基于多源数据的东海小黄鱼资源评估与管理

为建立稳定环境和波动环境机制下预防性渔业管理生物参考点, 整合调查设计和渔捞日志等多源资源指标构建混合矩阵, 利用logistic和Fox剩余产量模型的两步分析技术, 对东海区小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)渔业资源动态进行评估。模型估算参数和管理参考点显示, Fox模型对渔获量和CPUE拟合的方差贡献率高于logistic模型, 两者分别为68%和57%, 环境承载力和内禀增长率相差较大。logistic模型估算了相对较低的承载力和较高的内秉增长率、初始开发率以及MSY。稳定环境下资源状况评判结果表明: 1999―2008年间多数年份的捕捞强度超过捕捞水平限制参考点, 渔业遭受过度开发, 平均资源量保持在中位水平且未达到过度捕捞状态, 但已超过目标参考点; 波动环境条件下的判别结果显示: logistic和Fox模型拟合的渔业水平均已达到过度捕捞。采用保护性捕捞参考点可增强渔业资源稳定性, 当捕捞死亡从参考点F_MSY降至预防性参考点F_opt, logistic模型估算资源量从8.1 t上升到10.1 t, 而渔获量从13.1 t下降至12.3 t; Fox模型资源量则从11 t增加到15.9 t, 相应的捕捞产量从12.8 t下降到11.6 t。Fox模型评估结果较为保守, 适合预防性渔业管理。

     

碳酸盐碱度对青海湖裸鲤幼鱼肝和肾SOD、ACP和AKP酶活性的影响

青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii, 以下简称裸鲤)为耐盐碱鱼类。自青海湖裸鲤救护中心取裸鲤幼鱼, 全长(4.42±0.02) cm, 体质量(0.84±0.01) g。碳酸盐碱度暴露浓度设定为 32 mmol/L(C_A32)和64 mmol/L(C_A64), 通过测定青海湖裸鲤幼鱼肝和肾中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)酶活性变化规律, 探索裸鲤幼鱼肝和肾中SOD、ACP和AKP对碳酸盐碱度胁迫的生理响应。在本试验范围内, 裸鲤在高碱环境中显示出较强的适应调节能力, 在碳酸盐碱度胁迫下, SOD、ACP和AKP酶活性均能在发生显著变化后快速恢复到初始水平, 但3种酶显示出不同的变化规律: (1)肝SOD在C_A32和C_A64胁迫3 d、肾SOD在C_A32胁迫4 d、C_A64胁迫3 d时, 酶活性均显著升高。(2)肝和肾ACP活性出现不同的变化趋势, 肝ACP活性仅在C_A64胁迫组4 d出现显著上升, 而肾ACP活性在C_A32胁迫0.5 d、7 d和C_A64胁迫1 d时分别出现了显著性波动。(3)肝AKP在C_A32胁迫1 d、C_A64胁迫3 d时, 酶活性显著升高, 而肾AKP仅在C_A32胁迫0.5 d时, 酶活性显著升高。在碳酸盐碱度胁迫下, 3种酶活性均能发生显著变化, 说明青海湖裸鲤幼鱼通过抗氧化及去磷酸化应激调节, 来更好地应对高碱环境。

     

牙鲆连续三代抗鳗弧菌病家系的筛选与分析

为了培育牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)抗鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)病的品系或品种, 2009和2012年利用中国牙鲆抗病群体、从日本和韩国引进的牙鲆群体以及2007年和2009年从大量牙鲆家系中选留的优良家系为亲本, 通过巢式杂交、三元杂交及雌核发育等方法, 分别于2009年和2012年建成牙鲆家系43个和65个, 选取2009年的33个家系和2012年的43个家系进行鳗弧菌感染实验, 共筛选出13个抗病家系, 其中3个家系的存活率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01), 另外10个家系的存活率显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 这13个家系包含F3家系、雌核发育一代和二代家系各1个, F2家系3个, 在以上6个家系中,除了1个F2家系, 其他家系的亲本均来自于抗病家系且鳗弧菌感染存活率的变异系数都低于10%。对连续三代抗病家系进行分析, 发现在上述13个抗病家系和2007年筛选出的3个抗病家系共16个抗病家系中有13个家系来自于中国牙鲆抗病群体相关, 结果表明, 部分F1、F2、F3和雌核发育家系较好地遗传了其亲本的抗病性能, 抗病性能稳定, 为培育抗鳗弧菌病的牙鲆品系或品种奠定了基础。

     

坛紫菜“申福2号”的SSR分子标记

利用微卫星(SSR)分子标记技术, 对坛紫菜(Porphyra haitanensis)优良品系“申福2号”的丝状体和叶状体分别进行了特异性分子标记鉴定, 结果发现: 用9^#引物(序列为F: TCACAATGGGTGATATGGC; R: CCACAT TTAAGTCCGACTCTG) 对“申福2号”丝状体的DNA进行扩增, 出现了能区别于其他14个品系(6个优良品系, 3个杂交品系, 5个野生品系)的特异性条带。用该引物对室内培养的“申福2号”叶状体的DNA进行扩增, 也均获得了与丝状体相同的特异性条带。此外, 用该引物分别对栽培在不同海区和不同时期采收的“申福2号”叶状体进行验证, 结果均出现了与丝状体相同的特异性条带。该特异性条带的DNA测序结果证实, 9^#引物产生的SSR标记反映了微卫星DNA重复序列的变化。通过SSR Hunter软件搜索到了设计引物时的核心序列, 所得产物大小在预期长度范围内, 是特异性扩增。通过BLAST比对得知, 该序列在核酸数据库中没有同源序列, 是一个新序列。通过DNAMAN软件分析得知, “申福2号”、“申福1号”之间序列差异较小, 与坛紫菜霞浦野生种差异较大。这证实该标记反映的是种内品系间的差异, 可以用于种内品系鉴定。上述结果表明, 由9^#引物扩增出的这一特异性条带可以认为是“申福2号”丝状体和叶状体的特异性标记, 可用于该品系的种质鉴定。

     

大眼鳜与翘嘴鳜正反交及其正交子代自交的胚胎发育观察

对大眼鳜(Siniperca kneri)(♀)×翘嘴鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)(♂)正交F1(DQ)、翘嘴鳜(♀)×大眼鳜(♂)反交F1(QD)、大眼鳜(♀)×翘嘴鳜(♂)正交F1的自交F2(F2)的胚胎发育进行观察, 详细记录了受精卵、分裂期、囊胚期、原肠胚期、胚体形成期、破膜期6个胚胎发育时期的卵径、孵化破膜时间、初孵仔鱼大小以及胚胎发育特征。大眼鳜受精卵卵径为(1.231±0.057) mm, 翘嘴鳜卵径为(1.197±0.052) mm, 显著大于正交F1雌鱼的卵径(1.723±0.0519) mm(P<0.05)。DQ受精卵在水温25.5~27.7℃经过37 h孵化破膜, QD受精卵在水温27.5~28.7℃经过30 h孵化破膜, F2受精卵在21.6~24.1℃经过40 h 57 min孵化破膜。DQ、QD、F2初孵仔鱼大小分别为(4.1±0.4) mm、(4.0±0.2) mm、(3.5±0.2) mm。鳜属鱼类中翘嘴鳜与大眼鳜胚胎发育各时期特征基本一致, 3种杂交鳜胚胎发育特征与其父母本也基本一致。经过比较发现, 其色素的形成与运动有鳜属的特异性: 在胚孔封闭后, 黑色素开始形成并逐渐扩散覆盖整个卵黄囊, 中期黑色素呈现星芒状, 并在油球处有集中现象, 后期色素则逐渐出现在眼和头部。水温21.6~28.7℃时3种杂交鳜的胚胎发育时间都偏向与翘嘴鳜的胚胎发育时间一致, 在水温23~26.5℃时DQ、F2与大眼鳜的胚胎发育时间有较大差别。

     

合浦珠母贝幼贝生长性状的遗传参数估计

以广东徐闻和海南三亚2个地理群体合浦珠母贝(Pinctada fucata)为亲本, 采用人工授精方法构建了33个全同胞家系。在162日龄时从每个家系随机抽取50个个体, 共1 650个, 测量其壳长、壳高、壳宽和体质量4个生长性状, 利用动物模型对4个性状进行遗传参数分析。结果表明, 合浦珠母贝4个生长性状的总平均值分别为(16.28 ± 4.46) mm、(14.85 ± 4.39) mm、(4.58 ± 1.52) mm、(0.66 ± 0.67) g。4个性状的遗传力分别为0.202 ± 0.020、0.203 ± 0.020、0.200 ± 0.021和0.204 ± 0.020, 均属中等遗传力, 因此可以用选择育种进行遗传改良。4个性状间表型相关系数和遗传相关系数的范围分别为0.667~0.698和0.685~0.959, 其中壳长、壳高和壳宽之间的遗传相关系数均低于0.7, 与表型相关一致, 而三者与体重间的遗传相关系数较高(0.868~0.959), 其中壳宽与体质量间的遗传相关系数最高(0.959)。本研究中合浦珠母贝的4个性状为中等遗传力, 并可通过对壳宽的选育来改良体质量性状。上述结果为进一步开展合浦珠母贝选择育种研究奠定了基础。

     

三角帆蚌内脏团不同部位插核育珠对珍珠囊形成的影响

对三角帆蚌(Hyriopsis comingii)内脏团不同部位进行插核, 研究各组珍珠囊形成、结构以及珍珠质沉积的差异, 从而确定出有利于珍珠形成的插核核位。实验选取内脏团5个部位(I: 斧足内脏团前端; II: 斧足内脏团中部; III: 近生殖腺部; IV: 近胃部; V: 近肾部)进行插核, 并分别在插核后第20、50、90、150 天(thd)采集内脏团插核部位进行组织固定, 利用石蜡切片、HE染色研究不同插核部位珍珠囊结构及珍珠质沉积情况。结果表明: (1) 插核施术后20 d, II组插核位点最早形成单层低柱状上皮细胞, 为次生珍珠囊; (2) 插核施术后50 d, I、II、III组均形成了珍珠囊上皮细胞, 而IV、V组插核位点未出现类似的柱状细胞。其中II、III组珍珠囊上皮细胞前端含有大量体积较大的颗粒物; (3) 插核施术后90 d, I、III组珍珠囊细胞间出现大量细胞间隙, I、II组珍珠囊表皮细胞具有多核现象的细胞数量增多, 且II、III组上皮细胞中颗粒物数量增多, 而IV、V组插核位点形成了复层扁平上皮细胞; (4) 插核施术后150 d, I、III组珍珠囊内表皮细胞间隙变少。II组珍珠囊上皮细胞游离端存在大量的微绒毛, 其与III组相似, 珍珠囊上皮细胞细胞核明显增多, 颗粒物减少。该时期, IV组在插核位点上形成了不连续的低柱细胞、V组插核位点仍未出现珍珠囊细胞。(5) 三角帆蚌在插核术后养殖150 d后, I、II、III组珠核表面出现明显的珍珠质沉积, II、III组珍珠质沉积均匀, I组不均匀, 并且II组沉积的珍珠层厚度(0.85 mm±0.06 mm)显著大于I、III组(P<0.05; 0.62 mm±0.07 mm, 0.56 mm±0.03 mm), 而IV、V组珠核表面没有珍珠质沉积。研究结果表明, 三角帆蚌内脏团不同插核部位珍珠囊上皮细胞的形成存在明显差异, 斧足–内脏团前端、斧足–内脏团中部以及近生殖腺部插核能形成完整的珍珠囊结构并沉积珍珠质, 其中斧足–内脏团中部插核更有利于珍珠的生长。本研究旨为淡水珍珠贝的内脏团育珠研究工作提供实践基础和理论依据。

     

β-葡聚糖与硒、维生素E联合添加对凡纳滨对虾生长、血清免疫和抗氧化指标及抗病力的影响

选取800尾初始体质量为(0.83±0.02) g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei), 随机分成5组, 分别投喂添加β-葡聚糖(βG)、硒(Se)和维生素E(VE)的饲料, 其组合和添加量分别为: 0、300 mg/kg βG、300 mg/kg βG+0.2 mg/kg Se、300 mg/kg βG+100 mg/kg VE、300 mg/kg βG+0.2 mg/kg Se+100 mg/kg VE, 记为G0、G1、G2、G3和G4, 养殖35 d, 养殖结束后, 采用肌肉注射法对凡纳滨对虾进行白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染。结果显示, 养殖结束时G2组对虾增重率最高, 比G1组提高6.4%; 饵料系数比G1组降低6.3%, 显著低于G1组(P<0.05); G3组对虾存活率显著低于G0和G1组(P<0.05)。与G0组相比, G4组对虾血细胞总数和血清酚氧化酶活性显著升高(P<0.05); 与G1组相比, G2−G4组血细胞总数和酚氧化酶活性差异不显著(P>0.05), 但溶菌酶活性显著升高(P<0.05)。G3组酸性磷酸酶活性显著低于G4组(P<0.05); G2组碱性磷酸酶活性显著高于其他各添加组(P<0.05), 而与G0组差异不显著(P>0.05)。G4组谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于其他4组(P<0.05); 谷胱甘肽转移酶活性在各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。G1组过氧化氢酶活性显著高于G2和G4组(P<0.05)。超氧化物歧化酶活性以G2组最高, 显著高于其他各组(P<0.05); G1和G3组次之, 分别显著高于G0和G4组(P<0.05)。G1、G2和G4组血清丙二醛含量较低, 分别显著低于G0和G3组(P<0.05); 抗超氧阴离子活性较高, 分别显著高于G3组(P<0.05)。与G1组相比, G3组总抗氧化能力显著升高(P<0.05)。注射WSSV粗提液72 h时, 对虾的累积死亡率以G0组最高, G1−G4的累积死亡率呈现降低的趋势, 其中G2和G4组显著降低(P<0.05), 其相对保护率分别为30.8%和26.9%。结果表明, βG与Se联合添加能一定程度提高凡纳滨对虾生长性能, 降低饵料系数; 与单独添加βG相比较, βG与Se联合添加或βG与Se、VE三者联合添加均能显著提高凡纳滨对虾的非特异性免疫、抗氧化能力和抗病力。

     

南极大西洋扇区南极磷虾渔获率序列的振荡模态分析

为了解释南极大西洋扇区的48区南极磷虾(Euphausia superba)资源的多尺度振荡模态特征及其与环境振荡之间的响应关系, 采用经验模态分解方法, 对1982-2011年间的南极磷虾月均渔获率进行了分析。结果表明, 其振荡表现出了0.5 a、1 a、1.5 a、2.5 a、7 a和11 a等多个周期, 其中高频振荡对南极磷虾资源变动影响较大, 低频振荡影响较小; 3个亚区渔获率都为冬高夏低季节性振荡, 48.1~48.3亚区最高值依次出现在5月、 6月和9月, 渔获率的最低值出现在1月; 所有振荡周期中以1 a为最主要振荡周期(方差解释率为46.7%), 南极磷虾年补充规模对其渔获率最为重要; 其2.5 a振荡和海冰面积3.0 a;振荡有关; 渔获率低频振荡周期与气候-海流系统振荡周期有关。海冰面积和渔获率有较好的正相关关系(相关系数为0.44, 位相差10个月)。海冰面积异常振荡会在8~11个月之后对渔获率和渔获率异常产生的正相关影响。磷虾资源的振荡是环境振荡和磷虾生物周期综合作用的反映。

     

异育银鲫体内阿维菌素血脑屏障渗透性及组织残留

采用脑组织匀浆法和高效液相色谱法(HPLC), 检测异育银鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)体内不同浓度下阿维菌素(Avermectin, AVM)血脑屏障渗透性及其组织残留情况。结果显示, AVM在其3个半数致死浓度(24 h LC₅₀: 0.127 mg/L、48 h LC₅₀: 0.071 mg/L、96 h LC₅₀: 0.039 mg/L)及其安全用药浓度(0.003 9 mg/L)下, 均能从异育银鲫脑组织中检测出AVM; 其中24 h LC₅₀浓度下脑中AVM含量最高, 为(0.292±0.005) μg/g; 并且各半数致死浓度之间脑中AVM含量差异均极显著(P<0.05)。结果表明, 不同浓度条件下AVM均能渗透通过血脑屏障进入异育银鲫脑组织, 其含量与AVM用药浓度呈正相关。另外, 在安全用药浓度(0.003 9 mg/L)条件下, AVM在各组织中的浓度−时间数据经DAS 3.0药物代谢动力学软件拟合后发现均符合非房室模型, 其主要药代动力学参数大小关系表现为: (1)达峰时间(T_max): 肌肉<脑<肝<肾; (2)峰浓度(C_max): 肝>肾>肌肉>脑; (3)末端消除半衰期(T_1/2Z): 肝>脑>肾>肌肉; (4)药时曲线下面积(AUC): 肝>肾>脑>肌肉。本研究结果可为研究鱼类血脑屏障、AVM神经毒性及其在水产养殖上的应用提供参考。

     

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.     

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.     

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.