程海浮游动物种群特征与数量的周年变化

为深入了解程海湖泊生态系统的状况,2009年10月至2010年7月对程海浮游动物进行了季节性调查。结果表明,程海有浮游动物34科、59属、86种;其中,原生动物13科、18属、28种,轮虫10科、23属、34种,枝角类5科、7属、11种,桡足类2科、7属、9种,其他浮游动物4科、4属、4种。原生动物纤毛虫类(Ciliophora)四季均为优势类群,溞钟虫(Vorticella kahli)春季数量较多,而急游虫(Strombidium sp.)和湖累枝虫(Epistylis lacustris)在秋季数量达到高峰。轮虫优势种为暗小异尾轮虫(Trichocerca pusilla)、奇异巨腕轮虫(Pedalia mira)、裂痕龟纹轮虫(Anuraeopsis flasa)和萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)。枝角类种类少、数量多,主要是棘爪网纹溞(Ceri-odaphnia reticulata)、短尾秀体溞(Diaphanosoma brachyurum)、透明溞(Daphnia hyaline)、园形盘肠溞(Chydorus sphaericus)和长肢秀体溞(D.leuchtenbergianum);桡足类种类少、数量低,近剑水蚤(Tropocyclops sp.)、锯齿真剑水蚤(Eucyclops macruroides deticulatus)、透明温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops hyalinus)常见并有一定优势。浮游动物数量为3316.9个/L;其中,春季2635.6个/L,夏季3010.7个/L,秋季3998.0个/L,冬季3623.5个/L;水平分布南部明显偏高,东部数量高于西部,湖心明显偏少。相关分析表明,影响浮游动物数量变动的主要因子是温度、食物和鱼类摄食。在水体富营养化和太湖新银鱼(Neosalanx taihuensis)的强大摄食压力下,程海浮游动物小型化趋势明显。     

长江江苏段浮游动物群落结构调查报告

2004年9月和12月、2005年3月对长江江苏段浮游动物的群落结构进行调查.浮游动物108种,以轮虫最多,45个种属,占41.66%;原生动物12个种属,占11.11%;枝角类25个种属,占23.14%;桡足类26个种属,占24.07%.年浮游动物密度为47.96个/L,生物量0.3663mg/L.全年常见的优势类群为:轮虫的臂尾轮虫属、三肢轮虫属、龟甲轮虫属、晶囊轮虫属;枝角类的象鼻溞属、秀体溞属;桡足类的真剑水蚤属、温剑水蚤属、许水蚤属.     

鲢鳙占优势的千岛湖浮游动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的相关性

为了解以鲢鳙占优势的千岛湖中浮游动物群落结构特征以及与水温、溶解氧等环境因子的关系,采用方差分析、典范对应分析等方法,对千岛湖河流区、过渡区、湖泊区3个地区的浮游动物种类、数量以及环境因子的月变化特征进行了调查。结果表明:2007—2008年,共鉴定出浮游动物115种,其中原生动物16种、轮虫51种、枝角类23种、桡足类25种。浮游动物密度在春季(2007年:840.9/L,2008年:850.5/L)形成高峰;生物量在春季(2007年:1.89mg/L,2008年:0.837 mg/L)和秋季(2007年:1.63 mg/L,2008年:0.802 mg/L)形成双高峰;现存量从河流区至湖泊区依次递减。河流区和过渡区的浮游动物密度均于4 m水层达最大值,湖泊区于8 m水层达到最大值。各位点4～12 m水层的大型浮游甲壳动物优势种透明溞、蚤状溞、球状许水蚤等和小型浮游甲壳动物优势种长额象鼻溞、颈沟基合溞、台湾温剑水蚤等的生物量较高。原生动物、桡足类生物量与溶解氧显著正相关;轮虫、枝角类生物量与总氮、硝态氮、浮游植物生物量极显著正相关。典范对应分析(CCA)表明,溶解氧、温度、总氮、总磷、硝态氮是影响浮游动物时空分布的主要因子。透明溞在2—6月份主要受到以浮游植物为食物的上行效应的影响较大,而其他月份主要受水温的影响较大。     

苏皖交界河网区后生浮游动物群落结构及其影响因子分析

鉴于长江中下游河网水流条件复杂,河流生境变化导致的浮游动物群落结构特异性,于2012年10月(平水期)和12月(枯水期)在长江下游江苏和安徽交界处的河网区布设6个采样点,进行轮虫和甲壳动物采样调查,并检测NH+4-N、NO-2-N、TN、TP、CODMn和Chl.a含量等水环境指标。结果表明,河网区共检出轮虫31种,优势种包括螺旋龟甲轮虫(Keratella cochlearis)和疣毛轮虫(Synchaeta sp.)等;枝角类14种,优势种为象鼻溞(Bosmina sp.);桡足类20种,优势种为跨立小剑水蚤(Microcyclops varicans)、中华窄腹剑水蚤(Limnoithona sinensis)和温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops sp.)。轮虫密度最高,平均为350.69个/L,其次为桡足类3.44个/L,枝角类最少,仅0.15个/L。轮虫和甲壳动物的季节变化规律不同,平水期的轮虫种类多于枯水期,枝角类和桡足类则相反,浮游动物的密度变化规律也类似。CCA分析表明,氮、磷、CODMn和Chl.a共同影响了浮游动物的群落结构与分布,枯水期轮虫密度与枝角类和桡足类密度均显著正相关(P0.01),叶绿素a与3类浮游动物密度也显著正相关(P0.05)。受长江汛后水文条件的影响,河网区浮游动物群落组成及优势种变化有其特定规律,轮虫与甲壳动物的种间关系也对其种类和密度的季节变化造成影响,而食物限制则是枯水期种群竞争的重要因素。     

柳叶湖浮游动物调查报告(摘要)

根据1983—1985年11次采样观测的结果,柳叶湖浮游动物有98种,其中原生动物占39％,轮虫占33％,枝角类占19％,桡足类占9％。浮游动物生物量平均为4.44(2.27—5.76)毫克/升;其中原生动物3.4％,轮虫占29％,枝角类占43％,桡足类占24.6％。本文根据浮游动物生长期生物量估算了鳙鱼生产潜力。一、工作方法柳叶湖浮游动物     

涨渡湖的浮游动物

1991年4—10月对涨渡湖浮游动物的种类和数量进行了调查,结果表明涨渡湖浮游动物为68属,其中原生动物27属,轮虫19属,枝角类9属,桡足类13属。浮游动物平均数量为8252个/L,平均生物量1.778mg/L,由此推算出涨渡湖浮游动物的鱼产力为23kg/公顷。     

西藏尼洋河流域浮游动物群落结构研究

尼洋河是雅鲁藏布江流域内的五大支流之一,具有独特的地理位置和自然环境.在前人研究的基础上,通过扩大干流与主要支流上的采样点、增加对支流巴河上的冰川堰塞湖-巴松错采样,研究尼洋河流域的浮游动物群落结构.经鉴定,浮游动物有47属、78种;其中,原生动物17属、35种,占浮游动物总物种数的45％;轮虫17属、30种,占39％;枝角类9属、9种,占12％;桡足类4属、4种,占4％.结果表明,尼洋河流域动物群落结构在种数上以原生动物和轮虫为主,密度上主要取决于原生动物和轮虫密度的多寡,枝角类和桡足类所占的比例极低;生物量以轮虫、枝角类和桡足类为主,原生动物所占比例最少.结合各采样点的生境特征分析,尼洋河干流和支流中的巴郎曲和巴河浮游动物物种丰富、群落结构复杂、群落稳定性较高;本研究再次证明尼洋河地区肉足虫类是以古北区种类分布为主的特点,并对筒壳亚目(Tintinnina)在西藏及其周边地区的分布情况进行了研究,对解决西藏原生动物的起源和演化具有十分重要的意义.统计分析表明,相较于海拔高度的变化,小环境对浮游动物的分布有更大的作用.     

锦江河特有鱼类国家级水产种质资源保护区浮游动物群落结构

为研究锦江河特有鱼类国家级水产种质资源保护区浮游动物群落结构特征,于2015年1月、4月、7月和10月按季度在锦江河保护区进行采样分析。结果显示,在保护区共采集到浮游动物4门51属82种,轮虫类、原生动物、桡足类和枝角类物种数占浮游动物物种总数的比例分别为46.34%、29.27%、15.85%和8.54%。优势种类为4门6属16种,其中轮虫类6种,原生动物4种,枝角类4种,桡足类2种。保护区浮游动物密度变幅为297.76~1 430.10 ind/L,平均为855.13 ind/L;生物量变幅为5.73~26.36 mg/L,平均为14.37 mg/L;群落丰富度指数(D_m)变幅为3.18~4.90,平均为3.96;香农指数(H')变幅为2.11~3.12,平均为2.81;均匀度指数(J')变幅为0.81~0.89,平均为0.86。研究表明,在被摄食压力下降及饵料生物资源下降的共同影响下,保护区外界环境对个体较小的原生动物和轮虫有利,群落生态优势度也集中于上述浮游动物类群。受到水文特征的影响,锦江河核心区的浮游动物物种数、密度和生物量以及多样性指数总体高于实验区。     

梁家湾水库浮游动物群落结构及与水体理化因子的相关性研究

自2014年10月至2015年10月逐月对山西省长治市沁县县城境内的梁家湾水库浮游动物群落进行调查和分析,共检出浮游动物58种(属),其中,原生动物22种(属)、轮虫30种(属)、枝角类3种(属)、桡足类3种(属)。浮游动物年均密度为16 418个/L,年均生物量为9.894 mg/L。种类数、密度、生物量均呈现夏秋两季相对较高的特点。相关性分析显示,水温、总磷、叶绿素a是影响浮游动物群落变化的重要因素,表明梁家湾水库浮游动物群落结构的季节变化与水体营养状况密切相关。综合运用水质理化因子、综合营养状态指数、多样性指数及浮游动物优势种对梁家湾水库进行水质污染水平和富营养化评价,得出2015年梁家湾水质状况属于β-中污染,营养程度为中营养型水库     

尤溪街面水库浮游甲壳动物的初步研究

2008年8月对尤溪街面水库的浮游甲壳动物进行了调查,共采集到浮游甲壳动物8科13属16种,其中枝角类5科7属8种,桡足类3科6属8种。枝角类优势种为突额湖仙达溞和长肢秀体溞,桡足类优势种为广布中剑水蚤。浮游甲壳动物平均密度为43.58ind/L,平均生物量为477.43μg/L。浮游甲壳动物种数由蓄水前的8种增加到16种,广布中剑水蚤和透明温剑水蚤在蓄水后仍然存在。     

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.