淀山湖浮游植物群落结构特征及水生态健康评价

淀山湖是黄浦江上游重要的饮用水源地保护区和生态涵养区。为评估淀山湖水生态健康状况,本文依据2013年、2016年、2019年和2022年的6月和9月生态调查资料,研究了淀山湖夏初、秋初浮游植物的种类组成、数量和多样性等群落结构特点。调查期间共检出浮游植物7门80属169种,其中绿藻门占绝对优势,其次为硅藻门、蓝藻门和裸藻门,甲藻门、隐藻门和金藻门种类数较少。在数量上以铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa）和尖尾蓝隐藻（Chroomonas acuta）的优势最明显,其中铜绿微囊藻是引起淀山湖水华的主要物种,且易在9月湖区的西南方引起蓝藻水华。6月和9月浮游植物密度变动范围分别为1.69～3.08×106 cells/L和1.31～128.67×106 cells/L,6月在湖区东北方的平均密度最高,9月在湖区西南方的平均密度最高。水华暴发年份（2016年和2019年）9月平均密度明显高于同年6月,水华未暴发年份（2013年和2022年）9月平均密度则低于同年6月。采用冗余分析（RDA）法研究浮游植物群落结构与环境因子的关系,结果显示水温、溶解氧、透明度、总磷、总氮和高锰酸盐指数等是主要环境影响因子,且水华暴发年份与水华未暴发年份水温、溶解氧、透明度、总磷和总氮等对浮游植物群落的影响存在一定差异;浮游植物群落主要受磷营养限制,其物种数量、密度及优势种主要受水温影响。采用不同指数法评价水质,发现Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou指数对淀山湖蓝藻水华的指示比综合营养状态指数更灵敏。根据湖区出现的主要优势种均为富营养水体指示物种,以及生物多样性指数、均匀度指数和综合营养状态指数值,可以判断淀山湖夏秋季水体总体上处于轻-中度富营养化水平,且呈轻污染程度。     

大清河水系保定段城市河道浮游植物群落结构及水质评价

分别于2012年5、7、9、11月对大清河水系保定段城市河道的7个样点进行4次采样,调查浮游植物的群落结构并对水质进行评价。结果表明,在保定段城市河道中共鉴定出浮游植物7门、140种(属);其中,绿藻门69种,蓝藻门15种,硅藻门3种,裸藻门4种,隐藻门21种,金藻门24种,甲藻门4种。浮游植物种类数量变化规律为:5月>7月>9月>11月,位于上游清水桥采样点的浮游植物多样性均大于其他采样点。各点浮游植物密度均超过1000个/mL,水体达到富营养化程度。利用理化指标进行水质评价,大清河水系在流入保定市区之前水体处于中营养状态,流出保定市区时水体处于重度富营养状态。浮游植物密度指数评价结果与理化指标评价结果基本一致,而Shannon-Wiener物种多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数的评价结果与理化指标评价结果存在明显的差异。讨论了生物指数法对于城市河道水质评价的适用性。     

青龙湖冬季浮游植物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为探究青龙湖浮游植物群落结构特征及其水环境影响因子,确定水体营养化现状,于2016年12(冬季)对青龙湖10个采样点浮游植物种类组成、丰度与生物量以及水质理化指标进行调查分析。结果显示,冬季青龙湖共鉴定出浮游植物5门、17属、50种(含变种),硅藻和绿藻是青龙湖浮游植物优势类群,浮游植物种类组成表现为硅藻-绿藻型;优势类群为硅藻门颗粒直链藻(Melosira granulata)、颗粒直链藻极狭变种(M.granulata var.angustissima)、颗粒直链藻极狭变种螺旋变型(M.granulata var.angustissima f.spiralis)及蓝藻门类颤鱼腥藻(Anabaena oscillarioides)、水华束丝藻(Aphanizomenon flos-aquae),优势种在各采样点分布差异不明显。冬季浮游植物丰度均值为6.71×104个/L,生物量均值为0.07mg/L;各采样点Margalef指数、Shannon-Wiener指数与Pielou指数分别为0.98~2.31、0.61~2.37及0.19~0.84。冗余分析(RDA)表明,pH、溶解氧、溶解氧饱和度、水温与氧化还原电位与青龙湖浮游植物群落结构关系最为密切。Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数与Pielou均匀度指数评价水质结果为中度污型水平。     

达里诺尔湖夏季浮游植物群落结构及分布特征

为了探究达里诺尔湖夏季浮游植物群落结构特征及水质状况,对浮游植物的种类组成、多样性及环境理化因子进行监测。2015年夏季在湖区设置9个采样点进行定期采样,通过Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数等数据处理,结合Pearson相关分析,研究浮游植物群落结构空间分布特征、多样性及其与环境因子的相关性。结果表明,调查期间共发现浮游植物5门、39属、77种;其中绿藻门29种,占总种数37.66%;蓝藻门和硅藻门均有23种,均占29.87%。达里湖夏季浮游植物优势种为3门、14种,主要优势种为单生卵囊藻(Oocystis solitaria)、湖生卵囊藻(Oocystis lacustris)、不定微囊藻(Microcystis incerta)、小球藻(Chlorella sp.)和细小隐球藻(Aphanocapsa elachista)。浮游植物丰度为4.55×10~4~26.78×10~4个/L,其平均值为:水面下0.5 m(22.46×10~4个/L)1.5 m(20.86×10~4个/L)4.5 m(14.15×10~4个/L)底泥上0.5 m(9.32×10~4个/L);浮游植物生物量为0.682~6.695 mg/L,垂向变化趋势与浮游植物丰度一致。相关分析表明,夏季达里诺尔湖浮游植物丰度与温度、p H值、溶解氧及叶绿素a呈极显著正相关,与盐度相关性不明显。浮游植物群落Shannon-Wiener指数为3.330~4.452,Pielou指数为0.799~0.912,结合浮游植物丰度、优势种及多样性指数分析结果,达里诺尔湖属于绿藻-蓝藻-硅藻型,且水体处于寡污染水平。     

太子河浮游植物初步调查及鲢、鳙鱼产力评估

2010年6-10月对江西省南昌市蒋巷镇太子河养殖水域浮游植物进行调查.结果表明,太子河有浮游植物5门、74种;其中,绿藻门种类数最多(占藻类总种数的48.64％),其次是蓝藻门(29.72％)和硅藻门(14.86％).10月的浮游植物种类最多,其次为9月和8月,7月最少.浮游植物密度7月最高,为313×105个/L,其余月份浮游植物密度相差不大,变化范围为(79 ～ 101)×105个/L,蓝藻门微囊藻属是绝对优势种.浮游植物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数及均匀度指数7月最低,分别为0.10、0.03,其余月份Shannon-Wiener指数范围为0.37 ～0.69,均匀度指数范围为0.10 ～0.18.综合分析浮游植物密度、多样性指数和均匀度指数,太子河水体存在富营养化.浮游植物对鲢鳙的鱼产力估算为12.675 kg/hm2.     

复合养殖系统中浮游植物群落结构及其与水环境因子的关系

以主养团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)搭配少量鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)、鳙(Aristichthy nobilis)的人工湿地-池塘复合养殖系统为研究对象,2014年8－11月在人工湿地运行期间调查了该复合养殖系统池塘中浮游植物的生态特征,并通过冗余分析(RDA)方法探究了浮游植物群落结构与水环境因子的关系。结果表明,复合养殖池塘中共鉴定出硅藻(Bacillariophyta)、绿藻(Chlorophyta)、蓝藻(Cyanophyta)、隐藻(Cryptophyta)、裸藻(Euglenophyta)、金藻(Chrysophyta)、黄藻(Xanthophyta)、甲藻(Pyrrophyta)共8门、91种(包括变种和变型),其中绿藻种类最多,共53种,占浮游植物总种类数的58.24%;而蓝藻密度占绝对优势,占浮游植物总密度的79.82%。人工湿地运行期间养殖池塘中浮游植物的种类、密度、生物量无显著变化,其密度变化范围为1.09×109~1.83×109 个/L,均值为1.52×109 个/L;生物量变化范围为8.76~11.03 mg/L,均值为9.80 mg/L;浮游植物主要优势种共计10种,包括绿藻门的双对栅藻(Scenedesmus bijuga)、四足十字藻(Crucigenia tetrapedia)、苇氏藻(Westella botryoides),蓝藻门的微小平裂藻(Merismopedia tenuissima)、点形粘球藻(Gloeocapsa punctata)、泥污颤藻(Oscillatoria limosa)、优美平裂藻(Merismopedia elegans)、微小色球藻(Chroococcus minutus)、为首螺旋藻(Spirulina princeps)、不定微囊藻(Microcystis incerta);池塘的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为2.77~3.27,Margalef多样性指数为2.75~3.18,Pielou均匀性指数为0.45~0.55,说明养殖池塘中浮游植物群落结构较为稳定。浮游植物种类丰度与水环境因子的冗余度分析（RDA）结果表明,池塘中浮游植物种类丰度受到多个环境因子的影响,其中小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)和四足十字藻等绿藻主要受温度、溶氧、pH的影响,而微小平裂藻和点形粘球藻等蓝藻主要受pH和氨氮的影响。     

广东韩江潮州段浮游植物群落结构特征与水质评价

为探究广东韩江潮州市饮用水源保护江段浮游植物群落结构特征及水质富营养化状况，于2019年2月至2020年1月在潮州段设立4个采样点，进行浮游植物群落结构和水质定点监测。结果表明，韩江潮州共鉴定出浮游植物290种，隶属8门103属，其中绿藻门42属99种，硅藻门21属87种，蓝藻门24属70种。全年有9个月的种类组成以硅藻门为绝对优势种，绿藻门仅在6、9、10月种类数多于硅藻门，表明该江段浮游植物组成为硅藻-绿藻型。浮游植物丰度月变化在0.83×106～1.99×106个/L，月均丰度为0.90×106 个/L，全年以硅藻门丰度最高，占47.01%。优势种11种，硅藻门5种，隐藻门4种，蓝藻门和裸藻门各1种，其中颗粒沟链藻(Melosira granulata)是绝对优势种。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数（H）为3.14～5.08，平均值4.40；Pielou均匀度指数（J）为0.69～0.99，平均值0.87；Margalef丰富度指数（D）为2.60～6.85，平均值5.08，表明水质为轻度污染。Cluster聚类和NMDS排序分析显示，物种构成可分为2个类群，类群I包括2019年2–7月，类群II包括2019年8–12月和2020年1月。Pearson相关性和冗余分析表明，影响浮游植物优势种的水环境因子主要是透明度和亚硝态氮，影响颗粒沟链藻分布的是盐度和水温，影响隐藻门分布的主要是透明度、pH和水温。参照地表水环境质量标准，韩江潮州段为Ⅱ类水，多样性指数显示为轻度污染，浮游植物群落结构和优势物种显示水体为偏中营养型。     

三角湖浮游植物群落结构与水质评价

2011-2012年对三角湖浮游植物进行季节性调查,以了解浮游植物群落结构特征及其对水质的指示作用,为污染防治和生态修复提供依据。结果表明,在三角湖共采集浮游植物94种(变种),隶属于8门、25科、51属;其中,绿藻种类最多,约占总种数的59.6%,其次是硅藻、蓝藻和裸藻,分别占12.8%、11.7%和8.5%,其他门类种类较少。浮游植物细胞密度平均值为(102.32±59.89)×106个/L;其中,蓝藻密度最大,占浮游植物总丰度的86.69%,其次是绿藻和硅藻,分别占7.77%和4.91%,其他门类密度较低。浮游植物密度具有明显的季节变化规律,夏季的密度最大,秋季次之,冬季和春季较低。夏季和秋季蓝藻细胞密度占绝对优势,绿藻和硅藻次之,而冬季蓝藻密度下降,硅藻和绿藻占优势,春季蓝藻又重新占据优势。三角湖浮游植物Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Weaver多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数平均值分别为2.75、1.78和0.46。Shannon-Weaver多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数以冬季和春季较高,秋季最低,表明冬季和春季浮游植物群落结构相对复杂,而秋季的群落结构相对简单。综合水质生物学和水体理化指标评价结果,三角湖水体为中-富营养型。     

江苏横山水库浮游植物群落结构的动态变化

研究横山水库浮游植物群落的动态变化特征和综合分析水质,为库区的水资源保护和开发利用提供参考依据。2014年7月至2015年6月,设置5个采样点,每月上旬上午9时左右、天气状况良好时采水样1次。共采集鉴定浮游植物7门63属147种(包含变种及变型),绿藻门28属63种、硅藻门16属46种、蓝藻门10属23种、甲藻门3属6种、裸藻门3属3种、隐藻门2属3种、金藻门1属3种,浮游植物的种类组成为绿藻-硅藻-蓝藻型。浮游植物密度2.3×106~8.0×106个/L、平均4.2×106个/L,硅藻门、绿藻门和蓝藻门密度占比分别为57.3%、29.8%和8.4%。浮游植物的多样性指数H'变化范围为1.52~3.67,平均2.48;均匀度指数J 0.53~0.86、平均0.71;丰富度指数d 0.83~3.32、平均2.05。浮游植物主要优势种为绿藻门的美丽鼓藻(Cosmariumformosulum),硅藻门的变异直链藻(Melosiravarians)、颗粒直链藻(Melosira granulate)、尖针杆藻(Synedraacus)和肘状针杆藻(Synedra ulna)等。相关性分析表明,游植物密度与总磷、水温、透明度呈正相关关系,与溶解氧呈负相关关系,与总氮没有相关关系。硝酸盐和溶解氧对浮游植物密度有显著影响,亚硝酸盐氮、氨氮、CODMn、浊度、p H、UV254的水平变化和浮游植物密度没有相关性。根据浮游植物多样性分析以及富营养化指数值TLI(∑)评价,横山水库水质属于轻度富营养状态。     

长江干流安庆段浮游植物群落结构特征

为了解长江干流安庆段浮游植物群落结构特征,分别于2015年4月(春季)、7月(夏季)和9月(秋季)对长江干流安庆段浮游植物进行了调查。结果显示:本次调查共检出浮游植物5门22科33属54种(含变种)。以硅藻门种类最多,占总种数的46.30%;其次是蓝藻门和绿藻门,分别占24.07%和22.22%;黄藻门和甲藻门的种类相对较少,占5.56%和1.85%。优势种为蓝藻门的小颤藻(Oscillatoria tenuis)、极大螺旋藻(Spirulina maxima)、湖沼色球藻(Chroococcus minutus),绿藻门的小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)、集星藻(Actinastrum hantzschii)以及硅藻门的尖针杆藻(Synedra acus)。浮游植物密度为1.228×10~4~33.002×10~4ind./L,均值为9.453×10~4ind./L;生物量为0.005~0.512 mg/L,均值为0.157 mg/L。密度和生物量最高值均出现在皖河口采样断面(7月)、最低值均出现在杨家套采样断面(4月)。研究结果表明:浮游植物密度和生物量在空间分布上差异均不显著,季节变化上则均表现出显著性差异。利用Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数分析浮游植物群落结构特征,Shannon-Wiener指数变化范围为0.918~3.147,均值为2.539;Pielou均匀度指数变化范围为0.796~1.000,均值为0.893。Shannon-Wiener指数在空间分布和季节间均无显著性差异;Pielou均匀度指数在空间分布上无显著性差异,但在季节间变化上则表现出显著性差异。浮游植物多样性指数结果表明长江干流安庆段水质状况介于清洁型/β-中污型。     

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.