东太平洋南北部海域大眼金枪鱼生物学特性对比研究

明确大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)的生物学特征是进行种群资源评估并依此制定和实施养护管理措施的重要前提。为掌握广泛的时间和空间范围内东太平洋大眼金枪鱼种群特征, 本研究利用 2013—2019 年执行东太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓资源探捕调查期间采集的大眼金枪鱼渔获数据, 对东太平洋南、北部海域大眼金枪鱼的叉长、净重、摄食等级、性腺成熟期等生物学特性进行了分析, 结果显示: (1)北部海域大眼金枪鱼的叉长范围为 72~229 cm, 优势叉长为 80~160 cm, 平均叉长(121.53±29.11) cm, 雌雄比为 0.91∶1, 优势性腺成熟期为 III、Ⅳ期; (2)南部海域大眼金枪鱼的叉长范围为 63~209 cm, 平均叉长为(134.87±25.73) cm, 优势叉长组 110~150 cm, 雌雄性比为 0.62∶1, 优势性腺成熟期为 III、Ⅴ期; (3)南北海域大眼金枪鱼的优势摄食等级分别为 1 级和 2 级, 空胃率分别为 46.98%和 3.22%, 总体上摄食强度随叉长的增大而增加; (4) ANCOVA 结果显示, 南部和北部海域叉长与净重的关系存在较明显的差异(P<0.05); (5) ANOVA 结果显示, 大眼金枪鱼雌雄个体性腺成熟差异不显著(P>0.05); (6)钓获后处于存活状态的个体占比较高, 死亡状态仅占 8.52%。研究表明, 东太平洋南北部海域大眼金枪鱼的叉长、性比和摄食强度等生物学特性具有一定的空间异质性。     

印度洋中南部大眼金枪鱼生物学特性研究

根据2008年9月~2009年4月在印度洋中南部金枪鱼延绳钓渔场调查期间收集的大眼金枪鱼生物学数据,对其基本的生物学特征进行了研究。结果表明:(1)叉长范围为57~184 cm,优势叉长组为101~110cm和121~130 cm,约占总数的41.7%,平均叉长为119.5 cm;(2)不分性别大眼金枪鱼叉长(FL)与加工后重(DW)的关系可表达为:DW=2.407 6×10-5FL2.931 6,雌雄个体差异不显著(F=0.207,P0.05);(3)调查期间,大眼金枪鱼雄性比例为56.55%,当叉长大于140 cm时,雄性占优势;调查期间,该海域大眼金枪鱼的繁殖期为10月~翌年4月,繁殖峰期为10月~翌年1月;(4)摄食种类中柔鱼、帆蜥鱼和虾类所占比重较高,分别占36.0%、20.1%和18.0%;各月份摄食等级1~4级分布呈显著性差异(χ2=191.20,P0.01),各叉长组大眼金枪鱼摄食等级变化无显著性差异(χ2=41.08,P0.05)。     

北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢的发育特征

根据2013年10月–2014年2月在北太平洋海域(29°08′~41°08′N,163°50′~144°19′W)采集的364尾长鳍金枪鱼的卵巢样本,利用组织学分析,详细描述了长鳍金枪鱼卵巢、卵细胞的发育阶段。结果显示,北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢内同时存在不同时相的卵细胞,为分批产卵类型;组织学上,长鳍金枪鱼的卵细胞发育过程分为6个时相,卵巢发育过程分为6个时期;卵巢成熟指数在成熟期为Ⅰ~Ⅴ期时逐渐增大,在Ⅵ期时减小;北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼产卵高峰为12月中旬和1月初,其卵巢成熟指数随纬度的升高呈递减趋势,随经度变化规律不明显。研究表明,通过对北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼卵巢的发育特征的分析与探讨,可为北太平洋长鳍金枪鱼的资源状况评估及渔业可持续发展提供生物学信息。     

南太平洋所罗门群岛海域黄鳍金枪鱼的渔业生物学特性

根据2010年8~10月,在南太平洋所罗门群岛海域延绳钓作业渔场所采集的黄鳍金枪鱼数据,对其渔业生物学特性进行了初步分析。结果表明,1）叉长为47.5~166.5 cm,平均叉长为112.7 cm,优势叉长为80.0~90.0 cm和100.0~140.0 cm（75.0%）;体重为2.0~72.0 kg,平均体重为26.5 kg,优势体重为5~10 kg和15~40 kg（68.6%）,雌、雄个体大小差异明显（ANOVA,P<0.01）;2）体重（RW）与叉长（FL）、纯重（DW）的关系分别为RW=1.159×10-5FL3.070和RW=1.118DW+0.684（不分性别）;3）雌、雄性比为1∶1.2。各叉长组性比变化显著（χ2=1 093.386,P<0.001）,叉长大于140 cm时,雄性个体占优势;4）性腺发育以Ⅱ期为主（50%）,初次性成熟叉长为113.4 cm。达到性成熟的个体中,34.0%的个体发育至Ⅴ期以上,说明调查期间为黄鳍金枪鱼繁殖期;5）空胃率高达51.6%,摄食种类主要为鱼类（67.5%）、头足类（18.0%）和甲壳类（14.5%）。不同叉长组的摄食等级存在显著变化（χ2=400.782,P<0.001）。     

南海鸢乌贼微型群雌性个体繁殖力研究

根据2017年灯光罩网船在南海海域采集的鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)微型群雌性样本，进行繁殖力特性的测定分析。结果显示，南海鸢乌贼微型群雌性个体潜在繁殖力为1218~32843 cell，卵巢卵母细胞数为1178~30397 cell，输卵管成熟卵子数为113~2904 cell。相对繁殖力为48.93~842.12 cell/g，总体潜在繁殖投入指数为0.005~0.213。潜在繁殖力与胴长呈幂函数关系，与体重呈线性相关关系。相对繁殖力与胴长呈指数函数关系，与体重呈线性相关关系。潜在繁殖投入指数与胴长和体重均呈线性相关关系。产卵繁殖期，雌性个体的分批繁殖力为1895~2904 cell，产卵批次为6~15，平均值为9.87±4.36。卵巢卵母细胞的卵径范围为0.17~0.99 mm，均值为(0.51±0.14) mm，不同性腺成熟度之间的卵径存在显著性差异(P<0.05)。Ⅲ~Ⅵ期的卵巢卵母细胞卵径大小均呈单峰值区间分布，随性腺发育峰值区间呈前移趋势，Ⅲ~Ⅳ期时峰值区间为0.35~0.60 mm，Ⅴ~Ⅵ期为0.40~0.75 mm。输卵管成熟卵子的卵径为0.50~ 1.08 mm。研究表明，南海鸢乌贼微型群雌性个体繁殖力随个体生长发育呈增长趋势，卵巢卵母细胞为批次发育成熟，产卵活动为分批次产卵。     

黑龙江乌苏里白鲑的个体繁殖力

2013年和2014年的10–11月,在黑龙江抚远江段采集成熟度为IV期的雌性乌苏里白鲑(Coregonus ussurinsis)133尾,鉴定年龄(A),测量叉长(L)、体重(W)、净体重(Wn)和卵巢重(Wo)等生物学指标。计算了绝对繁殖力(F)、叉长相对繁殖力(FL)、体重相对繁殖力(FW)、性成熟系数(GSI)和肥满度(K),并运用6种数学模型及多元线性逐步回归方程拟合了乌苏里白鲑个体繁殖力与生物学指标之间的关系。结果表明,用于统计繁殖力的样本由4+~8+龄5个年龄组组成,乌苏里白鲑F分布范围在1.161×104~5.921×104粒,平均为3.027×104粒;FL分布在307.13~1119.4 eggs/cm,平均为622.5 eggs/cm;FW分布在19.81~56.98 eggs/g,平均为34.62 eggs/g。F与叉长、体重和年龄拟合度最高的函数分别为幂函数、线性函数和抛物线,FL与叉长、体重和年龄分别为幂函数、幂函数和线性函数相关,而FW与叉长、体重和年龄无显著相关性,FW只与卵巢重和性成熟系数具有一定的相关性,且拟合度最高的方程均为幂函数。多元线性逐步回归分析表明,乌苏里白鲑F与卵巢重、叉长和性成熟系数显著相关,而FL和FW均受卵巢重和性成熟系数的显著影响,从二者偏相关系数值来讲,卵巢重与个体繁殖力(F、FL、FW)之间的相关性均高于性成熟系数。     

大西洋海域大眼金枪鱼年龄与生长的初步研究

根据2001年6~10月在大西洋海域金枪鱼延绳钓渔业中采集的89 ind大眼金枪鱼样本,对其叉长、体重进行测定,并以脊椎骨作为年龄鉴定材料。结果表明,叉长组成为85~186 cm,体重组成为11.5~132.5kg,年龄为2~6龄。体重与叉长关系式为W=4.5026×10-5×FL2.8200。利用一般Von Bertalanffy生长方程来拟合,叉长和体重生长方程为:FL=257.90×(1-e-0.1960(t+3.7919))2.5933,Wt=284.28×[(1-e-0.1960(t+3.7919))2.5933]2.8200。叉长和体重的生长拐点分别为1.07龄和5.75龄。     

繸鳚繁殖生物学特性

2015年4月至2016年4月在黄海海域的大连市旅顺口区盐场地区逐月采集繸鳚样本350尾,采用常规生物学测定等手段,研究了繸鳚的繁殖生物学。试验结果表明,繸鳚为一次性产卵鱼类,成熟个体具有第二性征;雌雄最小性成熟年龄为2龄,雌性性腺指数在10月达到最高值;雄性在9月达到最高值;其个体绝对繁殖力为4009~11 075粒,个体体长相对繁殖力为21.87~39.96粒/cm,个体体质量相对繁殖力为20.31~64.27粒/g。相关分析显示,个体绝对繁殖力与体长、体质量、空壳质量及卵巢质量之间均达到了极显著的相关水平,个体体长相对繁殖力与卵巢质量和肥满度之间为显著性相关,个体体质量相对繁殖力与体长、体质量、空壳质量之间呈显著性负相关,但与性腺指数和年龄呈正相关。     

中西太平洋金枪鱼围网渔获物组成分析

根据 2 0 0 4年 7月 2 8日至 9月 1日在中西太平洋海域的金枪鱼围网生产调查结果 ,以及“金汇 2号”2 0 0 3年全年的生产数据 ,对中西太平洋金枪鱼围网渔获物组成进行了初步分析。结果显示 ,渔获物种类有鲣鱼 (Katsuwonuspelamis)、黄鳍金枪鱼 (Thunnusalbacares)和大眼金枪鱼 (Thunnusobesus)等 19种 ;渔获物重量组成中鲣鱼占 70 .5 1% ,黄鳍金枪鱼占 2 6 .92 % ,其它鱼类占 2 .5 6 % ;鲣鱼的叉长范围为 2 7～ 81cm ,优势叉长组为 4 0～ 5 0cm ,占 4 1% ;黄鳍金枪鱼叉长范围为 32～ 16 5cm ,优势叉长组为 5 0～ 70cm ,占 33% ,另一优势叉长组为 110～ 130cm ,占 2 0 % ;渔获物重量组成存在海域差异 ,在 16 2°E以东海域鲣鱼比例高于以西海域 ,黄鳍金枪鱼则是在 16 2°E以西海域的比例较高。     

马尔代夫海域金枪鱼延绳钓渔场大眼金枪鱼生物学特性

根据2003年12月16日至2004年6月8日马尔代夫水域金枪鱼延绳钓渔获物生物学测定数据，应用统计与回归的方法分性别分别对296尾大眼金枪鱼（Thunnus obesus）的性腺成熟度、摄食等级、摄食种类、性别比例、叉长分布、叉长与去鳃去内脏的重量（GWT）的关系等进行研究。结果表明，（1）性腺成熟度以Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅴ级为主，Ⅴ级比例最高，占37．50％，其中雄性大眼金枪鱼的性腺成熟度Ⅴ级最多（53．96％），雌性Ⅱ级最多（33．81％）。（2）摄食等级以0、1和2级为主，总计为88．52％。（3）大眼金枪鱼的摄食种类中，头足类（鱿鱼）或杂鱼的出现频率较高，分别占48．36％和24．59％。（4）雄性个体所占比例略高于雌性个体，雄性与雌性个体的性别比例为1．12：1，叉长1．00～1．20m的大眼金枪鱼雌性占52．08％，叉长1．20～1．40m的个体雌性占52．59％，叉长1．40m以上的个体，雌性占35．14％。（5）优势叉长为1．10～1．40m，平均叉长为1．29m。（5）根据幂函数回归所得叉长（FL）与去鳃去内脏的重量（GWT）关系式显示，在叉长小于1．51m时，雌性的去鳃去内脏重量小于雄性的去鳃去内脏重量；而在叉长大于1．51m时，雌性的去鳃去内脏的重量大于雄性的去鳃去内脏的重量。[中国水产科学，2006，13（4）：674—678，649]     

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.