella)致腐能力的差异机制,采用生化和16S rDNA鉴定冷藏大黄鱼货架期终点的产H2S菌,在灭菌鱼汁和无菌鱼块筛选4株致腐差异的希瓦氏菌,扩增氧化三甲胺(TMAO)还原酶基因及分析其表达量,并预测其蛋白质的理化性质。结果显示,22株产H2S菌均为希瓦氏菌属,其中 S.baltica占54.5%,为S. putrefaciens占40.9%,S. hafniensis占4.5%。希瓦氏菌在灭菌鱼汁中致腐能力存在显著差异,其中S. balticaXH2和XH8的缺点评分和TVB-N最高,S. putrefaciensXH14和XH17菌最低。接种无菌鱼块的4株希瓦氏菌中XH2的样品在72h出现腐败气味,48h细菌高于107cfu/g,产生较高的TMA、TVB-N、尸胺和腐胺和,XH8菌次之,XH14和XH17菌最慢。四株希瓦氏菌都扩增出2490bp的torA基因,且torA基因的表达量与致腐能力密切相关,S.balticaXH2最高。预测的TorA蛋白中S.balticaXH2的分子量和不稳定指数最大,理论等电点和总平均疏水性最小。可见,S. baltica XH2为冷藏大黄鱼的SSO,其强致腐能力与torA基因高表达量和TorA蛋白理化性质有关。研究为阐明希瓦氏菌致腐机制奠定了良好的基础。     

冷藏大黄鱼货架期预测模型的建立和评价

建立和验证了用于预测冷藏养殖大黄鱼(Pseudosciaena crocea)鲜度和剩余货架期的特定腐败菌生长动力学模型。感官、VBN评价和微生物生长动态分析表明,大黄鱼在0℃、5℃、10℃时有氧贮藏的特定腐败菌假单胞菌(Pseudomonasspp.)在感官货架期终点菌数NS(CFU.g-1)的对数(lgNS)平均值为6.48±0.14。将获得的假单胞菌在0℃、5℃、10℃的生长实验值用于建立生长动力学模型,结果显示,最大菌数Nmax(CFU.g-1)受贮藏温度的影响不大,在3种温度下lgNmax为7.18±0.031。温度对最大比生长速率(μmax)和延滞时间(Lag)的影响,采用Belehradek方程描述,呈现良好线性关系,R2分别为0.991和0.996。获得0~10℃有氧贮藏大黄鱼的剩余货架期(SL)预测模型为:SL=1/(0.093 8T+0.086)2-(7.18-lgN0)/[2.718×(0.009 6T+0.082 8)2]×ln-ln(6.48-lgN0)/(7.18-lgN0)-1(T为贮藏温度,N0为初始假单胞菌数)。用大黄鱼贮藏在3℃和8℃的货架期实测值验证建立的模型,预测值和实测值的相对误差分别为-8.89%和-6.59%,显示建立的模型可以快速可靠地实时预测0~10℃有氧贮藏大黄鱼的鲜度和剩余货架期。     

罗非鱼特定腐败菌生长动力学模型和货架期预测

以有氧冷藏养殖罗非鱼为研究对象,建立和验证了用于预测冷藏罗非鱼微生物学质量和剩余货架期的特定腐败菌生长动力学模型。感官、总挥发性盐基氮(TVBN)评价和微生物生长动态分析表明,罗非鱼在0～15℃贮藏中的特定腐败菌为假单胞菌,在0、5、10、15℃,感官货架期终点的假单胞菌数平均值为7.70±0.11log10cfu·g-1。假单胞菌在0、5、10、15℃的生长实验值用于建立生长动力学模型表明,Gompertz方程能很好地描述假单胞菌在0～15℃温度区域的生长动态。Nmax(最大菌数)受贮藏温度的影响不大,在4种温度下平均值在8.85±0.18log10cfu·g-1。温度对μmax(最大比生长速率)和Lag(延滞时间)的影响,采用Belehradek方程描述呈现良好线性关系。用贮藏在3、8℃假单胞菌的生长实验值,验证建立的模型,偏差度为0.97～1.01,准确度为1.02～1.04,货架期预测值和实测值的相对误差分别为3.47%和-7.91%,显示建立的模型可以快速可靠地实时预测0～15℃贮藏罗非鱼的微生物学质量和剩余货架期。     

冷却链大黄鱼货架期预报系统的开发与评估

通过使用Visual Basic编程语言,完成了基于0~10℃腐败希瓦氏菌生长动力学模型建立的冷却链大黄鱼货架期预报系统的设计,验证了货架期预报系统的准确性。采用以自然污染鱼得到的实验数据建立特定腐败菌生长动力学模型的方法,提高了预测的准确性,腐败希瓦氏菌和剩余货架期预测值与实测值的可靠性评估表明,其相关系数R2分别为0.936和0.935,显示开发的冷却链大黄鱼货架期预报系统可以快速可靠地预测冰鲜大黄鱼的鲜度与剩余高品质期和货架期。系统开发过程中采用免安装处理,方便用户使用。     

轻盐高湿青鱼制品加工贮藏过程中细菌学定性和定量分析研究

对鲜活、加工和冷藏过程中的轻盐高湿青鱼制品品质及细菌种群消长进行定量和定性分析研究.结果表明,运达加工厂、处理和盐渍过程鱼体温度低于15℃,干燥过程鱼体温度约20℃;鲜鱼、花椒和食盐的菌落总数分别为1.8×103、1.5×103、4.0×102CFU/g;盐渍后鱼肉菌数略为上升,达到4.3×104CFU/g,干燥后菌数下降到3.9×103CFU/g,5℃冷藏过程中菌数不断上升.但TVBN变化不显著,初期腐败(第22天)时,感官仍可接受,TVBN为16.27±0.47mg/100g,菌落总数为1.51×107CFU/g.冷藏过程从产品中分离到314株菌,冷藏开始(第0天)时优势菌群为摩氏杆菌属(26.8%)、嗜冷杆菌属(22.4%)、葡萄球菌属(22.0%),并检出一定比例的棒状杆菌属(12.2%).冷藏过程中菌相逐渐变得单一,摩氏杆菌属和嗜冷杆菌属下降趋势明显,并逐渐消失,而葡萄球菌属呈上升趋势,第0、3、10、22天时,比例分别为22.0%、71.8%、90.5%和97.4%.     

红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道可培养细菌的多样性

使用2216E平板涂布法从肠道样品分离可培养细菌,通过16S r DNA测序鉴定细菌。所有分离的细菌分为变形菌门(包含γ-变形细菌纲和α-变形细菌纲)和厚壁菌门。其中以γ-变形细菌纲为优势(83.3%)。在属的水平,从肠道中共分离出弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属、假交替单胞菌属、亚硫酸杆菌属、芽孢杆菌属、Aliivibrio、发光杆菌属、科尔韦尔氏菌属8个属,其中弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属和假交替单胞菌属的种类占总数的70%。首次发现亚硫酸杆菌属和科尔韦尔氏菌属作为红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道菌群的一部分。     

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.