基于MaxEnt模型和ArcGIS预测多肋藻在中国海域的适生分布特征

基于大型经济海藻的经济和生态价值, 开发具有潜力的新栽培物种是海藻栽培产业健康多样化发展的保障。 多肋藻(Costaria costata)是一种具有很高营养价值及经济价值的大型褐藻, 但并非我国本土物种。本研究采用 MaxEnt 模型预测多肋藻在我国的适生情况, 并探究不同因子对多肋藻孢子体生长的影响, 旨在为开展多肋藻栽培提供支撑。结果表明, 当正则化参数为 1, 训练集与测试集比值为 70 : 30 时, 模型预测性能最佳。基于环境因子的相关性和对模型的贡献率, 筛选出 8 项用于多肋藻适生预测模型的构建, 其中温度与光强对多肋藻自然分布的影响最大, 在光强不低于 4 μmol/(m2 ·s), 月均温度不低于 7 ℃, 多肋藻的适生概率较高。模型显示, 多肋藻在我国的适生区主要分布于黄渤海, 约占该海域面积的 11.32%, 其中 8.08%为边缘适生区和低适生区, 中适生区和高适生区分别占 1.33%和 1.91%, 主要位于辽东湾。表明辽东湾、大连沿海以及山东半岛沿海是多肋藻引种栽培的适宜海域。但辽东湾部分区域的高适生性也预示高入侵风险性, 若开展人工栽培, 应加强生态安全性方面的评估。     

基于MaxEnt模型预测极北海带在我国黄渤海的适生情况

我国黄渤海区域的自然藻场存在不同程度的退化,建立人工藻场是制止海底荒漠化、恢复海底植被和建设海洋牧场的重要手段。本研究模拟极北海带(Laminaria hyperborea)在我国黄渤海区域的适生情况,使用MaxEnt生态位预测方法,针对影响极北海带分部的21项关键水质及水文条件以及在原产地的分布情况,建立我国黄渤海海域生态位分布模型,划分相应的适生区域,并通过刀切法筛选对模型贡献度较大的环境因子,逐一分析其对极北海带适生性的影响。结果显示,在筛选出的9项对模型贡献度较大的环境因子中,温度与光照强度对极北海带分布的影响最大。极北海带在温度7℃～18℃范围、光强不超过52 E/(m2·d)的区间有较大的适生概率;氮、磷浓度对预测结果也有一定影响,但天然海水中的氮、磷浓度不足以成为极北海带分布的限制因子。总体来看,黄渤海区域有1.67%海域为中适生区,主要集中在辽东半岛东岸长海县附近海域;山东半岛东部、北部,渤海西北部有一定的低适生范围,占总海域面积的5.12%;非适生区和边缘适生区占海域总面积的88.51%和4.70%。本研究表明,辽东半岛东岸长海县附近海域是建立极北海带藻场的理想区域。     

利用时空物种分布模型研究海州湾大泷六线鱼的时空分布

为了解海州湾大泷六线鱼时空分布特征及其影响因素，根据2013—2019年秋季在海州湾开展的底拖网渔业资源调查和环境观测数据，构建了时空物种分布模型(spatio-temporal species distribution models)，分析其分布与环境因子的关系，通过残差分析比较其与广义加性模型的残差独立性和异质性，运用交叉验证检验模型预测性能，最终结合delta方法对其分布进行预测并计算栖息地适宜性指数(habitat suitability index, HSI)和资源分布重心。时空模型的偏差解释率为65.50%，模型分析表明，影响大泷六线鱼资源分布最主要的环境因子为水深(22.11%)，其次为底层水温(12.98%)，底层盐度(0.09%)的影响较小，水深与其分布存在正向相关性，底层水温与其分布存在负向相关性，底层盐度与其分布存在弱正向线性关系。时空模型的残差独立性和异质性较GAM更强，其交叉验证回归线斜率为0.90±0.38。模型预测结果表明，大泷六线鱼主要分布在34.5°N以北，120.0°E以东的海域，其栖息地适宜性指数的高值区域呈现逐年收缩的趋势，资源分布重心呈现向东北...     

山东近海渔业物种多样性与环境因子的关系

当前山东近海的渔业资源与生态环境面临较大压力,对海洋中的生物多样性水平有着较大影响。为探究山东近海生物多样性的空间分布特征及影响多样性水平的环境因子,实验基于2017年冬季在山东近海进行的渔业资源和环境调查数据,分析了整体与山东近海3个不同海域的物种数、辛普森多样性(Simpson’s index of diversity)、香农多样性指数(Shannon-Wiener index of diversity)、皮尔洛均匀度(Pielou evenness index)等物种多样性指数的空间分布,利用随机森林算法评估了多样性指数与环境因子所构建模型的拟合优度并且探究两者间的依存关系,研究将山东近海分成3个区域并将分区作为空间因子加入到算法模型中。结果显示,山东近海的多样性水平空间分布上呈现半岛南部海域高于北方的烟威渔场及其临近海域、莱州湾渔场的趋势。物种数和香农多样性指数模型拟合效果较好,方差解释率达到77.46%和45.66%,而对Pielou均匀度指数的拟合效果较差。研究表明,无论整体海域模型还是分区模型,海底温度、海底盐度及海水深度等3种环境因子都是对多样性指数最为显著的影响因子,...     

基于GIS的桑沟湾及周围海域海带养殖适宜性评价

目前水产养殖面临用海冲突、单位面积和人均生产率偏低、养殖业的生态和经济成本较高等问题。为充分利用海区的自然生产力,提高养殖效率和效益,需要对海区进行适宜性评价,选择最适宜的水域进行养殖。以桑沟湾及周围海域主要的养殖品种海带(Saccharina japonica)作为评价对象,选取光照、温度、流速、无机氮、盐度、深度作为适宜性评价指标,利用遥感技术确定海区养殖布局,通过野外调查和数据模拟获取养殖海区环境参数数据,根据动态能量学(Dynamic energy budget, DEB)模型——STELLA模型敏感性分析结果,并结合层次分析法计算评价指标权重,海带生长相关环境因子的强制函数拟合得到单因子评分曲线进行评分。最后,采用线性加权叠加分析方法得到海带养殖适宜性评价结果。适宜性评价过程以地理信息系统(Geographical information systems, GIS)作为技术支持,利用GIS空间插值功能生成光照、温度、流速、无机氮、盐度、深度专题图层,采用栅格计算功能对各专题图层进行叠加,得到综合多因素的海带养殖适宜性评分和适宜性等级。评价结果显示,在不考虑用海冲突的情况下,桑沟湾及周围海域海带养殖适宜性分数分布在0~6.7范围内,分值主要集中在4~6分,属于中等适宜,占研究区总面积的67%,最适宜和不适宜分别占研究区总面积的23%和10%,无一般适宜区。评分较高的区域主要分布在北部爱莲湾和楮岛东部海域周围,适宜性评分较低的区域主要位于近岸水深较浅的海域。根据适宜性评价结果可进行水域空间规划和安排养殖生产计划,为管理部门开展养殖分区和海洋功能区划提供参考。     

不同类型厄尔尼诺事件中环境因子对中西太平洋金枪鱼围网鲣分布响应

金枪鱼围网鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)主要作业渔场位于中西太平洋热带海域,厄尔尼诺事件对其分布有显著影响。文章基于中国大陆地区渔船围网鲣渔捞日志数据及环境因子,构建最大熵模型(Maximum Entropy Model, MaxEnt),探讨不同类型厄尔尼诺事件对渔场空间分布及环境因子的响应特征。结果表明:1)利用MaxEnt模型能够较好预测渔场分布;2)中等强度中部型厄尔尼诺事件中鲣渔场主要分布在赤道太平洋160°E附近,超强东部型和弱中部型厄尔尼诺事件中鲣渔场主要分布在赤道太平洋170°E附近;3) 50 m水深温度(Temperature of subsurface at 50 m depths, T50)、海表盐度(Sea surface salinity, SSS)、海表温度(Sea surface temperature, SST)是影响鲣分布的关键因子,在中等强度中部型厄尔尼诺事件中,SSS贡献率最高;而在超强东部型和弱中部型事件中,T50贡献率最高;4)鲣渔场重心在经度方向上集中分布于160°E—175°W海域,不同尼诺事件下,适宜栖息地面积比分别为:中等中部型事件24%,超强东部型事件28%,弱中部型事件29%。     

基于物种分布模型的全球绿海龟空间分布及洄游廊道预测

环境因素影响物种的空间分布和动态, 全面了解环境与物种分布之间的关系对于其资源的管理和保护至关重要。绿海龟(Chelonia mydas)作为典型的长距离迁徙物种, 周期性地往返于索饵地和繁殖地之间, 迁徙距离可达数千千米。物种分布模型(species distribution model, SDM)是研究环境因子信息和物种分布关系的有效工具, 可以通过环境因子数据有效模拟物种潜在分布区域。本研究结合绿海龟物种出现记录点和环境变量, 应用物种分布模型预测不同时间段的绿海龟分布情况, 得出其分布区域的时空变化, 推断洄游路线。结果表明: 离岸距离、深度和海洋表层温度对绿海龟分布起重要作用; 太平洋西部、印度洋北部和大西洋西部为绿海龟主要适宜栖息范围; 大西洋-地中海以及印度洋-太平洋之间存在绿海龟洄游通道。同时, 基于气候变化模拟了绿海龟 2050 年和 2100 年的潜在分布区域, 分布范围在印度洋中部、太平洋中西部海域减少, 在大西洋中部海域增加, 在全球范围内呈现向高纬度海域扩散的趋势。     

海州湾双斑蟳栖息分布特征与环境因子的关系

为了解双斑蟳栖息分布规律,实验根据2011—2016年多个季度航次在海州湾进行的渔业资源和环境调查数据,采用广义线性模型(GLM)、广义可加模型(GAM)以及随机森林3种物种分布模型(SDMs)方法,结合AIC(akaike information criterion)准则、累积偏差解释率和交叉检验等评判指标筛选和构建了双斑蟳栖息分布模型,并分析了环境因子对双斑蟳分布的影响。结果显示,3种模型在解释因子与响应变量间的关系上基本一致;其中GAM在模型拟合上具有优势,而随机森林的预测性能明显高于传统的GLM和GAM。双斑蟳相对渔获量在年份和月份间的变异性最为显著,两个因子的解释率分别在18%和3.8%以上。水深和表层盐度对双斑蟳资源分布的影响较大,均与双斑蟳相对丰度呈正相关关系;双斑蟳分布总体呈现冬季相对较高,夏季东北部海域高、西南部低的特点,与海州湾水深分布特点基本一致。本研究还根据FVCOM(finite-volume coasta ocean model)模拟环境数据,利用随机森林分布模型估计了双斑蟳在海州湾海域2011年各个季节的空间分布,为渔业资源的开发和保护提供依据。     

秘鲁外海茎柔鱼资源丰度和补充量与海表温度的相关关系

茎柔鱼(Dosidicus gigas)广泛分布在东太平洋海域,是一种重要的经济捕捞种类。本文根据2003～2010年我国鱿钓船在秘鲁外海的生产统计数据和遥感获取的海表温度(SST)数据,利用典型相关性分析法和Marine Explore软件分析了茎柔鱼的资源丰度和补充量(以单位捕捞努力量渔获量为指标,t.d-1)与栖息海域20°N～20°S、70°W～110°W各渔区SST的相关性,获得影响秘鲁外海茎柔鱼资源丰度和补充量的SST因子,并建立关系模型。结果表明,当年资源丰度与SST的相关性最高值为5月份92.5°W、12.5°N海区(相关系数为0.94,P<0.001),该海区SST最适范围为29.8～30.5℃;下一年度资源补充量丰度指数与当年SST的相关性最高值为6月份98.5°W、11.5°N海区的(相关系数为0.93,P<0.01),该海区SST最适范围为29.1～30.5℃。同时,分别建立了基于SST因子的资源丰度预测模型(P<0.01)。研究认为,秘鲁外海茎柔鱼资源丰度和补充量可较好利用SST因子进行预测。     

巨藻幼苗光合、呼吸作用的初步研究

为了研究巨藻幼苗发育及生理生态适应性规律,以巨藻配子体为材料,研究光照周期(10 L∶14 D、12 L∶12 D、14 L∶10 D、16 L∶8 D)对配子体采苗的影响;以光照强度、温度、营养盐浓度3种环境因子设置单因素实验,研究其对巨藻幼苗(0.5~1 cm)的表观光合速率(Pn)、暗呼吸速率(Rd)及相对生长速率(relative growth rate,RGR)的影响,并进行上述3因素对RGR的正交实验。结果显示:(1)10 d后显微观察发现,长光照周期(14 L∶10 D、16 L∶8 D)下采苗效果较好,配子体大量发育为孢子体。(2)光强为70μmol/(m2·s)、温度为13℃和氮营养盐浓度为2 mg/L(N/P=10∶1,下同)的条件下幼苗的RGR较大,表观光合速率较强。90μmol/(m2·s)光强组的幼苗生长受到抑制,其RGR显著小于其他实验组。10℃组的RGR显著小于13℃(P0.05)。氮营养盐浓度上升到8 mg/L,RGR显著降低。(3)随着营养盐浓度的增加,幼苗的表观光合速率、暗呼吸速率整体呈现上升趋势,0.2 mg/L组的Pn显著小于6 mg/L、8 mg/L组,且Rd与其他组差异性显著(P0.05)。(4)相同光强下,温度升高,Pn随之降低,在40~80μmol/(m2·s),10℃、13℃组与16℃、19℃组的Pn差异性显著。经正交实验验证,适宜巨藻幼苗培养条件为光照强度40~70μmol/(m2·s)、温度13℃、氮营养盐浓度2 mg/L。     

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.