扎龙湿地自然保护区大型底栖动物群落特征与水质分析

扎龙自然保护区位于松嫩平原,是我国第一个丹顶鹤等大型水禽和湿地生态类型的一级自然保护区。2008年春、夏和秋季对扎龙湿地底栖动物群落特征与生物多样性进行了系统的调查研究,并对该湿地水体污染状况以及影响底栖动物分布的因素进行分析与评估。结果表明:扎龙湿地底栖动物主要有节肢动物门、软体动物门和环节动物门组成,共计93种(属);物种数在春季最高,秋季次之,夏季物种数最少。底栖动物群落的Margalef物种丰富度指数(d)、Shannon-wiener指数(H)’和Pielou均匀度指数(J)都是春季最高,夏季最低;Sinnpson优势度指数(D)是夏季最高,秋季次之,春季最低;采用寡毛类生物指数值和生物多样性指数对该湿地水体污染状况进行了评价,该区域水质污染程度为中污染。     

沙湖大型底栖动物群落特征及其水环境评价

为掌握宁夏沙湖大型底栖动物群落状况,于2013年春季、夏季、秋季调查沙湖8个采样点的大型底栖动物群落结构,并评价沙湖水质状况。结果表明:3个季节在沙湖共采集了17种大型底栖动物,隶属6科,主要由水生昆虫、软体动物、节肢动物组成,且随季节与空间变化显著;沙湖大型底栖动物优势类群为水生昆虫幼虫;大型底栖动物生物指数较低,Shannon-Wiener生物多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数平均值分别为0.91和0.51;依据多样性指数和大型底栖动物数量分布对沙湖水质进行综合评价,沙湖水域属重度污染,夏季沙湖污染最严重,秋季沙湖受污染状况略好于春季。     

黑龙江中游底栖动物群落结构与水质生物评价

2010—2011年对黑龙江中游底栖动物群落结构进行调查研究,共采集到底栖动物16目49科117种,其中水生昆虫种类最多,为79种,分属7目34科,占总数67.52%。黑龙江中游底栖动物平均密度为58.37 ind/m2,生物量为34.62 g/m2。2010年平均密度以春季最高,秋季次之,夏季最低,平均生物量以秋季最高,夏季次之,春季最低。2011年秋季平均密度和平均生物量均高于夏季。黑龙江短沟蜷(Semisulcospira amurensis)、东北田螺(Viviparuschui)、圆顶珠蚌(Unio douglasiae)、截口土蜗(Galba truncatula)和生米蜉(Ephemera shengmi)是现阶段黑龙江中游底栖动物的优势种。聚类分析将7个调查断面分为3组,多维标度分析结果支持了聚类分析结果。多样性分析结果表明,Shannon-Weiner指数、Pielou均匀度指数、Simpson指数均以2010年春季最高,2010年秋季最低。功能摄食类群以刮食者占优,共计为41种。采用BI生物指数和FBI生物指数对黑龙江中游水质的评价结果基本一致,黑龙江中游水质处于清洁轻度污染等级。     

长江口潮下带大型底栖动物群落特征

2013年至2014年,对长江口及其邻近水域进行了8个航次104个站点的潮下带大型底栖动物调查,通过Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H)、Pielou种类均匀度(E)、种类丰度(D)和优势度指数(Y)等指标参数分析了大型底栖动物的物种多样性,应用等级聚类和非度量多维标度排序分析了底栖动物群落结构。结果显示,2013年共采获大型底栖动物49种,2014年40种,每年不同季节种类更替明显。2013年大型底栖动物丰度和生物量最高分别出现在春季和秋季,2014年分别为冬季和夏季,不同年份不同季节的生物量和丰度明显不同。不同年份的特征种均以甲壳动物类群为主,鱼类优势种增多。2013年秋季和2014年春季的大型底栖动物相对于同年度其他季节有更高的多样性,年度变化上多样性指数整体增高。群落结构分析表明,2013年夏秋冬聚为1组,春季为1组;2014年春夏秋聚为1组,冬季为1组。ABC曲线结果显示,潮下带大型底栖动物群落在2013年四季受到中度干扰,2014年春夏秋受干扰不明显,冬季受到中等程度以上的干扰。本研究结果为长江口生态环境保护及修复提供了理论依据。     

扎龙湿地自然保护区大型底栖动物群落特征的分析

松嫩平原上的扎龙湿地自然保护区是我国第一个丹顶鹤等大型水禽和湿地生态类型的国家级自然保护区。笔者于2008年春、夏和秋三季对扎龙湿地大型底栖动物群落特征与生物多样性进行了系统的调查研究。结果表明：扎龙湿地底栖动物主要由节肢动物门、软体动物门和环节动物门组成,共计93种（属）;春节物种数最高（64种）,秋季次之（54种）,夏季最少（38种）。大型底栖动物群落的Margalef物种丰富度指数（d）、Shan-non-wiener指数（H）＇和Pielou均匀度指数（J）都是春季最高,夏季最低;夏季Sinnpson优势度指数（D）最高,秋季次之,春季最低。     

北京密云水库大型底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

为探究北京密云水库大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子和水质的关系,根据水库形状和水位季节变化规律,在潮河库区(1~3号)、库中区(4~5号)以及白河库区(6~8号)共设置8个采样点,于2015年4月(春季)、8月(夏季)、10月(秋季)下旬进行采样,冬季由于水库结冰采样困难而未采集底栖动物样本。结果显示,密云水库共检出大型底栖动物15种,隶属2门2纲2科10属,其中环节动物门颤蚓科4种,节肢动物门摇蚊科幼虫11种,优势种为正颤蚓(Tubifex tubifex)和红裸须摇蚊(Propsilocerus akamusi)。不同采样点的种类数为2~11种,年均密度和年均生物量分别为1864个/m2和3.10g/m2,显示密云水库为中营养型水库。底栖动物年均密度:白河库区潮河库区库中区,年均生物量:白河库区潮河库区及库中区。在库西、白河电站等深水区,颤蚓类密度和生物量占比较高;而浅水区摇蚊幼虫密度和生物量占比较高。底栖动物总密度:夏季春季秋季;总生物量:春季夏季≈秋季。水库中颤蚓类的密度和生物量与水深、沉积物中总有机碳及总氮含量呈显著线性或幂函数正相关,与沉积物中总磷含量相关不显著;摇蚊幼虫的密度和生物量与上述4个环境变量均无显著相关性。底栖动物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数、Goodnight修正指数和Pielou均匀度指数在浅水区高于深水区。Pielou均匀度指数和Wright指数评价表明,密云水库水质为轻污染,与水化评价结果比较一致,可作为水质生物学评价的重要参考。     

春、秋季东海大桥海上风电场水域大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为探明工程建设后东海大桥风电场水域大型底栖动物群落结构特征,利用底层拖网资料和环境调查数据,采用相对重要性指数、等级聚类、多元统计等方法对该水域大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行分析。春、秋季共发现17种大型底栖动物种类,隶属5目10科14属,十足目占绝对优势,其比率为76.5%,其中以长臂虾科和梭子蟹科占优,比率分别为29.4%和17.6%。春季优势种为葛氏长臂虾(Palaemon gravieri)、三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)和安氏白虾(Exopalaemon annandalei),秋季优势种为安氏白虾和葛氏长臂虾,春、秋季对底栖动物资源量贡献最大的种类不同。春、秋季底栖动物Margalef丰富度指数(D)、Pielou均匀度指数(J')和Shannon多样性指数(H')平均值分别为1.05、0.47和0.83,多样性指数季节间变异不显著。等级聚类(CLUSTER)和非度量多维标序排序(NMDS)表明,东海大桥风电场水域大型底栖动物群落可分为春季和秋季2个组群,单因子相似性分析(ANOSIM)表明2个组群差异极显著(R=0.954,P0.01)。冗余分析(RDA)表明,温度和盐度是影响东海大桥风电场水域大型底栖动物群落结构变异的最主要环境因子,其季节变异主要体现在繁殖群体的季节演替上。东海大桥风电场水域是安氏白虾、葛氏长臂虾和三疣梭子蟹等重要渔业资源的栖息地和繁殖场所,群落结构的变异与底栖动物的繁殖生态习性密切相关,具有典型的季节特征。     

海南省文教河底栖动物群落特征及与环境因子关系分析

调查流域底栖动物及相应的水环境因子,分析底栖动物群落结构特征,探讨底栖动物与主要水质指标之间的相关关系,为文教河水质生物监测、流域生态健康评价、水资源管理等提供科学依据和研究基础。2014年11月,在文教河流域15个点位共采集到底栖动物42种,隶属3门5纲23科,其中水生昆虫为主要类群,占总物种数的69.05%;优势种为雕翅摇蚊Glyptotendipes sp、多足摇蚊Polypedilum sp、海南白虾Exopalaemon hainanensis和米虾Caridina sp,优势度分别为0.19、0.12、0.05、0.02;底栖动物密度和生物量分别为295.00 个/m2和31.78 g/m2;香农-威纳 (Shannon-Wiener) 多样性指数范围在0.50～1.96;Margalef丰富度指数范围在0.97～2.82;Pielou均匀度指数范围在0.18～0.39。相关分析表明,水温和溶解氧是影响文教河底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子。     

绰尔河大型底栖动物群落结构的研究

2011年4~10月对黑龙江省境内的绰尔河大型底栖动物群落结构进行了调查研究,共采到大型底栖动物53种,隶属于14目29科。其中水生昆虫最多,为34种,分属6目18科,占总数的64.15%。在采集到的53种大型底栖动物中,在功能摄食类群中收集者种类最多,为15种,占28.30%;刮食者和捕食者各为14种;撕食者10种。大型底栖动物相对重要指数排在前十位的依次为圆顶珠蚌(Unio douglasiae)、Gumaga okinawaensis、二尾蜉(Siphlonurus sp.)、Limnocentropus insolitus、幽蚊(Chaoborus sp.)、宽体金线蛭(Whitmania pigra)、Epeorus uenoi、东北田螺(Viviparus chui)、小蜉(Ephemerella sp.)和黑龙江短沟蜷(Semisulcospira amurensis)。调查期间,绰尔河大型底栖动物平均密度为33.32ind/m2,平均生物量为1.65g/m2,二者均以秋季最高,但前者春季最低,后者夏季最低。K-优势曲线与Shannon-Weiner指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Simpson指数分析结果相一致:均以夏季最高,秋季最低。BI生物指数评价结果表明,绰尔河中上游水质处于清洁等级,下游水质处在轻度污染-污染等级。     

日照近海大型底栖动物群落结构

2007年4月和10月,在山东日照临近海域进行了大型底栖动物春季和秋季两个航次的调查,对采集到的大型底栖动物进行分类鉴定。结果显示:1)全海域共鉴定底栖动物141种,其中多毛类、甲壳动物、软体动物分别占总种数的38.30%、34.75%和17.73%,三者构成大型底栖动物的主要类群。2)大型底栖动物的总平均丰度为1885ind/m2,总平均生物量为39.82g/m2。3)大型底栖动物种类多样性,春季高于秋季。4)优势种随季节变化不大,生物群落结构稳定性较好。     

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.