星康吉鳗形态性状与体重的通径分析及生长曲线拟合

为探明星康吉鳗（Conger myriaster）形态性状和体重的关系,测定了体重（Y）及全长（X₁）、肛长（X₂）、尾长（X₃）、头长（X₄）、吻长（X₅）、眼径（X₆）、眼后头长（X₇）、背鳍前长（X₈）、躯干长（X₉）、头宽（X₁₀）、眼间距（X₁₁）等11个形态性状,通过相关分析、通径分析、回归分析等方法研究了形态性状对体重的影响;通过曲线拟合获得4个形态性状与体重的最佳拟合模型。结果表明,星康吉鳗各形态性状之间以及形态性状与体重之间均呈极显著正相关关系（P< 0.01）。相关分析发现肛长（X₂）与体重的相关系数最大（0.970）;通径分析发现肛长（X₂）对体重的直接作用最大（0.450）,头宽（X₁₀）通过肛长（X₂）对体重的间接作用最大（0.431）;决定系数分析发现,肛长（X₂）对体重的直接决定系数最大（0.203）,肛长（X₂）和头宽（X₁₀）的共同决定系数最大（0.172）。形态性状（X）与体重（Y）的多元回归方程为Y=-113.859+6.481X₂+49.213X₆+11.514X₇+20.145X₁₀（R²=0.954）。星康吉鳗肛长（X₂）、眼后头长（X₇）、头宽（X₁₀）与体重的最佳拟合模型为指数函数,模型方程分别为Y=1.466e^0.287X、Y=1.435e^1.328X、Y=1.970e^1.974X,眼径（X₆）与体重的最佳拟合模型为线性,方程为Y=-77.460+222.093X。结论认为,在星康吉鳗选育时,应以肛长（X₂）和头宽（X₁₀）为主要选择性状,以眼径（X₆）和眼后头长（X₇）为辅助选择性状。     

低盐度养殖的凡纳滨对虾体长和体重的增长规律

通过池塘陆基围隔实验，研究了凡纳滨对虾在最适水温、溶氧、pH及低盐度(2～6)养殖环境的生长特性及规律。实验结果，低盐度养殖健康对虾体长和体重平均生长率分别为1.398 mm·d^-1和0.169 g·d^-1，对虾前期体长呈线性生长，中后期体重呈加速增长。非线性拟合结果，对虾体长生长为二次曲线，符合Quadratic模型，体重增长为S型曲线，符合Boltzmann模型，生长观测值与模型拟合相关系数R²均达到0.99；凡纳滨对虾低盐度养殖典型体长和体重生长模型为L=7.843+2.297t-0.0105t²和W=16.541+(-0.621-16.541)/(1+e^{(t-54.809)/15.456})。低盐度养殖，对虾体长与体重呈立方关系，符合幂指数模型W=aL^b，a值范围4.9～9.0×10^-6，b值范围2.9495～3.0716，相关系数R²在0.99以上，典型幂指数模型为W=4.9×10^-6L^3.0716。     

大口黑鲈形态性状对体重的影响效果分析

对大口黑鲈全长、体长、体高、体宽、眼间距、头长、吻长、尾柄长、尾柄高和体重共 10个性状进行测定，运用相关分析、通径分析和多元回归分析，剔除与体长存在显著共线性的全长、体高、头长，尾柄高及回归方程中不显著的吻长和尾柄长，计算以体宽、体长、眼间距 3个形态性状为自变量，体重为依变量的相关系数、通径系数、决定系数及相关指数，定量分析大口黑鲈形态性状对体重的影响效果。结果显示，3个形态性状与体重的相关系数（0.942，0.979，0.928）均达到极显著水平（P＜0.01）；通径分析中，3个形态性状对体重的通径系数亦达到极显著水平（P＜0.01）,它们是直接影响体重的重要指标,其中体宽（P⁴=0.599）对体重的直接影响最大。所选形态性状与体重的相关指数R²＝0.980 ,说明所选性状是影响体重的主要形态性状。应用逐步多元回归分析建立了以体重为依变量(Y),体宽(X⁴)、体长(X²)和眼间距(X⁵)为自变量的回归方程：LgY=1.065 + 0.765 LgX²＋1.441 LgX⁴+0.543 LgX⁵。以上形态性状对体重影响效果相关数据的获得为大口黑鲈选育测量指标的确定提供了理论依据。     

四角蛤蜊形态性状对重量性状的影响效果分析

以随机选取的123只野生四角蛤蜊为材料,对其形态性状(壳长X₁、壳高X₂、壳宽X₃)和重量性状(活体质量Y、软体质量Z)进行了测量,然后运用相关分析、通径分析和回归分析等分析方法研究形态性状对重量性状的影响。结果表明,5个数量性状间的相关系数均达到极显著水平(P<0.01)。形态性状对活体质量和软体质量的直接影响依次为壳宽>壳长>壳高。壳宽是影响活体质量和软体质量的主要因素,其决定系数分别为0.302 5和0.224 7。多元回归分析建立了估计活体质量、软体质量的最优回归方程:Y=-19.537+0.244X₁+0.266X₂+0.732X₃、Z=-2.456+0.035X₁+0.035X₂+0.089X₃。     

北极茴鱼形态性状对体重影响效果分析

为探明北极茴鱼(Thymallus arcticus)形态性状与体重的关系, 以 1⁺ ~3⁺ 龄北极茴鱼为研究对象, 测定了体重(Y) 和体厚(X₁)、眼间距(X₂)、体长(X₃)、体高(X₄)、头长(X₅)、眼径(X₆)、吻长(X₇)、尾柄长(X₈)、尾柄高(X₉)等 9 个形态性状, 利用相关分析、通径分析和多元回归分析等方法, 筛选出影响北极茴鱼体重的主要形态性状, 并建立回归方程。结果显示: (1) 不同年龄阶段, 与北极茴鱼体重显著相关(P＜0.05)的形态性状种类不同, 且数量也随着年龄的增加而降低。(2) 通径分析在 1⁺ ~3⁺ 龄北极茴鱼中分别保留了 4、4 和 2 个形态性状, 1⁺ 龄北极茴鱼中体长(X3)的直接作用最大(0.345), 尾柄高(X9)的间接作用最大(0.745); 2⁺ 龄北极茴鱼中体高(X4)的直接作用最大(0.473), 体厚(X1)的间接作用最大(0.378); 3⁺ 龄北极茴鱼中体厚(X₁)的直接作用最大(0.635), 尾柄高(X₉)的间接作用最大(0.344)。(3) 通径分析保留的形态性状对 1⁺ ~3⁺ 龄北极茴鱼体重的总决定系数较高, 分别为 0.943、0.778 和 0.997。(4) 多元回归分析拟合出 1+ 龄北极茴鱼形态性状(Xi)与体重(Y)回归方程为 Y=?90.510+15.345X₁+3.638X₃+10.473X₄+16.884X₉, 2+ 龄北极茴鱼形态性状(Xi)与体重(Y)回归方程为 Y=?142.449+29.023X₁+81.082X₂+27.126X₄?47.376X₇, 3⁺ 龄北极茴鱼形态性状(Xi)与体重(Y)回归方程为 Y=?228.922+75.063X₁+107.864X₉。本研究丰富了北极茴鱼基础生物学数据, 同时为将来人工养殖利用过程中北极茴鱼的选择育种提供待选形态性状。     

西沙群岛珊瑚礁海域鱼类分类学多样性

为评价南中国海西沙群岛珊瑚礁海域鱼类分类学多样性和更好地保护其鱼类,根据西沙群岛珊瑚礁海域鱼类物种组成的历史资料对西沙群岛及其16座岛礁的珊瑚礁水域鱼类物种数目、平均分类差异指数和16座岛礁的G-F多样性指数作了分析。结果显示,西沙共记录鱼类661种,隶属于25目、93科、305属。其中,永兴岛(351种),华光礁(173种),东岛(160种)记录鱼类物种数目较多。西沙鱼类平均分类差异指数(Δ⁺)约为60.2,各岛礁的Δ⁺与物种数目无关。中建岛、晋卿岛、玉琢礁等岛礁鱼类平均Δ⁺显著低于西沙鱼类Δ⁺。西沙鱼类Δ⁺小于陆架和河口区鱼类Δ⁺,说明珊瑚礁海域鱼类亲缘关系比陆架和河口区域的都要接近,此外大尺度上,一般纬度越低,中国海洋鱼类Δ⁺越小。但G-F多样性测度各指数由物种数目的大小决定,一般物种数目较大的岛礁G-F多样性各指数也相对较高,而R_G-F指数更适合该海域鱼类多样性的测度。以石岛为例初步探讨了G-F指数为负的原因,一是物种数目较少,二是多样性测度的关键函数Y=-XLnX并不是单调函数所致;物种数目较大的岛礁如永兴岛、华光礁、东岛等应该成为西沙珊瑚礁海域鱼类保护的重点区域。     

三疣梭子蟹不同日龄生长性状相关性及其对体重的影响

利用定向交尾技术构建三疣梭子蟹15个半同胞家系和38个全同胞家系。测量每个家系80 d、100 d和120 d的全甲宽（X₁）、甲宽（X₂）、甲长（X₃）、体高（X₄）和体重（Y）。采用相关分析和通径分析方法计算不同日龄各性状的遗传相关、表型相关、以形态性状为自变量对体重作依变量的相关系数、通径系数、决定系数。结果表明，5个生长性状的表型相关系数在0.759～0.972之间，遗传相关系数在0.170～0.975之间。经显著性检验，各性状间的表型相关和遗传相关都呈极显著水平（P<0.01），各性状不同日龄对体重的直接影响不同，80 d：X₁> X₂> X₃> X₄，100 d：X₁> X₃> X₂> X₄，120 d：X₃> X₂> X₁> X₄， 80 d和100 d时主要通过全甲宽间接影响体重，120 d主要通过甲长和甲宽间接影响体重。建立全甲宽（X₁）、甲宽（X₂）、甲长（X₃）和体高（X₄）对体重（Y）的多元回归方程，不同日龄各生长性状与体重的复相关指数R²分别为0.960，0.971，0.892，说明它们都是直接影响体重的重要指标。     

条纹斑竹鲨的胚胎发育

观察了室内培育的条纹斑竹鲨自然生产的受精卵形态和胚胎发育过程。结果表明，条纹斑竹鲨受精卵个体较大，卵黄略呈椭圆形，长径为25.91～36.16 mm，短径为13.56～19.44 mm。受精卵外裹有棕褐色的卵鞘，鞘长75.25～107.30 mm，鞘宽33.39～47.70 mm，鞘厚15.82～24.65 mm，卵鞘坚韧而略有弹性。在水温28.0 ℃、盐度26.2～28.8条件下，受精卵经65～80 d发育孵出幼鱼，胚胎发育分为23期，参照硬骨鱼类胚胎发育各期名称给予命名。初孵幼鱼全长121.82～166.80 mm，体重5.30～18.22 g，已具成鱼的外形特征，但体内尚存卵黄，体外卵黄少许或消失。胚体长度（L/mm）与孵化时间（D/d）呈线性相关，L=2.1368D－11.175（R= 0.9862）；胚体重（M/mg）与孵化时间（D/d）呈幂函数关系，M=0.0001D^4.3763（R² = 0.9579）；胚体重（M/mg）与胚体长度（L/mm）呈幂函数关系，M = 0.0005L^3.4278（R²=0.9822）。     

岱衢洋和官井洋大黄鱼自交与杂交子代生长性能及杂交优势分析

2007年3月至2008年8月对象山港海区网箱养殖的岱衢洋、官井洋大黄鱼自交以及正反向杂交子代进行生长特性观察。结果表明:整个实验过程(0~526 d),官井洋大黄鱼自交子代(GG)和反交子代(GD)(官井洋♀×岱衢洋♂)大黄鱼较岱衢洋自交子代(DD)和正交子代(DG)(岱衢洋♀×官井洋♂)大黄鱼生长快,到526 d实验结束时,GG和GD体重分别达到330.514 g和336.694 g,而DD和DG则仅为278.975 g和243.297 g。对其各阶段生长速度分析,发现虽然一龄DD生长较慢,但过冬后DD生长明显加快,体长增长速度超过其他各群子代,体重增长也达到GG和GD增长水平,即有后期增长潜能。对比各群子代肥满度发现,526 d时,DD肥满度最低(1.675),GD肥满度(1.779)虽高于DD,但显著小于GG(1.933)。鉴于GD生长速度高于DD,与GG相当,而体型又优于GG,认为GD具有较大的经济养殖和优良品种选育的潜力。拟合各阶段体长体重数据,得出各群体生长曲线公式如下,DD:W=0.0206L^2.9427, R²=0.9949;GG:W=0.0139L^3.0994,R²=0.9785;DG:W=0.0229L^2.9136,R²=0.9905;GD:W=0.0177L^3.0079,R²=0.9949,拟合度较好,可通过体长估算体重,应用于实际生产。     

达氟沙星对史氏鲟红细胞抗氧化功能及微核形成的影响

2004年5月至7月间，用20 mg·kg^-1、50 mg·kg^-1和100 mg·kg^-1剂量对史氏鲟经口灌服达氟沙星20 d，分别于第5、10、15 和20天定红细胞SOD、CAT、Na⁺、K⁺ATP酶、GST、GSHPX等抗氧化酶活性及丙二醛（MDA）含量，以评价达氟沙星对史氏鲟抗氧化防御功能的影响，同时进行红细胞微核率和总核异常率的测定。结果表明实验第5天各实验组红细胞SOD活性均显著高于对照组；各实验组红细胞中CAT的活性明显高于对照组；红细胞Na⁺、K⁺ATP酶活性没有明显的改变。实验第20天时100 mg·kg^-1剂量组GSHPX活性明显高于对照组及其他剂量组（P<0.05）；GST活性及MDA含量没有明显的影响。达氟沙星在实验剂量内对史氏鲟红细胞核微核率没有明显的影响，但核异常率呈明显升高。     

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.