罩网兼作金枪鱼延绳钓的钓钩深度与渔获水层分析

2015年3-4月及2017年1月在南海外海进行了两次罩网渔船兼作金枪鱼延绳钓的捕捞试验,基于试验数据分析延绳钓钓钩深度及渔获水层分布,以期优化改进试验钓具,有效提高南海金枪鱼延绳钓捕捞效益。研究发现:1)经济渔获以剑鱼(Xiphias gladius)与黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacares)为主,剑鱼的单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE,kg·千钩-1)为所有渔获中最高; 2)钓钩深度(D)与钩位(n)、风速(SW)、风流合压角(γ)成正相关,与漂移速度(SD)、投绳船速(SV)呈负相关,回归方程为:D=10. 259n-37. 247SD-29. 878SV+6. 940SW+23. 493γ+35. 633; 3)模型的预测结果与实测数据间无显著性差异,相对权重表明各影响因子中钩位具有最大的相对重要性; 4)试验中拟合钩深分布范围为35. 08～110. 80 m,剑鱼上钩率与CPUE最高的水层为60～80 m,黄鳍金枪鱼上钩率与CPUE最高的水层为80～100 m; 5) 60～80 m水层主要经济渔获CPUE最大且钓钩数目最多,认为钓钩水层分布较合理。     

大西洋中部大眼金枪鱼垂直分布与温度、盐度的关系

根据2001年7月4日至10月27日3艘在大西洋中部公海海域作业的中国金枪鱼延绳钓船上随机观测到的大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)的上钩钩号,应用悬链线钩深计算公式,分别计算出各钩号的钩深;根据STD仪测得的温度、盐度的垂直分布以钩深为引数,查出该尾鱼捕获时的温度和盐度数据。根据大眼金枪鱼的取样数据,利用频度统计的方法,推算出各水层、水温、盐度范围的渔获率。渔获率最大的水层、水温、盐度范围为大眼金枪鱼的最适水层、水温和盐度范围;渔获率为前3位的水层、水温、盐度范围为大眼金枪鱼活动较频繁的水层、水温和盐度范围。结果表明：大西洋中部,大眼金枪鱼的最适水层为240．00～269．99m水深、最适水温为12．00～12．99℃、最适盐度为35．00～35．09;大西洋中部渔场大眼金枪鱼活动较频繁的水层为240．00～329．99m水深、水温为10．00～12．99℃、盐度为35．00～35．29。     

北太平洋金枪鱼延绳钓钓钩垂直分布及浸泡时间对渔获物的影响

根据中国金枪鱼延绳钓渔业观察员于2018年9—12月在北太平洋公海(150°W—164°W,30°N—37°N)采集的金枪鱼延绳钓渔获数据,分析了钓钩的垂直分布及浸泡时间与渔获物之间的关系。结果表明,11种主要渔获物钓获深度差异很大,鲣(Katsuwonus pelamis)的平均钓获深度最浅,大青鲨(Prionace glauca)最深;除大青鲨和帆蜥鱼(Alepisaurus ferox)外,其他兼捕鱼类的钓钩深度分布与大眼金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus,目标鱼种)之间差异显著;随着浸泡时间的增加,总渔获率呈先增加后下降的趋势,10～14 h内渔获率较高,且在第10小时达到峰值[1.44尾·(千钩·h)~(-1)];浸泡时间在10～16 h内大眼金枪鱼的渔获率较高,且在第11小时达到峰值[0.45尾·(千钩·h)~(-1)]。研究结果可为渔业生产和CPUE的标椎化提供参考,为制定有效减少兼捕鱼种的管理措施提供科学依据。     

金枪鱼延绳钓环形钩和圆形钩钓获率比较

根据"华远渔18号"和"华远渔19号"两艘冰鲜金枪鱼延绳钓渔船2005年9月15日~12月12日在印度洋热带公海水域(0°47′~10°16′N,61°40′~70°40′E)作业期间收集的数据,以每千钩钓获尾数和平均净重,对环型钩与圆型钩对大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼的选择性、钓获率差异等进行了比较研究。结果表明:不同钓具漂移速度下环型钩与圆型钩各自对大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼的选择性无显著差异;不同钓具漂移速度下环型钩与圆型钩之间对大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼的钓获率无显著差异;环型钩与圆型钩之间对大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼渔获物净重无显著差异。     

磁珠富集法制备大口鲶的微卫星分子标记

2004年3月16日-6月8日，在广东广远渔业集团有限公司玻璃钢大滚筒冷海水金枪鱼延绳钓渔船“华远渔19”号，对印度洋马尔代夫海域进行金枪鱼渔业调查。所获数据资料包括：①CTD测定的温度、盐度和深度数据，TDR测定的实际钩深；②作业参数，包括每次作业的钩数、投绳位置、投绳时间、航向、航速、出绳速度、两浮子间的钩数、起绳位置、起绳时间等；③渔场环境数据，包括风速、风向、钓具对地漂移速度和方向；④渔获统计，包括大眼金枪鱼的渔获尾数以及部分大眼金枪鱼的钓获钩号；⑤生物学数据，包括起捕时已死的大眼金枪鱼的体温。分析计算的方法和步骤为：①由理论公式推算出每次作业时各钩号的理论深度；②应用逐步回归的方法，建立理论钩深与实测的平均钩深之间的数学关系模型；③根据实际平均钩深模型计算出每个钓钩的平均作业深度；④根据CTD测得的作业地点的温度、盐度的垂直分布（41次），获得分布曲线。由此，以计算的钩深，从曲线上查出该尾鱼捕获水深处的温、盐数据；⑤根据121尾大眼金枪鱼的取样数据，推算出各水层、水温段、盐度段的渔获率；⑥根据起捕时已死的34尾大眼金枪鱼（鱼体发硬）的体温、以死鱼体温为引数，在曲线上查出该尾鱼捕获水深和盐度；最后，对钓获的大眼金枪鱼的钓获水层、水温和盐度进行了总体分析。分析结果表明：在马尔代夫海域，捕获大眼金枪鱼的水层为50～210m、水温范围为13．0～29．9℃、盐度范围为35．00～35．79；渔获率最高的水层为70～90m、水温范围为27．0～27．9oC、盐度范围为35．70～35．79；捕获时已死鱼的捕获水层、水温和盐度推算数据为63～203m、14．0～27．0℃和34．94～35．42，主要集中在63～134m、16．0～27．0℃和35．30～35．42。     

灯光罩网渔船兼作金枪鱼延绳钓捕捞试验

2015年3月~4月利用"粤电渔42212"灯光罩网渔船在南沙北部海域开展了金枪鱼延绳钓捕捞试验。延绳钓试验以不影响灯光罩网的正常作业为前提。试验期间,灯光罩网作业40晚,放网297次,平均渔获率336.4kg·h-1,总渔获质量129.6 t,鸢乌贼(Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis)占85.31%,黄鳍金枪鱼(Thunnus albacaes)占0.21%。延绳钓作业7次,放钩2 700枚,总渔获质量1 281.6 kg,剑鱼(Xiphias gladius)和黄鳍金枪鱼分别占72.88%和11.16%;延绳钓平均上钩率和CPUE分别为25.74尾·千钩-1和427.48 kg·千钩-1,其中黄鳍金枪鱼为1.90尾·千钩-1、52.74 kg·千钩-1,剑鱼为3.76尾·千钩-1、291.86 kg·千钩-1。试验证明,金枪鱼延绳钓和灯光罩网的渔场分布恰好一致,作业时间没有冲突。相比发展专业钓船,罩网渔船兼作延绳钓具有投资金额少、生产成本低的优势。建议通过探捕拓展和延长外海渔期,并研究解决金枪鱼保鲜问题。     

印度洋公海温跃层与黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼渔获率的关系

2005年9月15日-12月12日,金枪鱼延绳钓渔船"华远渔18、19号"对印度洋公海进行了金枪鱼渔业调查.利用多功能水质仪(XR-620)、温盐深仪(CTD SBE37SM)和微型温度深度计(TDR-2050)等获取海洋环境数据,得出作业海域的温跃层深度和强度,结合每天作业时记录的渔获数据,分别计算黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼在温跃层内和深水层的渔获率,研究温跃层与黄鳍金枪鱼和大眼金枪鱼渔获率之间的关系.结果表明:(1)2艘船分别有60.9%和60.0%的作业天数中,温跃层内黄鳍金枪鱼渔获率较高,"华远渔18号"船在温跃层内和温跃层以下的平均渔获率分别为18.22尾每千钩和6.04尾每千钩,"华远渔19号"船温跃层内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为2.22尾每千钩和1.31尾每千钩.通过t-检验成对双样本均值分析,温跃层以内和温跃层以下黄鳍金枪鱼总平均渔获率有显著性差异(P=0.02<0.05),温跃层以内比温跃层以下的渔获率明显要高;(2)2艘船分别有69.6%和100%的作业天数中,温跃层以下水深大眼金枪鱼渔获率较高,"华远渔18号"温跃层以内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为4.18尾每千钩和4.88尾每千钩."华远渔19号"温跃层以内和温跃层以下平均渔获率分别为0.10尾每千钩和2.57尾每千钩.大眼金枪鱼渔获率在温跃层以下水深较高.通过t-检验成对双样本均值分析,温跃层以内和温跃层以下大眼金枪鱼总平均渔获率无显著性差异(P=0.070.05),但对"华远渔19号"船的渔获率数据经t-检验发现大眼金枪鱼在温跃层以内和温跃层以下的渔获率有显著性差异(P=0.00<0.05).     

基于GAM模型分析水温垂直结构对热带大西洋大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响

通过模型分析环境变量对延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率的影响,评估适宜垂直活动空间对大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的作用。首先采用回归分析检验环境变量对延绳钓渔获率(由单位捕捞努力渔获量(catch per unit fishing effort,CPUE)表示)的影响显著性,结合时空变量,采用GAM(generalized additive model)模型分析各变量对大眼金枪鱼CPUE非线性作用。模型结果表明,环境因子和时空变量对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率空间分布影响明显。大西洋大眼金枪鱼延绳钓的高渔获率月份出现在夏季和冬季,空间上在赤道以北和30?~50?W。12℃等温线深度对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响表现为抛物线形状,高渔获率出现在深度较浅的250 m水层,随着12℃等温线深度的增加,大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率降低。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率的影响都是穹顶状。随着温跃层下界深度值和深度差由小变大至200 m,延绳钓渔获率递增;温跃层下界深度和深度差超过200 m后,延绳钓渔获率变小。温跃层下界深度和深度差对大眼金枪鱼延绳钓渔获率影响显著的水层分别是200 m和50 m。研究结果显示,12℃等温线深度和温跃层对热带大西洋延绳钓大眼金枪鱼渔获率影响是交叉的,在大眼金枪鱼适宜垂直活动水层受限到和延绳钓作业深度相同时,延绳钓渔获率最高;在适宜垂直活动空间过深或者过浅时,延绳钓渔获率都变小,但可以通过改变作业方式提高渔获率。采用延绳钓CPUE进行渔场和资源评估要考虑金枪鱼适宜垂直活动空间。     

金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能研究进展

金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能主要按目标鱼种和兼捕物种渔获效率进行评价。对其研究有助于改进延绳钓渔具渔法, 提高目标鱼种捕捞效率和减少兼捕。本文以时间顺序为主对国内外关于金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能研究的文献进行梳理, 从钓具选择性、钓钩深度、饵料选择性、环境因素以及钓具浸泡时长等方面概括了金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能的研究进展, 并提出存在的不足和建议, 为金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能的研究提供参考。前人研究取得的成果有: (1)不同鱼种最佳作业深度和钓具浸泡时长不同; (2)较大尺寸的圆形钩能减少兼捕; (3)拟饵也具有选择性, 鱼类饵料和蓝色染色饵料有利于减少兼捕; (4)具体水层的环境因素对延绳钓渔获性能影响较大。建议今后金枪鱼延绳钓渔获性能研究应: (1)确定钓钩最佳沉降速度和深度; (2)分水层建立不同物种渔获性能预测模型; (3)针对不同的目标鱼种探索最佳尺寸和钩形; (4)研究不同气味和颜色的饵料或拟饵对物种选择性的影响; (5)考虑诱饵、钓钩类型和尺寸和钓具浸泡时长对渔获率、死亡率、兼捕率和兼捕物种释放后存活率的潜在协同效应。     

南海金枪鱼延绳钓作业参数优化

为了探索南海金枪鱼延绳钓合适作业参数,根据2010年6月至2013年2月8个航次的南海金枪鱼延绳钓探捕调查数据,估算了大眼金枪鱼和黄鳍金枪鱼在不同水层的渔获率,以浮子绳长度hf、两浮子间钩数n和短缩率k这3个作业参数的调整为研究对象,采用最小二乘法度量不同水层上钓钩分布频率与金枪鱼渔获分布频率的匹配程度。当两者之间的频差平方和达到最小值时,即认为找到延绳钓最合适作业结构。结果显示:hf=34 m、n=25、k=0.68°对捕捞大眼金枪鱼最合适;hf=10 m、n=14、k=0.71°对捕捞黄鳍金枪鱼最合适;两种兼顾时,hf=8 m、n=27、k=0.69°更合适。     

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.     

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.     

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.