达里诺尔湖夏季浮游植物群落结构及分布特征

为了探究达里诺尔湖夏季浮游植物群落结构特征及水质状况,对浮游植物的种类组成、多样性及环境理化因子进行监测。2015年夏季在湖区设置9个采样点进行定期采样,通过Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数等数据处理,结合Pearson相关分析,研究浮游植物群落结构空间分布特征、多样性及其与环境因子的相关性。结果表明,调查期间共发现浮游植物5门、39属、77种;其中绿藻门29种,占总种数37.66%;蓝藻门和硅藻门均有23种,均占29.87%。达里湖夏季浮游植物优势种为3门、14种,主要优势种为单生卵囊藻(Oocystis solitaria)、湖生卵囊藻(Oocystis lacustris)、不定微囊藻(Microcystis incerta)、小球藻(Chlorella sp.)和细小隐球藻(Aphanocapsa elachista)。浮游植物丰度为4.55×10~4~26.78×10~4个/L,其平均值为:水面下0.5 m(22.46×10~4个/L)1.5 m(20.86×10~4个/L)4.5 m(14.15×10~4个/L)底泥上0.5 m(9.32×10~4个/L);浮游植物生物量为0.682~6.695 mg/L,垂向变化趋势与浮游植物丰度一致。相关分析表明,夏季达里诺尔湖浮游植物丰度与温度、p H值、溶解氧及叶绿素a呈极显著正相关,与盐度相关性不明显。浮游植物群落Shannon-Wiener指数为3.330~4.452,Pielou指数为0.799~0.912,结合浮游植物丰度、优势种及多样性指数分析结果,达里诺尔湖属于绿藻-蓝藻-硅藻型,且水体处于寡污染水平。     

生物絮团对鲤鱼养殖池塘浮游植物群落结构的影响

为了解生物絮团技术在净化池塘水质的同时对池塘初级生产力的影响,干2015年9月10月对陕西团头鲂良种场鲤鱼池塘的浮游植物群落结构进行了调查研究。结果显示:生物絮团池塘共出现浮游植物6门28种,其中绿藻门有17种,占总种类数的65.4%,硅藻门有5种,占总种类数的19.2%,浮游植物群落结构类型属绿藻硅藻型。浮游植物生物密度变化范围为1 372.82×10~4~3 093.71×10~4 ind./L,平均值为2 217.07×10~4 ind./L;生物量变化范围为3.5 3~12.87 mg/L,平均值为7.88 mg/L。浮游植物生物密度和生物量均在9月15日出现峰值,峰值期以后浮游植物密度和生物量在时间和空间上差异性显著(P0.05)。研究表明,生物絮团技术对池塘浮游植物群落结构影响较大,随着絮团的逐渐形成浮游植物群落结构出现明显变化,池塘藻相演替速度加快。     

安海湾浮游植物群落特征

根据2016年5月(春)、8月(夏)、10月(秋)和2017年2月(冬)在安海湾调查所获得的资料,对安海湾浮游植物群落进行研究。结果表明,浮游植物共鉴定6门68属139种,其中蓝藻5属5种,裸藻2属3种,绿藻4属8种,金藻1属1种,甲藻11属17种,硅藻45属105种。浮游植物种类以广布种为主,有较多淡水性种类存在。小环藻(未定种)、中肋骨条藻、菱形藻(未定种)、直链藻(未定种)、簇生布纹藻和聚生角毛藻等是优势的种类,其中小环藻(未定种)和中肋骨条藻在各季度月均为优势种。各季度月浮游植物细胞平均数量分别为22.26×10~4、6.23×10~4、10.61×10~4和54.21×10~4cells/L,四个季度月平均为23.33×10~4cells/L。浮游植物群落多样性指数平均为2.64。晋江经济开发区污水处理厂站位在低潮和高潮时浮游植物数量和多样性指数等变化大,裸藻和栅藻等耐污性种类数量相对较多。安海湾湾顶淡水对部分区域浮游植物有较大影响。浮游植物优势种和多样性指数等的变化表明安海湾浮游植物群落不稳定。     

天津港附近海域浮游植物群落结构初探

2014年4月、6月、8月、9月和11月对天津港附近海域浮游植物群落结构进行初步调查。结果表明,该调查共鉴定浮游植物2门17科20属共40种,浮游植物丰度0.03×104~10.12×104个/L,生物量0.28~32.50μg/L,浮游植物种类组成为硅藻门占绝对优势,共10科13属28种,占总数的68.3%。5航次调查浮游植物平均多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数分别为1.2462、0.7539和0.4305,综合分析天津港附近海域浮游植物多样性水平较低,群落组成较为单一。     

金普湾秋季浮游植物群落组成

2015年9月在金州-普兰店湾(金普湾)进行网采浮游植物调查,样品共鉴定浮游植物3门31种,其中硅藻门26种,甲藻门4种,金藻门1种。丰度均值为58.00×10~4cells/m~3(11.00×10~4～307.00×10~4 cells/m~3),丰富度(D)均值为0.43(0.07～0.71),多样性指数(H')均值2.03(0.20～3.00),均匀度(J')均值0.71(0.20～0.90)。总体而言,金普湾海域浮游植物群落组成属于较典型的北方海域种类组成,藻类细胞数量也基本上处于正常范围。     

荣成近岸养殖海域浮游植物群落结构及与环境因子的关系

基于2016年4个季节的生态调查数据,研究了山东荣成近岸养殖海域浮游植物群落结构,同时,应用典范对应分析(CCA)讨论了环境因子对荣成近岸养殖海域浮游植物群落结构的影响。4个季度共发现浮游植物66种,分隶于硅藻、甲藻及金藻3个植物门、29个属;浮游植物优势种包括中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)、具槽直链藻(Melosira sulcata)、日本星杆藻(Asterionellopsis glacalis)、扭链角毛藻(Chaetoceros tortissimus)、尖刺菱形藻(Nitzschia pungens)及劳氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus),具有明显的季节演替现象。春季日本星杆藻在荣成湾大量出现使其成为优势种。4个季节浮游植物丰度变化范围为(16.9～251.7)×10~4cells/m~3,平均为119.3×10~4 cells/m~3,以夏季最高,秋季最低;全年浮游植物多样性指数(H￠)、均匀度指数(J)、丰富度指数(d)和优势度指数(D2)的变化范围分别为1.60～2.13、0.40～0.60、0.58～0.79和0.70～0.84,多样性指数以夏季最高,冬季最低,但均处在较好水平;CCA分析结果表明,海水溶解氧(DO)、硅酸盐(SiO_3~)2–)-Si)、铵盐(NH_4~+)、温度和pH等环境因子为影响该海域浮游植物群落结构的主要因子,除了季节影响因素以外,当地多元化的养殖模式可能是导致目前浮游植物群落结构的重要因素。     

淮河流域西淝河浮游植物群落结构特征

为探究淮河流域西淝河浮游植物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的关系,在2016年和2017年冬季(2月)、春季(4月)、夏季(8月)和秋季(11月)对淮河流域西淝河浮游植物群落结构特征进行研究。结果显示,共鉴定出浮游植物236种(含变种和变型),隶属于8门、103属。其中,绿藻门(Chlorophyta)最多,有37属、83种,占浮游植物物种总数的35.17%;其次为硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)28属、78种,占33.05%;蓝藻门(Cyanophyta)20属、40种,占16.95%。浮游植物群落结构组成及变化显示,蓝藻门物种的细胞密度占绝对优势,其次为绿藻门,分别占总细胞密度的57.04%、17.66%。硅藻门物种的相对生物量最大,其次为绿藻门,分别占总生物量的35.69%和28.81%,且浮游植物细胞密度与生物量均在夏季达到最大值。浮游植物细胞密度为(7.24±1.13)×10~7个/L,生物量年均值为(34.08±3.20) mg/L。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Pielou均匀度指数为3.27～4.66、2.75～6.10和0.73～0.94。Pearson相关性与RDA分析表明,影响浮游植物群落结构的主要因子有溶解氧、水温、水生植被盖度、电导率、营养盐和透明度。研究结果可为揭示淮河流域浮游植物群落结构特征提供基础理论依据。     

三峡水库泄、蓄水过程对小江浮游植物群落结构的影响

为阐述水位升降时三峡水库支流浮游植物生态学特征的变化,分别于2013年6月和10月对小江泄、蓄水过程的浮游植物野外监测数据进行对比分析。结果表明,三峡水库泄、蓄水过程调查期,在小江分别鉴定出浮游植物6门、70属、136种(变种)和7门、70属、136种(变种),以绿藻、硅藻、蓝藻为主,共计占总种类数的87.49%和80.87%,但2个时期种类组成略有差异;浮游植物细胞密度变化范围分别为8.1×104~127.2×104个/L和24.4×104~99.9×104个/L,泄水过程略高于蓄水过程,且随着蓄水过程的推进持续减少,随着泄水过程的推进显著增加;浮游植物数量组成分别以硅藻和蓝藻占优势,占浮游植物总细胞密度的比例均在50%以上;蓄水过程Shannon指数和Margalef指数变化范围分别为1.80~3.68和0.09~0.61,与泄水过程相比,此2项指数明显较高且变化幅度大;泄水过程和蓄水过程的浮游植物群落分别聚在一组内,但各组内变化情况不同;在三峡水库泄、蓄水过程中,水温和营养盐对浮游植物的生长均有很重要的影响,而水文特征变化对浮游植物生长影响作用十分有限。三峡水库泄、蓄水过程中小江浮游植物群落结构特征存在差异,水温、营养盐是主要影响因子,其中泄水后期浮游植物细胞密度会显著增加,且随着水位的进一步降低会持续增加,水华暴发潜在风险增大,需引起关注。     

长江干流安庆段浮游植物群落结构特征

为了解长江干流安庆段浮游植物群落结构特征,分别于2015年4月(春季)、7月(夏季)和9月(秋季)对长江干流安庆段浮游植物进行了调查。结果显示:本次调查共检出浮游植物5门22科33属54种(含变种)。以硅藻门种类最多,占总种数的46.30%;其次是蓝藻门和绿藻门,分别占24.07%和22.22%;黄藻门和甲藻门的种类相对较少,占5.56%和1.85%。优势种为蓝藻门的小颤藻(Oscillatoria tenuis)、极大螺旋藻(Spirulina maxima)、湖沼色球藻(Chroococcus minutus),绿藻门的小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)、集星藻(Actinastrum hantzschii)以及硅藻门的尖针杆藻(Synedra acus)。浮游植物密度为1.228×10~4~33.002×10~4ind./L,均值为9.453×10~4ind./L;生物量为0.005~0.512 mg/L,均值为0.157 mg/L。密度和生物量最高值均出现在皖河口采样断面(7月)、最低值均出现在杨家套采样断面(4月)。研究结果表明:浮游植物密度和生物量在空间分布上差异均不显著,季节变化上则均表现出显著性差异。利用Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数分析浮游植物群落结构特征,Shannon-Wiener指数变化范围为0.918~3.147,均值为2.539;Pielou均匀度指数变化范围为0.796~1.000,均值为0.893。Shannon-Wiener指数在空间分布和季节间均无显著性差异;Pielou均匀度指数在空间分布上无显著性差异,但在季节间变化上则表现出显著性差异。浮游植物多样性指数结果表明长江干流安庆段水质状况介于清洁型/β-中污型。     

防城港海域浮游植物群落结构及其环境适应性

于2014年9月~2015年8月按季度对防城港海域浮游植物进行4个航次的综合调查,结果显示,该海域共鉴定出浮游植物130种,其中硅藻门106种、甲藻门19种、金藻门2种、蓝藻门2种和绿藻门1种。浮游植物各站位的丰度为1.50×10~6~797.18×10~6个·m~(-3),均值为122.91×10~6个·m~(-3),且季节差异极显著(P0.01),呈秋季夏季冬季春季的特征。群落Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为0.37~4.00,均值为2.60,处于轻度污染水平。该海域浮游植物依种类组成的相似性可划分为10 m以浅和10~20 m水深的2个类群(P=0.001)。冗余分析表明,4个季度中,所调查的8个环境因子共解释了57.51%~72.65%浮游植物丰度的空间变化;水深、水温、溶解氧(DO)和磷酸盐浓度是影响防城港海域浮游植物群落格局的主要环境因子且各因子影响程度存在季节差异。     

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.