罗氏沼虾浙江养殖群体与缅甸自然群体遗传差异的RAPD分析

利用随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)技术，对浙江省罗氏沼虾养殖群体和新引进的缅甸自然群体的遗传差异进行了比较分析，以期从分子水平了解罗氏沼虾的种群遗传多样性背景及与引种的关系。采用经筛选的22个10bp的随机引物对罗氏沼虾两群体各20尾进行群体RAPD分析。22个引物共检测到139个位点。养殖群体的多态位点比例为30．22％，群体平均杂合度为0．2646，Shannon多样性指数为0．0780，群体内各个体之间的遗传共享度为0．9353，遗传距离为0．0647；自然群体的多态位点比例为33．81％，群体的平均杂合度和Shannon多样性指数分别为0．2888和0．0940，群体内各个体之间的遗传共享度为0．9201，遗传距离为0．0799；两群体之间的遗传距离为0．1845。自然群体的遗传多样性水平比养殖群体要高。利用随机引物S9和S52，在罗氏沼虾两群体间扩增出2条稳定、明显的群体间特异性标记带。     

3个不同群体罗氏沼虾线粒体16SrRNA基因序列分析及遗传差异

利用PCR技术扩增获得罗氏沼虾线粒体16SrRNA基因的部分片段,通过序列测定和用限制性内切酶MboI、AluI和TaqI分别对上述PCR产物进行限制性片段长度多态分析(RFLP),分析了取自缅甸引进种子代、广西养殖群体及江苏养殖群体3个不同群体罗氏沼虾的遗传差异。结果表明:在3个群体间序列同源性对比无变异,PCR-RFLP未发现有片段多态性,3个群体间不存在遗传结构差异。可能表明这3个群体的罗氏沼虾起源同一个种群,且分化较低。     

罗氏沼虾三群体线粒体D-loop基因序列差异的初步研究

通过测定罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)人工养殖群体(A)(浙江湖州)、缅甸引进群体F2代(B)和"南太湖1号"(C)3个群体线粒体控制区(D-loop)基因序列片段(约1200 bp),探讨罗氏沼虾群体遗传结构.结果发现,在用于分析的1121 bp基因序列中有86个变异位点,共计14个单倍型.其中,群体A、C的遗传多样性均较低,其π值分别为0.022和0.025,相比之下,群体B的遗传多样性则明显要高于上述两个群体(π=0.032).AMOVA分析表明,群体间的遗传变异占总遗传变异的6.32%,而93.68%的遗传变异源于群体内.对三群体的遗传学参数计算结果表明,群体A和B间遗传分化指数(Fst)为0.105,已达到中等分化水平;群体C与A间的遗传距离(D=0.025)最小,提示它们的亲缘关系最近.本研究结果认为,D-loop基因可以作为检测罗氏沼虾群体遗传差异的分子标记,"南太湖1号"群体遗传多样性比人工养殖群体有所提高,但仍偏向养殖群体,未表现出最高的杂种优势.     

长江、高邮湖、太湖日本沼虾遗传多样性的RAPD分析

采用随机扩增多态性DNA (RAPD)技术对取自长江、高邮湖、太湖3个野生群体的日本沼虾共51个个体的遗传多样性进行分析.10个随机引物共检测出54个位点(200-2500bp),长江、高邮湖、太湖各群体的多态位点比例分别为72.22%、53.70%、62.96%,基因多样性指数分别为0.2878、0.2380、0.2635.群体遗传多样性的Shannon信息指数分析表明,日本沼虾3个野生群体种质资源状况良好,遗传多样性水平较高.     

罗氏沼虾SNP标记筛选及不同群体的遗传多样性

罗氏沼虾因其自身的生长优势,已成为我国重要的养殖虾类,为保证其养殖的持续健康发展,对其进行遗传多样性分析。利用罗氏沼虾性腺组织转录组测序结果,参考NCBI数据库,选取60个SNP位点,以马来西亚野生群体(MW)为样本,采用直接测序技术进行位点多态性检测,得到25个(41.7%)具有二态性等位基因位点。并对罗氏沼虾上海(SH)、浙江(ZJ)、马来西亚养殖群体(MF)、生长快速品系选育群体(BG)及MW群体5个群体的150尾个体进行遗传多样性分析,其观测杂合度Ho和期望杂合度He的分布范围分别为0.18～0.30和0.28～0.37,平均多态性信息含量依次为0.29、0.24、0.21、0.26和0.33,表现为中低等多态水平;群体间的遗传相似性系数和遗传距离变化范围分别为0.659～0.968和0.032～0.417,MF群体和BG群体遗传相似系数最小、遗传距离最大,SH群体和ZJ群体遗传相似系数最大、遗传距离最小;遗传分化指数和基因流的范围分别为0.045～0.363和0.440～5.293,MF群体和MW群体之间出现最高值,SH群体和ZJ群体出现最低值,SH群体和ZJ群体基因流最高,MF群体和MW群体最低;AMOVA分子方差分析显示,遗传变异主要来源于群体内,群体间的变异为26.33%。5个群体近交系数为0.151～0.342,3个养殖群体的平均近交系数均高于野生群体,对25个位点在5个群体中的基因型进行统计分析,有9个位点处的BG群体的基因型与其他3个养殖群体基因型分离方向相反,14个位点处3个养殖群体中杂合个体频数较MW群体低。研究结果为进一步开展罗氏沼虾遗传育种研究及保护政策的制定提供了参考。     

长石爬鮡3个地理群体遗传多样性的RAPD分析

采用随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)技术对李仙江流域景东、国庆和大寨长石爬鮡(Euchiloglanis longus)种群的遗传多样性进行了分析.从100条RAPD随机引物中筛选出20条引物,对长石爬鮡3个地理种群进行了分析;共检测到58个有效位点,其中多态位点36个,多态位点达62.07％,Nei基因多样性指数为0.2378,Shannon信息指数为0.3501.3个群体未检测到各自特有的扩增带.AMOVA分析结果显示,大多数(73.06％)的遗传变异由群体内不同个体间的遗传差异造成,26.94％的遗传变异来自于群体间.种群间的遗传分化系数(Gst)为0.2104,基因流Nm为1.8762.根据个体间遗传距离进行的PCoA分析显示,3个群体基本分开.     

罗氏沼虾三群体线粒体D-loop基因序列差异的初步研究

通过测定罗氏沼虾（Macrobrachium rosenbergii）人工养殖群体（A）（浙江湖州）、缅甸引进群体F2代（B）和“南太湖1号”（C）3个群体线粒体控制区（D-loop）基因序列片段（约1200bp），探讨罗氏沼虾群体遗传结构。结果发现，在用于分析的1121bp基因序列中有86个变异位点，共计14个单倍型。其中，群体A、C的遗传多样性均较低，其订值分别为0．022和0．025，相比之下，群体B的遗传多样性则明显要高于上述两个群体（π=0．032）。AMOVA分析表明，群体间的遗传变异占总遗传变异的6．32％，而93．68％的遗传变异源于群体内。对三群体的遗传学参数计算结果表明，群体A和B间遗传分化指数（Fst）为0．105，已达到中等分化水平；群体C与A间的遗传距离（D=0．025）最小，提示它们的亲缘关系最近。本研究结果认为，D—loop基因可以作为检测罗氏沼虾群体遗传差异的分子标记，“南太湖1号”群体遗传多样性比人工养殖群体有所提高，但仍偏向养殖群体，未表现出最高的杂种优势。     

虾类养殖技术之三罗氏沼虾缅甸群体和浙江养殖群体及其杂交群体的生长对比试验

为了深入开展罗氏沼虾良种的繁育和示范推广,促进浙江省罗氏沼虾种苗和养殖产业的持继稳定健康发展,笔者在2002年引进并繁育成功缅甸罗氏沼虾原种和2003年罗氏沼虾缅甸群体和浙江养殖群体的生长对比试验的基础上,于2004年在杭州西湖区袁浦省级罗     

马氏珠母贝大亚湾和三亚野生种群内自繁及种群间杂交一代的RAPD分析

运用RAPD技术分析了广东大亚湾野生种群内繁殖一代DDl群体和海南三亚野生种群内繁殖一代SSl、两野生种群间杂交一代DS1群体各18个个体的遗传多样性。筛选的28个含10碱基的随机引物中，其中11个随机引物可产生稳定和可重复的多态扩增结果，共检测出86个位点，其中DDl群体有74个基因位点，其中56个表现多态，多态比例为75．68％；SSl群体79个基因位点，其中57个表现多态，多态比例是72．15％；DSl群体有72个基因位点，其中64个表现多态，多态比例为88．89％。用修正的Shannon表型多态性指数量化3个群体的遗传多态性，DDl、SSl和DS13个群体的遗传多态性分别为0．2280，0．2ll5和0．2456。不同地理种群间杂交能够增加子代的遗传多态性。     

文蛤养殖群体和野生群体遗传多样性的AFLP 分析

应用AFLP标记技术对辽宁和山东沿海文蛤（Meretrix meretrix）养殖群体和野生群体的遗传多样性进行分析。采用7对AFLP引物组合对5个群体（3个野生群体，2个养殖群体）150个个体进行扩增，共得到364个的位点。5个群体内的多态位点比例为84．3945％～87．6465％，总多态位点比例为99．6300％。群体的Nei’s基因多样性指数（H）为0．2301～0．2634；群体的Shannon多样性指数为0．3617～0．4248，群体间的遗传距离为0．0394～0．1609，群体内个体间的遗传距离为0．2592～0．5360。辽宁大洼野生群体和山东河口野生群体的多态位点比例、Shannon多样性指数和群体内遗传距离均高于辽宁盘山和辽宁庄河养殖群体，辽宁庄河野生群体的遗传多样性处于中等水平。用UPGMA方法构建的群体系统进化树显示，辽宁庄河野生群体单独成为一支，辽宁大洼野生群体与庄河养殖群体聚到一起，辽宁盘山养殖群体与山东野生群体聚到一起，但是用这5个群体的150个个体进行的聚类结果显示，所有个体基本是随机交叉聚类，不能形成明显的类群分支。分子变异分析（AMOVA）表明，文蛤群体94．04%的变异来源于群体内，群体间的变异仅占5．96％。以上结果表明，文蛤群体内遗传多样性非常丰富，群体间相似性较大，且存在较强的基因交流。[中国水产科学，2008，15（2）：215-221]     

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.