上海市河道的氮源污染物及其对食蚊鱼急性毒性的初步研究

2008年6～8月对上海市内4条不同生态类型河道（午潮港、横港、朝阳河、曹杨环浜）的水质状况及鱼类组成进行调查。结果显示，除曹杨环浜外，所调查的其他3条河道普遍受氨氮污染，氨氮含量均超过了地表水环境标准V类水的限值2．0mg／L；污染河道中鱼类种类极少，入侵鱼种食蚊鱼（Gambusia affinis）已成为其中的广布种。进一步选取上述调查河道中典型的氮类污染因子氨氮、亚硝酸盐作为暴露物，采用静水生物法对食蚊鱼进行96h急性毒性试验，发现食蚊鱼对氨氮的耐受性较高，24、48、72、96h的半致死浓度（LC50）分别为80．00、54．81、52．78、44．58mg／L；对亚硝酸氮的耐受性相对较低，24、48、72、96h的LC50分别为9．19、7．46、6．06、5．99mg／L。由于不同鱼类对环境污染物的耐受性和适应性不同，其种类组成易受河道污染程度影响，而食蚊鱼由于其对氨氮较高的耐受性，已成为上海各污染河道中的主要鱼种，进一步探讨其适应机制，将有助于了解河道生态类型的发展趋势及演变过程。     

环境因子对广东城市湖泊后生浮游动物的影响

对广东省14个主要城市湖泊进行了调查采样分析.检到的轮虫中占据种类组成和丰度优势的为集中分布于热带和亚热带地区的种类,后生浮游动物丰度与叶绿素含量呈显著正相关(r=0.426, P<0.01),其中轮虫丰度与叶绿素含量呈显著正相关(r=0.534, P <0.01),枝角类丰度和叶绿素含量相关性不明显.广东省城市湖泊中大多数均有鱼类,在人工专门放养鱼类的湖泊,枝角类、桡足类的丰度和相对丰度普遍更低,以小型的浮游动物轮虫占据绝对优势.在有水生植物的湖泊,枝角类、桡足类的相对丰度较高.后生浮游动物丰度与富营养评分结果呈显著正相关(r=0.374, P<0.01).其中,轮虫丰度与富营养评分结果呈显著正相关(r=0 479, P<0 01),后生浮游动物丰度与总氮(r=0.286, P<0.05)、高锰酸盐指数(r=0.289, P<0.05)、悬浮物含量(r=0 404, P<0.01)呈正相关,与透明度(r=-0.242)、pH(r=-0.237)呈负相关.根据各湖后生浮游动物组成进行聚类分析,结果表明广东城市湖泊3个分类的后生浮游动物优势种均为富营养化指示种,说明后生浮游动物分布受到水体富营养化的影响.     

环境因子对广东城市湖泊后生浮游动物群落的影响

通过对广东主要城市湖泊调查采样分析，结果表明：检到的轮虫中占据种类组成和丰度优势的为集中分布于热带和亚热带地区的种类，后生浮游动物丰度与叶绿素含量呈显著正相关(r=0.426, p<0.01)，其中轮虫丰度与叶绿素含量呈显著正相关(r=0.534, p<0.01)，枝角类丰度和叶绿素含量相关性不明显。广东省城市湖泊中大多数均有鱼类，在人工专门放养鱼类的湖泊，枝角类、桡足类的丰度和相对丰度普遍更低，以小型的浮游动物轮虫占据绝对优势。在有水生植物的湖泊，枝角类、桡足类的相对丰度较高。后生浮游动物丰度与富营养评分结果呈显著正相关(r=0.374, p<0.01)，其中轮虫丰度与富营养评分结果呈显著正相关(r=0.479, p<0.01)，后生浮游动物丰度与总氮(r=0.286, p<0.05)、高锰酸盐指数(r=0.289, p<0.05)、悬浮物含量(r=0.404, p<0.01)呈正相关，与透明度(r=-0.242)、pH(r=-0.237)呈负相关。根据各湖后生浮游动物组成进行聚类分析表明广东城市湖泊各分类后生浮游动物优势种均为富营养化指示种，受到水体富营养化影响。     

渫水河砷污染环境中浮游动物的群落特征研究

受高砷背景的影响,渫水河及其支流存在不同程度的砷污染,为揭示砷污染的生态效应,探寻防治对策,研究了该水域中浮游动物的种群分布和季节变化,分析其密度与砷含量及TN、TP的关系.2006-2007年共进行3次调查,设置8个采样断面;共检出浮游动物166种,其中,原生动物(95种)＞轮虫(55种)＞桡足类(10种)＞枝角类(6种);丰水期有104种,远大于平水期和枯水期.浮游动物现存量以丰水期最高,其次是平水期,枯水期最少;空间分布上以断面Ⅱ最高,黄水河支流高于渫水河干流,而渫水干流中段的现存量最小.种类组成上,由于桡足类和枝角类对重金属污染较为敏感,检出种类极少,且均是耐污型,轮虫则以α-β型种类为主,纤毛虫比例不高,只在断面Ⅱ和断面Ⅳ超过肉足虫比例.渫水河的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson物种多样性指数、Margalef物种丰富度指数和Pielou均匀度指数值均＜2.生物多样性指数与As含量不相关(r=0.674),但轮虫密度与As含量显著相关(r=0.931).浮游动物密度与TN显著相关(r=0.826),TN对渫水河的浮游动物群落组成起着关键作用,而As只对轮虫的生物量影响较大,并不能决定整个浮游动物的群落结构.     

牧野湖浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的相关性研究

2011年7月至2012年6月,调查分析了新乡市牧野湖和上游河道的浮游动物群落结构及其丰度与环境因子的相关性.共检测出浮游动物23属、43种(不包括原生动物);其中,轮虫15属、26种,枝角类5属、11种,桡足类6属、6种;浮游动物总丰度季节性变化为夏季＞春季＞秋季＞冬季,各季节间差异性极显著(P＜0.01).浮游动物总丰度的空间变化表现为静水区(S3)＞湖心区(s4)＞下游区(水车处)(S5)＞上游截止闸(S2),各样点间差异极显著(P＜0.01).相关性分析显示,牧野湖浮游动物总平均丰度与叶绿素a、CODcr、水温极显著正相关(P＜0.01),与N03-N浓度(P=0.006)极显著负相关、与透明度(P=0.018)显著负相关.浮游动物丰度主要受叶绿素a、水温、CODCr、N03-N和透明度的影响.     

不同洪水阶段对升金湖后生浮游动物群落结构特征的影响

为了解不同洪水阶段对升金湖后生浮游动物群落结构特征的影响，于2020年7月初（洪水前（Phase 1））、7月下旬（洪水形成期（Phase 2））、8月中旬（洪水中期（Phase 3））和9月下旬（洪水后（Phase 4））在升金湖湖区水域设置24个采样点进行后生浮游动物采样调查。研究期间共采集到后生浮游动物20科50属86种，其中轮虫11科29属55种，枝角类5科13属23种，桡足类4科8属8种。方差分析显示后生浮游动物密度在不同洪水阶段差异极显著（F=8.301，P<0.01）。四个阶段轮虫共同优势种为暗小异尾轮虫（Trichocerca pusilla）、广生多肢轮虫（Polyarthra vulgaris）、圆筒异尾轮虫（Trichocera cylindrica）、螺形龟甲轮虫（Keratella cochlearis）、裂痕龟纹轮虫（Anuraeopsis fissa），枝角类共同优势种为简弧象鼻溞（Bosmina coregoni）、颈沟基合溞（Bosminopsis deitersi）、脆弱象鼻溞（Bosmina fatalis），桡足类四个阶段没有共同优势种。后生浮游动物密度和生物量平均值分别为2170.20±506.74 ind./L和7.79±2.04 mg/L。平均密度和平均生物量峰值均出现在洪水前，最低值分别出现在分别出现在洪水中期和洪水形成期。Shannon Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Pielou均匀度指数的变化范围分别为2.37~4.50、2.19~6.50和0.83~1.21。Pearson相关性分析结果表明后生浮游动物密度与电导率、水深呈显著负相关，生物量与溶解氧、电导率、水深、浊度呈显著负相关，与总氮含量、硝氮含量呈显著正相关。研究揭示了不同洪水阶段对通江湖泊后生浮游动物的影响：洪水改变了湖泊后生浮游动物的物种组成及优势种，且显著影响后生浮游动物的密度及多样性。     

太湖贡湖湾大型浮游动物群落结构的季节变化

2006年7月至2007年6月对太湖贡湖湾浮游动物群落结构的季节变化进行了研究。整个研究期间,贡湖湾共鉴定出浮游动物35种;浮游动物年平均密度为467 ind.•L-1,年平均生物量为1.726 mg•L-1。贡湖湾浮游动物优势种为针簇多肢轮虫 (Polyarthra trigla) 和萼花臂尾轮虫 (Brachionus Calyciflorus),其中针簇多肢轮虫年平均密度为99 ind.•L-1,占浮游动物总数量的22 %,萼花臂尾轮虫年平均密度为49 ind.•L-1,占浮游动物总数量的11%。相关分析表明,轮虫数量与颗粒悬浮物浓度和桡足类生物量显著负相关;枝角类数量与轮虫生物量显著负相关;桡足类数量与水温和总磷呈显著正相关性,与枝角类生物量极显著正相关。     

勤得利湾浮游动物群落结构特征

2003年5、7、9、11月对勤得利湾浮游动物的种类组成结构特征进行了研究。结果表明：浮游动物共计4门82种,以原生动物、轮虫为主,分别占29.27%和54.88%；前节晶囊轮虫、锥形似铃壳虫、螺形龟甲轮虫、尖削叶轮虫、萼花臂尾轮虫、多足变形虫、单缩虫等为优势种。浮游动物数量为27449.1 ind．/L,原生动物数量为11445 ind．/L,占41.7%；生物量为14.235 mg/L,轮虫最高,为11.002 mg/L。浮游动物季节变化比较明显,数量夏季最高为74431.2 ind．/L；生物量以夏季最高37.9056 mg/L；水平分布采样点Ⅲ最高,为42113.2 ind．/L和21.836 mg/L。勤得利湾浮游动物多样性指数变化是冬季＞春季＞秋季＞夏季。均匀度指数变化是秋季＞冬季＞春季＞夏季。     

锦江河特有鱼类国家级水产种质资源保护区浮游动物群落结构

为研究锦江河特有鱼类国家级水产种质资源保护区浮游动物群落结构特征,于2015年1月、4月、7月和10月按季度在锦江河保护区进行采样分析。结果显示,在保护区共采集到浮游动物4门51属82种,轮虫类、原生动物、桡足类和枝角类物种数占浮游动物物种总数的比例分别为46.34%、29.27%、15.85%和8.54%。优势种类为4门6属16种,其中轮虫类6种,原生动物4种,枝角类4种,桡足类2种。保护区浮游动物密度变幅为297.76~1 430.10 ind/L,平均为855.13 ind/L;生物量变幅为5.73~26.36 mg/L,平均为14.37 mg/L;群落丰富度指数(D_m)变幅为3.18~4.90,平均为3.96;香农指数(H')变幅为2.11~3.12,平均为2.81;均匀度指数(J')变幅为0.81~0.89,平均为0.86。研究表明,在被摄食压力下降及饵料生物资源下降的共同影响下,保护区外界环境对个体较小的原生动物和轮虫有利,群落生态优势度也集中于上述浮游动物类群。受到水文特征的影响,锦江河核心区的浮游动物物种数、密度和生物量以及多样性指数总体高于实验区。     

济南地区水域春、秋两季浮游动物群落结构与环境因子的关系

为了解济南地区水域浮游动物群落结构特征,于2015年春季(5月)和秋季(11月)对济南地区水域24个采样点位进行了采样调查。结果表明,两季节共鉴定出浮游动物50种,春季浮游动物共计4类46种,以枝角类为主,平均密度为3 421.67ind./L;秋季浮游动物共4类34种,以轮虫为主,平均密度为1 686.67ind./L。春季浮游动物香农威纳指数平均值为1.89,均匀度指数平均值为0.76,秋季浮游动物香农威纳指数平均值为1.92,均匀度指数平均值为0.74,典范对应分析结果显示:春季总硬度和电导率是影响浮游动物群落的主要环境因子,秋季总氮和氨氮及总碱度是影响浮游动物群落的主要环境因子。通过综合分析得出结论,济南地区水域呈中度污染。     

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.