象山港南沙岛不同养殖模式沉积物微生物群落结构分析

通过构建16S rDNA克隆文库对象山港南沙岛不同养殖模式(贝类养殖、藻类养殖及网箱养殖)表层沉积物微生物多样性和群落结构特征进行了比较和分析,共获取136个OUT。其中,贝类养殖区、藻类养殖区和网箱养殖区OTU分别为58、48和57个。各站位OTU分布差异明显,表现出高度的多样性。基于16S rDNA序列的生物多样性和丰富度分析表明,网箱养殖区丰富度指数ACE为739,香浓指数H?为3.8,均为最高值,丰富度指数Chao为245,略低于于贝类养殖区。贝类养殖区丰富度指数Chao为303,在各养殖区中最高。藻类养殖区丰富度指数ACE为174、Chao为89,香浓指数H?为3.6,均为最低值。系统发育分析表明,南沙岛各养殖区的优势种群均为变形菌门(Proteobacteria),但是藻类养殖区微生物群落结构与其他养殖区域相比,16S rDNA克隆文库差异显著,其中根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)及其他光合细菌在藻类养殖区分布较多。网箱养殖区沉积物表层微生物群落中出现了与环境污染密切相关的菌群,如志贺氏菌属(Shigella)、埃希氏菌属(Escherichia)和ε-变形菌纲的微生物种群,揭示网箱养殖对底质沉积物环境的影响较大。     

青藏高原小柴旦盐湖微生物群落结构及多样性

通过探究小柴旦盐湖微生物群落结构与多样性,为盐湖微生物资源的开发利用和生态保护提供重要的理论参考依据。利用Illumina Mi Seq测序平台对小柴旦盐湖细菌和古菌的16S rRNA基因(V3~V5区)进行高通量测序,获得细菌和古菌的物种注释OTU(Operational Taxonomic Units)数目分别为870和410,其中分类地位明确的细菌有18门、24纲、135属,古菌2门、4纲、22属。细菌优势类群依次是厚壁菌门(Firmicutes,34.05%)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria,32.91%)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes,18.01%)和蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria,8.46%);优势种群依次是芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus,21.53%)、Chloroplast-norank(6.65%)和海杆菌属(Marinobacter,4.05%)。古菌的优势类群和优势种群主要是未确定分类地位的沃斯古菌门(Woesearchaeota DHVEG-6,80.84%),相关的系统分类学尚需深入研究。小柴旦盐湖微生物的种群结构复杂、类群丰富,细菌Shannon多样性指数(4.77±0.45)显著高于古菌(2.79±0.45),且存在大量的新种资源。     

珠江河网冬季浮游细菌群落结构及其影响因素

为了解珠江河网冬季浮游细菌群落结构,探讨影响其群落结构的环境因素,于2017年11月和2018年1月在珠江河网(112.18°E～113.51°E,22.38°N～23.17°N)采集表层水样,借助IlluminaMiSeq高通量测序平台,运用16S rDNA扩增子技术研究珠江河网冬季浮游细菌群落结构,使用R(3.5.2)软件包以及SPSS进行统计分析及作图。结果表明,变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、蓝细菌门(Cyanobacteria)是珠江河网丰度较高的门类,细菌群落优势种群依次为γ-变形菌纲(γ-Proteobacteria)、放线菌纲(Actinobacteria)和α-变形菌纲(α-Proteobacteria)。珠江河网冬季浮游细菌具有较高的菌群多样性(两次样品的Shannon指数分别为6.78±0.29、6.23±0.71), NMDS分析表明,浮游细菌群落结构之间不存在显著的地域差异。Pearson相关性分析表明,温度与γ-变形菌纲(P0.05)、放线菌纲(P0.05)以及α-变形菌纲(P0.01)的丰度显著正相关,pH与放线菌纲(P0.05)、α-变形菌纲(P0.01)的丰度以及多样性指数(Shannon:P0.01; Simpson:P0.01)显著负相关,溶解氧与α-变形菌纲的丰度显著负相关(P0.05)。冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,温度、pH是影响浮游细菌群落的主要因子。     

管角螺代谢物对浮游植物增殖的影响

采集管角螺的粪便,烘干处理后测定其营养成分组成;并在实验室条件下,研究了管角螺(Hemifusus tuba)代谢物对湛江等鞭金藻(Isochrysis zhanjiangensis)、牟氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros muelleri)和亚心型扁藻(Platymonas subcordiformis)生长的影响。结果表明:管角螺粪便中含有粗蛋白质(9.8%)、磷(0.38%)等微藻生长所需的营养物质;管角螺的代谢物对三种单胞藻的生长有明显的促进作用(P0.05),三种微藻的生长与代谢物的添加量呈正比相关;管角螺代谢物对不同微藻的生长作用随种类的不同而具有明显的差异,对湛江等鞭金藻和牟氏角毛藻的增殖作用明显高于亚心型扁藻(P0.05)。     

低盐度养殖池塘常见浮游微藻的种类组成、数量及优势种群变动

于2007年9月至2008年1月在广东珠海地区对低盐度养殖虾池水体的浮游微藻进行全程周期性调查分析.结果共检出常见浮游微藻5门31属49种,其中绿藻13属22种,蓝藻9属16种,硅藻6属8种,裸藻2属2种,隐藻1属1种.优势种有13种,主要是蓝藻,有铜绿微囊藻( Microcystis aeruginosa )、圆胞束球藻( Coelosphaerium naegelianum )、卷曲螺旋藻( Spirulina spirulinoides )、假鱼腥藻( Pseudoanabaena sp . )、绿色颤藻( Oscillatoria chlorine )、拟短形颤藻( Oscillatoria subbrevis )、粘连色球藻( Chroococcus cohaerens )、点状平裂藻( Merismopedia punctata )和针状蓝纤维藻( Dactylococcopsis aciculari ).其次是绿藻和硅藻,有蛋白核小球藻( Chlorella pyrenoidosa )、多粒衣藻( Chlamydomonas.multgranulis )、角毛藻( Chaetoceros sp . )和新月菱形藻( Nitzschia closterium ).低盐度虾池养殖周期浮游微藻细胞数量为0.1×10 7～209.2×10 7 ind·L -1,多样性指数平均为2.5～3.2.浮游藻类的种类数、数量及多样性指数总体表现为养殖前期低后期高的特征.     

黄岛近海岸贝类养殖区细菌群落结构多样性及与环境因子响应

为了研究近海贝类开放养殖水域中细菌种群分布规律以及微生物群落多样性对环境因子的响应及与水产动物发病的关系,本实验于2019年7—11月采集黄岛某开放养殖水域不同样点海水样本,分析不同水质因子(水温、盐度、pH、DO、叶绿素、氨氮、磷酸盐、硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐)的动态变化,并利用高通量测序的方法分析了不同月份水样和栉孔扇贝组织样本中微生物群落结构和多样性的差异,探讨了环境因子与微生物群落结构的相关性。结果显示,水样本中细菌群落结构共检测到42个门,94个纲。由变形菌门、拟杆菌门、蓝细菌门、放线菌门及厚壁菌门等组成,其中变形菌门为优势菌门,主要包括γ-变形菌纲和α-变形菌纲。不同月份,细菌OTU水平多样性分析结果为11月>9月>7月>10月>8月;弧菌OTU水平多样性分析结果显示,弧菌的多样性呈现先升高后降低的变化,与水温的变化趋势一致,8月养殖区多样性高于对照区。RDA分析表明,叶绿素含量(μg/L)和亚硝酸盐的浓度(mg/L)对门水平的物种组成和群落结构具有显著的影响。磷酸盐含量(mg/L)和DO (mg/L)对弧菌属水平的群落结构具有显著影响。扇贝组织样本细菌群落...     

利玛原甲藻PL11共附生菌多样性研究

为揭示产腹泻性贝类毒素(diarrheic shellfish poisoning,DSP)典型赤潮甲藻-利玛原甲藻(Prorocentrum lima)PL11的共附生菌群多样性信息,通过Illumina MiSeq高通量测序分析了PL11的共附生菌群种类及相对丰度,并且对其可培养共附生菌株进行了选择性分离及其16S rRNA基因序列扩增与系统发育的分析。利玛原甲藻PL11高通量测序结果显示:样品共附生细菌包括5门,14纲,26目,38科及54属。其中优势门(>5%)为3个,包括变形菌门(Proteobacteria,75.5%)、拟杆菌门(Bacteriodetes,11.5%)以及浮霉菌门(Planctomycetex,8.5%);优势纲(>5%)为4个,包括α-变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria,51.7%)、δ-变形菌纲(Deltaproteobacteria,31.8%)、鞘脂杆菌纲(Sphingobacteria,9.9%)以及OM190纲(8.9%);优势属(>5%)为6个,侏囊菌科下未知属(norank Nannocystaceae,21.8%)、Pyruvatibacte属(11.6%)、Phaeodactylibacter属(9.4%)、生丝单胞菌科下未知属(norank Hyphomonadaceae,8.5%)、OM190纲下未知属(8.1%)以及Roseovarius属(7.9%)。从利玛原甲藻PL11培养物中分离获得可培养微生物菌株9株,分属于8个属,包括Ochrobactrum sp.(2株)及Microbacterium sp.、Algoriphagus sp.、Ponticoccus sp.、Hoeflea sp.、Labrenzia sp.、Sphingopyxis sp.、Erythrobacter sp.各1株。其中PL11-1为Ponticoccus属潜在新种。     

红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道可培养细菌的多样性

使用2216E平板涂布法从肠道样品分离可培养细菌,通过16S r DNA测序鉴定细菌。所有分离的细菌分为变形菌门(包含γ-变形细菌纲和α-变形细菌纲)和厚壁菌门。其中以γ-变形细菌纲为优势(83.3%)。在属的水平,从肠道中共分离出弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属、假交替单胞菌属、亚硫酸杆菌属、芽孢杆菌属、Aliivibrio、发光杆菌属、科尔韦尔氏菌属8个属,其中弧菌属、希瓦氏菌属和假交替单胞菌属的种类占总数的70%。首次发现亚硫酸杆菌属和科尔韦尔氏菌属作为红鳍东方鲀稚鱼肠道菌群的一部分。     

不同脂肪源对卵形鲳鲹肠道微生物菌群的影响

为确定脂肪源种类对卵形鲳鲹肠道微生物结构和组成的影响,本研究通过高通量测序技术分析不同脂肪源对卵形鲳鲹肠道微生物菌群结构、多样性和差异性的影响。以鱼油、磷虾油、豆油、玉米油,1∶1鱼油-豆油、1∶1鱼油-玉米油、1∶1磷虾油-豆油和1∶1磷虾油-玉米油为主要脂肪源,配制了8种等氮等能的饲料投喂640尾卵形鲳鲹。测序结果显示,在卵形鲳鲹肠道内共获得1087662个序列,运算分类单元稀释曲线趋于平缓表明测序深度已经基本覆盖到样品中所有的物种。在门水平上,主要注释到拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门、变形菌门和软壁菌门4个门,且变形菌门为优势菌群。不同脂肪源对ACE指数、Chao1指数、香农-威纳指数和辛普森多样性指数具有显著影响,磷虾油组和1∶1鱼油-豆油组具有较高的肠道微生物丰富度和多样性。主坐标分析和主成分分析表明,不同脂肪源对肠道菌群结构影响显著,这可能与脂肪酸种类和含量有关。本试验结果显示,不同脂肪源对卵形鲳鲹肠道微生物菌群具有显著影响。     

三峡库区及上游沉积物细菌群落结构及其对重金属的响应

为探究不同生境条件下细菌群落结构特征及其对沉积物重金属污染的响应，在三峡库区及上游共4个江段，采集21个表层沉积物样品，利用高通量测序技术研究其细菌群落结构和多样性，并利用冗余分析和相关性分析等方法分析重金属与细菌群落结构和多样性之间的响应关系。结果显示：研究江段沉积物细菌群落共检出65门179纲446目784科和1 926属；优势菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria),优势菌纲为γ-变形菌纲(Gammaproteobacteria),其相对丰度分别为42.35%～54.56%和12.65%～28.30%;细菌群落多样性表现为：库区江段>库区上游江段，但没有显著差异；重金属As、Pb、Cr和Cu含量与绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)相对丰度呈显著正相关，与厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)相对丰度呈显著负相关。     

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.