不同氮源加富对海带生长、光合固碳和氮吸收特性的影响

为比较海带在适应不同氮源加富后的生理特点,本研究设置了自然海水、氨氮加富和硝氮加富3种不同的氮培养条件,在不同氮条件下适应培养7 d后,分别测定海带孢子体的生长、不同无机碳浓度下的光合速率(P-Ci曲线)和氮吸收情况。结果显示,2种氮源加富均能促进藻体的生长,但二者之间没有显著差异。P-Ci曲线符合饱和动力学曲线,2种氮源加富均提高了最大光合速率(Vmax)和半饱和常数(Ks),但Vmax在2种氮源加富培养中没有显著差异,而氨氮加富的藻体具有较大的Ks值。与自然海水相比,硝氮加富提高了Vmax/Ks比值,氨氮加富对其没有影响。叶绿素a(Chl.α)和类胡罗卜素(Car)的含量均被氮加富提高,且在氨氮加富和硝氮加富之间没有显著差异。可溶性糖含量被2种氮加富降低,且在氨氮加富中具有更低的值。与自然海水相比,氨氮加富促进了海带对氨氮的吸收,同时抑制了对硝氮的吸收;而硝氮加富仅提高了硝氮的吸收速率,对氨氮吸收没有影响。综上所述,2种氮源加富虽都能提高海带的碳、氮吸收速率,但氨氮加富在氮利用中具有优势,而硝氮加富在碳固定中的促进作用更加明显,氨氮加富对氮利用的促进和硝氮加富对碳固定的促进作用互相抵消,因而2种氮源加富培养藻体之间的生长速率未出现显著差异。     

3种微藻对海水集约化对虾养殖尾水氮磷的去除效果

基于对虾生物絮团集约化养殖尾水含有高浓度硝态氮和磷酸盐的特征，比较分析钝顶螺旋藻（Spirulina platensis）、牟氏角毛藻（Chaetoceros muelleri）、盐藻（Dunaliella sp.）3种微藻在配制尾水中的存活生长状况及其对无机氮磷的去除效果，以期筛选出适宜的微藻用于后续尾水净化技术。采用显微镜计数法测定藻细胞密度，国标法测定总无机氮、氨氮、硝态氮、亚硝态氮和磷酸盐的含量。结果显示，钝顶螺旋藻在实验前后的藻细胞密度变化不大（P>0.05），约为3.32×106 个/mL和5.88×106 个/mL；牟氏角毛藻和盐藻细胞密度有明显增加（P<0.05），分别从初始的4.00×104 个/mL和2.50×105 个/mL升高至实验结束时的1.66×106 个/mL和1.06×107 个/mL。经过16 d实验，钝顶螺旋藻组对硝态氮和总无机氮去除率分别为79.60%和46.06%，显著高于其他各组（P<0.05），第8天时对磷酸盐的去除率可高达98.55%；牟氏角毛藻组16 d的磷酸盐去除率为98.25%，显著高于其他各组（P<0.05）。研究表明，3种微藻均可在对虾养殖尾水环境中存活，且对尾水氮磷具有较好的净化效果。     

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...     

一株高效脱氮菌株的分离鉴定及应用潜力分析

为了获得对虾养殖池塘中高效去除亚硝态氮和氨氮的菌株,采用富集培养分离的方法,从养殖水体中筛选得到1株去除亚硝态氮和氨氮的菌株,培养24 h后的去除率分别为96.17%和88.27%,编号为O-11。基于形态学、分子生物学及生理生化鉴定结果,明确了该菌株基本生物学特征以及可能的分类地位。分离菌株在20~30℃时有利于亚硝态氮的去除,而温度为20~35℃时对氨氮的去除效果较好;分离菌株在盐度小于30的环境中对亚硝态氮的去除能力受盐度变化的影响不大;在碱性环境中分离菌株对氨氮的去除能力较高。安全性检验可知,在菌浓度为10~5~10~8 cfu/mL的菌株O-11对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)是安全的,且在菌浓度为10~5 cfu/mL时能显著提高对虾的存活率,促进对虾生长。这说明,分离菌株O-11在水产养殖水体中有害氮脱除方面具有潜在的应用价值。     

凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘硝化细菌的分离鉴定及脱氮效果研究

利用平板稀释涂布法和平板划线分离纯化法,自凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘中分离得到5株细菌,经过形态观察、生理生化特性以及16S rDNA序列分析,对分离菌株进行鉴定,同时对其硝化功能和氨氮去除特性进行研究。试验结果显示,分离得到的5株细菌分别为门多萨假单胞菌、嗜胺甲基杆菌、放射根瘤菌、施氏假单胞菌和氧化微杆菌。对其净化效果进行验证可知,门多萨假单胞菌和施氏假单胞菌对氨氮的去除率超过85%,分别为88.83%和91.73%;对亚硝态氮的去除率超过90%,分别为95.08%和97.39%;对硝态氮的去除率超过90%,分别为90.49%和91.22%。以上两种菌株有较高的氨氮和亚硝态氮去除效果,具有潜在的应用价值。     

厦门西海域裸甲藻和原甲藻赤潮的观察

对近年来发生在厦门海域的裸甲藻(Gymnodinuum)和原甲藻(Prorocentrum)赤潮的发生情况进行了监测分析,采用了采样、分离、单种培养、显微镜和扫描电镜观察、rDNA序列分析等系列监测、分离培养和赤潮生物鉴定技术,重点观察并确证了厦门海域存在的赤潮原因种为微小原甲藻(Prorocentrum minimum)、Takayama pulchellum、无纹环沟藻(Gyrodinium instriatum).光学显微镜观察表明,赤潮发生海域存在着许多原甲藻和裸甲藻种类,但不能进一步确认到种.利用电子显微镜观察,可根据微小原甲藻体表规则的花纹等特征,根据Takayama pulchellum具有明显的特异性反S形顶沟等特征分别对它们进行有效地分类鉴定.分子分类学分析表明,T.pulchellum(株名为TPXM)28S rDNA D1-D2区序列长度为721 bp,与基因库中同种相似株的同源性大于99%;微小原甲藻(株名PMDH)的ITS和28S rDNA序列与基因库中同种序列的同源性高达99%;无纹环沟藻(株名GIXM)的ITS与基因库中登记的分离自中国深圳海域的4株同种藻的同源性也高达99%.用ITS序列和28S rDNA序列建立的系统进化树也能很好地显示微小原甲藻、Takayama pulchellum、无纹环沟藻之间以及它们与其他藻之间的亲缘关系.将上述结果结合文献记录和环境条件进行了分析,证实这3种赤潮种类Takayama pulchellum、无纹环沟藻、微小原甲藻是厦门海域较为常见的赤潮原因种.对上述检测和鉴定方法的系统应用也表明,这些方法可应用于对现场赤潮生物进行有效监测.     

藻—溞系统对凡纳滨对虾养殖水体调控效果的研究

取5000 mL灭菌后的凡纳滨对虾养殖尾水于5000 mL高压灭菌的烧杯中,分为10组,分别为蛋白核小球藻组(C1)、蛋白核小球藻+大型溞组(C2)、衣藻组(C3)、衣藻+大型溞组(C4)、隐藻组(C5)、隐藻+大型溞组(C6)、蛋白核小球藻+衣藻组(C7)、蛋白核小球藻+衣藻+大型溞组(C8)、衣藻+隐藻组(C9)、衣藻+隐藻+大型溞组(C10),每个处理组设3个平行。各藻种原始藻液25 mL,接种初始密度为1×10^( 8) 个/mL,大型溞密度为1个/L。试验烧杯置于25 ℃、3000lx和14L∶10D光暗比的培养箱内常规培养。每间隔3 d的10:00测定溶液的pH、溶解氧、总氮、氨氮、硝态氮、亚硝态氮、总磷和叶绿素a等水质指标,研究不同藻—溞组合系统对凡纳滨对虾养殖水体净化效果及其生长的影响。试验结果显示,各处理组藻类及大型溞均可正常生长,且藻—溞组合系统具有较好的水质净化调控效果,尤其是蛋白核小球藻+衣藻+大型溞组,至试验结束时其硝态氮、亚硝态氮和氨氮的去除率分别为82%、77%和99%;混合藻生长速度要低于单一藻培养,其中蛋白核小球藻组和衣藻组微藻的相对生长速率最高,分别为27.7%和26.9%;且蛋白核小球藻最有利于大型溞的生长繁殖,至试验结束时由5个增至88个,其次是衣藻,增至80个,而隐藻最差,仅增至59个。培养初期,大型溞的扰动作用能够促进藻类的生长,随着大型溞数量的增多,大型溞的牧食压力能够阻止藻密度过密,从而能够长久维持有益藻相的稳定。在本试验研究条件下,接种蛋白核小球藻、衣藻以及大型溞最适于养殖水环境调控,维持藻相稳定。     

初始密度对微小亚历山大藻生长及产麻痹性贝类毒素的影响

为研究微小亚历山大藻生长和产麻痹性贝类毒素(PSP)的规律,采用不同初始密度对微小亚历山大藻进行培养,综合采用显微镜计数、小鼠生物检测(MBA)、高效液相色谱—柱后衍生(HPLC-FLD)等方法分析微小亚历山大藻在不同接种密度条件下的生长和产毒特性.结果表明,随着初始密度增加微小亚历山大藻通过静止期的时间缩短,到达最大生长密度的时间提前,但是生长的最大细胞密度和平均比生长率却呈下降趋势,增值模型反应的情况与观测结果相一致,随着初始密度的增加,依赖于初始种群密度的参数(a)减少,环境容量(K)减少,种群瞬时增殖速度(r)下降.4种不同初始密度(0.05×104、0.10×104、0.15×104、0.30×104cells/mL)条件下,微小亚历山大藻细胞的毒性呈现先增大后减小趋势,在初始密度为0.1×104 cells/mL条件下,同一生长期内细胞毒性比其他3个密度条件下高.HPLC检测微小亚历山大藻含有的毒素为GTX1-4,含量分别为2.14、2.08、4.97、5.04 fmol/cell.综合考虑微小亚历山大藻在生长过程中的细胞最大密度、达到最大密度所用时间以及细胞毒性大小等因数,采用(0.10～0.15)×104 cells/mL接种密度培养微小亚历山大藻,能够达到较好的产毒效果.     

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。     

蛭弧菌对西施舌幼虫生长和培养水质的影响

研究了不同浓度蛭弧菌在西施舌幼虫培养中的应用,在温度26～27℃,以人工授精发育的西施舌幼虫为材料,测定水中氨氮、亚硝态氮浓度和pH值,并计算幼虫的生长速率以及成活率,与对照组进行比较,实验表明,氨氮浓度最多比对照组降低34%(P<0.05),亚硝态氮浓度最多降低25%(P<0.05)。结果表明,蛭弧菌100mg/L为最适浓度,在一定程度上降低水中氨氮和亚硝态氮浓度,并促进西施舌壳顶幼虫的生长,其生长速率高于对照组22%,成活率高于对照组13%,差异显著(P<0.05),但对pH值影响不显著。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

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.