糖蜜添加对凡纳滨对虾养殖水体菌群结构的影响

为探索糖蜜对凡纳对虾(Penaeus vannamei)生长及其水体菌群的影响，本研究利用16S rDNA扩增子高通量测序技术，比较了添加糖蜜调节水体碳氮比的处理组 (C/N = 16.0)与无添加的对照组(C/N = 8.5)两种模式下第4、13和34 d时水体菌群结构差异，并通过PICRUSt2对菌群功能进行预测。结果显示，糖蜜添加对对虾体长和体重无显著性影响，但可显著提高对虾存活率；第4 d时水体菌群香农多样性与均匀度均显著上升，但第13与34 d时均显著下降(P<0.05)。添加糖蜜后，处理组α-变形菌纲(α-proteobacteria)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)丰度均极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)，蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)和γ-变形菌纲(γ-proteobacteria)丰度则显著低于对照组，β-变形菌纲(β-proteobacteria)丰度在第4和34 d时也显著低于对照组，拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)丰度在第4和13 d时分别显著高于和低于对照组。科水平上，处理组第4、13和34 d时微杆菌科(Microbacteriaceae)相对丰度均显著高于对照组，第4 d时红杆菌科(Rhodobacteraceae)、黄杆菌科(Flavobacteriaceae)和海仙菌科(Halieaceae)丰度均极显著高于对照组，而德沃斯氏菌科(Devosiaceae)、产碱菌科(Alcaligenaceae)和束缚杆菌科(Haliscomenobacteraceae)丰度均极显著低于对照组，第13 d时海仙菌科和环杆菌科(Cyclobacteriaceae)丰度分别极显著高于和低于对照组，脱醌菌科(Demequinaceae)丰度在第34 d时显著高于对照组。添加糖蜜后处理组芽殖杆菌属(Gemmobacter)和脱醌菌属(Demequina)等优势属的丰度显著高于对照组，而海仙菌属(Haliea)等丰度则显著下降。菌群功能预测结果显示，第34 d时，处理组丰度前20的代谢功能富集项均极显著高于对照组，糖酵解/糖异生等8项属于碳水化合物代谢或能量代谢的功能均高度富集。以上结果表明，糖蜜添加可显著影响凡纳对虾养殖水体优势菌群相对丰度，优化水体菌群结构，并增强其碳水化合物和能量代谢通路功能，从而提高对虾存活率。本研究为糖蜜作为有机碳源应用于对虾生物絮团养殖提供了理论依据。     

芽孢杆菌对草鱼养殖水质的影响

为研究芽孢杆菌对草鱼养殖水质的影响,选取体重约45g的草鱼210尾,随机分为2组,每组设3个平行重复.对照组在水中不添加任何菌,处理组每隔7d分别向水中按照1×108 cfu/m3添加芽孢杆菌菌粉,二组均饲喂基础日粮.草鱼养殖水体水质测定结果表明:与对照组相比,第28天处理组氨氮含量比对照组下降29.17％(P＜0.05).亚硝酸盐氮含量无显著性差异且在0.39 mg/L以下.第14天时,处理组硝酸盐氮含量比对照组降低60.26％( P＜0.01),在第21天和第28天分别比对照组提高26.98％(P＜0.05)和67.85％(P＜0.01).处理组的总无机氮含量在21d内无显著差异,第28天时下降了15.39％(P＞0.05).养殖水体pH值维持在6.8～7.6,各组之间无显著差异.养殖水体中添加芽孢杆菌可降低氨氮含量,改善养殖水体水质.     

有效微生物菌群(EM)对蟹鲈混养模式下养殖水体菌群结构的影响

为探究定期添加有效微生物菌群(EM)对蟹鲈混养养殖水质和菌群结构的影响,实验对混养水体进行了Ⅰ期(4月10号)、Ⅱ期(4月20号)、Ⅲ期(4月30号)和Ⅳ期(5月10号)的监测,并通过水质理化指标、16S rRNA基因高通量测序技术分析了每个时期的水质和菌群结构.高通量测序结果显示,实验期间水体主要优势菌门为变形菌门、...     

凡纳滨对虾工厂化循环水养殖系统水质指标及微生物菌群结构的分析

为探究凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)工厂化循环水养殖系统的养殖水体水质情况以及微生物菌群的组成结构,本研究利用高通量测序技术和生物信息学分析手段,测定凡纳滨对虾工厂化循环水养殖过程一级移动床生物净化、二级固定床生物净化、养殖水体的水质指标、水体和生物净化载体以及对虾肠道微生物菌群的组成。结果显示,水体的氨氮(NH4+-N)和亚硝态氮(NO2–-N)质量浓度显著降低,分别为0.85和0.21 mg/L。养殖系统水体、生物净化载体和虾肠道样品中共有的优势菌为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes),此外,一级、二级生物净化系统水体中的放线菌门(Actinobacteria)为优势菌,生物净化载体中浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes)和硝化螺旋菌门(Nitrospirae)为优势菌;对虾肠道中的厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)为优势菌。另外,对虾养殖循环水系统中生物净化载体上的细菌物种含量比水样中的细菌物种少,但微生物多样性高于养殖水体,生物净化载体中微生物具有低丰度和高多样性的特点。综上所述,生物净化系统可有效地增加水体中促进氮、磷代谢的微生物菌群,调控养殖水体的水质指标,研究结果为凡纳滨对虾工厂化循环水养殖系统构建及水质调控提供理论依据。     

光合细菌对水产养殖环境细菌群落结构的影响

为了解光合细菌(Photosynthetic bacteria)在水产养殖应用中的作用机制,采用PCR-DGGE技术研究不同浓度光合细菌对养殖水体和底泥两个微环境细菌群落的影响。结果显示:水样菌群和底泥菌群有显著差异,各聚为一簇,水样菌群多样性比底泥丰富且波动性更大,泥样菌群则相对稳定,受外源菌群影响较小;添加光合细菌可显著增加水体菌群多样性,促使SAR11族未培养α-变形菌等固有菌群数量增加,从而影响水样菌群结构;同一阶段不同处理水样菌群多聚在一起,显示出较高结构相似性,不同处理并未造成组间菌群结构明显差异;光合细菌投加12 d后出现浓度减少。鉴定分析发现水样中46个菌群归属21个属,底泥11个菌群归属6个属,其中水样和底泥共同含有3个属,水样和底泥菌群主要隶属于蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌纲(Bacteroidetes)和绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)。     

生物絮团系统在氮转化过程中的微生物多样性变化

通过高通量测序分析生物絮团系统在氮转化过程中的水体菌群多样性变化。试验设置对照组和试验组,对照组水体为清洁的消毒海水,试验组为生物絮团组,试验周期30 d。结果显示:试验组氨氮在第5天达到最大质量浓度(2.99 mg/L),此后降低至趋于0 mg/L;对照组在第9天达到最大质量浓度(7.51 mg/L),之后降低至趋于0 mg/L。试验组亚硝酸盐氮在第17天达到最大质量浓度(12.54 mg/L),之后降低至趋于0 mg/L;对照组在试验周期内呈不断升高的趋势,在第30天达到13.42 mg/L。试验组的硝酸盐氮质量浓度高于对照组,在第30天两组分别达到19.56和6.31 mg/L。生物絮团系统具有明显的消除氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮的能力,试验组的氮转化速率快于对照组。高通量测序显示,生物絮团系统微生物的菌群丰度和多样性指数随养殖周期的增加均显著增加,不同时期差异显著。试验共鉴定出23个门549个属,在门水平上,变形菌门(Proteobacteria)相对丰度随时间增加而降低(从67.72%降至44.45%),拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)随时间增加而增加(分别从5.99%和6.68%增至16.06%和19.02%)。与氮转化有关的主要的菌有Ardenscatena和Nitrospiraceae(硝化螺旋菌),相对丰度随时间增加而增加(分别从0.34%和0.07%增加至12.69%和0.2%)。生物絮团系统的功能与微生物多样性在养殖周期中呈显著变化。本研究对提高生物絮团系统养殖模式的利用效率具有参考价值。     

高通量测序法分析两株益生菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群结构的影响

为分析荚膜红细菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌2株益生菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群结构的影响,本实验对凡纳滨对虾进行为期30 d的养殖饲喂实验,饲喂后期利用高通量测序凡纳滨对虾肠道微生物的16S rDNA V4区,来分析不同益生菌饲喂后凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群的结构特征,并结合对虾体质量增加率和攻毒后累计死亡率的宏观指标来进行分析。结果显示：①空白组（CK）、荚膜红细菌组（Rc）和蜡样芽孢杆菌组（Bc）样品OTU范围为374~506,其中CK组对虾肠道菌群OTU数量最低,饲喂益生菌后的2组对虾肠道菌群中OTU数量相对较高;②在门分类水平上,3组的变形菌门数均为最多,CK组主要为变形菌门和少量拟杆菌门,Bc组主要有变形菌门、拟杆菌门、无壁细菌门、厚壁细菌门和假单胞菌,Rc组主要是变形菌门、拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门、酸杆菌门、放线细菌、梭杆菌门和蓝细菌;③稀释曲线和Shannon指数结果可见,CK组样品物种丰度和复杂度最低,且Bc组样品丰度和复杂度相对较高;④PCA分析发现,Rc组和CK组样品微生物组成较为接近,结合宏观对虾体质量增加率和攻毒后累计死亡率的结果分析,可见相较于荚膜红细菌,蜡样芽孢杆菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道微生物菌群影响更显著,且益生效果更佳。研究表明,饲喂益生菌可以扩增对虾肠道微生物菌群丰度,并能抑制弧菌属等有害菌群的生长,提高对虾体质量增加率并降低死亡率,从而达到益生效果,其中以饲喂蜡样芽孢杆菌菌株效果更佳。     

尼罗罗非鱼肠道及养殖环境中菌群结构与链球菌病的相关性

为研究尼罗罗非鱼肠道和池塘养殖环境中菌群结构变化与链球菌病暴发的相关性,实验采用16S r DNA高通量测序方法对比分析发病和健康池塘水体、底泥和尼罗罗非鱼肠道菌群的结构特征。结果显示,底泥中微生物多样性最高,水体和肠道中微生物多样性次之;肠道菌群与水体中菌群的相似性较高,而与底泥中菌群相似性较低;发病组的尼罗罗非鱼肠道和池塘底泥中微生物的多样性均低于健康组,而发病组池塘水体中微生物多样性高于健康组。OTU聚类分析发现,发病与健康尼罗罗非鱼肠道微生物差异极显著,大部分健康尼罗罗非鱼肠道微生物样品单独聚为一支。菌群结构组成分析结果表明,虽然发病组和健康组水体或底泥中优势菌群结构组成的差异较小,但在非优势菌群中存在一定差异,发病组水体中变形菌门和梭杆菌门的比例显著高于健康组水体,疣微菌门和浮霉菌门的丰度显著低于健康组水体;发病组池塘底泥中厌氧粘细菌属、甲烷丝菌属和枝芽孢菌属等具有降解有机质和生态修复功能,菌群的丰度显著低于健康组底泥,而具有致病能力的曼氏杆菌属丰度却显著高于健康组底泥。发病组尼罗罗非鱼肠道菌群中链球菌属、分枝杆菌属和曼氏杆菌属等致病菌群的丰度显著高于健康组尼罗罗非鱼肠道,而乳球菌属、鲸杆菌属和红球菌属等益生菌的丰度显著低于健康尼罗罗非鱼肠道。无乳链球菌普遍存在于发病和健康养殖环境,以及尼罗罗非鱼肠道中,无乳链球菌的丰度在发病和健康养殖环境之间无显著差异,但其在发病尼罗罗非鱼肠道中的丰度要显著高于健康组。研究表明,尼罗罗非鱼链球菌病发病池塘水体和底泥中有益菌丰度降低和致病菌丰度的升高反映其养殖环境出现恶化,尼罗罗非鱼链球菌病的暴发与肠道微生态平衡破坏后无乳链球菌丰度增加密切相关,但肠道中无乳链球菌丰度的剧增与养殖水体和底泥中该病原菌的丰度水平之间并无直接关联。     

不同碳源对凡纳滨对虾育苗标粗水体生物絮团的结构、营养成分、细菌群落及其水质的影响

为研究凡纳滨对虾育苗标粗阶段生物絮团形成所需要的适合碳源,设计3种不同碳源添加组(葡萄糖组、淀粉组和蔗糖组),每个处理组设置3个重复,实验期20 d,以分析不同碳源添加后对水体生物絮团的形成、营养成分、细菌群落结构及水质指标的影响。结果显示,在碳源添加量均为投喂量的80%时,形成的生物絮团可有效调节水质,降低水体中的氨氮和亚硝酸盐氮水平。3个碳源添加组水样中氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和硝酸盐氮浓度显著低于对照组,淀粉组水样中氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮和硝酸盐氮浓度显著高于葡萄糖组和蔗糖组;最终对虾存活率统计结果显示,葡萄糖组、淀粉组、蔗糖组和对照组分别为72.9%、54.2%、69.8%和44.3%;淀粉组的生物絮团沉降体积(BFV)显著低于葡萄糖组,蔗糖组BFV最高,在13～15 d后3组均趋于稳定;葡萄糖组和蔗糖组的粗蛋白含量均显著高于淀粉组,葡萄糖组和蔗糖组则差异不显著;葡萄糖组和蔗糖组生物絮团中组氨酸、精氨酸、蛋氨酸等必需氨基酸和天冬氨酸、谷氨酸、丙氨酸等非必需氨基酸含量都显著高于淀粉组;葡萄糖组、淀粉组和蔗糖组的必需氨基酸指数(EAAI)值分别为0.93、0.89和0.92。3种类型生物絮团在门级水平的细菌群落共有18余种,其中变形菌门和拟杆菌门在各组占有比例均最高,淀粉组拟杆菌门含量显著高于其他2组,蔗糖组浮霉菌门和放线菌门含量显著高于葡萄糖组和淀粉组。研究表明,添加不同碳源可影响水体生物絮团的形成、营养成分、细菌群落结构和多样性,不同程度地改善水质。以必须氨基酸指数及存活率为评价指标,则葡萄糖和蔗糖都是凡纳滨对虾育苗标粗水体中适宜的碳源选择。     

池塘内循环流水养殖模式对大口黑鲈生长性能、抗氧化酶、消化酶及消化道组织结构和菌群的影响

为探究养殖过程中池塘内循环流水养殖模式（inner-pond raceway aquaculture, IPRA）对大口黑鲈生长性能、抗氧化酶、消化酶、消化道组织结构及菌落结构的影响。将池塘内循环流水养殖的4条水槽设置为流水组2条和对照组2条,进行为期153 d的养殖实验,分别在养殖中期和末期测量相关生长、生化指标及观察组织形态结构,并采用Illumina Miseq测序平台对消化道中的微生物进行分析。结果显示：①养殖中期,流水组的增重率、特定生长率和肥满度低于对照静水组;至养殖末期,流水组的增重率、特定生长率和肥满度持续下降,但成活率一直高于静水组。②养殖中期,流水组肝脏SOD和CAT显著高于静水组,流水组MDA显著低于静水组,流水组消化酶活性显著高于静水组;至养殖末期,抗氧化酶和消化酶均不同程度下降,但流水组SOD仍显著高于静水组,MDA显著低于静水组。③流水组大口黑鲈肠绒毛高度及密度均明显高于静水组,且养殖中期分泌消化酶较多,运动加强了肠道消化吸收功能。④养殖中期,流水养殖使大口黑鲈肠胃菌群的物种多样性和均匀度明显增高,至养殖末期,流水组的肠胃多样性和均匀度指数不断下降;养殖中期流水组和静水组胃分别为柔膜菌门和蓝细菌,静水组肠主要优势菌依次为变形菌门和厚壁菌门,流水组肠主要优势菌分别为厚壁菌门和变形菌门;至养殖后期时,流水组和静水组胃肠优势菌群均为柔膜菌门;而养殖水体的优势菌为变形菌门和放线菌门。研究表明,IPRA模式下的持续运动会降低其生长指标,但能够提高其成活率,增强其免疫和消化能力,改善肠胃菌群结构,尤其是处于生长期效果更明显,而至养殖末期运动状态可能会打破肠道菌群平衡,引发疾病,应加强养殖管理。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

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.