阿根廷滑柔鱼（Illex argentinus）适宜栖息地模型比较及其在渔场预报中的应用

根据2003–2007年1–5月西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼生产统计数据以及表温(SST)、海面高度(SSH)等海洋遥感数据,以作业次数为基础采用外包络法建立SST、SSH的适应性指数模型。分别采用算术平均法(AMM)和几何平均法(GMM)建立栖息地指数(HSI)模型,并对2003–2007年1–5月的HSI值与实际产量和作业次数作比较。研究结果显示,AMM和GMM均拟合较好,HSI>0.6时,AMM的产量和作业次数比例分别为86.75%和89.82%;GMM的产量和作业次数比例分别为84.30%和85.80%,AMM稍优于GMM。利用2008年1–5月的阿根廷滑柔鱼生产数据进行实证分析,结果显示,作业渔场主要分布在HIS>0.6的海域,其产量占总产量的64%以上,作业次数占总作业次数的68%以上;基于SST和SSH的AMM 栖息地指数模型可用于阿根廷滑柔鱼中心渔场的实时动态预报,为该资源的高效开发提供科学依据。     

秋冬季智利竹鱼栖息地指数模型比较

根据2003—2009年5—9月我国大型拖网渔船捕捞智利竹鱼的生产统计数据,结合海表面温度(SST)和海表面高度(SSH)的海洋环境因子,以作业网次和单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)作为适应性指数(SI),采用外包络法分别建立SST、SSH的SI,采用算术平均法(AMM)、几何平均法(GMM)、基于权重的AMM分别建立栖息地指数(HSI),并用2010—2011年度生产捕捞数据进行比较与验证。结果显示,以作业网次为基础的SI为最适;AMM优于GMM;考虑到权重的AMM优于没有考虑权重的AMM,5—9月最适HSI模型的SST权重分别为0.4、0.7、0.6、0.7、0.1,2010—2011年渔获量和作业网次的验证预报精度分别为75%~93%、80%~90%,可作为秋冬季智利竹鱼栖息地指数模型。研究表明,不同月份的SST和SSH对秋冬季智利竹鱼渔场分布有着不同的影响。秋冬季是智利竹鱼的主要渔汛期,本研究为准确建立其渔场预报模型奠定了基础。     

秋冬季智利竹(竹夹)鱼栖息地指数模型比较

秋冬季是智利竹筴鱼的主要渔汛,准确建立其渔场预报模型具有现实的意义。为了找出适宜的秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型,论文根据2003-2009年5-9月智利竹筴鱼的商业捕捞数据, 结合海表面温度(SST)和海表面高度(SSH)的海洋环境因子,以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法分别建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数(SI),采用算术平均法(AMM)、几何平均法(GMM)建立栖息地指数(HSI)模型计算其栖息地指数,并以2010-2011年度的捕捞数据进行验证。研究结果表明：以作业次数为基础,采用外包络法建立SST、SSH 的适应性指数为最适,5-9月SST权值分别为0.4、0.7、0.5、0.7、0.1的算术平均法适合秋冬季智利竹筴鱼栖息地指数模型。研究也以为,不同月份的SST和SSH对秋冬季智利竹筴鱼渔场分布有着不同的影响。     

基于最大熵模型分析西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼栖息地分布

根据2008—2010年中国鱿钓船在西南大西洋海域得到的生产数据及海洋环境数据(海表面温度,sea surface temperature,SST;海面高度sea surface height,SSH;叶绿素-a浓度,chlorophyll-a,chl.a),利用最大熵模型(Max Ent)分析捕捞主渔汛期间(1—4月)阿根廷滑柔鱼的潜在栖息地分布,同时与实际作业位置相比较,结合海洋环境因子分析不同年份分布差异的原因。模型运算结果显示:阿根廷滑柔鱼潜在分布区域的变化与实际作业位置变动基本一致;南北方向上,2008年和2009年的潜在分布区域较为广泛,而2010年的潜在分布区域较为狭窄,且主要分布在45°S以南的区域。Jackknife检验表明,SST是影响阿根廷滑柔鱼分布的首要环境因子,SST等温线分布可用来表征海流的强弱进而影响阿根廷滑柔鱼的分布,其中12°C等温线可以作为寻找渔场的一个指标。SSH等高线分布及其涡的变化也会影响到阿根廷滑柔鱼分布。chl.a只能间接地反映阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场的分布,不能很好地作为表征其分布的环境因子。研究表明,分析阿根廷滑柔鱼栖息地分布及其差异原因应主要观察SST和SSH的变化。     

西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场时空变化及其与表温的关系

阿根廷滑柔鱼(Illex argentinus)是西南大西洋重要的经济性头足类,也是中国大陆鱿钓渔业重要的捕捞对象,掌握其渔场时空分布特性及其与海洋环境之间的关系是合理开发、有效管理资源的基础。本文根据2000²010年中国大陆鱿钓渔业在西南大西洋39°2010年中国大陆鱿钓渔业在西南大西洋39°⁵1°S、57°51°S、57°⁶7°W海域的生产统计数据,对西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼中心渔场时空分布及与海洋表层温度(sea surface temperature,SST)的关系进行了研究。结果表明,167°W海域的生产统计数据,对西南大西洋阿根廷滑柔鱼中心渔场时空分布及与海洋表层温度(sea surface temperature,SST)的关系进行了研究。结果表明,1⁵月间,阿根廷滑柔鱼产量及作业次数在纬度方向由南向北逐渐递增,经度方向上由西向东逐渐递增。不同年份间,阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场重心纬度方向上存在显著性差异,而经度方向分布则不存在显著性差异。相关性分析表明,15月间,阿根廷滑柔鱼产量及作业次数在纬度方向由南向北逐渐递增,经度方向上由西向东逐渐递增。不同年份间,阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场重心纬度方向上存在显著性差异,而经度方向分布则不存在显著性差异。相关性分析表明,1⁵月阿根廷滑柔鱼渔场重心纬度、经度的变化与SST之间存在显著相关性,并且渔场重心均随着SST的升高呈现向南和向西移动的趋势。     

不同时空尺度下近海日本鲭栖息地模型比较

根据2003—2011年7—9月近海日本鲭生产数据，结合海洋遥感获取的海表温度(SST)和海面高度数据(SSH)，利用作业网次与SST和SSH的关系建立适应性指数(SI)模型，将时间和空间尺度分别划分为3个级别，建立9个不同时空尺度下的栖息地适应性指数(HSI)模型，分析比较得出不同时空尺度下近海日本鲭栖息地适应性指数最优模型，并对最优模型进行验证。结果显示，时间尺度为月，空间尺度为1°×1°是建立近海日本鲭栖息地适应性指数模型的最适时空尺度，当HSI大于0.6时，作业网次比重为75.42%，当HSI小于0.4时，作业网次比重为12.93%。利用2012年7—9月生产数据对最优模型进行验证，结果显示，当HSI大于0.6时，作业网次比重为60.89%，当HSI小于0.4时，作业网次比重为13.88%。研究表明，在建立鱼类栖息地适应性指数模型时，需要考虑海洋环境因子的时空尺度，以便更好地预测中心渔场。     

西北太平洋柔鱼栖息地适宜性变动研究

柔鱼(Ommastrephes bartramii)是西北太平洋重要的经济头足类,其栖息地受到气候变化的显著影响。根据中国鱿钓渔船在38°～45°N、140°～160°E作业渔场内的生产数据以及卫星遥感数据,利用信息增益技术选取关键环境因子,以单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)作为适应性指数,使用算术平均法(AM)和联乘法(GM)分别建立综合栖息地指数模型,对比异常环境条件下(厄尔尼诺和拉尼娜事件)柔鱼栖息地适宜性变动情况。结果表明,1998年La Ni■a事件发生时,西北太平洋传统作业渔场温度升高,海表温度(SST)相对正常年份2008年平均上升2. 72℃;而2009年El Ni■o事件发生时,SST相对正常年份降低0. 45℃。栖息地综合指数模型结果表明,1998年作业比重主要分布于在栖息地指数(HSI)大于0. 8的范围内,作业比重达到80%;2008年作业比重主要分布在HSI值0. 6～0. 8和0. 8～1. 0之间,所占比重在30%～50%左右; 2009年作业比重主要分布在HSI值0. 4～0. 6、0. 6～0. 8和0. 8～1. 0之间,作业比重平均约为32%。此外HSI值低于0. 2的区间面积随着La Ni■a事件、正常年份和El Ni■o事件递增,而HSI值大于0. 4的区间面积随着La Ni■a事件、正常年份和El Ni■o事件递减。研究认为,1998年La Ni■a事件发生时西北太平洋海域柔鱼适宜栖息地面积增加,而2009年El Ni■o事件发生时柔鱼栖息地适宜性变差,导致柔鱼产量变低。     

海表温度变化时近海日本鲭栖息地时空分布预测

海表水温变化影响着中上层鱼类栖息地分布。本研究根据2003—2012年7—12月的近海日本鲭生产统计数据,结合海表温度(SST)数据,利用正态函数分布的方法,分别以作业次数和单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)为指标建立基于水温的适应性指数(SI),取二者平均值作为栖息地适应性指数(HSI)。在气候变化背景下,假设SST上升或下降0.5、1、2°C时,对各月近海日本鲭最适宜栖息地(HSI0.8)空间和面积变化情况进行预测。结果显示,SST上升时,近海日本鲭适宜栖息地有明显的北移现象,7—12月最适栖息地面积增减比重为–73.1%～44.7%;SST下降时,有明显的南移现象,7—12月最适宜栖息地面积增减比重为–54.9%～123.4%。该研究结果可用于在SST上升等气候变化背景下,以及近海海况发生变化等情况下,对日本鲭栖息地和作业渔场时空分布进行预测。     

基于栖息地指数的东太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场分析

长鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus alalunga)是东太平洋海域重要的金枪鱼种类之一,也是我国金枪鱼延绳钓的主要捕捞对象之一。本文根据2009~2011年美洲间热带金枪鱼委员会(IATTC)在东太平洋海域(20°N~30°S、85°W~150°W)长鳍金枪鱼延绳钓生产统计数据,结合海洋遥感获得的表温(SST)和海面高度(SSH)的数据,运用一元非线性回归方法,以渔获产量、单位捕捞努力量CPUE为适应性指数,按季度分别建立了基于SST和SSH的长鳍金枪鱼栖息地适应性指数,采用算术平均法获得基于SST和SSH环境因子的栖息地指数综合模型,并用2012年各月实际作业渔场进行验证。研究结果显示,在东太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的栖息地预测中,以CPUE为适应性指数的栖息地指数模型比以渔获量为适应性指数的栖息地指数模型预测更为准确。2012年中心渔场的预报准确性达75%以上,具较高预报准确度,可为金枪鱼延绳钓渔船寻找中心渔场提供指导。     

不同气候模态下秘鲁外海茎柔鱼栖息地的季节性分布

茎柔鱼（Dosidicus gigas）为环境敏感型头足类，气候的多元变化促使茎柔鱼栖息地发生变动。本研究利用海表温度（SST）和海表面高度（SSHA）两个关键环境因子构建栖息地适宜性指数（HSI）模型，结合太平洋年代际涛动（PDO）指数，分析1950-2015年不同气候模态下秘鲁外海茎柔鱼栖息地的季节性分布规律。结果发现，PDO冷期茎柔鱼栖息地适宜性较高；而PDO暖期栖息地适宜性较低。相较于PDO冷期，PDO暖期下茎柔鱼适宜栖息地分布向东南移动。适宜栖息地的分布位置与适宜的SST和SSHA的重叠区域重合，表明两个关键环境因子与栖息地分布显著相关。此外，适宜栖息地指数距平值与PDO指数的年际变化呈显著负相关关系。春季茎柔鱼渔场栖息地适宜性高于冬季，且冬季适宜栖息地的分布相较春季偏东南方向。茎柔鱼渔场6-11月适宜的SST和最适宜的SST在经度和纬度上的分布存在显著差异，春季（9-11月）最适宜的SST分布逐月向西北方向移动；冬季（6-8月）最适宜的SST分布逐月向东南方向移动。推测不同气候模态下茎柔鱼栖息地季节性分布差异，可能是由于最适宜的SST显著的月间分布差异所致。研究表明，不同PDO时期下茎柔鱼栖息地适宜性具有显著季节性差异，其差异可由环境因子的月间变动来解释。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.