亚硝态氮对中华鳑鲏的急性毒性及短期影响

静水试验条件下研究了亚硝态氮对体质量(0.636±0.09) g的中华鳑鲏急性毒性及短期胁迫下对其体内两种酶活性的影响。在水温25℃、溶解氧6.3 mg/L、pH 7.4时,测定亚硝态氮对中华鳑鲏的24 h半致死质量浓度,并设置高、中、低3个亚硝态氮质量浓度组[1.28、0.64、0.43 mg/L(1/10×24 h半致死质量浓度、1/20×24 h半致死质量浓度、1/30×24 h半致死质量浓度)],于0、24、48、72 h采集血样,测定血清中过氧化氢酶和碱性磷酸酶的活性。试验结果表明,亚硝态氮对中华鳑鲏的24 h半致死质量浓度为12.76 mg/L。在亚硝态氮胁迫作用下,中华鳑鲏血清中过氧化氢酶活性先显著上升,48 h后开始下降;碱性磷酸酶活性变化则是先显著下降,在48 h恢复,然后再下降。碱性磷酸酶活性在24 h和72 h均受到明显抑制。亚硝态氮质量浓度和暴露时间两者之间存在显著交互作用,碱性磷酸酶可以作为亚硝态氮毒性检测的生物标记物。     

亚硝态氮胁迫下凡纳滨对虾体内亚硝态氮的积累与能量代谢响应

为探究亚硝态氮胁迫下凡纳滨对虾[体长为(6.8±0.3) cm,体质量为(4.0±0.6) g]体内亚硝态氮的时空分布与能量代谢相关酶活性的响应,实验设置0(对照组)、0.8、4.0和8.0 mmol/L 4个处理组,进行持续96 h的亚硝态氮胁迫实验和12 h的恢复实验。结果显示,凡纳滨对虾死亡率与胁迫浓度呈现显著的正相关性。胁迫6 h内,亚硝态氮在凡纳滨对虾鳃、血淋巴、肠道、肝胰腺和肌肉组织中明显积累,且积累量与胁迫浓度呈现正相关。相同胁迫浓度组,亚硝态氮在对虾鳃中积累最多,肌肉中最少,鳃中的积累量约为肌肉的3倍。Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性在0.8和4.0 mmol/L组对虾肝胰腺和肌肉中显著升高,而在8.0 mmol/L组的肌肉中显著降低。胁迫各组对虾肝胰腺AMPK活性显著上升,且与胁迫浓度呈现正相关性。恢复期间,除血淋巴(8.0 mmol/L组)外,各组织中亚硝态氮1 h恢复效率均超过50%,且肝胰腺和鳃的恢复效率最高,达到74%以上。血淋巴、鳃、肠道中亚硝态氮恢复到对照组水平的时间最短,均在6 h以内,而水体中亚硝态氮含量显著升高。以上研究表明,胁迫下亚硝态氮会在对虾组织中迅速积累,并引起能量代谢进程的加快;胁迫解除后,积累在体内的亚硝态氮能够迅速排出体外,以减轻毒性影响。本研究结果将为缓解亚硝态氮对养殖对虾毒性效应的研究提供参考。     

亚硝态氮胁迫对日本蟳免疫指标的影响

15℃下将体质量(85.51±16.18)g的日本蟳暴露于对照及低质量浓度(2.0、4.0mg/L)、中质量浓度(6.0mg/L)和高质量浓度(8.0、10.0mg/L)的亚硝态氮中,于胁迫的第1、3、5、10、15d取血,测定其免疫的相关指标,以研究亚硝态氮质量浓度对日本蟳免疫功能的影响。试验结果表明,在亚硝态氮胁迫下,所测指标均呈"先升后降"的趋势。在胁迫第1d,各试验组的血细胞密度、血蓝蛋白含量及溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶、过氧化氢酶活力均大于对照组,而高质量浓度组的酚氧化酶活力低于对照组。随着亚硝态氮胁迫时间的延长,低质量浓度组血细胞密度和溶菌酶活力上升较快,而高质量浓度组酚氧化酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活力上升较快。低质量浓度组的血细胞密度和过氧化氢酶活力升高幅度较大,高质量浓度组的血蓝蛋白含量及酚氧化酶、溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶活力升高幅度较大。胁迫第10d,各试验组溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活力显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。胁迫第15d,低质量浓度组血细胞密度、2.0mg/L组的血蓝蛋白含量、低质量浓度组和中质量浓度组的酚氧化酶活力略大于对照组,其他各指标所测结果均低于对照组。各试验组溶菌酶、超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶胁迫后活力与亚硝态氮胁迫质量浓度呈负相关,10.0mg/L组的3种酶活力分别比对照组降低95.41%、36.84%和77.78%。     

亚硝态氮胁迫对草鱼非特异性免疫性能的影响

为探讨亚硝态氮胁迫对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)非特异性免疫性能的影响,将草鱼(0.15±0.05 g)分别暴露在0 mg/L、0.2 mg/L、0.4 mg/L、0.8 mg/L、1.0 mg/L、2.0 mg/L、4.0 mg/L和8.0 mg/L的亚硝态氮溶液中,分别在暴露后0 d、1 d、4 d、7 d测定草鱼体内补体C3和C4含量、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量以及γ-谷氨酰半胱氨酸合成酶(γ-GCS)活性。结果表明,亚硝态氮胁迫对草鱼非特异性免疫性能产生了消极影响,其胁迫效应随着暴露浓度的不同而表现出不同的特性。当暴露浓度低于1.0 mg/L时,补体C3和C4含量维持正常水平或显著升高;但暴露浓度超过1.0 mg/L,补体C3和C4含量水平会显著下降。SOD活性随着暴露时间而显著升高,但高浓度暴露使SOD活性在暴露7 d时显著下降。γ-GCS活性一般都随着暴露时间延长而显著升高,虽然暴露后期其活性下降,但还是显著高于对照组。而GSH含量在暴露4 d时显著升高,低浓度组(<1.0 mg/L)在7 d时恢复至对照水平。     

亚硝态氮对鲤鱼种血液SOD及GSH-Px的影响

研究了不同浓度的亚硝态氮对鲤(Cyprinus carpio)鱼种抗氧化能力的影响。试验鱼为体重130~250 g的鲤鱼种,按水体NO2--N浓度设3组共9个处理进行试验,其中对照组NO2--N浓度低于0.01 mg/L,低浓度组为0.2 mg/L、0.4 mg/L、0.6 mg/L、0.8 mg/L,高浓度组为1.5 mg/L、2.5 mg/L、3.5 mg/L、4.5 mg/L,试验期30 d。结果显示:低浓度组的平均超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力在150~175 U/mL之间;高浓度组的SOD酶活力在70~90 U/mL之间,明显低于低浓度组(P<0.05);不同NO2--N浓度对鲤鱼种血液中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力的影响没有显著差异(P≥0.05),其平均活性在250~350 U/mL之间。结论:水体中NO2--N含量超过1.5 mg/L时,鲤鱼种的抗氧化能力受到一定影响。     

无机碳源对生物絮团降氮及沉降性能的影响

利用异位生物絮团反应器,分别在有机碳源存在(第Ⅰ阶段,持续21 d)和有机碳源缺失(第Ⅱ阶段,持续21 d)阶段,比较研究了无机碳源(NaHCO_3)浓度为0.0 (对照组),0.5,1.0和1.5 g/L的模拟养殖废水对反应器生物絮团降氮及沉降性能的影响。结果显示,第Ⅰ阶段对照组出水氨氮浓度显著高于其他处理组,但总体上呈先下降后稳定的趋势,各组亚硝态氮和硝态氮均有少量积累;生物絮团生物量及沉降速度对照组显著低于处理组,处理组之间差异不显著。第Ⅱ阶段各组出水的氨氮、亚硝态氮浓度无显著差异,对照组硝态氮浓度高于各处理组,氨氮浓度迅速下降;此阶段生物絮团的生物量、沉降速度有所下降,NaHCO_3浓度为1.0 g/L处理组表现出较好的沉降效果;粒径分布也趋向均匀。整个实验阶段,不同浓度无机碳源处理条件下,氨氮的去除效率均达到97.8%以上,亚硝态氮无显著积累,处理组生物絮团沉降速度和生物量显著高于对照组。研究表明,添加无机碳源可提高生物絮团降氮性能,增强其沉降速度;移除有机碳源后,生物絮团反应器可维持氨氮去除能力,但引起硝态氮积累,生物絮团生物量减少;有机碳源缺失时,无机碳源(≥0.5 g/L)有助于生物絮团反应器保持其氨氮去除能力。     

抚宁扇贝养殖区营养盐及浮游植物变化研究

为探明河北抚宁海湾扇贝养殖海域营养盐、浮游植物变化特征，及两者相关性，2020年5—11月，每月监测离岸0、0.3、4.6、11.1 km的常规水质指标及浮游植物。调查结果表明，各站位水温变化趋势一致；0 km的化学需氧量、活性磷酸盐、亚硝态氮、硝态氮、氨氮、活性硅酸盐含量均高于其他站位，盐度、pH低于其他站位。5—11月，化学需氧量质量浓度为0.260～3.460 mg/L;活性磷酸盐和活性硅酸盐均在7月出现峰值，最高质量浓度分别为0.044 mg/L、7.174 mg/L;亚硝态氮、硝态氮、氨氮质量浓度分别为0～0.101 mg/L、0.052～1.578 mg/L、0～0.096 mg/L。共鉴定浮游植物56属102种，包括硅藻门、甲藻门、绿藻门、蓝藻门、隐藻门、裸藻门、金藻门藻类，0、0.3 km站位浮游植物密度高于4.6、11.1 km,各站位密度变化为8.3×10⁴～445.6×10⁴个/L。优势种为中肋骨条藻、条纹小环藻、舟形藻、丹麦细柱藻等，调查海域中绿藻优势种与硝态氮呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。本调查结果可为河北省海...     

来自鳗鲡的二株益生菌适宜培养基的研究

用正交试验法,通过研究培养基基础成分、主要添加成分和无机盐对养殖鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)肠道益生菌枯草芽孢杆菌(A40209CDC4)和少动鞘氨醇单胞菌(A31009NA)的生长影响,确定了优化的培养基。菌株A31009NA的优化配方为:蛋白胨1.0%,牛肉膏0.1%,食盐0.5%,酵母膏0.5%,葡萄糖1.0%,硫酸铵0.05%,MgSO4.7H2O 0.1 g/L,CuSO4.5 H2O 0.15 mg/L,MnSO4.H2O 1.5 mg/L,CoCl.H2O 0.15 mg/L;A40209CDC4优化培养基配方为:蛋白胨1.0%,牛肉膏0.1%,食盐1.0%,酵母膏0.5%,硫酸铵0.05%,MgSO4.7 H2O 0.1 g/L,MnSO4.H2O 1.5 mg/L,CoCl.H2O 0.15 mg/L,CaCl20.02 g/L。优化培养基与普通营养肉汤(蛋白胨1.0%,牛肉膏0.3%,食盐0.5%)培养对照试验结果表明,优化培养基有效地提高了细菌产量。     

一株去除亚硝态氮细菌分离鉴定及特性研究

自对虾养殖后期池水中分离纯化出一株高效去除亚硝态氮的细菌,进行了菌体的亚显微形态观察和16SrDNA同源序列分析,并探讨了起始pH、温度和碳氮比对该菌株去除亚硝态氮效果的影响。结果表明,分离菌株在初始亚硝态氮质量浓度为55.51mg/L的异养硝化培养基中培养12h后,亚硝态氮去除率达到98.69%;根据形态学特征、生理生化特性及16SrDNA序列分析,确定该菌株为脱氮海洋单胞菌,菌株去除亚硝态氮的最适宜条件为:初始pH 9,温度35℃,碳氮比16。     

基于香溪河背景下小球藻对不同形态氮素吸收动力学研究

选取香溪河绿藻水华爆发时优势藻种—小球藻（Chlorella），经过分离纯化后作为实验原材料，分别检测了培养液中氨氮和硝氮的浓度，分析了小球藻对氨氮和硝氮吸收动力学特征以及不同氮素对其吸收速率的影响。实验表明，当氨氮浓度为11.62～2.97 mg/L，实验第2~3天时，小球藻氨氮去除效率不断加强，达到74.44%；当硝氮浓度为10.55～0.047 mg/L；实验第2~5天时，硝氮去除效率也不断加强，达到96.92%。无论是氨氮还是硝氮的培养条件下，小球藻在实验初始阶段都保持着较高的吸收速率，分别为1.44 mg/h和0.97 mg/h，随着培养介质中氮素浓度不断下降，其吸收速率也随之下降，其中用氨氮培养的小球藻在第3天达到最大吸收速率，为1.44 mg/h；用硝氮培养的小球藻在第4天达到最大吸收速率，为0.97 mg/h。小球藻对氨氮和硝氮的最大半饱和常数分别为2.85 mg/L和5.09 mg/L，表明单一氮源培养小球藻时，小球藻对氨氮更具有亲和力。实验结果为研究小球藻对氮素吸收速率从而控制小球藻生长提供理论依据，有助于通过调整、改变营养盐的输入通量及输入类型抑制小球藻繁殖，避免绿藻水华的发生。     

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.     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

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.