半滑舌鳎生长性状的微卫星标记筛选

结合分离群体标记关联分析法与随机选择群体标记关联分析法,利用69个微卫星位点,检测半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)半同胞家系的极端大群体和极端小群体,筛选出12个与全长、体高、体重显著或极显著相关的微卫星位点。验证群体的平均等位基因数为5.167个,群体平均有效等位基因数为3.319,平均观测杂合度为0.516,期望杂合度0.670,多态信息含量0.621。分析结果显示:在雌性群体中,微卫星位点csou4、cyse123、ghrh-ssr、cyse72、hncyse160与全长显著相关,ghrh-ssr与体高显著相关,csou4、ghrh-ssr、cyse72、hncyse160与体重相关;在雄性群体中,微卫星位点hncyse129、hncyse160、sox9-1与全长相关,csou34、cyse22、cyse123、hncse67、sox9-1与体高显著相关,未发现与体重相关位点。     

草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中的验证

生长性状是水产动物遗传育种中的重要经济性状,利用与性状相关的分子标记与育种相结合的手段,可以大大加速育种进程。在对草鱼生长性状的前期研究中,采用数量性状位点(QTL)定位的方法,在1号连锁群中发现了2个与生长相关的QTL。在此基础上,实验利用这2个QTL侧翼的2对微卫星标记(CID391_2、CID1512、CID973_1和CID254_1),对长江草鱼选育群体的480个个体进行分析,以期基于草鱼QTL定位结果,对草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中进行验证。结果显示:(1)4个微卫星标记在该群体中均具有高度多态性,其中各位点观测等位基因数(N_a)为12～23个,有效等位基因数(N_e)为4～12个,观测杂合度(H_o)为0.607～0.904,期望杂合度(H_e)为0.751～0.902;(2)利用方差分析及多重比较对4个多态性的微卫星标记与选育草鱼群体的生长性状(体质量和体长)进行关联分析,发现CID391_2在雌性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间均无显著差异;而在雄性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间差异显著。CID1512、CID973_1和CID254_1在雌性或雄性个体中,各基因型与体质量和体长之间均具有显著差异。研究表明,对草鱼生长相关的微卫星标记在选育群体中的验证结果,为进一步开展草鱼生长性状QTL定位研究和基于QTL结果的分子标记辅助育种(MAS)实践奠定理论基础。     

中国明对虾单个家系中与生长性状相关微卫星标记的初步筛选

以1个人工授精获得的中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)F2家系为材料,对其中80尾中国明对虾进行正态分布检验,选择19个稳定扩增的微卫星位点对每一个体进行扩增和基因分型,分析家系遗传信息.利用最小二乘法对微卫星位点与中国明对虾体长、全长、体质量性状进行关联性分析.采用SPSS 11.5软件作微卫星分子标记与经济性状的方差分析,考察各微卫星位点对体长、全长、体质量3个经济性状的影响程度.结果表明,中国明对虾体长、全长、体质量3个性状均呈正态分布(P＞0.05);相关分析得到,19个微卫星位点中RS0683和FC019两个微卫星位点与体长、全长、体质量呈显著相关(P＜0.05);同时对差异显著的位点进行不同基因型间经济性状的多重比较,RS0683标记座位AA基因型在体长、全长、体质量的表型效应上极显著高于AB、BB基因型(P＜0.01),表明该标记位点基因型AA与3种经济性状正相关;FC019标记座位的AA基因型体长、全长、体质量显著低于AB、BC基因型(P＜0.05),表明该标记位点基因型AA与3种经济性状呈负相关.     

鲫微卫星标记与几个生长性状的相关性分析

鲫(Carassius auratus)遗传多样性丰富,具多种不同倍性的亚种,是研究鱼类进化的独特材料。本研究利用79个SSR标记和22个EST-SSR标记检测了鲫自交F2代的181尾个体的基因型,对体重、体长、体高和体厚4个生长性状进行了单标记回归分析。Permutation检验(10000次)结果显示:有22个标记分别与体重、体长、体高和体厚具有显著相关性(P0.05),其中,HLJYJ15和HLJYJ244与4个性状均呈极显著相关(P0.01)。本研究筛选的101个微卫星标记丰富了鲫分子标记数量,可用于鲫连锁图谱的构建和QTL定位研究;获得了4个与鲫性状相关的标记及基因型,为鲫的分子标记辅助育种(MAS)和生长性状的遗传机制研究提供了工具。     

半滑舌鳎繁育群体的遗传组成及家系配组策略

用只读式电子芯片标识了291尾性腺发育较好的3龄半滑舌鳎Cynoglossus semilaevis繁育群体,其中雌性98尾,体质量(2 060±350)g;雄性193尾,体质量(500±140)g。利用20个微卫星标记分析繁育群体的遗传组成。结果表明,雌性群体(Ho=0.606)的观测杂合度显著高于雄性群体(H_o=0.548)(P0.05),有效等位基因数(Ne)、期望杂合度(He)和多态信息含量(PIC)差异不显著(P0.05),群体平均多态信息含量分别为0.654和0.616,雌、雄群体均处于高度多态水平(PIC0.5),表明半滑舌鳎群体遗传多样性较好,具备进一步繁殖、筛选优良品系的遗传潜力。用"基于亲本遗传背景的分子育种软件1.0"计算半滑舌鳎雌、雄个体间遗传距离在0.254~1.959之间,不同遗传距离范围的频率呈正态分布,其中个体间遗传距离在0.7~1.0之间的占51.82%,考虑到生产操作的便捷,设定亲本间最佳遗传距离阈值为0.7~1.0之内。根据统计结果,建立半滑舌鳎家系配组的策略为选择位于不同聚类分支、遗传距离在0.7~1.0之间、表型性状在均值以上的一对或多对亲本生产单家系或混合家系。根据此策略获得混合家系选育组,并以常规生产的苗种作为对照,经10个月养殖,选育组的平均体质量、体长与对照组差异显著,其中平均体质量高于对照组24.56%,平均体长高于对照组6.98%。     

半滑舌鳎微卫星标记遗传连锁图谱的构建

利用全基因组测序方法筛选出微卫星标记,以渤海近海野生个体和人工养殖的半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semi-laevis)为亲本交配产生的F1全同胞家系为作图群体,构建了半滑舌鳎雌、雄微卫星标记遗传连锁图谱。用320对引物对父母本和92个F1个体进行遗传分析,共得到288个分离标记,其中包含112个偏分离标记(P<0.05)。其中雌性框架图包含242个标记,分布在21个连锁群上,总长度1 311.9 cM,标记间平均距离为4.9 cM,图谱覆盖率为83.3%;雄性框架图定位标记218个,21个连锁群,总长度1 316.2 cM,标记间平均距离为5.5 cM,覆盖率为82%。半滑舌鳎遗传连锁图谱的构建为半滑舌鳎重要经济性状QTL定位、分子标记辅助育种和性别控制奠定了重要基础。     

鲤四种经济性状的微卫星标记分析

获得与经济性状相关的分子标记或基因是开展该性状分子育种的先决条件。本文利用300个微卫星标记检测了以柏氏鲤和荷包红鲤抗寒品系杂交F2代1个家系、92个个体的基因型,回归分析了其体长、体厚、体高和体重4种经济性状的GLM单标记。Permutation检验结果显示：有23个标记分别与体长、体厚、体高和体重具有显著相关性（P〈0.05）,其中,HLJ44、HLJE28、HLJ1148、HLJ1329、HLJ464与这4种性状极显著相关（P〈0.01）。对同一标记不同基因型之间进行了多重比较,找到了与这4种性状相关的基因型。此研究还发现75个微卫星标记发生了偏分离,其中11个偏分离标记与性状显著相关,偏分离指数分析表明,基因型的偏分离可能与性状的选择压力和选择方式有关。本研究获得的与鲤4种性状相关的标记及基因型,为鲤的分子标记辅助育种（MAS）和生长性状的遗传机制研究提供了有效的依据。     

尼罗罗非鱼微卫星标记与主要生长性状的相关性分析

为了筛选到与尼罗罗非鱼生长相关的分子标记,并对这些标记进行准确性鉴定,运用65个微卫星标记对鹭业和番禺2个尼罗罗非鱼群体进行了PCR扩增,再利用SPSS软件一般线性模型(GLM)对这些微卫星位点与尼罗罗非鱼体重等主要生长性状进行了标记性状连锁关联分析。结果表明,鹭业群体中有8个微卫星标记(UNH130,UNH183,UNH911,GM558,UNH211,UNH176,UNH914和UNH974)与主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),其中有2个微卫星标记(UNH914和UNH974)与番禺群体的主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),1个微卫星标记(UNH176)只与体重显著相关(P<0.05)。通过对与生长性状相关标记的基因型和表型值进行多重比较,得到了对体重、体长和体高3种性状有利的基因型或等位基因。发现了对罗非鱼生长性状有显著效应的微卫星位点,为开展罗非鱼的分子标记辅助育种提供了有价值的遗传标记。     

草鱼醛缩酶A3'-UTR突变与生长性状相关研究

采用直接测序法筛选草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella)醛缩酶A 3'-UTR突变位点,发现其转录终止密码子后58 bp处存在17 bp的插入片段。对草鱼养殖群体的插入突变进行分型,检测到该群体有AA、BB、AB三种基因型,等位基因B在群体中的频率为0.723,处于Hardy-weinberg平衡,多态信息含量是0.32,此突变在所测群体中属于中等遗传变异。利用一般线性模型分析基因型与草鱼群体生长性状(体重、体长、体高、体宽)的相关性,结果表明:醛缩酶A 3'-UTR突变与草鱼体宽和吻长2个生长性状达到显著相关(P<0.05),BB基因型个体比AA基因型个体的体重增加8.37%,在全长、体长、体高、尾柄长等生长性状也表现出比AA和AB基因型个体好。可将醛缩酶A 3'-UTR上的这段插入突变位点作为草鱼生长性状的候选分子标记用于草鱼的选育。     

刺参微卫星标记与生长性状体重、体长的相关分析

运用单标记分析法分析了10个微卫星位点与控制体重、体长数量性状的QTL的连锁关系。10对微卫星引物在8月龄具有生长性状差异的60个刺参个体基因组DNA中扩增得到50个等位基因,每个微卫星位点等位基因数3~7个,平均有效等位基因个数5.0。10个微卫星位点的多态信息含量为0.268 0~0.825 6不等,观测杂合度为0.083 3~0.666 7。采用SPSS软件对刺参的体重、体长生长性状和微卫星位点相关性进行分析,结果显示,微卫星位点AjSSR02基因型AB、AD、CD与体重和体长相关,AjSSR04标记中等位基因A对生长性状有正面影响,位点AjSSR06基因型FF个体仅平均体重与其他基因型个体显著差异,AjSSR09标记的A和B等位基因分别对生长性状具有正面和负面不同影响。     

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.