盐碱对大鳞鲃血清渗透压、离子含量及鳃丝Na+/K+-ATP酶活力的影响

通过室内毒理实验, 研究了盐度、碱度以及盐碱交互作用对大鳞鲃(Barbus capito)血清渗透压、血清离子(Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^-、尿素氮)浓度和鳃丝Na⁺/K⁺ -ATP酶活力的影响。单因子实验中, 随着含盐水平(8 g/L、10 g/L、12 g/L、14 g/L)的增大, 大鳞鲃血清渗透压和血清离子(Na⁺、K⁺、Cl^-)浓度均显著升高(P<0.05), 鳃丝Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活力先升高后降低, 受体内外渗透压差的影响最显著(P<0.05)。碱度的增大(19.05 mmol/L、30.20 mmol/L、47.86 mmol/L、75.86 mmol/L)能引起血清K⁺和尿素氮浓度显著升高(P<0.05), 但对血清渗透压和鳃丝ATP酶活力无显著影响。在双因子实验中, 盐碱交互升高会引起渗透压和血清离子(Na⁺、Cl^-、尿素氮)显著升高(P<0.05)。方差分析结果表明, 盐度、碱度及交互作用均对渗透压有显著影响, 影响作用最大的是盐度, 其次是碱度, 交互作用最小。鳃丝Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活性先升高后降低, 最高值出现在盐度10 g/L、碱度30.20 mmol/L的正交试验组。从实验结果可得出, 大鳞鲃在盐度12g/L以下的水体中能生存, 在盐碱共存的环境下, 能耐受的上限为盐度10 g/L、碱度30.20 mmol。本研究旨在掌握大鳞鲃的生存盐碱度范围, 以期为该物种的增养殖生产提供基础依据。     

饲料添加半乳甘露寡糖对刺参幼参生长、体壁营养组成及免疫力的影响

以初始体质量为(1.79±0.06) g的刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)为研究对象, 进行为期8周养殖实验, 研究饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖对刺参生长、消化、体壁营养组成及免疫力的影响。以基础饲料(E0)为对照组, 在基础饲料中分别添加0.2% (E1)、0.4% (E2)、0.8% (E3)、1.2% (E4)和1.6% (E5)的半乳甘露寡糖, 共配制5种实验饲料。结果表明: (1) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参增重率及特定生长率具有显著影响, 各处理组均显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而对脏壁比及肠壁比无显著影响(P>0.05), 1.2%(E4组)添加水平下, 刺参增重率及特定生长率最高。(2) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参肠道蛋白酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶活力均无显著影响(P>0.05)。(3) 饲料中添加不同浓度的半乳甘露寡糖对幼参体壁酸性黏多糖及糖醛酸含量无显著影响(P>0.05)。添加半乳甘露寡糖比例0.2%(E1)、0.4%(E2)、0.8%(E3)、1.2%(E4)的处理组, 刺参体壁氨基酸总量及谷氨酸、甘氨酸、精氨酸含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05), 而1.6%(E5)组体壁氨基酸总量及Glu、Gly、Arg含量与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05)。(4) 饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖对体壁及体腔液超氧化物歧化酶、碱性磷酸酶及溶菌酶活性具有显著影响(P<0.05), 同时对体腔细胞溶菌酶活性影响显著(P<0.05)。实验可以得到以下结论: (1) 饲料中添加半乳甘露寡糖不仅可以提高刺参免疫力, 并且可以提高特定生长率, 并改善体壁氨基酸组成; (2) 刺参饲料中半乳甘露寡糖的合适添加比例为1.2%。     

磷脂和HUFA对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹存活、生长、蜕壳及生化组成的影响

实验用中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹初始体质量为1.8 g左右。饲料A添加6%鳕鱼肝油和4%大豆卵鳞脂(饲料含4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA), 饲料B添加10%的猪油(饲料含0.39%磷脂和0.18%HUFA); 实验蟹单个体饲养(可防止蜕壳期间蟹相互残杀而获得饲料外的营养源), 雌蟹(F)、雄蟹(M)各60个, 实验周期120 d。结果表明: 两组饲料条件下, 幼蟹的存活率、增重率、特定生长率、平均蜕壳次数、蜕壳间隔时间及肝胰腺指数均无显著差异(P>0.05)。但无论是雌蟹还是雄蟹, A组幼蟹肝胰腺和肌肉的总脂含量显著低于B组(P<0.05), 并且A组蟹肝胰腺和肌肉中磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量显著高于B组(P<0.05)。这表明, 在中华绒螯蟹幼蟹饲料中添加4.53%磷脂和1.08%HUFA对其存活、生长、蜕壳无显著影响, 但可使其肝胰腺和肌肉中的总脂含量降低, 而磷脂、多不饱和脂肪酸和高度不饱和脂肪酸的含量升高。本研究结果旨在为中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的营养学研究提供理论依据, 同时也为生产上幼蟹饲料的开发提供参考。     

刀鲚MSTN基因的克隆及其组织表达

 运用同源克隆的方法和RACE技术, 从刀鲚(Coilia nasus)肌肉组织中克隆了肌肉生成抑制素基因(Myostatin, MSTN)的cDNA全长并分析了肌肉生长抑制素基因在刀鲚不同组织的表达情况。结果表明, 刀鲚MSTN 基因的cDNA全长2 252 bp, 编码区1 125 bp, 编码374氨基酸。二级结构预测显示, 刀鲚MSTN具有MSTN家族的典型结构域, 包含Pfam和TGFB结构域。运用荧光定量的方法检测了该基因在刀鲚不同组织中的表达。结果显示,  MSTN基因在健康刀鲚肌肉和脑中呈高表达, 鳃、肝、脾、肠、肾和头肾中微量表达。根据以上研究结果认为, 刀鲚MSTN基因的序列具有高度保守性, 组织表达模式相似, 推测该基因的功能也具有高度保守性。本研究旨为MSTN基因在刀鲚后续育种工作提供基础依据。     

大黄鱼网箱养殖水体的细菌群落结构

以16S rDNA为分子标记, 通过构建克隆文库、限制性片段长度多态性(Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism, RFLP)分析等技术手段, 研究大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)网箱养殖水体中细菌的群落结构。样品采自福建省宁德市三都湾富发养殖基地。随机选取5个不同养殖网箱水样混合, 取3 L混合水样过滤富集细菌后提取总DNA, 用细菌通用引物27F和1 492R扩增其16S rRNA基因, 构建克隆文库。从文库中随机挑选154个克隆子进行分析, 得到137个阳性克隆, 92种RFLP带型。对部分代表性克隆子进行测序的结果表明, 大黄鱼养殖水体中细菌多样性非常丰富。序列分析结果显示, γ-变形菌纲的假交替单胞菌属(Pseudoalteromonas)细菌为最优势菌(占γ-变形菌纲克隆子数的31.2%), 海源菌属(Idiomarina)次之(占γ-变形菌纲克隆子数的15.1%)。此外还存在6.6%的厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、5.9%的拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、各0.7%的浮霉状菌门(Planctomycetes)、绿屈挠菌门(Chloroflexi)、绿菌门(Chlorobi)细菌和OP11类群。本研究结果阐明了网箱养殖大黄鱼水体细菌的群落结构, 为大黄鱼养殖区病害防治、环境监测以及探讨大黄鱼健康养殖与养殖水体细菌间的关系奠定了基础。     

基于稳定碳氮同位素的莱州湾4种鳀鲱科鱼类营养级研究

为研究莱州湾4种鳀鲱科鱼类营养级, 根据2011年夏季(8月)和秋季(10月)莱州湾底拖网调查取得的样品, 测定了130 尾样品的稳定碳氮同位素值。结果表明所有样品的δ¹³C值范围为–21.97‰~–11.67‰, δ¹⁵N值范围为8.54‰~15.95‰。单因素方差分析结果表明, 各种类间稳定碳氮同位素比值差异显著(P<0.05)。青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)和斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)的δ¹⁵N值随叉长变化而有显著变化(P<0.05), 但黄鲫(Setipinna taty)和赤鼻棱鳀(Thrissa kammalensis)的δ¹⁵N值随叉长的变化不明显(P>0.05)。青鳞小沙丁鱼营养级范围为2.80~4.88, 平均营养级为3.52±0.46; 斑鰶营养级范围为2.71~4.29, 平均营养级为3.34±0.33; 赤鼻棱鳀的营养级范围为3.38~4.42, 平均营养级为3.97±0.28; 黄鲫的营养级范围为3.28~4.13, 平均营养级为3.76±0.23。根据稳定碳氮同位素结果, 可以得出以下结论: (1)斑鰶的稳定碳同位素值范围较宽(–20.92~–11.67), 几乎涵盖了其余3种鱼类的稳定碳同位素范围(−21.97~−16.68), 表明斑鰶栖息水层分布较广, 和传统的中上层鱼类有明显差异; (2)斑鰶营养级随叉长增加而降低, 青鳞小沙丁鱼营养级随叉长增加而增加, 黄鲫和赤鼻棱鳀营养级随叉长变化不明显; (3)与胃含物分析方法相比, 赤鼻棱鳀营养级偏高0.7左右, 可能与赤鼻棱鳀摄食较多底层虾类有关, 其他3种鱼类稳定同位素测定结果略高, 但基本相当。本研究结果可为认识莱州湾渔业生物的营养关系以及构建食物网提供依据。     

西伯利亚鲟b-actin基因cDNA全长克隆、序列分析及其作为内参基因的应用研究

采用同源克隆和RACE技术获得西伯利亚鲟(Acipenser baerii)β-actin基因cDNA全长, 序列分析表明西伯利亚鲟β-actin基因cDNA全长1 322 bp, 其包括的137 bp的5¢端非翻译区, 57 bp的3¢端非翻译区和编码375个氨基酸残基的1 128 bp开放阅读框。与其他物种比对, 该基因具极高的保守性。同时也利用同源克隆技术获得了西伯利亚鲟Sox2基因的同源保守区, 该序列长768 bp, 编码256个氨基酸, 也具较高的保守性, 与其他物种的相似性在70%以上。以β-actin作为内参基因, 对Sox2基因在西伯利亚鲟成鱼各组织及胚胎发育各时期进行实时荧光定量PCR检测, 发现Sox2基因在不同组织中均有表达。其中, 在肝、胰、肾、脑4个组织中表达量差距不大, 均处于相对较低的水平, 在肌肉组织中表达量最高, 达到了肝脏的10.4倍。同时Sox2基因虽在西伯利亚鲟胚胎发育各时期均有表达, 但表达也具明显的时间差异性。在受精卵期、囊胚期Sox2基因的相对表达量较低, 在原肠期、神经胚期、视泡形成期和心脏形成期Sox2基因相对表达量较高, 且在心脏形成期达到最高点。本研究为量化西伯利亚鲟发育分化过程中相关基因提供了坚实的参照工具, 增加了后续试验的可信度, 同时可为今后深入研究西伯利亚鲟Sox2在侧线神经节分化发育、细胞迁移过程中的作用提供基础参考依据。     

基于渔业声学和灯光罩网的南海中南部鸢乌贼资源评估

为查明南海外海鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)的资源量及其分布, 2012年秋季和2013年春季, 利用科学探鱼仪(Simrad EY60)结合灯光罩网采样方法对南海中南部(16°N–5°N)鸢乌贼资源进行了声学调查与评估。在确定该方法的有效性基础上, 调查结果显示, 1) 2012年秋季鸢乌贼丰度和资源量分别是3.26×10¹⁰ inds和2.14×10⁶ t, 变异系数是23%; 鸢乌贼个体胴长范围、平均胴长和平均质量分别是62~248 mm、127 mm和65 g; 秋季, 鸢乌贼从南至北均有分布, 主要分布在8.0°N以北和114.0°E以西海域; 最高数量密度是1.7×10⁶ inds·nmi^–2 (6.5°N, 111.0°–111.1°E), 最高资源量密度是85 t·nmi^–2 (15.0°N, 114.35°–114.45°E); 2) 2013年春季鸢乌贼丰度和资源量分别是2.98×10¹⁰ inds和2.44×⁶ t, 变异系数是23%; 鸢乌贼个体胴长范围、平均胴长和平均体质量分别是73~238 mm、122 mm和82 g; 春季, 鸢乌贼从南至北亦均有分布, 主要分布在11.0°N以北; 最高数量密度是3.3×10⁶ inds·nmi^–2 (13.0°N, 116.55°–116.65°E), 最高资源量密度是60 t·nmi^–2 (15.0°N, 115.25°–115.35°E)。研究表明, 南海外海鸢乌贼资源量至少在2.00×10⁶ t以上; 与2012年秋季相比, 2013年春季鸢乌贼密集区向东北移动。     

北部湾光裸星虫3个地理群体遗传多样性

利用微卫星DNA分子标记对广东湛江乌石(ZJ)、广西北海山口(BH)与越南锦普(JP)3个光裸星虫(Sipunculus nudus)野生群体的遗传多样性进行分析。结果表明, 20个微卫星座位中有3个位点(Snu08、Snu10、Snu14)呈现单态, 17个多态微卫星座位中的等位基因数介于2～9之间, 多态信息含量(PIC)介于0.097～0.797之间。每个群体中有5个位点显著偏离了Hardy-Weinberg平衡, 在位点Snu18上3个群体均偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡。3个光裸星虫野生群体均表现出中等程度的遗传多样性水平, 锦普群体遗传多样性水平高于北海和湛江群体。群体间F-统计量分析表明, 群体遗传分化处于低等分化水平, 差异不显著(F_st=0.019～0.049, P>0.05); 基于D_A遗传距离构建的NJ和UPGMA聚类树均显示, 地理位置相邻的群体聚在一起。研究表明, 3个光裸星虫地理群体均具有中等的遗传多样性, 杂合度均偏低, 群体间存在较大的基因流, 杂合子明显缺失; 群体间已产生遗传分化, 但分化水平还较低。     

齐口裂腹鱼无乳链球菌的分离鉴定及其感染的病理损伤

2012–2013年四川齐口裂腹鱼(Schizothorax prenanti)养殖场流行一种临床特征为突眼、体表出血和神经症状的传染病, 在肝、肾涂片检查中发现链状G⁺球菌。从自然发病齐口裂腹鱼分离到2株形态与涂片检查一致的G⁺球菌(DML120817, YZH130830), 其在脑心浸液培养基(BHI)平板上28℃培养48 h, 形成白色圆形、表面光滑、边缘整齐的针尖大小菌落。经人工感染实验证实分离菌株为该病的病原菌。根据分离菌株的形态学和生理生化检测结果初步判定其为无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae); 16S rRNA基因序列分析表明, 2分离株 (GenBank登录号分别为KF773744和KF761304) 与GenBank中无乳链球菌(S. agalactiae)16S rDNA序列同源性达96.5%以上。在以分离菌16S rDNA序列 (GenBank登录号分别为KF773744和KF761304) 及其GenBank中同源性较高的链球菌16S rDNA序列构建的系统发育树上, 分离菌与无乳链球菌聚为一族; 同时在基于无乳链球菌cfb基因进行的特异性PCR检测中, 分离菌均为阳性, 进而鉴定2株分离菌为无乳链球菌。2株无乳链球菌对强力霉素、阿莫西林、先锋霉素V、氧氟沙星和左氧氟沙星等均敏感, 但在新霉素与丁胺卡拉霉素上存在差异。病理学观察发现, 无乳链球菌感染齐口裂腹鱼对多组织器官都造成明显的病理损伤, 尤其是肝、肾、脑的损伤较为严重, 表现为明显的变性、坏死以及炎症细胞浸润, 且细菌侵入肝、肾、脾以及神经元细胞内, 导致线粒体、内质网等细胞器损伤。     

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.