灰鲳仔稚鱼消化系统的发育

对出膜后1~35 d灰鲳仔稚鱼的消化系统进行了形态学和组织学观察。初孵仔鱼具有很大的卵黄囊,消化管为一简单的直形盲管。2日龄仔鱼消化系统中肠区首先开始分化,内面可见纹状缘。3日龄仔鱼胃区膨大,卵黄消失,肠道分化出小肠和直肠。侧囊在4日龄仔鱼时出现分化。5日龄仔鱼观察到幽门盲囊的初始结构,油球消失,从内源性营养向外源性营养过渡基本完成。6日龄仔鱼摄食主动。14日龄稚鱼肝脏分为两叶,体积增大,胰脏体积增大,胃弯曲呈"U"形,幽门盲囊指状分支已增加到几十个。22日龄稚鱼肠道弯曲更多,在胸腹腔中肠道盘曲程度已接近幼鱼。28日龄稚鱼侧囊背腹形成一纵隔,出现角质剌。35日龄稚鱼胃腺已十分丰富,侧囊结构也已完善,标志着灰鲳消化系统更趋完善。     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata) 1-34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程.对1-15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾.结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30-32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构.美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成.7d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力.11d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显.20d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒.32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善.仔鱼3-7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料.     

美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

通过形态学与连续组织切片的方法,对美洲黑石斑鱼(Centropristis striata)1–34 d仔鱼消化系统的胚后发育进行系统观察,分析描述鱼体消化道(食道、胃与肠道)以及消化腺(肝脏与胰腺)的发育过程。对1–15 d仔鱼连续取样,每次取样30尾,15 d后隔天取样,每次取样15尾。结果显示,在水温为(24±1)℃、盐度为30–32的条件下,初孵仔鱼卵黄囊体积很大,消化管为封闭的管状结构。美洲黑石斑鱼孵出3 d后,口裂形成、开始摄食,肛门与外界连通,消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃及肠道,肝脏、胆囊和胰腺也逐渐形成。7 d后,卵黄囊与油球基本消失,食道、胃部以及肠道黏膜褶皱开始形成,消化道黏膜上皮细胞逐渐分化,肝脏出现脂肪颗粒,仔鱼具备了基本的摄食能力。11 d时,仔鱼食道可见黏液细胞,随日龄的增加上皮组织中黏液细胞数量迅速增多,褶皱日益丰富;胃部分化形成贲门部、胃本体与幽门部,胃壁褶皱不断增多、伸长;肝脏血窦与中央静脉明显。20 d时,鱼体胃腺形成,说明胃部消化、吸收蛋白质的能力增强;肠道次级黏膜褶皱出现,肠圈与褶皱更加复杂化;胰脏分布有大量酶原颗粒。32 d时,仔鱼消化道组织结构分明,自腔面向内依次为黏膜层、黏膜下层、肌层与浆膜层,消化道与消化腺结构和功能逐步完善。仔鱼3–7 d为内源性营养向外源性营养过渡期,应及时提供充足适口的生物饵料,仔鱼20 d后可以逐渐驯化投喂微型配合饲料。     

多鳞(鱼喜)消化系统的形态学和组织学研究

采用解剖和光镜技术研究多鳞(鱼喜)消化系统的形态学和组织学.试验结果表明,多鳞(鱼喜)消化道由口咽腔、食道、胃、幽门盲囊、小肠和直肠构成.口咽腔较小,具绒毛状颌齿,舌三角形,黏膜上皮为复层鳞状上皮,上皮含少量味蕾和较多杯状细胞.食道黏膜也为复层上皮,从食道到胃,杯状细胞逐渐减少,上皮由复层上皮逐渐变为单层柱状上皮,肌肉层发达.胃为"Y"型胃,其盲囊部发达,黏膜上皮为单层柱状上皮,贲门部和盲囊部上皮下有一厚层胃腺组织.小肠短,肠道系数为0.56,上皮为具微绒毛的单层柱状上皮,杯状细胞前肠较多,中肠较少,后肠无,幽门盲囊4个,结构与小肠相似.直肠上皮为单层柱状上皮,上皮含少量杯状细胞,肌肉层较小肠发达.肝小叶不明显,肝细胞索明显.胰腺为弥散型,散布在肝脏组织中.     

梭鱼仔、稚、幼鱼消化系统胚后发育的组织学观察

利用形态学和连续组织切片技术,在光镜下系统观察了出膜后1~39 d的梭鱼(Liza haematocheila)仔、稚、幼鱼各期的消化系统发育特征。结果表明,在水温20~22℃时,梭鱼受精卵经50~54 h孵化,初孵仔鱼消化道仅由一条原始的消化管组成。孵出后第4天,上下颌形成,卵黄囊被吸收,消化管盘曲,第一盘曲处形成胃雏形,第二盘曲处及之后形成前肠和后肠,肛门形成并与外界贯通。孵化后第7天,卵黄囊被完全吸收,油球渐小至消失,孵化后第8天,消化系统明显分化成食道、胃、肠、直肠以及肝和胰等,仔鱼由内源性营养向外源性摄食营养过渡。此后,随着仔鱼的生长发育,胃黏膜层的褶皱数量增加,管壁增厚,内腔增大。稚鱼后期,梭鱼苗各鳍初步形成,分化出鳍条,孵化后18 d,幽门盲囊形成,胃腺出现,标志着稚鱼开始消化外源性蛋白,同时,消化道上皮细胞进一步分化,肌层增厚,肠道分段、盘曲,稚鱼食性开始向植食性转换。在此以后,消化系统从功能和结构上逐步地完善成熟。结果表明,梭鱼消化系统的发育与仔、稚、幼鱼的生长、形态发育和消化系统功能的完善相一致。     

大口黑鲈开口摄食与转食人工配合饲料期消化系统发育特征

本研究利用组织切片和扫描电镜技术，观察和研究了2~30日龄大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)仔鱼消化系统的发育过程及组织学变化。结果显示，在水温为(23±1)℃条件下，0~4日龄仔鱼消化道初步分化，为内源性营养期；4~6日龄仔鱼消化道逐渐分化形成食道、胃和肠，胃和肠黏膜褶形成，肝胰脏细胞团出现，仔鱼具备基本摄食能力，进入混合性营养期；10~16日仔鱼消化道和消化腺结构分明，胃、幽门盲囊、肠道紧密排列，肝脏和胰脏独立，进入外源性营养期，此阶段后可逐步转食人工配合饲料。20~30日仔鱼胃腺发达，胃和肠道出现次级黏膜褶，幽门盲囊黏膜褶显著增多、增长，肝脏逐渐出现脂肪积累区，胰脏可见酶原分泌颗粒，肝胰脏组织结构近似成鱼。扫描电镜显示，30日仔鱼胃部内表皮具有丰富的网状黏膜褶，胃小凹间分布着密集的分泌孔；幽门盲囊和肠道内表面结构相似，无固定形态的黏膜褶上布满黏液细胞和分泌孔。20日龄后仔鱼具备转食人工配合饲料的能力。此外，在仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料过程中，部分死亡个体的胃肠组织表现出腔体扩大或皱缩，内表皮无成型的黏膜褶或黏膜层脱落，胃和肠道组织损伤。本研究可为大口黑鲈仔鱼开口和转食人工配合饲料条件的优化提供组织学基础资料。     

大鳍异消化系统形态学和组织学观察

通过形态解剖和显微技术对大鳍异(Creteuchiloglanis macropterus)消化系统的形态学和组织学进行了观察研究。结果显示,大鳍异消化系统具有以下特征:口下位,口咽腔大,颌齿发达,鳃耙稀疏;食道粗短,肌层发达,黏膜层具有大量杯状细胞;U型胃,包括贲门部、盲囊部和幽门部,具胃腺;肠道系数为0.93±0.11,肠长与体长呈显著线性关系,肠分为前肠、中肠和后肠,肠腔内有密集的肠绒毛;肝脏与胰脏分离,肝脏分为两叶,具有"腹腔外肝",胰脏弥散分布于前肠和中肠周围。     

大鳍异鮡消化系统形态学和组织学观察

通过形态解剖和显微技术对大鳍异（Creteuchiloglanis macropterus）消化系统的形态学和组织学进行了观察研究。结果显示,大鳍异消化系统具有以下特征：口下位,口咽腔大,颌齿发达,鳃耙稀疏;食道粗短,肌层发达,黏膜层具有大量杯状细胞; U 型胃,包括贲门部、盲囊部和幽门部,具胃腺;肠道系数为0．93±0．11,肠长与体长呈显著线性关系,肠分为前肠、中肠和后肠,肠腔内有密集的肠绒毛;肝脏与胰脏分离,肝脏分为两叶,具有“腹腔外肝”,胰脏弥散分布于前肠和中肠周围。     

大鳞鲃消化系统早期发育的组织学观察

采用石蜡切片和显微观察的方法对由初孵仔鱼至23日龄的大鳞鲃消化系统发育进行了研究。初孵大鳞鲃仔鱼卵黄囊呈圆球形,消化道位于卵黄囊上方并伸展至卵黄囊后部,由柱状上皮细胞所组成,大部分为细胞索。2日龄时,口裂形成,口咽腔向鱼体后部进一步延伸。4日龄时,大鳞鲃的消化道由口至肛门全部打通,消化道分化为口咽腔、食道、前肠和后肠四部分。5日龄时,整个食道形成黏膜层,杯状细胞迅速增多,开始形成纵向褶皱。7日龄时,肝脏和胰脏的基本结构形成,并在肝脏和胰脏之间出现由单层柱状细胞围成的胆囊。10日龄时,卵黄囊消失,大鳞鲃完全通过摄取外界食物获取营养。10日龄—14日龄,消化道长度增长,褶皱加深,吸收表面积增加。14日龄后,通过大量摄食外源食物,大鳞鲃的体长迅速增大。     

海鳗消化道的显微结构

采用大体解剖和光镜技术研究了海鳗(Muraenesax cinereius)消化道形态学和组织学。海鳗消化道分化为明显的食道、胃和肠。食道皱襞多且粗大，黏膜为复层上皮，部分区域为单层柱状上皮。上皮中含两种类型的杯状细胞，以杯状细胞层次多为显著特征，此外还有嗜酸性细胞。肌层厚。浆膜中纤维发达，伸人肌层并与黏膜下层相连。胃“Y”形，分为贲门部、盲囊部和幽门部，盲囊部发达。胃上皮为单层柱状上皮，贲门部和盲囊部胃腺发达，至幽门部胃腺逐渐消失。肠短，由具微绒毛的单层柱状上皮构成，小肠前段绒毛分支多且相互吻合，毛细血管丰富，平滑肌多。直肠单层柱状上皮与假复层纤毛柱状上皮共存。海鳗消化道组织结构特点反映了其凶猛、食肉、食量大的食性特点。     

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.