浙江南部近海鱼类资源季节分布特征及其影响因素

根据2016—2020年浙江南部鱼类资源调查数据,运用广义加性模型研究浙江南部各季节鱼类资源与环境因子的关系,并基于2020年环境数据探究鱼类资源时空分布特征。结果显示,春季、夏季、秋季和冬季最佳模型的偏差解释率分别为47.9%、68.0%、56.6%和45.6%,交叉验证回归线的斜率平均值为0.74~1.02,模型拟合能力和预测能力良好。水温、盐度和叶绿素是影响浙江南部海域鱼类资源密度的主要因子,在不同季节对鱼类资源密度有不同的影响机制。水温在夏季和秋季对鱼类资源密度影响极显著(P<0.01),秋季,水温和资源密度之间存在显著负相关(r= –0.225, P<0.05);盐度在不同季节对鱼类资源密度的影响也存在差异,秋季,鱼类资源密度随着盐度的增加而增加,冬季则呈先增加后减小的变化趋势,且在盐度为31.5时达到最大值;除冬季外,其他季节叶绿素浓度与鱼类资源密度均显著相关(P<0.05)。研究表明,2020年春季、夏季鱼类资源密度相对较高,秋季和冬季鱼类资源密度则相对偏低。空间上,春季,温台渔场的鱼类资源密度明显高于鱼山渔场;夏季,温台渔场和鱼山渔场鱼类资源均较为集中,主要分布在27.8°~28.4°N、121.7°~122.9°E以及28.9°N、122°E海域附近。     

长江口近海秋季鱼类资源的年变化分析

选用2002~2005年秋季长江口近海渔业资源和温盐度同步调查数据,对该水域秋季鱼类资源量指数、多样性指数、优势种组成以及水温、盐度的年间变化进行了分析,并对鱼类资源量与水温、盐度之间的关系进行了初步研究。结果表明:秋季长江口近海的鱼类资源量指数和多样性指数的年间变化均较为明显,但优势种组成较为稳定,以带鱼、小黄鱼、银鲳、刺鲳为主要优势种,且各年份基本上以带鱼和小黄鱼占有绝对的优势地位。当前长江口近海鱼类群落处于较低水平的相对稳定状态。秋季长江口近海鱼类的资源量和底层水温的变化趋势较为一致,而与表层水温的变化趋势呈现相反的趋势,同时和表底层的水温差变化呈负相关关系;鱼类资源量的变化受表层盐度的影响较为明显,它们之间呈现相同的变化趋势。     

北部湾西北部近海鱼类资源的时空分布特征研究

根据2012年1月(冬季)、4月(春季)、8月(夏季)、11月(秋季)在北部湾西北部广西近海4个航次的渔业资源调查资料,进一步结合同步测定的水文情况,探讨北部湾西北部广西近海的鱼类资源分布特征和季节变化及其影响因素。调查结果表明,该调查海域共鉴定鱼类125种,鱼类资源质量密度夏季(402.46kg/km~2)春季(343.22kg/km~2)秋季(145.13kg/km~2)冬季(53.99kg/km~2);尾数密度春季(84.34×10~3尾/km~2)夏季(51.54×10~3尾/km~2)秋季(26.53×10~3尾/km~2)冬季(16.81×10~3尾/km~2);平均体长、体质量分别在春季和夏季最大,分别为7.15cm和7.65g;幼体比在夏季最高,为85.86%。从时间上看,春、夏季的鱼类资源密度大于秋、冬季,从空间上看,沿岸水域的资源密度大于近海水域,这与该水域各水团随季节变化的消长密切相关。依据相对重要性指数确定各季节的优势种,二长棘鲷是夏季最重要的优势种,同时也是春、夏、秋3季的共有优势种。通过贡献率β值可知,该区域鱼类总密度变化与主要优势种变化关系密切,且调查海域多为规格较小的幼鱼,其为北部湾渔场重要的产卵场、育幼场和索饵场,对整个北部湾鱼类资源的补充具有重要的作用。     

春、夏季浙江南部近海日本鲭资源分布特征及其环境影响因子

为探明海洋环境因子对日本鲭资源分布的影响,基于2016、2019、2020年5月和8月浙江南部近海海域渔业资源和水文环境调查数据以及卫星遥感数据,利用两阶段广义加性模型研究春、夏季日本鲭资源分布与海洋环境因子之间的关系。结果显示,日本鲭资源密度的年际变化较大且存在明显的季节分布规律,春季近岸水域的资源密度大于外海水域,夏季与之相反。海水温度和盐度是影响日本鲭分布的重要因素,春季资源密度和水温呈线性正相关关系,与盐度存在非线性负相关关系;夏季,资源密度随着水温的增加呈先增后减的趋势,在29.3℃时达到最大值。研究结果表明,环境因子对春、夏季浙江南部近海海域日本鲭的出现概率以及资源密度具有重要影响。     

春秋季台州湾海域鱼类资源的时空分布特征研究

为研究浙江近岸河口海域鱼类资源分布的时空变化特征,利用2010年4月(春季)和10月(秋季)鱼山渔场台州湾海域底拖网游泳动物资源调查资料,分析了台州湾鱼类资源量的时空分布特征和优势种、温度、盐度、水深等因素对鱼类资源量和分布的影响。结果发现,鱼类尾数密度和质量密度变化趋势一致,秋季鱼类质量密度和尾数密度均远远高于春季;春季调查海域鱼类密度北部高于南部,秋季截然相反。回归分析显示,两季优势种对鱼类资源量变化均有密切关系,其中,龙头鱼对鱼类资源量的贡献率明显高于其他物种,两季均为第一优势种。调查海域底层温度与鱼类质量密度和尾数密度均呈显著的正相关关系(PW=0.001,PN=0.009),水深与资源量相关关系不显著(Pw=0.067,PN=0.051),春季20 m以内水深鱼类资源量较高,而秋季密度高值区水深均大于20 m。研究表明,台州湾海域春秋季鱼类资源密度季节变化明显,空间差异显著,底层水温是主要影响因素。     

长江口凤鲚仔稚鱼主要繁殖季节的时空分布特征

为掌握凤鲚(Coilia mystus)早期资源在长江口的时空分布特征, 于 2019 年 5—10 月在长江口沿岸水域设置 10 个调查站点, 对凤鲚的仔、稚鱼及其环境因子进行逐月采样, 统计分析了凤鲚的体长、发育期及丰度等数据, 研究了凤鲚在长江口的主要繁殖时间及早期个体分布情况, 并利用 GAM 模型分析了丰度分布与环境因子的相关性。结果表明, 5—10 月是长江口凤鲚的主要繁殖期, 其中 5—8 月为繁殖盛期。长江口北支的东旺沙-北八滧-启隆乡沿岸水域为凤鲚仔稚鱼主要分布水域, 为长江口凤鲚的重要育幼场。GAM 分析结果表明, 长江口凤鲚仔稚鱼的分布主要受盐度、温度和溶解氧的影响, 3 个环境因子均对凤鲚仔稚鱼丰度的影响显著(P＜0.05), GAM 最优模型偏差解释率为 65.50%。凤鲚仔稚鱼的最适盐度在 5~12, 温度在 20~28 ℃时相对适宜, 凤鲚仔稚鱼生长适宜的溶解氧为 5.2~8.0 mg/L。     

三门湾春秋季鱼类群落特征及其与环境因子的关系

根据2014年11月(秋季)和2015年5月(春季)在三门湾进行渔业资源调查以及同步调查的6个主要环境因子数据(水温、盐度、悬浮物、p H、溶解氧及化学需氧量等),对三门湾鱼类群落结构及其与6个主要环境因子的关系进行了研究。结果显示,共捕获鱼类33种,其中以季节性洄游种类和暖水性种类为主。春、秋季优势种各有5种,其中棘头梅童鱼、龙头鱼和孔虾虎鱼为共同优势种。应用非度量多维测度分析(NMDS)和单因子相似性分析(ANOSIM)可得,春、秋鱼类群落均可划分为2组,其中1组主要分布在湾内,而另1组主要分布在湾口,在不同站位组间均存在极显著差异。长度谱分析结果显示,鱼类群落长度谱的斜率和截距有明显的季节性差异。RDA分析结果表明,鱼类群落主要受温度、溶解氧、悬浮物和p H等环境因子影响。     

气候变化对长江口鱼类资源密度分布的重塑作用

本研究以2012-2013年长江口鱼类资源密度分布为基础,通过动态生物气候分室模型(DBEM)预估了不同气候变化情景下(IPCC,RCP2.6、RCP6.0和RCP8.5)长江口鱼类资源密度增量分布的变化.在RCP2.6、RCP6.0和RCP8.5这3种气候变化情景下,鱼类资源密度增量、底层鱼类资源密度增量随着时间推移均呈递增趋势,且递增程度和增量重心分布范围随着温室气体排放的增加而扩大(RCP8.5＞RCP6.0＞RCP2.6).鱼类资源密度增量重心主要分布在长江口崇明岛沿岸水域,长江口外侧水域资源密度增量相对较低,并且资源密度增量重心有向南迁移的趋势.     

余姚市主要内河浮游甲壳动物群落及其与环境因子的关系

为探讨余姚市主要内河(余姚江、临周江、长泠江和湖塘江)浮游甲壳动物群落结构受生物因子和环境因子的影响,于2018年2月(冬季)、5月(春季)、8月(夏季)和11月(秋季)进行4次调查,分析浮游甲壳动物种类组成、优势种、密度和生物量以及群落结构时空变化特征。结果显示:4次调查共鉴定浮游甲壳动物39属67种,其中桡足类35种,枝角类32种,浮游甲壳动物种类数秋季最低,春、夏、冬季稍高且季节波动变化不大,但空间分布上具有差异。密度和生物量时空分布上,春季与其他季节差异显著,长泠江与其他江差异显著。优势种季节更替较为明显,仅长额象鼻溞(Bosmina longirostris)为四季共有优势种。溶解氧、水温和浮游植物密度对浮游甲壳动物群落结构影响较为显著。     

基于水声学方法的嘉陵江中游蓬安段鱼类资源研究

研究嘉陵江中游鱼类资源时空动态特征,了解变化过程及影响因素,提出嘉陵江鱼类资源保护的建议和措施,同时为长江上游及其支流的鱼类资源保护提供基础数据。运用Biosonics DT-X分裂波束科学回声探测仪于2018年7月（夏）、10月（秋）以及2019年1月（冬）、4月（春）对嘉陵江中游蓬安段金溪航电工程干流江段进行了水声学探测,并辅以常规渔获物调查。共采集到鱼类6科38种,其中蛇鮈、鲫、银飘鱼、黄尾鲴等中小型鱼类在数量上占优;鱼类密度分别为春季（0.8296±0.43）、夏季（0.8705±0.38 ）、秋季（0.5082±0.25）、冬季（0.3939±0.13）尾/m3;鱼体平均目标强度分别为春季（-63.15±5.03）、夏季（-52.85±14.45）、秋季（-46.42±15.85）、冬季（-44.77±15.28 ）dB;鱼体平均重量分别为春季0.03、夏季1.08 、秋季11.19 、冬季20.40 g/尾;鱼类资源量分别为春季0.4096、夏季0.2907 、秋季0.3919 、冬季0.5622 kg/m3;坝下鱼类密度显著高于坝上（F=12.67,P<0.05）;坝上（F=7.02,P<0.05）和坝下（F=19.99,P<0.05）3个水层之间的鱼类密度差异显著,中层鱼类密度显著高于上层和下层（P<0.05）,且总体上夏季各水层的鱼类密度要高于其他季节。后续研究应加强对该江段鱼类资源的动态监测,并重点探讨引起鱼类资源动态变化的关键影响因子。     

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.     

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.