双棘黄姑鱼促性腺激素释放激素基因的克隆及系统进化分析

通过同源基因克隆方法得到双棘黄姑鱼促性腺激素释放激素(GnRH)的3个基因:cGnRH、sGnRH、sbGnRH,其开放阅读框为258、273bp和261bp,分别编码85个、90个和86个氨基酸,3个基因的信号肽为23个氨基酸,核心十肽分别是QHWSHGWYPG、QHWSYGWLPG和QHWSYGLSPG,这3种核心十肽经生物信息学分析均高度保守。氨基酸序列比对分析表明,双棘黄姑鱼与同科美国红鱼GnRHs基因亲缘性最近,它们的cGnRH和sGnRH的氨基酸同源性达100%,两种鱼sbGnRH的同源性也高达92.2%。用MEGA 4.0构建GnRHs Neighbour-joining系统进化树,结果显示双棘黄姑鱼cGnRH先于同科的美国红鱼聚类,再与星点东方鲀、斑马鱼和虹鳟等共同聚类;双棘黄姑鱼sGnRH则先后与其他鱼类sGnRH、cGnRH、sbGnRH聚类;而双棘黄姑鱼sbGnRH先后与其他鱼类的sbGnRH、cGnRH和sGnRH聚类。     

拟穴青蟹PHGPx基因的克隆及其表达分析

磷脂氢谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(Phospholipid hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase, PHGPx)是GPx基因家族的重要一员,能特异地清除磷脂和胆固醇等氢过氧化物,在机体抗氧化、抗凋亡、抗炎症以及雄性性成熟等过程中发挥着重要的作用。本研究从实验室拟穴青蟹(Scylla Paramamosain)转录组数据库中筛选出该基因的EST序列,利用SMART-RACE 技术克隆得到该基因的全长cDNA。经Blast 比对后,其与丰年虾(Artemia franciscana)的PHGPx氨基酸序列一致性最高,达到69%。同时系统进化树分析表明,该基因与其他物种的PHGPx(GPx4)聚为一支,而与GPx1、GPx2等亚型距离较远,故命名该基因为Sp-PHGPx。实时定量PCR结果显示,Sp-PHGPx在成熟青蟹雌雄各组织中均有不同程度的表达,其中精巢的表达量最高;且在雌雄相同组织中,雌性性腺的表达量显著低于雄性;而在鳃和心脏中的表达量显著高于雄性。在性腺不同发育阶段,Sp-PHGPx在卵巢发育过程中的表达量差异不显著;而在精巢发育过程中,其表达量在精子细胞期(T2期)显著高于精母细胞期(T1期)和成熟精子期(T3期),同时也显著高于卵巢发育各时期的表达量。在LPS应激下,鳃和肝胰腺中Sp-PHGPx的表达量分别在6h和12h显著上调;H2O2应激下,鳃中的表达量在3 h显著升高,肝胰腺中的表达量在被检测的各时相中无显著差异。以上结果表明,Sp-PHGPx可能在免疫防御反应以及精巢的发育和成熟等过程中发挥着重要作用。     

栉孔扇贝17β-HSD4基因的克隆和表达分析

为了研究17β-hsd4基因在无脊椎动物生殖过程中的作用,实验从栉孔扇贝转录组数据库中获得一个表达序列标签,采用cDNA末端快速扩增技术克隆得到1条全长为2 417 bp的cDNA序列,其开放阅读框为2 223 bp,编码740个氨基酸,推测的氨基酸序列含有17β-HSDs特有的4个保守区和17β3-HSD4的3个酶结构域,且与人等脊椎动物的序列相似性均在58％以上.半定量RT-PCR显示,该基因在栉孔扇贝精巢、卵巢、肌肉、外套膜、鳃、肝胰腺和肾脏等各组织中均有表达,其中在肝胰腺和肾脏中表达量明显高于其他组织.对不同发育时期性腺中该基因表达的qRT-PCR检测发现,其在精卵巢发育周期的表达模式不同,且在生长期和成熟期的精巢中表达量显著性高于同时期的卵巢.由此推测,栉孔扇贝多种组织中均可以合成17β-HSD4,在精巢的发育和成熟的作用明显高于卵巢.     

半滑舌鳎Shh基因的克隆与表达及甲基化分析

通过RACE方法获得半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)Hh基因家族的Shh基因,该基因全长1 922 bp,其中5′UTR 266 bp,3′UTR 360 bp,ORF1 296 bp,编码431个氨基酸,经预测该多肽的相对分子质量为47.28 k D,理论等电点6.95,具有Hh基因家族特有的保守结构域。氨基酸序列分析表明,半滑舌鳎Shh与牙鲆的同源性最高,为82%,与其他鱼类同源性为74%~81%,与非洲爪蟾的同源性为61%,与人和鼠的同源性为63%~64%。甲基化结果显示,Shh基因在1龄卵巢中的甲基化程度普遍低于雄鱼与伪雄鱼精巢。基因表达分析显示,Shh基因在胚胎期的囊胚期表达显著高于其它时期(P0.05),在雌雄成鱼8个组织器官均表达,在雌性性腺分化的关键期孵化后50 d,雌性性腺中表达量较前期升高,且显著高于同时期雄性性腺中的表达(P0.05),在雄性性腺分化的关键期80~95 d,Shh基因在雄性中的表达水平显著升高(P0.05),在8月龄、1龄及2龄雌鱼性腺中表达显著高于雄鱼与伪雄鱼。本研究表明,半滑舌鳎Shh基因在进化中高度保守,与胚胎分化、组织器官形成、雌雄性腺分化及性腺发育密切相关。     

大黄鱼gsdf和amh基因的克隆及表达分析

该研究克隆了大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)gsdf(gonadal soma derived factor)和amh(anti-Müllerian hormone)基因的开放阅读框序列并对它们的表达进行分析。大黄鱼gsdf基因c DNA序列开放阅读框长为618 bp,可编码205个氨基酸,含有信号肽和TGF-β结构域。系统进化分析显示,大黄鱼Gsdf与其他鱼类Gsdf聚为一枝,而与TGF-β超家族其他成员分开。Amh基因c DNA序列开放阅读框为1 563 bp,可编码520个氨基酸,含有信号肽、AMH-N区域和TGF-β保守结构域。系统进化分析显示,大黄鱼Amh与舌齿鲈(Dicentrarchus labrax)Amh进化关系最近。荧光定量PCR表达分析显示,gsdf和amh基因主要在大黄鱼性腺表达,在精巢中的表达量显著高于卵巢(P0.05),2个基因都在性腺分化前开始表达,在雄鱼精巢中表达量呈现先升高后下降的趋势,在卵巢的表达量很低。此外,相比于正常雌鱼,gsdf和amh基因在伪雄鱼(遗传性雌鱼)性腺中的表达量显著上调。这些结果表明,gsdf和amh基因在大黄鱼性腺分化过程中起到重要的作用。     

LncRNA 54770.30在黄鳝(Monopterus albus)组织及性腺中表达特征分析

利用黄鳝(Monopterus albus)卵巢、间性性腺以及精巢转录组测序数据分析结果,筛选获得表达差异的LncRNA 54770.30。为探究黄鳝LncRNA 54770.30的生物学特性及其在性逆转过程中的功能和作用,本研究分析了黄鳝LncRNA 54770.30在不同组织与不同阶段性腺的表达。结果表明：LncRNA 54770.30在各组织均有表达,在肌肉中表达量最高,精巢与肝脏次之;LncRNA 54770.30在黄鳝卵巢至精巢转变过程中表达量呈上升趋势,卵巢与间性性腺中表达量无显著性差异,但卵巢、间性性腺与精巢中表达量呈显著性差异。利用原位杂交技术对LncRNA 54770.30在不同阶段性腺中表达进行定位分析,结果显示LncRNA 54770.30在黄鳝各阶段性腺中均有阳性信号,卵巢中主要在卵细胞的细胞质与颗粒细胞以及体细胞中表达;精巢中主要在初级精母细胞和次级精母细胞中表达。对黄鳝幼体进行甲基睾酮处理后,实验组卵巢结构出现明显退化,卵泡数量减少,出现中空小叶;荧光定量PCR分析显示,LncRNA 54770.30在实验组退化卵巢中的表达量较对照组显著下降。以上研究表明,...     

半滑舌鳎StAR基因克隆及其在不同组织的时空表达分析

利用半滑舌鳎性腺转录组测序获得的StAR基因部分序列,设计RACE引物,克隆了半滑舌鳎StAR基因的cDNA序列,全长为1 294 bp,5'端UTR为132 bp,3'端UTR为310 bp,开放阅读框(ORF)为852 bp,共编码283个氨基酸。将半滑舌鳎StAR基因与其他物种StAR基因进行氨基酸同源性分析,结果显示,半滑舌鳎StAR与塞内加尔鳎、大口黑鲈、花鲈、金头鲷的同源性都达到了85%,与虹鳟、斜带石斑鱼及日本鳗鲡的同源性分别为81%、83%和76%。雌、雄鱼不同组织StAR基因的表达分析表明,StAR基因在雄鱼性腺中高表达,在雄鱼的肝脏、脑及心脏中表达量较低,而在雄鱼的其他组织中不表达;在雌鱼肠中不表达,在其他组织(卵巢、肝脏、脾脏、脑、垂体、肌肉、心脏、肾脏)中微量表达。荧光定量PCR分析不同组织与不同时期性腺表达谱表明,雄鱼性腺中StAR基因的表达量显著高于雌、雄鱼其他各组织(P0.05),提示StAR基因对雄鱼精巢发育起重要作用。雄鱼不同时期表达谱分析结果显示,StAR基因在66天前的精巢中不表达,在150天时表达量急剧增加,至2龄时表达量最高,3龄时表达量下降,说明该基因在精巢发育成熟过程中起重要作用。原位杂交结果显示,StAR基因主要在雄鱼精巢的精子细胞中表达,而在雌鱼的卵巢中不表达。研究表明,StAR基因在半滑舌鳎精巢发育中发挥作用,且可能在精子形成中发挥重要作用。     

三疣梭子蟹甲基转移酶2基因克隆及在胚胎、幼体和性腺发育过程中的表达分析

本研究采用SMART RACE方法克隆了三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)Dnmt2(Pt Dnmt2)基因。该基因c DNA全长为1291 bp,开放阅读框为1203 bp,编码400个氨基酸。结构域分析显示,PtDnmt2基因有典型的C5-DNA甲基化酶结构域。同源分析表明,PtDnmt2氨基酸序列与其他物种有较高的同源性。系统进化分析显示,三疣梭子蟹PtDnmt2氨基酸序列与罗氏沼虾(Macrobrachium rosenbergii)Dnmt2关系最近。qRT-PCR结果显示,PtDnmt2基因在三疣梭子蟹所有组织中均有表达,在卵巢中表达量显著高于其他组织(P0.05)。PtDnmt2基因在胚胎和幼体发育过程中的表达量随发育时期而变化,其在受精卵和多细胞时期无表达,从囊胚期开始出现,随着胚胎的发育表达量逐渐上升。在性腺发育不同时期PtDnmt2基因表达量存在显著差异,其在卵巢II期表达量最高,之后逐渐下降;在精巢中该基因的表达量随着精巢的发育逐渐上升,在IV期达到峰值。本研究结果表明,PtDnmt2基因参与了三疣梭子蟹胚胎、幼体和性腺发育调控。     

圆斑星鲽sox9基因的克隆与表达

本研究筛选到圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)的性别相关基因sox9,并通过RACE技术获得了全长序列,基因全长为3287 bp,包括1431 bp的ORF,编码477个氨基酸,368 bp的5¢ UTR和1488 bp的3¢ UTR。在3¢ UTR中有多聚腺苷酸尾和加尾信号AATAAA。通过荧光定量PCR测定了sox9基因在圆斑星鲽成鱼不同组织中的表达水平,发现sox9基因在圆斑星鲽的脑、眼、鳃、心、肝、胆、肠、精巢、卵巢、肾和肌肉等各个组织中都有不同程度的表达。在鳃、脑和精巢组织中检测到较高水平的sox9转录,其中精巢中的转录水平显著高于其他组织,sox9基因在性腺中的表达显示出性别两相性差异。其在精巢中的表达水平要显著高于卵巢,说明sox9基因与雄性性腺发育相关。通过测定sox9基因在圆斑星鲽幼鱼不同发育时期(20、30、40、50、60、70和80日龄)的表达水平,发现其在20~50日龄表达量逐渐下降,在60日龄时表达量上升,推测表达量上升可能与幼鱼性腺分化相关。     

拟赤梢鱼卵巢早期发育与sox3基因cDNA克隆及表达分析

为初步阐明拟赤梢鱼(Pseudaspius leptocephalus)卵巢发育特征及sox3 (sry related high mobility group box 3)基因在其卵巢发育过程中的作用,本研究通过组织切片观察了拟赤梢鱼卵巢早期发育过程,利用RACE技术克隆了该鱼sox3基因cDNA全长序列,并进行生物信息学分析;利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析了sox3基因在拟赤梢鱼不同组织及性腺不同发育时期的表达模式。结果显示,拟赤梢鱼卵巢在孵化后45 d分化形成,160 d时由Ⅰ期进入Ⅱ期,孵化后360 d,卵巢仍处于Ⅱ期。拟赤梢鱼sox3基因cDNA全长为1 800 bp (GenBank登录号：MT952206),编码299 个氨基酸,存在保守的HMG (histidine, methionine, glycine-rich)结构域。氨基酸序列比对和系统进化树分析结果显示,拟赤梢鱼SOX3蛋白与斑马鱼(Danio rerio)和翘嘴鲌(Culter alburnus)亲缘关系最近。此外,sox3基因在拟赤梢鱼卵巢中表达量最高,其次是脑和眼睛,在精巢和其他组织中微量表达;在性腺分化过程中,sox3基因在卵巢中表达量显著高于未分化性腺和精巢,在卵巢发育阶段表达量不断升高,而在精巢中持续低水平表达。综上,本研究推测sox3基因主要参与拟赤梢鱼卵巢的分化和发育。     

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.