长江江苏段浮游动物群落结构调查报告

2004年9月和12月、2005年3月对长江江苏段浮游动物的群落结构进行调查.浮游动物108种,以轮虫最多,45个种属,占41.66%;原生动物12个种属,占11.11%;枝角类25个种属,占23.14%;桡足类26个种属,占24.07%.年浮游动物密度为47.96个/L,生物量0.3663mg/L.全年常见的优势类群为:轮虫的臂尾轮虫属、三肢轮虫属、龟甲轮虫属、晶囊轮虫属;枝角类的象鼻溞属、秀体溞属;桡足类的真剑水蚤属、温剑水蚤属、许水蚤属.     

浙江老虎潭水库后生浮游动物群落组成及其环境影响因子

为探究老虎潭水库后生浮游动物群落多样性变化,2014年5月至2015年2月按季度分4次对水库6个采样站点的后生浮游生物种类组成、密度与生物量、多样性指数以及9项水质理化指标进行了调查。结果表明,老虎潭水库共鉴定出后生浮游动物20属、34种,其中轮虫10属、22种,枝角类4属、6种,桡足类6属、6种;主要优势种为长肢多肢轮虫(Polyarthra dolichoptera)、裂足臂尾轮虫(Brachionus diversicornis)、萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、角突臂尾轮虫(Brachionus angularis)、圆筒异尾轮虫(Trichocerca cylindrica)、罗氏异尾轮虫(Trichocerca rousseleti)、长圆疣毛轮虫(Synchaeta oblonga)和长额象鼻溞(Bomina longirostris),且优势种的季节更替明显;密度和生物量季节差异显著,年均密度为27.79个/L,年均生物量为0.23 mg/L;丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在4个季节间差异显著,夏季略高于其他3个季节;TLI指数显示,老虎潭水库全年各站点均处于中营养水平;冗余分析(RDA)表明,透明度、溶解氧、水温、高锰酸钾指数和p H是影响后生浮游动物群落动态变化的重要环境因子。     

2006年夏季珠江口浮游动物群落结构特征分析

2006年8月对珠江8大入海口浮游动物群落的种类组成和数量平面分布进行了调查。经鉴定有浮游动物57种,其中桡足类占优势,有20种;其次为轮虫和枝角类,分别为18和8种;此外,被囊动物2种,原生动物、多毛类、异足类、水母类、糠虾类各1种;还有阶段性各种幼虫以及未知种类2种。调查期间各站位均出现的种类有萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus calyciflorus）、镰状臂尾轮虫（B.falcatus）和长额象鼻溞（Bosmina lon-girostris）。浮游动物的种数变化范围为19～29种,密度的变化范围为2288～300000ind·m^-3,生物量的变化范围为10.03～111.94mg·m^-3。     

珠江口浮游动物分布特征研究

为研究珠江口浮游动物的时空分布变化特征，于2006年至2007年间，对珠江河口区丰水期（8月份）、平水期（11月份）、枯水期（2月份）的浮游动物进行采样分析。共采集浮游动物94种，甲壳动物占绝对优势，共鉴定出49种，其中桡足类35种，枝角类14种；其次轮虫类有28种；原生动物6种；被囊动物和糠虾类各2种；多毛类、螺类、水母类和异足类各1种；还有3种未知种类。还发现浮游幼虫10类。珠江口浮游动物的优势种主要有河口半咸水种中华异水蚤（Acartiella sinensis）、指状许水蚤（Schmackeria inopinus）、中华窄腹剑水蚤（Limnoithona sinensis）、短角异剑水蚤（Apocyclops royi）和轮虫类萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus catyciflorus）、镰状臂尾轮虫（Brachionus falcatus）、前节晶囊轮虫（Asplanchna priodonta）以及枝角类长额象鼻溞（Bosmina longirostris）。这些优势种多为耐污种类，表明珠江口的水质已受到污染。依据珠江口不同水文期采样调查的物种多样性指数和均匀度指数，浮游动物多样性指数在2007年2月枯水期最低，2006年11月平水期最高。[中国水产科学，2008，15（2）：260-268]     

水库鱼类放养密度对浮游动物群落结构的影响

以南亚热带地区2010年3座不同养殖密度的和龙水库、百花林水库、芙蓉嶂水库为对象,研究了浮游动物群落的结构特征,分析和探讨滤食性鱼类捕食对浮游动物群落结构的影响.3座水库浮游动物生物量均较低,不超过1.0 mg/L.高养殖密度、富营养水平的和龙水库浮游动物生物量显著低于其它2座水库,中等养殖密度、富营养水平的百花林水库则高于低养殖密度、贫-中营养水平的芙蓉嶂水库.和龙水库浮游动物全年以轮虫为主要优势类群,优势种为前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta);芙蓉嶂水库和百花林水库3月和12月浮游动物以枝角类为优势类群,优势种为长额象鼻溞(Bosmina longirostris)、颈沟基合溞(Bosminopsis deitersi)、模糊秀体潘(Di-aphanosoma dubium),8月为桡足类,优势种为舌状叶镖水蚤(Phyllodiaptomus tunguidus).3座水库年均浮游动物与浮游植物生物量比值均小于0.1,与年渔获量呈显著负相关关系.高强度的滤食性鱼类捕食使得下行效应比上行效应更强烈,浮游动物表现出低生物量和小个体种类占优势的特征.     

苏皖交界河网区后生浮游动物群落结构及其影响因子分析

鉴于长江中下游河网水流条件复杂,河流生境变化导致的浮游动物群落结构特异性,于2012年10月(平水期)和12月(枯水期)在长江下游江苏和安徽交界处的河网区布设6个采样点,进行轮虫和甲壳动物采样调查,并检测NH+4-N、NO-2-N、TN、TP、CODMn和Chl.a含量等水环境指标。结果表明,河网区共检出轮虫31种,优势种包括螺旋龟甲轮虫(Keratella cochlearis)和疣毛轮虫(Synchaeta sp.)等;枝角类14种,优势种为象鼻溞(Bosmina sp.);桡足类20种,优势种为跨立小剑水蚤(Microcyclops varicans)、中华窄腹剑水蚤(Limnoithona sinensis)和温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops sp.)。轮虫密度最高,平均为350.69个/L,其次为桡足类3.44个/L,枝角类最少,仅0.15个/L。轮虫和甲壳动物的季节变化规律不同,平水期的轮虫种类多于枯水期,枝角类和桡足类则相反,浮游动物的密度变化规律也类似。CCA分析表明,氮、磷、CODMn和Chl.a共同影响了浮游动物的群落结构与分布,枯水期轮虫密度与枝角类和桡足类密度均显著正相关(P0.01),叶绿素a与3类浮游动物密度也显著正相关(P0.05)。受长江汛后水文条件的影响,河网区浮游动物群落组成及优势种变化有其特定规律,轮虫与甲壳动物的种间关系也对其种类和密度的季节变化造成影响,而食物限制则是枯水期种群竞争的重要因素。     

太湖贡湖湾大型浮游动物群落结构的季节变化

2006年7月至2007年6月对太湖贡湖湾浮游动物群落结构的季节变化进行了研究。整个研究期间,贡湖湾共鉴定出浮游动物35种;浮游动物年平均密度为467 ind.•L-1,年平均生物量为1.726 mg•L-1。贡湖湾浮游动物优势种为针簇多肢轮虫 (Polyarthra trigla) 和萼花臂尾轮虫 (Brachionus Calyciflorus),其中针簇多肢轮虫年平均密度为99 ind.•L-1,占浮游动物总数量的22 %,萼花臂尾轮虫年平均密度为49 ind.•L-1,占浮游动物总数量的11%。相关分析表明,轮虫数量与颗粒悬浮物浓度和桡足类生物量显著负相关;枝角类数量与轮虫生物量显著负相关;桡足类数量与水温和总磷呈显著正相关性,与枝角类生物量极显著正相关。     

三道河水库浮游甲壳动物群落结构特征的初步研究

研究了湖北省三道河水库2007年8月至2008年4月浮游甲壳动物的群落结构及现存量的时空变化。三道河水库6个采样点(Ⅰ～Ⅵ)共鉴定出浮游甲壳动物8科、13属、21种,其中枝角类5科、9属、14种,优势种为简弧象鼻溞(Bosmina coregoni)、短尾秀体溞(Diaphanosoma brachyurum)和透明溞(Daphnia hyalin);桡足类3科、4属、7种,优势种为广布中剑水蚤(Microcyclops leuckarti)和汤匙华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus dorrii)。浮游甲壳动物年平均密度为92.6个/L,枝角类和桡足类分别为36.9个/L和55.7个/L;平均生物量为1.126mg/L,枝角类和桡足类分别为0.737mg/L和0.389mg/L。浮游甲壳动物现存量的季节变化明显,密度和生物量由高到低依次为秋季>夏季>冬季>春季。浮游甲壳动物密度的水平分布差异明显,采样点的密度和生物量由高到低为Ⅱ>Ⅵ>Ⅲ>Ⅰ>Ⅳ>Ⅴ。     

白洋淀浮游甲壳动物的生物多样性研究

基于2006年4月至2006年12月对白洋淀浮游甲壳动物进行采样调查，分析了白洋淀浮游甲壳动物的群落结构及多样性。本次调查共记录到浮游甲壳动物34种，隶属于9科19属，其中枝角类（Cladocera）19种，桡足类（Copepoda）16种。物种多样性季节性明显：枝角类优势种在春、夏和秋冬季依次为微型裸腹溞（Moina micrura）、长额象鼻溞（Bosmina longirostris）、长肢秀体溞（Diaphanosoma leuch）；而桡足类优势种在冬春季为英勇剑水蚤（Cyclopidae strenuus），在夏秋季为锯缘真剑水蚤（Eucyclopinae macruroides）和台湾温剑水蚤（Thermocyclops tsihokurnsis）。物种多样性春秋季较高，夏季和冬季较低。浮游甲壳类个体密度以春季最高，冬季最低。根据生物多样性指数综合判定白洋淀的水质为中营养化水平。     

温瑞塘河后生浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

2011年1-7月对温瑞塘河后生浮游动物的群落结构及其栖息环境进行了调查,10个采样点共鉴定出后生浮游动物24种;其中,轮虫15种、枝角类6种、桡足类3种;优势种包括萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、壶状臂尾轮虫(B.urceus)、镰状臂尾轮虫(B.falcaty)、前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta)、长三肢轮虫(Filinia longiseta)、长足轮虫(Rataria neptunia)、指状许水蚤(Schmackeria inopinus)、广布中剑水蚤(Microcyclops leuckarti)和多刺裸腹溞(Moina macrocopa),优势种组成随季节变化略有不同;浮游动物的月均密度为13.39 ～310.8个/L,月均生物量为0.29 ～ 26.04 mg/L,两值均随水温的升高而增高;就空间分布状况看,浮游动物密度和生物量在各样点间存在明显差异.浮游动物与环境因子的典范对应分析(CCA)结果显示,温瑞塘河的水温是影响浮游动物密度变化最主要的因素(P≤0.05);而高锰酸钾指数( CODMn)、总氮(TN)和氨氮(NH4+)对浮游动物密度的分布也有重要影响,但总氮的变化趋势由NH4+的多少决定.建议在温瑞塘河水环境治理过程中,重点关注水体CODMn和NH4+的分布状况.     

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.