镉对鲤遗传毒性和外周血细胞数量的影响

将鲤(Cyprinus carpio)分别暴露于0.16、0.31、0.63、1.26 mg/L Cd2+溶液中,研究Cd2+对鲤外周血红细胞微核率、核异常率、红细胞和白细胞数量的影响,探讨Cd2+对鲤遗传毒性和外周血细胞数量影响的变化规律和趋势。结果显示:Cd2+对鲤红细胞微核率和核异常率的影响存在浓度-效应和时间-效应关系。与对照组相比,1.26 mg/L Cd2+组鲤在不同暴露时间的红细胞微核率和核异常率均极显著(P<0.01),核异常率在72 h显著(P<0.05)增加,72 h后表现为极显著(P<0.01)增加。Cd2+对鲤外周血淋巴细胞、单核细胞和嗜中性粒细胞比例的影响存在浓度-效应和时间-效应关系。相同Cd2+浓度下,鲤淋巴细胞比例随暴露时间增加先降低后上升,同一暴露时间淋巴细胞比例随Cd2+浓度增加而降低。相同Cd2+浓度下,鲤单核细胞和嗜中性粒细胞比例随暴露时间增加先升高后降低,同一暴露时间嗜中性粒细胞比例随Cd2+浓度增加而升高。研究表明,Cd2+对鲤具有遗传毒性效应,且随Cd2+浓度增加而增强。     

Cd2+对泥鳅外周血红细胞微核及核异常的影响

将泥鳅分别暴露于0.005、0.025、0.05、0.1 mg/L的Cd2+溶液中,常规方法制备血涂片,统计泥鳅外周血红细胞微核率、核异常率.结果显示,Cd2+对泥鳅红细胞微核率的影响具有质量浓度-效应和时间-效应关系.随Cd2+质量浓度的增加,红细胞微核率显著上升.随暴露时间的延长,红细胞微核率呈现增加-降低-增加的趋势.Cd2+对泥鳅红细胞核异常率的影响具有明显的质量浓度-效应关系.随Cd2+质量浓度增加,红细胞核异常率显著上升.随暴露时间的延长,0.1 mg/L组核异常率表现出较为明显的增加-降低-增加的时间-效应关系.     

应用流式细胞术检测虾类血细胞总数方法的建立

通过对流式细胞术(FCM)检测虾类血细胞总数(THC)的条件和方法进行优化,为虾类血细胞学研究提供快捷、准确的测定方法。2012年7-9月,应用SYBR Green I作为荧光染料标记完整血细胞,设置3个不同染料浓度(1×、10×和100×),测定不同孵育时间下染色细胞比例的变化。结果显示,染料终浓度为10×时染色效果最佳,其最佳孵育时间为60 min;应用建立的FCM方法和显微计数方法测定10尾凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)的THC,平均值分别为(16.68±1.57)×106个/m L和(15.09±1.76)×106个/m L,2种方法测定结果的相关性极显著(R2=0.8064,P<0.01)。凡纳滨对虾经不同浓度(0.5 mg/L和5.0 mg/L)的Cd2+胁迫,利用建立的FCM方法测定Cd2+胁迫下对虾THC的变化。结果显示,0.5 mg/L和5.0 mg/L Cd2+胁迫下,对虾THC随着胁迫时间的延长不断下降,胁迫48 h时分别下降至对照组的78.7%和64.7%,可见Cd2+胁迫对虾类血细胞产生毒性,抑制了血细胞活性,表明该方法适用于虾类的血细胞学研究。     

镉胁迫对凡纳滨对虾血细胞基因表达的影响

为探讨镉(Cd)胁迫下凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)血细胞的分子响应,以不同浓度的Cd2+(0,0.5 mg/L和5 mg/L)进行胁迫,于不同胁迫时间取血淋巴,测定血细胞中Trx 2、Grx 2、Grx 3和MGST 3的基因表达量变化。结果显示,Trx 2、Grx 3和MGST 3表达量在胁迫的中后期显著上调,Grx 2表达量在5 mg/L Cd2+胁迫6 h开始即有显著的升高,并持续至48 h。结果表明在Cd胁迫作用下,对虾血细胞中上调这四个氧化还原与抗氧化相关基因的表达水平,以进行胁迫防御;Grx 2对Cd胁迫较为敏感,在整个胁迫过程发挥作用,Trx 2、Grx 3和MGST 3主要在胁迫的中后期发挥作用;基因的表达响应具有一定浓度效应。     

不同浓度的Cd~(2+)、氮及其交互作用对小球藻和微绿球藻生长及叶绿素荧光特性的影响

研究了不同的Cd2+浓度与氮浓度交互作用对小球藻和微绿球藻生长及叶绿素荧光特性的影响。结果表明,Cd2+浓度、氮浓度、胁迫时间及三者的交互作用对小球藻和微绿球藻的生长及光合作用均具有显著影响(P<0.05),其中Cd2+浓度对2株微藻的Fv/Fm(光系统Ⅱ的最大光化学量子产量)和Yield(光系统Ⅱ的实际光能转化效率)影响最显著,氮浓度对2株微藻的NPQ(非光化学淬灭)和微绿球藻的qP(光化学淬灭)影响最显著。相关性分析结果表明,2株微藻的细胞密度、叶绿素相对含量及部分荧光参数(Fv/Fm和Yield)均与Cd2+浓度呈显著的负相关关系。在低氮(55μmol/L)条件下,小球藻和微绿球藻的荧光参数Fv/Fm、Yield和NPQ均有明显下降,细胞密度和叶绿素相对含量也均有不同程度的降低。小球藻的Fv/Fm和Yield在高氮(7040μmol/L)和低浓度Cd2+条件下,下降幅度小,表现为拮抗作用。试验还发现,在低氮和高氮条件下,高浓度Cd2+对小球藻的胁迫作用加强,表现为协同作用。微绿球藻在高氮条件下,其处理组间荧光参数差别不明显,表现为拮抗作用。     

镉对凡纳滨对虾离体血细胞的毒性影响

对凡纳滨对虾血细胞进行离体镉离子应激,Cd2+浓度为10-3-10-9M,在应激6h后取样,利用流式细胞术（FCM）检测血细胞的活性和活性氧（ROS）含量。结果显示,当Cd2+浓度为10-5M时,血细胞的ROS含量显著升高;当Cd2+浓度为10-3和10-4M时,血细胞的死亡率和ROS含量均显著上升。这些结果表明Cd2+的细胞毒性作用与其浓度相关,Cd2+浓度达到10-5M时即可诱导血细胞ROS的产生,但当Cd2+浓度达到10-4M及以上时,被诱导产生的ROS对细胞造成氧化伤害从而导致细胞死亡。     

Cu2+急性毒性下银鲳幼鱼红细胞核异常和抗氧化酶活性的变化

为探究Cu2+对银鲳幼鱼的致毒效应,采用静态毒性实验方法,开展了Cu2+对银鲳幼鱼的急性暴露实验,研究了不同浓度的Cu2+对银鲳幼鱼外周血细胞微核率、核异常率和肝脏抗氧化酶(SOD、CAT、GPX)活性变化的影响。结果表明:Cu2+对银鲳幼鱼48和96 h的LC50分别为0.860和0.770 mg/L,安全质量浓度为0.077 mg/L;Cu2+的浓度与银鲳幼鱼红细胞微核率及核异常率具有明显的剂量效应关系,在相同浓度Cu2+胁迫下,核异常率又普遍高于微核率;不同浓度Cu2+胁迫下银鲳幼鱼肝组织中的SOD、CAT、GPX活性均表现为低浓度被诱导而高浓度受抑制的规律,与Cu2+浓度呈抛物线型剂量效应关系。研究认为红细胞微核率、核异常率与SOD、CAT和GPX活性的变化均可以反映银鲳幼鱼受伤害的程度,并可用作银鲳安全性风险评价的参考依据,其中SOD还可以灵敏地指示低浓度的早期Cu2+污染。     

JC-1标记的流式细胞术测定虾类血细胞的线粒体膜电位

以新鲜虾血细胞为阴性对照,α-羰基氰化氯苯腙处理的虾血细胞为阳性对照,建立以JC-1为荧光标记的测定虾类血细胞线粒体膜电位的流式细胞术方法.将凡纳滨对虾离体血细胞经不同浓度Cd2+ (10-9～10-3 mol/L)处理6h后,应用该方法测定血细胞线粒体膜电位的变化.结果显示10-4 mol/L和10-3 mol/L Cd2+导致血细胞线粒体膜电位显著下降,表明该浓度的Cd2+会破坏虾血细胞线粒体的功能.本研究结果也显示,应用JC-1标记的流式细胞术测定方法适用于虾类血细胞线粒体膜电位的研究.     

Cd对凡纳滨对虾血细胞活性氧含量(ROS)、细胞凋亡率及应激反应基因表达的影响

为探讨镉(Cd)对虾类血细胞的免疫毒性, 以凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象, 设置 0 mg/L 对照组和 10.5 mg/L Cd 处理组, 利用流式细胞仪检测血细胞中的活性氧含量(ROS)和细胞凋亡率, 并利用实时荧光定量 PCR 技术检测血细胞中抗氧化酶(Cu-Zn SOD、CAT 和 GPx)、金属硫蛋白(MT)、热休克蛋白(HSP60、HSP70 和 HSP90)以及 caspase-3 基因的表达量变化。结果显示, 与对照组相比, Cd 胁迫导致血细胞 ROS 含量在胁迫后 3~48 h 极显著升高(P<0.01), 在 24 h 达到最大值; 细胞凋亡率在 3 h 达到最大值 87.99 %(P<0.01), 在 12~48 h 显著升高 (P<0.05); Cu-Zn SOD 和 HSP60 基因表达水平分别在 3~48 h 和 12~48 h 显著升高(P<0.05); GPx 基因表达量在 12 h 和 48 h 显著上调(P<0.05); CAT、MT、HSP60 和 HSP90 的基因表达水平在胁迫 3 h 显著下降(P<0.05), 在胁迫后期显著升高(P<0.05); HSP70 表达量在 3~24 h 无显著变化(P>0.05), 在 48 h 显著上升(P<0.05); caspase-3 基因表达水平在 12~24 h 显著上升(P<0.05)。综上所述, Cd 诱导血细胞产生过量 ROS, 影响应激反应基因的表达水平, 最终促进细胞凋亡。     

黄芪多糖和当归多糖对维氏气单胞菌诱导鲫细胞凋亡的影响

为研究黄芪多糖(APS)和当归多糖(ASP)对维氏气单胞菌诱导鲫细胞凋亡的影响,实验设阴性对照组、阳性对照组,黄芪多糖组和当归多糖组,通过对鲫用维氏气单胞菌攻毒处理,用流式细胞仪测定血细胞的凋亡比例和细胞周期变化,并用荧光显微镜和透射电镜观察凋亡细胞的形态。结果显示,维氏气单胞菌攻毒后阳性对照组鲫血细胞的细胞凋亡率均极显著高于多糖组和阴性对照组;多糖组能显著降低鲫的细胞凋亡率且黄芪多糖组效果更显著;攻毒后鲫肝细胞和肾脏淋巴细胞出现染色质凝集、细胞核固缩边集和细胞空泡化及凋亡小体;同阴性对照组相比;维氏气单胞菌攻毒可以引起鲫血细胞周期中S/G2+M期细胞比例极显著下降,sub-G1极显著升高,抑制细胞分裂诱发凋亡;多糖组则G0/G1期细胞极显著降低,S/G2+M期细胞极显著升高,sub-G1极显著降低,促进细胞分裂抑制凋亡。黄芪多糖和当归多糖添加量在1%时能抑制维氏气单胞菌攻毒引起的细胞凋亡。     

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.