尼罗罗非鱼微卫星标记与主要生长性状的相关性分析

为了筛选到与尼罗罗非鱼生长相关的分子标记,并对这些标记进行准确性鉴定,运用65个微卫星标记对鹭业和番禺2个尼罗罗非鱼群体进行了PCR扩增,再利用SPSS软件一般线性模型(GLM)对这些微卫星位点与尼罗罗非鱼体重等主要生长性状进行了标记性状连锁关联分析。结果表明,鹭业群体中有8个微卫星标记(UNH130,UNH183,UNH911,GM558,UNH211,UNH176,UNH914和UNH974)与主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),其中有2个微卫星标记(UNH914和UNH974)与番禺群体的主要生长性状显著或极显著相关(P<0.05或P<0.01),1个微卫星标记(UNH176)只与体重显著相关(P<0.05)。通过对与生长性状相关标记的基因型和表型值进行多重比较,得到了对体重、体长和体高3种性状有利的基因型或等位基因。发现了对罗非鱼生长性状有显著效应的微卫星位点,为开展罗非鱼的分子标记辅助育种提供了有价值的遗传标记。     

罗非鱼性别相关微卫星标记的初步筛选

为分析罗非鱼群体的遗传多样性以及筛选与罗非鱼性别相关的微卫星标记。应用24对微卫星引物,使用常规PCR及聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)群体和两个奥利亚罗非鱼(O.aureus)群体中初步筛选到UNH931、GM128、GM201、GM258、GM597以及UNH898共6个与性别相关的微卫星标记。然后使用降落PCR以及毛细管电泳的方法在两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、两个奥利亚罗非鱼群体以及ZY 1、WY 1、YY 1和YY 2型罗非鱼群体中进一步扩增这6个微卫星标记,统计各群体的遗传多样性参数:6个微卫星标记在上述群体共297个样本中检测到95个等位基因,其大小在97~302 bp之间,各位点在各群体等位基因数在1~13个之间,各群体平均观测等位基因数为2.167~9.333,平均有效等位基因数为1.624~4.966,平均观测杂合度为0.324~0.983,平均期望杂合度为0.329~0.782,平均多态信息含量为0.275~0.753;两个尼罗罗非鱼群体、WY 1和YY 2群体达到高度多态(PIC>0.5),两个奥利亚罗非鱼群体、ZY 1和YY 1群体为中度多态(0.25相似文献   

橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼微卫星遗传多样性分析及其与尼罗罗非鱼差异位点的筛选

用33对在尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）中能有效扩增的微卫星引物，对橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼（Oreochromis mossambicus）进行PCR扩增，结果有32对引物能获得稳定的特异性条带，占总数的97．0％，其中15个微卫星位点具多态性，表明大部分尼罗罗非鱼的微卫星位点存在于橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼中。用具多态性的15个微卫星位点，对橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼30尾个体进行扩增分析，结果共检测到44个等位基因，大小在113～232bp之间，平均多态信息含量（PIC）为0．4308，平均观测杂合度（鼠）为0．5489，平均期望杂合度（垃）为0．5248，个体间平均遗传距离为0.3132，表明所选橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼群体遗传多样性较丰富，种群结构比较合理。本研究还对尼罗罗非鱼和橙色莫桑比克罗非鱼间特异位点进行了分析，发现有7个位点（UNH899、UNH208、UNH853、UNH876、UNH222、UNH933、UNH773）可有效区分莫桑比克罗非鱼和尼罗罗非鱼，可作为罗非鱼种质鉴定的分子标记。[中国水产科学，2008，15（3）：400-406]     

吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病性状分子标记筛选及遗传多样性分析

文章采用微卫星标记技术,对吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼(GIFT strain Oreochromis niloticus)抗病群体和易感病群体进行了遗传差异分析。结果显示:在30个微卫星位点中20个能扩增出多态性高、重复性好和扩增条带清晰;抗病群体和易感病群体的平均等位基因数分别为2.5和2.4个;观测杂合度和期望杂合度分别为0.476和0.453,0.44和0.457;多态信息含量PIC分别为0.359和0.379;UNH845和UNH189位点在抗病群体中偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡(P0.05),GM180位点在易感病群体偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡,两个群体间的遗传距离和遗传分化指数0.055和0.054。此外GM251和GM462位点的差异等位基因片段(135bp和198bp)与抗病性状存在一定的连锁关系。以上结果表明,吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病群体与易感病群体之间的遗传多样性差异不明显,筛选出2个与抗病性状相关的微卫星标记,为开展吉富品系尼罗罗非鱼抗病品种分子标记辅助选育奠定了基础。     

吉富罗非鱼微卫星标记与体质量、体形性状相关性分析

根据罗非鱼微卫星遗传图谱,在不同的连锁群上随机选择30个微卫星位点,研究它们在192尾不同家系吉富罗非鱼(Genetically Improved Fanned Tilapia,GIFT)中的遗传多样性及这些位点与体质量、体形性状的相关性.结果表明,30个位点共检测出126个等位基因,片段长度124～310 bp.各位点等位基因数为1～7个,平均等位基因数4.2个;多态信息含量(P1C)为0.259 4～0.716 7,平均0.580 8;杂合度(H)为0.306 4～0.753 1,平均0.632 2,表明该吉富罗非鱼群体遗传多样性比较丰富.最小二乘方差分析结果显示,位点GM041、GM542和GM304与吉富罗非鱼雌鱼体质量相关;位点GM041、UNH860、GM519和GM304与雄鱼体质量相关,位点UNH952与雄鱼体形相关.位点GM041、UNH860、GM304的AA基因型和位点GM519的DE基因型都有可能作为以体质量为选育目标的辅助标记,其中UNH860和GM304的AA基因型有望成为作为以体质量为选育目标的首选辅助标记.实验结果说明,吉富罗非鱼具有与体质量相关的标记越多,体质量也越大.     

荧光原位杂交技术在鱼类基因定位研究中的应用

荧光原位杂交fluorescence in situ hybridization,FISH）技术是一种简单而有效的染色体上物理定位DNA序列的技术。本文介绍了荧光原位杂交技术的基本原理以及实验流程,综述了近年来FISH技术在鱼类基因定位方面的应用,如来源于细菌人工染色体（bacterial artificial chromosome,BAC）文库的单拷贝基因的定位、核糖体基因和组蛋白基因等中度重复序列的定位、着丝粒特异序列和性别特异序列等高度重复序列的定位以及其他重复序列的定位等,用于研究特定基因定位、性染色体鉴定及种间杂交等遗传学问题,并展望了此技术在定位鱼类经济性状相关标记或基因、性别相关标记或基因及种特异染色体标记中的应用前景。     

WY♀-YY♂型罗非鱼新品种选育和生物学研究

为获得罗非鱼新品种和创建尼罗型WY♀-YY♂繁育体系,采用不断回交的技术路线进行选育种。试验中罗非鱼新品种由奥利亚罗非鱼(Oreochromis aurea)与尼罗(Oreochromis Niloticus)超雄鱼杂交和回交选育而来。它由尼罗鱼的常染色体(N)、性染色体(Y)和奥利亚罗非鱼的性染色体(W)构成遗传基础,并形成NNWY♀-NNYY♂繁育体系。本实验主要介绍新品种的选育过程,同时对新品种鱼进行生物学研究,以期得到其一系列相关特性。     

尼罗罗非鱼♀×萨罗罗非鱼♂杂交后代的遗传分离分析

应用微卫星标记对尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)♀×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)♂杂交后代(F1、F2)的遗传分离情况进行了初步研究.在86对微卫星引物中,筛选出21对在尼罗罗非鱼和萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异等位基因的特异性引物,共检测出59个等位基因,包含32个尼罗罗非鱼和24个萨罗罗非鱼特异等位基因.F1观测杂合度(Ho=0.998)大于 F2(Ho=0.739), F2有效等位基因数(Ne=2.48)、平均多态信息含量(PIC=0.497)与 F1的(Ne=2.45、PIC=0.489)相似.F1中所有位点均表现为尼罗罗非鱼与萨罗罗非鱼杂合基因型.F2中位点等位基因分离情况各异,通过卡方检验,有18个位点符合孟德尔遗传(P>0.05),2个位点GM145、UNH003表现为偏离孟德尔遗传(P<0.05),1个位点GM276不分离.在18个孟德尔遗传位点中, F2中尼罗罗非鱼特异等位基因频率为48.3%,萨罗罗非鱼特异等位基因频率为47.7%;基因型出现F1型、尼罗罗非鱼型、萨罗罗非鱼型的比例分别为58.2%、19.9%、21.9%.结果表明, F2较好地继承了F1的遗传杂合性,但也存在一定程度的分离.     

基于天然XY雌鱼培育YY超雄尼罗罗非鱼的新方法

前期报道了利用尼罗罗非鱼LG22上性别连锁的分子标记检测到养殖群体存在天然XY雌鱼，但其能否用于培育YY超雄罗非鱼尚不清楚。本研究首先引入遗传性别受LG22染色体严格控制的CQ尼罗罗非鱼群体和具有天然XY雌鱼的WC群体，将CQ群体XY雄鱼与WC XY雌鱼杂交，检验杂交F1 YY超雄鱼是否可用于控制后代性别，并比较杂交F1 XY和YY罗非鱼体质量、性腺指数、血清激素水平和性腺基因表达情况。研究发现，CQ XY雄鱼和WC XY雌鱼交配，获得的F1 中具有25%的YY超雄鱼，经鉴定为全雄且可育。将F1 YY超雄鱼与WC XX雌鱼、WC XY雌鱼（母本）、杂交F1 XX雌鱼和CQ XX雌鱼交配，后代几乎全雄，仅在与F1 XX雌鱼交配后代中有2尾雌鱼（雄性率98%）。在孵化后180 d，杂交F1中XY和YY个体的体重、性腺指数、血清激素水平差异不显著。基因表达分析发现，YY鱼精巢中AmhX/AmhY mRNA表达显著高于XY鱼，而Dmrt1 和Cyp11b2 mRNA表达水平差异不显著。杂交F1 YY和XY鱼生理指标无明显差异。因此，采用尼罗罗非鱼天然XY雌鱼能够培育YY超雄鱼，且该YY超雄鱼能够用于罗非鱼性别控制。     

ZY异配型超雄罗非鱼的人工产生

罗非鱼 (Ｏｒｅｏｃｈｒｏｍｉｓｓｐｐ )的雄鱼比雌鱼长得快、长得大 (叶冀雄 ,1983) [1] 。有两种方法可生产全雄或超雄罗非鱼用作商品鱼 :其一是激素法(马仲波 ,1984 ;胡逸农等 ,1979) [2 ,3] ,在鱼苗开始吃食时人工哺拌有甲基睾丸酮的饲料以促使雌鱼雄性化 ,但是对人体和生态环境的影响受到质疑 ;另一种是通过杂交法产生 (江山 ,1984 ) [4 ] ,如奥利亚雄鱼 (性染色体组成是ＺＺ)与尼罗罗非鱼雌鱼 (性染色体组成是ＸＸ)杂交 ,由于染色体Ｚ的雄性性别决定基因强于Ｘ染色体上的雌性基因 ,所以其子代鱼应该全是ＺＸ型雄鱼 ,但如果其它染色体…     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.