不同地区稻虾综合种养系统的微生物群落结构分析

为研究不同地区稻虾综合种养系统的环境及克氏原螯虾肠道的细菌群落结构差异,为改进不同地区稻虾综合养殖策略提供依据,采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术,研究了武汉、永州和韶关地区稻田养殖克氏原螯虾的水体、底泥及虾肠道细菌群落结构,并对水体、肠道菌群与环境因子之间的关系进行了分析。结果显示,武汉地区稻虾综合种养系统的水体、底泥及克氏原螯虾肠道细菌群落的多样性均大于永州地区和韶关地区。武汉地区的稻虾综合种养系统的水体及底泥的细菌群落结构与永州地区和韶关地区均相似,其中水体的优势菌门均为放线菌门、蓝细菌门、变形菌门和拟杆菌门;底泥的优势菌门均为变形菌门。武汉地区的克氏原螯虾肠道的优势菌门为变形菌门、厚壁菌门和拟杆菌门;优势菌属为柠檬酸杆菌属(Citrobacter,10.85%)、气单胞菌属(Aeromonas,9.88%)和[Anaerorhabdus]＿furcosa＿group (8.43%)等。永州地区的克氏原螯虾肠道的优势菌门为厚壁菌门和放线菌门;优势菌属为ZOR0006 (9.78%)、拟杆菌属(Bacteroides,5.41%)和[Anaerorhabdus]＿fur...     

3种养殖模式下暗纹东方鲀的生长及水质变化

为探讨不同养殖模式对暗纹东方鲀生长及水质的影响,选取无损伤、健康的暗纹东方鲀7000尾,随机分成3种养殖模式:立体种养模式(模式Ⅰ)、单养模式(模式Ⅱ)和混养模式(模式Ⅲ),进行了为期56 d的养殖试验,比较3种养殖模式下暗纹东方鲀的生长速度、成活率以及养殖水质指标的变化。试验结果:模式Ⅰ暗纹东方鲀的成活率(97.10%)高于模式Ⅱ(92.35%)和模式Ⅲ(89.37%),特定生长率[(1.83±0.12)%/d]显著高于模式Ⅲ(P<0.05),饲料系数(2.20)则低于其他2种模式;模式Ⅱ下养殖水体的三态氮(TAN、NO2^--N和NO3^--N)无明显变化,其质量浓度略低于模式Ⅰ和模式Ⅲ,模式Ⅲ下三态氮的质量浓度有所升高,而模式Ⅰ下TAN和NO2^--N质量浓度有降低的趋势;3种养殖模式下,池塘水体的化学需氧量(COD)呈现先升后降再升的变化趋势,总悬浮物(TSS)呈现先升高后降低的趋势,其中模式Ⅰ的COD和TSS质量浓度均低于模式Ⅱ和模式Ⅲ;模式Ⅱ和模式Ⅲ下总氮(TN)质量浓度先降后升,而模式Ⅰ的TN质量浓度则是先降后升再降,且在14 d后均显著低于其他2种模式(P<0.05);模式Ⅱ和模式Ⅲ下总磷(TP)质量浓度无明显变化,模式Ⅰ下TP质量浓度在养殖初期有所升高,呈现先升后降的变化趋势,并在56 d时降至最低,显著低于模式Ⅱ和模式Ⅲ(P<0.05)。结果表明,在立体种养模式下,暗纹东方鲀不仅生长快,成活率高,而且栽种蕹菜对池塘养殖水体具有较好的净化作用,能减少池塘养殖水体富营养化,立体种养模式较单养和混养模式更适合暗纹东方鲀养殖。     

双斑东方鲀循环水养殖水体细菌群落结构分析

利用16S rRNA高通量基因测序技术研究了双斑东方鲀(Fugu bimaculatus)循环水养殖系统养殖水体细菌种群结构特征,并比较养殖患病(溃疡症)的双斑东方鲀的水体细菌群落结构与健康的之间的差异,探讨细菌群落结构与双斑东方鲀细菌性病害发生的相关性。研究结果表明,双斑东方鲀循环水养殖水体细菌群落的优势细菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes),优势细菌纲为γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria)、黄杆菌纲(Flavobacteriia)、α-变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria),优势细菌目为黄杆菌目(Flavobacteriales)、硫发菌目(Thiotrichales)、红细菌目(Rhodobacterales)、交替单胞菌目(Alteromonadales)、弧菌目(Vibrionales),优势细菌科为黄杆菌科(Flavobacteriaceae)、硫发菌科(Thiotrichaceae)、红细菌科(Rhodobacteraceae)、弧菌科(Vibrionaceae)、交替假单胞菌科(Pseudoalteromonadaceae)。患病的和健康的循环水养殖水体细菌群落种类组成相似度高,细菌群落多样性指数无较大差异,在同一分类水平上各细菌群落丰度占比差异显著;二者核心微生物(属)的差异明显,健康的循环水养殖水体核心细菌群落以Polaribacter属为主;患病的循环水养殖水体核心细菌群落以弧菌科的发光杆菌属(Photobacterium)和弧菌属(Vibrio)为主,而发光杆菌属和弧菌属的多数种类属于病原菌或条件致病菌。双斑东方鲀患病(溃疡症)与养殖水体细菌群落的弧菌属丰度占比高有关。该研究结果对双斑东方鲀循环水养殖细菌性病害的监测、预警、诊断及管理控制具有重要的意义。     

不同养殖模式下2龄暗纹东方鲀的生长特性

为探寻暗纹东方鲀高效生态养殖模式,开展了两种养殖模式(模式Ⅰ:暗纹东方鲀、南美白对虾和蕹菜立体种养模式,模式Ⅱ:暗纹东方鲀传统单养模式)的养殖对比试验,通过定期测量各阶段鱼的体长、体质量等生长指标,分析比较两种模式下暗纹东方鲀的生长规律和差异。结果表明:两种养殖模式下,暗纹东方鲀体长与体质量均呈良好的幂函数增长相关(W=aL~b),且b值均接近3,说明试验鱼的生长接近于匀速增长;鱼的体长、体质量与养殖天数均呈极显著的直线增长相关关系;体长和体质量的特定增长率均呈现先升高后下降的趋势,并均于养殖第85天达到最大值,但养殖154 d后,立体种养模式体长和体质量特定增长率的下降速度明显快于传统单养模式。试验结果表明,养殖暗纹东方鲀采用立体种养模式,不仅提质增效作用明显,而且具有良好的生态效益。     

基于16S rRNA基因分析双斑东方鲀肠道 微生物多样性

为探究野生和养殖双斑东方鲀肠道微生物的群落结构,对厦门同安海域野生和养殖双斑东方鲀肠道内容物进行16S rRNA基因的V3～V4区测序,通过Illumina Miseq PE300高通量测序,对6份样品进行分析,共得到优质序列99 500条,相似度为97%的聚类分析显示,野生双斑东方鲀运算分类单元数目为524,其中独有的运算分类单元数目为68,养殖双斑东方鲀运算分类单元数目为576,其中独有的运算分类单元数目为120。通过计算Chao1、observed-species、PD_whole_tree、香农指数进行Alpha多样性分析,结果显示,养殖双斑东方鲀细菌多样性和丰富度高于野生双斑东方鲀。门水平分析表明,变形菌门为野生双斑东方鲀和养殖双斑东方鲀的优势菌。产河鲀毒素相关的希瓦氏菌属、纤毛菌属、发光杆菌属、假交替单胞菌属在野生双斑东方鲀肠道微生物中占有一定比例,而在养殖双斑东方鲀中未发现。所获结果揭示了野生和养殖双斑东方鲀肠道微生物中优势菌群的组成,为探究河鲀毒素的产毒机制提供科学证据。     

暗纹东方鲀、南美白对虾和空心菜 立体种养模式初探

为探索高效的生态养殖模式,研究比较了暗纹东方鲀、南美白对虾和空心菜立体种养(模式1)、暗纹东方鲀单养(模式2)、南美白对虾单养(模式3) 3种养殖模式的养殖产量、饲料系数和综合养殖效果。养殖试验结果:模式1～3的单位面积产量分别为358、310、338 kg/亩(15亩=1 hm~2,下同),产值分别为19 591、18 308、14 828元/亩,利润分别为8 807、6 722、8 337元/亩;模式1、模式2中暗纹东方鲀的成活率分别为93.3%、94.3%,饲料系数分别为2.74、2.59;模式1、模式3南美白对虾的成活率分别为51.6%、70.9%,饲料系数分别为0.95、1.55。结果表明,暗纹东方鲀、南美白对虾和空心菜立体种养模式既能提高池塘利用率,获得较好的养殖经济效益,同时还改善了池塘水质,是1种值得推广的健康养殖模式。     

南美白对虾养殖环境及其肠道细菌多样性分析

为了探讨南美白对虾(Penaeus vannamei Boone)肠道及其养殖环境中细菌种群组成和分布,采用Illumina miseq测序平台,基于16S r RNA基因的序列测定结果,对南美白对虾肠道及其养殖池塘底泥、水体中细菌的种群结构进行分析。结果显示,在南美白对虾肠道、养殖池塘底泥、水体分别检测到206、265和270个细菌属,其中,有90个属在3个样品中均可检测到,底泥和水、底泥和虾肠道、水和虾肠道中检测到的共有细菌属分别为146、128和119个,表明养殖池塘底泥、水和肠道中细菌存在密切的相互作用。在底泥、水和虾肠道样品中丰度大于1%的优势菌属分别有20、17和10个;底泥、水体和虾肠道中丰度最高的细菌均为一种分类未明的细菌属,丰度分别为23.08%、37.13%和42.22%。除此之外,底泥中主要优势细菌属分别为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)(5.77%)、Ohtaekwangia(4.79%)和狭义的梭菌属(Clostridium)(3.88%);水体中主要优势细菌属分别为土壤杆菌属(Sediminibacterium)(6.64%)、Spartobacteria genera incertae sedis(3.95%)和GPIIa(3.20%),而虾肠道中主要优势细菌属分别为假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)(14.57%)和不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)(6.54%)。在底泥、水和肠道中分别检测到3、6和6个潜在致病细菌属,丰度最高的细菌属分别是假单胞菌属(5.77%)、黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium)(0.77%)和假单胞菌属(14.57%)。在底泥、水和肠道中检测到的益生菌可分别分配至8、6和7个细菌属,其中有5个属在3个样品中均可检测到。聚类分析显示,养殖池塘底泥、水体和南美白对虾肠道细菌种群中丰富度位于前20的分类操作单元(OUT)在聚类树的位置存在明显不同。研究结果进一步加深了对健康南美白对虾肠道细菌种群及其与养殖环境中细菌种群互作的理解,为益生菌制剂的研发提供了新的线索。     

淡水池塘不同养殖品种养殖尾水排放周期内的水质动态变化

为探明不同养殖品种在养殖尾水排放周期内的水质变化特征、主要污染物排放强度，获取养殖尾水排放周期内接近总排水量水质指标平均浓度的适宜采样时段，对暗纹东方鲀、罗氏沼虾、中华绒螯蟹养殖池塘进行养殖尾水水质监测，在16:30～次日7:30的养殖尾水排放周期内，每3 h采集养殖尾水检测总固体悬浮物(TSS)、有机物(COD_Mn)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)指标。结果显示：不同养殖品种之间，排放养殖尾水的4项水质指标质量浓度均有显著或极显著差异。综合评价养殖尾水水质状况：中华绒螯蟹最佳，暗纹东方鲀次之，罗氏沼虾较差。养殖尾水排放周期内，暗纹东方鲀、罗氏沼虾、中华绒螯蟹养殖池塘TSS和TP质量浓度在不同检测时间均有极显著差异(P<0.01),COD_Mn和TN质量浓度在不同检测时间均无显著性差异(P>0.05)。暗纹东方鲀养殖池塘的TSS实际排放强度显著高于估算排放强度(P<0.05),暗纹东方鲀和罗氏沼虾养殖池塘的TP实际排放强度显著高于估算排放强度(P<0.05),中华绒螯蟹养殖池塘4项水质指标的实际排放强度均低于估算排放强度(P...     

红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道可培养细菌的多样性

使用2216E平板涂布法从肠道样品分离可培养细菌,通过16S r DNA测序鉴定细菌。所有分离的细菌分为变形菌门(包含γ-变形细菌纲和α-变形细菌纲)和厚壁菌门。其中以γ-变形细菌纲为优势(83.3%)。在属的水平,从肠道中共分离出弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属、假交替单胞菌属、亚硫酸杆菌属、芽孢杆菌属、Aliivibrio、发光杆菌属、科尔韦尔氏菌属8个属,其中弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属和假交替单胞菌属的种类占总数的70%。首次发现亚硫酸杆菌属和科尔韦尔氏菌属作为红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道菌群的一部分。     

凡纳滨对虾和罗氏沼虾肠道微生物及抗生素抗性基因多样性分析

探究凡纳滨对虾和罗氏沼虾肠道微生物及抗生素抗性基因(antibiotic resistance genes, ARGs)种类的差异。通过高通量测序和变性梯度凝胶电泳(denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE)技术分析2种虾肠道微生物群落结构差异和微生物多样性,并运用PCR方法检测了2种虾肠道细菌常见38种ARGs的携带情况。结果显示,获得凡纳滨对虾和罗氏沼虾肠道细菌有效序列分别为42 795和40 713条,物种注释单元(operational taxonomic unit, OTU)数目分别为124和82,分类地位明确的细菌种类分别隶属5个门、17个属和5个门、16个属。凡纳滨对虾肠道细菌的优势类群为变形菌门,所占比例为75.45%,优势菌属为副球菌属(25.83%)和不动杆菌属(25.24%);罗氏沼虾肠道细菌的优势类群是厚壁菌门(49.74%),优势菌属为乳球菌属(49.01%)和弧菌属(29.98%)。凡纳滨对虾肠道细菌(2.19)Shannon指数高于罗氏沼虾肠道细菌(1.78),表明前者肠道细菌多样性大于后者。DGGE图谱的分析结果与高通量测序一致,2种虾肠道细菌种类差异很大。PCR结果显示,凡纳滨对虾肠道细菌携带15种ARGs,罗氏沼虾肠道细菌携带14种ARGs。本实验表明凡纳滨对虾肠道细菌的群落种类多样性、OTU丰富度、物种总数和ARGs种类均高于罗氏沼虾肠道细菌,为后续肠道微生物资源的挖掘提供了理论依据。     

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.     

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.