达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼资源现状及合理利用探讨

采用2008年12月和2009年12月在达里湖获取的瓦氏雅罗鱼（Leucisus waleckii）样品,对其基础生物学进行测定,依据B-H模型,计算并分析在不同开捕年龄和不同捕捞强度下的单位补充渔获量（YN/R和Yw/R）及渔获质量（平均体重Wy、平均全长TLy和平均年龄Ty）。结果表明,达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼的生长参数K...     

达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼生殖洄游过程中能量代谢和消化酶活性的变化

为了解达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼(Leuciscus waleckii Cyprinidae)生殖洄游过程中能量代谢和消化酶活性的变化,本研究对比了捕于达里湖和贡格尔河的瓦氏雅罗鱼血清生化参数、肝脏和肌肉组织中糖原含量、肝脏组织中转氨酶和己糖激酶活性以及肝脏和肠道组织中消化酶活性的差异;并利用实验生态学方法,研究达里湖中瓦氏雅罗鱼转入贡格尔河河水中24h后其血清生化参数的响应。研究结果显示,与达里湖中瓦氏雅罗鱼相比,洄游到贡格尔河中后雅罗鱼血清葡萄糖含量显著降低(P0.05),胆固醇含量显著升高(P0.05),总蛋白和甘油三酯含量无显著变化;肝糖原含量极显著升高(P0.01),肌糖原含量无显著变化;肝脏组织中谷草转氨酶活性显著降低(P0.05),谷丙转氨酶和己糖激酶活性无显著差异;肝脏和肠道组织中纤维素酶、胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均显著升高(P0.05)。将达里湖中瓦氏雅罗鱼转入河水中24h后,其血清葡萄糖和总蛋白含量显著降低(P0.05),而甘油三酯和胆固醇含量未见明显变化。本研究结果表明,达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼洄游过程中以肝糖原的形式为其生殖活动储备能量;肝脏和肠道组织中消化酶活性的升高可提高鱼体对营养物质的消化吸收能力。     

达里湖东北雅罗鱼的生长、死亡和生活史类型的研究

达里湖东北雅罗鱼(Leucisus waleckii)的种群结构参数(体长、体重和年龄)进行测定,估算种群的生长和死亡参数,并研究种群的生活史类型。结果显示:东北雅罗鱼的体长和体重的关系式Wt=0.0281L2t.8152,其vonBertalanffy生长方程各参数为渐近体长L∞=28.9763 cm,渐近体重W∞=366.95 g,生长系数k=0.2586,t0=-0.3237;自然死亡系数M为0.322,总死亡系数Z为0.9386,捕捞死亡系数F为0.6166;生活类型为r-选择。结果表明:作为渔业管理对策,达里湖东北雅罗鱼的起捕年龄应定为3龄以上。     

“瓦氏雅罗鱼极端盐碱环境适应的基因组基础研究”取得重要进展

正近日,黑龙江水产研究所鲤科鱼类基因组学团队常玉梅研究员等人开展的瓦氏雅罗鱼在极端盐碱环境下的适应性分子机制研究取得重要进展,相关研究成果发表于Scientific Reports。我国内蒙古高原东部达里湖是典型的高碳酸盐型半咸水湖泊,瓦氏雅罗鱼达里湖种群与其它淡水种群不同,能够耐受该湖极端的不良环境并形成优势种群,独特的地质和演化历史使瓦氏雅罗鱼成为了研究硬骨鱼类适应极端环境的理想模型。该研究采集了达里湖高碱耐受种群、邻近姊妹湖岗更湖淡水种群、     

东海区黄鲫资源的利用现状及合理利用探讨

对采自东海区的315尾黄鲫样本鱼进行生物学测定,使用Bhattacharya方法把所获样品体长频率分布划分成不同的平均体长组,推算出各个组的年龄,求出生长参数,探讨生长规律.再依据B-H模型计算、分析在不同开捕年龄和不同捕捞强度下的单位补充量渔获量（YN/R和Yw/R）、单位补充量资源量（^-Pw/R和^-PN/R）、渔获质量（平均体质量Wy、平均体长^-L-y和平均年龄^-T-y）的情况.结果表明,该资源已过度捕捞,应采取适当措施来保持资源的可持续利用：若保持当前捕捞强度不变,则必须把开捕年龄限制在2.38龄较合适;若能同时改变捕捞强度和开捕年龄,则可以把当前的开捕年龄限制在1.50龄,捕捞死亡率降到1.34,这样黄鲫资源仍能够得到保护和合理利用.[中国水产科学,2006,13（3）：485-491]     

东海北部和黄海南部鲐鱼生长特性及合理利用

采用2002年11月~2003年8月在东海北部和黄海南部区域(30°~34°N、126°E以西范围)所获取的鲐鱼(Scomberjaponicus)样品,通过观察鲐鱼耳石生长轮和基础生物学测定,研究了鲐鱼的年龄和生长;再依据不完全β函数渔获量方程,计算、分析在不同开捕年龄和不同捕捞强度下的单位补充量渔获量(Yw/R)的变化情况。结果表明,采用Walford方法拟合的鲐鱼生长方程,其生长参数K、L∞、t0分别为0.320、451.4和-1.203。比较不同时期鲐鱼的生长情况显示,20世纪60、80年代和21世纪初期鲐鱼的生长较接近,而20世纪70年代的鲐鱼生长情况与其他3个时期的鲐鱼生长相差较大。比较不同海域鲐鱼的生长情况显示,随着纬度的增加,鲐鱼的个体有增大的趋势,经分析很可能与海水温度有关。根据历史资料推算出鲐鱼的最大年龄(tλ)为9龄;根据最近的采样,推算出鲐鱼的开捕年龄和补充年龄都为0.4年,鲐鱼的自然死亡率为0.355,捕捞死亡率为2.27。利用上述参数,动态综合模型模拟的结果显示,该资源过度捕捞已很严重。若保持当前捕捞强度,则必须把开捕年龄限制在2.9龄;若能同时改变捕捞强度和开捕年龄,则可以把当前的开捕年龄限制在2.0龄,捕捞死亡率降到1.3,这样鲐鱼资源才能够得到保护与合理利用。     

达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼耳石质量与年龄关系

2017年5月—2018年1月,在内蒙古达里湖采集瓦氏雅罗鱼404尾,取出微耳石清洗、烘干、称量质量后,先用热熔胶定于载玻片上打磨后,再热熔胶高温熔化取下耳石,用透光率更高的透明指甲油固定、打磨,至出现清晰轮纹,读取鱼类年龄。分别采用4种方程(直线、幂函数、指数函数和多项式)回归拟合耳石质量与体长、年龄之间的关系,得出瓦氏雅罗鱼耳石质量( m _O)与年龄( A )之间的函数关系式: m O =-0.0445 A ² +1.9601 A -1.3978( r^( 2) =0.8772)。基于拟合方程和各龄组耳石质量和体长统计图表结果,证明瓦氏雅罗鱼耳石质量可用于鉴定其年龄。利用耳石质量推算鱼类年龄,将推算年龄与耳石年轮读取年龄进行对比,结果表明,瓦氏雅罗鱼耳石质量可以直接推断鱼的年龄,是一种快速简单且稳定的年龄鉴定方法。     

杂交雅罗鱼人工繁殖试验

本研究以瓦氏雅罗鱼和高体雅罗鱼为试验材料,进行了自交、正反交苗种繁育试验,成功获得了自交和杂交苗种,并对比了不同苗种的早期生长速度,旨在为雅罗鱼苗种繁育和杂交育种提供参考。一、材料与方法1.亲鱼的来源与规格瓦氏雅罗鱼和高体雅罗鱼分别引自鸭绿江和额尔齐斯河水系,瓦氏雅罗鱼亲鱼全长(28.00±1.41)厘米,个体重(275.74±44.72)克;高体雅罗鱼亲鱼全长(29.33±0.47)厘米,个体重(308.35.74±21.24)克。     

低盐碱池塘养殖雅罗鱼及其杂交种肌肉营养成分分析

本研究旨在为池养雅罗鱼肌肉营养成分的评定和规模化配合饲料的配制提供基础数据。选取达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼(Leuciscus waleckii,简称DL)、松花江瓦氏雅罗鱼(L.waleckii,简称SHJ)、高体雅罗鱼(L.idus,简称GT)以及种内杂交种(达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼♀×松花江瓦氏雅罗鱼♂,简称DS)和种间杂交种(达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼♀×高体雅罗鱼♂,简称DG)各15尾,每种鱼等量分成3组,测定其背部肌肉的一般营养成分、氨基酸和脂肪酸含量。结果显示:1)除水分含量无明显差异外,5种养殖雅罗鱼的灰分、粗蛋白和粗脂肪的含量均出现明显差异(P0.05)。其中DS杂交的灰分(1.77%)含量显著高于其他4种雅罗鱼(1.16%~1.22%),粗脂肪含量(7.23%)显著高于其双亲组合(DL 4.31%,SHJ 4.22%)及含量最低的DG杂交(3.32%),表现出超亲的杂种优势;5种养殖雅罗鱼具有较高的蛋白质含量(17.05%~18.80%),其中DG和DL的蛋白质含量明显高于其他3种养殖群体(P0.05),显示出较强的杂种优势;2)5种雅罗鱼肌肉中均测定出18种氨基酸,氨基酸总量(TAA)介于73.058%~79.289%,DG和DL的TAA含量、AAS、CS及EAAI指数均高于其他3种雅罗鱼,与其粗蛋白的测定结果相符,表明母本DL将其高蛋白的遗传特性很好地遗传给了子代,进一步证明了杂种优势;3)5种雅罗鱼肌肉中均检测到23种脂肪酸,饱和脂肪酸(SFA)、单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)含量分别为15.03%~19.06%、49.15%~53.92%和27.54%~29.40%,PUFA/SFA比值介于1.53~1.83;SFA和PUFA含量较高的是GT和DL,而MUFA含量较高的是DG和DS两个杂交种。综上所述,5种盐碱池塘养殖雅罗鱼的肌肉营养成分较均衡,属优质蛋白质;杂交选育可以有效改善杂交种的肌肉营养品质,获得的高脂高蛋白的DS杂交和低脂高蛋白的DG杂交可以满足不同的市场需求。     

碳酸盐碱度胁迫下瓦式雅罗鱼血浆游离氨基酸水平的变化

为了从不同层面解析达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼(Leuciscus waleckii)耐高碱的生理机制,本研究对达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼在2个时间段(22 d和60 d)和3个不同浓度碳酸盐碱度(18 mmol/L、30 mmol/L和50 mmol/L)胁迫下的15种血浆游离氨基酸(PFAAs)含量的变化趋势进行了分析。结果显示,血浆PFAAs总量随着碱度的上升而显著增加,而且随着胁迫时间的延长,由必需氨基酸增量为主转向非必需氨基酸增量为主;作为能量代谢的主要底物,非必需氨基酸中的脯氨酸(Pro)和缬氨酸(Val)含量随着碱度的增加而显著增加(P0.05),尤其是Pro在碱度胁迫组中的含量增幅为对照组的23倍。本研究结果表明,达里湖瓦氏雅罗鱼在高碱环境胁迫下,提高血浆中非必需氨基酸的含量作为能量来源,可能是其适应高碱环境的主要策略之一。同时,初步探讨了发生显著变化的游离氨基酸可能参与的生理过程,为从氨基酸代谢组学角度解析瓦氏雅罗鱼耐高碱的生理和分子机制提供了科学依据。     

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.     

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.