延迟投饵对杂交鲟仔鱼生长、摄食和存活的影响

为进一步了解杂交鲟(史氏鲟Acipenser schrenckii♂×达氏鳇Huso dauricus♀)仔鱼开口阶段的摄食习性,并为大批量培育人工苗种提供理论依据,在水温19~23 ℃条件下,研究了延迟投饵对人工繁殖的杂交鲟仔鱼生长、摄食和存活的影响。设置了投饵时间不同的6个试验组,每组30尾仔鱼,分别于孵化后9、10、12、14、16和20 d开始投喂剁碎的水蚯蚓;另设1个饥饿组作对照,试验过程中始终不投饵。每个试验组设2个平行,试验周期为30 d。结果显示:(1)杂交鲟仔鱼在孵化后9 d初次摄食,9~11日龄为混合营养期,20日龄不能建立外源营养的仔鱼进入不可逆点(PNR)期;(2)不同阶段杂交鲟仔鱼初次摄食率的变化规律为:开始较低,此后持续上升,11~19日龄仔鱼的初次摄食率维持在75 %~100 %,20日龄仔鱼的初次摄食率急剧下降至40 %;(3)延迟投饵3 d对杂交鲟仔鱼的存活率无显著影响;延迟投饵5 d以上,仔鱼的存活率急剧下降,饥饿组仔鱼在25日龄全部死亡;延迟投饵0、1和3 d的试验组,仔鱼体长和体质量增长无显著性差异(P>0.05),但与其他组仔鱼相比差异显著(P<0.05)。试验结果表明:杂交鲟仔鱼的最佳投饵时间为10~12日龄。     

延迟投饵对半滑舌鳎仔鱼生长、存活和体成分的影响

以半滑舌鳎Cynoglossus semilaevis仔鱼为研究对象,将其分为4个处理组,分别在孵化后第3天(对照组)、延迟1 d(D1组)、延迟2 d(D2组)和延迟3d(D3组)投喂轮虫,探讨延迟投饵对半滑舌鳎仔鱼生长、存活和体成分的影响.实验水温21～22℃,盐度为31.00,试验周期为15 d.结果显示,仔鱼于孵出后第3天进入混合营养期,从第4天开始加速生长,第5天进入外源性营养期.延迟投饵2 d,会使仔鱼的干重、粗蛋白和粗脂肪的含量明显低于对照组(P<0.05).随着投饵天数的延迟,仔鱼的存活率也随之降低.在仔鱼开口后4 d内,各组死亡率差异不大;开口后第6天(孵化后第8天),仔鱼死亡率呈现明显差异.在孵化后第10天,延迟投饵3 d的仔鱼几乎完全死亡.     

马拉瓜丽体鱼仔鱼饥饿试验及不可逆点的确定

在（28±1）℃条件下对马拉瓜丽体鱼（Cichlasoma managuense）仔鱼进行饥饿试验,确定仔鱼的不可逆点（PNR）,并研究延迟投饵对仔鱼成活和生长的影响。结果显示,仔鱼在4日龄时开口摄食,进入混合营养期,持续3 d;7日龄时卵黄囊消失,进入外源营养期。初次摄食率开始时仅为15%,6日龄时的初次摄食率最高达100%,9日龄以后初次摄食率急剧下降,PNR出现在仔鱼孵出后第9至第10日龄。延迟投饵1～3 d对仔鱼的成活率影响不大,延迟投饵4 d以上仔鱼成活率明显下降。完全饥饿条件下仔鱼全长在0～8日龄为正增长,之后开始转为负增长。延迟投饵1～3 d的12日龄仔鱼全长无显著差异（P〉0.05）;延迟投饵超过4 d的仔鱼全长则有极显著差异（P〈0.01）。马拉瓜丽体鱼仔鱼的最佳投喂时间应在仔鱼开口后的3 d之内。     

延迟投饵对奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼摄食、生长和存活的影响

在盐度为5‰,水温(28±0.5)℃的条件下,对延迟投饵0~7d的奥尼罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus×O.aureus)仔鱼摄食、生长与存活进行了研究,并确定了仔鱼的饥饿不可逆点(PNR)。试验于仔鱼开口的当天开始试验。结果显示:仔鱼于3日龄开口;延迟投饵0~7 d组,投饵2 h后仔鱼摄食发生率分别为20%、100%、83.3%、36.7%、13.3%、6.7%、3.3%和0%,各组之间差异显著(P<0.05);延迟投饵在2 d以内,10日龄仔鱼体长和体重与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),延迟投饵超过2 d,体长和体重显著低于对照组(P<0.05);奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼存活率随延迟投饵天数增加而降低,延迟0~2 d的10日龄仔鱼的存活率相差不大,介于78.6%~79.3%,各组差异不显著(P>0.05),延迟投饵超过2 d的仔鱼存活率较低,介于0%~33.3%;奥尼罗非鱼仔鱼的不可逆点出现在仔鱼开口后第4 d,开始投喂的最佳时间在仔鱼开口后的3 d之内。     

斜带石斑鱼种苗转饵模式研究

对36日龄平均体质量(0.21±0.01)g的斜带石斑鱼种苗的转饵模式进行研究。设计5种转饵模式:转饵1组前10d投喂生物饵料,然后转投配合饲料;转饵2、转饵3和转饵4组前10d进行联合投喂(转饵2:25%配合饲料+75%生物饵料;转饵3:50%配合饲料+50%生物饵料;转饵4:75%配合饲料+25%生物饵料),然后转投配合饲料;转饵5组直接投喂配合饲料;转饵试验至种苗60日龄结束。试验结果表明,由于鱼体长度变异系数显著高于其他各组(P0.05),转饵4组试验鱼死亡率最高,而其他各组之间差异不显著(P0.05);试验结束时,转饵1组试验鱼体质量和质量增加率最低,显著低于其他各组(P0.05),而转饵2组又显著低于转饵4和转饵5组(P0.05);转饵1组种苗36—45日龄的特定生长率显著低于其他各组(P0.05),而46—60日龄的特定生长率显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。转饵试验结束后,各组种苗全鱼水分和粗蛋白含量差异不显著(P0.05),转饵5组种苗全鱼粗脂肪含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05)。综合比较各项指标,转饵3的模式种苗质量增加率较高而死亡率较低,是本研究中效果较好的转饵模式。     

不同投喂率和投喂频率对大杂交鲟幼鱼生长、体成分和生化指标的影响

为探讨大杂交鲟(Huso dauricus♀×Acipenser schrenckii♂)适宜投喂率和投喂频率,本实验分别设计了5个投喂率(0.4%、0.8%、1.2%、1.6%和2.0%)和5个投喂频率(1次/d、2次/d、3次/d、4次/d和5次/d),研究不同投喂率和投喂频率对大杂交鲟生长、体成分和生化指标的影响。投喂率实验中鱼初重(335.87±0.82)g,投喂频率实验中鱼初重(334.77±1.06)g,养殖周期为10周。结果表明,随着投喂率升高,实验鱼增重率、特定生长率、肝体比、脏体比、肥满度,肌肉粗蛋白、粗脂肪和肝粗脂肪含量显著升高(P0.05),血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶和胃蛋白酶活性均显著升高(P0.05);饲料效率、全鱼和肌肉水分含量均显著降低(P0.05);全鱼粗脂肪含量,血清总蛋白、白蛋白和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量,肠脂肪酶活性呈先升高后降低趋势(P0.05)。随着投喂频率增加,实验鱼增重率、特定生长率和饲料效率无显著差异(P0.05);1次/d投喂频率组脏体比、肥满度和全鱼粗脂肪含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),2次/d投喂频率组全鱼粗蛋白含量显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。不同投喂频率对实验鱼除血清葡萄糖含量以外的其他血清生化指标和胃肠消化酶活性或含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综合以上结果认为,在300～600g大杂交鲟的养殖过程中日投喂率在1.2%～1.6%,投喂频率为2次/d比较适宜。     

延迟首次投喂对胭脂鱼仔鱼氨基酸和脂肪酸的影响

为考察饥饿及恢复摄食对胭脂鱼仔鱼氨基酸和脂肪酸的影响.在水温(19±0.5)℃下,对胭脂鱼仔鱼实施延迟首次投喂0、1、3、5、7、9和11d共7个处理,随后进行饱食投喂,分别在延迟处理结束时以及摄食后(19日龄和29日龄)取材对鱼体的含脂量、脂肪酸和氨基酸含量进行检测.结果如下:(1)随延迟首次投喂时间的增加,胭脂鱼仔鱼鱼体的脂肪含量呈显著下降趋势.在实验结束时(29日龄),各处理组仔鱼的脂肪含量均与对照组无显著性差异,表现出完全补偿效应.(2)胭脂鱼仔鱼在饥饿期间,主要以单不饱和脂肪酸作为能量代谢基质,按n-6＞n-9＞n-3顺序被先后利用,且C22∶6n-3 (DHA)优先于C20∶5n-3(EPA)被保存下来.同时,鱼体中DHA和ARA的百分含量与仔鱼体质量和含水率存在极显著相关关系.(3)随延迟首次投喂时间的增加,胭脂鱼仔鱼的丙氨酸、异亮氨酸、亮氨酸和组氨酸显著下降;天冬氨酸和谷氨酸显著上升;而甘氨酸、赖氨酸和精氨酸则呈先上升后下降的趋势.结果表明:胭脂鱼仔鱼对饥饿有较强的适应性,在饥饿初期以消耗脂类物质为主,当脂类物质趋于阈值,氨基酸开始被大量消耗;胭脂鱼仔鱼在饥饿后恢复摄食时,鱼体氨基酸的恢复比脂肪酸更慢.     

延迟投饵对瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼存活、摄食和生长的影响

以瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼为研究对象，将其分为15个处理组，每组200尾（各设3个平行组），分别在孵化后3、4、5、6、7．8、9、10、11、12、13、14、15和16d开始投喂大型涵，第15组为饥饿组，从不投饵。水温24．5～25．5℃，实验周期为30d。结果表明：（1）孵化后3d的瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼初次摄食，15日龄不能建立外源性营养的仔鱼进入PNR期，卵黄囊已耗尽。混合营养期持续4．12h。（2）瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼在不同饥饿阶段初次摄食率的变化为：开始较低，此后迅速上升，在4～10日龄达到高峰，最高初次摄食率为100％，此后逐步下降。（3）延迟5天投饵对瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼的存活率影响不显著，延迟6d投饵瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼的存活率随延迟投饵天数的增加而降低。延迟6d投饵，瓦氏黄颡鱼仔鱼的体长增长率随延迟投饵天数的增加而降低。     

七带石斑鱼仔鱼摄食习性的观察

在人工育苗条件下,采用轮虫与牡蛎受精卵两种开口饵料,3种不同的投喂方式：开口单喂轮虫(A)、开口单喂牡蛎受精卵(B)、开口将牡蛎受精卵和轮虫混合投喂(C),分析对比不同饵料对仔鱼开口效果。通过观察5日龄仔鱼日摄食与4~20日龄仔鱼消化道饱满度的变化,探讨仔鱼摄食习性及光照与摄食的关系。结果发现,七带石斑鱼孵化开口后,投喂3d牡蛎受精卵者比直接投喂轮虫对仔鱼生长有明显的效果;10日龄前,B组在全长、肛前距、口裂宽方面都大于A、C两组,B组全长的特定生长率为4.969%,分别是A、C两组的2.5与2.4倍,生长速度最快;5日龄仔鱼在09∶00~10∶00与13∶00~14∶00时间段,有两个明显的摄食高峰期,光照强度分别为720~1 018 lx与865~923 lx;4日龄仔鱼其饱食率较低,只有40%达到了3级摄食量,4~10日龄的仔鱼饱食率波动幅度较大,10日龄后开始逐渐上升,13日龄后基本可以达到100%。     

延迟投饵对齐口裂腹鱼仔鱼摄食、存活和生长的影响

在水温(16.0±0.7)℃条件下,研究了延迟投饵对齐口裂腹鱼仔鱼摄食、存活和生长的影响。设置22个试验组,每组3个平行,每个平行200尾仔鱼,其中D0组为对照组(仔鱼开口即开始投饵),D1~D20组分别延迟1~20 d投饵,试验第22 d,完全饥饿组仔鱼全部死亡,因此D21组为完全饥饿组。试验结果表明,齐口裂腹鱼仔鱼7日龄时初次开口摄食,摄食率为13.33%,初次摄食率随着日龄的增长而递增,14日龄达到最高(摄食率86.67%);饥饿不可逆点(PNR)出现在19~20日龄。延迟投饵0~2 d的试验组,其仔鱼存活率均高于90%,并且组间无显著差异(P0.05);延迟投饵3 d以上,仔鱼的存活率显著低于对照组(P0.05);延迟投饵10 d以上,仔鱼存活率急剧下降;完全饥饿21 d,仔鱼全部死亡。随着延迟投饵时间的增加,仔鱼的全长、体质量呈现递减的趋势,甚至出现负增长,试验结束时,对照组仔鱼的全长和体质量均显著高于各延迟投饵组(P0.05)。综合仔鱼的摄食情况及其全长和体质量的变化等,齐口裂腹鱼初次投饵时间在7~8日龄比较适宜。     

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.