乌江泉水鱼个体生殖力的研究

2011年3-6月和9-12月,在乌江思林江段采集性腺达Ⅲ期的泉水鱼(Pseudogyrinocheilus prochilus)雌鱼个体,测量了卵径,并研究了其个体生殖力及其与多项生物学指标的关系,调查样本由1+～3+龄组成.结果表明,泉水鱼的绝对生殖力(F)平均值为3 606粒,体长相对生殖力(FL)平均值为19.4粒/mm,体重相对生殖力(FW)平均为27.0粒/g;个体绝对生殖力和体长相对生殖力与体重和净体重均呈二次函数相关,与性腺重呈幂函数相关,体重相对生殖力与性腺重和成熟系数分别呈幂函数和对数函数相关.依据卵径频数分布结果推测,泉水鱼属于分批产卵鱼类.     

嘉陵江下游白缘(鱼央)个体生殖力研究

白缘(Liobagrus marginatus Günther)绝对生殖力为70.42(32~118)粒,相对生殖力F/L为0.86(0.52~1.84)粒/mm,F/W为23.25(9.47~38.89)粒/g。绝对生殖力和相对生殖力都与体长(L)、净体重(W)等形态学指标成直线相关,其相关方程分别为F=2.871L-59.581,F=15.332W+22.77,F/L=0.0189L+0.1544,F/W=0.1527W+0.7548。绝对生殖力随年龄的增大而增大,但增大的趋势逐渐减小。相对生殖力随年龄的增大呈现减小趋势。属于分批产卵类型鱼。     

繁殖季节长江口斑尾刺虾虎鱼的形态、生殖力与卵巢组织学特征

在繁殖季节研究了斑尾刺虾虎鱼的形态、生殖力与卵巢组织学特征。结果表明,斑尾刺虾虎鱼全长(TL)与体长(SL)、头长(HL)与体长(SL)、体长(SL)与体高(BD)、体重(BW)与空壳重(SW)、体重(BW)与体长(SL)的相关关系分别为:TL=0.779 6SL+1.793 9;HL=0.299 9SL+7.288;SL=0.783 2BD+7.324 9;BW=0.818 4SW-4.979 6;BW=0.062 9SL2.331 5。斑尾刺虾虎鱼个体绝对生殖力(F)为6 328~59 878 egg,与体长(SL)、空壳重(SW)、卵巢重(OW)的相关关系分别为F=94.972SL2-4 832.2SL+833 435;F=83.823SW+14 084;F=507.54OW+13 190。个体绝对生殖力(F)与体长、空壳重、卵巢重、成熟系数(GSI)的多元回归方程为:F=2 375.54+525.67SL-31.44SW+199.43OW+261.74GSI。斑尾刺虾虎鱼体长相对生殖力(FL)平均为88±31 egg/mm,体重相对生殖力(FW)平均为157±54 egg/g。平均卵径为1.22±0.24 mm。斑尾刺虾虎鱼IV期卵巢以第IV时相卵母细胞为主,第IV时相晚期卵母细胞开始出现油球,细胞核偏移和变形,放射带明显;Ⅴ期卵巢的卵细胞游离,卵膜外的二层滤泡膜脱落,卵细胞的外层分别有胶膜、放射带和质膜。     

沱江史家段四川华吸鳅个体生殖力研究

为了解沱江-史家段四川华吸鳅的个体生殖力,于2018年3-5月采集性腺发育到IV期的雌性四川华吸鳅83尾进行研究。测量所有样本的体长(L)、体质量(M)、净体质量(W)等6种生物学指标,取鳞片鉴定年龄,测定卵粒直径并用重量法计数个体绝对生殖力(F)、体长相对生殖力(FL)以及体质量相对生殖力(FW),用5种数学模型以及回归方程拟合个体生殖力与生物学指标的关系。结果显示,调查样本由2-4龄组成,F为(829.09 ± 627.54)粒,变幅为80-3790 粒；FL为(12.95 ± 8.46)粒/mm,变幅为1.40-48.58 粒/mm；FW为(206.97 ± 114.73)粒/g,变幅为25.21-614.45 粒/g。F和FL与体长、体质量、净体质量、成熟系数和年龄,FW与体长、成熟系数和年龄呈二次函数相关。四川华吸鳅卵径分布只出现了一个较大的峰值,推测其为一次产卵类型。     

光唇鱼雌性个体生殖力的测定

随机采集光唇鱼雌性个体样本12尾,测量其体长(L)、体质量(W)、净体质量(Wn)和性腺质量(Wo)等生物学指标。用质量法计数个体绝对生殖力,并对体长相对生殖力(FL)、体质量相对生殖力(Fw)和成熟系数进行计算,结果表明:个体绝对生殖力(F)在458~14254粒,平均3736粒。体长相对生殖力(FL)在50~1013粒/cm,平均346粒/cm。体质量相对生殖力(Fw)在19~151粒/g,平均85粒/g。绝对生殖力主要集中于1000~5000粒,绝对生殖力在10000粒以上的样本较少。体长相对生殖力主要分布于100~500粒/cm,而体质量相对生殖力主要集中于25~100粒/g。     

东北鳈繁殖力的研究

2018年6—7月,在乌苏里江抚远江段采集了284尾东北鳈Sarcocheilichthys lacustris,研究其生物学体征、种群年龄组成及繁殖力。结果表明:284尾东北鳈中有雌鱼226尾、雄鱼58尾,雌雄比例为3.9∶1;年龄范围1～5龄,3～4龄年龄组个体为优势年龄组,占总样本量的68%;性腺成熟系数(GSI)为(11.27±5.62)%,绝对繁殖力(F)为(5924.69±2177.01)粒,相对繁殖力(F_1)为(60.81±15.25)粒/g,体长相对繁殖力(F_L)为(33.02±10.66)粒/mm,体质量相对繁殖力(F_W)为(49.41±11.61)粒/g;个体绝对繁殖力与体长(L)、体质量(W)及GSI的关系分别为:F=1170.8L-2.6L~2-119577,F=320.65W-0.9W~2-18919,F=143.89GSI~(1.452)。     

洛河鲹鲦个体生殖力的研究

2008年4-5月对洛河野生鲹鲦进行随机取样调查,共收集样本145(雌44,雄101)尾.测定成熟雌鱼体长(L)、体重(W)、年龄(A)、空壳重(BW)、卵巢重(GW)、怀卵量等指标,计数个体绝对生殖力(F),并计算出鲹鲦的体长相对生殖力(FL)、体重相对生殖力(FW)、肥满度(CF)和成熟系数(GSI)等,用6种数学模式拟合了鲹鲦个体生殖力与生物学指标间的关系.结果表明:①成熟雌性鲹鲦由0+-3+龄鱼组成;②个体绝对生殖力(F)范围为1937-39563粒,平均8436粒;体长相对生殖力(FL)范围为190-2586粒/cm,平均735粒/cm;体重相对生殖力(Fw)范围为110-865粒/g,平均383粒/g;③其个体绝对生殖力与体长、体重和年龄都呈抛物线函数相关,体长相对生殖力与体长、体重和年龄分别呈抛物线、直线和抛物线函数相关,体重相对生殖力与它们相关不显著.     

长江干流长鳍吻鮈(Rhinogobio ventralis)繁殖生物学

2012年3月–2014年12月对长江上游宜宾江段采集的521尾野生长鳍吻鮈进行了繁殖生物学研究。结果显示,长鳍吻鮈种群雌雄比为1.41:1,繁殖期为3–5月,盛期为4月上旬至5月上旬。繁殖季节可通过吻端细小"珠星"鉴别雌雄,雄鱼最小性成熟年龄为2~+龄,最小成熟体长为173 mm,体重为90.4 g,成熟系数为0.36%;雌鱼最小性成熟年龄为3~+龄,最小成熟体长为185 mm,体重为119.6 g,成熟系数为11.30%。繁殖群体中,雌性优势龄组为3~+龄,雄性优势龄组为2~+龄和3~+龄。统计结果显示,长鳍吻鮈绝对繁殖力(F)为16399–39835(26816±7875)粒/尾,体重相对繁殖力(F_W)为162–234(189±23)粒/g,体长相对繁殖力(F_L)为877–1659(1231±246)粒/cm。通过对性腺成熟系数、卵径分布频率以及性腺组织切片结果的综合分析认为,长鳍吻鮈属于完全同步产卵类型。     

全人工繁育刀鲚幼鱼的摄食和生长特性

在淡水池塘养殖条件下,对全人工繁育刀鲚幼鱼的摄食和生长特性进行了研究。结果显示:刀鲚为白天摄食类型鱼类,在白天晨昏阶段出现两个摄食高峰,夜间很少摄食。河虾、轮虫和桡足类是刀鲚幼鱼较理想的天然饵料,虾类和轮虫在其食物中的占比分别为37.52%和43.87%,在养殖池配套投放河虾能改善刀鲚在冬季饵料缺乏时期的摄食状况。刀鲚体长与体质量的关系方程为:W=0.095 7L1.536 6,R~2=0.803 2,呈不等速增长;随着养殖时间的增加,体长和体质量上升趋势减缓,体长(L)与养殖时间(t)表现为线性相关:L=-0.0004t~2+0.127 6t+2.798 6(R~2=0.990 3),体质量(W)与养殖时间(t)的相关方程为:W=-0.000 2t~2+0.056 4t+0.370 9(R~2=0.995 7)。试验期间,随着温度的下降,刀鲚的特定生长率下降,生长速度减缓。建议在人工饲养刀鲚过程中,冬季可适当添加浮游生物及河虾等天然饵料。     

杭州湾北部海域凤鲚个体繁殖力初步研究

于2020年5—8月对杭州湾北部海域凤鲚的繁殖力和生物学指标进行了调查和研究。结果表明:5—8月杭州湾凤鲚产卵群体的平均体长(L)和体质量(W)分别为(163.13±24.02) mm和(11.34±5.40) g,体质量(W)与体长(L)呈幂函数正相关,W=0.000 002L3.087 5(R²=0.925)；5—8月杭州湾凤鲚的个体绝对繁殖力平均为(11 683±5 480)粒,个体绝对繁殖力(F)、个体相对繁殖力(FL,FW)与体长(L)、体质量(W)、净体质量(W₂)均呈线性正相关；5—8月凤鲚的平均卵径为(0.707±0.085)mm,各月份之间存在极显著性差异(P＜0.01),其中6月份卵径最大,7月份卵径最小。     

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.