温度对半滑舌鳎生长及性类固醇激素水平的影响

为了探索温度对半滑舌鳎幼鱼生长及性别的影响,本研究以半滑舌鳎家系为材料,在受精后32 d,将建立的家系鱼苗分别置于9、21、23、25和27℃水温下进行培育,在32~142 dpf测量各培育温度下半滑舌鳎幼鱼的体长和体质量,利用SPSS软件中方差分析和相关分析法多重比较分析幼鱼生长规律、温度与体长和体质量的相关性。结果表明,在98 dpf时,25℃下幼鱼生长最快,但培养至129~142 dpf时,23℃温度组生长速度显著高于其他温度组。23和25℃下的半滑舌鳎体质量特定生长率分别为4.42%和4.63%,明显高于其他温度处理组。温度与半滑舌鳎家系体长、体质量的Pearson系数分别为0.271和0.260,极显著正相关。体长、体质量与温度的关系式分别为L=1.637 6T0.378 2(R2=0.082),W=0.028 5T1.078 1(R2=0.075)。采集23℃下半滑舌鳎受精卵和3~142 dpf的鱼苗,进行性类固醇激素表达水平分析。结果显示,睾酮(T)和雌二醇(E2)含量在受精卵中最高(54.78 ng/mg和92.52 pg/g),3~32 dpf时逐渐降至最低值(4.6 ng/mg和5.43 pg/g)。至46 dpf时又显著上升到峰值[(40.81±12.64)ng/mg和(42.04±19.13)pg/g],之后显著下降。在温度控制组,32~46 dpf各个温度组鱼苗T和E2含量显著上升,46 dpf时达到峰值,但19和21℃温度组显著高于其他组,T分别为(94.70±45.06)和(85.45±37.30)ng/mg,E2分别为(83.37±17.97)和(105.80±54.90)pg/g;其他温度组T和E2含量相对较低且无显著差异。98 dpf性类固醇激素表达量显著下降,各温度组E2水平无显著差异,但19和27℃时T水平高于其他温度组。依此推测46 dpf、体长(4.99±0.75)cm时半滑舌鳎鱼苗性腺开始分化,19和27℃有可能促使鱼苗雄性化。     

半滑舌鳎土池养殖试验

2006年6月,从山东引进半滑舌鳎鱼苗950尾于面积0.2 hm2的单养池塘进行试养.经过8个月的养殖,至2007年2月,共捕获半滑舌鳎810尾,起捕率85%,最大舌鳎鱼体长达到36 cm,体质量405 g,平均体长30.5 cm,体质量340 g.试验过程中发现在33 ℃高温和10 ℃的低温季节,半滑舌鳎均可生长,月平均增长率甚至高达28%,在此温度范围内,半滑舌鳎的生长与温度的相关关系不显著;但对温度快速下降的耐受性较差,易钻泥导致窒息死亡.     

半滑舌鳎家系建立及其生长和抗病性能测定

以半滑舌鳎渤海野生群体和人工养殖群体为基础群体,建立了半滑舌鳎家系18个。对不同家系鱼苗进行荧光标记后放在同池进行生长比较,结果表明不同家系鱼苗生长速度差异显著,筛选出生长快速的家系2个(家系15和16号),生长较快的家系4个(家系6号、7号、16号和30号),生长速度一般的家系12个(家系1号、3号、4号、10号、12号、14号、19号、24号、27号、28号、33号和34号)。利用鳗弧菌感染其中12个家系,结果显示,2号家系感染后的成活率为79.25%,被认作抗病力强家系;2个家系(12号和14号)感染后的成活率为50%～60%,被认作抗病力较强家系;6个家系(3号,6号,7号,10号,16号和19号)成活率为35%～50%,被认作抗病力一般的家系;3个家系(15号、27号和30号)的成活率在35%以下,被认作抗病力差的家系。结果表明通过家系选育方法可以筛选出生长速度快、抗病力强的半滑舌鳎优良家系,从而为半滑舌鳎高产、抗病优良品种培育提供新的技术手段。     

盐度和温度对半滑舌鳎生长、渗透生理及能量收支的影响

研究了盐度和温度对半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)幼鱼的生长、生化组成、渗透生理及能量收支的影响.实验鱼体质量(18.06±3.65)g,全长(15.45±2.77)cm.实验设置了3个盐度水平(22、26和30)和4个温度水平(18℃、21℃、24 ℃和27℃),每个处理设置4个重复.8周的生长实验结果表明,各处理半滑舌鳎特定生长率总体变动在1.00%～1.34%.在本研究条件下,盐度对半滑舌鳎生长影响不显著(P>0.05),而温度对其生长影响显著(P<0.05).在盐度22、26和30下,其最大生长率分别出现在21℃、24℃和18℃T,而在27℃下生长率最低.饲料转化率和消化率变化趋势与生长率相似.随温度的升高鱼体蛋白质含量有升高趋势,脂肪含量和能值降低,但受盐度影响不显著.渗透生理研究结果表明,盐度和温度对半滑舌鳎血浆渗透压和鳃丝Na+/K+-ATP酶活性影响均显著(P<0.05).随盐度的升高,血浆渗透压和鳃丝Na+/K+-ATP酶活性均有所升高.温度对不同盐度下半滑舌鳎血浆渗透压影响有所差异,但随温度的升高半滑舌鳎鳃丝Na+/K+-ATP酶活性显著降低.能量收支研究表明,生长能和呼吸能的变化主导着半滑舌鳎的能量收支模式,在本研究设置的温度和盐度范围内,生长能占摄食能的比例以盐度18和温度21℃最高,而呼吸能的比例则总体随温度升高而逐渐升高.     

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)真、伪雄鱼群体表型和遗传性状分析

半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)养殖群体中存在真雄鱼(ZZ)和伪雄鱼(ZW)现象,进行表型和遗传特征研究对其育种及优良苗种培育具有重要的意义。本研究以半滑舌鳎真、伪雄鱼群体及母系半同胞家系为研究对象,首先测定了性成熟半滑舌鳎的真、伪雄鱼群体的表型性状,对其性状进行了比较分析。结果显示,性成熟半滑舌鳎真、伪雄鱼的体重、全长、体长、体宽、头长、眼间距和眼径7个表型性状都存在极显著差异(P0.01),伪雄鱼的生长速度比真雄鱼快。利用半滑舌鳎22对多态性微卫星标记,对2组半滑舌鳎真、伪雄鱼半同胞家系群体进行了遗传多样性分析。筛选出的22对引物扩增产物均具有多态性,4个半同胞家系群体中共检测到232个等位基因,群体平均等位基因数(N_a)均大于平均有效等位基因数(N_e);平均观测杂合度(H_o)均小于平均期望杂合度(H_e);平均多态信息含量(PIC)分别为0.4566、0.4254、0.5069、0.4795。22个多态性位点在4个半同胞家系群体中分别有3、3、4和5个位点显著偏离Hardy-Weinberg平衡。4个半同胞家系群体间的Nei￠s遗传距离为0.2101–0.5840,遗传相似性系数为0.5577–0.8105。本研究表明,半滑舌鳎真、伪雄鱼在生长性状上存在明显差异,同母系的真、伪雄鱼半同胞家系群体间的遗传相似系数较高,遗传距离较小,遗传多样性指标相近。     

半滑舌鳎快速生长及高雌性家系的筛选

为查明半滑舌鳎不同家系雌、雄鱼遗传和生理性别比例及其与生长速率的关系,并试图筛选出生理雌鱼比例高且生长快的家系,实验首先建立了22个半滑舌鳎家系,并进行同池养殖以比较生长性能,再选取5个正常雄鱼家系和5个伪雄鱼家系进行遗传性别和生理性别测定.结果发现,不同家系鱼苗不仅生长速度差异显著,而且雌雄比例差异也很显著.筛选出生长快速的家系2个(家系16号和61号),其相对增重率分别为0.81和0.56 g/d;筛选出生长较快的家系4个(家系21、28、57和63号),其相对增重率为0.48 ～0.53 g/d;筛选出生长速度一般的家系12个,生长慢速家系4个.所检测的5个正常雄鱼(ZZ类型)家系的遗传雌鱼比例平均为51.87％,生理雌鱼比例平均为42.94％,遗传雌鱼转化为生理雄鱼的比例平均为14.08％.相反,检测的5个伪雄鱼(ZW类型)家系的遗传雌鱼比例平均为49.34％,生理雌鱼比例平均为4.45％,遗传雌鱼转化为生理雄鱼的比例平均为91.41％.实验发现半滑舌鳎不同家系在雌、雄生理性别比例上存在明显差异;伪雄鱼后代中的遗传雌鱼更容易转化为伪雄鱼,增加养殖群体中生理雄鱼的数量.研究表明,通过家系选育可以筛选出雌性比例高、生长速度快的半滑舌鳎家系.     

鲈鱼冷冻精子诱导半滑舌鳎胚胎发育

半滑舌鳎是分布在我国黄、渤海的特有鱼类,雌鱼明显具有较雄鱼生长快的特点,利用雌核发育方法诱导产生半滑舌鳎超雌鱼,通过与正常雄鱼交配,最终可培育生长速度快、个体大的全雌性后代,对于提高养殖效益具有重要的意义。为此利用冷冻保存的异源鲈鱼精子诱导半滑舌鳎卵产生雌核发育二倍体、单倍体、杂交胚胎,利用同源精子受精产生普通二倍体,在Olympus显微镜下对它们的胚胎发育进行了观察比较。冷冻解冻的鲈鱼精子,在1000μj/cm2紫外线下照射0·2~1min,诱导半滑舌鳎卵受精,在受精后2~5min将卵置于2~5℃的水浴冷休克20min,获得了雌核发育的胚胎和鱼苗,在21·7~23·6℃水温中,雌核发育胚胎经过2781min孵化出膜。普通胚胎在21·7~23·6℃水温下,经2621min孵化出膜。经紫外线灭活处理的鲈鱼精子诱导半滑舌鳎卵,但不经过冷休克获得的单倍体胚胎,具有明显的单倍体综合症,发育至1949min陆续死亡。鲈鱼精子与半滑舌鳎卵杂交受精,胚胎不能正常发育,相当于胚孔封闭期后全部死亡。实验证明,鲈鱼冷冻精子可刺激半滑舌鳎卵雌核发育。     

半滑舌鳎四倍体鱼苗的诱导与鉴定

采用静水压法处理半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semiliaevis)受精卵以抑制其卵裂并进行染色体加倍,筛选出有效的静水压处理起始时间、处理强度及其持续时间。结果表明,孵化水温(23±0.2)℃时,授精后21.5 min,采用40 MPa的静水压压力,休克处理4.5 min,四倍体诱导效果最好,鱼苗四倍体率达到68.3%。采用流式细胞仪分析了四倍体鱼苗细胞DNA含量,表明四倍体鱼苗细胞DNA含量为二倍体对照鱼苗的2倍。通过染色体制作分析表明四倍体鱼苗的染色体数为84条,而二倍体对照鱼苗的染色体数为42条。本研究采用静水压方法,在国内外首次建立了半滑舌鳎四倍体诱导方法。本项技术的建立旨在为大量生产半滑舌鳎三倍体不育群体奠定基础。     

半滑舌鳎三倍体鱼苗的人工诱导与鉴定

针对半滑舌鳎雌雄个体生长差异过大、雌性性腺发育成熟后腹部凸起影响舌鳎生长和商品鱼质量等问题,开展了人工诱导半滑舌鳎三倍体的研究。采用静水压处理抑制半滑舌鳎受精卵第二极体排出进行染色体加倍,筛选出有效的静水压处理强度及其持续时间。结果表明,孵化水温23 ℃左右时,授精后5 min,采用36 MPa的静水压压力,休克处理4 min,三倍体诱导率最高,达到100%。采用该诱导条件,大批量获得了半滑舌鳎三倍体鱼苗。采用流式细胞仪分析了三倍体鱼苗细胞DNA含量,表明三倍体鱼苗细胞DNA含量为二倍体对照鱼苗的1.5倍。通过染色体分析表明,三倍体鱼苗的染色体数为63条,而二倍体鱼苗的染色体数为42条。     

半滑舌鳎耗氧率和窒息点的初步研究

对半滑舌鳎的耗氧率和窒息点进行了初步研究。结果表明,在各个盐度梯度下,半滑舌鳎的耗氧量和耗氧率与体重(W)之间的关系可用幂函数Q=aWb表示,其中,耗氧量与体重呈正相关,耗氧率与体重呈负相关,方差分析表明,盐度和体重对半滑舌鳎的耗氧量和耗氧率均有极显著的影响(P<0 01);不同规格半滑舌鳎耗氧率的最高值均出现在同一盐度组,最低值则因体重不同而出现在不同的盐度组。半滑舌鳎的耗氧率无较明显的昼夜变化,夜里的耗氧率略大于白天,昼夜两阶段耗氧率的差异不显著。窒息点随着温度和体重的增加而有所增加,在较低的温度下,半滑舌鳎有很强的耐低氧能力。     

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.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.