南四湖表层沉积物重金属的空间分布、来源及污染评价

为研究南四湖表层沉积物中重金属含量、分布与污染特征,采集了29个表层沉积物站点并测定了8种重金属含量。采用主成分、相关分析、聚类分析法分析了重金属来源,同时运用地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法综合评价了南四湖沉积物中重金属的污染现状和潜在生态风险。结果表明,（1）南四湖表层沉积物中,As、Hg、Pb、Cr、Cd、Cu、Zn、Ni的平均含量分别为14.41、0.048、25.69、71.10、0.22、30.14、87.55、35.33mg/kg,其中As、Hg、Pb、Cd均超过环境背景值,在空间上表现出上级湖高,下级湖低的分布特征;（2）相关性分析、主成分以及聚类分析显示,Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni具有同源性,为自然源元素;As和Cr具有同源性,为人为源元素;Hg元素主要来源与其他几种重金属不同,受自然地质背景与人类活动的双重影响。③地累积指数法评价结果表明,南四湖沉积物重金属元素的污染程度：Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cr＞Zn＞Ni＞Cu,Hg、Cd、As、Pb已处于无污染-中度污染程度,而其它元素无污染。④潜在生态指数法研究结果表明,南四湖表层沉积物单项重金属生态风险程度顺序为：Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Ni＞Cu＞Zn＞Cr,Hg、Cd具有较高的生态风险等级,为主要的生态风险贡献因子,其它7种重金属元素均为低生态风险等级。综合分析可见,Hg、Cd、As、Pb为南四湖表层沉积物主要重金属污染元素,各湖区沉积物污染程度由高至低依次为：南阳湖＞独山湖＞微山湖＞昭阳湖。     

燕尾港近岸海域表层沉积物重金属的分布与污染评价

测定了燕尾港近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属的含量,运用地累积指数就其污染程度进行了分析与评价。结果表明Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Ni、Mn的平均含量分别为20．2,264,54．0,1．52,69．8,38．8,35．7,684 mg/kg。Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As的平均含量低于国家海洋沉积物质量标准的二级标准值,重金属Cd的平均值高于国家海洋沉积物质量标准的二级标准值;地累积指数评价结果表明,Cd在调查海域污染程度重,7种重金属的污染程度依次为Cd＞ As＞ Pb＞Zn＞Cr＞Ni＞Cu。对结果进行主成分分析和聚类分析后发现,前2个主成分的贡献率分别为62．41％、12．52％,表明此海域表层沉积物中重金属的主要来源是工业废水和农业灌溉水的排放及大气沉降。     

三峡库区及上游表层沉积物重金属形态特征及其生态风险

研究三峡库区表层沉积物中重金属形态特征及其潜在生态风险,为制定库区重金属污染防治措施提供基础资料。2020年11月,在三峡库区流水区合江江段、回水区江津江段、静水区巴南江段和长寿江段采集21个沉积物样品,通过连续提取法对重金属Cu、Pb、Cr、Cd、As、Hg总量及形态特征进行分析。结果显示:三峡库区研究江段沉积物重金属平均含量Cr>Pb>Cu>As>Cd>Hg,其中Cu、Pb和Cd的含量高于长江流域沉积物重金属背景值,静水区江段重金属含量最高;重金属形态占比具有明显差异,研究江段Pb的铁锰结合态占比高达34.99%~43.17%,Cd的离子交换态含量最高,其在合江、江津、巴南和长寿江段沉积物重金属形态总和中的占比分别为17.41%、16.65%、20.56%和18.88%,而As、Hg、Cu和Cr的残渣态含量较高,其中Hg和Cr的残渣态占比分别超过了80%和88%;研究江段沉积物中重金属污染负荷指数PLI值和潜在生态风险指数RI值分别为0.90~1.61和112.49~245.03,其中静水区江段指数值较高。综合结果表明,静水区江段沉积物重金属污染较严重,总体处于中等污染水平,Cd和Pb是主要贡献者,其中Cd具有较大的生物可利用性和潜在生态风险。     

珠江口重金属变化特征与生态评价

根据2002年5月和8月珠江口生态环境调查的数据,对水体和沉积物中重金属元素Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的含量与变化特征进行分析讨论,并对研究海域的生态环境进行质量评价和生态危害性评价。结果表明,珠江口水体和表层沉积物中-6、48.9×10-6、153.3×Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的平均含量分别是6.53μg/L、2.22μg/L、48.3μg/L、0.16μg/L和43.8×1010-6、0.82×10-6;沉积物对Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的富集倍数平均在1.5～3.3。水体中Cu、Pb、Cd的含量在河口不同区段(上、下游)季节变化特征不同,这种变化与水体中Cu、Pb、Cd的存在形态、迁移转化过程有关;受水动力条件及冲淤特性的影响,表层沉积物中8月份Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd的含量高于5月份的含量。生态环境质量评价的结果表明,5月份珠江口水体处于中污染状况、沉积物属轻污染状况,8月份水体和沉积物分别为较清洁和中污染;对沉积物的生态危害评价显示,8月份沉积物重金属的潜在生态危害性高于5月份,Cd的潜在危害性高于Cu、Pb、Zn。     

连云港近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属的赋存形态

对连云港近岸海域6个表层沉积物样品中重金属(Cu、Zn、Cr、Ni、Pb、Cd)的含量及赋存形态进行分析。结果表明该海域表层沉积物中重金属Pb和Cr的浓度水平超出国家海洋一类沉积物质量评价标准，其余重金属的浓度达到海洋一类沉积物质量标准。采用Tessier连续提取法发现，连云港近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属各形态的分布存在很大的差别，重金属Cu以有机态为主要赋存形态，Cr和Ni以残渣态为主要赋存形态，Pb主要以铁锰氧化物态为主，重金属Cd以可交换态为主，Zn主要以非残渣态为主。以生物有效性和迁移性来综合评价重金属的生物活性，发现该海域Cd的生物活性和迁移性最大。此次研究对该海域表层沉积物中重金属的赋存形态特征有了基本了解，有助于进一步研究金属元素在近海环境中的迁移和形态转化机制，也为评价近岸海域表层沉积物中重金属的危害提供科学依据。     

阿哈水库柱状沉积物中重金属分布特征及潜在生态危害风险评价

阿哈水库是贵阳市重要的饮用水源地,及时掌握其沉积物中重金属的污染现状和存在的潜在生态风险具有非常重要的现实意义。本文对阿哈水库库区4个采样点的柱状沉积物中重金属铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)6种毒性重金属进行了检测分析。结果表明,6种重金属含量在空间分布上有显著差异。在水平方向上,库心沉积物中的Cu、Cr和Pb含量最高,南郊水厂取水口的Zn和Cd含量最高,金钟河和游鱼河入库口沉积物中的6种重金属含量都相对较低。垂直方向上,南郊水厂取水口和库中心这两个采样点中Cr、Pb、Cu、Ni、Zn、Cd6种重金属峰值均出现在10-15 cm处。Zn、Cu和Pb平均含量都超过背景值,Cd富集系数最高,污染最严重。同时,潜在生态风险评价结果显示,水库沉积物重金属潜在生态危害风险从大到小依次为Cd,Cu,Pb,Ni,Zn,Cr,Cd是生态风险贡献因子,阿哈水库沉积物重金属总体上还是存在轻微的生态危害风险及处于轻微的污染状态。     

马鞍列岛人工鱼礁修复海域沉积物重金属形态组成及垂直分布特征

为了解马鞍列岛人工鱼礁海域沉积物重金属形态组成及垂直分布特征,于2018年6月采集该海域附近柱状沉积物样品,通过测定柱状沉积物粒度组成,同时采用改进后沉积物重金属形态分析的连续提取法(European community bureau of reference, BCR)分析了7种重金属(Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As、Ni)各形态含量,并结合地累积指数法(Igeo)、相关性以及潜在生态危害指数等分析方法,探索了马鞍列岛海域沉积物中重金属的垂直分布特征及其来源。结果显示,柱状沉积物粒度组成(D [3,2])以细粉砂粒为主;柱状沉积物重金属的含量总体上随深度呈锯齿状波动,在0.5 m和2.0 m时达到极值;7种重金属总量均可满足我国海洋沉积物质量I类标准;重金属Cd以次生相为主,可交换态及碳酸盐结合态(F1)、Fe/Mn氧化物结合态(F2)及有机物及硫化物结合态(F3)3种形态百分组成基本相当,其余6种重金属均以残渣态为主要赋存形态;7种重金属有效态垂直变化趋势具有周期性和一致性;以惰性元素Ni作为参比,综合3种分析方法进行来源识别,结果显示,柱状沉积物中的重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、As、Ni主要是自然沉积的结果,而Cd在个别深度存在污染累积,是否存在生态风险,还待进一步研究;后续可结合稳定同位素测年法,探索重金属含量及形态随年代的变化,进一步确定重金属污染的历史记录。研究表明,马鞍列岛附近海域重金属受人为因素影响较小,污染程度较低,可较准确地反映该海域沉积物重金属的本底值。     

阿哈水库沉积物中重金属分布特征及潜在生态风险评价

研究阿哈水库沉积物中重金属空间分布特征和污染现状,评价潜在生态风险,为重金属污染防治提供参考依据和理论基础。2016年12月,在阿哈水库设置4个采样点,每个采样点采集20cm柱状沉积物,按5cm分层取样,检测分析铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)6种毒性重金属,用潜在生态危害指数法评价生态风险。结果表明,6种重金属含量在空间分布上有显著差异。水平方向,沉积物中Cu、Cr和Pb含量库心最高,Zn和Cd含量南郊水厂取水口最高,沉积物中的6种重金属含量在金钟河和游鱼河入库口都相对较低。垂直方向上,南郊水厂取水口和库心采样点Cr、Pb、Cu、Ni、Zn、Cd 6种重金属峰值均出现在10~15cm处。Zn、Cu和Pb平均含量都超过背景值,Cd富集系数最高,污染最严重。潜在生态风险评价结果显示,水库沉积物重金属潜在生态危害指数从大到小依次为Cd、Cu、Pb、Ni、Zn、Cr,Cd是生态风险主要贡献因子。阿哈水库沉积物重金属总体上存在轻微的生态风险及处于轻微的污染状态,南郊水厂取水口较高的生态风险应当引起足够的重视。     

阳宗海湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属的空间分布特征

以阳宗海不同湖岸湖滨湿地沉积物为研究对象,分析测定沉积物中7种重金属含量,评价不同湖岸重金属的污染程度,探讨在不同干扰方式下湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属的主要污染特征,为阳宗海重金属污染防治提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)阳宗海湖滨湿地不同湖岸7种重金属元素污染程度存在差异,表现为:东岸北岸南岸西岸。As、Cd、Cr、Zn、Mn的最高值出现在东岸,Co、Cu、Ni的最高值出现在北岸,Pb的最高值出现在南岸。(2)不同区域湿地沉积物中,东岸(Cu、Ni、As、Cd)、南岸(Cu、Cd)、西岸(Cd)、北岸(Cu、Ni、Cd)的重金属含量明显高于土壤环境质量2级标准,是主要污染因子,Cu、Ni、As、Cd的含量分别为43.41~111.15、41.64~57.23、10.28~65.31、1.02~1.99 mg/kg;(3)阳宗海流域上游的铝厂、电厂等高污染企业产生的工业"三废"未经有效净化直接排放,流域周围生活污水、化肥和农药等农业面源污染是导致湖泊重金属污染严重的主要原因;(4)湖滨湿地沉积物中重金属与有机质、全磷之间相互影响,Cu、Ni、As和Cd与全磷呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.674、0.790、0.357和0.626(P0.01),增加磷的含量,会增加沉积物对重金属的吸附量;Cu、Ni、As和Cd与有机质呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.393、0.451、0.406和0.497(P0.01)。有机质的降解促进金属离子的释放,使沉积物中重金属含量增高。     

通州区河流沉积物重金属污染评价

为了解通州区河流沉积物重金属污染现状,保障区域水生态安全,采集了11条主要河流25个沉积物样品,测定了重金属Hg、As、Pb、Cr、Cd和Cu的含量,采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法对重金属污染程度及潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明:(1)全区沉积物重金属Hg、As、Pb、Cr、Cd、Cu平均含量为0.673、6.27、24.40、78.60、0.25、45.80 mg/kg,总体高于中国水系沉积物平均值;(2)全区重金属平均地累积指数为Hg(1.53)Cr(0.75)Cu(0.38)Cd(0.11)Pb(-0.77)As(-0.90),沉积物主要受Hg、Cr、Cu、Cd污染;北运河污染最为严重,主要来源于工业废水及城市污水的排放;(3)全区重金属平均潜在生态风险系数为Hg(336)Cd(63)Cu(12)As(9)Cr(5)≈Pb(5),Hg具有极强生态危害;通州全区潜在生态风险指数RI=430,其中北京城市副中心RI=633,重金属生态危害更为严重。研究结果能够为通州区的河流底泥治理及生态修复提供科学依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

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.