怒江上游裸腹叶须鱼的年龄结构与生长特性

以2017年5 6月和910月在怒江上游察瓦龙县至那曲县江段采集的225尾裸腹叶须鱼(Ptychobarbus kaznakovi)为研究对象,对比脊椎骨和微耳石两种鉴定年龄材料,分析其年龄结构与生长特性。结果显示:微耳石判别年龄具有较高的准确性和精确度。裸腹叶须鱼优势体长为101~250 mm,占总样本的78.48%,优势体重为0~150 g,占总样本的91.11%。裸腹叶须鱼种群由1~10龄和13龄11个年龄组组成,优势年龄组为3~5龄,占样本总数的66.22%,其中4龄鱼数量最多,占样本总数的27.56%,高龄鱼较少。体长与体重的拟合关系式为:W=2×10-5 L2.8644(R2=0.9893,n=225),Von Bertalanffy生长方程:L t=699.571-e-0.0615(t+0.842 9),W t=2 816.821-e-0.0615(t+0.842 9)2.8644,生长系数k为0.0615,表明怒江上游裸腹叶须鱼为缓慢生长型鱼类。拟合生长速度方程,生长加速度方程得出年龄生长拐点t i为16.27龄,对应的体长l i为455.36 mm,对应体重w i为823.42 g。     

绰斯甲河大渡裸裂尻鱼的年龄与生长特性研究

以绰斯甲河流域大渡裸裂尻鱼(Schizopygopsis malacanthus chengi)的微耳石和脊椎骨为年龄鉴定材料,对其进行了年龄鉴定,并比较了两种年龄鉴定材料的准确性,结果表明微耳石更适合于年龄鉴定。同时,以微耳石磨片为年龄鉴定和生长推算材料,对大渡裸裂尻鱼种群的生长特性进行了研究。结果显示:在相同年龄组内雌鱼个体显著大于雄鱼。雌、雄鱼体重与体长表现为异速生长:W♂=0.024 5×L2.793 4,W♀=0.021 3×L2.859 3。Von Bertalanffy生长方程为雌鱼Lt=32.319×[1-e-0.087×(t+4.024)],Wt=439.165×[1-e-0.087(t+4.024)]2.859 3;雄鱼Lt=23.195×[1-e-0.213×(t-1.008)],Wt=169.307 2×[1-e-0.213×(t-1.008)]2.793 4。雌、雄鱼的生长拐点年龄分别为8.1龄和6.0龄,对应的雌鱼体长和体重为L=21.06 cm,W=129.12 g;对应的雄鱼的体长和体重为L=15.18 cm,W=51.85 g。     

西藏布裙湖全唇裂腹鱼年龄与生长的初步研究

全唇裂腹鱼(Schizothorax integrilabiatus)仅见于西藏地区雅鲁藏布江下游墨脱县境内的布裙湖,在物种进化和资源保护方面具有重要的研究价值。以耳石为年龄鉴定材料,对分布于布裙湖全唇裂腹鱼的年龄结构和生长特性进行了初步研究。结果显示,在所采集的252个样本中共包含7个年龄组(1~7龄),其中优势年龄组为1~3龄(占72.22%);体长与体重的关系方程为W=0.015 2 L3.057,属于匀速生长;采用von Bertalanffy模拟的生长方程为Lt=27.150[1-e~(-0.154(t+0.527))],W_t=368.029[1-e~(-0.154(t+0.527))]3.057。全唇裂腹鱼的体长生长速度曲线无拐点,随着年龄增长逐年降低,体重生长具有生长拐点,拐点年龄为6.73龄,所对应的体长和体重分别为18.27 cm和109.61 g。初步研究表明,全唇裂腹鱼属小型、低龄鱼类。     

沅水银鮈年龄与生长的研究

基于2016年3月至2017年3月采自沅水支流無水的137尾样本,使用耳石和鳞片为年龄鉴定材料,对银鮈(Squalidus argentatus)的年龄结构和生长特征进行了研究。结果显示:研究样本体长范围为40~115 mm,优势体长组为60~100 mm(占86.1%);体重范围为1.1~23.6 g,优势体重组为3~12 g(占77.4%);共4个年龄组,1龄和2龄为优势年龄组(占93.2%)。体长和耳石半径为直线正相关,L=-9.062+258.896×R(n=132,r2=0.773);体长-体重关系方程为:W=8.557×10~(-6)×L3.134(r2=0.974,n=137),银鮈为异速生长鱼类;以退算体长拟合的von Bertalanffy方程为:Lt=177.7(1-e-0.235(t+0.193))(r2=0.909),Wt=96.1(1-e-0.235(t+0.193))3.13。估算的拐点年龄为4.7龄,对应的体长体重分别为120.9 mm和28.7 g。研究表明耳石是银鮈较好的年龄鉴定材料。沅江银鮈的年龄结构趋于简单,面临较大的捕捞压力,渔业主管部门应为保护其种质资源制定相应的措施。     

金沙江中下游细鳞裂腹鱼的年龄生长及种群动态

探究金沙江中下游细鳞裂腹鱼(Schizothorax chong)的年龄、生长及种群动态,可为其资源保护提供理论依据。2013-2017年在金沙江中下游干流攀枝花、巧家及其支流雅砻江、黑水河下游江段采集细鳞裂腹鱼170尾,逐尾测量全长、体长、体重,取臀鳞与微耳石为年龄鉴定材料,研究细鳞裂腹鱼的年龄结构、生长特征与种群动态。结果表明,金沙江中下游细鳞裂腹鱼以低龄个体(1~3龄)为主,臀鳞及耳石均能够作为其低龄个体的年龄鉴定材料;细鳞裂腹鱼体重(W)和体长(L)关系式为W=7.00×10^-6L^3.1885(R²=0.9867,n=170),雌雄个体间体长-体重关系无显著性差异(P>0.05);渐进体长(L_∞)为774.74 mm,生长系数(k)为0.13,理论生长起点年龄(t 0)为-0.13龄;渐进体重(W∞)为11407.01 g,体长生长方程为L_t=774.74[1-e^-0.13(t+0.13)],体重生长方程为W_t=11407.01[1-e^-0.13(t+0.13)^]3.1885,拐点年龄为8.79龄;种群总死亡系数(Z)为0.82,自然死亡系数(M)为0.26,当前开发率(E)为0.68,高于理论最大开发率(E_max)0.388;相对单位补充渔获量和生物量的结果也表现为过度捕捞特征,种群已处于过度利用状况。针对细鳞裂腹鱼的生态习性特征及其资源现状,建议采取生态调度、支流栖息地恢复及控制非法电捕等措施以保护其资源。     

沅水银鮈年龄与生长的研究

基于2016年3月至2017年3月采自沅水支流無水的137尾样本,使用耳石和鳞片为年龄鉴定材料,对银鮈(Squalidus argentatus)的年龄结构和生长特征进行了研究。结果显示:研究样本体长范围为40~115 mm,优势体长组为60~100 mm(占86.1%);体重范围为1.1~23.6 g,优势体重组为3~12 g(占77.4%);共4个年龄组,1龄和2龄为优势年龄组(占93.2%)。体长和耳石半径为直线正相关,L=-9.062+258.896×R(n=132,r2=0.773);体长-体重关系方程为:W=8.557×10~(-6)×L3.134(r2=0.974,n=137),银鮈为异速生长鱼类;以退算体长拟合的von Bertalanffy方程为:Lt=177.7(1-e-0.235(t+0.193))(r2=0.909),Wt=96.1(1-e-0.235(t+0.193))3.13。估算的拐点年龄为4.7龄,对应的体长体重分别为120.9 mm和28.7 g。研究表明耳石是银鮈较好的年龄鉴定材料。沅江银鮈的年龄结构趋于简单,面临较大的捕捞压力,渔业主管部门应为保护其种质资源制定相应的措施。     

赠曲裸腹叶须鱼的年龄与生长

对2013年5月和9月在金沙江上游支流赠曲采集的98尾裸腹叶须鱼(Ptychobarbus kaznakovi)进行了年龄和生长特性的研究。渔获物的优势体长组为150~200 mm,占62.38%,优势体重组在14.3~150 g,占87.63%;体长体重关系为W=2×10-5L2.884;以臀鳞为年龄鉴定材料,结果显示,裸腹叶须鱼渔获样本由3~10龄组成,其中3~6龄个体占94.2%;von Bertalanffy生长方程为:Lt=668.35[1-e~(-0.0662(t+0.83))],Wt=2807.6[1-e~(-0.0662(t+0.83))]~(2.884);生长系数k为0.066 2,说明裸腹叶须鱼为生长缓慢型鱼类;体重生长的拐点年龄为15.17龄,对应的体长和体重分别为436.61 mm和822.35 g。     

乌江思南泉水鱼的年龄与生长研究

2011-2012年在乌江思南江段采集454尾(雌性298尾,雄性109尾,性别不辨47尾)泉水鱼(Pseudogyrincheilus procheilus),以鳞片作为材料对年龄进行鉴定,利用软件FISAT-II处理体长与年龄数据,对其生长方程、生长拐点等生物学特征进行了研究。结果表明,泉水鱼鳞片为圆鳞,年轮主要表现为普通切割型与普通疏密型;年龄组成为1~4龄,其中以2~3龄为主;1~4龄,体长增长率为47.4%,雌性体长增长率达50.4%,雄性体长增长率为35.0%,体重增长率为438.5%,雌性体重增长率为485.1%,雄性体重增长率为275.9%;体重(W)与体长(L)呈幂指数关系:W=2×10-6L3.4784(R2=0.8824),雌鱼为:W=3×10-6L3.4002(R2=0.8505),雄鱼为:W=2×10-5L3.019(R2=0.8112);体长(L)和鳞径(S)呈幂函数相关:L=92.597S0.5458;Von Bertalanfy生长方程的各参数为:渐进体长L∞=278.10 mm,生长系数k=0.22,t0=-1.80;雌鱼各参数为:L∞=355.01 mm,k=0.14,t0=-2.38;雄鱼各参数为:L∞=224.04 mm,k=0.32,t0=-1.72,雄鱼达到渐进体长的速度比雌鱼要快得多;体长生长速度和加速度不具拐点,生长速度随年龄增加而递减,生长加速度始终为负值,随年龄增加而增大;体重生长速度和加速度都具有拐点,拐点年龄ti=3.87,拐点体长Li=198.22 mm,拐点体重Wi=195.59 g。结合泉水鱼生长拐点年龄和性成熟年龄,为保护乌江思南泉水鱼资源,建议以180 mm为最小捕捞个体的体长。     

东海北部、黄海南部黄鮟鱇的年龄和生长

利用黄鮟鱇Lophius litulon耳石对2007年3月~2009年5月取自东海北部、黄海南部黄鮟鱇的年龄和生长特征进行了分析。结果显示,黄鱼安鱼康群体由1~5龄组成,以1~2龄鱼为主,捕捞群体呈低龄化;生长特点属均匀生长型,体重与体长关系为W=1.55897×10-5L3.10865,体长与耳石半径关系为L=244.11R-210.6,体长生长方程为Lt=749.9[1-e-0.349(t+0.256)],体重生长方程为Wt=13496.4[1-e-0.349(t+0.256)]3.10865,极限年龄Tmax为8.337龄,生长拐点年龄ti为2.994龄,此时对应的体长和体重分别为508.8mm和4038.7g。为保护黄鮟鱇资源,应限捕体长在500mm以下的个体。     

乌江上游四川裂腹鱼的年龄结构与生长特性

研究鱼类的年龄结构与生长特性可为评价天然水体野生资源的动态变化提供理论依据,鳞片是低龄鱼可靠的年龄鉴定材料;由于营养不足和水环境因素的影响,高龄鱼出现年轮被机体重吸收、鳞片生长明显慢于机体生长的现象,导致用鳞片鉴定年龄的准确性明显降低。以2008年1月至2010年1月采集于乌江上游总溪河的113尾四川裂腹鱼（Schizothorax kolzovi）为材料,对比臀鳞、脊椎骨、鳃盖骨和微耳石材料并鉴定年轮,研究其年龄与生长的关系。结果表明,四川裂腹鱼体长和体重在雌雄群体间的差异不显著（P ＞0．05）,体重（W;g）和体长（L;mm）拟合关系式为 W＝0．00002L2．9511（R2＝0．9543,n ＝113）;对比选择臀鳞鉴定年龄、测量鳞径,并建立 von Berta-lanffy 生长方程,Lt ＝598．39[1－e －0．0929（t ＋3．3636）]和 Wt ＝3134．65[1－e －0．0929（t ＋3．3636）]2．9511。采集的四川裂腹鱼群体由1～4龄组成,优势年龄组为3龄,占标本总数的57．5％,年龄结构趋于低龄化;体重生长拐点年龄为8．3龄,对应的体长和体重分别为395．62 mm 和924．39 g。     

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.