柘林湾海洋牧场生态系统服务价值评估

采用生态系统服务理论,对柘林湾海洋牧场建设前后生态系统服务价值进行了系统评估。在此基础上,运用ArcGIS分析了柘林湾海洋牧场网箱养殖区、海藻增殖区、贝类底播区、人工鱼礁区、增殖放流区等不同功能区生态系统服务价值的空间分布特征。结果表明,2011—2013年,柘林湾生态系统服务价值从海洋牧场建设前的58 613万元上升至建设后的67 370万元。价值构成未发生明显变化,表现为供给服务价值最高,文化服务价值次之,调节服务价值相对较低。柘林湾海洋牧场不同功能区服务功能价值空间分布特征大致为网箱养殖区海藻增殖区贝类底播区人工鱼礁区增殖放流区。     

基于稳定同位素技术的天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区食物网结构研究

本研究对2016年6月在天津大神堂3个礁区(2010年建成的鱼礁区；2012年建成的鱼礁区；2014年建成的鱼礁区)和对照区域采集的生物消费者及其食物源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素组成进行了分析，通过IsoSource模型计算不同区域生物的食物网基础，并利用氮稳定同位素数据计算消费者的营养级。结果显示，根据δ13C值可以将其食物源分为浮游植物、悬浮颗粒有机物(POM)和沉积相颗粒有机物(SOM)三类；浮游植物对消费者的碳源贡献率(67.2%~81.5%)最大，是大神堂海域的生物食物网的基础。不同区域同一食物源的δ13C和δ15N值没有显著性差异；礁区内滤食性贝类毛蚶(Arca subcrenata)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的δ13C值显著高于对照区，作为潜在碳源的浮游植物对其的贡献率显著增加。消费者的δ15N值则介于7.70‰~14.34‰之间，消费者的营养级介于2.0~3.95级之间。游泳生物食性生物的δ15N和营养级在礁区内有所提高，礁区建成的年份越长，其营养级与对照区域的差别越显著。稳定同位素研究表明，人工鱼礁建设可能导致鱼礁区内滤食性生物的食物来源组成改变，并提高游泳生物食性生物的营养级。     

大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统简化食物网的稳定同位素

为了阐明大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统的简化食物网结构,本研究应用碳(C)、氮(N)稳定同位素技术测定了大亚湾珊瑚礁区样品的δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值,计算主要消费者营养级并绘制连续营养谱,构建了大亚湾珊瑚礁的营养结构。结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统食物网δ~(13)C值范围为-23.22‰～-10.76‰,平均值为-16.47‰±2.89‰;δ~(15)N值的范围为4.32‰～15.82‰,平均值为11.46‰±2.37‰。各潜在食源和消费者的碳、氮同位素比值之间均有显著性差异。根据δ~(15)N值计算结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁区主要消费者生物种类的营养级范围为1.70～3.64,其中腹足类、双壳类和鱼类的营养级分别为1.84～2.68、1.70～2.49和2.45～3.64。大型底栖动物的碳、氮同位素比值在季节之间无显著性差异。利用SIBER模型计算了大型底栖动物群落的6个营养结构量化指标,发现平均营养级多样性(CD)在各季节变化较小,摄食来源多样性水平(CR)、营养级长度(NR)和生态空间利用程度(SEAc)均在春季最高;物种聚集度密度参数(MNND)和物种聚集度均匀度参数(SDNND)均在冬季最低。研究表明,不同来源的有机物对大亚湾珊瑚礁食物网的贡献各不相同,其中浮游植物和藻类是大亚湾珊瑚礁中重要的初级生产者和驱动食物网的重要碳源。部分消费者摄食共同的饵料生物,存在生态位重叠现象。各消费者类群具有不同的营养位置,头足类的平均营养级最高,其次是鱼类、双壳类,主要与其食性相关。大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统中的主要消费者呈现两端营养级生物种类少、中间层次种类较多的营养层次分布。大亚湾珊瑚礁底栖群落的碳、氮稳定同位素无显著季节性差异,可能与珊瑚礁生态系统的特点和底栖动物的个体大小有关。底栖动物群落总体上具有相对较为稳定的营养多样性水平和食物网,其中在春季种群内营养层级差别较大、竞争较激烈,冬季群落营养冗余性最高。     

海洋牧场生态系统稳定性及其对干扰的响应—研究现状、问题及建议

海洋牧场建设是实现我国近海渔业资源恢复、生态系统和谐发展与蓝碳增汇的重要途径。近年来,在快速发展的同时也面临着诸多问题与挑战,极大制约了产业的健康发展。在海洋牧场建设过程中,关于生境营造和资源增殖的基础理论薄弱,对其生态系统稳定性与抗干扰能力认识不清,尤其对小尺度海洋牧场生态系统的结构及其功能实现过程,以及生态承载力知之甚少。亟需针对其人工鱼礁等生境营造的环境效应和增殖放流的资源补充效应开展理论印证和定量研究,以充分认识这些人为扰动的双重性。本文查阅了相关文献90余篇,简要回顾了国内外关于人工鱼礁生境营造的水动力环境特征、生源要素迁移过程、生物群落构建机制和局地生态系统稳定性评价等方面的研究进展。强调了小尺度海洋牧场生态系统结构的复杂性与动态性,重点关注了鱼礁群布局对牧场海域水动力环境、沉积物和生源要素演变的影响,以及在增殖放流等人为扰动下生物群落的物种共存机制。围绕海洋牧场生态系统稳定性与抗干扰能力等关键问题,从水动力驱动、生源要素表征、生物群落重建及生态系统健康等4个方面探讨了目前研究的不足与发展方向,以为海洋牧场人工鱼礁、海藻床等生境营造以及资源修复模式优化提供参考。     

基于稳定同位素技术的浙江南部近海主要渔业生物营养级

2016年2月和5月在浙江南部近海拖网采集到33种鱼类和18种无脊椎动物,利用稳定同位素技术测定渔业生物的稳定碳、氮同位素比值(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N),并以此估算其营养级。研究结果表明:(1)浙江南部近海主要渔业生物同位素比值跨度范围大,δ~(13)C值范围为–19.71‰～–14.01‰(跨度5.70‰),δ15N值范围为7.05‰～13.69‰(跨度6.64‰),其中鱼类的碳、氮同位素跨度范围最大;(2)以滤食性双壳类为基线生物估算浙江南部近海鱼类平均营养级范围为2.66～4.21,甲壳类营养级范围为3.08～3.72,头足类营养级范围为2.83～3.49,腹足类营养级范围为3.54～3.62,渔业生物营养级主要处于3.0～4.0营养级,以初级和中级肉食性种类为主;(3)根据聚类和食性文献资料分析浙江南部近海主要渔业生物存在5种食性类型,包括浮游动物食性、杂食性、底栖生物食性、混合食性和游泳动物食性;(4)根据营养结构特征,浙江南部近海食物网营养结构可划分为4个营养群,初级消费者主要为杂食性种类,次级消费者主要为小型鱼类、虾类及头足类,中级消费者主要为底栖蟹类、腹足类和混合食性鱼类,高级消费者为凶猛肉食性鱼类。本研究建立了浙江南部近海主要渔业生物的连续营养谱,为生态系统的食物网能量流动和物质循环研究提供科学参考。     

莱州湾芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区大型底栖动物的营养结构特征

人工鱼礁建设是改善底栖生境、提高底栖动物多样性和资源丰度的重要措施之一，其建设效果与投放时间长短密切相关。为了探究投礁时长对大型底栖动物营养关系的影响，实验应用稳定同位素技术对比分析了莱州湾芙蓉岛海域不同礁龄人工鱼礁区和对照区大型底栖动物及其食源的碳、氮稳定同位素组成，计算了不同区域大型底栖动物的食物基础以及消费者的营养级。结果显示：①长礁龄区、短礁龄区和对照区的大型底栖动物δ¹³C值分别为−25.08‰~−13.34‰、−25.86‰~−17.80‰和−25.39‰~−11.06‰；δ¹⁵N值分别为10.73‰~15.78‰、10.02‰~14.89‰和10.17‰~15.80‰。②相较于短礁龄区和对照区，长礁龄区底栖动物群落营养多样性更高，食物来源多样性水平更高，群落内营养生态位更加多样化，群落结构稳定性较好。③以食性为依据，将大型底栖动物分为浮游生物食者 (Pl)、肉食者 (C)、碎屑食者 (D)和杂食者 (O)等4类摄食功能群，在4类潜在食源 [浮游植物、浮游动物、水体悬浮颗粒有机物 (POM)和沉积物有机物 (SOM)]中，浮游植物碳源对除肉食者外的3类消费者的平均贡献率最高 (31.40%)。④长礁龄区、短礁龄区和对照区的消费者营养级分别为2.00~3.83、2.00~3.49和2.00~3.87；此外在长礁龄区出现了相对多的高营养级捕食者，从而证实长礁龄区的底栖动物群落具有更复杂的营养结构。同时发现，人工鱼礁建设能使大型底栖动物更充分地利用浮游植物碳源，并且能够增加底栖动物群落的营养多样性和丰富度，促进群落中较高营养级动物的增加。本研究结果有助于了解人工鱼礁建设的环境生态效应，为进一步研究底栖生境食物网的物质循环和能量流动提供了基础资料。     

岛礁海藻场沉积有机物来源辨析

海藻场的沉积有机物(sedimentary organic matter,SOM)是实现海藻场生态系统服务功能的重要物质基础,本实验以枸杞岛北部海藻场为研究区域,围绕大型海藻周年生活史的幼苗生长、成熟茂盛和衰退凋亡3个阶段,于2014年7月凋亡期、2014年10月生长期和2015年5月茂盛期对海藻场的SOM进行样品采集,并运用碳、氮稳定同位素技术,以C/N、δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N为指标分析了SOM的来源及变化。结果显示,1)7月、10月和翌年5月的SOM C/N的变化范围分别为5.9~6.6、6.0~6.9和5.4~6.2,可判定海藻场SOM是典型的海源性来源;2)7月不同水深的SOMδ~(13)C值空间变化明显,介于–20.3‰~–17.6‰,而10月和翌年5月都不显著,分别介于–22.3‰~–21.7‰和–21.4‰~–21.0‰;3)SOM的δ~(13)C值存在时间变化,而7月δ~(13)C值存在不同水深的空间变化;4)δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N和C/N之间的关系表明,7月SOM主要来源于浮游植物和大型海藻的混合贡献,而10月和翌年5月SOM则主要来源于浮游植物贡献;5)根据碳稳定同位素质量平衡混合模型计算得到,7月大型海藻对该海藻场SOM的平均贡献率最高可达53.71%;6)大型海藻产生的碎屑在SOM占比受波浪等海域动力环境影响显著。     

基于稳定同位素的口虾蛄食性分析

为了探讨口虾蛄的食物组成,利用稳定同位素方法对2015年5月在汕尾红海湾海域采集的口虾蛄及其饵料生物的碳、氮稳定同位素比值(δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值)进行分析,定量研究不同饵料生物在口虾蛄食物中的贡献比率。结果表明,口虾蛄的δ~(13)C值为–18.1‰~–16.3‰,δ~(15)N值为10.9‰~13.5‰,平均值分别为–17.1‰±0.5‰和12.7‰±0.7‰。δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值的变化范围均较大,表明口虾蛄的食物来源较多。口虾蛄的食物主要由鱼类、虾类、贝类、蟹类和桡足类组成。其中,贝类为口虾蛄的主要食物,平均贡献率为38.6%;其次为蟹类和桡足类,平均贡献率分别为22.9%和16.0%;虾类的平均贡献率为13.6%;鱼类的平均贡献率最低,仅为8.9%。根据δ~(15)N值及营养级的计算公式得出,口虾蛄的营养级为3.01±0.22,在其5类食物中,桡足类的营养级最低,仅为1.77±0.12;其次为贝类;蟹类和虾类的营养级分别为2.78±0.21和2.89±0.16;鱼类的最高,为2.98±0.15;它们的营养级均低于口虾蛄。此外相关分析显示,口虾蛄的δ~(15)N值与其个体体质量间存在极显著的正相关关系,说明不同大小的口虾蛄营养级有所差异。     

莱州湾芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区生态系统能量流动及仿刺参生态容量评估

基于2019年莱州湾芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区渔业资源调查数据,利用Ecopath with Ecosim 6.6 (EwE 6.6)软件构建了芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区生态系统Ecopath模型,系统分析了芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区生态系统的能量流动规律和结构特征,估算了仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)的生态容量。Ecopath模型由16个功能组组成,基本涵盖了芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区生态系统能量流动的主要过程。结果发现,生态系统各功能组的营养级范围为1.000~3.978,其中,花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)处于最高营养级;生态系统总转换效率为10.6%,来自初级生产者的转换效率为10.8%,来自碎屑的转换效率为10.1%;生态系统总流量为2 596.108 t/(km2·a),其中44%来自碎屑;系统总初级生产量/总呼吸量为1.454,连接指数为0.402,系统杂食指数为0.211,Finn´s循环指数和平均路径长度分别为8.860%和2.980。结果表明,芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区生态系统成熟度和稳定性较低,食物网结构较简单。根据模型计算得出,仿刺参的生态容量为131 t/km2,是现存量的6.55倍,具有较大的增殖潜力。     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素的大亚湾渔业生物群落营养结构

根据2017年夏季和2018年冬季于大亚湾海域进行的底拖网渔业生物调查,该研究采用碳、氮稳定同位素(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N)技术,分析了大亚湾渔业生物的δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N基本特征,构建了连续营养级谱,并探讨了不同季节渔业生物营养结构的差异。结果显示,大亚湾海域渔业生物的δ~(13)C介于-19.66‰～-15.19‰,均值为(-17.26±0.86)‰;δ~(15)N介于11.63‰～16.01‰,均值为(13.59±0.96)‰。以小型浮游动物的δ~(15)N平均值作为基准构建渔业生物营养级谱,发现大亚湾海域渔业生物的营养级介于2.99～4.28,鱼类的营养级跨度最广,食性较复杂。运用SIBER模型计算了渔业生物的7个营养结构量化指标,发现部分生物摄食共同的饵料,存在生态位重叠现象。此外,夏季群落营养冗余度比冬季低。     

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.