通过精液移植构建中国明对虾家系及微卫星分型鉴定父本

本研究首次采用精液移植法进行中国明对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)的家系构建,利用10尾已交尾雌虾纳精囊内精液对17尾未交尾雌虾进行了移植,共建立11个中国明对虾家系,其中含有父系半同胞家系2个;精液移植的平均受精率为46.8%,最高受精率为78%,授精成功率为64.7%。为了揭示每个家系母本内精液的来源情况,选用6个中国明对虾微卫星标记对11个家系的母本、母本内精液及每个家系的6个个体进行分析,推算出每个家系各自的父本基因型,并与各自母本内精液基因型进行比较,成功地对11个家系进行了父本鉴定。实验结果表明,11个家系的父本基因型与各自母本内精液基因型相同,每个家系内个体属全同胞关系,即对于1尾自然交尾雌虾,其纳精囊内精液只来自于1尾雄虾。通过本实验,验证了精液移植在构建中国明对虾全同胞家系和半同胞家系中的可行性,阐明了精液移植家系内个体的亲缘关系,为中国明对虾选育工作提供了技术保证。     

微卫星DNA标记用于中国对虾亲子关系的鉴定

在水产养殖中应用微卫星标记来确定亲缘关系已经得到认同和广泛使用。本研究通过控制交尾,利用微卫星标记确定中国对虾后代的亲缘关系,对微卫星标记应用于中国对虾的家系识别进行初步探讨。作者以4个谱系清晰的家系为基础,检测两对微卫星标记EN0033和RS062在中国对虾家系鉴别中的应用。结果表明,利用两对微卫星引物产生的DNA指纹图谱,能够有效地区分中国对虾4个家系。根据微卫星数据计算各家系之间的遗传距离,构建UPGMA图,得到的结果与各家系来源情况一致,进一步证明了微卫星技术在进行家系间的遗传分析中的可行性。EN0033和RS062两对微卫星标记的累积个体识别率高达0.989,属于高识别力的遗传标记系统,可以利用它们进行中国对虾的亲缘关系鉴定。     

人工控制自然交尾条件下中国对虾父本的微卫星识别

人工控制自然交尾条件下,在保持中国对虾雌、雄5∶1的交配比率下,获得了两尾交尾并产生子代的雌虾,同时有4个疑似父本需要识别.利用3个微卫星引物及其组成的三重PCR技术对4个疑似父本进行了鉴别,准确的找到了相应的与雌虾交尾的雄虾.这为建立半同胞家系提供了一种新的技术和思路.     

斑节对虾7个全同胞家系间亲缘关系的微卫星分析

为了斑节对虾（Penaeus monodon）后续育种工作的需要,研究了斑节对虾7个全同胞家系的亲缘关系。从95对微卫星引物中筛选出16对,16个微卫星位点共发现79个等位基因（A）。每个位点的A为2～10个,平均4.9375,有效等位基因（Ne）1.7575～5.3980,平均3.3878,平均杂合度观测值（Ho）0.6679,平均杂合度期望值（He）0.6698。平均多态信息含量（PIC）0.6110。7个家系总近交系数（FIT）0.0099,家系内近交系数（FIS）-0.3725,家系间基因分化系数（FST）0.2709。根据遗传距离采用UPGMA法对7个家系进行聚类,F2和F6家系之间的遗传距离最小聚为一类,与F7家系遗传距离最远。结果表明,家系间基因交流较低,遗传分化程度较高,且很少发生近交,F7家系可以优先考虑与其他家系进行杂交选育。     

基于标记系谱的红鳍东方鲀生长性状遗传分析

利用分子标记辅助家系选育进行红鳍东方鲀生长性状的遗传评估,由红鳍东方鲀基础群体中选择性腺发育良好的雌雄亲本各11尾建立全同胞家系11个,每个全同胞家系随机采集10尾个体组建全同胞家系群体,从混合培育的家系中选择相对较大的个体400尾组建混合选育群体。在红鳍东方鲀遗传连锁图谱上挑选44个均匀分布于22个连锁群上的微卫星DNA标记,每个连锁群有2个标记。全同胞家系群体的遗传分析结果显示,10个高亲本排除概率微卫星标记的Excl(1)和Excl(2)为0.58~0.662和0.736~0.797,14个低亲本排除概率标记的Excl(1)和Excl(2)为0.054~0.43和0.177~0.608,剩余20个中等亲本排除概率标记的Excl(1)和Excl(2)为0.467~0.575和0.641~0.732。利用拥有高亲本排除概率的微卫星DNA标记进行混合选育群体的亲权鉴定,结果显示:不同父母本繁殖产生的子代数量存在明显差异,父本M2和母本F4产生了124个子代,占子代个体总数的32.89%。根据亲权鉴定结果建立的系谱估计主要生长性状的遗传参数,不同日龄的体质量和体长遗传力估计值为0.17~0.21和0.15~0.18。研究表明,利用具有高亲本排除概率的微卫星DNA标记能够有效建立红鳍东方鲀系谱,进行生长性状的遗传参数估计,分子标记辅助家系选育可以作为红鳍东方鲀目标性状遗传改良的新方法。     

凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)微卫星多重PCR体系的建立及其在家系亲权鉴定中的应用

为了在遗传分析研究中提高效率并节约成本,本研究从已报道的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)微卫星位点中选取多态性较高的位点,基于各位点的扩增片段大小及退火温度等因素进行微卫星位点的组合.通过不断优化位点组合、反应体系及反应程序,成功建立了1个五重、2个四重和1个三重PCR反应体系,并将其应用于11个凡纳滨对虾家系的亲权鉴定.结果显示,四组多重PCR体系中的16个微卫星位点在11个凡纳滨对虾家系中的平均等位基因数(Na)为6,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.5813,平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.513,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.636.利用Cervus3.0软件,对已知系谱关系的11个凡纳滨对虾家系进行亲权分析,其第一亲本累积排除率(CE-1P)、第二亲本累积排除率(CE-2P)和双亲累积排除率(CE-PP)分别为0.99525487、0.99990862和0.99999986.进一步分析表明,当同时使用四组多重PCR体系进行亲权分析时,其模拟配对率和亲权鉴定准确率均为100％,全同胞和半同胞家系鉴别效果良好,表现出准确的鉴别能力.本研究所建立的四组凡纳滨对虾微卫星多重PCR体系均可为后续的凡纳滨对虾遗传多样性分析和亲权鉴定提供高效、准确的检测手段.     

凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)微卫星多重PCR体系的建立及其在家系亲权鉴定中的应用

为了在遗传分析研究中提高效率并节约成本,本研究从已报道的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)微卫星位点中选取多态性较高的位点,基于各位点的扩增片段大小及退火温度等因素进行微卫星位点的组合。通过不断优化位点组合、反应体系及反应程序,成功建立了1个五重、2个四重和1个三重PCR反应体系,并将其应用于11个凡纳滨对虾家系的亲权鉴定。结果显示,四组多重PCR体系中的16个微卫星位点在11个凡纳滨对虾家系中的平均等位基因数(Na)为6,平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.5813,平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.513,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.636。利用Cervus3.0软件,对已知系谱关系的11个凡纳滨对虾家系进行亲权分析,其第一亲本累积排除率(CE-1P)、第二亲本累积排除率(CE-2P)和双亲累积排除率(CE-PP)分别为0.99525487、0.99990862和0.99999986。进一步分析表明,当同时使用四组多重PCR体系进行亲权分析时,其模拟配对率和亲权鉴定准确率均为100%,全同胞和半同胞家系鉴别效果良好,表现出准确的鉴别能力。本研究所建立的四组凡纳滨对虾微卫星多重PCR体系均可为后续的凡纳滨对虾遗传多样性分析和亲权鉴定提供高效、准确的检测手段。     

尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(♂)F_1家系亲权关系微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)第2代遗传连锁图谱标记,对3组不同尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)(♂)杂交F1家系内亲权关系进行分析。结果显示,86个微卫星位点中共筛选出20个在尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异的扩增位点,含13个种间特异性和7个共享带差异位点。尼萨杂交F1中,平均等位基因2.90,平均多态信息含量0.439,位点多态性较高。3个尼萨杂交F1家系组间遗传距离0.362~0.504,组内个体间遗传距离0.245~0.316,组内遗传距离明显小于组间。利用3个种间特异位点组合,可对3个不同家系组父、母本个体进行鉴别。通过对各组亲本与子代位点基因型分析,家系A、B和C组分别使用4、8和12个特异位点组合进行亲权鉴定,累积排除概率分别为99.99%、99.99%和99.91%,家系A、B组分别含3个半同胞家系,家系C组含2对非同胞或4个半同胞家系。     

皱纹盘鲍微卫星多重PCR体系构建及其在家系鉴定中的应用

为提高微卫星分型效率,从以往报道的皱纹盘鲍微卫星中筛选出易扩增、特异性好的微卫星位点进行组合扩增,并通过优化退火温度、反应体系、引物浓度等条件,开发了4组多重PCR扩增体系.运用CERVUS3.0软件对12个皱纹盘鲍全同胞家系的372个子代进行家系鉴定,验证了这4组多重PCR在家系鉴定中的效率.结果发现,仅用1组微卫星多重PCR模拟和实际家系鉴定的成功率分别为86％和90％,两组则达到100％.结果表明,微卫星多重PCR技术能准确地把任意子代鉴定至其所属家系,可以进行大批量家系材料分析,具有较好的应用价值.     

利用微卫星标记进行马氏珠母贝家系遗传结构分析与系谱认证

为改良马氏珠母贝养殖群体性状,2010年4月,从马氏珠母贝选育系F3选择性腺成熟个体为亲本,建立了36个家系,按照常规技术进行幼体培育和海区养成.2010年11月,从36个家系中随机选取4个家系,每个家系取样30个个体,利用13对微卫星引物进行家系遗传结构和系谱鉴别分析.结果显示,(1) 13个微卫星引物在4个家系中共检测到39个等位基因,每个位点的等位基因数为2～5,4个家系的平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.531 ～0.597,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.474 ～0.507；(2)根据子代基因型成功地推断出4个家系的亲本基因型,据此鉴别各个家系；用UPGMA法对120个样本进行聚类分析,98.3％的同一家系的子代个体能够聚到一起,分类结果与系谱来源基本一致.结果说明,这4个家系具有较高的遗传多样性和家系间具有明显的遗传分化；微卫星标记能有效地为马氏珠母贝群体的系谱分析提供技术支持.     

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.