基于 Roche 454 GS FLX 的钝吻黄盖鲽(Pleuronectes yokohamae)微卫星标记的开发

利用 Roche 454 GS FLX 平台测序技术进行了钝吻黄盖鲽微卫星引物筛选,并采用聚类分析的方法对得到的5641个微卫星位点进行类比分析,得到247种多态性位点,其中完美型占52.22%,非完美型占20.24%,复合型占27.54%,(AC)n、(AG)n 两碱基重复类型的比例是44%,重复次数在10次以上的占总数的87.5%。随机选取11个位点的微卫星引物,采用5个野生个体,利用荧光标记和毛细管电泳进行多样性评价,4个位点偏离 Hardy-Weinberg 平衡,不同位点得到的等位基因范围为3?8,平均等位基因数为5.0。平均观望杂合度(Ho)、平均期望杂合度(He)及平均多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为0.588、0.788和0.670。结果表明,454 GS FLX 提供了一种直观、高效开发微卫星的方法。     

基于Roche 454 GS FLX的钝吻黄盖鲽(Pleuronectes yokohamae)微卫星标记的开发

利用Roche 454 GS FLX平台测序技术进行了钝吻黄盖鲽微卫星引物筛选,并采用聚类分析的方法对得到的5641个微卫星位点进行类比分析,得到247种多态性位点,其中完美型占52.22%,非完美型占20.24%,复合型占27.54%,(AC)n、(AG)n两碱基重复类型的比例是44%,重复次数在10次以上的占总数的87.5%。随机选取11个位点的微卫星引物,采用5个野生个体,利用荧光标记和毛细管电泳进行多样性评价,4个位点偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,不同位点得到的等位基因范围为3-8,平均等位基因数为5.0。平均观望杂合度(Ho)、平均期望杂合度(He)及平均多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为0.588、0.788和0.670。结果表明,454 GS FLX提供了一种直观、高效开发微卫星的方法。     

漠斑牙鲆微卫星标记筛选及美国群体遗传结构分析

采用磁珠富集法筛选适合漠斑牙鲆遗传多样性分析的微卫星分子标记。筛选共获得43条序列,其中完美型26个,占60.5%;非完美型14个,占32.6%;复合型3个,占6.9%。选取其中14对特异性好且扩增效率高的微卫星引物,对采自美国北卡罗来纳州沿海的漠斑牙鲆野生群体和养殖群体进行遗传多样性及遗传结构比较分析。研究结果表明,12对引物的扩增产物具有多态性,其中7个位点为高度多态(PIC>0.5)。两个群体中共检测到90个等位基因。12个多态性微卫星位点在两个群体中的平均观察杂合度(Ho)和期望杂合度(He)分别为0.36和0.57。9个位点在整个群体中呈现出不同程度的偏离遗传平衡(P<0.05),且偏离平衡的位点均表现为杂合子缺失(Fis>0)。野生群体和养殖群体间的遗传距离为0.1115,群体间的遗传分化微弱(Fst=0.0438)。     

基于RAD-seq技术的长体圆鲹二、三核苷酸重复微卫星标记开发与评价

通过对长体圆鲹(Decapterus macrosoma)基因组进行RAD-Seq高通量测序,共获得58 180条微卫星序列,选取112条二、三核苷酸重复的微卫星序列设计引物,经筛选后,共获得27个具有多态性的微卫星标记。利用一个长体圆鲹群体对通过筛选的微卫星标记的种群遗传学特征进行评价。结果显示,27对引物扩增的序列中18个位点为二核苷酸重复,重复次数为9～14次,9个位点为三核苷酸重复,重复次数为6～10次,等位基因数(Na)为5～17 (平均10.6),表观杂合度(Ho)为0.342 9～0.857 1 (平均0.631 7),期望杂合度(He)为0.538 3～0.911 8(平均0.796 8),多肽信息含量(PIC)为0.497～0.886 (平均0.780 9),除1个位点外,其他位点PIC值均大于0.500,表明开发的微卫星位点具有较高的多态性。"哈迪-温伯格"平衡(HWE)检测结果显示,19个标记等位基因频率符合HWE。连锁不平衡检测表明各位点间无连锁不平衡现象。该研究开发的27个微卫星标记可为长体圆鲹种群遗传学研究提供基础。     

仿刺参微卫星标记的筛选及群体遗传结构分析

采用FIASCO(Fast Isolation by AFLP Sequences Containing Repeats)方法构建了仿刺参基因组富集CA微卫星序列的基因组短片段文库,筛选得到118条微卫星DNA序列。根据重复单元的排列特点,完美型共83个,占70.4%;非完美型共30个;占25.4%;复合型标记5个,占4.2%。选取其中20条微卫星序列设计引物进行多态性检测,并利用这20对引物对采自中国、韩国(西海岸及东海岸)、俄罗斯和日本沿海的野生仿刺参以及美国沿海的具疣拟刺参进行遗传多样性水平和遗传结构分析。结果表明,所设计的20对引物的扩增产物均具有多态性,其中16个位点为高度多态(PIC>0.5)。遗传多样性分析结果显示,20个微卫星座位的平均观察杂合度(Ho)和平均期望杂合度(He)分别为0.39和0.69,共检测到231个等位基因(102个有效等位基因),在每个座位上获得3～20个等位基因,平均等位基因数为11.6个,20个位点在6个群体中不同程度偏离遗传平衡(P<0.05),所有群体在整体上均表现为杂合子缺失(Fis>0);5个仿刺参群体间的遗传相似系数在0.71以上,相似性较高,而仿刺参群体与具疣拟刺参的相似性则较低。聚类分析结果表明,中国群体与韩国西海岸群体聚类成一支,而俄罗斯群体、韩国东海岸群体和日本群体聚类成另外一支,聚类的先后与它们在地理分布上的海域位置有一定的相关性。     

脊尾白虾3个野生群体遗传多样性的微卫星分析

利用12对微卫星标记分析了莱州湾(LZ)、海州湾(HZ)、象山(XS)脊尾白虾野生群体的遗传多样性.12个位点在3个群体中均表现出高度的多态性.12个微卫星位点共得到115个等位基因,各个位点的等位基因数介于6～14,平均每个位点上的等位基因数为9.583 3个;各个位点的平均期望杂合度(He)、平均观测杂合度(Ho)、平均多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.8278、0.517 5、0.705 1,表明3个脊尾白虾野生群体均有良好的多态性.经F-统计分析,各个群体间的遗传分化指数均值为0.093 0(0.05＜Fst＜0.15),呈中等水平分化.基于Nei's遗传距离的UPGMA聚类分析显示莱州湾群体与象山群体距离最近,聚为一类,海州群体单独聚为一类.     

草鱼三、四核苷酸重复微卫星标记的分离与特征分析

采用磁珠富集法、通过质粒检测法结合同位素杂交检测获得草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellu)三、四核苷酸阳性克隆1 378个,测序705个,共得到846个微卫星座位,其中完美型632个（占74.7％）,非完美型114个(占13.48％),混合型100个(占11.82％).根据微卫星侧翼序列设计并合成100对微卫星引物,检测结果显示35对(35％)引物在邘江野生群体中表现出多态性.选择其中2对多态性稳定的引物进行遗传多样分析,结果显示,20个位点共检测到212个等位基因,平均观察杂合度(Ho)为0.681 1,平均期望杂合度（He）为0.797 5,平均多态信息含量为0.777 7.结果表明,所筛选的微卫星标记能够用于草鱼群体遗传学研究.本研究旨在为草鱼的种群遗传结构分析、遗传图谱构建等研究奠定基础.     

富集文库－菌落原位杂交法筛选栉孔扇贝的微卫星标记

应用微卫星富集文库─菌落原位杂交法,筛选得到了40个栉孔扇贝的微卫星标记.用固定了(AG)15和(AC)15探针的尼龙膜(Hybond N )捕捉含有微卫星DNA的片段,经洗脱、PCR扩增和TA克隆,构建栉孔扇贝的微卫星富集文库.利用ECL试剂盒(Amersham公司)标记的(AG)15和(AC)15探针进行菌落原位杂交筛选微卫星富集文库,阳性克隆经测序获得微卫星DNA.富集文库中1200个重组克隆经过菌落原位杂交后,532个(44.3%)为阳性克隆.任意挑选100个克隆测序,结果显示所有的克隆都至少含有一个微卫星位点.利用软件设计了65对特异性PCR引物,40对能扩增出清晰的带谱;利用48个栉孔扇贝个体评价微卫星位点,分析表明37个位点具有多态性.不同的位点获得的等位基因数目为2～14个不等,37个多态性位点共获得258个等位基因,平均每个位点获得7.0个等位基因.观测杂合度(Ho)、期望杂合度(He)及多态性信息含量值(PIC)的范围分别为0.1000～1.0000、0.1197～0.9831和0.1172～0.9782.结果表明,富集文库─菌落原位杂交法适合大规模筛选目标物种的微卫星标记.     

基于转录组数据的银鲴微卫星位点筛选

采用Illumina高通量测序技术对银鲴(Xenocypris argentea)肝脏组织进行转录组测序分析,筛选微卫星标记并进行多态性检验。共获得7 272个微卫星位点。随机选取48个4碱基以上重复类型的SSR位点进行引物设计和PCR验证,有47对可以扩增出清晰稳定的条带。在上述47个位点中随机选择26对在洞庭湖银鲴群体中进行多态性分析,结果表明,具有多态性的微卫星引物为21对。不同多态位点得到的等位基因数范围为3~15,平均基因数为7.29±3.94,观测杂合度(Ho)、期望杂合度(He)、多态信息含量(PIC)以及香浓-威尔指数(H)平均值分别为0.532 7±0.211 4、0.613 6±0.196 4、0.564 6±0.198 0和1.302 0±0.577 9。21个微卫星位点中,有6个显著偏离哈代-温伯格平衡(Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium,HWE)。     

三疣梭子蟹多态性微卫星DNA标记的筛选及评价

根据前人FIASCO方法构建的三疣梭子蟹微卫星富集文库,对含微卫星的DNA序列设计了71对引物并对其进行了多态性筛选,筛选出21对多态的微卫星引物,对三疣梭子蟹1个野生群体的30个个体进行遗传多样性检测,同时对引物进行评价。21个位点共获得了188个等位基因,平均每个位点扩增得到8.9个等位基因。不同引物获得的等位基因数差异较大,从3～13个不等,其中Pot8、Pot37、Pot48、Pot53、Pot54、Pot66六个位点分别获得了11、12、12、11、13、11个等位基因,而Pot46仅获得了3个等位基因。等位基因的大小分布在131～312bp,基本符合引物设计时理论产物长度。21个微卫星位点的期望杂合度的范围为0.659～0.889,PIC值均高于0.5,表明它们都有很高的杂合度,均可用于三疣梭子蟹种群遗传结构分析,为三疣梭子蟹品种选育、种系评估提供更多的微卫星DNA信息。     

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.