枸杞岛海藻场小型无脊椎动物的食物来源

摘 要 枸杞岛近岸海藻场生态系统内浮游动物、端足类、多毛类和棘皮动物等小型无脊椎动物是海藻场食物网的重要组成部分,承担了将初级生产者的能量产出向高级消费者传递转移的功能。为了探明桡足类、太平洋磷虾、中国毛虾、短毛海鳞虫、厚壳贻贝、角蝾螺、紫海胆、钩虾、麦秆虫、海绵和钩虾幼体等海藻场内主要小型无脊椎动物的能量来源,本研究应用稳定同位素技术分析海藻场食物网内这些小型无脊椎动物及其潜在食源浮游植物、大型海藻、底栖微藻等初级生产者的碳、氮稳定同位素组成,并用IsoSource多源线性混合模型来估算不同的初级生产者对小型无脊椎动物的食源贡献率。结果表明,初级生产者的δ13C值介于-21.7‰~-13.8‰之间,δ15N值介于2.3‰~11.6‰之间。初级生产者SOM、浮游植物、POM、铜藻的δ13C值无显著的季节差异（P>0.05）,附生生物、孔石莼和底栖微藻的δ13C值有明显的季节变化（P<0.05）。在所有的初级生产者中,仅附生生物的δ15N值有极显著的季节差异,其余种类的季节变化不显著。小型无脊椎动物的δ13C值介于-20.3‰~-15.4‰之间,δ15N值介于2.5‰~8.1‰之间。在所有的小型无脊椎动物中,仅桡足类的δ13C、δ15N值有显著的季节变化（P<0.05）,其余的小型无脊椎动物的δ13C、δ15N值都无显著的季节变化（P>0.05）。基于IsoSource模型分析发现,浮游植物和POM等是桡足类、太平洋磷虾和中国毛虾等浮游动物以及海绵的主要食源;钩虾幼体和麦秆虫等啃食性端足类主要以附着微藻为食;大型海藻和底栖微藻是钩虾、紫海胆和角蝾螺等底栖生物的主要能量来源。     

岛礁海藻场沉积有机物来源辨析

海藻场的沉积有机物(sedimentary organic matter,SOM)是实现海藻场生态系统服务功能的重要物质基础,本实验以枸杞岛北部海藻场为研究区域,围绕大型海藻周年生活史的幼苗生长、成熟茂盛和衰退凋亡3个阶段,于2014年7月凋亡期、2014年10月生长期和2015年5月茂盛期对海藻场的SOM进行样品采集,并运用碳、氮稳定同位素技术,以C/N、δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N为指标分析了SOM的来源及变化。结果显示,1)7月、10月和翌年5月的SOM C/N的变化范围分别为5.9~6.6、6.0~6.9和5.4~6.2,可判定海藻场SOM是典型的海源性来源;2)7月不同水深的SOMδ~(13)C值空间变化明显,介于–20.3‰~–17.6‰,而10月和翌年5月都不显著,分别介于–22.3‰~–21.7‰和–21.4‰~–21.0‰;3)SOM的δ~(13)C值存在时间变化,而7月δ~(13)C值存在不同水深的空间变化;4)δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N和C/N之间的关系表明,7月SOM主要来源于浮游植物和大型海藻的混合贡献,而10月和翌年5月SOM则主要来源于浮游植物贡献;5)根据碳稳定同位素质量平衡混合模型计算得到,7月大型海藻对该海藻场SOM的平均贡献率最高可达53.71%;6)大型海藻产生的碎屑在SOM占比受波浪等海域动力环境影响显著。     

应用同位素分析黑龙江中游主要鱼类营养层次

2010年5月—2011年10月对黑龙江中游采集的32种鱼类和6种底栖无脊椎动物,运用稳定碳、氮同位素方法进行水生态营养层次的分析。结果显示,鱼类δ13C值为-32.00‰～-17.32‰,相差14.68‰;δ15N值为7.58‰～14.78‰,差值达6.80‰,跨度都很大。底栖无脊椎动物δ13C值和δ15N值的跨度不大,δ13C值为-29.64‰～-26.10‰,相差3.54‰;δ15N值为7.09‰～9.91‰,相差2.82‰。通过δ15N值计算出黑龙江中游32种主要鱼类和6种底栖无脊椎动物食物网营养层次,其中肉食性鱼类鳇(Huso dauricus)占据了黑龙江中游鱼类中最高的营养位置。通过分析初步建立了水体食物网连续营养谱,并结合底栖无脊椎动物同位素数据勾勒出黑龙江中游食物网营养结构图。     

枸杞岛海藻场角蝾螺夏季摄食选择性及其生态学意义

于2013年夏季对枸杞岛海藻场螺类优势种角蝾螺进行了稳定同位素、摄食选择性、消化代谢物粒径等系列实验.稳定同位素结果显示,角蝾螺是牧食性生物,在藻场中的营养级为2.12,属初级消费者,底栖海藻是角蝾螺的主要食源,贡献率为94.5％;摄食选择性实验结果显示,角蝾螺具有较宽的摄食选择,能够摄食海带、铜藻、粗枝软骨藻等1 1种大型藻类,其中铜藻及蜈蚣藻是枸杞岛潮下带的重要优势种;消化代谢物实验结果显示,角蝾螺的啃食作用能为藻场碎屑提供增量,角蝾螺对海藻场碎屑的增量为(0.016 ～0.094)g/d,经过啃食及消化作用产生的碎屑主要粒级为1Φ(＞ 250 μm).稳定同位素分析—摄食选择偏好实验—螺类消化代谢物粒径分析的系列研究表明,角蝾螺在枸杞岛海藻场的群落食物网中,可以起到连接牧食食物链和碎屑食物链的重要作用.     

大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统简化食物网的稳定同位素

为了阐明大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统的简化食物网结构,本研究应用碳(C)、氮(N)稳定同位素技术测定了大亚湾珊瑚礁区样品的δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值,计算主要消费者营养级并绘制连续营养谱,构建了大亚湾珊瑚礁的营养结构。结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统食物网δ~(13)C值范围为-23.22‰～-10.76‰,平均值为-16.47‰±2.89‰;δ~(15)N值的范围为4.32‰～15.82‰,平均值为11.46‰±2.37‰。各潜在食源和消费者的碳、氮同位素比值之间均有显著性差异。根据δ~(15)N值计算结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁区主要消费者生物种类的营养级范围为1.70～3.64,其中腹足类、双壳类和鱼类的营养级分别为1.84～2.68、1.70～2.49和2.45～3.64。大型底栖动物的碳、氮同位素比值在季节之间无显著性差异。利用SIBER模型计算了大型底栖动物群落的6个营养结构量化指标,发现平均营养级多样性(CD)在各季节变化较小,摄食来源多样性水平(CR)、营养级长度(NR)和生态空间利用程度(SEAc)均在春季最高;物种聚集度密度参数(MNND)和物种聚集度均匀度参数(SDNND)均在冬季最低。研究表明,不同来源的有机物对大亚湾珊瑚礁食物网的贡献各不相同,其中浮游植物和藻类是大亚湾珊瑚礁中重要的初级生产者和驱动食物网的重要碳源。部分消费者摄食共同的饵料生物,存在生态位重叠现象。各消费者类群具有不同的营养位置,头足类的平均营养级最高,其次是鱼类、双壳类,主要与其食性相关。大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统中的主要消费者呈现两端营养级生物种类少、中间层次种类较多的营养层次分布。大亚湾珊瑚礁底栖群落的碳、氮稳定同位素无显著季节性差异,可能与珊瑚礁生态系统的特点和底栖动物的个体大小有关。底栖动物群落总体上具有相对较为稳定的营养多样性水平和食物网,其中在春季种群内营养层级差别较大、竞争较激烈,冬季群落营养冗余性最高。     

枸杞岛海藻场两种大型海藻碎屑分解和沉降特征

岛礁水域海藻场是近岸海域典型的生态系统,大型海藻分解产生的碎屑是海藻场生态功能的重要基础。为探究大型海藻碎屑对海藻场生态功能潜在规模的贡献,本研究以枸杞岛海藻场孔石莼和舌状蜈蚣藻为对象,通过现场挂袋实验和室内静水沉降测试,分析了两种海藻碎屑的组分、粒径和沉降特征。结果显示,分解过程中舌状蜈蚣藻和孔石莼的碎屑密度均逐渐减小,且各自在不同分解时期无显著差异。舌状蜈蚣藻碎屑中有机C含量和有机N含量对密度变化影响不显著,孔石莼碎屑中有机C含量对密度没有显著影响,而有机N含量对密度有显著影响。孔石莼碎屑的δ¹³C和δ¹⁵N对其密度有显著影响,舌状蜈蚣藻碎屑的密度只受δ¹³C影响。两种海藻碎屑的密度都受木质素含量的显著影响,受纤维素含量的影响不显著。粒径是两种海藻碎屑沉降速度的决定性要素之一,研究表明,舌状蜈蚣藻大型碎屑(粒径>0.830 mm)、中型碎屑(0.380～0.830 mm)和小型碎屑(0.180～0.380mm)的沉降速度分别为0.016～0.023、0.008～0.015和0.004～0.005 m/s,孔石莼...     

华南典型海湾主要渔业生物碳氮稳定同位素研究

为了解生境差异显著的华南典型海湾主要渔业生物的营养结构特征,于2015年丰水期研究了海陵湾和陵水湾主要渔业生物碳、氮稳定同位素比值(δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N),并计算了基于δ~(13)C-δ~(15)N量化的营养结构。结果表明,海陵湾主要渔业生物的δ~(13)C [(-15.36±0.62)‰]和δ~(15)N [(15.53±0.94)‰]均显著高于陵水湾(P0.01),但δ~(13)C差值(CR)和δ~(15)N差值(NR)低于陵水湾。陵水湾渔业生物NR和总面积(TA)都高于海陵湾,表明陵水湾比海陵湾食物链更长,多样性水平更高。以3.4‰作为一个营养级的氮稳定同位素富集度来计算,陵水湾渔业生物营养级级距仅为1.37,而海陵湾主要渔业生物营养级级距小于1,说明陵水湾和海陵湾均处于高营养级生物较少且食物网受干扰较多的状态。     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素技术的大亚湾紫海胆食性分析

为掌握大亚湾紫海胆(Heliocidaris crassispina)的食性特征,应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术对2015年8月所采集紫海胆样本的稳定同位素特征、营养级和食性特征进行了初步研究。结果表明,大亚湾紫海胆平均δ~(13)C值为-(13.35±1.21)‰,平均δ~(15)N值为(9.14±0.38)‰,平均营养级为2.11±0.14。不同壳径紫海胆之间的碳、氮稳定同位素比值无显著性差异(P0.05)。大亚湾海域紫海胆生活环境周围生物δ~(13)C值分布范围为-20.76‰~-9.93‰,δ~(15)N值分布范围为-0.16‰~14.99‰,营养级范围为1.34~3.77。大亚湾主要生物种类可划分为悬浮物、初级生产者和初级消费者、次级消费者、顶级消费者4个营养组群,其中紫海胆属于次级消费者。8月份调查海域珊瑚稀少,大型海藻密度低且死亡降解形成颗粒有机物(Particulate Organic Matter,POM),陆源POM随降雨大量流入大亚湾,导致紫海胆在8月份摄食偏向碎屑食物链,主要食物来源为POM,平均贡献率为67.3%;其余摄食种类为沉积物(Sediment Organic Matter,SOM)、裂叶马尾藻(Scagassum siliquastrum)、底栖硅藻、浮游动物及浮游植物,平均贡献率分别为9.7%、9.3%、6.7%、3.7%及3.3%。大亚湾紫海胆摄食种类与其栖息地底栖生物存在重叠,具有一定的食物竞争关系。研究表明,分析紫海胆食性特征对了解其所在生态系统中营养级水平具有重要意义。     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素的大亚湾渔业生物群落营养结构

根据2017年夏季和2018年冬季于大亚湾海域进行的底拖网渔业生物调查,该研究采用碳、氮稳定同位素(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N)技术,分析了大亚湾渔业生物的δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N基本特征,构建了连续营养级谱,并探讨了不同季节渔业生物营养结构的差异。结果显示,大亚湾海域渔业生物的δ~(13)C介于-19.66‰～-15.19‰,均值为(-17.26±0.86)‰;δ~(15)N介于11.63‰～16.01‰,均值为(13.59±0.96)‰。以小型浮游动物的δ~(15)N平均值作为基准构建渔业生物营养级谱,发现大亚湾海域渔业生物的营养级介于2.99～4.28,鱼类的营养级跨度最广,食性较复杂。运用SIBER模型计算了渔业生物的7个营养结构量化指标,发现部分生物摄食共同的饵料,存在生态位重叠现象。此外,夏季群落营养冗余度比冬季低。     

基于稳定同位素技术的天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区食物网结构研究

本研究对2016年6月在天津大神堂3个礁区(2010年建成的鱼礁区；2012年建成的鱼礁区；2014年建成的鱼礁区)和对照区域采集的生物消费者及其食物源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素组成进行了分析，通过IsoSource模型计算不同区域生物的食物网基础，并利用氮稳定同位素数据计算消费者的营养级。结果显示，根据δ13C值可以将其食物源分为浮游植物、悬浮颗粒有机物(POM)和沉积相颗粒有机物(SOM)三类；浮游植物对消费者的碳源贡献率(67.2%~81.5%)最大，是大神堂海域的生物食物网的基础。不同区域同一食物源的δ13C和δ15N值没有显著性差异；礁区内滤食性贝类毛蚶(Arca subcrenata)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的δ13C值显著高于对照区，作为潜在碳源的浮游植物对其的贡献率显著增加。消费者的δ15N值则介于7.70‰~14.34‰之间，消费者的营养级介于2.0~3.95级之间。游泳生物食性生物的δ15N和营养级在礁区内有所提高，礁区建成的年份越长，其营养级与对照区域的差别越显著。稳定同位素研究表明，人工鱼礁建设可能导致鱼礁区内滤食性生物的食物来源组成改变，并提高游泳生物食性生物的营养级。     

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.