饥饿与再投喂及投喂频率对条石鲷幼鱼生长和消化酶活力的影响

研究了饥饿与再投喂及不同投喂频率对条石鲷(Oplegnathus fasciatus)幼鱼生长和消化酶活力的影响.饥饿与再投喂的实验结果表明:条石鲷幼鱼体质量、蛋白酶(胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶)与脂肪酶活力随着饥饿时间的延长均呈现明显的下降趋势,体质量与蛋白酶活力在饥饿6d后与对照组表现出显著性差异(P＜0.05),脂肪酶活力在饥饿9d后才与对照组表现出显著性差异(P＜0.05),而淀粉酶活力在饥饿过程中呈波动性变化；恢复投喂后,除饥饿3d的幼鱼体质量、特定生长率与对照组无明显差异外,其他各处理组均明显低于对照组；蛋白酶与脂肪酶活力在恢复投喂后均有明显回升,且蛋白酶活力与对照组相比已无显著性差异,但较长时间的饥饿处理(9～12 d)并未使脂肪酶活力恢复至对照组水平.投喂频率实验的研究结果表明:随着投喂频率的增加,条石鲷幼鱼的特定生长率呈上升趋势,在投喂频率达到投喂2次/d后,条石鲷幼鱼的特定生长率、消化酶活力及肝体指数差异均不显著.结论认为,在本实验条件下,饥饿3d后再经投喂,条石鲷幼鱼具有完全补偿生长效应,但随着饥饿时间的延长补偿生长的效应逐渐降低.对条石鲷幼鱼而言,选择日投喂两次最合适.     

饥饿和补偿生长对史氏鲟幼鱼摄食、生长和体成分的影响

报道了饥饿和再投喂对史氏鲟幼鱼摄食、生长以及生化组成的影响.22±2℃条件下,随着饥饿时间延长,幼鱼白肌的RNA/DNA比值不断减小,体重逐渐下降,后者与同期对照组之间存在极显著性差异(P<0.01).饥饿7d,鱼的肝糖原和肌糖原含量显著降低(P<0.05),但随着饥饿时间的延长,肝糖原和肌糖原含量则出现不同程度的回升;脂肪含量和蛋白质含量分别在饥饿14d和21d时下降幅度最大,提示史氏鲟幼鱼动用储存物质的顺序依次是糖原、脂肪和蛋白质.而饥饿过程中鱼体水分和灰分含量则有所上升.恢复投食后,饥饿幼鱼的摄食强度增大,生长加快,其中7d、14d饥饿组幼鱼的RNA/DNA比值达到或接近正常投喂组水平,但21d饥饿组的比值仍明显低于正常投喂组(P<0.05).恢复投食30d后,7d和14d饥饿组幼鱼体重接近对照组(P>0.05),21d饥饿组的终体重未能赶上对照组(P<0.05),这表明史氏鲟幼鱼的补偿生长随饥饿时间不同而异.试验结束时,各处理组鱼体生化组成与正常投喂组没有显著差异(P>0.05).     

饥饿和恢复投喂对翘嘴鲌幼鱼摄食、生长及体成分的影响

研究了在20.3~24.8℃条件下分别饥饿0 d、4 d、8 d、12 d和16 d后恢复投喂16 d对翘嘴鲌(Culter al-burnus)幼鱼摄食、生长及体成分的影响。结果显示:随着饥饿时间延长,幼鱼体质量损失率显著增大;肝体指数变小,水分和灰分含量逐渐升高;粗脂肪含量在饥饿前期下降较快,饥饿后期下降速率降低,各饥饿组与对照组差异显著(P<0.05);粗蛋白含量饥饿前期下降缓慢,饥饿4 d、8 d组与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),饥饿后期下降明显,饥饿12 d、16 d组与对照组有显著差异(P<0.05);比能值不断下降,除饥饿4 d组外,各饥饿组与对照组都有显著差异(P<0.05)。恢复投喂后,各饥饿组鱼体生化组成和鱼体比能值均恢复至对照组水平,恢复投喂期间各饥饿处理组的摄食率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结果表明:饥饿4 d、8 d组翘嘴鲌幼鱼具有完全补偿生长能力;饥饿12 d、16 d幼鱼仅有部分补偿生长能力。     

饥饿和再投喂对白斑狗鱼生长性能和生化组成的影响

选用体重196.77±7.60g的白斑狗鱼（Esox Lucius Linnaeus）为研究对象，试验设置饥饿14d、21d、28d、35d、42d组和正常投喂对照组，各组饥饿结束后恢复饱食投喂，试验周期为56d，水温为22～26℃，研究了饥饿和再投喂对白斑狗鱼生长性能、体生化组成和肌肉、肝脏RNA/DNA比值的影响。结果表明：饥饿再投喂后各处理组均出现补偿生长现象，在恢复生长结束后，饥饿14d组体重显著高于对照组（P＜0.05），其他各饥饿处理组体重与对照组无显著性差异（P＞0.05）；随着饥饿时间的延长，饥饿各处理组肌肉的脂肪含量显著下降（P＜0.05），水分含量显著升高（P＜0.05），恢复投喂结束时各饥饿处理组蛋白质和水分含量恢复到对照组水平；在恢复投喂初期各处理组的特定生长率、摄食率和食物转化效率显著高于对照组水平（P＜0.05），随着恢复生长时间的延长，逐渐恢复到对照组水平（P＞0.05）；肌肉和肝脏的RNA/DNA比值均随饥饿时间的延长呈逐渐下降的趋势，在恢复投喂结束时，RNA/DNA比值均在饥饿28d组达到最大值。由此表明饥饿14d组的白斑狗鱼在恢复生长过程中出现了超补偿生长效应，21d组、28d组、35d组和42d组出现了完全补偿生长效应，该补偿效应是由摄食率和食物转化效率升高共同作用的结果。     

饥饿后再投喂对哲罗鱼生长和体成分的影响

在14-18℃条件下,对平均初始体重（35.15±1.06）g的哲罗鱼（Hucho taimen）进行了不同时间的饥饿处理和再投喂的恢复生长实验。实验共设5个处理组,分别为S0组（对照组,持续投喂56d）、S1组（饥饿7天后再投喂49d）、S2组（饥饿14天后再投喂42d）、S3组（饥饿21天后再投喂35d）和S4组（饥饿28天后再投喂28天）,每组30尾鱼,研究再投喂后体重和体成分（粗蛋白、粗脂肪、水分和灰分）的变化。实验结果显示：与持续投喂组相比,饥饿7d后哲罗鱼体重下降了11.52%;饥饿14d后体重下降了17.09%;饥饿21d和28d后体重分别下降了26.24%和36.07%。恢复投喂结束时饥饿7d组体重赶上了对照组,饥饿14d组体重超过了对照组,饥饿21d和28d组体重低于对照组。在饥饿和恢复投喂过程中其体成分呈规律性变化：在各试验组饥饿后,鱼体躯干脂肪含量下降,躯干水分和灰分含量升高,蛋白质含量略有下降。恢复投喂后各营养成分逐渐恢复。     

饥饿和再投喂对黑尾近红鲌幼鱼体成分、消化酶活性和RNA/DNA比值的影响

在室内水温23～26℃的条件下,分别对黑尾近红鲌(Ancherythroculter nigrocauda)幼鱼进行不同时间(0、5、10、15、20和25 d)的饥饿处理和饥饿后恢复投喂(25 d)试验。结果显示:在饥饿过程中,幼鱼随着饥饿时间的延长,体重和RNA/DNA比值不断减小。脂肪含量在饥饿前期下降明显,后期下降缓慢;蛋白质含量在饥饿前期下降缓慢,后期下降明显,表明幼鱼是优先利用脂肪作为能量来源,其次再利用蛋白质。饥饿5、10 d组幼鱼的消化酶活性下降显著(P<0.05)。肝脏的蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性饥饿至15 d下降显著,之后随着饥饿时间延长,下降趋于平缓;消化道的脂肪酶、淀粉酶活性饥饿至15 d显著下降,之后下降趋于平缓。恢复投喂后,饥饿5、10、15、20 d组幼鱼的消化酶、生化组成及RNA/DNA比值均恢复到对照组水平,而饥饿25 d组幼鱼的水分含量、蛋白质含量、RNA/DNA比值、消化酶均未恢复到对照组水平(P<0.05)。饥饿5、10 d组幼鱼体重均恢复到对照组水平(P>0.05),饥饿15、20、25 d组幼鱼体重与对照组差异显著(P<0.05),这表明黑尾近红鲌幼鱼的补偿生长随饥饿时间的不同而异。     

饥饿及恢复投喂对鮸幼鱼生长、耗氧率和排氨率的影响

在水温（12±1）℃和盐度24．3±0．61条件下，研究了饥饿及恢复投喂对鱿幼鱼生长、耗氧率和排氨率的影响。实验设置饥饿5、10、15d及连续饥饿4个水平，并设正常投饵对照组，各组饥饿结束后马上恢复正常投饵，整个实验历时30d，在实验前、饥饿结束时和实验结束时分别测定鮸幼鱼全长、体重、耗氧率和排氨率。结果表明：鮸幼鱼在饥饿状况下存活时间23d。实验结束时，饥饿5d和10d处理组鮸幼鱼全长和体重明显高于投喂对照组（P〈0．05）。在饥饿期间，连续饥饿组鮸幼鱼的耗氧率先下降又上升；排氨率前期显著升高，5d后达峰值，然后逐步下降；鮸幼鱼的O：N比值先下降，10d后达谷值，然后不断升高，20d后迅速升高到30．347。饥饿结束时，各饥饿组与投喂对照组耗氧率和排氨率差异显著（P〈0．05）。实验结束时，鮸幼鱼耗氧率除饥饿5d和10d组差异不显著外，其它各组间差异显著P〈0．05）；排氨率除投喂对照组和饥饿15d组差异不显著外，各组间差异显著（P〈0．05）。饥饿结束时和实验结束时O：N比值差异显著。可见，饥饿后恢复投喂的鮸幼鱼具有补偿生长能力。     

饥饿和补偿生长对红鲫幼鱼生长和体组分的影响

分析了饥饿和冉投喂处理后红鲫（Carassius auratus red variety）幼鱼的生长和体组分变化。饥饿状态下，红鲫幼鱼体重、比肝重、肥满度和肝体指数下降，各饥饿组体重均与同期对照组存在极显著差异（P〈0．01），其中饥饿15d组体重与初始体重存在极显著差异（P〈0．01），肝糖原、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量下降，水分和灰分含量上升；再投喂后，除饥饿15d组肝糖原与对照组仍有极显著差异外，其他各项指标均恢复到与对照组无显著差异。实验过程中，各饥饿组食物转化率均明显高于对照组，且与对照组存在极显著差异（P〈0．01），其中饥饿10d组最高，达到了24．38％。结果表明，红鲫幼鱼存在完全补偿生长能力，其完全补偿生长是通过提高食物转化率（FCE）来实现的，短期饥饿时将糖原和粗脂肪作为主要能源物质。     

中华鲟幼鱼循环饥饿后的补偿生长和体成分变化

研究中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)幼鱼循环饥饿后的补偿生长和体成分变化。实验设4个循环饥饿组(T1:饥饿1 d,饱食投喂3 d;T2:连续饥饿2 d,饱食投喂4 d;T3:连续饥饿4 d,饱食投喂6 d;T4:连续饥饿7 d,饱食投喂8 d)和1个对照组(T0:每天饱食投喂)。结果显示:在水温21.5～25.4℃条件下,T1组末重和特定生长率均超过对照组,表现为超补偿生长;T2组末重和特定生长率均接近对照组,表现为完全补偿生长,T1、T2组食物转化率均显著高于对照组;T3、T4组实际摄食水平均明显高于对照组,但表现为不能补偿生长。4个循环饥饿组幼鱼肝体比及脏体比均显著高于对照组。各组肌肉蛋白质和脂肪含量下降,同时水分和灰分含量上升;从饥饿2 d组开始,蛋白质和脂肪含量显著低于对照组,且蛋白质含量比脂肪含量下降幅度更大。     

哲罗鱼继饥饿后的补偿生长及其机制

对平均初始体重为80 g的哲罗鱼(Hucho taimen)进行了8周养殖实验,以检验其继饥饿后的补偿生长。实验共设5个处理组,4组鱼分别被饥饿1周、2周、3周、4周后再恢复正常投喂,1组正常投喂作为对照,分别用S1、S2、S3、S4、C表示。实验结果显示:饥饿过程中各饥饿组鱼体重随饥饿时间的延长而逐渐下降,饥饿结束时S2、S3、S4组鱼体重均显著低于对照组(P<0.05),恢复投喂结束时S1、S2、S3组鱼体重与对照组无显著差异(P>0.05),S4组鱼体重与对照差异显著(P<0.05)。恢复投喂期间除S1组外其他饥饿组鱼的摄食率和特定生长率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。在饥饿过程中,其耗氧率随着饥饿时间的延长逐渐下降,恢复投喂后逐渐上升,其中S1、S2、S3组在各自恢复投喂后5 d、9 d、12 d恢复到对照组水平,而S4组则在其恢复投喂后24 d恢复到对照组水平。饥饿导致鱼躯干脂肪含量下降,躯干水分和灰分含量升高,蛋白质含量变化不大。恢复投喂结束时各饥饿组鱼躯干水分、脂肪、蛋白质含量与对照无显著性差异(P>0.05);躯干灰分含量除S4组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)外,其余与对照差异不显著(P>0.05)。实验结果表明,人工养殖哲罗鱼饥饿1~3周表现出完全补偿生长,饥饿4周表现出部分补偿生长。恢复投喂期间各饥饿组鱼对食物的利用效率得到明显提高,表明哲罗鱼恢复生长中出现的补偿生长效应主要是通过提高摄食水平和食物转化率共同作用实现的。     

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.     

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。     

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.