塔玛亚历山大藻对中国明对虾鳃组织的氧化胁迫和对Caspase基因(FcCasp)表达的影响

选择在中国分离得到的一株能产生麻痹性贝毒(Paralytic Shellfish Poison, PSP)的赤潮甲藻塔玛亚历山大藻(Alexandrium tamarense) ATHK株, 研究其对中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)鳃组织氧化胁迫和Caspase基因(FcCasp)表达的影响。将中国明对虾分别暴露于200 cells/mL 和1 000 cells/mL塔玛亚历山大藻中, 于胁迫后3、6、12、24、48、72和96 h测定鳃的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量和FcCasp基因相对表达量, 以不加藻的过滤海水作为对照。结果表明, 在200 cells/mL塔玛亚历山大藻胁迫下, SOD活性、GST活性、MDA含量和FcCasp相对表达量均随取样时间推移表现出先上升后下降的趋势。而在1 000 cells/mL塔玛亚历山大藻胁迫下, SOD活性随时间增加呈现先升高后降低的趋势, 在24~96 h 被显著抑制(P<0.05), GST活性除3和48 h外均被显著抑制(P<0.05), MDA含量和FcCasp相对表达量均整体表现上升的趋势, 呈现出一定的时间效应。相关性分析显示, 塔玛亚历山大藻胁迫下, 中国明对虾鳃的MDA含量和FcCasp相对表达量呈正相关(P<0.05)。实验结果表明, 塔玛亚历山大藻可破坏中国明对虾氧化−抗氧化系统的平衡, 引发对虾鳃组织的脂质过氧化(LPO), 造成其氧化损伤, 从而导致FcCasp表达的上调。本实验结果为将SOD活性、GST活性和MDA含量作为生物标志物, 用于评价塔玛亚历山大藻胁迫提供了依据, 同时也为研究塔玛亚历山大藻对中国明对虾的危害机制提供了参考。

     

黄海北部日本鲭繁殖生物学特征的年代际变化

根据1986年和2010年在黄海北部取样测定的日本鲭(Scomber japonicus)产卵群体基础生物学数据以及怀卵量计数结果, 对其繁殖生物学特征的年代际变化进行了研究。结果表明, 在日本鲭产卵群体基础生物学特征方面, 1986年的叉长、体质量、纯体质量和性腺重这4项基本生物学指标的范围和平均值均明显大于2010年, 年龄结构从1986年由1⁺~7⁺龄组成, 2⁺龄和3⁺龄为优势组, 改变为2010年由1⁺~3⁺龄组成, 2⁺龄为优势组。在性腺成熟度组成和性腺指数(GSI)方面, 2次采样均发现日本鲭雌鱼性腺成熟度以Ⅳ期和Ⅴ期为主; 开始排卵前, GSI随性腺成熟度的增加而增加; 相同叉长组而言, 2010年平均GSI较1986年呈现增加趋势。相同叉长组的繁殖力分析表明, 相对于1986年, 2010年体质量相对繁殖力升高了11.93%, 而绝对繁殖力则下降了18.45%。这些繁殖生物学特征的变化可能是由于日本鲭群体年龄结构简单化、个体小型化、生长速度加快等原因造成的。为了今后更好地保护并可持续利用日本鲭资源, 在现有的围网休渔制度的基础上, 建议在东黄海日本鲭各主要产卵场及其产卵期制定其他相应的保护措施, 以限制其他捕捞网具对该物种产卵群体的过度捕捞。

     

斑鳜精液超低温冷冻保存及其效果分析

实验所用翘嘴鳜(♀, Siniperca chuatsi) 2~3龄, 体质量1 000~1 500 g; 斑鳜(♂, Siniperca scherzeri Steindachner)1~2龄, 体质量300~500 g。于繁殖季节选取成熟度好的亲鱼以促黄体素释放激素类似物(LHRH-A2)、绒毛膜促性腺激素(HCG)和马来酸地欧酮(DOM)进行催产。通过筛选D-15、D-17、Ringer液 和 M-Hank’s液4种稀释液和二甲基亚砜 (DMSO)、 甘油(Gly)、乙二醇 (EG)、1,2-丙二醇 (PG)和二甲基甲酰胺 (DMF)5种抗冻剂, 发现DMSO和D-17分别是优选的抗冻剂和稀释液。以D-17作为斑鳜精子的稀释液, 按照1︰3(精液︰稀释液)体积比稀释, 添加10%体积的DMSO作为抗冻剂, 按照三步冷冻法超低温冷冻保存, 37℃水浴解冻的斑鳜精子, 经CASA分析精子活率为(83.26±18.20)%, SCGE检测表明70%以上的精子核DNA不会发生损伤; FCM分析表明26.74%的解冻精子有完整的细胞膜且线粒体功能正常; 用冷冻复苏斑鳜精子与翘嘴鳜精卵进行人工授精, 最高受精率(39.6±6.5)%, 温度24~28℃孵化时间38 h, 孵化后的鱼苗发育正常, 开口1周以后的鱼苗全长(1.346±0.255 ) cm, 体高(0.438±0.103) cm, 体质量(0.045±0.020) g。鲜精受精鱼苗和冻精受精鱼苗在开口后1周的生长没有显著差异。因此认为D-17+10% DMSO可用于斑鳜精液的超低温冷冻保存。本研究将有助于斑鳜种质资源的收集保存和冷冻保存的斑鳜精液在翘嘴鳜(♀)×斑鳜(♂)杂交中的应用。

     

豆油替代鱼油对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹生长、非特异性免疫和抗病力的影响

以酪蛋白和明胶为蛋白源配制5组等氮等能的实验饲料, 分别为全鱼油(F1)、25%(F2)、50%(F3)和75%(F4)豆油替代组和全豆油组(F5), 每组4个重复, 投喂初始体质量为(0.27±0.03) g的中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹6周, 评价豆油替代鱼油的饲料对幼蟹生长、非特异性免疫力和抗病力的影响。结果发现, 各组幼蟹的存活率差异不显著(P>0.05); F4组幼蟹的增重率和特定生长率显著高于F1组(P<0.05), 但与其他各组差异不显著(P>0.05)。F4组幼蟹的血清酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均显著高于其他各组(P<0.05), F5组最低。幼蟹的血清中超氧化物歧化酶活性以F4组最高, 显著高于F3组(P<0.05), F3和F4组均显著高于其他各组(P<0.05), 其他F1、F2和F5三组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。F1组幼蟹的血清丙二醛含量最高(P<0.05), 其余各组之间则差异不显著(P>0.05); F4组幼蟹的血清酚氧化酶活性最高, 而F5组最低(P<0.05); 各组幼蟹的溶菌酶差异不显著(P>0.05)。实验结束后, 采用嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)攻毒10 d, 发现F5组幼蟹最早出现死亡, 且该组幼蟹的累积死亡率显著高于F1和F4组(P<0.05)。结果提示, 采用豆油完全替代饲料中的鱼油对幼蟹的生长影响不显著, 但会降低其抵抗感染疾病的能力; 用75%豆油替代鱼油可在明显提高幼蟹免疫机能和抗病力的情况下获得良好的生长性能。

     

饲料脂肪源搭配对施氏鲟雌鱼繁殖性能和血清性类固醇激素的影响

以鱼油和玉米油作为脂肪源, 配制4种等氮饲料(蛋白含量38%, 脂肪含量12%~13%), 使脂肪酸中高度不饱和脂肪酸(n-3HUFA)的比例分别达3.1%、2.5%、1.9%、1.3%(分别简称SL1、SL2、SL3和SL4), 以其饲喂处于性腺发育Ⅲ期的施氏鲟(Acipenser schrenckii)亲鱼5个月, 研究不饱和脂肪酸对其繁殖性能及性类固醇激素水平变化的影响。结果表明, 经过 5个月养殖, 施氏鲟亲鱼平均体质量增加14.5%, 经过低温刺激及升温处理至产前体质量下降6.8%, 各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05); 饲料中n-3HUFA和n-3PUFA水平对繁殖性能有不同程度的影响, SL1组和SL2组亲鱼的成熟度和仔鱼成活率高于SL3和SL4组, 而仔鱼畸形率显著低于SL3和SL4组(P<0.05); SL1组极化卵卵径显著高于其他组(P<0.05), 平均产卵量高于其他组, 但各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05); 各组之间的受精率、孵化率差异不显著(P<0.05); 各饲料组间血清E₂和血清T含量差异不显著(P>0.05)。本研究表明, 使用混合鱼油作为饲料脂肪源, 效果好于单一使用鱼油或玉米油, 同时鱼油的需求比例大于玉米油, 建议n-3 HUFA的适宜添加量在2.5%左右, n-3 PUFA最适需要量需要进一步研究。

     

大口黑鲈生长性状相关标记的聚合效果分析

选择已经获得的8个与大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)生长性状相关的分子标记, 其中4个单核苷酸多态性标记分别位于IGF-I、POU1F1、PSSIII和MSTN基因上, 4个微卫星位点分别是JZL60、JZL67、MisaTpw76和MisaTpw117。从养殖群体中筛选出具有4个以上优势基因型数量的大口黑鲈亲鱼20尾进行群体繁殖, 其中雌鱼9尾, 雄鱼11尾。所产子代进行同塘饲养, 9月龄时随机挑选288尾进行体质量测量与STR基因分型。结果显示:子代体质量为103~401 g, 含有生长优势基因型的数量在1~6之间, 含有1~6个生长优势基因型的个体其平均体质量依次为227.83、239.56、258.81、273.02、302.50和305.60 g, 生长优势基因型的数量与大口黑鲈生长速度呈正相关。进一步分析表明子代中优势基因型的平均数量为2.99, 相比亲本群体的优势基因型平均数量(2.36)得到提高。研究结果说明, 利用有限的与生长相关的优势基因型进行聚合可以获得具有优良生长性状的大口黑鲈, 也为下一步大口黑鲈分子标记辅助育种提供理论依据。

     

维生素E对高脂饲料养殖大菱鲆生长、脂类代谢和抗氧化性能的影响

选用750尾初体质量为(114.2 ± 6.5) g的大菱鲆 (Scophthalmus maximus L.), 随机分成5组, 每组3个重复, 每重复50尾鱼, 分别投喂在高脂基础饲料中添加0(D-0)、120 (D-120)、240(D-240)、480 (D-480)和960 mg/kg (D-960) 的DL-α-生育酚醋酸酯5种试验饲料养殖110 d, 考察维生素E(VE)对高脂饲料养殖大菱鲆生长、脂类代谢和抗氧化性能的影响。结果表明, D-240组大菱鲆末均质量最高, 且显著高于D-0组(对照组)(P<0.05), 与其他组差异不显著(P>0.05); D-120组和D-240组饲料系数显著低于D-0组(P<0.05), 但蛋白质效率显著高于D-0组(P<0.05)。D-0组和D-960组血清总胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和谷丙转氨酶显著高于其他各组(P<0.05), 而D-0组和D-960组高密度脂蛋白胆固醇则显著低于其他各组(P<0.05); 随着饲料VE添加水平的增加, 大菱鲆肝脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)活性有降低的趋势; 脂肪酸合成酶(FAS)活性, 有先增加后降低的趋势。大菱鲆肝总抗氧化酶、超级氧化歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性, 均随VE添加水平的升高有先升高后下降的趋势, 而丙二醛含量的变化趋势则相反; 随着饲料VE水平的增加, 大菱鲆肝VE积累量有显著升高的趋势(P<0.05), 肌肉VE的积累量先升高后恒定在一个水平。综上所述, 在高脂饲料中添加适量的维生素E (有效含量124~243 mg/kg) 能改善大菱鲆生长性能、饲料利用效率、鱼肝体指数、脏体指数, 调节和改善血脂代谢, 可调控机体脂肪代谢酶活性, 提高机体组织VE积累量和肝抗氧化功能。本研究旨在通过考察添加不同水平的VE对高脂胁迫下大菱鲆生长、脂类代谢酶、抗氧化能力的影响, 为VE在高脂胁迫下的合理使用及以VE营养调控鱼类脂肪代谢和改善抗氧化功能提供参考依据。

     

大菱鲆选育家系抗鳗弧菌性能

基于家系选育技术开展了大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)抗鳗弧菌病选育研究, 从2010年构建的37个选育二代家系中选择成活率高的30个家系进行鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)感染实验, 开展对鳗弧菌的抗病性研究。结果表明, 不同家系间抗鳗弧菌感染能力存在着显著差异(P＜0.05); 30个家系中, 鳗弧菌感染后, 12个家系的存活率达到65% 以上, 其余家系的存活率则低于65%; 通过bCOX回归分析, 计算各家系的优势比, 优势比最高的5个家系的存活率达到65% 以上; 对各家系的成活率、优势比和死亡历时差4项指标进行聚类分析, 优势比最高且存活率达到65% 以上的5个家系聚为一类。综合感染家系的高成活率、高优势比以及聚类分析的结果, 选育出5个抗病力较强的优良家系。选育出的抗病力较强的家系可做为抗鳗弧菌选育的核心育种群体, 为抗鳗弧菌病的传代选育奠定良好的基础。

     

脊尾白虾抗细胞凋亡因子DAD1基因的克隆及其组织表达分析

取健康脊尾白虾(Exopalaemon carinicauda)成体, 体长(5.81±0.32) cm, 体质量(1.18±0.35) g。根据本实验室已构建的脊尾白虾血细胞全长cDNA文库进行EST测序分析, 获得脊尾白虾抗细胞凋亡因子DAD1基因的cDNA全长并命名为EcDAD1基因。该序列全长645 bp, 包括5′非编码区184 bp, 开放阅读框345 bp和3′非编码区116 bp, 共编码114个氨基酸, 预测分子量为12.85 kD, 理论等电点为8.75。同源性分析表明, 脊尾白虾抗细胞凋亡因子EcDAD1氨基酸序列与其他物种DAD1有高度同源性, 与斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)的相似性最高, 为92%; 与其他无脊椎动物的相似性为73%~80%。系统进化分析表明, 脊尾白虾EcDAD1与斑节对虾的DAD1紧密聚为一支。荧光定量PCR分析结果表明, EcDAD1基因在脊尾白虾血细胞、鳃、肝胰腺、肌肉、卵巢、肠、胃和眼柄中均有表达, 其中卵巢中的相对表达量最高。感染鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)和WSSV后6 h和12 h, 脊尾白虾血细胞和肝胰腺中EcDAD1的表达量较对照组均显著增加(P<0.01), 且不同时间点间差异显著, 表明EcDAD1基因可能在脊尾白虾抵抗病原体入侵机体的过程中具有重要作用。

     

烟台近海3种贝类中呈味核苷酸和氨基酸的测定及比较分析

对水产品中呈味核苷酸和氨基酸的高效液相色谱检测方法进行了优化, 并对烟台近海长牡蛎(Ostrea gigas)、栉孔扇贝(Chlamys farreri)和中国蛤蜊(Mactra chinensis)3种贝类中呈味核苷酸和氨基酸的含量进行了比较分析, 从而为开发贝类复合调味料提供科学依据。以纯水提取呈味物质, 采用DABS-Cl柱前衍生反相高效液相色谱法测定游离氨基酸, 流动相为17 mmoL/L柠檬酸溶液(pH 6.4, 含4%DMF)和乙腈溶液(含4%DMF), 梯度洗脱, 检测波长436 nm。反相离子对色谱法测定呈味核苷酸, pH 4.5的磷酸二氢钾溶液和乙腈溶液为流动相, 磷酸二氢钾溶液内含5 mmoL/L四甲基氢氧化氨(TMAOH), 梯度洗脱, 检测波长254 nm。方法加标回收率为90.2%~108%, 相对标准偏差(RSD)为0.7%~7.1%。准确度、精密度均满足分析要求。测定结果显示: 长牡蛎中牛磺酸、丙氨酸和谷氨酸含量较高, 栉孔扇贝中甘氨酸、牛磺酸和丙氨酸含量较高, 中国蛤蜊含有较多的甘氨酸、牛磺酸和丙氨酸; 3种贝类中, 丙氨酸、谷氨酸的TAV均大于1, 栉孔扇贝和中国蛤蜊中, 甘氨酸的TAV大于1, 对呈味具有显著贡献。呈味核苷酸中, 长牡蛎中IMP含量最高, 占总呈味核苷酸的80%, 其次是GMP。中国蛤蜊中AMP含量最高, 其次是IMP。而栉孔扇贝中仅检测到IMP。3种贝类中呈味核苷酸含量虽然都较低, TAV未超过1, 但核苷酸之间、核苷酸和氨基酸之间的协同增效作用, 会对贝类的呈味产生重要影响。本研究通过对烟台近海3种贝类中各类鲜味物质和多种辅助呈味物质的含量、比例关系及其相互作用规律进行探讨, 旨在为充分利用贝类营养氨基本作为复合调味料及其功能性开发和评价提供科学依据。

     

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.