中国北部海域主要无脊椎动物群落结构及多样性

根据2010年5月、8月在渤海及黄海北部进行的底拖网定点调查资料,分析了中国北部海域无脊椎动物群落结构及其生物多样性。中国北部海域共捕获无脊椎动物32种,其中虾类15种,蟹类10种,头足类7种;在渤海,虾类占主导地位,春季其生物量及密度比例分别为86.57%和96.55%,夏季为46.16%和80.85%;在黄海北部,春季蟹类在生物量组成中占绝对优势地位(91.07%),夏季则为头足类占优势地位(80.41%)。运用相对重要性指数(IRI)研究了渤海及黄海北部的优势种类组成,优势种类随季节及海区的变化差异较大。使用多样性指数D、H’、J’分析了无脊椎动物群落的多样性,渤海生物多样性高于黄海北部。分析了渤海及黄海北部群落物种组成相似性,两个海区物种组成相似性分别为春季0.315和夏季0.297。使用季节更替指数和迁移指数研究了两个海区无脊椎动物群落的稳定性,表明从春季至夏季,黄海北部部分种类向渤海迁移。     

长江口及邻近海域无脊椎动物群落结构及其生物多样性研究

根据2006年6月、8月和10月长江口及邻近海域无脊椎动物的底拖网定点捕捞调查资料,研究区域内无脊椎动物的群落结构及其生物多样性.调查共捕获无脊椎动物49种,共2232.277kg、1 037 641尾.分析了调查区域内虾类、蟹类、头足类及口虾蛄4个类别的生物量及密度组成,虾类在密度组成中占主导地位,占总密度的90.1%,蟹类在生物量组成中占主导地位,占总生物量的58.2%.运用相对重要性指数(IRI)研究不同种类的生态优势度,细点圆趾蟹(1 822.64)为6月份的唯一优势种,双斑蝠(1 573.90)及中华管鞭虾(1 135.36)为8月份优势种.三疣梭子蟹(3 667.30)、鹰爪虾(1 568.35)及口虾蛄(1248.70)为10月份优势种.使用多样性指数D、H'、J分析了该水域无脊椎动物群落的多样性,发现在3个航次调查中,10月份多样性指数最高;在不同调查区域,长江口中部多样性指数最高.采用Bray-Curtis指数Cn比较了长江口不同区域的无脊椎动物群落之间物种组成的相似性.结果表明,长江口中部及长江口南部种类组成相似性最高,Cn=0.628;长江口北部和长江口南部种类组成相似性最低,Cn=0.1660与历史资料对比,长江口及邻近海域无脊椎动物主要捕获种类变化不大,群落结构比较稳定.     

黄海典型断面渔业资源结构的季节变化

为了解黄海渔业资源结构的动态变化,实验基于2006年9月(秋季)和12月(冬季)、2007年3月和5月(春季)对黄海南部三个典型断面(S1断面位于南黄海南部北部水域,S2断面位于黄海和东海交界处,S3断面位于黄海南部中部水域)的渔业底拖网调查数据,对黄海断面的渔业种类更替、生物量变动、多样性季节变化及其与环境因子的关系进行了初步分析.结果显示,各季节调查共捕获渔业生物156种,其中鱼类109种,底层鱼类占89.0％.各季节前10位渔业种类的渔获量均占总渔获量的60％以上,且主要渔业种类组成变化不大,以小黄鱼、黄(鮟)(鱇)、细纹狮子鱼、鳀和脊腹褐虾等为主.各季节S2断面的主要渔业种类组成有显著变化,而S1和S3断面的主要渔业种类组成变化不大,但各种类渔获量在总渔获量中的比例变化很大;各断面渔业生物个体体质量一般都小于40 g.黄海南部海域从南向北各断面渔业种类多样性递减;各季节的渔业种类数与群落丰富度指数呈正相关.研究表明,黄海各断面渔业资源结构从北向南存在明显的季节变化,并且与底层温度和盐度的关系密切.     

舟山沿岸渔场春秋季鱼类群落结构特征分析

根据2015年11月(秋季)、2016年5月(春季)在舟山沿岸渔场开展的渔业资源调查中所获得的鱼类资料，采用群聚的物种相似性、多样性指数、RDA分析等方法，对该海域鱼类种类组成、生态类群、多样性和群聚特征进行了分析。结果显示，本调查共鉴定出鱼类81种，隶属于12目39科63属，以近海暖水种为主；Jaccard相似性指数为37.04%，处于中等不相似水平；优势种计算结果显示，春季优势种为六丝钝尾虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)，渔获量占总渔获量的42.16%；秋季优势种为龙头鱼(Harpodon nehereus)，占总渔获量的43.56%；春季多样性高于秋季，但2个季节的多样性指数平面分布相似，均为调查海域南部最低，越往北多样性指数越高，且东部海域高于西部海域；ANOSIM检验显示，各群落间差异极显著；相似性百分比(SIMPER)显示，蓝圆鲹(Decapterus maruadsi)、棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)、龙头鱼等7种，中华小沙丁鱼(Sardinella nymphaea)、鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、七星底灯鱼(Benthosema pterotum)等9种，分别是春、秋季各组群的典型种及造成鱼类群落结构差异的主要分歧种。RDA研究结果显示，盐度、温度是舟山沿岸渔场鱼类群落结构主要的环境影响因子。     

南海中部海域秋冬季中层渔业生物群落结构的初步研究

根据2014年对南海中部海域秋冬季2个航次中层拖网调查数据,分析了中层渔业生物种类组成、优势种和多样性等群落结构特征。共鉴定中层渔业生物241种,其中鱼类196种、头足类21种、甲壳类24种,冬季的渔获种类高于秋季,但单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)略低于秋季。相对重要性指数(index of relative importance,IRI)结果表明,秋季IRI≥100的优势种群有25种,其中IRI≥500的优势种有5种,包括蝰鱼(Chauliodus sloani)、尾明角灯鱼(Ceratoscopelus warmingii)、条带眶灯鱼(Diaphus brachycephalus)、日本乌鲂(Brama japonica)和条带多光鱼(Diplophos taenia);冬季IRI≥100的优势种群有26种,其中IRI≥500的优势种有3种,分别为典型刺虾(Oplphorus typus)、蝰鱼和太平洋帆乌贼(Histioteuthis pacifica)。秋冬季的IRI组成不存在显著性差异(P0.05)。以个体数计算的中层渔业生物丰富度指数、均匀度指数和多样性指数冬季高于秋季,但优势度指数是冬季低于秋季。以生物量计算的多样性指标中,冬季中层渔业生物丰富度指数和多样性指数高于秋季,而优势度指数和均匀度指数则低于秋季。利用数量生物量比较曲线(abundance-biomass comparison curves,ABC)方法分析南海中部海域中层渔业生物群落的状况,结果显示,秋季中层渔业生物群落处于较大干扰状况,冬季群落处于中等干扰状况。     

春季黄河口海域2种网具渔获物组成的比较分析

根据2007年5月在黄河口海域弓子网和小型单船底拖网渔业资源调查资料，分析了2种网具的渔获物种类组成，并分别计算了Sorensen相似性指数（SS）、种类丰富度指数（R）、Shannon—Wiener多样性指数（H＇）、Pielou均匀度指数（J＇）和相对重要性指数（index of relative importance，IRI）。弓子网和底拖网的SS指数为0．63，2种网具渔获物组成的相似性较差。弓子网和底拖网的R、H’、J’指数分别为3．61、2．28、0．64和3．55、2．40、0．72，底拖网渔获物多样性程度高于弓子网。分析结果表明，2种网具的单位功率渔获量（catch per unit effort，CPUE）均不高，且存在选择性差和对幼体生物伤害严重的问题。     

长江上游珍稀特有鱼类国家级自然保护区干流段鱼类群落结构特征分析

长江上游珍稀特有鱼类国家级自然保护区位于向家坝坝下江段，随着金沙江下游梯级水电站相继蓄水运行和“十年禁渔”政策的实施，保护区干流段鱼类群落可能会发生改变。为探究“十年禁渔”前保护区干流段鱼类群落结构特征，基于该江段2017—2019年渔获物监测数据，对鱼类种类组成、生态类型、群落相似度、物种优势度、生物多样性以及群落结构稳定性等特征进行分析。结果显示，本次调查共采集到鱼类134种，隶属于7目21科83属，其中长江上游特有鱼类有27种，外来物种有12种，分别占总种类数20.15%和8.96%。鱼类群落以底层、产沉性卵、杂食性鱼类为主。等级聚类分析(Cluster)和非度量多维尺度分析(NMDS)显示，在一定的相似性水平上，保护区干流段鱼类的群落类型基本可分为3组，宜宾、泸州与合江可以聚为一组，巴南、江津分别独立成组。保护区干流优势种共有14种，其中瓦氏黄颡鱼是整个研究区域的优势种，在合江站点的优势度最高，IRI值为27.00%。Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数、Margalef指数和Pielou指数变化范围分别为2.725～3.306、0.883～0.942、5.83...     

黄、东海渔业资源群落结构变化研究

为了解黄海和东海渔业资源群落结构的变化，基于2013年6月(夏季)和9月(秋季)黄、东海渔业资源底拖网调查数据，对渔业资源种类组成、优势种、渔获量空间分布、群落多样性和群落结构进行了研究。结果显示，共鉴定渔业种类185种，其中底层鱼类93种、中上层鱼类31种、甲壳类48种、头足类12种和贝类1种。在鱼类中，鲈形目种类最多，27科47属56种，占鱼类总种类数的45.2%。夏季优势种为鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、脊腹褐虾(Crangon affinis)、带鱼(Trichiurus lepturus)和小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)，秋季优势种为三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)、小黄鱼、鳀和带鱼，优势种季节波动不大。秋季平均单位时间渔获量为46.60 kg/h，高于夏季(39.35 kg/h)。秋季航次调查中渔业资源较夏季更为集中，主要分布在长江口和吕泗渔场附近，其他断面渔获量较低。夏季航次群落多样性指数高于秋季航次。CLUSTER聚类分析表明，黄、东海渔业生物群落可分为2组，夏、秋季2组界线变动不大，2组聚类的形成可能受水温和长江径流影响。     

秋季黄海底层鱼类群落结构的变化

根据1985年和2000年秋季渔业生物资源底拖网调查资料，分析了黄海底层鱼类群落结构的时空变化。结果表明，渔业资源优势种的组成随区域和时间不同有着较大的差异。黄海北部和中部渔获种类组成相似性较高，北部与南部、中部与南部的相似性较低；黄海渔获生物种类组成年间相似性较高，为65。进一步的单因子ANOSIM分析表明黄海底层鱼类群落不同区域和年间种类组成没有显著性差异。黄海渔业生物多样性由北向南递减。与1985年相比，2000年鱼类群落长度谱表现出小型种类和小个体增多，大个体减少，且长度范围变小；主要优势种的长度组成也呈现小型化趋势。长度谱区域变化则是从北部向南部小个体数量增多，大个体数量减少。     

黄渤海春季甲壳类群落结构的空间变化

为了解黄渤海甲壳类动物资源状况, 于2010年5月采用底拖网调查, 对黄渤海甲壳类动物的群落结构进行了研究。结果显示,黄渤海共捕获甲壳类32种, 其中虾类18种, 蟹类13种, 口足类1种; 不同海区优势种类组成差异较大, 脊腹褐虾在各海区均为优势种, 是黄渤海生态系统中最重要的甲壳类物种之一; 对黄渤海各海区甲壳类平均相对资源密度组成进行研究, 各海区甲壳类生物量均以蟹类密度最高, 黄渤海蟹类平均相对资源量为2.97 kg/h, 丰度均以虾类密度最高, 黄渤海虾类平均资源密度为1 825 ind/h; 对黄渤海甲壳类生物量的空间分布进行研究, 各海区生物量排序为黄海北部>黄海南部>黄海中部>渤海; 对黄渤海各海区甲壳类的生物多样性进行研究, 无论根据生物量还是丰度, 黄海南部的多样性指数最高, 黄海中部的多样性指数最低; 对各海区甲壳类群落结构相似性进行研究, 毗邻海区甲壳类群落结构的相似性指数相对较高。     

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.