军曹鱼仔稚鱼脊柱和附肢骨骼的发育特征

为探明军曹鱼仔稚鱼早期脊柱及附肢骨骼的发育特征,本研究采用软骨-硬骨双染色技术,分别利用阿利新兰、茜素红对软骨、硬骨以及1～33日龄军曹鱼仔稚鱼全骨骼进行染色,系统观察并描述其脊柱和附肢骨骼的发育特征。结果显示,军曹鱼脊柱开始发育的标志为7日龄仔鱼中脉弓和神经弓的出现;13日龄稚鱼椎骨、神经弓和脉弓开始骨化;背肋、腹肋分别于17、20日龄开始骨化;29日龄稚鱼脊柱骨化完成。附肢骨骼骨化起始顺序依次为胸鳍、尾鳍、腹鳍、背鳍和臀鳍。胸鳍匙骨于4日龄出现,肩胛骨孔于12日龄出现,同时上匙骨开始骨化;乌喙骨与肩胛骨于20日龄开始骨化;第1尾下骨于5日龄出现,15日龄稚鱼尾杆骨、侧尾下骨和尾鳍鳍条开始骨化,18日龄稚鱼尾下骨开始骨化;腹鳍支鳍骨于17日龄延伸至匙骨,同时腹鳍开始骨化;臀鳍和背鳍于17日龄由前向后开始骨化。研究表明,军曹鱼在13日龄进入稚鱼期,早期发育阶段的骨骼发育特征与其功能性适应密切相关。本研究结果对研究军曹鱼早期骨骼发育与功能适应、优化养殖条件有重要作用。     

养殖半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼骨骼畸形的发生过程

采用硬骨-软骨双染色技术对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther)早期发育阶段仔稚鱼全骨骼进行染色,研究其骨骼畸形发生的时间与部位及相应部位的畸形类型.实验结果表明,1～50日龄半滑舌鳎仔稚鱼的32批次495个骨骼标本中,骨骼畸形类型有14种,主要表现为脊椎骨的融合、增生、局部肥大,髓棘和脉棘的分叉和分离,尾鳍的分叉等.骨骼畸形主要发生于变态后期(25日龄)和变态后(40日龄),2个发育阶段的畸形率分别31.58％和25％.骨骼畸形的部位多见于脊柱的PH、HE和CA区,CE区尚未发现畸形.骨骼畸形会严重影响鱼类的外部形态、减缓生长及降低其市场价值.本研究初步探讨了养殖条件下半滑舌鳎骨骼畸形的发生过程,为阐明其早期发育机制及优化苗种培育和养殖条件等提供基础资料.     

棘头梅童鱼仔稚鱼脊柱及附肢骨骼的早期发育

本研究基于 2014 年 6–7 月在杭州湾北部水域用大型仔稚鱼网(口径 1.3 m、网目 0.5 mm)进行表层拖网所采集的棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys luncidus)仔稚鱼样本, 采用软骨-硬骨双染色技术, 探讨了棘头梅童鱼仔稚鱼(体长范围为 3.3~12.7 mm)脊柱及附肢骨骼的早期发育和骨化特征。研究结果表明: 脊柱骨化之前不分节, 而是由前向后逐渐长出的多个骨环把脊柱分节, 硬骨化出现的顺序大体上为由前向后。髓弓在脊柱骨化之前完全形成, 相对于一些低等鱼类髓弓等的生成方向是从中间向头尾和从后向前进行, 棘头梅童鱼的髓弓由前向后生长, 属于相对高等鱼类的生长类型。胸鳍支鳍骨是最先发育的附肢骨骼, 为能够自由地游泳摄食和从内源性营养转变为外源性营养提供了保障。后颞骨的形状十分特殊, 具有四枚向不同方向突起的棘; 背鳍支鳍骨由体中部开始向前后生长, 尾鳍支鳍骨的骨化晚于其他附肢骨骼, 侧尾下骨与其相邻的两枚尾下骨的基部融合, 为其游泳提供了强劲的动力。该研究结果不仅可以为早期形态学分类提供骨骼发育学方面的科学依据, 对棘头梅童鱼人工繁殖过程中结合骨骼发育进行技术上的契合也具有重要的参考价值。     

军曹鱼稚鱼急性暴露于硝酸盐中可导致腮,食道和脑损伤

硝酸盐被认为是在氨的硝化过程中毒性最小的含氮产物,但由于它会在循环水养殖系统中积聚,从而可达到致毒水平。本研究的目的是评估硝酸盐对军曹鱼稚鱼的急性毒性和组织病理学影响。军曹鱼稚鱼被急性暴露在6种浓度(500～3000 mg/L)的硝酸盐以及对照组中达96小时。暴露期结束时,组织病理学评估得到的军曹鱼稚鱼24小时和96小时硝酸盐半致死浓度(LC50)分别是2407和1829 mg/L。     

金钱鱼仔稚鱼脊柱及附肢骨骼系统早期发育研究

采用软骨—硬骨双染色技术于体视镜下观察金钱鱼1～45日龄仔稚鱼脊柱、腹鳍、臀鳍等附肢骨骼的早期发育。结果显示,1～8日龄金钱鱼仔鱼脊索为无分节的圆锥体,11日龄髓弓和脉弓的出现标志着脊柱发育开始,28日龄出现分节的硬骨环,38日龄脊柱形成22～24节椎骨。所有附肢支鳍骨发育的顺序为胸鳍、腹鳍、尾鳍、臀鳍和背鳍。胸鳍在5日龄时形成胸鳍支鳍骨,38日龄上匙骨和肩带骨化;腹鳍在5日龄时出现腹鳍支鳍骨,33日龄时腹鳍支鳍骨原基硬骨化完成;尾鳍的尾下骨最早出现在11日龄,15日龄脊索末端向上弯曲,41日龄尾鳍骨化完成;臀鳍在13日龄时排泄孔与尾下骨之间出现6根软骨质的支鳍骨,22日龄时臀鳍前4根锐化臀刺,38日龄时臀鳍开始骨化;背鳍在13日龄时形成9枚软骨质的支鳍骨,21日龄背鳍前10～11根鳍条锐化成背棘,33日龄背鳍支鳍骨和鳍条相继开始硬骨骨化。在温度25.5～29.1℃,盐度由25逐渐降至1.7的养殖条件下,15日龄金钱鱼尾索上翘,主动捕食和运动能力增强,由仔鱼期转入稚鱼期;20日龄时开始出现栉鳞,可以逐渐盐度淡化;鱼棘出现后,苗种生产过程中应注意被刺伤。第1背棘为倒棘、臀棘的数量和栉鳞的出现是金钱鱼科在鲈形目分类划分的显著判断标志。金钱鱼仔稚鱼骨骼发育研究结果对其早期发育环境适应、生产操作和分类鉴定有重要作用。     

海水养殖鱼类仔、稚鱼骨骼发育与畸形发生

骨骼畸形可导致鱼类运动困难、摄食能力降低、生长缓慢、成活率低,因此,畸形鱼苗的出现将增加生产成本、影响养殖的经济效益。在海水鱼类人工育苗阶段,骨骼畸形现象普遍存在,严重制约了海水鱼类养殖产业的可持续发展。本文首先系统总结了卵形鲳鲹、黄尾鰤、尖吻鲈等经济海水鱼类颌骨、脊柱、尾骨的早期发育时序及特点,比较了仔、稚鱼骨骼畸形发生的部位、时间及发生规律。之后针对仔、稚鱼阶段影响骨骼发育的主要因素,从遗传、环境、营养等方面进行了剖析,以期为寻找降低人工养殖条件下海水鱼类仔、稚鱼的骨骼畸形提供启示。     

国外渔业文摘

高放养密度和限制性进食对塞内加尔鳎稚鱼生长影响甚微采用养殖的塞内加尔鳎鱼稚鱼,对通过鱼群结构调节鱼的个体生长进行了研究。对鳎鱼实施增加放养密度及进行限制性进食的措施后再确定鱼群中鳎鱼稚鱼的个体生长率。与低放养密度(6.20 kg/m2)下的鳎鱼相比较,高密度放养(30.97 kg/m2)下的鳎鱼表现出生长标准偏差增大。但发现,在每天按其生物量的0.25%或1.0%进行定量饲喂的鳎鱼群中,鱼群的生长分布情     

军曹鱼幼鱼耗氧率与窒息点的研究

对平均体质量为16.0g～18.4g的军曹鱼在不同水温和盐度条件下的耗氧率进行了测定。结果表明,水温对军曹鱼的耗氧率有显著影响。盐度29‰时,水温从17℃上升到32℃,军曹鱼的耗氧率从0.357mg/g·h增加到0.880mg/g·h,水温(X)与耗氧率(Y)的关系可用幂函数表示:Y=0.0045X1.5197。在水温29℃时,军曹鱼的耗氧率随着盐度的变化而变化。此外,军曹鱼的耗氧率表现出较明显的昼夜变化规律,在中午前和傍晚后较高。水温对军曹鱼幼鱼的窒息点有显著影响。水温从21℃升高到33℃,窒息点从0.74mg/L增加到1.44mg/L。盐度对窒息点的影响不显著。     

美洲鲥仔稚鱼脊柱及附肢骨骼系统的早期发育

使用软骨-硬骨双染色技术,描述了美洲鲥(Alosa sapidissima)仔稚鱼(1~51日龄)脊柱、胸鳍、尾鳍、背鳍等附肢骨骼的形态发育特征。结果显示,脊柱的发育开始于10日龄仔鱼尾部的髓弓、脉弓和尾下骨的出现,16日龄髓弓和脉弓延伸形成髓棘和脉棘,19日龄脊柱出现分节的硬骨环,23日龄所有椎体形成。各附鳍支鳍骨发育顺序先后依次为胸鳍、尾鳍、背鳍、臀鳍和腹鳍。胸鳍在2日龄时出现乌喙骨,13日龄形成软骨质的胸鳍支鳍骨,19日龄仔鱼肩带和上匙骨开始骨化;尾鳍的尾下骨最早出现在5日龄,12日龄尾鳍形成2枚尾上骨、1枚尾杆骨和6枚尾下骨,19日龄仔鱼尾椎和尾鳍率先开始骨化,直至23日龄尾鳍骨骼系统钙化完全。最终背鳍和臀鳍分别形成18和22根鳍条。美洲鲥骨骼发育研究对其早期发育功能趋向、环境优化及分类鉴定有重要作用。     

军曹鱼高位池育苗技术研究

军曹鱼(Rachycentron canadum)隶属鲈形目、军曹鱼科、军曹鱼属,亦称海鲡,英文名Cobia.分布于大西洋、印度洋和太平洋等热带水域.最大个体长达1.5米、体重43千克,是目前海水网箱养殖鱼类中生长最快、最有养殖产业化前途的品种之一.……     

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.