坛紫菜泛素连接酶PhCUL1基因克隆与功能验证

高温影响坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)的产量和品质,是制约紫菜产业发展的主要因素。前期研究发现,高温胁迫下,坛紫菜泛素蛋白酶体系统相关基因显著上调表达,但其响应高温胁迫的分子功能还未知。本研究通过分子生物学、遗传学等技术手段对坛紫菜cullin E3连接酶基因(PhCUL1)的功能进行研究。利用PCR方法克隆了PhCUL1基因的全长,PhCUL1全长为2500 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长度为2481 bp,该基因存在1个Cullin (407~618 aa)结构域和1个Cullin Nedd8 (754~821 aa)结构域,其中,Cullin Nedd8结构域为蛋白融合位点。进化树分析显示,PhCUL1在进化上与脐形紫菜(Porphyra umbilicalis)有较近的亲缘关系。qRT-PCR结果显示,PhCUL1基因被高温显著诱导。为进一步阐明PhCUL1的分子功能,将其转入莱茵衣藻(Chlamydomonas reinhardtii)进行功能验证,过表达PhCUL1株系比野生型更能耐受高温胁迫。同时,在高温33℃下处理3 h和6 h内,转基因植株的PhCUL1基因呈上调表达。这初步说明PhCUL1基因在坛紫菜响应高温胁迫过程中发挥着重要作用,其具体调控机制有待进一步研究。本研究有助于阐明坛紫菜泛素蛋白酶体系统响应高温胁迫的分子机制,为指导耐高温新品种选育提供理论依据。     

坛紫菜两种Hsp90基因的克隆及表达特征分析

以坛紫菜转录组测序获得的unigene序列为基础,采用RACE(rapid amplification of cDNA ends)技术克隆获得了坛紫菜的两条Hsp90基因序列:PhHsp90-1和PhHsp90-2。序列分析结果表明,PhHsp90-1序列全长2 572 bp,包含一个2 427 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含809个氨基酸,分子量为90.2 ku,等电点为4.79,属于Hsp90内质网亚家族(登录号:KF732651);PhHsp90-2序列全长2 510 bp,包含一个2 280 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含760个氨基酸,分子量为86.2 ku,等电点为4.81,属于Hsp90细胞质亚家族(登录号:KF732652)。基因表达水平的定量分析结果表明,高温和失水胁迫对两条PhHsp90基因的表达水平均有显著影响,但在表达模式上存在明显差异。高温胁迫不同时间水平下,两条PhHsp90基因的表达均表现为先上调后下调的趋势;而在失水胁迫下,当失水率小于60%时,两条基因的表达水平均没有发生显著变化,但当失水率大于60%时,两条基因的表达水平均显著上调,说明两条PhHsp90基因均在应答高温胁迫和高度失水胁迫中发挥着重要作用。     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)Hsp90 mRNA在温度刺激和鳗弧菌感染下的表达特征

利用qPCR方法,检测Hsp90α和Hsp90βm RNA在不同月龄牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)不同组织的表达水平,进一步检测在不同温度刺激、鳗弧菌感染后的表达变化。结果显示,Hsp90α和Hsp90β在不同发育期的13种组织(肝脏、脾脏、头肾、后肾、心、肌肉、背皮、胃、肠、鳃、腹鳍、脑和血液)中均有表达。Hsp90β表达水平整体高于Hsp90α;8月龄牙鲆在肝、鳃、背皮、背肌、腹鳍的Hsp90α表达量要显著高于其他发育期(1月龄、12月龄、24月龄)同组织的表达量(P0.05),而Hsp90β在不同月龄牙鲆的表达量也存在差异,在肝和肠的表达量较高,在鳃、背肌和腹鳍的表达量较低。将8月龄牙鲆在5–32℃刺激1 h,牙鲆肝、脾Hsp90α在高温(22–32℃)的表达量显著升高(P0.05),而Hsp90β在低温(5–10℃)的表达量显著升高(P0.05);在10℃、28℃连续刺激8 h,Hsp90α和Hsp90β的m RNA的表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势,Hsp90α的表达量变化幅度显著高于Hsp90β(P0.05)。在鳗弧菌感染72 h内,牙鲆脾脏Hsp90α和Hsp90β的表达量先下降后上升,Hsp90β上升的幅度更加显著(P0.05)。结果显示,Hsp90α和Hsp90β在不同月龄、不同组织的表达水平存在差异,Hsp90α在高温时对热应激的反应明显,Hsp90β在低温和对病原菌感染的反应明显,研究结果可为了解牙鲆Hsp90的作用机制提供参考。     

高温胁迫下条斑紫菜叶状体HSP70基因的表达谱分析

采用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术检测了条斑紫菜叶状体在25℃高温胁迫下PyHSP70-1基因的相对表达量变化。定量分析显示PyHSP70-1基因表达受到高温胁迫的显著诱导。在持续高温胁迫下,PyHSP70-1表达量在8 h时达到最大,此后一直维持在较高水平,且与对照差异显著。在短暂高温胁迫结束后PyHSP70-1表达量最大,随着恢复时间的增加,其mRNA量逐渐减少,在恢复的24 h时间内,mRNA量仍然显著高于对照。结果表明PyHSP70-1是诱导型HSP,受热激诱导表达,在热激胁迫中维持细胞蛋白与膜的稳定,对细胞具有重要的保护作用。     

培养温度对LPS诱导的离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞抗氧化能力和炎性反应的影响

为研究温度对离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞抗氧化能力和炎性反应的影响,从大黄鱼头肾组织中分离巨噬细胞结合贴壁筛选法得到细胞单层后,在不同温度(16、22和28°C)下培养备用。使用25μg/mL的脂多糖(LPS)孵育细胞2 h后,测定不同培养温度下离体细胞活力、呼吸爆发活性、抗氧化酶(SOD和CAT)活性以及相关基因(SOD、CAT、Hsp70和IL-1β)表达的情况。结果显示,体外培养细胞36 h后,16°C和22°C条件下培养的细胞活力显著高于28°C处理组;LPS处理组大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞呼吸爆发活性显著升高,但SOD和CAT酶活性较对照组显著下降。高温(28°C)显著提高了细胞CAT酶的活性和基因表达水平,但SOD酶活性和基因表达变化差异不显著;LPS显著促进了大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞IL-1β基因的表达,并且随培养温度升高细胞IL-1β基因的表达水平显著降低;但大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞Nrf2和Hsp70的基因表达量随温度升高而显著增加,且LPS处理组细胞基因表达水平显著高于对照组。研究表明,温度显著影响了离体大黄鱼头肾巨噬细胞的抗氧化能力和LPS所诱导的促炎基因的表达,Nrf2和Hsp70在这一过程中可能发挥重要作用。     

牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus) Hsp90 mRNA在温度刺激和鳗弧菌感染下的表达特征

利用 qPCR 方法,检测 Hsp90α和 Hsp90β mRNA 在不同月龄牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)不同组织的表达水平,进一步检测在不同温度刺激、鳗弧菌感染后的表达变化。结果显示,Hsp90α和 Hsp90β在不同发育期的13种组织(肝脏、脾脏、头肾、后肾、心、肌肉、背皮、胃、肠、鳃、腹鳍、脑和血液)中均有表达。Hsp90β表达水平整体高于 Hsp90α;8月龄牙鲆在肝、鳃、背皮、背肌、腹鳍的 Hsp90α表达量要显著高于其他发育期(1月龄、12月龄、24月龄)同组织的表达量(P<0.05),而 Hsp90β在不同月龄牙鲆的表达量也存在差异,在肝和肠的表达量较高,在鳃、背肌和腹鳍的表达量较低。将8月龄牙鲆在5–32℃刺激1 h,牙鲆肝、脾 Hsp90α在高温(22–32℃)的表达量显著升高(P<0.05),而 Hsp90β在低温（5–10℃）的表达量显著升高(P<0.05);在10℃、28℃连续刺激8 h, Hsp90α和 Hsp90β的 mRNA 的表达量呈先上升后下降的趋势,Hsp90α的表达量变化幅度显著高于Hsp90β(P<0.05)。在鳗弧菌感染72 h 内,牙鲆脾脏 Hsp90α和 Hsp90β的表达量先下降后上升,Hsp90β上升的幅度更加显著(P<0.05)。结果显示,Hsp90α和 Hsp90β在不同月龄、不同组织的表达水平存在差异,Hsp90α在高温时对热应激的反应明显,Hsp90β在低温和对病原菌感染的反应明显,研究结果可为了解牙鲆 Hsp90的作用机制提供参考。     

高温胁迫下仿刺参表观遗传调控相关基因的表达特征

以仿刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)表观遗传调控相关基因—DNA甲基转移酶(DNA methyltransferase,DNMT1)、组蛋白去乙酰化酶(histone deacetylase,HDAC3)和组蛋白甲基转移酶(histone methyltransferase,MLL5)为目的基因,采用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)技术和相对定量2~(-ΔΔC_T)法,以刺参管家基因β-actin为内参进行校正,比较了高温胁迫下3个基因在呼吸树、消化道、体液、肌肉各组织中的表达情况。以15℃条件下的刺参为对照组,其目的基因表达量为基准1,在体液中,DNMT1基因在18℃时表达量上升不显著(P0.05),18~21℃时表达量上升极显著(P0.01),21~24℃时上升不明显(P0.05),30℃得到最大表达量为3.26,总体为上调表达;HDAC3基因和MLL5基因在24℃时的表达量显著(P0.05),之后随着温度升高其表达量稍有升高,分别在30℃得到最大表达量为2.90和3.19。总体来看,各基因随着温度的升高其表达量都增高,上调表达趋势明显,在30℃达到最高表达量。对比3个基因在不同组织中的表达差异,体液中表达变化较明显,在24℃以后均大于2.5;肌肉中最低,在整个高温胁迫过程中基因表达变化量小于2。在30℃的温度胁迫条件下,检测在0 h、3 h、6 h、9 h、12 h、15 h 6个时间点3个基因的表达量,以0 h各基因的表达量为基准1,结果显示,3个基因的表达量都表现为上调表达,除消化道的HDAC3在6 h时提前进入平稳期,其他各组织各基因的表达量均在0~9 h内随着胁迫时间的延长呈现快速上升状态(P0.05);胁迫9 h以后,各目的基因表达量变化不明显或稍有降低(P0.05)。不同组织中目的基因的表达趋势一致,体液中3种表观相关基因的表达量最高值高于其他3种组织。本研究为从表观遗传修饰角度解析刺参的高温逆境应答反应机制奠定了基础。     

坛紫菜两种小分子热激蛋白(sHSP)基因的克隆及表达特征分析

小分子热激蛋白(sHSP)不仅在应激条件下高效表达,而且在正常状态的细胞中也广泛存在,参与一些重要细胞生理活动的调节。为研究坛紫菜应答高温和失水等逆境胁迫的分子机制,本研究以坛紫菜(Pyropia haitanensis)转录组测序获得的unigene序列为基础,采用RACE或直接PCR扩增,克隆获得了坛紫菜两种sHsp的全长基因：PhHsp22和PhDnaJ。序列分析结果表明,PhHsp22序列全长857 bp,包含一个519 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含172个氨基酸,分子量为19.1 kDa,等电点为5.24(收录号：KM102540);PhDnaJ序列全长1616 bp,包含一个1290 bp的开放阅读框,所编码的多肽包含429个氨基酸,分子量为46.1 kDa,等电点为6.43,属于Hsp40亚家族(收录号：KM102541)。基因表达水平的定量分析结果表明两个基因在高温胁迫不同时间水平和不同失水胁迫程度下的表达均呈现出一致的表达模式,即在胁迫初期表达水平显著上调,但随着胁迫的持续,这两个基因的表达水平开始逐渐下调。说明这两个基因在逆境胁迫下的表达可能存在一个反馈调节机制。     

急性高温胁迫对大口黑鲈“优鲈3号”组织损伤及HSPs基因表达的影响

将25℃(对照组)下暂养的体质量(9.87±1.20) g大口黑鲈"优鲈3号"幼鱼直接放入28、31、34、37℃水环境中,0、6、48 h时取肝脏和鳃组织,探究不同温度应激后对大口黑鲈"优鲈3号"幼鱼肝脏、鳃组织结构损伤及HSPs基因在这些组织中表达的影响。试验结果显示,28℃和31℃组肝脏和鳃组织均与对照组无差异,34℃肝脏和鳃组织出现轻微的细胞水肿,37℃则出现肝细胞空泡化、细胞间界限杂乱模糊、细胞核溶解,鳃小片末端出现膨大且弯曲,部分鳃小片因红细胞过多而涨破。在不同水温下,HSPs基因的表达量变化不同。6 h时,肝脏和鳃组织中HSP70和HSC70 mRNA表达量均随着胁迫温度的升高而升高,在37℃时表达量最高;48 h时,肝脏和鳃组织中HSP70和HSC70 mRNA表达量相较于6 h均出现不同程度的下降(除31℃组鳃组织HSP70);且随着胁迫温度的升高呈先升后降的趋势,37℃组的表达量最低。结果表明,高温胁迫会使大口黑鲈"优鲈3号"幼鱼产生一定应激损伤,因此在实际养殖生产中,应密切关注温度的变化,降低温度胁迫对鱼体免疫机能的影响。     

急性低盐胁迫下红鳍东方鲀幼鱼IgM、NKCC1和Hsp70基因的表达

为探讨红鳍东方鲀(Takifugu rubripes)耐低盐的分子机制,以自然海水组为对照,利用实时荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)技术,分析红鳍东方鲀幼鱼在盐度16、12、8和4胁迫下,鳃和肾中免疫球蛋白M(immunoglobulin M,IgM)、钠钾氯协同转运蛋白1(Na-K-Cl cotransporter 1,NKCC1)和热休克蛋白70(heat shock protein 70,Hsp70)3个基因的表达情况。结果表明,3个基因在鳃和肾中均有表达,IgM和Hsp70基因在鳃和肾中的表达量均无显著性差异(P0.05),而NKCC1基因在鳃中的表达量显著高于肾(P0.05)。同一盐度下,随着时间的增加,鳃中IgM基因的表达量大致呈现先降低后升高的趋势,肾中则呈现先降低后升高再趋于平稳的趋势;同一时间内,鳃中低盐度组与对照组的IgM基因表达量差异比肾中差异更为明显。在鳃中,相同时间内NKCC1基因在各低盐度组的表达量低于对照组,尤其在6h和72h两个时间点时显著低于对照组(P0.05);肾中各时间点的表达量基本都高于0h表达量。在相同时间内,3h、6h、24h、72h的各低盐度组,在鳃中,Hsp70基因的表达量均与同一时间对照组之间差异明显(P0.05);在肾中,从6h开始,各低盐组与对照组之间差异性显著(P0.05)。以上结果表明,红鳍东方鲀幼鱼IgM、NKCC1、Hsp70 3个基因的表达量在不同盐度不同时间下存在差异,由此推测这3个基因对红鳍东方鲀幼鱼的渗透压调节起重要作用。     

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.