福建海区浮游植物种类组成及数量分布特点

根据2003～2004年福建海区春季和夏季2个季度月浮游植物调查资料,分析和研究了该调查海区浮游植物种类组成和数量分布特点。结果表明:经鉴定浮游植物共有111种,其中硅藻类81种,占总种数的73.0%;浮游植物总生物量分布夏季比春季高,春季平均值为30.9×10~4 ind·m~(-3),夏季为2645.6×10~4 ind·m~(-3);春季总生物量以闽东渔场最高,闽中渔场最低,夏季则相反,随着暖流势力的增强,闽中、闽南-台湾浅滩总浮游植物生物量剧增,以闽南-台湾浅滩最高,闽中渔场其次,且密集区明显,最高生物量超过40000×10~4 ind·m~(-3);从数量组成看,以热带近海性种和热带外海高盐性种占绝对优势,优势种为劳氏角毛藻、掌状冠盖藻、斯托根管藻、铁氏束毛藻、汉氏束毛藻、地中海指管藻等;整个海区优势种明显,数量高,多样性指数和均匀度指数都较低;总生物量密集区与浮游动物密集区相一致,大部分为拖网、灯光围网等作业的主要渔场;与历史资料和邻近海域相比较,优势度指数年间变化较大,数量明显增加,但生物量密集区变化不大。     

南海北部浮游动物多样性研究

1997～1999年,对南海北部浮游动物进行了4个季节的专项调查,结果表明,调查海区共出现浮游动物8门20大类709种。优势种的组成各海域显示明显差异,调查期间共有8种优势种,即:异尾宽水蚤(Temoradiscaudata)、普通波水蚤(Undinulavulgaris)、微刺哲水蚤(Canthocalanuspauper)、叉胸刺水蚤(Centropagesfurcatus)、亚强真哲水蚤(Eu calanussubcrassus)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchaetaconcinna)、肥胖箭虫(Sagittaenflata)和中型莹虾(Luciferintermedius)。浮游动物4季总生物量变化范围为18.08～38.27mg/m3,平均25.27mg/m3,以冬季最高,夏、春季次之,秋季最低。平面分布呈斑块状,并随季节的变化发生漂移,春、秋季密集区主要分布于台湾浅滩上升流区和北部湾北部近海区;夏季,自台湾浅滩至粤西近海一带水域密集度较高;冬季分布则相对较为均匀。栖息密度范围为0.24～621.13ind/m3,4季平均27.52ind/m3,平面分布总体以近岸水域最高,不同季节,分布趋势发生一定变化,高密集区主要分布在台湾浅滩、北部湾北部和粤西近海。生物多样性指数范围为1.63～5.55,平均3.90,自北向南递增。季节变化以夏、春季较高,秋、冬季较低。多样性阈值变化范围为0.02～4.63,平均2.93,多样性水平Ⅱ级,显示南海北部浮游动物多样性丰富。     

瓯江口水域夏、秋季浮游动物数量时空分布特征

依据2007年6月和9月瓯江口水域浮游动物调查资料,研究了瓯江口水域夏季与秋季浮游动物总丰度和总生物量的时空分布特征及其优势种组成特点,同时探讨了浮游动物与环境因子的关系及其优势种对总丰度的贡献率.结果表明,两个季节优势种具有明显更替现象,夏季(6月)主要优势种为背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)、太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)和肥胖箭虫(Sagitta enflata);秋季(9月)主要优势种是针刺拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus aculeatus)、太平洋纺锤水蚤和强额拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus crassirostris).夏季和秋季浮游动物的生物量分别为82.05 nag·m-3和649.10mg·m-3,丰度分别为47.0 ind·m-3和298.3 ind·m-3.就水平分布而言,生物量与丰度变化趋势基本一致,呈现调查水域北部高于南部的特点.就季节变化而言,秋季浮游动物的丰度和生物量显著高于夏季.瓯江径流的季节变化、瓯江南口和北口冲淡水势力差异、台湾暖流和浙闽沿岸流势力的强弱是影响瓯江口水域浮游动物优势种区域差异的主要原因.通过进一步线性回归分析表明,温度和盐度是影响浮游动物丰度季节变化的重要因素,其中盐度是决定浮游动物丰度水平变化的关键因子.瓯江口水域浮游动物丰度的变化来源于主要优势种丰度的变化对总丰度的回归贡献.     

黄海北部春季和夏季浮游动物生态特性与时空分布

根据2015年3月(春季)和6月(夏季)对黄海北部辽宁近岸海域的浮游动物调查结果,分析了两个季节的浮游动物种类、生物量、丰度等群落结构特征。此次调查共鉴定出浮游动物47种,其中春季42种,夏季34种。浮游动物以浮游幼虫和小型桡足类为主。桡足类幼虫、棘皮动物幼体、桡足类幼体、洪氏纺锤水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、小拟哲水蚤、拟长腹剑水蚤和腹针胸刺水蚤为春季优势种;夏季浮游动物优势种依次为桡足类幼体、洪氏纺锤水蚤,拟长腹剑水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、桡足类幼虫、小拟哲水蚤和腹针胸刺水蚤。春季浮游动物平均生物量为512.09mg/m~3,平均丰度为15 522.18个/m~3;夏季浮游动物平均生物量为218.84mg/m~3,平均丰度为7582.39个/m~3;浮游动物生物量和丰度均为春季较高。黄海北部辽宁沿岸海域的浮游动物生物量、丰度较高。水温是影响浮游动物群落结构的重要环境因子。     

东海浮游桡足类的种类组成及优势种

根据1997-2000年东海23°30′～33°N、118°30′～128°E水域4个季节海洋调查资料,对浮游桡足类种类组成及优势种作了探讨。东海浮游桡足类经鉴定共有226种,呈外海高近海低的分布趋势,夏季(163种)>秋季(152种)>春季(140种)>冬季(123种),4个季节皆出现的有78种。优势种(优势度Y≥0.02的17种,主要有中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)、普通波水蚤(Undinula vulgaris)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchate conicina)和亚强真哲水蚤(Eucalanus subcrassus)等,季节更替明显,在秋、冬季优势种中还新出现了多种中、小型桡足类。北部近海(29°～32°N、125°E以西)春季中华哲水蚤、夏秋季精致真刺水蚤与水温、盐度多元一次逐步回归相关性显著(P<0.05),秋季普通波水蚤与水温、盐度相关性非常显著(P<0.01),春季鳀(Engraulis japonicus)中心渔场(>100kg·h~(-1))分布与中华哲水蚤高密集区(50～100ind·m~(-3))平面分布具有良好的对应关系;春、夏季鳀鱼仔、稚鱼高密度区(≥100ind·net~(-1))与中华哲水蚤高丰度区(50～100ind·m~(-3))相重叠。     

台湾海峡及其邻近海域游泳生物种类组成和资源现状

2000-2001年台湾海峡及其邻近海域游泳生物调查研究表明,该海域的游泳生物有497种,其中鱼类 367种,甲壳类102种,头足类28种。种类数随纬度逐步增高而减少。鱼类区系属于印度-太平洋的中国- 日本亚区。种类数的季节变化呈秋季>夏季>春季>冬季。相对生物量指数的季节变化,呈夏季>秋季>春季>冬季。而相对密度指数的季节变化呈夏季>春季>秋季>冬季。相对生物量指数和相对密度的优势种分别为中国枪乌贼和发光鲷。各站位月平均相对生物量指数分布为每网8．149(17站)-72．679 kg·h-1(23 站),平均为每网27．089 kg·h-1。按渔场分,月平均相对生物量指数以闽南-台湾浅滩渔场>闽中渔场>闽东渔场;月平均相对密度指数分布为每网320(13站)-6 357 ind·h-1(30站),平均为每网136 ind·h-1。月平均相对生物密度指数闽南-台浅渔场>闽东渔场>闽中渔场。对渔业资源结构、种类组成变化和渔业资源现状及其开发利用程度进行了探讨。     

长兴岛沿岸春季和夏季的浮游动物群落结构

2005年8月(夏季)的大、小潮期间和2006年3月(春季)的大、小潮期间对长兴岛沿岸进行了4个航次的浮游生物调查,共检出浮游动物47种,其中春季32种,夏季44种。浮游动物的优势类群为桡足类和浮游幼虫。小拟哲水蚤、双毛纺锤水蚤、拟长腹剑水蚤、无节幼虫为春季优势种。小拟哲水蚤、双毛纺锤水蚤、近缘大眼剑水蚤、桡足类幼体、太平洋纺锤水蚤为夏季优势种。春季浮游动物的丰度、生物量及种类数均低于夏季。小潮期间浮游动物的丰度、生物量高于大潮期间。浮游动物的丰度、生物量及优势种受潮周期的影响。北部沿岸和南部沿岸浮游动物丰度、生物量较高。小型桡足类在长兴岛沿岸浮游动物群落结构中扮演重要角色,长兴岛沿岸浮游动物群落结构较为成熟稳定。     

2008年黄骅港夏季浮游动物多样性调查评价

2008年夏季用浅海Ⅰ型标准浮游生物网在河北黄骅港海域进行了浮游动物调查。共采集到浮游动物24种,其中原生动物2种、桡足类11种、糠虾类2种、毛虾类1种、钩虾类1种、糖虾类2种、毛颚类1种、被囊类1种、幼体类2种、水母类1种。平均生物量320.6mg.m-3,生物量的波动范围75.2~1310.6mg.m-3。近岸海域的浮游动物多样性指数（H′）明显高于远岸;优势种为强壮箭虫Sagitta crassa（0.33）、小拟哲水蚤Pa-racalanus Parvus（0.31）、太平洋纺锤蚤Acartia pacifica（0.12）、中华哲水蚤Calanus sinicus（0.038）、真刺唇角水蚤Labidocera euchaeta（0.34）和刺尾歪水蚤Tortanus Spinicaudatus（0.04）。     

河北昌黎近岸海域浮游动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为更好地了解河北省昌黎地区近岸海域浮游动物的群落结构、丰度和生物量的分布特征及其与主要环境因子的关系,2016年春季(5月)和夏季(8月)分别进行了2个航次的调查采样,并监测了12种常规水质因子。结果表明,春、夏季航次共鉴定出浮游动物6类群31种(属),其中桡足类12种、浮游幼虫类10种、腔肠类6种、糠虾类1种、毛颚类1种、被囊类1种。春、夏季全区浮游动物丰度和生物量季节变化明显,春季浮游动物平均丰度和平均生物量(4 706个/m~3和138.2 mg/m~3)均高于夏季(4 239个/m~3和13.5 mg/m~3);春季优势种有双毛纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、拟长腹剑水蚤(Oithona similis)、腹针胸刺水蚤(Centropages abdominalis)和小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)。夏季优势种有双壳类幼虫(Lamellibranchiata larva)、小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)、双毛纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)、强壮箭虫(Sagitta crassa)。春、夏季均出现的优势种有2种,分别是小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)和双毛纺锤水蚤(Acartia bifilosa)。夏季Shannon-Weaver多样性指数和Margalef物种丰富度指数(1.94和2.18)均高于春季(1.71和1.80);典范对应分析(CCA)表明,盐度、水温、硝酸盐和透明度是影响昌黎近岸海域浮游动物群落结构的主要环境因子;与历史资料相比,昌黎近岸海域浮游动物丰度及生物量呈下降趋势,其优势种基本保持稳定。     

春季东海区近海浮游动物群落结构及其影响因子

研究了 2 0 0 3年春季东海区 (2 7°0 0′～ 34°0 0′N)禁渔线附近近海浮游动物群落结构及其影响因子。根据各站位浮游动物种类组成和丰度 ,用聚类分析法可将该海域的浮游动物分为 5个群落。群落Ⅰ的优势种为 :中华哲水蚤、强额拟哲水蚤、尖额唇角水蚤和强壮箭虫 ;群落Ⅱ的优势种为 :中华哲水蚤、小哲水蚤和小拟哲水蚤 ;群落Ⅲ的优势种为 :中华哲水蚤、亚强真哲水蚤、普通波水蚤 ;群落Ⅳ的优势种为 :中华哲水蚤和五角水母 ;群落Ⅴ的优势种为 :孔雀唇角水蚤、丹氏纺缍水蚤、中华哲水蚤和刺尾纺缍水蚤。另外 ,在春季影响该海域浮游动物分布的主要非生物因子的可集中体现在纬度因子方面。     

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.