渤海鱼类群落功能群及其主要种类

根据2009年8月和10月对渤海渔业资源的底拖网调查,采用胃含物分析、聚类分析和功能群划分的方法研究了渤海鱼类群落的功能群组成及其主要种类。结果表明,渤海夏、秋季鱼类群落包括7个功能群,分别为浮游动物食性功能群、杂食性功能群、底栖动物食性功能群、虾食性功能群、虾/鱼食性功能群、鱼食性功能群和广食性功能群;其中主要功能群为浮游动物食性功能群、杂食性功能群和虾/鱼食性功能群;主要种类有小黄鱼、蓝点马鲛、斑、赤鼻棱鳀、银鲳和黄鲫。圆筛藻、中华哲水蚤、太平洋磷虾、长额刺糠虾、中国毛虾、甲壳类幼体、日本鼓虾、六丝矛尾虎鱼、小黄鱼、双壳类和腹足类是当前渤海夏、秋季鱼类群落的主要饵料种类。     

海州湾及邻近海域鱼类群落的营养功能群及其动态变化

根据2011年及2013―2016年春季和秋季在海州湾及邻近海域进行的渔业资源底拖网调查,对该海域鱼类群落营养功能群的组成及其季节和年间变化进行了研究。结果表明,海州湾及邻近海域鱼类群落可以划分为5个营养功能群,即虾食性、底栖动物食性、虾/鱼食性、浮游动物食性和鱼食性。整体来说,春季海州湾鱼类群落以底栖动物食性营养功能群为主,其中方氏云鳚(Enedriasfangi)在各年所占比例均较高;而秋季以虾食性营养功能群为主,小眼绿鳍鱼(Chelidonichthys kumu)为主要优势鱼种。从生物量组成角度分析,海州湾鱼类群落各营养功能群所占比例有明显差异,以虾食性和底栖动物食性的功能群为主,其次为虾/鱼食性,而浮游动物食性和鱼食性所占比例较小。方氏云鳚、小眼绿鳍鱼、长蛇鲻(Saurida elongata)、小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、狮子鱼(Liparis sp.)、玉筋鱼(Ammodytespersonatus)等6种鱼类为各营养功能群的主要优势种类。海州湾及邻近海域鱼类群落的营养功能群和优势种呈现出明显的季节和年间变化,海洋环境变化和鱼类的季节性洄游移动等是主要的影响因素。     

渤海鱼类的食物关系

渤海鱼类的食性有浮游动物食性,浮游、底栖和游泳动物食性,底栖动物食性,底栖和游泳动物食性,游泳动物食性八个类群。低级肉食性种类,中级肉食性种类与高级肉食性种类的比为22∶19∶10。浮游动物、鼓虾、钝尖尾和尖尾鰕虎鱼、鳀鱼、短尾类是食物网中的主要环节。肉食性鱼类有5个捕食类群,以黄盖鲽为代表,主食鼓虾与短尾类;以鳐类、石首鱼类为代表,主食鼓虾、底栖鱼类;以中上层鱼类为代表,主食浮游动物;以牙鲆为代表,主食小型中上层鱼类。五大类群之间虽有竞争但更趋协调。     

莱州湾鱼类群落的营养结构及其变化

2011年5月~2012年4月期间对莱州湾进行了9次底拖网调查，对采集的20种鱼类4 854个胃含物样品进行了分析。结果表明，莱州湾鱼类群落包括浮游动物食性、底栖动物食性、鱼食性、杂食性和广食性5种食性类型，其中底栖动物食性鱼类是莱州湾各月份鱼类群落的重要食性类型，钩虾和双壳类等底栖动物饵料在莱州湾生态系统的食物关系中起着关键的作用。秋末和初春的莱州湾鱼类群落以底栖动物食性鱼类为主，食性类型单一；随着水温升高，鱼类群落的食性类型逐渐变得丰富。分析表明，莱州湾海域鱼类群落的营养结构有利于增殖放流品种后期的生长存活，建议跟踪调查增殖放流点周边海域的食物关系和饵料基础，同时结合多学科调查，选择最佳的增殖放流地点和时间，才能切实有效地保证增殖放流的效果。     

崂山湾春季鱼类群落的摄食生态及其主要种类

崂山湾位于黄海的胶州湾和丁字湾之间,海湾开阔,是当前增殖放流的重点海域。根据2014年5月在崂山湾海域进行的底拖网调查,分析了该海域春季鱼类群落的种类组成和摄食生态。结果表明,崂山湾春季鱼类群落共32种鱼类,隶属8目,21科,30属;以鲈形目(Perciformes)的虾虎鱼科(Gobiidae)和石首鱼科(Sciaenidae)种类最多;优势种有皮氏叫姑鱼(Johnius belengerii)、短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossus joyneri)和矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias),主要种有大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)、斑鰶(Clupanodon punctatus)、赤鼻棱鳀(Thrissa kammalensis)、丝虾虎鱼(Cryptocentrus filifer)、方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi)和银鲳(Pampus argenteus)。崂山湾春季鱼类群落的种类丰富度指数R为3.19,多样性指数H′为2.34;均匀度指数J′为0.68。胃含物分析结果表明,春季崂山湾生态系统鱼类群落的平均营养级为3.52;主要包括了浮游动物食性、杂食性和底栖动物食性3种食性类型,以底栖动物食性鱼类为主。在当前捕捞、气候变化和人类活动等多重压力下,海湾生态系统承受了巨大的压力,针对不同的海湾生态系统进行基础调研,可为制订相应的增殖放流、渔业保护和管理策略提供重要科学依据。     

东海北部鱼类群落多样性及其结构特征的变化

根据1991年1月和2004～2006年1月东海北部水域渔业资源底拖网调查资料，从物种和同功能种团两个层面分析了东海北部鱼类群落多样性及其结构组成特征的变化。同功能种团是生态系统中起着相似生态作用、并占据相近或相似生态位的若干物种集合体，本研究结合各鱼种的摄食习性和活动能力差异，将该水域内的鱼类划分为8个同功能种团，分别为浮游动物食性种团、浮游／底栖动物食性种团、底栖动物食性种团、底栖／游泳动物食性种团、杂食性种团、活动能力强的游泳动物食性种团、软骨鱼类种团、活动能力弱的游泳动物食性种团。结果显示，冬季东海北部鱼类群落的物种多样性和同功能种团多样性呈显著线性正相关。经过十余年后，尽管该群落的物种多样性和同功能种团多样性均未发生显著变化，但各同功能种团内的物种数发生了明显变化，物种多样性与同功能种团多样性之间的关系曲线斜率由0．547增加到0．627，群落的生态冗余性有所降低。经相似性分析检验法（ANOSIM）分析，两时段群落间的物种和同功能种团结构组成均发生了显著变化，带鱼、龙头鱼、小黄鱼、黄鲫、灰鲳等物种和软骨鱼类种团、浮游／底栖动物食性种团的相对量的变化是造成其变化的主要因素。结论认为，东海北部鱼类群落结构已显现出向以浮游动物食性和活动能力强的游泳动物食性鱼种为主体的方向发展的变化趋势。[中国水产科学，2008，15（3）：453-459]     

渤海鱼类的食物关系

本研究通过对2010~2011年渤海大面调查所获得的渔获物进行胃含物分析，了解当前渤海鱼类的食物关系及其变化。结果显示，渤海生态系统的27种鱼类有12种低营养级鱼类、12种中营养级鱼类和3种高营养级鱼类，包括了杂食性鱼类、浮游动物食性鱼类、底栖动物食性鱼类、混合动物食性鱼类和鱼食性鱼类，各鱼种营养级较20世纪90年代变化不大。3种高营养级鱼类均为鱼食性鱼类，饵料生境宽度值均很低，属于狭食性鱼类；矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)是渤海饵料生境宽度最大的2种鱼，同时也是当前渤海生态系统食物网中最重要的饵料种类，其广食性有利于食物网各营养层次的物质、能量流动。当前渤海食物网中浮游食物链削弱，主要食物链转变为“植物、有机碎屑→鼓虾→鱼类”和“底栖动物→虾虎鱼、小黄鱼→大型经济鱼类”。     

渤海鱼类的食物关系

本研究通过对2010~2011年渤海大面调查所获得的渔获物进行胃含物分析,了解当前渤海鱼类的食物关系及其变化。结果显示,渤海生态系统的27种鱼类有12种低营养级鱼类、12种中营养级鱼类和3种高营养级鱼类,包括了杂食性鱼类、浮游动物食性鱼类、底栖动物食性鱼类、混合动物食性鱼类和鱼食性鱼类,各鱼种营养级较20世纪90年代变化不大。3种高营养级鱼类均为鱼食性鱼类,饵料生境宽度值均很低,属于狭食性鱼类;矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)是渤海饵料生境宽度最大的2种鱼,同时也是当前渤海生态系统食物网中最重要的饵料种类,其广食性有利于食物网各营养层次的物质、能量流动。当前渤海食物网中浮游食物链削弱,主要食物链转变为"植物、有机碎屑→鼓虾→鱼类"和"底栖动物→虾虎鱼、小黄鱼→大型经济鱼类"。     

1959–2011年莱州湾渔业资源群落食物网结构的变化

通过对1959–2011年莱州湾渔业资源摄食习性、营养级的分析,构建了莱州湾生态系统简化食物网。结果表明,莱州湾渔业资源群落食物网经历了"以鱼食性种类为主的食物网—以浮游动物食性种类为主的食物网—以浮游动物食性种类和底栖动物食性种类为主,但浮游动物食性种类占比大于底栖动物食性种类的食物网—以浮游动物食性种类和底栖动物食性种类为主,但底栖动物食性种类占比大于浮游动物食性种类的食物网—以底栖生物食性种类为主的食物网"5个阶段的演变过程。中低营养阶层生物替代高营养阶层生物成为莱州湾生态系统食物网的顶级捕食者,食物链越来越短,食物网通过碎屑食物链传递的能量成为食物网能流的主体。在1959–2011年,莱州湾渔业资源群落平均营养级从4.4下降到3.4,平均以每10年0.19的速度下降,高于整个渤海生态系统的下降速度;种类组成的变化、个体小型化,以及摄食食物种类的变化是引起莱州湾生态系统营养级波动的主要原因。     

辽东湾鱼类群落结构的季节变化特征

为探究辽东湾鱼类群落结构的季节变化特征，于2020年5月(春季)、8月(夏季)和10月(秋季)在该海域进行了3个航次的底拖网调查，据此分析辽东湾鱼类种类组成、优势种、多样性和群落空间结构随季节变化的情况，并计算群落季节更替与迁移指数，建立鱼类群落丰度-生物量比较曲线。调查结果显示：辽东湾春、夏、秋3个季节共捕获鱼类58种，其中春季34种、夏季49种、秋季46种；优势种春季为短吻红舌鳎、黄鲫和皮氏叫姑鱼，夏季为矛尾虾虎鱼、短吻红舌鳎、白姑鱼、皮氏叫姑鱼和斑鱼祭，秋季为矛尾虾虎鱼、短吻红舌鳎、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、黄鲫和皮氏叫姑鱼；鱼类群落的多样性指数为1.34～1.63,丰富度指数为1.44～1.68,均匀度指数为0.60～0.64;辽东湾鱼类可分为3个群落类型，靠近湾顶的北部近岸浅滩水域群落、辽东湾中南部深水区群落和辽东湾湾口深水区群落，其中春季和夏季可分为3个群落组，秋季分为2个群落组；鱼类群落的空间分布在春、夏季与底层温度相关性系数最高(春季R=0.270、夏季R=0.408),在秋季与水深相关系数最高(秋季R=0.376);丰度-生物量比较曲线结果显示，辽东湾鱼类丰度优势度曲线均位于生...     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.