三疣梭子蟹体内镉的蓄积特性及相应防控

应用半静态双箱模型室内模拟实验, 研究三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)体内镉(Cd)的蓄积特异性; 并通过分析钙离子(Ca²⁺)对三疣梭子蟹可食用部位镉(Cd)富集和释放影响, 提出三疣梭子蟹 Cd 污染防控建议。通过双箱动力学模型对三疣梭子蟹体内 Cd 含量变化进行非线性拟合, 得到富集速率常数 k₁和排出速率常数 k₂, 进而得到生物富集系数(BCF)和生物学半衰期(B_1/2)。结果显示, 1 μg/L、5 μg/L 和 50 μg/L Cd 暴露组三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺组织对 Cd 的 BCF 明显高于肌肉组织, 三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺组织中 BCF 和 k1 均随水体中 Cd 浓度的增加而增加, 1 μg/L, 5 μg/L 和 50 μg/L Cd 暴露组对 Cd 的 BCF 分别为 12.16、112.77 和 260.11; 肌肉组织中吸收速率常数 k₁ 与释放速率常数 k₂ 均随水体中 Cd 浓度的增加而增加, 由低到高 Cd 暴露组对 Cd 的 BCF 分别为 1.85、2.45 和 1.97。各浓度暴露组肝胰腺中 Cd 暴露风险指数(THQ)除 1 μg/L 组外, 均大于 1, 存在严重健康暴露风险; 各浓度暴露组肌肉中的 THQ 均小于 1, 没有明显的健康暴露风险。另外, Ca²⁺对三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺和肌肉中 Cd 富集和释放影响的实验结果表明, Ca²⁺的加入能够有效降低三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺和肌肉对 Cd 的富集, 并促进肝胰腺对 Cd 的释放。本研究结果为三疣梭子蟹 Cd 污染防控和食用方案的提出提供了理论基础。     

三疣梭子蟹可食组织对无机砷的富集和释放

将全甲宽(140.02±15.14) mm经暂养净化的成熟雌三疣梭子蟹放在500 L的聚乙烯水族箱中,加入由砷酸钠和三氧化二砷母液配制成三价无机砷和五价无机砷质量浓度分别为0.01 mg/L和0.10 mg/L的海水。对照组为无机砷质量浓度为(1.18±0.16)μg/L的过滤新鲜海水,不添加无机砷。半静态的暴露7 d富集试验中,每隔24 h换水1次,第1、3、5、7天随机取梭子蟹3只,立即解剖分离出肝胰腺、性腺和肌肉组织,于超低温冰箱中-80℃保存,用于测定3种可食组织中总砷的含量。28 d释放试验中,各试验箱中换成自然海水,每隔24 h完全换水1次,第7、14、21、28天随机取梭子蟹3只,立即解剖分离出上述3种可食组织,同样方法处理和测定,研究三疣梭子蟹在不同质量浓度三价无机砷和五价无机砷暴露7 d和释放28 d后的生物富集和释放转化规律。试验结果显示,三疣梭子蟹的可食组织对2种无机砷的富集能力较弱,肝胰腺组织中总砷含量在富集试验期间呈现先显著升高后降低的趋势,而在肌肉组织与性腺组织中均无明显的富集趋势,在释放试验期间,性腺和肝胰腺组织中总砷含量呈下降趋势,肌肉组织中总砷含量变化不明显。对照组三疣梭子蟹3种可食组织中砷的主要存在形态不同,肌肉与性腺中的砷主要以砷甜菜碱和二甲基砷形态存在,而肝胰腺中的砷主要以砷甜菜碱形态存在。试验结果表明,三疣梭子蟹对三价无机砷的生物利用度高于五价无机砷,无机砷主要积累在肝胰腺组织中,而肌肉与性腺组织中无无机砷累积。     

三疣梭子蟹体内苯并[a]芘的富集动力学

采用半静态双箱动力学模型研究三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)对苯并[a]芘(benzo[a]pyrene,BaP)的生物富集,通过对富集与排出过程中三疣梭子蟹体内BaP的动态监测,并对监测结果进行非线性曲线拟合,得到三疣梭子蟹的吸收速率常数K1、排出速率常数K2、生物富集因子BCF、富集平衡浓度CAmax、生物学半衰期B1/2等动力学参数;拟合结果得到BaP的各动力学参数分别如下:K1为14.67~26.08、K2为0.09~0.14、CAmax为9.31~73.35、BCF为163.00~196.29、B1/2为4.95~7.70 d。对模型的拟合优度检验结果显示,在BaP暴露条件下三疣梭子蟹对BaP的生物富集数据符合双箱动力学模型,模型的拟合优度良好。比较结果得出:三疣梭子蟹对不同浓度的BaP吸收速率常数K1及生物富集系数BCF基本随外界水体中暴露浓度的增加而降低;排出速率常数K2与外界水体暴露浓度无明显关系;理论平衡条件下生物体内BaP含量CAmax随着外界水体中BaP暴露浓度的增加而增大,且基本成正相关。实验结果表明BaP暴露条件下双箱动力学模型在一定条件下是可以应用于三疣梭子蟹的富集动力学研究的。     

苯并[a]芘、菲在缢蛏体内的生物富集与释放

为了研究苯并[a]芘(Bap)、菲PHE在缢蛏体内的富集及释放过程的动力学特征,通过双箱动力学模型对富集(15 d)与释放(9 d)过程进行非线性曲线拟合,获得缢蛏对BaP、PHE的吸收速率常数k₁、释放速率常数k₂、生物富集因子BCF、平衡状态下生物体内BaP含量C_Amax、生物学半衰期B_1/2。结果显示,缢蛏对BaP的富集能力高于PHE,BaP增加幅度分别为0.45 ng/(kg·d)(40 μg/L实验组)、0.33 ng/(kg·d)(20 μg/L实验组)、0.23 ng/(kg·d)(10 μg/L实验组);PHE增加幅度分别为0.33 ng/(kg·d)(30 μg/L实验组)、0.25 ng/(kg·d)(20 μg/L实验组)、0.18 ng/(kg·d)(10 μg/L实验组)。BaP、PHE的富集、清水释放均为前期迅速,后期缓慢。缢蛏对BaP、PHE的k₁范围分别为0.39~0.52,0.30~0.43,平均值分别为0.44和0.36,均随BaP、PHE暴露浓度的增大而减少;k₂范围分别为0.001 6~0.001 7,0.002 8~0.003 3,平均值分别为0.001 6和0.003 0,无明显的变化趋势;BCF范围分别为243.96~306.28,105.73~130.85,平均值分别为268.18和118.57,均随BaP、PHE暴露浓度的增大而减少;C_Amax范围分别为3 062.76~9 758.25 μg/kg,1 308.54~3 171.84 μg/kg,平均值分别为5 969.08和2 287.71 μg/kg;B_1/2范围分别为407.73~433.22 d,210.68~248.06 d,平均值分别为421.20和232.04 d,均随BaP、PHE暴露浓度的增大而增大。     

基于代谢组学技术的无机砷对三疣梭子蟹鳃组织的毒性作用机制研究

通过非靶向代谢组学方法对比分析暴露于 0.3 mg/L 三价砷(As³⁺)、0.3 mg/L 五价砷(As⁵⁺)环境中 96 h 的雌性成体三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)代谢物组成及含量的变化, 探究 As³⁺、As⁵⁺对三疣梭子蟹鳃组织毒性相关分子机制。结果发现, 经 0.3 mg/L As³⁺暴露共获得 100 个差异代谢产物, 主要富集于 ABC 转运体、花生四烯酸代谢、蛋白质消化吸收、氨基酸代谢及氨酰基-tRNA 的生物合成等代谢通路; 经 0.3 mg/L As5+暴露共获得 59 个差异代谢产物, 主要富集于 ABC 转运体、氨基酸代谢、氨酰基-tRNA 的生物合成、谷胱甘肽代谢等代谢通路。根据筛选出的差异代谢物的生理功能及其涉及的代谢通路分析, 探究 As³⁺、As⁵⁺对三疣梭子蟹鳃组织毒性作用的分子机制及三疣梭子蟹的响应调控机制, 为后期深入研究致毒机制提供理论依据。     

海水和饲料中Pb在凡纳滨对虾体内的富集与释放特性

为获知海水和饲料中重金属Pb与凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)各组织间的富集与释放特性,应用生物富集双箱动力学模型,模拟凡纳滨对虾分别在海水中Pb浓度为0.0015 mg/L(B0)、0.0080 mg/L(B1)、0.0466 mg/L(B2)和0.2302 mg/L(B3),饲料中Pb浓度为2.089 mg/kg(A0)、2.750 mg/kg(A1)、6.103 mg/kg(A2)和14.520 mg/kg(A3)的驯养过程中,其肝胰腺、外骨骼和肌肉对Pb的生物富集与释放特性,为Pb在凡纳滨对虾体内的分布、富集和迁移提供理论依据,为其安全生产提供指导意义。同时通过非线性拟合得到凡纳滨对虾对海水和饲料中Pb的富集速率常数K1、排出速率常数K2、生物富集系数BCF、生物半衰期B_(1/2),富集平衡时生物体内Pb含量CAmax等动力学参数。结果显示:(1)投喂任一浓度饲料时,B0、B1、B2组凡纳滨对虾肌肉、外骨骼和肝胰腺组织中Pb含量均小于限量值0.5 mg/kg,而在B3海水浓度中,随着投喂饲料浓度的增大,各组织中Pb累积量高于限量值(0.5 mg/kg)的时间出现得越来越早;肝胰腺中Pb的释放速率高于肌肉和外骨骼的释放速率。(2)用SPSS18.0对饲料Pb含量、海水浓度、富集时间进行三因素重复测量方差分析显示,饲料浓度、海水浓度和富集时间对凡纳滨对虾各组织中Pb的富集含量出现显著性差异[除了饲料浓度对凡纳滨对虾外骨骼组织中Pb富集主效应达到边缘显著(F=2.351,P=0.071)],且饲料、海水及时间交互效应分析显示,三者交互作用显著。(3)用SPSS18.0对不同组织中Pb的富集含量、饲料浓度、海水浓度和富集时间进行多元回归分析,结果显示:在凡纳滨对虾各组织间Pb富集过程中,海水中Pb浓度的贡献率大于饲料中Pb浓度的贡献率。(4)达到平衡状态下,投喂A0饲料浓度,生长在B0~B3组海水中,凡纳滨对虾肌肉组织中Pb含量为0.128~2.981 mg/kg,肝胰腺组织中Pb含量为0.399~4.765 mg/kg;生物学半衰期(B_(1/2))范围分别为5~7 d和3~7 d。投喂A2饲料浓度,生长在B0~B3组海水中,凡纳滨对虾肌肉组织中Pb含量为0.380~1.000 mg/kg,肝胰腺组织中Pb含量为0.288~5.355 mg/kg;生物学半衰期(B_(1/2))范围分别为2~7 d和2~5 d。理论平衡浓度下,肝胰腺组织中含量均大于肌肉。     

虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)对铅和镉的生物富集与释放规律

利用双箱模型模拟了虾夷扇贝在混合暴露条件下富集、释放铅和镉的动力学特征,通过测定不同规格虾夷扇贝、不同组织富集、释放过程中铅和镉的含量并进行非线性拟合,获得不同生长阶段虾夷扇贝对铅和镉的生物富集系数BCF、吸收速率常数k1、释放速率常数k2、生物学半衰期B1/2以及不同组织中铅和镉的富集参数。结果显示,大、小两种规格虾夷扇贝对铅的BCF分别为1671、896,对镉的BCF分别为7433、1123;不同规格虾夷扇贝对铅、镉的BCF顺序为:大规格小规格;相同规格虾夷扇贝BCF:镉铅,表明虾夷扇贝对镉的富集能力强于铅;铅、镉的B1/2为:大规格小规格,说明大规格的虾夷扇贝对铅、镉的代谢排出能力更强;铅在虾夷扇贝各组织中的富集顺序依次为:鳃内脏团闭壳肌,镉的富集顺序依次为:内脏团鳃闭壳肌。     

混合暴露条件下菲律宾蛤仔不同组织对几种重金属的富集与释放特征

应用双箱动力学模型模拟了菲律宾蛤仔在Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg和As 7种重金属混合暴露条件下,内脏团、鳃、斧足及基部和外套膜组织对重金属的生物富集与释放实验,并通过非线性拟合得到菲律宾蛤仔各组织对7种重金属的富集速率常数k1、排出速率常数k2、生物富集系数BCF、生物半衰期B1/2、富集平衡时生物体内重金属含量CAmax等动力学参数。结果表明,1)重金属在菲律宾蛤仔不同组织器官中的富集具有选择性,理论平衡状态下,Cu、Cd、As、Pd在各组织的含量分布(CAmax):内脏团斧足及基部鳃外套膜;Cr分布规律(CAmax):内脏团鳃斧足及基部外套膜;Hg分布规律(CAmax):斧足及基部外套膜鳃内脏团;Zn分布规律(CAmax):斧足及基部鳃外套膜内脏团。2)菲律宾蛤仔对不同重金属的富集系数存在显著差异(P0.05),对Cu富集程度最高,其富集系数范围为1514.0-4818.0;其次是Cd和Hg,富集系数范围分别为104.5-975.4,255.9-447.4;As、Cr、Pb、Zn离子在菲律宾蛤仔体内富集程度较低,其富集系数均在300以内。3)菲律宾蛤仔对重金属的释放能力较差,双箱动力学模型可较好地反映混合暴露条件下菲律宾蛤仔对重金属的富集特征,但不适合对其释放特征进行描述。     

微孢子虫感染三疣梭子蟹的肌组织病理及其免疫相关酶活性

利用纯化的三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)"牙膏病"病原微孢子虫对三疣梭子蟹进行人工感染实验,观察感染蟹肌肉组织的临床变化及其超微病理,并测定感染后肌肉和肝胰腺组织酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)不同时间点的活性。结果发现,微孢子虫肌肉注射感染三疣梭子蟹后,蟹的肌纤维透明度随着感染时间的延长逐渐下降并向白浊化转变。超微病理显示,注射感染176 h后,肌细胞内存在大量微孢子虫,感染蟹肌细胞出现核膜肿胀和线粒体双层膜破裂等病变,严重者肌纤维发生断裂、溶解,电镜下可见大量高电子密度的溶解灶。免疫相关酶活分析显示,微孢子虫感染后,三疣梭子蟹肌肉和肝胰腺组织ACP和SOD活性均呈现两个显著上升过程(P0.05);肝胰腺组织ACP活性始终高于肌肉组织,而两种组织的SOD活性恰好相反;感染蟹肌肉组织内两种酶活性几乎始终大于正常对照组。酶活的变化可能与蟹微孢子虫的肌肉组织亲嗜性及其增殖速度较慢等特点有关。     

虾夷扇贝(Patinopecten yessoensis)对铅和镉的生物富集与释放规律

利用双箱模型模拟了虾夷扇贝在混合暴露条件下富集、释放铅和镉的动力学特征,通过测定不同规格虾夷扇贝、不同组织富集、释放过程中铅和镉的含量并进行非线性拟合,获得不同生长阶段虾夷扇贝对铅和镉的生物富集系数BCF、吸收速率常数k1、释放速率常数k2、生物学半衰期B1/2以及不同组织中铅和镉的富集参数。结果显示,大、小两种规格虾夷扇贝对铅的BCF分别为1671、896,对镉的BCF分别为7433、1123;不同规格虾夷扇贝对铅、镉的BCF顺序为:大规格>小规格;相同规格虾夷扇贝BCF:镉>铅,表明虾夷扇贝对镉的富集能力强于铅;铅、镉的B1/2为:大规格>小规格,说明大规格的虾夷扇贝对铅、镉的代谢排出能力更强;铅在虾夷扇贝各组织中的富集顺序依次为:鳃>内脏团>闭壳肌,镉的富集顺序依次为:内脏团>鳃>闭壳肌。     

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.