水生态因子与鳜的健康关系

应用计算机技术系统研究鳜健康综合指标与6项水生态因子间的关系.实验自2001年7至10月底,面积4.72hm2(16口).采样时间为上午800-900,每两周1次.水生态因子检测依GB11607-89及GB3838-88要求进行.结果表明,在正常养殖条件下,6项水生态因子中鱼塘的水温、水体pH值的变化不大,而溶解氧、铵氮、磷酸盐以及亚硝酸盐等四项水生态因子变化较大,文中求出6项水生态因子间的线性相关系数,为水生态因子的调控提供依据和帮助.研究结果表明,鳜健康指标与6项水生态因子间的关系模型是非线性,如果采用因素幂为3次的模型,回判准确率达89.6%,剩余标准差为12.1,6项水生态因子对鳜健康指标影响程度排序为PO43->NO2->pH>DO>T>NH4+.文中讨论了不同健康指标分段模型判别准确率,并通过该模型求出鳜健康养殖各水生态因子的最佳范围.     

鳜不同养殖模式水质因子变化规律和微生物制剂调节技术研究

该文采用生态学试验方法,对鳜池塘和大棚养殖模式的水质变化规律进行了调查分析,同时采用不同微生态制剂商品(光合细菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、乳酸菌)对鳜养殖水体水质调节效果进行了研究。结果显示,整个鳜养殖周期(苗种至商品鱼),大棚养殖模式水体温度、溶氧、pH值与池塘养殖模式无明显区别;大棚养殖模式三氮(铵态氮、硝态氮、亚硝态氮)变化规律与池塘养殖模式大致相同,但大部分时间前者水体含量较高;大棚养殖模式水体总磷含量高于池塘养殖模式,且总磷最高值出现时间较池塘养殖模式推迟了近1个月。光合细菌对鳜养殖水体氨氮、亚硝态氮以及总氮整体调控效果最佳;枯草芽孢杆菌对降低硝态氮和亚硝态氮有良好的效果;乳酸菌对养殖后期降低水体pH值有一定的作用。结论:相对于鳜池塘养殖模式,大棚养殖模式氮磷物质循环转化效率较低,合理搭配使用微生物制剂调节水质养殖效果更佳,同时需注意不良天气对微生态制剂使用效果的影响。     

高温季节鳜及饵料鱼池塘水质调查研究

于高温多雨季节对广东省清远市鳜（Siniperca chuatsi）养殖基地的6个鳜及饵料鱼养殖池塘发病、用药情况及水质进行调查分析。结果表明,单独施用抑菌类药物,鳜出血病容易复发,而同时施用增强动物免疫力与减少应激行为药物及抑菌类药物,鳜出血病不易复发。鳜及饵料鱼塘发病期间,水中氨氮（NH4＋-N）质量浓度始终高于1.0 mg.L-1,亚硝酸盐氮（NO2--N）质量浓度高于0.18 mg.L-1,氮磷比（N/P）也有偏高的情况发生,而所调查的6个池塘硝酸盐氮（NO3--N）质量浓度均随养殖时间延长而逐渐下降。NH4＋-N与NO2--N质量浓度过高可能预示鳜的细菌性疾病即将发生。可按实际情况种植浮萍等植物吸收过量NH4＋-N;开增氧机保持水中高溶解氧（DO）以降低NO2--N质量浓度或投放减少动物应激行为的药物。N/P过高可适当释放磷肥以调节水质。     

鳜鱼养殖池塘水体叶绿素a与16项水生态因子的关系

对广东省新会与南海16口鳜鱼(Sinipercachuatsi)养殖池塘水体叶绿素a、水温、pH值、溶解氧、总铵氮、磷酸盐、亚硝酸盐等17项水生态因子的水平变化进行测定,取62次测定数据,讨论P10～P90百分位数区间各因子对叶绿素a的影响,求出各因子间的相关系数。建立叶绿素a(y-因变量)与其他16项水生态因子(xi-自变量)间的3种数学模型:Y=f(x1,x2,……x16),Y=f(x1,x12,x2,x22,……x16,x162),Y=f(x1,x12,x13,x2,x22,x23……x16,x162,x163)。模型的预测准确率分别为68.9%、82.7%和90.1%。结果表明,叶绿素a与其他16项水生态因子间存在曲线函数关系。它们与叶绿素a(y)相互影响,从大到小顺序依次是:第一类为COD、钙和细菌总数;第二类为亚硝酸盐、溶解氧、浊度和pH值;第三类为Mg、磷酸盐、CO2、温度和总碱度;第四类为铵氮、硝酸盐、总硬度和非离子氨。本研究推出养殖池塘水体叶绿素a与其他各水生态因子的关系模型,旨为对探讨水生态因子的调控途径、寻求最佳养殖条件提供科学依据。     

室内凡纳滨对虾工厂化养殖循环水调控技术与模式

利用臭氧仪、泡沫分离器和粗滤器等组成的循环水处理系统开展室内凡纳滨对虾工厂化养殖.养殖初始用水及在每次循环处理前的来自虾池的循环水,均置于消毒池以臭氧处理4 h、曝气2 h,初始水经处理细菌总数约杀灭99%,弧菌量小于1 cell·mL-1.试验期间,按4～6 d间隔,以水处理系统循环处理养殖水12 h,以去除氨氮、亚硝基氮、有机物、悬浮物与细菌等.养殖约60 d后,视水质监测结果增加粗滤和泡沫分离次数,并辅以生石灰水调节循环水pH.在128d全程养殖中,未用药和换水,水处理系统有效控制养殖水质指标在虾生长合适范围内,试验池各指标平均值为:浑浊度13.9 NTU,pH 8.08,氧化还原电位399 mV,NH3-Nt(NH3-Nm)0.267(0.015)mg·L-1.,NO2--N 0.203 mg·L-1,CODMn10.34 mg·L-1.同时获得良好的养殖效果:收获虾平均体重13.56 g,成活率59.6%,单位水体产量4.27 k·m-3,饵料系数1.01.据试验结果与凡纳滨对虾养殖特点,提出了虾类室内工厂化养殖循环水调控模式.     

河南中牟县万滩镇养殖池塘水质现状分析与评价

为摸清河南中牟县万滩镇地区养殖水体区域性问题,降低养殖风险,于2014年3—11月对实验池塘18项水质指标进行跟踪,并利用变异系数法进行分析、评价,从而为池塘水质评价和水质过程管理提供科学量化的依据。结果表明,亚硝酸盐氮、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、透明度、活性磷、浊度、溶氧、氧化还原电位等8项指标权重之和达到了80%,综合考虑监测指标间的关联关系和实际情况,最终确定以亚硝酸盐氮、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、透明度、活性磷、溶氧、温度、p H等8项指标为池塘日常管理监控因子。该地区主要指标变化范围为:氨氮0~1.0 mg/L,亚硝酸盐氮0~0.5 mg/L,硝酸盐氮0~3.5 mg/L,透明度10~40cm,活性磷0.1~0.8 mg/L,溶解氧3~9mg/L,水温16.9~29.2℃和p H7.22~8.85。该地区池塘在养殖前期出现高p H的现象,是各项因素叠加的综合结果;养殖中后期应重点关注水体的脱氮处理,预防长期高浓度氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮等毒性指标累积带来的风险。本研究为开展针对性的池塘水质调节和养殖过程管理提供参考依据。     

复合微生物制剂在日本鳗鲡土池精养中的应用

本研究开展了对日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica) 精养殖土池,定期泼洒施用一种复合微生物制剂（Freshplus净水剂）的对比试验,定期监测了处理组和对照组池塘的水温、pH、溶氧、氨氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、COD、碱度等水质指标,并分析对比了鳗鱼养殖效果。结果表明：Freshplus净水剂的施用能显著降低鳗鱼土池水体氨氮浓度60.5% (p＜0.05)、显著提高鳗鱼生长速度33.0% (p＜0.05),降低饲料系数9.6% (p＜0.1)。     

罗非鱼池塘投放光合细菌后水质研究

本文利用光合细菌改善池塘水质的作用,测定了池塘水质(溶氧、NH 4-N、NO-2-N、COD)、透明度、pH及异养细菌总数,研究水质和浮游生物的变化情况.实验结果表明:投放光合细菌后,对降低水中COD、氨氮、透明度,提高亚硝酸态氮等有一定的效果;但是对水中溶氧、pH值、硝酸态氮等的变化并没有起太大的作用.     

凡纳滨对虾高位池养殖水体细菌变动及其与理化因子的关系

自2008年4月至8月,在广东省汕尾市红海湾凡纳滨对虾（Litopenaeus vannamei）高位池养殖基地全程采集养殖池塘水样,检测水体细菌类群和理化因子,分析养殖过程中细菌类群的数量变化规律及其与环境因子的关系。结果显示,养殖过程中水体异养细菌、弧菌（Vibrio）和芽孢杆菌（Bacillus）的数量波动性较大,其中异养细菌波动范围1.35×10^4～1.39×10^6cfu·mL^-1,平均4.73×10^5cfu·mL^-1;弧菌波动范围1.05×10^3～5.20×10^4cfu·mL^-1,平均1.80×10^4cfu·mL^-1;芽孢杆菌波动范围0.11×10^3～4.30×10^3cfu·mL^-1,平均6.6×10^2cfu·mL^-1;粪大肠菌群（fecalcoliform）大多在1.0×10^2cfu·L^-1以内,平均0.97×10^2cfu·L^-1,远低于无公害食品海水养殖用水水质标准。对细菌与理化因子的单因子分析显示,异养细菌与溶解氧（DO）呈显著的负相关性（P〈0.05）,弧菌与pH呈极显著的负相关性（P〈0.01）,与化学需氧量（COD）和总磷（TP）呈显著的正相关性（P〈0.05）。多因子偏相关分析显示,异养细菌和弧菌与DO、pH、COD、TP的相关关系均不显著（P〉0.05）。结果表明,调查的养殖池塘对虾生长良好,该养殖池塘是安全、基本健康的系统,水环境中细菌数量受养殖系统中生物、环境因子及人为因素的影响和制约。     

熵权法模糊物元模型在养殖水质评价中的应用

为客观综合评价养殖水体质量,利用熵确定水质指标权重,结合物元分析理论及贴近度的概念,构建养殖水质复合模糊物元模型,对2015—2019年监测的上海地区635批次养殖水样进行地表水环境质量等级分类。水质监测结果显示,池塘水体的pH、总磷、高锰酸盐指数、As(砷)和叶绿素a平均含量显著高于引水河道的(P<0.05),硝酸盐氮、Zn(锌)和石油类的平均分布显著低于后者(P<0.05),其他指标的平均分布差异不显著(P>0.05)。不同养殖品种池塘水体间,淡水鱼塘水体中氮、磷、有机质等相关指标的平均含量最高,蟹塘水体pH均值最高。熵权法模糊物元模型评价结果表明,在养殖水体水质指标中pH的权重最高,其次为高锰酸盐指数、总氮和氨氮,这4项合计权重超过0.5;89.29%的鱼塘、87.91%的虾塘和75.83%的蟹塘水样水质类别属于或优于地表Ⅲ类,相关河道水样水质满足地表Ⅲ类水质标准的样品占比达98.72%。整体上,上海地区的养殖水质满足地表水环境功能要求。     

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.