武汉单极虫生活史中放射孢子虫的发现及鉴定

鲫养殖中粘孢子虫病非常严重,为掌握其病原的感染传播途径,实验通过粘孢子虫生活调查研究,在底栖寡毛类苏氏尾鳃蚓体内发现了一种放射孢子虫。该放射孢子虫的孢子无孢柄;孢体顶面观和侧面观都呈近卵圆形,长(19.8±1.3)μm,宽(18.2±1.1)μm;3个极囊梨形,呈点状聚集分布在孢体顶端,极囊长(4.53±0.4)μm,宽(3.4±0.4)μm;3个尾柄几乎等长,刺状,从孢体基部向下伸展,尾柄间夹角100°,尾柄长(195.0±15.7)μm,宽(11.5±0.8)μm。根据形态特征将其划归为橘瓣放射孢子虫集合类群。18S r DNA序列分析表明该放射孢子虫与鲫体表寄生武汉单极虫为同一物种,序列相似率为99.8%~100%。序列系统发育分析进一步发现单极虫类群中多数种类的放射孢子虫阶段主要寄生在苏氏尾鳃蚓体内。本研究首次发现和报道了鲫寄生武汉单极虫生活史中寡毛类宿主及其放射孢子虫的形态特征,为鲫粘孢子虫病生态防控提供重要的基础资料。     

引起池养异育银鲫高死亡率的粘孢子虫新种咽碘泡虫形态和分子分析

对近几年发生在江苏省盐城地区引起池养异育银鲫大批死亡的粘孢子虫进行了形态和分子等方面分析研究,发现该粘孢子虫主要特点是:孢子梨形,部分孢子后部外周包围有透明无色的膜状鞘和壳瓣底部内侧呈现1～6个"V"形缺刻,两个极囊大小不等,孢子前端内侧两个极囊间有一个细长的囊间突起,胚质中无嗜碘泡,孢囊大小10～25 mm,孢子长16.82±0.43(16.03～17.69)μm,孢子宽10.26±0.43(9.12～10.88)μm,孢子厚8.09±0.29(7.50～8.75)μm,孢子长宽比1.64±0.09(1.50～1.93);大极囊长8.66±0.25(8.25～9.16)μm、宽3.65±0.25(3.01～4.19)μm,小极囊长8.35±0.28(7.60～8.85)μm、宽3.58±0.23(3.09～4.11)μm,囊间突起长1.80±0.12(1.59～2.00)μm。特异性地寄生在异育银鲫的口咽腔上颚的咽组织内、具有寄主和寄生在咽部的专一性,PCR扩增得到1 576 bp的18S rDNA序列,GenBank登录号为JQ726700。该粘孢子虫与相近的其它粘孢子虫比较,孢子长分别与白鲟碘泡虫(Myxobolus psephurusi)和扭曲碘泡虫(M.twistus)无显著差异(P>0.05),与M.ampullicapsulatus、M.wulii和鳙碘泡虫(M.aristichthydis)分别有显著差异(P<0.05);孢子宽和厚、极囊长和宽分别与M.ampullicapsulatus、M.wulii、白鲟碘孢虫(M.psephurusi)、鳙碘泡虫(M.twistus)和扭曲碘孢虫(M.aristichthydis)有显著差异(P<0.05);分子系统树分析结果显示,与M.ampullicapsulatus在同一个分支中,亲缘关系最近。从孢子形态学、寄主的特异性、寄生部位的专一性以及18SrDNA序列等特点综合比较分析,表明该粘孢子虫为一新种,命名为咽碘泡虫Myxobolus pharynae n.sp.。     

三棱碘泡虫 (粘体动物门：碘泡科) 重描述及其系统发育关系分析

为有效鉴定三棱碘泡虫的有效性,补充其生物学特征,实验利用现代粘孢子虫整合分类学方法,包括形态特征、寄生特性(宿主特征和寄生部位)及分子特征,对其进行重新描述,证实其分类有效性,探讨其系统发育关系。结果显示,三棱碘泡虫专性寄生于草鱼鳃丝间,未在其他器官(肝脏、肾脏、肠道等)检获孢子。包囊呈乳白色,长椭圆形,长(2.4±0.3)(2.1～2.7) mm,宽(0.8±0.1)(0.6～0.9) mm。成熟孢子壳面观呈卵圆形,孢子后端未见"V"形褶皱,孢子外包裹有一层透明的圆形黏液膜,缝面观呈纺锤形,孢子缝面可见三条平行而突出的脊线;孢质均匀,孢子后端具有一个大嗜碘泡;成熟孢子长(10.3±0.4)(9.4～11.0)μm,宽(9.5±0.5)(8.7～10.9)μm,厚(7.4±0.5)(6.4～8.0)μm;两极囊等大,梨形,极丝7～8圈;组织病理显示,病灶鳃组织未出现严重炎症反应。BLAST比对发现,三棱碘泡虫与隐杆碘泡虫小核糖体RNA序列相似性最高(89.58%),但远低于种内序列相似性。分子系统发育分析结果显示,三棱碘泡虫先与寄生于鲤科鱼类的隐杆碘泡虫形成姊妹关系,再与寄生于胭脂鱼科鱼类鳃的诺布尔碘泡虫、微小碘泡虫及毕斯塔斯碘泡虫形成独立的鳃寄生碘泡虫分枝,表明宿主亲缘关系与组织趋向性在鱼类组织寄生碘泡科粘孢子虫系统演化历程中扮演重要作用。本研究补充了三棱碘泡虫包囊形态结构、组织趋向性及分子数据,证实了其分类有效性。     

二、三倍体鲤鱼形态特征的比较研究

本文对二、三倍体鲤鱼的形态特征进行了较为全面的比较研究。结果表明：二、三倍体鲤鱼在体长／尾柄长、尾柄长/尾柄高、头长／尾柄长、头长／眼后头长、头长／眼间隔、体高／体厚等可量性状方面有显著性差异，据此可做为二、三倍体鲤鱼之间的区别特征。在可数性状方面没有明显     

异育银鲫“中科3号”与丰产鲫形态特征及生长的比较研究

池养条件下,比较研究了异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)“中科3号”和丰产鲫(Carassius auratus Var.Pengzenensis)的形态特征与生长.结果显示:体长/体高、体长/头长、体长/尾柄长、尾柄长/尾柄高等可量性状参数比值差异显著,可作为两者形态区别主要参数;其中异育...     

白鲫与4种鲤杂交及其自交F_1鱼苗的形态特征及生长

相同室外网箱养殖条件下,比较白鲫自交F_1及其与散鳞镜鲤、黑龙江野鲤、禾花鲤和兴国红鲤四种鲤鱼杂交F_1鱼苗的形态特征与生长的差异。结果显示:全长/体长、体长/体高、体长/头长、头长/头高等可量性状参数比值差异显著,可作为几者之间形态区别主要参数。其中白鲫(♀)×黑龙江野鲤(♂)的全长为体长的1.64倍,体长为体高的3.00倍,为头长的3.50倍,为尾柄宽的7.68倍,尾柄长为尾柄宽的1.48倍。各方面指标显著优于其他组别。从数据可以看出白鲫(♀)×黑龙江野鲤(♂)体略高,头略短,尾柄略窄长,体型较修长,表明该杂交组合鲫鱼体长体重增长率方面都显著优于其他组合,体型合适。     

淇河鲫鱼形态学两性异形研究

选取93尾(♂31尾,♀62尾)体质量(200±49)g淇河鲫鱼成鱼,选择鱼体形态特征的14个变量观察其外部形态的两性异形。采用协方差分析、因子分析和多元判别分析研究不同因变量的性差大小。14个变量中有7个变量(体高、体宽、头长、吻长、眼径、眼后长和尾柄长)在性别之间存在显著差异(P0.05或0.01)。以体长为协变量对13个形态特征变量进行因子分析发现,第一因子的特征值为4.117,主要变量为全长、体高、尾柄长和尾柄高,解释总方差的31.7%;第二因子的特征值为2.721,主要变量为头长、吻长和眼径,解释了总方差的20.9%;第三因子的特征值为2.594,主要变量为胸鳍长、腹鳍长和臀鳍长,解释了总方差的19.9%,3个因子共解释总方差的72.5%。判别分析的总体正确判别率为80.4%~86.3%,交互检验比回代检验的性别正确判别率略低一些,为76.5%~78.4%。结果显示雌性个体体长大于雄性个体,雄性尾柄长和尾柄高大于雌性,外部体型变量(体高、体宽和尾柄长)具有显著的两性异形。     

斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的相关性和通径分析

对4月龄斜带石斑鱼体质量、头长、躯干长、体长、全长、体高、体宽、眼间距、眼径、吻长、尾柄高和尾柄长等12个性状的测量数据进行了多元分析,以明确斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的相互关系。结果显示,斜带石斑鱼的各形态性状间相互关系达极显著水平(P0.01);通径分析结果表明,全长(x_4)、体高(x_5)、眼间距(x_7)、眼径(x_8)和尾柄高(x_(10))对体质量的通径系数达极显著水平(P0.01),其中全长的直接影响最大,而体高、眼间距、眼径和尾柄高主要通过全长间接影响体质量;这5个性状对体质量的共同决定系数之和为0.920,说明全长、体高、眼间距、眼径和尾柄高是影响4月龄斜带石斑鱼体质量的主要性状;回归分析建立了4月龄斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的回归方程。本研究可为斜带石斑鱼的选择育种提供参考。     

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.     

绿鳍马面鲀外部形态特征与染色体核型分析

该研究以黄海水域捕捞的131尾绿鳍马面鲀(Thamnaconus septentrionalis)为样本,在活鲜状态下,观察其外部形态特征并绘图;统计各鳍条数量,对可量比性状进行回归分析;采用热滴片法,制备染色体标本。结果发现:1)鱼体头部和背部在活体状态下呈深青灰色,腹部呈浅青绿色,趋于白色。死亡后,体色加深,转为墨绿色,鳍条保持蓝绿色为其外部形态的明显特征。2)体长为体高的1.5～3.3倍;体长为头长的3.1～4.9倍;头长为吻长的1.1～1.6倍。3)全长(T_l)/体长(S_l)相关性显著(R~2=0.96),雌雄无显著差异;尾柄长/尾柄高、体长/尾柄长、头长/眼径、头长/眼间距相关性不显著,雌雄差异大。4)鳍式为背鳍Ⅱ,36～39;臀鳍34～37;胸鳍14～15;尾鳍1+10+1;腹鳍退化为一个腹鳍棘。5)鳞片绒状鳞,由基板和骨质凸起组成;具有体侧线和框下线。6)绿鳍马面鲀二倍体染色体数目为2n=40,染色体核型为2n=40t,臂数NF=40,均为端着丝粒染色体,且无异型染色体。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.