泥蚶生长性状与SSR标记的相关性

泥蚶生长性状属于数量性状,为了筛选与泥蚶生长性状位点连锁的分子标记,本研究以150颗选育品系F4泥蚶为对象,利用12个SSR位点进行生长性状关联分析。对生长性状的相关分析表明,各数量性状之间的相关系数均达到极显著水平,其中壳高与活体质量的相关系数最大(0.930),壳长与活体质量次之(0.927);但通径分析显示,对活体质量直接影响最大的是壳宽(0.431),壳长次之(0.332),决定系数与以上通径分析结果的变化趋势一致。应用SSR位点对选育品系F4泥蚶进行遗传多样性分析,共检测到61个等位基因,等位基因数(Na)为3～8个,平均等位基因和有效等位基因(Ne)分别为5.083和3.038;平均观测杂合度(Ho)、期望杂合度(He)和多态性信息含量(PIC)分别为0.528、0.646和0.594,表明该群体遗传多样性处于较高水平。SSR位点与生长性状相关性分析,结果获得3个标记与生长性状具有显著相关性,其中标记3012-2与壳长、壳宽、壳顶宽显著相关,标记3564与壳高、放射肋宽显著相关,标记2692与壳长显著相关,据此初步确定为与生长性状相关的候选标记。本研究旨在为泥蚶的遗传改良和选择育种提供基础资料。     

泥蚶34个EST-SSR标记的开发及在格粗饰蚶中的通用性检测

利用泥蚶转录组高通量测序、拼接获得的大量EST序列开发SSR标记,在1123条EST序列里筛查到73条含有SSR位点的EST序列,其中54个位点适合设计引物,在位点两侧设计引物并进行PCR扩增.结果显示,46对引物获得稳定扩增的位点,引物在泥蚶奉化群体的多态性检测中发现,有34对引物表现出多态性,共扩增出122个等位基因,各位点的等位基因数Na为2～7个,平均每个位点产生3.59个等位基因,观测杂合度Ho、期望杂合度He、多态信息含量PIC范围分别为0.000 ～ 0.600、0.078 ～0.771、0.106～0.718;Hardy-Weinberg平衡检测显示,13个位点偏离了平衡状态;用Nr和Swiss-Prot蛋白质数据库对含有多态性SSR的EST进行了基因注释,25个SSR位点来自注释基因序列.将34对泥蚶多态性SSR引物在格粗饰蚶中进行了通用性检测,结果有1 1对成功扩增,8对表现为多态,通用率为23.53％,这些通用引物可用于两种蚶的遗传多样性评价、系统进化分析、比较作图和基因发掘等研究.     

鲤改良品系与体质量、体长性状相关的TRAP标记筛选

应用TRAP标记对一个鲤(Cyprinus carpio)改良品系72个个体进行扩增,采用其中25个多态性较好引物组合用于该群体遗传多样性分析.运用卡方检验分析25对引物在体质量差异显著的2组鱼中频率差异显著的位点,初步筛选出与体质量和体长性状相关的TRAP标记.将初步筛选的TRAP标记用于随机群体132个个体进行位点性状间的关联分析.结果表明,25个TRAP分子标记共扩增出353个位点,其中多态性位点230个,平均多态性比率65％,平均多态性信息含量为0.28,Nei's遗传多样性指数平均值为0.219,Shannon信息指数平均值为0.329,表明该群体遗传多样性较为丰富.在初步筛选出的3个TRAP位点(ghlTrap04-140、4rTrap04-308、igf4Ga5-135)中,4rTrap04-308与体质量、体长呈极显著相关(P<0.01).本研究利用TRA这一新型分子标记对1个鲤改良群体进行遗传分析,并寻找出1个可能与鲤体质量,体长性状相关的功能基因位点,旨在为鲤体质量、体长性状的QTL定位和分子标记辅助育种奠定基础.     

长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)壳宽快速生长选育群体遗传多样性及遗传结构的微卫星标记分析

为了监测长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)在选育过程中的遗传变异、分析选育对其遗传结构的影响,本研究以选育目标为壳宽快速生长的长牡蛎为实验材料,利用微卫星(Simple Sequence Repeats)标记技术,对长牡蛎基础群体(P0)和连续两代选育群体(F1和F2)进行遗传多样性评估。结果发现,所有微卫星位点在3个群体中都表现出了较高的多态性,P0、F1和F2代群体的平均等位基因数分别为16.5、12.2和12.8;P0、F1和F2代群体多态性信息含量(Pic)的平均数值分别为0.9068、0.8982和0.8836。所有群体10个位点的观测杂合度值(Ho)均小于期望杂合度值(He),观测杂合度平均值的大小范围为0.5775–0.6484,期望杂合度范围为0.8594–0.9279。哈迪-温伯格平衡(HWE)结果显示,3个群体在10个位点上有24个群体的位点组合显著偏离HWE(P<0.05),说明人工选育对选育群体的遗传结构有一定的影响。3个群体在10个位点上的Fis值均为正值,平均范围为0.1541–0.2341,表明群体内各位点上的杂合子比例有所下降;各群体间Fst值范围为0.0093–0.0245,遗传分化程度较弱。此研究表明,以壳宽快速生长为选育目的,长牡蛎连续选育群体仍具有很高遗传多样性,人工选育过程中保持一定选择压力,仍然会使长牡蛎的优良生长性状得到不断提高。     

长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)壳宽快速生长选育群体遗传多样性及遗传结构的微卫星标记分析

为了监测长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)在选育过程中的遗传变异、分析选育对其遗传结构的影响,本研究以选育目标为壳宽快速生长的长牡蛎为实验材料,利用微卫星(Simple Sequence Repeats)标记技术,对长牡蛎基础群体(P0)和连续两代选育群体(F1和F2)进行遗传多样性评估。结果发现,所有微卫星位点在3个群体中都表现出了较高的多态性,P0、F1和F2代群体的平均等位基因数分别为16.5、12.2和12.8;P0、F1和F2代群体多态性信息含量(Pic)的平均数值分别为0.9068、0.8982和0.8836。所有群体10个位点的观测杂合度值(Ho)均小于期望杂合度值(He),观测杂合度平均值的大小范围为0.5775–0.6484,期望杂合度范围为0.8594–0.9279。哈迪-温伯格平衡(HWE)结果显示,3个群体在10个位点上有24个群体的位点组合显著偏离HWE(P0.05),说明人工选育对选育群体的遗传结构有一定的影响。3个群体在10个位点上的Fis值均为正值,平均范围为0.1541–0.2341,表明群体内各位点上的杂合子比例有所下降;各群体间F_(st)值范围为0.0093–0.0245,遗传分化程度较弱。此研究表明,以壳宽快速生长为选育目的,长牡蛎连续选育群体仍具有很高遗传多样性,人工选育过程中保持一定选择压力,仍然会使长牡蛎的优良生长性状得到不断提高。     

巨魾野生群体遗传多样性的RAPD分析

巨魾(Bagarius yarrelli)为云南特有的经济鱼类,利用随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术对元江下游的河口巨野生群体进行了遗传多样性分析,在50条随机引物中筛选出19条多态性较好的引物,通过PCR扩增,19条引物在巨群体中共检测到67个位点,其中多态性位点66个,平均多态性位点比率为98.51%,个体间平均遗传相似系数为0.890 9,个体间平均遗传距离为0.117 6;群体Nei's基因多样性指数为0.291 6,Shannon信息指数为0.426 9,结果表明巨野生群体具有较高的遗传多样性。     

野生和养殖黄颡鱼遗传结构的TRAP分析

本文采用40对靶位区域扩增多态性(TRAP)标记分析了野生和养殖黄颡鱼Pelteobagrus fulvidraco群体的遗传多样性。从40对引物中共扩增出512个位点,其中多态位点278个,多态位点比例为54.3%。筛选出的40对引物的扩增产物都具有多态性,带型稳定,重复性好,可用于统计分析。Pop Gene分析表明:野生黄颡鱼群体的遗传多样性高于养殖群体。群体间的Nei遗传分化系数和基因流指数Nm分别为0.6832和0.2318,表明两个群体间发生了明显的分化。群体间Nm值小于1,说明两群体发生的基因交流较少。     

巨野生群体遗传多样性的 RAPD 分析

巨（Bagarius yarrelli）为云南特有的经济鱼类,利用随机扩增多态性 DNA（RAPD）技术对元江下游的河口巨野生群体进行了遗传多样性分析,在50条随机引物中筛选出19条多态性较好的引物,通过 PCR 扩增,19条引物在巨群体中共检测到67个位点,其中多态性位点66个,平均多态性位点比率为98．51％,个体间平均遗传相似系数为0．8909,个体间平均遗传距离为0．1176;群体 Nei′s 基因多样性指数为0．2916, Shannon 信息指数为0．4269,结果表明巨野生群体具有较高的遗传多样性。     

中间球海胆生长分化相关的AFLP标记

从同一遗传背景、同环境下培养的1龄中间球海胆(Strongylocentrotus intermedius)中,分别选择大个体50只、小个体30只,分别组成大小2组海胆,两组之间壳径、壳高2个指标均存在显著差异。共选用6对AFLP引物组合对2组海胆进行PCR扩增,发现43个标记在大小2组海胆间存在显著的频率差异(P0.05),其中29个位点差异极显著(P0.01)。所有存在显著频率差异的位点中,2个位点在大海胆组中缺失,4个位点在小海胆组中缺失,14个位点在大海胆组中出现的频率显著高于小海胆组(P0.05),而23个位点在小海胆组中出现的频率高于大海胆组(P0.05)。这一系列谱带可能与中间球海胆生长性状之间存在一定的相关关系。遗传多样性分析结果表明,大海胆组的平均Shannon氏指数、Nei氏杂合度2个指标均显著高于小海胆组(P0.05),提示杂种优势可能与中间球海胆的快速生长存在一定联系。     

长牡蛎3代人工选育群体的微卫星分析

进行群体选育时,因近交机率增加和有效亲本数的减少,可能导致选育群体的遗传多样性下降,进而引起选育群体的性状衰退。为监测长牡蛎人工选育群体在选育过程中的遗传差异,实验应用微卫星DNA标记对长牡蛎野生和人工3代选育群体及其基础群体的遗传多样性进行了研究。微卫星10个位点在所有群体中均表现出较高的多态性,6个群体的平均等位基因数范围为24.0～29.7个,期望和观测杂合度分别为0.925～0.956和0.724～0.809。与野生群体和基础群体相比,长牡蛎选育3代群体的平均等位基因数和等位基因丰富度略有下降,但杂合度水平未发生明显变化。哈迪—温伯格平衡(HWE)检验结果显示,60个群体—位点组合中47个群体—位点组合显著偏离HWE平衡(P<0.05)。Fis指数均为正值,平均范围0.152～0.233,表明各群体在10个位点上表现为一定程度的杂合子缺失。各群体间Fst值的范围为0.008～0.025,遗传分化程度较弱。结果表明,连续3代的人工选育尚未明显降低长牡蛎群体的遗传多样性,仍可以一定的选择压力对选育群体进行人工选育,从而保证长牡蛎的优良生长性状得到持续提高。     

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.     

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.