碱度、pH对中国林蛙蝌蚪成活的影响

在水温16～18℃的野外条件下,采用单因子静态急性毒性实验法,研究水环境中碱度、pH对中国林蛙(Ranachensinensis)蝌蚪的毒性效应。结果表明,在pH为7 0～8 5、盐度为0 18g/L时,碱度对中国林蛙蝌蚪的24,48,72,96h的半致死值(LC50)分别为14 36,11 8,10 35,7 68mmol/L,安全值(SC)为2 41mmol/L。在相同盐度下,碱度为1 41mmol/L时,pH对中国林蛙蝌蚪的24、48、72和96hLC50值分别为10 33(3 92),10 18(4 07),10 08(4 11),10 02(4 16)。蝌蚪长期生长与生存的pH为6 0～9 0,碱度上限为3 0mmol/L。     

达里湖鲫对盐度和碱度突变和渐变的耐受性

研究了达里湖鲫(Carassius auratus Linnaeus))幼鱼在盐度、碱度突变和渐变条件下的耐受性,并对在不同盐度和碱度浓度下的累计存活率、生存上限进行比较分析。研究发现,盐度突变条件下24、48、72和96 h的半致死浓度(LC50值)分别为11.795、11.089、10.809和10.534 g/L;碱度对试验鱼24、48、72和96 h的LC50分别为69.831、68.779、67.071和65.114 mmol/L。渐变条件下达里湖鲫的盐碱耐受能力均强于突变组,其碱度渐变组生存上限为109.2 mmol/L,明显高于突变组的90 mmol/L;盐度渐变组生存上限为15 g/L,与突变组差异不显著。结果表明,通过适当的驯养适应,可以显著提高达里湖鲫对碳酸盐型水质环境的适应能力和养殖的存活率。     

三种鳅科鱼对NaCl盐度和NaHCO3碱度的耐受能力

以鳅科的黑龙江泥鳅(Misgurnus mohoity Dybowsky)、大鳞副泥鳅(Paramisgurnus dabryanus Sauvage)、达里湖高原鳅(Triplophysa dalaica)为实验材料,采用单因子静态急性毒性实验法和均匀正交设计法对其盐碱耐受能力进行研究。实验结果表明,黑龙江泥鳅、大鳞副泥鳅、达里湖高原鳅的24 h和96 h的氯化钠(Na Cl)盐度半致死浓度(LC50)分别为15.64 g/L和13.58 g/L、15.43 g/L和14.18 g/L、14.00 g/L和11.57 g/L,安全浓度(SC)分别为4.12 g/L、4.03 g/L、3.74 g/L,盐度耐受能力顺序为:黑龙江泥鳅大鳞副泥鳅达里湖高原鳅。黑龙江泥鳅、大鳞副泥鳅、达里湖高原鳅的24 h和96 h碳酸氢钠(NaHCO_3)碱度半致死浓度(LC50)分别为117.1 mmol/L和72.62 mmol/L、128.4 mmol/L和88.83 mmol/L、155.2 mmol/L和120.0 mmol/L,安全浓度分别为18.77 mmol/L、23.66 mmol/L、36.30 mmol/L,碱度耐受能力顺序为:达里湖高原鳅大鳞副泥鳅黑龙江泥鳅。盐碱交互作用对黑龙江泥鳅、大鳞副泥鳅均表现为协同作用,协同系数0~48 h依次增高,以后逐渐减小;而对达里湖高原鳅在0~48 h内表现为协同作用,在48~96 h时表现为拮抗作用,拮抗系数随着暴露时间的延长而增大。对比分析可知,3种鳅科鱼的盐碱耐受能力比大多数淡水鱼高,可作为盐碱水域的增养殖鱼类;而达里湖高原鳅在耐碱方面表现更突出,可以作为高碳酸盐型盐碱水的增养殖鱼类。     

铜(Cu~(2+))对麦穗鱼苗的急性毒性与非生物因子的相关性研究

研究了不同温度、pH值和碱度条件下铜离子对麦穗鱼苗的急性毒性,结果表明:随水温升高,铜(Cu2+)对鱼苗的急性毒性明显加剧,温度为20℃、26℃、32℃时,96 h的LC50分别为0.035 mg/L、0.024 mg/L、0.018 mg/L;而铜(Cu2+)的急性毒性与pH值和碱度的相关性较复杂,低pH值、低碱度时,铜(Cu2+)的急性毒性相对较弱,但当pH值和碱度上升到一定数值后,铜(Cu2+)的急性毒性随着pH值和碱度的升高而加剧。pH值为6.7、7.5、8.8时,96h的LC50分别为0.022 mg/L、0.027mg/L、0.026 mg/L。碱度为0.79 mmol/L、1.30 mmol/L和1.65 mmol/L时,96 h的LC50分别为0.027 mg/L、0.075 mg/L、0.049 mg/L。鱼苗急性中毒表现为:体表分泌粘液增多,眼球突出,脑颅、鳃部充血,肝脏、肠道淤血。     

盐度和碱度对克氏原螯虾的联合毒性试验

用寇氏法(Karber法)研究了盐、碱对克氏原螯虾(Procambarusclarkii)的急性毒性作用,并采用相加指数法(Mark-ing指数法)研究了盐碱联合作用对克氏原螯虾的影响。结果表明:盐度对克氏原螯虾24h、48h、72h、96h的半致死浓度(LC50)分别为31.74g/L、27.21g/L、26.45g/L、26.09g/L,其安全浓度是6.00g/L。碱度对克氏原螯虾24h、48h、72h、96h的半致死浓度分别为12.00g/L、10.64g/L、8.36g/L、7.58g/L,其安全浓度是2.51g/L。盐碱在1:1毒性单位混合后,对克氏原螯虾的作用效果在不同时间段均表现为一定的拮抗作用。     

4种常用药物对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼急性毒性试验

选用硫酸铜、敌百虫、福尔马林、上野黄药对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼进行急性毒性试验.硫酸铜对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼24 h LC50为0.80 mg/L,48 h LC50为0.70 mg/L,96 h LC50为0.60 mg/L,安全质量浓度为0.16 mg/L;敌百虫对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼24 h LC50为2.88 mg/L,48 h LC50为2.44 mg/L,96 h LC50为2.12 mg/L,安全质量浓度为0.53 mg/L.福尔马林和上野黄药对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼的96 h LC50＞100 mg/L,属于低毒.根据96 h半致死质量浓度来判断药物的毒性大小,克氏双锯鱼稚鱼对4种药物敏感性依次为:硫酸铜>敌百虫>福尔马林和上野黄药,福尔马林和上野黄药对克氏双锯鱼稚鱼同属于低毒药品.     

吡喹酮、甲苯咪唑、溴氰菊酯对花鳗鲡的急性毒性

采用静水式急性毒性试验法研究了吡喹酮、甲苯咪唑和溴氰菊酯对花鳗鲡(Anguilla marmorata)(体重为0.87±0.19 g)的急性毒性。试验结果表明,在水温28±2℃时,吡喹酮对花鳗鲡的24 h LC50、48 h LC50、72 h LC50、96 h LC50分别为73.85 mg/L、66.71 mg/L、56.57 mg/L、52.72 mg/L,安全浓度为16.34 mg/L;甲苯咪唑对花鳗鲡的24 h LC50、48 h LC50、72 h LC50、96 h LC50分别为142.81mg/L、13.80 mg/L、5.19mg/L、1.74mg/L,安全浓度为0.023 mg/L;溴氰菊酯对花鳗鲡的24 h LC50、48 h LC50、72 h LC50、96 h LC50分别为9.56μg/L、9.34μg/L、7.69μg/L、7.67μg/L,安全浓度为2.68μg/L。吡喹酮、甲苯咪唑、溴氰菊酯对花鳗鲡分别属于低毒、中毒、剧毒药物。甲苯咪唑对花鳗鲡的安全浓度0.023 mg/L远低于欧洲鳗鲡(Anguilla anguilla)的常用浓度1～2 mg/L,因此在花鳗鲡养殖中使用甲苯咪唑制剂需十分谨慎。     

硫酸铜对栉孔扇贝急性毒性胁迫研究

探讨了硫酸铜对栉孔扇贝的24、48、72、96 h的毒性,并计算出硫酸铜对栉孔扇贝的24、48、72、96 h的半致死质量浓度(LC50)分别为(0.32±0.099)mg/L、(0.112±0.022)mg/L、(0.074±0.005)mg/L、(0.063±0.005)mg/L,安全质量浓度为0.012 mg/L...     

碳酸盐胁迫对瓦氏雅罗鱼血液中部分生理生化指标的影响

瓦氏雅罗鱼Leuciscus waleckii是一类对高碳酸盐水环境具有耐受力的鱼类。为明确其在高碱环境下各项生理反应和健康状况,本研究对瓦氏雅罗鱼的两种地理种群达里诺尔湖瓦氏雅罗鱼(简称碱水雅罗鱼, Alkaline Water, AW)和松花江瓦氏雅罗鱼(简称淡水雅罗鱼, Fresh Water, FW)进行2个NaHCO_3碱度组(30 mmol/L和50 mmol/L)和1个淡水对照组20 d的碱胁迫实验,通过酶标仪对血清中的碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、尿素氮(BUN)、血氨(Amon)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)进的活性进行测定。结果表明,在高碳酸盐碱度环境下,碱水、淡水两种瓦氏雅罗鱼的AKP、ACP、BUN和Amon均呈现碱胁迫组高于对照组的变化,并且两种瓦氏雅罗鱼的指标在30 mmol/L具有显著差异(P0.05),其中BUN与Amon还呈现出30 mmol/L组高于50 mmol/L组的趋势。LDH的变化不明显。综合来看,达里诺尔湖瓦氏雅罗鱼对碳酸盐胁迫的适应能力与松花江瓦氏雅罗鱼明显不同,碱水雅罗鱼对碱水环境启动了一定程度的调控机制,对高碳酸盐碱度具有更高的耐受能力。     

不同碱度下高pH对蒙古裸腹溞存活、生长及生殖的影响

温度(25±1) ℃、盐度20±1时研究了不同碱度下高pH对蒙古裸腹溞存活、生长和生殖的影响.试验结果表明,碱度的升高会降低蒙古裸腹溞对pH的耐受高限:海水的碱度为(0.19±0.1)、(1.99±0.1)、(3.92±0.1)、(5.95±0.1) mmol/L时,蒙古裸腹溞对pH 24 h 中间耐受水平(TLm)分别为10.50、10.15、10.07、9.50;对pH 48 h TLm分别为10.09、9.88、9.81、9.08.蒙古裸腹溞在培养液pH为9.0～9.3时,生长率和存活率相对优越于其他各组.pH 9.0时,蒙古裸腹溞的内禀增长率最大为0.5145/d;pH 9.3时次之,为0.5099/d.     

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.