罗非鱼无乳链球菌C5a肽酶(ScpB)的原核表达及其免疫原性

以尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)为鱼体样本, 克隆了罗非鱼源无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae) scpB基因, 构建了原核表达质粒pET32a(+)-scpB, 转入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)后, IPTG诱导表达, 表达的重组蛋白经镍离子金属螯合柱纯化及超滤管浓缩后, 进行SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析鉴定。纯化的重组蛋白以不同剂量(1 μg/g、3 μg/g、5 μg/g) 免疫尼罗罗非鱼后, 每周检测各实验组鱼体血清非特异性免疫指标[溶菌酶活性、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力]及抗体水平变化情况, 并于免疫4周后以4倍LD₅₀的剂量对其进行人工攻毒。结果显示, 该重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中以包涵体的形式存在; 对尼罗罗非鱼的相对免疫保护率为69.66%~89.00%, 其中5 μg/g组的相对保护率最高; 受免鱼体血清中溶菌酶活性、SOD活力和抗体水平较对照组有极显著提高(P<0.01), 结果表明, 重组蛋白ScpB具有较强的免疫原性和保护作用。本研究旨在为GBS多肽疫苗的研制奠定基础。

     

传染性造血器官坏死病毒-Sn1203株的基因型及糖蛋白的生物信息学分析

利用鲤(Cyprinus carpio)上皮细胞(epitheliaoma papulosum cyprini, EPC)培养传染性造血器官坏死病毒- Sn1203分离株(IHNV-Sn1203), 根据GenBank中IHNV G蛋白基因开放阅读框(open reading frame, ORF)的序列设计引物(GenBank序列编号AB288207), 采用RT-PCR的方法克隆得到IHNV-Sn1203株G蛋白全长ORF, 克隆至表达载体pET27b(+)中, 构建了pET27-G重组质粒, 并进行了测序分析。生物信息学分析结果显示, IHNV-Sn1203株G蛋白基因序列长度为1 527 bp, 与韩国株具有最高的核酸同源性(96.86%)和氨基酸同源性(97.05%)。该基因编码508个氨基酸残基, 推导分子量约为56.55 kD, 等电点为6.15; 氨基酸序列分析表明, G蛋白富含丝氨酸、苏氨酸和酪氨酸, 存在28个潜在的磷酸化位点; 存在4个潜在的N-糖基化位点和7个潜在的O-糖基化位点; G蛋白N端含有20个氨基酸的信号肽; 亲水性大于输水性; 位于483~508位氨基酸存在一跨膜区; 抗原表位预测显示抗原性良好; 系统进化树分析显示, IHNV-Sn1203株与日本株和韩国株聚为一簇, 都属于JRt基因型。

     

溶藻弧菌感染后凡纳滨对虾鳃组织免疫相关基因的表达

分别给凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)注射生理盐水、3×10⁶ CFU/mL(低浓度组)和9×10⁶ CFU/mL(高浓度组)溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)菌液, 采用荧光定量PCR技术, 检测不同处理后凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶基因表达量随时间的变化。结果表明, 处理42 h内, 注射生理盐水组对虾的Toll受体和IMD mRNA表达量无显著变化, 溶菌酶mRNA表达量在注射36 h后显著升高。急性感染溶藻弧菌后, 凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶mRNA的表达量峰值分别出现在感染后24、42和36 h; 溶藻弧菌的感染剂量不影响上述基因表达峰值的出现时间, 但显著影响上述基因的表达峰值(P<0.05), 各基因表达量峰值由大到小均依次为高浓度组、低浓度组、生理盐水组。急性感染初期, 对虾鳃组织中Toll受体mRNA表达量呈现显著下调, 而IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量在感染初期不存在显著下调现象。与感染前各基因的表达量相比, 高浓度溶藻弧菌感染组Toll受体mRNA表达量在2 h时显著下调, 低浓度溶藻弧菌感染组Toll受体mRNA表达量在3 h显著下调(P<0.05); 高浓度组IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量分别在36 h和12 h时开始有显著上调, 而低浓度组IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量则分别在42 h和24 h才有显著上调(P<0.05)。表明溶藻弧菌感染对凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中Toll受体、IMD和溶菌酶mRNA表达量有显著影响, 各基因的表达量与感染进程及溶藻弧菌剂量存在一定的相关性。

     

牙鲆有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体的制备

本研究采用紫外线灭活的真鲷(Pagrus major)精子激活牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)卵子, 经过静水压机处理诱导有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体。优选施压起始时间、持续时间和压力大小3个方面参数, 获得最佳参数组合为: 起始时间60 min、持续时间6 min、施加压力650 kg/cm²。在此条件下的受精率最高为67.80%, 孵化率54.23%, 与其他处理组间达显著性差异(P<0.05)。用流式细胞仪检测未经静水压处理的胚胎, 其DNA含量约为普通二倍体的1/2, 即单倍体; 检测有丝分裂雌核发育胚胎, 其DNA含量与普通二倍体大体一致。结果表明, 应用该方法可成功诱导获得牙鲆有丝分裂雌核发育二倍体。

     

鲤 IGF-I 基因 2 个高度多态微卫星位点的鉴定及其与生长相关性 状的关联分析

??利用PCR结合测序方法, , 在鲤(Cyprinus carpio)类胰岛素生长因子-I (insulin-like growth factor-I, , IGF-I)基因内含子1和内含子2中各鉴定1个微卫星多态性位点, , 分别命名为intron1189和intron2310, , 这两个位点均以4碱基为重复单元。以黑龙江鲤(Cyprinus cario haematopterus, , YL)(n=263)、德国镜鲤选育系(Cyprinus carpio L. mirror, , JL)(n=229), 及荷包红鲤抗寒品系(Cyprinus carpio var. wuyuanensis, , HL)(n=255)为研究对象, , 评估了这两个位点不同基因型(频率>3%)与鲤4个生长时段(135 d 、325 d、335 d和445 d)生长表型的关联。结果显示, , 2个位点在3个鲤群体中均表现为高度多态(PIC>0.5)。intron1189位点多态性主要对YL的135 d、325 d体长和325 d、385 d体质量有显著影响(P<0.05), , 而intron2310位点多态性对JL各检测时段的体长和体质量均有显著影响(P<0.05)。对不同基因型个体的体长和体质量性状进行多重比较, , 结果显示, , 在intron1189位点, , 185/229基因型YL的135 d、325 d体长和325 d、385 d体质量最低, , 而205/221基因型YL的135 d、325 d体长和325 d体质量最高。在intron2310位点, , 290/350基因型JL在各检测时段的体长及135 d、325 d、385 d体质量最低, , 而318/350基因型JL的135 d、325 d、385 d体长和体质量均为最高。上述结果表明, , 鲤IGF-I基因内含子中的这两个高度多态微卫星位点潜在影响鲤的生长性能。

     

大鲵虹彩病毒流行株的分离及其主衣壳蛋白编码基因序列比较分析

大鲵虹彩病毒(giant salamander iridovirus, GSIV)是近年中国大陆新发现的引起人工养殖大鲵(Andrias davidianus)大规模死亡的病毒病原。为了揭示大鲵虹彩病毒流行株的基因型差异, 本研究对2010–2012年采集自全国不同大鲵养殖区域的患虹彩病毒病的大鲵样本进行了分子检测、病毒分离培养以及病毒主衣壳蛋白(major capsid protein, MCP)基因测序与比对分析。结果显示, 采自陕西、湖北、湖南、浙江、江西、福建等省的10个样本检测为阳性, 通过细胞培养获得10株病毒流行株。对该10株流行株MCP基因的测序与比对分析发现, 核苷酸序列相似性达到99.7%~100%, 其推测的氨基酸序列无明显差异, 证实中国大鲵虹彩病毒流行株属同一基因型。系统进化树分析结果表明, 所选大鲵虹彩病毒与蛙病毒分别聚为一枝, 但其亲缘关系较近。本研究结果旨为大鲵虹彩病毒病的疫苗研制及其免疫防控技术研究奠定基础。

     

环境因子对鼠尾藻生殖托生长及光合特性的影响

鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)样本采自青岛太平角, 以光照、温度、盐度及营养盐水平4项环境因子分别设置4组单因素实验, 研究其对鼠尾藻生殖托的生长、表观光合作用、暗呼吸作用以及色素积累的影响。结果显示: (1)光照度为8 000 lx、温度为20℃和盐度为20的条件下生殖托的比生长速率(SGR)较大, 表观光合作用较强。光照12 000 lx抑制生殖托的光合作用与生长, 15℃下比生长速率比20℃小50.64%(P<0.05), 盐度从31下降到28, 比生长速率与表观光合速率显著增大。(2)色素含量与光照度、温度呈显著的负相关性, 叶绿素a和类胡萝卜素含量受环境因子影响较大, 而叶绿素c相对稳定。(3)氮磷营养盐的浓度配比对生殖托的生长、光合作用影响显著, 适宜的氮磷比(N/P)范围为5∶1~1∶1, 而50∶1显著抑制生殖托的生长。(4)相比氮元素而言, 磷浓度变化对生殖托光合作用影响更大, 说明磷元素对于生殖托的构建至关重要。(5)氮磷比对生殖托色素含量影响不显著, 而富氮、富磷培养液有利于色素的积累。结果表明, 上述4项环境因子对鼠尾藻生殖托的生长及光合特性均有显著影响, 适宜的培养条件为光照度8 000 lx、温度20℃、盐度20、氮磷浓度比(N/P)在5∶1~1∶1。本研究旨在为鼠尾藻人工育苗技术的优化提供科学依据。

     

低盐度和不同硫酸铜浓度对银鲳鳃离子调节酶和肝抗氧化功能的影响

开展银鲳(Pampus argenteus)试养海域的盐度易随气候降低, 且受到一定程度Cu等重金属污染, 研究低盐条件下硫酸铜对银鲳的影响十分必要。本实验首先进行银鲳幼鱼低盐度适应, 将盐度以4的幅度从24逐步降低至12。稳定后进行硫酸铜胁迫, 在盐度12下CuSO₄·5H₂O浓度梯度设为0、0.1、0.3、0.5 mg·L^–1, 盐度24下CuSO₄·5H₂O浓度梯度设为0、0.5 mg·L^–1, 胁迫持续144 h。通过检测两种鳃离子调节酶: Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶(NKA)和V-H⁺-ATP酶(VHA), 以及3种肝抗氧化活性物质－还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT), 探究低盐条件下铜离子对银鲳幼鱼上述指标的影响。结果显示, 盐度逐步降低后, NKA与VHA活力呈上升后下降的变化, 之后NKA活力随硫酸铜浓度增加而减弱; VHA活力加入硫酸铜后都出现显著下降, 其中CuSO₄·5H₂O 0.3 mg·L^–1与0.5 mg·L^–1组在72 h时下降更为明显; 盐度24硫酸铜组NKA和VHA活力都在24 h时增强而后减弱。GSH含量和SOD活力在盐度降低时出现跃升, CAT活力则呈波动变化, 加入硫酸铜后, 0.3 mg·L^–1与0.5 mg·L^–1组GSH含量持续下降后显著上升而后回落; 各硫酸铜组SOD活力都出现增强后回落的变化; 0.3 mg·L^–1与0.5 mg·L^–1组CAT活力在72 h有显著增强。本实验表明, 铜离子对NKA与VHA有抑制作用, 盐度降低时其作用更强; GSH、SOD和CAT的变化能反映低盐度和铜离子对银鲳的伤害程度。银鲳对水体铜离子有一定的抗性, 但在盐度降低等环境变化时, 应当密切注意水体中铜等重金属浓度。

     

NaCl盐度和NaHCO3碱度对鲤、鲫和大鳞鲃的精子活力及其受精率的影响

研究了不同NaCl盐度(0、1、2、3、4、5、6、7、8、9、10、11、12)和NaHCO₃碱度(0 mmol/L、10.00 mmol/L、15.85 mmol/L、25.12 mmol/L、39.81 mmol/L、63.10 mmol/L)对松浦镜鲤(Cynipus carpio)、方正鲫(Carassius auratus gibelio)和大鳞鲃(Barbus capito)精子活力及其受精率的影响。结果表明: 1) 在盐度为4时, 方正鲫和大鳞鲃精子的激烈运动时间、快速运动时间和寿命最长, 方正鲫分别为(90.11±9.03) s、(126.34±13.90) s和(154.27±11.36) s; 大鳞鲃分别为(48.91±1.43) s、(62.19±4.28) s和(90.68±4.46) s。在盐度为5时松浦镜鲤精子的激烈运动时间、快速运动时间和寿命最长, 分别为(72.44±9.42) s、(102.16±8.82) s和(206.99±6.65) s。2) 当盐度达到8以上时, 3种鱼的精子激活将受到抑制; 盐度大于10时, 方正鲫和大鳞鲃精子死亡; 盐度大于11时, 松浦镜鲤精子死亡。3) 在碱度为15.83 mmol/L时, 3种鱼的精子激烈运动时间、快速运动时间和寿命均最长, 且显著高于其他碱度条件下的精子活力(P<0.05)。4) 在盐度为1时, 方正鲫和大鳞鲃受精率达到最高分别为63.0%和68.0%, 在盐度为3时, 松浦镜鲤受精率达到最高为72.3%, 当盐度大于3时, 受精率开始呈明显下降趋势。碱度为10.00 mmol/L时, 3种鱼的受精率均最高, 分别为75.4%、54.0%和66.0%。本实验旨在通过测定不同NaCl盐度、NaHCO₃碱度条件下3种鱼类精子的活力和受精率所受的影响, 为北方地区碳酸型盐碱水域的渔业开发利用提供基础资料。 

     

克隆牙鲆和普通牙鲆血液生理生化指标的比较

以中国水产科学研究院北戴河中心实验站养殖的双单倍体(DH)牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)作为亲鱼, 采用冷休克方法抑制第二极体排出, 建立牙鲆克隆家系。以普通牙鲆的一个家系作为对照组, 在同样饲养条件下进行培育。实验组和对照组均为2⁺ 龄鱼, 克隆家系随机抽取5尾, 体质量(1 398±88) g; 普通群体随机抽取10尾, 体质量(1 749±125) g。分别采集血液进行血液生理和生化指标的比较分析。结果表明: 1) 克隆牙鲆的红细胞数量(RBC)、血红蛋白数量(HGB)、平均血红蛋白量(MCH)、红细胞压积(HCT)极显著低于普通牙鲆(P<0.01), 而在其他血液生理指标上二者没有显著性差异(P>0.05); 2) 克隆牙鲆在白球比(ALB/GLB)、谷草转氨酶/谷丙转氨酶(AST/ALT)比值、谷草转氨酶(AST) 3个指标上显著高于普通牙鲆(P<0.05), 其中AST差异达到极显著水平(P<0.01), 而碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、总胆固醇(CHO)、尿素氮(BUN) 3项指标, 克隆牙鲆极显著低于普通牙鲆(P<0.01)。克隆牙鲆血液生理指标的平均变异系数为5.50%, 普通牙鲆的则为9.21%, 其中克隆牙鲆红细胞平均体积(MCV)的变异系数仅为1.52%。克隆牙鲆血液生化指标的变异系数平均为10.56%, 普通牙鲆的则为27.23%, 达到克隆牙鲆的2.58倍。结果证实, 克隆牙鲆个体间的一致性较好, 作为指标生物, 效果优于普通牙鲆等海产鱼类。

     

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.