闽南-台湾浅滩白姑鱼渔业生物学特性研究

利用2017年8月—2018年4月采集单船底层拖网调查的白姑鱼渔业生物学数据,研究了闽南-台湾浅滩渔场白姑鱼体长组成、体质量组成、体长与体质量关系、性比、性腺成熟度和摄食等级等渔业生物学特性。结果表明,白姑鱼体长范围为45～202 mm,优势体长组为120～150 mm,占总数48. 4%;体质量范围为2. 0～219. 0 g,优势体质量组为40. 0～70. 0 g,占总数43. 0%。各月份之间体长均值和分布均存在显著性差异(F=25. 161,P 0. 05);体长与体质量关系为W=2. 560×10-5L2. 971 7(R2=0. 983 8);雌雄性比为2. 16∶1,性腺成熟度以Ⅱ期为主,占86. 32%,未发现有Ⅴ期及以上样本;摄食等级以0～1级为主,占样本总数71. 11%,各月份摄食等级也存在显著性差异(F=10. 346,P 0. 05)。本次调查白姑鱼达到可捕体长的仅占16. 1%,说明拖网作业对幼鱼的损害比较严重。为持续利用白姑鱼资源,建议加强生殖群体和幼鱼群体的保护。     

南海北部近海蓝圆鲹渔业生物学特征研究

为加深对南海北部蓝圆鲹(Decapterus maruadsi)种群的结构特征认识,根据2014—2017年南海北部底拖网调查中蓝圆鲹的生物学数据,对该区域内蓝圆鲹群体的体长与体质量、性腺成熟度、摄食等级等生物学特征的组成与季节变化进行初步研究。结果显示,南海北部蓝圆鲹体长范围78～248 mm,平均体长146 mm,优势体长121～150 mm;体质量范围7.9～290.0 g,平均体质量52.0 g,优势体质量21.0～60.0 g;雌雄个体体长间存在显著性差异(P0.05)。体长与体质量的关系为W=8×10~(-6)L~(3.131 2),生长参数b=3.131 2,接近等速生长。雌雄性比1.5∶1。性腺成熟度以Ⅱ期为主,各月份均有性成熟的个体,冬、春季节性成熟个体都超过50%,为主要繁殖季节。雌性初次性成熟体长为170.9 mm。摄食等级以2级为主,随着体长的增加,摄食水平有升高的趋势。跟历史资料比较发现,南海北部蓝圆鲹性早熟、种群结构小型化的特征没有改变。     

南海北部陆坡海域瓦氏眶灯鱼的渔业生物学特征

瓦氏眶灯鱼(Diaphus watasei)是深海虾拖网的主要副渔获物之一,对维持深海及陆坡生态系统的稳定性和多样性起到了重要作用。根据2015年6、8月及2017年3月在南海北部陆坡海域利用底层虾拖网及中层拖网采集的瓦氏眶灯鱼(Diaphus watasei)样品,对其生长、繁殖、摄食等生物学特性进行了初步研究。结果表明,瓦氏眶灯鱼的体长范围为71~172 mm,平均118 mm;体重范围为5.25~66.20 g,平均26.05 g。雌雄个体体长、体重均存在极显著性差异(ANOVA,P0.01);总样本雌性体长与体重的关系式为:W♀=4×10~(-5)L~(2.7873)(R~2=0.9241,n=317),雄性体长和体重的关系式为:W♂=7×10~(-5)L~(2.6883)(R~2=0.9052,n=558)。雌雄性比为1:1.76,雄性明显多于雌性。性腺成熟度以II期为主,各月份均有性成熟个体,表明瓦氏眶灯鱼在全年多次产卵,其雌性初次性成熟体长L_(50%)为145.0 mm。瓦氏眶灯鱼摄食等级主要以1、2级为主,主要摄食安达曼钩腕乌贼(Abralia andamanica)、线小钩腕乌贼(Abraliopsis lineata)等头足类,同时还摄食七星底灯鱼(Benthosema pterotum)、尾明角灯鱼(Ceratoscopelus warmingii)等小型中层鱼及拟须虾(Aristaeomorpha foliacea)等甲壳类,有时也会摄食同类。瓦氏眶灯鱼主要生活在底层海域,除少部分未成熟个体外,基本不进行昼夜垂直迁移。瓦氏眶灯鱼个体规格大,数量多,且基本不进行垂直迁移,是研究南海深海及陆坡生态系统的重要种类。     

印度洋撒雅德玛哈浅滩（Saya de Malha Bank）底层延绳钓渔场丝尾红钻鱼生物学特性

利用2005年10月至2006年1月印度洋公海撒雅德玛哈浅滩(Saya de Malha Bank)丝尾红钻鱼(Etelis coruscans)延绳钓渔获物生物学测定数据,应用统计及回归方法分别对310尾丝尾红钻鱼的性腺成熟度、性别比例、叉长分布、叉长与体质量(GW)的关系等进行了研究.结果表明(1)雄性个体所占比例高于雌性个体,雌性与雄性个体的性别比例为12.39;(2)丝尾红钻鱼性腺成熟度以Ⅴ、Ⅵ级为主,Ⅴ级比例最高,占60.80%,其中分性别统计,雌性、雄性丝尾红钻鱼的性腺成熟度皆为Ⅴ级比例最高,分别为52.27%和65.24%,雌性丝尾红钻鱼中性腺成熟度Ⅵ级个体比例(30.68%)远高于雄性样本中性腺成熟度Ⅵ级个体比例(5.71%);(3)叉长分布基本上符合正态分布,优势叉长为683～803 mm,平均叉长为747 mm,在同一性腺成熟度时,雌性丝尾红钻鱼的平均叉长略大于雄性丝尾红钻鱼的平均叉长;(4)根据幂函数回归所得叉长(FL)与体质量(W)的关系式为W=9.439 0×10 6FL3 0817,其生长指数b值略大于太平洋海域丝尾红钻鱼种群的生长指数b值;(5)雌雄个体叉长与体质量关系式比较发现,在叉长小于897mm时,雄性个体的体质量大于雌性个体体质量.在叉长大于897mm时,则雌性个体体质量大于雄性个体体质量.     

西北太平洋秋刀鱼主要体征及繁殖特性研究

根据2014年6—7月和10—11月于西北太平洋公海两航次采集的秋刀鱼样本,分析其性别比例、体长和体质量组成、摄食等级,以探究其生长、性腺及繁殖特性。研究结果表明,随着月份的增大,秋刀鱼雌性比例逐渐降低,雄性占比升高;6、7月雌、雄样本优势体长组与体质量组范围均较10、11月小;体长和体质量关系中,秋刀鱼雌性生长系数为3.24,雄性为2.82;各月样本胃饱满度以1级为主,F检验表明,除0级外,4个月内各摄食等级间呈显著差异(P0.01);秋刀鱼雌、雄样本性腺发育以Ⅱ期为主,各性腺等级间差异不显著(P0.05),雌性性腺指数在Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期内大于雄性,Ⅴ、Ⅵ期内相反,逻辑斯蒂方程表明,秋刀鱼50%性成熟体长雌性为284.7 mm,雄性为267.4 mm;雌性秋刀鱼绝对繁殖力为1032～17 708粒/尾,平均值为(5522±3196)粒/尾,绝对繁殖力高的个体体长和体质量分别为280～320 mm、110～150 g。     

马鞍列岛海域皮氏叫姑鱼渔业生物学初步研究

基于2009年1月—2010年2月渔业资源调查数据,研究了马鞍列岛海域皮氏叫姑鱼的体长组成、体长与体质量关系、性比、繁殖习性和摄食等渔业生物学。结果表明:1)马鞍列岛海域皮氏叫姑鱼群体体长范围30～264 mm,优势体长组为80～100和130～180 mm;2)皮氏叫姑鱼幼鱼和雄性个体的生长呈负异速生长的特性,而雌性个体呈正异速生长的特性;3)雌雄比为1.68∶1(χ2=35.636,P<0.001),雌雄比随月份和体长变化,除8月和9月及体长110～150和160～180 mm外,雌雄个体数差异明显;4)皮氏叫姑鱼的繁殖期从6月持续到9月,其雌性和雄性个体首次性成熟体长分别为124.8和136.4 mm;5)皮氏叫姑鱼的饵料生物随月份和个体生长发生转变,幼鱼主要摄食端足类,而成鱼在繁殖前期主要摄食鱼类和虾类,繁殖期间主要摄食端足类。与其他海域相比,马鞍列岛海域皮氏叫姑鱼群体具有较大的体长范围和优势体长组体长。为持续利用皮氏叫姑鱼资源,建议加强繁殖群体和幼鱼群体的保护。     

东太平洋赤道海域茎柔鱼主要生物学特性比较研究

根据中国远洋鱿钓船于2018年2—4月在东太平洋赤道(110°W～114°W、2°40'S～2°N)作业期间现场取样的1200尾茎柔鱼(Dosidicusgigas)样本进行研究,利用频率分布法分析了2—4月胴长、体重、性腺成熟度和摄食等级的分布,并通过拟合求出了胴长-体重的关系和初次性成熟胴长。根据采样海域的遥感温度,讨论了茎柔鱼不同月份雌雄个体生长的差异。结果显示, 2—4月雄性茎柔鱼优势胴长依次为26～28 cm (19.33%)、30～32 cm (26.46%)、28～30 cm (31.82%),雌性分别为24～26 cm (16.8%)、28～30 cm (24.95%)、26～28 cm (21.79%); 2—4月雌雄茎柔鱼优势体重均依次为400～600 g (28%、20.67%)、600～800 g (29.14%、28.25%)、600～800 g (25.64%、31.82%)。协方差表明3月雌性茎柔鱼与同月雄性茎柔鱼以及2月、4月的雌性茎柔鱼生长模式均存在显著性差异(P_30.01, P_(2-3)0.01,P_(3-4)0.05)。2—4月雌、雄性茎柔鱼摄食等级均以1～2级为主,高摄食等级占比逐月降低。雄性茎柔鱼性腺发育均以Ⅱ期为主,性成熟比例逐月升高,初次性成熟胴长为32.72cm;雌性性腺发育缓慢,各月发育均以Ⅰ期为主,未成熟比例占97%以上,茎柔鱼胴长和体重随性腺等级的提高呈逐级增长状态。综合判断雄性茎柔鱼性成熟比雌性早,性成熟雄性个体或因交配正在离开赤道海域开始向美洲沿岸洄游。     

春季南沙海域鲣渔业生物学特性的初步分析

根据2014年5月和2016年4月灯光罩网船在南沙海域生产调查采集的鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)样本,对其渔业生物学特性进行初步研究。结果显示,渔获物优势叉长为260~280 mm,占14.68%;优势体质量为27~100 g,占18.35%;叉长与体质量关系参数b值为3.403 9。雌、雄性比约为1∶0.9;性腺成熟度以Ⅰ期(47.71%)和Ⅳ期(27.06%)为主,随着叉长的增大,雄性个体所占比例上升。性腺发育个体性腺长与叉长呈显著性正相关关系(P0.01);初次性成熟叉长为392.70 mm;摄食等级以1级和2级为主,分别占36.24%和29.36%,1~4级有逐渐减少的变化趋势;饱满度指数为0.74~7.45,均值为2.53。     

2018年春季拉尼娜发生期东海太平洋褶柔鱼的渔业生物学特性

根据拉尼娜发生期春季(2018年1—3月)在东海采集的1 840尾太平洋褶柔鱼样本，对其渔业生物学特性进行了研究。结果显示，不同性别间太平洋褶柔鱼的胴长和体质量组成不同，雌、雄胴长范围分别为92~270 mm和103~267 mm，优势胴长组分别为180~240 mm和140~220 mm，分别占样本总数的71.44%和89.31%；雌、雄体质量范围分别为21~453 g和21~465 g，优势体质量组分别为120~270 g和60~180 g，分别占样本总数的66.54%和81.26%。太平洋褶柔鱼体型瘦小，净重比例介于21.89%~87.76%，平均为49.14%。太平洋褶柔鱼的胴长与体质量、胴长与净重的生长不存在性别间显著性差异，且均最适合用幂函数表示。样本的雌、雄比例为1∶1.255，且性成熟明显，Ⅲ期及以上个体分别占雌雄样本总数的50.86%和54.78%。样本胃饱满度以0~2级为主，占样本总数的64.24%，胃含物主要由鱿鱼类、甲壳类和仔鱼组成。研究表明，拉尼娜发生期春季东海太平洋褶柔鱼个体稍小、生长稍快、性成熟度提前。     

北太平洋公海秋刀鱼生物学特性初步研究

根据2004年7～11月西北太平洋秋刀鱼探捕调查的生物学数据,通过统计回归方法分析了秋刀鱼的性腺成熟度,摄食等级,性比,叉长分布,叉长和体重、净重关系。结果为:性成熟度为Ⅱ期的占52．96％;摄食等级主要为2级和3级,占72．91％;性比接近1:1;体长范围为186～340mm,优势体长组为220～280mm;雌性的叉长略大于雄性;群体可能属于2个不同群体,生长参数大于3。     

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.     

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.