桑沟湾多元养殖生态模型研究：Ⅲ海带养殖容量的数值研究

基于已建立的桑沟湾多元养殖生态模型,模拟得到桑沟湾海带的生长情况和最终的产量分布。并且运用数值实验的方法,通过改变海带养殖密度,探寻桑沟湾海带的养殖容量。结果表明,养殖密度越大,对海水流动的阻碍作用越强,海带生长期间由外海补充到湾内的无机氮营养盐就越少。因此,提高养殖密度,最终海带产量并非相应增加。由模型实验得到,0.9倍于现有养殖密度为最适养养殖密度,对应的最大海带养殖产出为7.21万t淡干重。     

桑沟湾多元养殖生态模型研究：Ⅱ生态环境模拟与生源要素循环

运用桑沟湾多元养殖生态模型,模拟得到了桑沟湾浮游植物和无机氮营养盐的年变化规律、水平分布的季节变化。结果表明,浮游植物生物量和无机氮营养盐浓度存在明显的季节变化,养殖活动的季节性增大了二者的季节变化幅度;桑沟湾浮游植物和无机氮营养盐的分布受大面积海带和贝类养殖的影响;外海营养盐补充是桑沟湾内无机氮营养盐的主要来源。     

桑沟湾海带标准化养殖模式的优势探析

针对桑沟湾养殖海区海带(Laminaria japonica)的超容量养殖现象，研究了该海区中标准化养殖模式和传统养殖模式的海带生长差异。结果显示，在标准化养殖模式下，海带长、宽、平均厚度、湿重、投影面积和特定生长率均高于传统养殖模式，单棵海带重量显著提高，且海带的碳、氮和蛋白质含量明显高于传统养殖模式，海带品质大大提升。养殖后期，标准化养殖海区养殖海带垂直投影面积之和与对应养殖海区面积之比为6.33，而传统养殖模式的比值为9.15；标准化养殖海区海带所处水层下方的光照强度显著高于传统养殖区，海带所处水层的海流流速也高于传统养殖区。研究表明，桑沟湾海带标准化养殖模式使海带养殖密度降低，海带生长速度和品质均得以提高；在标准化养殖模式下，海带重叠较小，接受的光照比传统养殖模式充足；较快的海流使标准化养殖海区营养盐更新速度更快，这两方面可能是导致2种养殖模式下海带生长和品质产生差异的原因。     

桑沟湾海带养殖容量的研究

首次对桑沟湾的海带养殖容量进行了调查研究。采用了无机氮作为估算桑沟湾海带养殖容量的关键因子，通过无机氮的供需平衡估算海带养殖容量。结果显示，海底沉积物中释放的无机氮为该湾无机氮的主要来源，而由海水交换所带入的无机氮次之。海带生长期间海水交换周期为３９ｄ，比８０年代中期延长了近１倍。桑沟湾在海带生长期间由海水交换、陆地径流、动物排泄和海底沉积物中释放所进入该湾的无机氮总供应量为１２２８ｔ；而浮游植物     

桑沟湾多元养殖生态模型研究：Ⅰ养殖生态模型的建立和参数敏感性分析

建立了一个与考虑养殖阻力的水动力模型耦合的、以浮游植物生物量、无机氮浓度、悬浮有机颗粒物浓度、海带生物量为变量的桑沟湾三维多元养殖生态模型。模型考虑了养殖生物海带对海水流动的阻碍作用随其生长的动态变化,以及养殖生物和浮游植物之间对无机氮营养盐的竞争。最后,分别以浮游植物生物量和海带产量为目标变量,对参数的敏感性进行了分析。     

桑沟湾水域叶绿素a在海带收获前后的变化及其影响因素

依据2014年5月和8月2个航次走航和定点连续调查资料,分析了桑沟湾水域叶绿素a的空间分布及海带养殖区叶绿素a(Chl.a)的昼夜变化特征,同时结合所调查的温度、盐度 、pH和营养盐等分布特征,分析了桑沟湾水域Chl.a浓度与理化因子的关系,探讨了海带收获前后Chl.a的变化及其影响因素。(1)走航调查的结果显示,桑沟湾夏季Chl.a浓度显著高于春季。桑沟湾春季表、底层总Chl.a浓度均值分别为(0.67±0.39)和(0.50±0.31)μg/L,表层Chl.a浓度高于底层,春季表层整体表现出自湾内向湾外逐渐降低的趋势;夏季表、底层总Chl.a浓度均值分别为(3.39±1.53)和(3.12±1.43)μg/L,表层Chl.a浓度高于底层。桑沟湾夏季表层Chl.a高值区出现在海带养殖区,低值区出现在贝类养殖区,夏季底层Chl.a高值区出现在贝类和海带养殖区,低值区出现在外海区。(2)定点连续监测结果显示,春季海带养殖区Chl.a浓度变化范围在0.24~0.95 μg/L,均值为(0.70±0.19)μg/L,昼夜波动较小。而夏季海带养殖区Chl.a浓度变化范围在2.01~4.66 μg/L,均值为(3.04±0.82)μg/L,昼夜波动较大。桑沟湾海带养殖区夏季Chl.a浓度显著高于春季。春季海带养殖区营养盐平均浓度及硅磷比、氮磷、硅氮比均显著低于夏季。(3)桑沟湾春季表层Chl.a浓度主要与温度、硅酸盐呈显著正相关,而夏季底层Chl.a浓度与盐度呈显著正相关。桑沟湾海带收获前后Chl.a的变化及分布受温度、硅酸盐、盐度、养殖环境状况和水文环境的共同影响,多元的贝藻养殖模式是影响Chl.a变化及分布的重要因素。     

基于GIS的桑沟湾及周围海域海带养殖适宜性评价

目前水产养殖面临用海冲突、单位面积和人均生产率偏低、养殖业的生态和经济成本较高等问题。为充分利用海区的自然生产力，提高养殖效率和效益，需要对海区进行适宜性评价，选择最适宜的水域进行养殖。以桑沟湾及周围海域主要的养殖品种海带(Saccharina japonica)作为评价对象，选取光照、温度、流速、无机氮、盐度、深度作为适宜性评价指标，利用遥感技术确定海区养殖布局，通过野外调查和数据模拟获取养殖海区环境参数数据，根据动态能量学(Dynamic energy budget, DEB)模型——STELLA模型敏感性分析结果，并结合层次分析法计算评价指标权重，海带生长相关环境因子的强制函数拟合得到单因子评分曲线进行评分。最后，采用线性加权叠加分析方法得到海带养殖适宜性评价结果。适宜性评价过程以地理信息系统(Geographical information systems, GIS)作为技术支持，利用GIS空间插值功能生成光照、温度、流速、无机氮、盐度、深度专题图层，采用栅格计算功能对各专题图层进行叠加，得到综合多因素的海带养殖适宜性评分和适宜性等级。评价结果显示，在不考虑用海冲突的情况下，桑沟湾及周围海域海带养殖适宜性分数分布在0~6.7范围内，分值主要集中在4~6分，属于中等适宜，占研究区总面积的67%，最适宜和不适宜分别占研究区总面积的23%和10%，无一般适宜区。评分较高的区域主要分布在北部爱莲湾和楮岛东部海域周围，适宜性评分较低的区域主要位于近岸水深较浅的海域。根据适宜性评价结果可进行水域空间规划和安排养殖生产计划，为管理部门开展养殖分区和海洋功能区划提供参考。     

桑沟湾筏式养殖鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)的生长特性

2014年4–6月在桑沟湾海区进行鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)海上筏式养殖实验,分析了鼠尾藻在桑沟湾的生长特性,调查了藻体上的附着生物。结果显示,(1)鼠尾藻在桑沟湾海域生长迅速,水温为10–17℃时特定生长率最高,可达6.10%/d;根据特定生长率与水温的关系,获得了鼠尾藻的最佳生长温度为14.9℃;(2)5月10日开始有生殖托形成,水温达到20.4℃时,鼠尾藻生殖托大量成熟,并有放散;(3)养殖期间,鼠尾藻最大长度达187.05 cm,均长可达112.31 cm;干湿比由0.147(4月)上升至0.189(6月);每公顷产量可达43.95 t(湿重),相当于干重为8.25 t;(4)藻体上有大型附着生物16种,主要优势种为尖嘴扁颌针鱼鱼卵、玻璃海鞘和海绵;附着生物的生物量随着水温升高而增加。研究表明,海区的附着生物对鼠尾藻的生长影响不大,在桑沟湾大规模养殖鼠尾藻是可行的。     

桑沟湾养殖海域营养状况及其影响因素分析

桑沟湾营养现状调查结果表明，桑沟湾营养状况不仅受沿岸排放水的影响，而且大面积的海带和扇贝养殖对于营养盐的补充与消耗也有较大的影响，特别是在扇贝养殖区水域，富营养化水平较高。由Ｎ／Ｐ比值计算结果表明，从整个海湾看，冬季无机氮显得相对紧缺，而其他季节无机磷则显得相对紧缺。但从局部海域看，各季节扇贝养殖区无机磷显得相对紧缺。而在扇贝和海带混养区的１月，以及在海带单养区养殖海带期间的１月和４月无机氮显得相     

莱州湾和桑沟湾养殖海区浮游植物的研究Ⅱ.

系统研究了桑沟湾浮游植物的周年变动,并对中国北方两个典型养殖海湾——莱州湾和桑沟湾的养殖模式及其与浮游植物数量变动的相互关系进行了比较。桑沟湾浮游植物数量在3月份达到高峰,此时的主要物种是中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum (Grev．)Cleve)和海链藻(Thalassiosira sp.)等。在桑沟湾,浮游植物的群落演替不明显,硅藻在全年都是主要类群。在实验进行的12个月当中,始终都是硅藻占绝对优势,其中10个月很难见到其他藻类,只有两个月发现水中有极少量的甲藻。通过对莱州湾和桑沟湾具体情况的比较,作者发现：海带对浮游植物的压制作用强于扇贝,扇贝的代谢作用有可能促进浮游植物的繁殖。从浮游植物的年际变化也可以看出,养殖模式对浮游植物的数量和种类组成都有或多或少的影响。     

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.