条斑紫菜丝状体不同发育时期对光照和温度的光合适应能力

以条斑紫菜(Pyropia yezoensis)丝状体为材料，研究温度(15℃、25℃和35℃)与光强[40、100和300 μmol/(m2·s)]对营养藻丝和孢子囊枝光合生理的影响。结果显示，15℃和25℃实验组中，营养藻丝和孢子囊枝的PSⅡ原初光能转化效率(Fv/Fm)、总光合速率(Pg)和净光合速率(Pn)均随光强升高而降低。在300 μmol/(m2·s)下，营养藻丝的Fv/Fm和Pg趋于零，Pn为负值。在25℃、40 μmol/(m2·s)下，营养藻丝的呼吸耗氧速率(Rd)在实验周期内一直显著高于孢子囊枝；其他组则随胁迫时间延长，二者间Rd差距逐渐缩小。总体上，在相同条件下，所测孢子囊枝Fv/Fm、Pg和Pn均显著高于营养藻丝，而Rd与营养藻丝相当。35℃实验组在6 h时，孢子囊枝的Fv/Fm显著高于营养藻丝，但随光强升高直线下降(P<0.05)，其他组Fv/Fm均趋于0。在40、100 μmol/(m2·s)下，6 h时，孢子囊枝Pg和Rd高于营养藻丝或二者相当；在300 μmol/(m2·s)下，后期营养藻丝Pn和Rd高于孢子囊枝，但在整个实验周期，二者的Pn均为负值。总体上，营养藻丝和孢子囊枝的Fv/Fm、Pg和Pn均显著低于(多数趋于0或负值)15℃和25℃，而35℃的Rd高于15℃和25℃；后期，2种藻丝均出现发绿变白，甚至死亡现象。研究表明，在条斑紫菜营养藻丝的光合作用被严重抑制的光强、温度条件下，孢子囊枝仍具备相对高的光合活力，说明在温度和光强升高到不利于营养藻丝生长的情况下，刺激藻丝转向了孢子囊枝发育阶段，后者具备适应更高温度和光照的能力。     

光强对萱藻孢子萌发、幼苗早期发育及附生藻类动态变化的影响

模拟萱藻育苗条件,以萱藻丝状体为材料,沙滤天然海水作为培养液,研究了光照强度[7.2~126.0μmol/(m2·s)]对萱藻孢子萌发、幼苗早期发育及附生藻类动态变化的影响。结果显示:(1)本实验条件下,萱藻孢子萌发的适宜光强范围为27.0~72.0μmol/(m2·s)。其中,在45.0μmol/(m2·s)条件下,萱藻孢子萌发率较高,并在放散后的第16天萌发率达到(44.44%±11.00%);(2)在本实验条件下,萱藻幼苗早期生长的适宜光强范围为36.0~54.0μmol/(m2·s),其中45.0μmol/(m2·s)最适宜萱藻幼苗的生长,且附生藻类密度最低,孢子放散后第34天附生藻类密度为(38.4±0.6)×104个/cm2;(3)本研究共鉴定出附生藻类2门13属29种,主要优势种为碎片菱形藻、小伪菱形藻、艳绿颤藻、膨胀色球藻、耳形藻和新月菱形藻。其中碎片菱形藻在7.2~18.0μmol/(m2·s)条件下呈指数增长,而耳形藻与新月菱形藻在27.0~126.0μmol/(m2·s)条件下呈指数增长。研究表明,萱藻孢子萌发和幼苗早期发育的最佳光强为45.0μmol/(m2·s),且在萱藻育苗过程中应重点防治的附生藻类为耳形藻与新月菱形藻。     

温度与光照强度对浒苔孢子/配子放散和萌发的影响

通过比较不同温度和光照强度对浒苔(Ulva prolifera)孢子/配子放散和萌发的影响,来探究适合浒苔孢子/配子放散和萌发的温度和光照强度。实验结果表明,适宜浒苔孢子/配子放散的温度和光照强度范围分别为20~30℃和180~300μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)。在温度25℃、光照强度240μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)时,浒苔孢子/配子的放散量最大。浒苔孢子/配子萌发的适宜温度和光照强度分别为15~25℃和40~160μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1),最适温度和光照强度分别为20℃和120μmol·m~(-2)·s~(-1)。本实验揭示了黄海绿潮优势种浒苔繁殖与生长的环境响应过程,为进一步探索黄海绿潮暴发机制提供理论依据。     

温度和时间对海带(Saccharina japonica)孢子囊孢子放散及后期生长发育的影响

为了能够节约制冷成本,合理延长种海带在海上的预留时间,系统研究了不同温度(20、21、22、23、24℃)和培养时间(4、8、12、16d)对两个海带品系(“205”和“C033”)孢子放散能力及胚孢子萌发率、受精率、雌配子体发育和幼孢子体生长的影响.结果显示,当海水温度达到24℃时,孢子囊几乎丧失了放散能力,20-23℃的游孢子放散量差别不显著.在相同温度下,孢子囊培养时间为12、16d的胚孢子萌发率大于4、8d;同时,孢子囊培养16d的雌配子体和幼孢子体具有最小值.在相同培养时间下,23℃(或24℃)的雌配子体和幼孢子体远远小于20-22℃的.相关性分析表明,海带雌配子体大小与幼孢子体大小具有显著正相关性(P＜0.01).结果显示,当温度达到23℃或培养时间达到16d时,海带孢子囊受到了胁迫,不利于雌配子体的发育和幼孢子体的生长.温度对孢子囊的作用更迅速,而时间对孢子囊的作用较为缓慢,可能是一种累积效应.     

温度和时间对海带(Saccharina japonica)孢子囊孢子放散及后期生长发育的影响

为了能够节约制冷成本,合理延长种海带在海上的预留时间,系统研究了不同温度(20、21、22、23、24℃)和培养时间(4、8、12、16 d)对两个海带品系("205"和"C033")孢子放散能力及胚孢子萌发率、受精率、雌配子体发育和幼孢子体生长的影响。结果显示,当海水温度达到24℃时,孢子囊几乎丧失了放散能力,20–23℃的游孢子放散量差别不显著。在相同温度下,孢子囊培养时间为12、16 d的胚孢子萌发率大于4、8 d;同时,孢子囊培养16 d的雌配子体和幼孢子体具有最小值。在相同培养时间下,23℃(或24℃)的雌配子体和幼孢子体远远小于20–22℃的。相关性分析表明,海带雌配子体大小与幼孢子体大小具有显著正相关性(P0.01)。结果显示,当温度达到23℃或培养时间达到16 d时,海带孢子囊受到了胁迫,不利于雌配子体的发育和幼孢子体的生长。温度对孢子囊的作用更迅速,而时间对孢子囊的作用较为缓慢,可能是一种累积效应。     

多肋藻雌配子体种质保存和扩培的温光条件研究

跟踪观察了温度和光照强度双因子对多肋藻雌配子体生长的影响,旨在探明其适宜的种质保存与扩增培养的温光条件。试验设置3个温度,分别为10、15和20℃,每个温度下设5个光照强度,分别为10、20、40、60和80μmol/(m~2·s),实验进行了4个月。结果表明,配子体在10℃,光强≤10μmol/(m~2·s)时适宜种质保存,15～20℃、20μmol/(m~2·s)时适宜短期扩增培养,15℃、20μmol/(m~2·s)时适宜长期扩增培养。     

条斑紫菜(Porphyra Yezoensis)自由丝体接种贝壳其生长发育特征的观察研究

将条斑紫菜自由贝壳丝状体和果孢子贝壳丝状体进行观察比较,结果发现:①前者接种后贝壳需要黑暗沉淀3d,适宜接种的最高温度为23℃,肉眼见苗时间为20d,肉眼见苗前显微镜下贝壳上查不到单丝;后者接种贝壳不需要黑暗沉淀,适宜接种的最高温度为19℃,接种5d后显微镜下可以查到丝状单丝,肉眼见苗时间为15d。②前者壳孢子放散需要流水刺激,在20.5℃开始放散,日放散量为(200~400)×104个/壳,持续时间(5~10)d;而后者壳孢子开始自然放散水温为23℃,日放散量为(10~200)×104个/壳,放散持续时间(14~16)d。③网帘采苗时,前者壳孢子的采苗密度为后者的2~3倍。④在海区的养殖过程中,前者网帘下海20d肉眼见苗,见苗前显微镜下查不到苗,未发现叶状体放散单孢子,叶状体生长速度快,叶状体上未出现硅藻斑,春节前菜平均产量为475kg/667m2,但菜体偏黄,柔韧性差;后者网帘下海3d后,显微镜下就能够在网帘上查到苗,11d肉眼见苗,叶状体0.5cm开始放散单孢子,春节前的菜质好,但叶状体生长速度慢,养殖后期叶状体上容易出现硅藻斑,春节前菜平均产量为325kg/667m2。     

条浒苔海区试栽培及外界因子对藻体生长的影响

以2004年1月采自江苏如东海区紫菜栽培架上的条浒苔(Enteromorpha clathrata)为研究材料,经分离纯化培养,用条浒苔藻体放散的孢子进行采苗及其海区栽培。结果表明,条浒苔在江苏和浙江海区均能够栽培,且藻体生长速度很快。在实验室条件下,将条浒苔藻体置于不同温度组(5℃、10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃、30℃)、盐度组(0、4、8、12、16)和光照强度组(15μmol.m-2.s-1、30μmol.m-2.s-1、45μmol.m-2.s-1、60μmol.m-2.s-1),共120个温度-盐度-光强组合中培养,以研究这3个生态因子对条浒苔生长的影响。结果发现,温度、盐度和光强对条浒苔的生长影响显著(P<0.05)。条浒苔生长适宜温度为15~25℃;适宜盐度为8~12;适宜光照强度在60μmol.m-2.s-1左右。温度、盐度和光照强度三者对条浒苔生长存在显著的交互效应(P<0.05),这三者的最佳组合为温度25℃、盐度12和光强60μmol.m-2.s-1     

不同培养条件对铜藻生长和营养组分的影响

研究了不同温度(5℃、10℃、15℃、20℃、25℃)和光照[50、100、200 、300 μmol/(m2·s)]对铜藻(Sargassum horneri)生长、光合色素和生化组分的影响。结果显示，温度和光照对这3个方面均有显著影响(P<0.05)。铜藻在5℃～20℃、50～300 μmol/(m2·s)时均可生长，且最适生长条件为20℃、200～300 μmol/(m2·s)，特定生长率较高。温度高于25℃，藻体基本停止生长并出现腐烂现象。25℃、50 μmol/(m2·s)时，铜藻色素积累较多。可溶性蛋白和可溶性糖的含量分别在10℃、20℃时最高，不同光照间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。灰分和粗蛋白含量在5℃～10℃、50 μmol/(m2·s)时最高。粗脂肪含量在10℃ 和25℃时最低，不同光照间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。褐藻胶含量在10℃、100 μmol/(m2·s)时最高，岩藻黄素含量在10℃、50 μmol/(m2·s)时达到最大。褐藻多酚含量在低温为 5℃或高温25℃、200～300 μmol/(m2·s)高光下达到最大。研究表明，室内培养铜藻在20℃左右、200～300 μmol/(m2·s)时，生长速率最快，而铜藻在10℃、100 μmol/(m2·s)环境条件下，藻体色泽及健壮程度更好，铜藻个体大，生长速度快，可进行大规模的养殖生产。本研究结果对铜藻养殖及其活性物质提取具有重要的参考价值。     

利用液相氧电极技术研究“海天1号”海带(Saccharina japonica)幼孢子体光合及呼吸速率

"海天1号"海带是南方耐高温品种与北方高产品种杂交后,经过几代选育获得的海带新品系,具有产量高、耐高温、成熟稍早等特点(暂命名为"海天1号"海带)。为探究"海天1号"海带幼孢子体在不同环境因子下的生理适应性,设置了温度、光强及营养盐3个单因素实验,利用液相氧电极技术研究其对"海天1号"海带幼孢子体(1–2 cm)表观光合速率(Pn)和呼吸耗氧速率(R)的影响,并测定相对生长速率(Relative growth rate,RGR)。结果显示:(1)温度为14℃、光强为80μmol photons/(m~2·s)、氮营养盐为6 mg/L(N/P=10∶1,下同)环境下,幼孢子体的RGR和P_n均较大。在温度为22℃、光强为100μmol photons/(m~2·s)、氮营养盐浓度为10 mg/L条件下,R最强。(2)22℃组的幼孢子体生长受到抑制,其RGR显著低于14℃组(P0.05)。20μmol photons/(m~2·s)与80μmol photons/(m~2·s)光强组的RGR存在显著性差异(P0.05)。单因素方差分析显示,5个营养盐浓度组之间幼孢子体的RGR无显著性差异(P0.05)。(3)随着温度、光强、营养盐浓度增加,幼孢子体的P_n呈先上升后下降的趋势,14℃组P_n显著高于其他温度组,氮营养盐浓度4 mg/L和6 mg/L组的P_n显著高于2、8和10 mg/L组(P0.05)。在本实验条件下,R和P_n呈负相关。(4)光强对幼孢子体P/R(总光合速率/呼吸耗氧速率)的影响较小,温度和营养盐浓度对其影响较大。正交实验结果显示,适宜"海天1号"海带幼孢子体培养的条件为光强50μmol photons/(m~2·s)、温度16℃、氮营养盐浓度5 mg/L。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.