中华绒螯蟹血淋巴抗菌活性的初步研究

主要研究了中华绒螯蟹血清和血细胞破碎上清液(HLS)对大肠杆菌、嗜水气单胞菌、蜡状芽胞杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抗菌活性、不同浓度HLS对抗菌活性的影响以及血清中抗菌活性的诱导作用。结果显示,只有HLS对大肠杆菌、嗜水气单胞菌表现出显著的抗菌活性,而血清对4种菌、HLS对蜡状芽胞杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌均未表现出抗菌活性;随着HLS浓度的降低,大肠杆菌的细菌存活指数(SI)迅速上升,抗菌活性迅速下降,HLS浓度高低直接影响抗菌活性的强弱;通过注射灭活大肠杆菌,血清在1~24h内表现出抗菌活性的诱导作用,在6h时抗菌活性最强。     

嗜水气单胞菌胁迫对黄鳝肝脏等四种组织器官抗菌活性的影响

为研究黄鳝机体对细菌的免疫应答规律及其抗病机理,用不同浓度的嗜水气单胞菌感染健康黄鳝,采用抑菌圈法,检测不同处理时间黄鳝肝脏、肾脏、肠和皮肤等4种组织器官中抗菌肽粗提物对嗜水气单胞菌、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的抗菌活性。结果显示:胁迫后,黄鳝4种组织器官的乙酸提取物对嗜水气单胞菌、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌等3种菌均具不同程度的抗菌活性,但对枯草芽孢杆菌均无明显抑制作用。各组织器官的抗菌活性规律大体表现为:对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用对大肠杆菌的抑制作用对嗜水气单胞菌的抑制作用。对嗜水气单胞菌的抑制作用表现为:随着感染时间的延长,肾脏提取物的抗菌活性有所增强,皮肤提取物的抗菌活性有所减弱。对大肠杆菌的抑制作用表现为:皮肤提取物最强,肠提取物最弱,随着感染时间的延长,皮肤的抗菌活性变弱。对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用表现为:肾脏和肝脏提取物较强,肠和皮肤提取物较弱。     

一种复方中草药消毒液杀菌效果试验

选择几种体外有良好杀菌效果的中草药制成一种复方制剂,研究其对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、白色念珠菌、链球菌、枯草芽胞杆菌作灭活效果。实验结果表明:其3.30%稀释液作用3min对金黄色葡萄球菌杀灭率达99.96%,作用5min对大肠杆菌杀灭率达99.95%,作用5min对白色念珠菌杀灭率达99.98%;作用3min对链球菌和枯草芽胞杆菌杀灭率均≥99.94%,在有机物存在下杀菌效果不受影响。置54℃温箱14天后,杀菌效果基本不变。     

微生物在饲料开发中的应用

1 用于饲料开发的微生物 微生物种类多,其代谢特征各异,菌体蛋白质含量较高, 能利用的物质也很丰富,这就奠定了其在饲料开发中的重要 地位.因为饲料是动物要进食的,所以用于饲料生产的微生物 必须无毒,同时,动物饲用其代谢产物或菌体后应该有益并且 要适于生产过程中的各种环境.细菌、放线菌、酵母菌和丝状 真菌中的许多种都已用于饲料生产.酵母菌中的酿酒酵母、假 丝酵母、白地霉等用于生产SCP或生理活性物质,细菌中的 乳酸菌、链球菌、肠道细菌、芽胞杆菌、光合细菌等已制成微生 态制剂,用于畜禽饲料生产的芽胞杆菌有枯草芽胞杆菌、地衣 芽胞杆菌、凝结芽胞杆菌、缓慢芽胞杆菌、短小芽胞杆菌、蜡样 芽胞杆菌、环状芽胞杆菌、巨大芽胞杆菌、坚强芽胞杆菌、东洋 芽胞杆菌、纳豆芽胞杆菌、芽胞乳杆菌、丁酸梭菌等,丝状真菌 已用于纤维素等难利用物质的处理和生产饲用酶制剂,放线 菌也已用于生产饲料添加剂.     

嗜水气单胞菌感染后牛蛙血清中抗菌物质的初步研究

用1×107 mL-1的嗜水气单胞菌腹腔注射感染牛蛙，注射后7 d内试验组牛蛙血清抗菌活性都高于对照组，其中在3 d、7 d时存在显著性差异，峰值出现在感染后第3天。收集第2批人工感染后3 d时牛蛙的血清。该血清经Sephadex G25凝胶柱分离后,并在波长280 nm处测定紫外吸收值，得到两个吸收峰。以嗜水气单胞菌检测分离物的抗菌活性,结果表明经诱导的血清抗菌物质主要集中在第1个吸收峰。通过对金黄色葡萄球菌等10株指示菌抗菌谱的测定，其对大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌等具有明显的抗菌作用；SDSPAGE分析显示抗菌蛋白分子量较大。结果说明：牛蛙被嗜水气单胞菌感染后能很快产生多种抗菌物质，主要的抗菌物质是分子量比较大的物质，这些抗菌物质对部分革兰氏阴性菌和革兰氏阳性菌有抗菌作用。图3表1参24 关键词：牛蛙；嗜水气单胞菌；抗菌蛋白；抗菌活性     

芽胞杆菌B13抑真菌作用的研究

对芽胞杆菌Ｂ１３抑真菌的效果进行了研究，研究结果表明：芽胞杆菌Ｂ１３对霉菌、酵母菌均有不同程度的抑制作用。将该菌加在饲料原料中，也具有一定的防霉效果。     

锌胁迫对海洋小球藻生长和金属硫蛋白诱导的影响

研究锌离子胁迫对海洋小球藻生长和金属硫蛋白诱导的影响,当小球藻达到对数生长期,用不同离子浓度(5、10、20、50和100μmol/L)的锌盐(氯化锌、柠檬酸锌、乙酸锌和葡萄糖酸锌)分别进行胁迫培养,通过测定小球藻的生物量和锌结合金属硫蛋白含量,考察锌胁迫对海洋小球藻的生物量、热稳定蛋白含量以及锌结合金属硫蛋白含量的影响。结果显示,当浓度分别小于5和10μmol/L时,柠檬酸锌和氯化锌对小球藻生长无显著抑制作用;而浓度为5μmol/L时,乙酸锌和葡萄糖酸锌对小球藻生长即产生显著抑制,且抑制作用皆随锌离子浓度的增加而增大。与对照组相比,4种锌盐胁迫3 d后小球藻产生的热稳定蛋白含量极显著增加,其中以锌离子浓度为50μmol/L的葡萄糖酸锌对小球藻胁迫产生的热稳定蛋白含量最高,达到34.5 mg/g(湿藻泥)。同样在此浓度的葡萄糖酸锌胁迫下,小球藻诱导产生的锌结合金属硫蛋白的含量最高。研究表明,用锌离子浓度为50μmol/L的葡萄糖酸锌对小球藻胁迫培养,诱导产生的锌结合金属硫蛋白含量达到最高。     

蛭弧菌海水菌株Bdh5221裂解特性及生长影响因子研究

对利用双层琼脂平板法分离纯化获得的蛭弧菌海水菌株Bdh5221裂解特性及生长影响因子进行了初步研究,为其在生物防治上应用提供理论依据。研究结果表明,蛭弧菌海水菌株Bdh5221对嗜水气单胞菌、副溶血弧菌、鳗弧菌、溶藻弧菌、哈维氏弧菌、大肠杆菌、荧光假单胞菌、迟钝爱德华氏菌等革兰氏阴性菌有较好的裂解作用;对八叠球菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽胞杆菌等革兰氏阳性菌的裂解能力较弱;对木糖葡萄球菌和啤酒酵母菌不裂解;可在超声波破碎后的G+菌和酵母菌上生长。蛭弧菌Bdh5221在宿主菌浓度106~109cfu/ml下均可正常生长,高浓度宿主菌更有利于蛭弧菌生长;Bdh5221最适生长的pH在7.0~7.5之间,盐度为20~30左右;Bdh5221增殖速度与起始接种浓度影响不大,起始接种浓度101~103pfu/ml下经过5~7d生长可增殖104左右。     

菲律宾蛤仔酶解产物的抑菌活性

以菲律宾蛤仔为原料,比较其胃蛋白酶、酸性蛋白酶、菠萝蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和木瓜蛋白酶酶解产物的抑菌活性;利用正交实验优化抑菌活性最强的酶解产物的制备工艺,并测定最优酶解条件下酶解产物的相对分子质量分布。结果表明,菲律宾蛤仔胃蛋白酶酶解产物的抑菌活性最强,对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠杆菌、枯草芽孢杆菌、酿酒酵母和副溶血弧菌均有一定的抑菌活性,其中对金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌的抑菌活性较高,对四联微球菌则未见明显的抑菌活性。胃蛋白酶的最优酶解工艺条件为：酶解时间2h,温度35℃,pH 2.0,加酶量3 000U/g,料水比1∶4;该条件下酶解产物的相对分子质量主要分布在5000以下。     

黄鳝皮肤黏液抗菌肽的分离纯化及其部分特性研究

以黄鳝皮肤黏液为材料,通过Sephadex G-50凝胶层析和DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换层析,分离纯化了具有抗菌和镇痛活性的多肽MAS-Ⅳ-4,用Tricine-SDS-PAGE测得其分子量为10.4 kD,用显微熔点仪测得其熔点为208～211℃.用抑菌圈法测定其抑菌活性,结果表明,MAS-Ⅳ-4对嗜水气单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌有较强的抑菌效果.此外,每只注射0.75 ml以上的MAS-Ⅳ-4样品液能显著提高小白鼠的痛阈值.MAS-Ⅳ-4还具有微弱的溶血活性和丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制活性.     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.