广西罗非鱼链球菌病流行菌株PCR鉴定和PFGE基因型分析

为获知近年广西罗非鱼链球菌病流行菌种及其基因型变化信息,采用特异PCR方法对2006~2012年从广西发病罗非鱼分离获得的77株临床菌株进行鉴定,并通过脉冲电场凝胶电泳(PFGE)对2006~2011年分离获得的37株流行菌株进行基因型分析。结果显示,其中20株鉴定为海豚链球菌(Streptococcus iniae,S.iniae)其余57株鉴定为无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae,S.agalactiae)。2006~2007年获得的19株流行菌株中有18株为海豚链球菌(94.7%),仅1株无乳链球菌;2009~2012年分离的58株流行菌株中56株为无乳链球菌(96.6%),仅2株海豚链球菌。PFGE图谱聚类显示,海豚和无乳链球菌分别聚类为两个大分支,20株海豚链球菌共产生4种PFGE带型,带型相似度在83.9%~100%之间;17株无乳链球菌共产生5种PFGE带型,带型相似度在47.4%~100%之间。研究表明,广西罗非鱼链球菌病流行菌种已从过去(2008年前)以海豚链球菌为主转变为现在(2009~2012年)以无乳链球菌为主;流行菌株PFGE基因型存在多样性。     

12种药物对罗非鱼无乳链球菌的抑菌试验

无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)普遍存在于养殖水体中,可产生外毒素,对动物具有致死性,由无乳链球菌和海豚链球菌(Streptococcus inia)引起的罗非鱼链球菌病被认为是对罗非鱼危害最严重的细菌性疾病,而且链球菌还可随伤口感染人类.近几年来,因罗非鱼链球菌病的暴发流行,给罗非鱼养殖业造成极大的危害,甚至威胁到罗非鱼养殖产业的稳定发展.2011年5月～10月,广西多地暴发罗非鱼链球菌病,危害各种规格的养殖罗非鱼,共造成7127吨鱼死亡,经济损失8610.8万元,已严重制约了广西罗非鱼养殖业的健康发展.研究结果表明,近两年广西养殖罗非鱼链球菌病的病原菌为无乳链球菌,且大多表现为多重耐药菌株.而生产实际中,药物防治仍是目前养殖户针对罗非鱼链球菌病普遍采用的主要控制措施.本试验选取12种常用国标渔药,研究其对无乳链球菌的抑菌作用,旨在为罗非鱼无乳链球菌病的药物防治提供参考.     

罗非鱼链球菌病防治策略新思考

罗非鱼链球菌病有2种病原，即海豚链球菌和无乳链球菌。在5年前，罗非鱼链球菌病的主要病原是海豚链球菌，且疾病的发生多呈局部性的零星暴发流行。但随着罗非鱼养殖密度增大、养殖环境恶化、抗病性能退化，罗非鱼链球菌病呈现大面积、高死亡的急性流行暴发，且病原主要是无乳链球菌。近3年来，罗非鱼链球菌病的广泛暴发，给罗非鱼养殖业造成极...     

中国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌的分子流行特征及其传播方式

为分析2007—2015年中国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalactiae)的分子特征和流行情况,分离并收集了248株罗非鱼源无乳链球菌。通过分子血清型、MLST、毒力基因和前噬菌体等分型方法对248株无乳链球菌进行了分子遗传特征分析。结果表明,229株无乳链球菌(92.3%)的分子血清型是Ⅰa型,其余19株均是Ⅰb型(7.7%)。MLST分析结果表明,所有Ⅰa型无乳链球菌都是ST7型,所有Ⅰb型无乳链球菌都是ST261型。毒力基因检测结果发现,229株Ⅰa-ST7型无乳链球菌的毒力基因型相同,即V1型;19株Ⅰb-ST261型无乳链球菌的毒力基因型相同,即V2型。前噬菌体检测结果表明,Ⅰa-ST7型无乳链球菌可分为两种前噬菌体基因型,分别是P1型(36株)和P2型(193株);Ⅰb-ST261型无乳链球菌的10个前噬菌体基因都是阴性,即P3型。根据以上4种分子分型方法可将248株无乳链球菌分为3种基因型,即Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型、Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型和Ⅰb-ST261-V2-P3型。2010—2011年主要流行菌株由Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型转变为Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型,其中Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P1型是2011年之前的主要流行菌株,Ⅰa-ST7-V1-P2型在2011年及之后成为主要流行菌株。研究表明,近年来我国罗非鱼源无乳链球菌发生了明显的遗传变异,同时,根据我国罗非鱼主养区无乳链球菌的流行特点,推测我国罗非鱼源无乳链球菌是通过苗种或水体等介质进行传播的,属于输入性传播方式。     

广西卵形鲳鲹海豚链球菌基因分型、耐药谱型以及毒力基因检测

为了解近年来广西卵形鲳鲹海豚链球菌流行菌株的基因型信息以及菌株间的差异,对2015—2016年从广西地区7个养殖场的患病卵形鲳鲹体内分离得到的17株海豚链球菌菌株分别进行了基因型分析、耐药谱测定以及毒力基因检测。采用随机扩增多态性DNA标记技术(RAPD)和基因组重复序列PCR(rep-PCR)分析其基因型。结果显示,RAPD和rep-PCR指纹图谱结果一致,17株海豚链球菌可分为2种基因型。对海豚链球菌7种主要的毒力相关基因特异PCR检测,所有菌株均为sim A+scp I+pdi+sag A+cps D+pgm A+cfi+毒力基因型,表明这2种基因型的海豚链球菌似乎均为毒力较强的菌株。采用K-B法进行了20种抗生素敏感实验分析其耐药谱,结果表明归于基因1型的菌株耐药谱为AZT,基因2型菌株则出现3种相似的耐药谱,分别为SIZ/T/S/PEN/AZT/SPE/CAZ/PB、SIZ/T/S/PEN/AZT/SPE/CAZ/CRO和SIZ/T/S/PEN/AZT/SPE/CAZ/PB/RIF,证实基因型相同的菌株耐药谱型也相似,2种基因型的菌株耐药谱型差异显著,因此基因型和耐药谱型存在相关性。此结果为卵形鲳鲹海豚链球菌病流行病学研究、疫苗研制以及疫病监测提供理论依据。     

罗非鱼无乳链球菌的分子鉴定

对罗非鱼致病菌株TL60829NA及其人工感染后分离菌株TL60829NA1、TL60829NA2应用原核生物16S rRNA基因通用引物进行分子分类学鉴定.对这些菌株进行16srRNA基因的克隆、序列分析,核酸序列同源性分析表明,TL60829NA及其人工感染后分离菌株TL60829NA1、TL60829NA2为同一种细菌.其中,TL60829NA2与GenBank登陆号为DQ303183的无乳链球菌(Streptococcus agalaciate)菌株ATCC13813序列同源性最高(99.8%).同时,通过与常引起罗非鱼链球菌病的S.agalaciate、S.iniae代表菌株16srRNA基因构建的发育进化树表明,该菌株及其人工感染后分离菌株与S.agalaciate代表菌株构成一个进化分枝,而4株S.iniae代表菌株的16srRNA基因则构成另一个分枝.本研究证实了从发病罗非鱼肝脏组织中分离到的致病性链球菌为无乳链球菌.     

中国七种水生动物源无乳链球菌的分子特征及其对斑马鱼的致病性

为了解中国水生动物源无乳链球菌的分子流行特征,揭示其传播和流行规律,本实验对分离得到并鉴定的10株7种水生动物源无乳链球菌通过分子血清型、多位点序列分型(MLST)分型、毒力基因型和前噬菌体分型等方法进行分子分型;其次,通过斑马鱼评价7种水生动物源无乳链球菌的致病性。分子血清型分析结果表明,10株无乳链球菌可分为3种血清型,即Ⅰa、Ⅰb和Ⅲ型;MLST分型结果表明,Ⅰa型无乳链球菌均为ST7型,Ⅰb无乳链球菌均是ST261型,只有Ⅲ型无乳链球菌是ST739型。进一步分型结果表明,10株无乳链球菌可分为3种毒力基因型和4种前噬菌体基因型。根据4种分型结果可知,10株水生动物源无乳链球菌可分为4种类型,其中虎纹蛙源无乳链球菌具有独立的分子血清型、MLST型、毒力基因型和前噬菌体基因型,即Ⅲ-ST739-V1-P3;罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的基因型有3种,即Ⅰa-ST7-V2-P1、Ⅰa-ST7-V2-P2和Ⅰa-ST7-V3-P4;红尾皇冠鱼、鳙和罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的基因型相同:Ⅰa-ST7-V2-P2;卵形鲳鲹、宝石鲈和罗非鱼源无乳链球菌具有相同的基因型:Ⅰa-ST7-V2-P1;鲮和罗非鱼源无乳链球菌的基因型相同,即Ⅰb-ST261-V3-P4。致病性研究表明,7种水生动物源无乳链球菌对斑马鱼均有强致病性。研究表明,两栖类虎纹蛙源无乳链球菌和鱼源无乳链球菌的基因型明显不同,它们之间遗传变异较大,因此,无乳链球菌在两栖类和鱼类之间相互传播的可能性较小。鱼源无乳链球菌有3种基因型,且这3种基因型均在罗非鱼中流行,这表明无乳链球菌在鱼类中相互传播的可能性较大,尤其是在罗非鱼与其他鱼类之间。     

我国罗非鱼源新型无乳链球菌的分离、鉴定及其分子特征

2014年海南省文昌市多个养殖场的罗非鱼出现暴发性疾病,患病罗非鱼表现出体色发黑、打转游动、眼球突出或混浊等典型的链球菌病症状。从患病罗非鱼的肝、肾、脾、眼球和脑等组织中分离到19株病原菌,即TC-1、TC-2、BL1441~BL1448和WT1451~WT1459。通过形态观察、生理生化特征和16S r RNA基因序列分析等方法对病原菌进行鉴定,结果表明,这些病原菌均为无乳链球菌。溶血试验结果表明,TC-1、TC-2和BL1441~BL1448菌株为β-溶血性无乳链球菌,而WT1451~WT1459菌株为不溶血无乳链球菌。进一步通过MLST、分子血清型和毒力相关基因检测等技术对这些分离菌株进行遗传特征分析,结果表明TC-1、TC-2和BL1441~BL1448菌株是常见的Ia-ST7型,其毒力基因型为bac+-bca+-bib A+-cfb+-hyl B+-iag A+-fbs B+-lmb–-scp B–-cyl E+-gbs20186–。而WT1451~WT1459菌株则是Ib-ST261型,其毒力基因型为bac–-bca–-bib A+-cfb+-hyl B+-iag A+-fbs B+-lmb–-scp B–-cyl E–-gbs20186+。将分离菌株BL1441和WT1451分别对罗非鱼进行攻毒试验,结果表明,WT1451菌株是强毒株,当其攻毒剂量为4.5×103CFU/m L时,罗非鱼累积死亡率可达85%。本研究将为我国罗非鱼无乳链球菌的流行病学、疫苗研制以及疾病防控等研究奠定基础。     

中国南方地区罗非鱼无乳链球菌的分子流行病学研究

从广东省以及海南省等地区养殖的患病罗非鱼体内分离、收集到多株致病菌,经生化分析和分子生物学鉴定,均为无乳链球菌。对这些菌株分别进行了耐药谱测定、分子分型试验以及分子血清型分析。药敏试验结果表明,2007—2010年分离到的无乳链球菌耐药谱基本相似;多位点可变数目串联重复序列分析(MLVA)试验中,选择5个高变异指数的可变数目重复位点(VNTR)进行分子分型,结果表明,所有鱼源无乳链球菌菌株为同一MLVA型,而作为对照的牛源无乳链球菌则明显不同;为了对这些菌株进一步分型,分别进行了分子血清型和表面蛋白抗原基因的检测,结果表明,鱼源无乳链球菌的分子血清型均为Ⅰa型,表面蛋白抗原均为alpha-C蛋白。这进一步说明了不同年份和不同地区的鱼源无乳链球菌在基因水平上为同一分子类型,具有相同的起源或传染源。同时也说明,我国南方地区罗非鱼无乳链球菌在这几年中未发生明显的遗传变异。这些结果为罗非鱼无乳链球菌病疫苗研制,疫病监测及药物防治的研究提供理论依据。     

广东地区吉富罗非鱼无乳链球菌病的流行情况与耐药性

为了调查广东省惠州、肇庆、珠海、湛江4个吉富罗非鱼主养区链球菌病的流行情况和耐药性,并进一步分析β-内酰胺酶基因与青霉素类药物的耐药性关系。本实验通过传统的方法对菌株进行分离纯化,扩增特异性基因cfb以及16s r DNA对各菌株进行鉴定;采用k-b法测定分离菌株的药物敏感性;通过PCR检测β-内酰胺酶类基因在分离菌株中的分布情况,并用Statistic6.0统计分析各β-内酰胺酶基因与青霉素类药物的耐药关系。实验结果表明,吉富罗非鱼无乳链球菌的阳性率从高到低的顺序为惠州(46.46%)湛江(43.24%)肇庆(17.30%)珠海(4.17%);药敏结果显示各地区无乳链球菌分离株对青霉素(耐药率为94.29%)和磺胺二甲基嘧啶(耐药率为86.40%)普遍耐药,对恩诺沙星最为敏感(耐药率为3.99%);β-内酰胺酶基因分布与细菌耐药性统计结果显示,无乳链球菌基因组中的9个β-内酰胺酶基因在各分离菌株中的分布呈高度多态性,其中SAG0658基因与氨苄青霉素抗性显著相关,提示SAG0658基因在无乳链球菌耐氨苄青霉素过程中发挥主要作用;此外,9个β-内酰胺酶基因与青霉素抗性无相关性,说明其在菌株对青霉素耐药过程中并未发挥明显作用,提示分离菌株对青霉素的耐药性可能依赖其他途径。     

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.