舟山海域4种鲷科鱼类线粒体Cytb基因全序列克隆分析

摘要：克隆测序了分布于舟山海域的真鲷（Pagrus pagrus）、黑鲷（Sparus macrocephalus）、黄鳍棘鲷（Acanthopagrus latus）和二长棘鲷（Parargyrops edita）4种鲷科鱼类的线粒体Cytb基因1141bp的全序列。通过对4种鲷科鱼类Cytb基因序列的比对分析，发现了292个核苷酸变异位点，其中存在186个信息位点，序列中的转换大于颠换，碱基替换多发生于密码子第3位。遗传距离分析表明，4种鲷科鱼类的遗传差异在0．0967～0．2275之间，其中真鲷与二长棘鲷之间遗传距离最小，为0．0967，黄鳍棘鲷与二长棘鲷的遗传距离最大，为0．2275；序列变异的转换／颠换比值在2．2930～7．3587之间。以25种鲈总科鱼类构建的系统树表明鲷科鱼类与其他科的鱼类存在较远的遗传亲缘关系。     

2种虾虎鱼细胞色素b基因全序列克隆与分析

测定了矛尾刺虾虎鱼（Acanthogobius hasta）和红狼牙虾虎鱼（Odontamblyopus rubicundus）的线粒体细胞色素b（Cytb）基因全序列。2种虾虎鱼Cytb基因序列全长均为1141bp,通过序列比对,检测到266个变异位点,序列中碱基转换频率高于颠换,碱基替换主要发生在密码子第3位。结合GenBank中的虾虎鱼科其他物种的细胞色素b基因全序列,利用Kimura-双参数模型分析遗传距离表明,10种虾虎鱼科鱼类的遗传差异在0.118~0.330之间,大头新虾虎鱼（Neogobius kessleri）与同属的裸喉新虾虎鱼（N.gymnotrachelus）遗传距离最小,为0.118;大头新虾虎鱼和矛尾刺虾虎鱼遗传距离最大,为0.330。以Cytb基因全序列构建的NJ进化树分析表明,10种虾虎鱼分为3个主要类群,红狼牙虾虎鱼和矛尾刺虾虎鱼聚为1支,且与其余8种虾虎鱼类遗传距离较远。     

星斑川鲽、黄盖鲽和石鲽线粒体基因Cytb和COⅠ片段序列的比较研究

星斑川鲽、钝吻黄盖鲽和石鲽是我国北方重要的经济海水鱼类。为探究这3种鲽科鱼类间的亲缘关系及遗传信息,本文采用了PCR扩增和直接测序的技术,对这3种鲽科鱼类各24尾个体的线粒体基因Cytb和COⅠ进行初步研究。测序得到的序列经人工处理校正后分析,其中Cytb基因片段可用长度为358bp,包含58个变异位点,20个转换位点,3个颠换位点;COⅠ基因片段可用长度为559bp,包含变异位点56个,转换位点18个,颠换位点3个;Cytb基因片段和COⅠ基因片段均表明黄盖鲽和石鲽具有较高的单倍型多样性与较低的核苷酸多样性,而星斑川鲽具有较低的单倍型多样性和较低的核苷酸多样性。基于Cytb和COⅠ序列的两种系统发育树(邻接法和不加权对群法)均表明3种鲽科鱼类中星斑川鲽与石鲽亲缘关系更近,与黄盖鲽相对较远。鲽科鱼类物种遗传多样性及遗传结构的分析可以为鱼类的保护和管理提供重要的理论依据,为保障我国鲽科鱼类养殖业的健康可持续发展提供理论指导和科学依据。     

松江鲈鱼线粒体Cytb基因分析及其在种质鉴定中的应用

为研究松江鲈鱼的遗传变异情况,以期对该鱼种质鉴定探索依据,采用PCR方法对11尾松江鲈鱼的线粒体Cytb基因进行扩增、测序的方法,进而构建系统发育树。结果表明松江鲈鱼属间遗传距离明显大于同一属内的种间遗传距离,形态生物学与杜父鱼类更加接近,进一步验证了松江鲈的分类地位为硬骨鱼纲、鲉形目、杜父鱼科,而并非是鲈形目的种类。松江鲈鱼Cytb基因序列的测出为遗传多样性和种质鉴定方面提供了参考数据。     

4种鲷科鱼类的线粒体细胞色素b基因序列及分子系统学分析

从鲷科鱼类中黄猪鲷(Sparus latus)、黑鲷(S.macrocephalusM)、真鲷(Pagrosomus major)和平鲷(Rhabdosargus sarba)的线粒体DNA扩增出约430bp的细胞色素b(Cytb)基因，经Clastal X同源排序后得408bp序列，对该序列进行分析并结合GeneBank中黄鲷(Taius turnifrons)、灰鳍鲷(S.berda)、犁齿鲷(Evynnis japonica)和高背四长棘鲷(Argyrops spinifer)的该区段DNA序列比较，共发现126个核苷酸位点存在变异(30．7％)，序列中的转换大于颠换，碱基替换多发生在密码子的第3位点。黑鲷和灰鳍鲷亲缘关系最近，序列差异为3.8％；而黄鲷和平鲷的亲缘关系最远，序列差异为21．7％。用MEGA2．1软件中的NJ法构建的分子系统树，将上述8种类分为4组，其中黄鲷属、平鲷属和鲷属分类的结果与形态分类学的观点一致；而传统分类上把犁齿鲷、真鲷和高背四长棘鲷归为3个不同属，在本研究分子系统树中，这3个属却聚成一支。本研究目的在于从分子水平上阐明鲷科鱼类的分类与系统进化关系。     

基于线粒体COI基因的马科鱼类DNA条形码研究

为明确中国马鲅科(Polynemidae)鱼类的分类地位,测定了中国7省10个地点马鲅科鱼类3属5种33条COI基因5′端序列,结合GenBank下载的5属16种41条同源序列,共分析了6属20种马鲅科鱼类DNA条形码。结果显示,20种鱼类种间平均遗传距离为19.6%,是种内平均遗传距离0.9%的22倍;其中14种形成了单系分支,支持其物种有效性。四指马鲅(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)和多鳞四指马鲅(E.rhadinum)种间遗传距离(16.0%)是种内平均遗传距离(1.2%)的13倍,支持将二者作为2个独立物种的分类处理。多鳞四指马鲅种内遗传距离(2.3%)大于2%,形成了2个自展数据支持率为99%的分支,分支间遗传距离(4.8%)是分支内平均遗传距离(0.1%)的48倍,表明在中国沿海分布的多鳞四指马鲅有可能存在2个亚种或隐藏种。黑斑多指马鲅(Polydactylus sextarius)与马达加斯加多指马鲅(P.malagasyensis)外部形态极为相似,种间遗传距离仅为1.0%,且在分子系统树上镶嵌混杂为一支,仅根据分子数据结果,推测二者可能为同一物种;但由于没有可检视的标本,也不能排除GenBank序列种名注释中形态鉴定出错的可能。马伦氏多指马鲅(P.mullani)与七丝指马鲅(Filimanus heptadactylus)也混为1支,分支内遗传距离仅为0.1%;如果不是GenBank序列种名注释出错,则二者应为同一物种。GenBank序列中来源于北部湾的六丝多指马鲅(P.sexfilis),则可能是黑斑多指马鲅的错误鉴定。     

基于RAG2基因序列分析仿石鲈科鱼类及其相关种类系统进化关系

为探讨仿石鲈科鱼类目前存在的分类争议问题,测定了仿石鲈科(Haemulidae),金线鱼科(Nemipteridae),眶棘鲈属(Scolopsis)等相关科属共33种鱼类RAG2基因部分序列,利用最大简约法(MP法)和贝叶斯分析法(BI法),并以黄鹦嘴鱼作为外类群构建分子系统进化树.结果显示,33种鱼类共形成三大类群,其中仿石鲈科8个属聚成一类群,金线鱼属和眶棘鲈属的种类聚成另一类群,眶棘鲈属未能与仿石鲈科形成单系.同时,基于属间遗传距离比较,眶棘鲈属与金线鱼科的遗传距离比其与仿石鲈科各属的遗传距离要小得多,表明眶棘鲈属与金线鱼科有更近的亲缘关系,支持眶棘鲈属隶属于金线鱼科的观点.此外,传统分类资料中归类于仿石鲈科的髭鲷属(Hapalogenys)也没有与仿石鲈科聚成单系,而是独自形成一支,位于进化树基部,显示出髭鲷属与仿石鲈科关系较远,与近年来认为髭鲷属应该从仿石鲈科中划分出去的结果一致.在仿石鲈科内部,少棘胡椒鲷属(Diagramma)中的少棘胡椒鲷与胡椒鲷属(Plectorhinchus)的种类关系很近.在进化树上,少棘胡椒鲷位于胡椒鲷属的内部,花尾胡椒鲷最先分化出来,位于该分支基部,支持少棘胡椒鲷归为胡椒鲷属,名称沿用原来的学名胡椒鲷的观点.     

基于COⅠ基因的中国及邻近海域部分笛鲷属鱼类DNA条形码研究

笛鲷属(Lutjanus)鱼类经济价值高,物种数量多,但外部形态保守,传统分类鉴定困难。为了解中国笛鲷属鱼类的物种多样性状况,测定了中国沿海19个地点11种笛鲷73个样本线粒体COⅠ基因5'端序列,并与从GenBank下载中国及邻近海域69条同源序列进行DNA条形码分析。研究表明,勒氏笛鲷(L. russelli)、金焰笛鲷(L. fulviflamma)、奥氏笛鲷(L. ophuysenii)、约氏笛鲷(L. johni)、蓝点笛鲷(L. rivulatus)、五线笛鲷(L. quinquelineatus)、千年笛鲷(L. sebae)、紫红笛鲷(L. argentimaculatus)、白斑笛鲷(L. bohar)、马拉巴笛鲷(L. malabaricus)、黄笛鲷(L. lutjanus)、印度笛鲷(L. indicus)、画眉笛鲷(L. vitta)、星点笛鲷(L. stellatus)、四带笛鲷(L. kasmira)、驼背笛鲷(L. gibbus)、焦黄笛鲷(L. fulvus)、红鳍笛鲷(L. erythopterus)等18种笛鲷142条COⅠ序列组成18个自展数据支持率(bootstrap)为99%～100%的单系分支,分支间平均遗传距离14.4%(2.9%～21.8%)约为分支内平均遗传距离0.17%(0～0.6%)的85倍,其中10种笛鲷独立成支,支持其物种有效性。勒氏笛鲷分成2小支,小支间平均遗传距离(2.9%)是小支内平均遗传距离(0.5%)的5.8倍,未满足"10×法则",其准确的物种分类地位尚待明确。印度笛鲷与勒氏笛鲷、画眉笛鲷与奥氏笛鲷出现混杂,推测从GenBank下载的印度笛鲷序列KF830898和KF830905可能来自勒氏笛鲷;画眉笛鲷序列KU943888可能来自奥氏笛鲷。中国近海星点笛鲷和蓝点笛鲷混杂且种间遗传距离仅为2.1%,接近一般种内遗传距离2%;红鳍笛鲷和马拉巴笛鲷遗传距离种间(0.3%)与种内(0.2%～0.3%)相当,且形态相似,推测是同一物种,也不排除它们存在种间杂交和为近期分化物种的可能。     

基于线粒体COI基因的马■科鱼类DNA条形码研究

为明确中国马■科(Polynemidae)鱼类的分类地位,测定了中国7省10个地点马■科鱼类3属5种33条COI基因5′端序列,结合GenBank下载的5属16种41条同源序列,共分析了6属20种马■科鱼类DNA条形码。结果显示,20种鱼类种间平均遗传距离为19.6%,是种内平均遗传距离0.9%的22倍;其中14种形成了单系分支,支持其物种有效性。四指马■(Eleutheronema tetradactylum)和多鳞四指马■(E.rhadinum)种间遗传距离(16.0%)是种内平均遗传距离(1.2%)的13倍,支持将二者作为2个独立物种的分类处理。多鳞四指马■种内遗传距离(2.3%)大于2%,形成了2个自展数据支持率为99%的分支,分支间遗传距离(4.8%)是分支内平均遗传距离(0.1%)的48倍,表明在中国沿海分布的多鳞四指马■有可能存在2个亚种或隐藏种。黑斑多指马■(Polydactylus sextarius)与马达加斯加多指马■(P.malagasyensis)外部形态极为相似,种间遗传距离仅为1.0%,且在分子系统树上镶嵌混杂为一支,仅根据分子数据结果,推测二者可能为同一物种;但由于没有可检视的标本,也不能排除GenBank序列种名注释中形态鉴定出错的可能。马伦氏多指马■(P.mullani)与七丝指马■(Filimanus heptadactylus)也混为1支,分支内遗传距离仅为0.1%;如果不是GenBank序列种名注释出错,则二者应为同一物种。GenBank序列中来源于北部湾的六丝多指马■(P.sexfilis),则可能是黑斑多指马■的错误鉴定。     

线粒体COI基因条形码在鲿科鱼类物种鉴定中的应用

为了探讨线粒体COI基因作为DNA条形码在中国鲿科(Bagridae)鱼类物种鉴定中的有效性,以及系统发育中的适用性,本研究对4属11种鲿科鱼类进行PCR扩增,获得48条线粒体COI基因序列,同时从Gen Bank筛选获得8种鲿科鱼类的12条COI基因序列进行分析。19种鲿科鱼类的COI基因序列特征显示:长度为674 bp的COI序列片段平均碱基组成为24.82%A,30.44%T,27.10%C和17.64%G,碱基组成呈现明显的AT偏倚性(55.26%),具有硬骨鱼类的线粒体COI基因的碱基组成的典型特征。核苷酸位点中有变异位点226个,简约信息位点195个,单一信息位点31个,转换颠换比为3.35。19种鲿科鱼类的种内、种间和属间平均遗传距离分别为0.0041、0.1136和0.1268,种间遗传距离平均为种内遗传距离的27.7倍。在本研究中,鲿科鱼类所有的物种均形成单系,在物种鉴别上与形态学分类结果基本一致,然而鲿科的4个属中只有鱯属形成单系,黄颡鱼属、属和拟鲿属均未形成单系,其进化地位需要进一步研究。线粒体COI基因作为条形码可有效对鲿科鱼类进行物种鉴定,也为鲿科的系统发育提供了参考。     

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.     

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.