长尾琉金金鱼形态性状的相关与通径分析

测定了637尾1龄长尾琉金金鱼体重、体长、体高、头长、尾柄长、尾柄高、胸鳍长、腹鳍长、背鳍高、臀鳍长、尾鳍长等11个性状,计算性状间的相关系数,同时采用通径分析方法计算以形态性状为自变量对尾鳍长作依变量的通径系数、决定系数,对各性状的影响大小进行削分.结果显示,尾柄高对尾鳍长的直接影响最大,胸鳍长和尾柄长对尾鳍长的直接...     

偏分离条件下牙鲆生长性状QTL的主成分定位

本研究利用有丝分裂雌核发育建立牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)双单倍体(Doubled Haploids,DH)群体,对牙鲆体重、全长、背鳍长、腹鳍长、体高、尾柄高、头高和躯干长共8组表型性状标准化处理后,进行主成分分析,得到可解释全部性状90.4%的表型主成分性状。然后,基于JoinMap 4、MapDisto、JoinMap 4-DistortedMap、MapDisto-DistortedMap构建4个连锁图谱,用偏分离标记矫正数量性状位点(Quantitative Trait Locus,QTL)基因型条件概率,采用Bayesian模型选择方法定位牙鲆表型主成分性状的加性QTL和上位性QTL。结果表明,用不同方法构建的遗传图谱和表型主成分性状QTL定位结果均有所不同。在图谱构建中,与基于JoinMap 4构建的图谱相比,基于MapDisto构建的图谱中偏分离标记的相对位置和遗传距离都发生了变化,甚至有5个偏分离标记没有被定位到相应的连锁群上;相对于基于JoinMap 4和MapDisto构建的图谱,经DistortedMap校正后的图谱中偏分离标记的相对位置没有发生变化,但是偏分离标记间遗传距离发生了变化。另外,在4个图谱中都检测到3个加性QTL,分别位于6号连锁群上,可解释表型变异的12.95%、14.85%、11.56%和11.76%,9号、22号连锁群上,具有负向加性效应;9号连锁群上,可解释表型变异的13.86%、13.27%、11.17%和11.25%,具有负向加性效应;22号连锁群上,可解释表型变异的5.68%、4.36%、4.97%和3.58%,具有正向加性效应。同时,分别检测到28对、19对、29对和20对上位性QTL,主要分布在6号、7号、9号、17号、20号和22号连锁群上,可解释表型主成分性状变异的2.19%~17.62%、2.40%~22.26%、2.08%~26.0%、3.16%~22.05%。研究结果表明,基于MapDisto软件构建、经DistortedMap软件包矫正后的图谱,定位结果更加准确,但仍需进一步验证。     

闽—粤东族大黄鱼Pseudosciaena crocea（Richardson）象山港养殖群数量与质量性状的研究

研究了闽-粤东族大黄鱼象山港养殖群数量与质量性状，结果认为：象山港养殖大黄鱼第Ⅱ背鳍软鳍条数，鳃耙数可数性状比自然大黄鱼在数目上减少，性状指标头长/眼径，尾柄长/尾柄高，体长/体高等5项可量性状在均值上减少，而体长/头长，头长/吻长两项可量性状指标在均值上呈上升趋势，象山港养殖大黄鱼的脂肪含量远比自然产大黄鱼高（6.4倍），而鱼体中的各氨基酸含量及总量前者比后者低。     

夹江花(鱼骨)的形态生物学

测量分析了夹江花(鱼骨)的外部形态特征和框架特征,为其形态种质标准和系统分类研究提供参考.可数性状方面:背鳍Ⅲ-7,尾鳍19,臀鳍Ⅲ-6,腹鳍I-8,胸鳍I-16～19,第一鳃弓鳃耙数6～10,围尾柄鳞18～20,侧线鳞46(6.5-7.5)/(4.5-V)49,下咽齿3行、1.3.5-5.3.1,脊椎骨4 42～44;可量性状方面:全长为体长的1.20倍,体长为体高4.38倍、为头长4.18倍、为尾柄长5.52倍、为肠长0.84倍,头长为吻长2.79倍、为眼径4.21倍、为眼间距3.47倍,体高为体宽1.50倍,尾柄长为尾柄高1.77倍.体重与体长相关式为W=0.0123L3.083,n=30,r=0.9983.肥满度系数为1.57.     

银鲑(oncorhynchus kisutch)形态性状测量

通过对银鲑的形性状测量 ,初步进行了银鲑的种质研究。结果表明银鲑的形态性状如下 :全长 /体长为 1 1 2± 0 0 2 ,头长 /眼径为 4 46± 0 45 ,体长 /体高为 4 49± 0 32 ,尾柄长 /尾柄高为 2 2 9± 0 30 ,体长 /头长为 4 0 4± 0 2 1 ,体长 /叉长为 0 94± 0 0 3 ,头长/头高为 1 2 8± 0 0 8,体长 /尾柄长为 5 2 3± 0 30 ,头长 /吻长为 3 33± 0 2 7,头长 /眼间距为 2 68± 0 2 0 ,背鳍 1 0～ 1 3 ,腹鳍 1 0～ 1 1 ,胸鳍 1 3～ 1 6 ,臀鳍 1 2～ 1 7,侧线鳞 1 2 1～1 4 4 ,幽门盲囊 45～ 83 ,鳃耙 1 9～ 2 3,脊椎骨 58～ 66。     

镜鲤头长及头长体长比性状的主效QTL挖掘

为挖掘镜鲤头长及头长体长比性状的主效QTL区间,实验利用368个SSR、336个SNP标记对镜鲤良种后代杂交F1群体的68个个体进行基因型检测,运用JoinMap 4.0软件包构建遗传连锁图谱。该图谱包含535个分子标记并被分配到50个连锁群上,覆盖基因组总长度为2 244.66 cM,标记间平均距离为4.63 cM。利用MapQTL 5.0(interval mapping,IM)区间作图法进行QTL检测。结果显示,共得到2个与头长相关的QTL区间,分别分布在LG21和LG42,可解释型变异分别为28.2%、32.6%;6个与头长体长比性状相关的QTL位于LG8、LG15、LG18、LG21、LG39、LG40,可解释表型变异范围是16.4%~49.3%。全部QTL区间中贡献率大于20%的主效QTL有7个,HL-21和HL-42是头长性状的主效区间;HBR-8、HBR-15、HBR-21、HBR-39和HBR-40是头长体长比性状的主效QTL区间。利用SPSS的一般线性模型(GLM)针对另一群体进行验证,结果表明HLJ692与镜鲤头长体长比显著相关。     

棘头梅童鱼形态特征及其相关生物学参数分析

对捕捞自闽东海域的209尾体质量7.70～66.09 g、体长79.88～150.70 mm的棘头梅童鱼的外部形态、可数性状和可量性状进行了研究,分析了形态特征参数间的相关关系。结果表明：(1)棘头梅童鱼鱼体呈长椭圆形,侧扁,背部呈浅弧形;头大而圆钝,额部隆起;口大,口裂倾斜度大;吻短钝,眼小;头部及体部被薄圆鳞,鳞小;侧线发达,略呈弧形;背侧面灰黄色,腹侧面金黄色,鳃腔上部深黑色;唇橙红色,口腔浅色。背鳍鳍棘部边缘及尾鳍末端为灰黑色,各鳍为淡黄色。(2)全长、肛前长、尾柄长、头长、眼径、头高、体高、尾柄高、眼后头长和体质量与体长存在极显著相关关系(P<0.01),体宽与体长存在显著相关关系(P<0.05)。(3)以体长为自变量、各参数为因变量进行拟合处理,结果显示,全长、肛前长、尾柄长、头长、眼径、体高、体宽和眼后头长与体长呈指数相关,而尾柄高、头高与体长呈线性相关,其中体质量(W)与体长(S_l)的拟合方程为：W=4.506 5×10^-6S_l^{3.290 7}(R²=...     

三个地理种群鲂的形态差异与判别分析

采集了北江、钱塘江、金沙河水库3个地理种群的鲂（Megalobrama skolkovii）414尾样本,用传统形态学和框架分析法,运用单因素方差分析、聚类分析、主成分分析和判别分析法比较研究了37个形态比例性状。结果表明：3个种群的口裂长／头长、吻长／头长、口宽／头长、上颌厚／头长、全长／体长、体厚／体长、头长／体长、尾柄长／体长、尾柄高／体长、尾柄长／尾柄高、1—2／体长、1—3／体长、2—4／体长、2—5／体长、3—5／体长、4—5／体长、4—6／体长、4—7／体长、5—6／体长、6—8／体长、6—9／体长、7—8／体长,及7—9／体长23个性状差异显著（P〈0．05）（1：吻端;2：头部后缘;3：胸鳍起点;4：背鳍起点;5：腹鳍起点;6：背鳍基部末端;7：臀鳍起点;8：尾鳍背部起点;9：尾鳍腹部起点）;聚类结果显示,北江与金沙河水库首先聚为一类,认为北江群体与金沙河水库群体形态最为相似;主成分分析构建了9个主成分,累计贡献率为60．26％;以Bayes逐步判别分析方法选用18个判别效果较好的比例性状建立了3个鲂地理种群的判别函数,判别率为99．03％。结果显示,可以通过形态比例性状来判断鲂的3个地理群体的归属。     

珠江水系鲿科(Bagridae)鱼类一新记录

鲇形目,鳞科的长须黄颡鱼Pelwobagrus eupogon在广西桂林漓江首次发现,为珠江水系新记录.采集标本1尾,全长254.78 mm,标准体长207.70 mm,背鳍Ⅱ-6,胸鳍Ⅱ-6,腹鳍i-5,臀鳍19,外部第·鳃弓鳃耙数16;标准体长为体高的9.32倍,为头长的6.46倍,头长为吻长的3.96倍,为眼径的4.21倍,眼间距的2.25倍,尾柄长为尾柄高的3.09倍.     

牙鲆主要生长性状与体质量的灰色关联度分析

采用灰色关联分析方法对牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)10个选育家系的9个生长性状与体质量的关联度进行分析和评价。首先对体质量与生长性况进行数列无量纲化处理,计算出每个生长性状与体质量的关联系数和关联度,根据灰色关联度构建两两比较判断矩阵定量分析各生长性状对体质量的影响度。结果显示,每个生长性状与体质量的关联度由大到小依次为:全长(0.875 8)、体长(0.859 3)、尾柄高(0.830 7)、躯干长(0.827 7)、头长(0.803 5)、尾长(0.781 2)、体高(0.740 2)、吻长(0.665 7)和尾柄长(0.654 0)。体质量的主控因素为:全长、体长、尾柄高和躯干长4个性状,影响度分别为:28.51%、21.62%、16.41%和11.69%,四者的影响度总和达到78.23%。分析表明,与体质量关联度最大的分别是全长、体长、尾柄高和躯干长,且它们对体质量的影响度最高,可以将其作为培育高产牙鲆的重要评价指标,以提高选择效率。本研究旨在为制定理想的牙鲆选育目标、提高育种效率提供理论依据,同时拓展灰色关联度方法在水产动物育种研究中的应用。     

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.