微卫星DNA标记用于中国对虾亲子关系的鉴定

在水产养殖中应用微卫星标记来确定亲缘关系已经得到认同和广泛使用。本研究通过控制交尾,利用微卫星标记确定中国对虾后代的亲缘关系,对微卫星标记应用于中国对虾的家系识别进行初步探讨。作者以4个谱系清晰的家系为基础,检测两对微卫星标记EN0033和RS062在中国对虾家系鉴别中的应用。结果表明,利用两对微卫星引物产生的DNA指纹图谱,能够有效地区分中国对虾4个家系。根据微卫星数据计算各家系之间的遗传距离,构建UPGMA图,得到的结果与各家系来源情况一致,进一步证明了微卫星技术在进行家系间的遗传分析中的可行性。EN0033和RS062两对微卫星标记的累积个体识别率高达0.989,属于高识别力的遗传标记系统,可以利用它们进行中国对虾的亲缘关系鉴定。     

荧光标记微卫星技术用于凡纳滨对虾不同家系亲权关系鉴定

应用荧光标记微卫星技术对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)家系进行亲权鉴定。挑选14个多态信息含量较高的微卫星位点,以人工选育建立的凡纳滨对虾5个全同胞家系为试验材料,采用Cervus 3.0进行亲权分析,并根据家系内个体间的遗传距离进行UPGMA聚类分析。结果表明,14个微卫星位点的平均等位基因数为6,平均多态信息含量为0.6896,平均期望杂合度为0.7309,平均观测杂合度为0.7661,第一亲本、第二亲本和双亲的累计排除率分别为0.99721733、0.99996559和0.99999997;进一步模拟分析表明,要达到亲权鉴定的要求,在双亲性别已知时至少需要5个微卫星位点,双亲性别未知时至少需要6个微卫星位点;模拟分析及试验验证所选用的14个微卫星位点最多可以鉴定1 954个已知性别的亲本或1 203个未知性别的亲本。所选用的14个微卫星标记可在生产及科研试验中用于获取凡纳滨对虾系谱信息。     

中国对虾微卫星DNA引物的设计及筛选

根据建立的中国对虾(Fenneropenaeus chinensis)部分基因组文库,对筛选的含微卫星DNA序列的克隆设计了28对引物,筛选出5对微卫星多态性引物,并用这5对引物对中国对虾的养殖群体20个个体进行了遗传多样性分析。在这5个微卫星位点中,虽然．RS0871位点是多态位点,但其等位基因数、杂合度和多态信息含量都比较低。其余4个微卫星位点可产生6～8个等位基因,等位基因的大小分布在142～364bp,基本上符合引物设计时理论产物长度。这些微卫星位点的期望杂合度的范围为0．7577～0．8064,表明它们都有较高的杂合度。仅有位点RS0956的观察杂合度与期望值有较大的出入,其他微卫星位点的这两值基本相符。有4个微卫星位点的PIC值较高,在0．7180～0．7709。因此,除RS0871位点以外的4个微卫星位点均可用于中国对虾种群遗传结构分析,这将为中国对虾品种选育、种系评估提供更多的微卫星DNA信息。     

微卫星DNA标记用于三疣梭子蟹家系亲子关系的鉴定

以定向交尾技术构建的4个谱系清晰的家系为材料,检测两对微卫星标记Pot17和Pot42在三疣梭子蟹家系鉴别中的应用效果。结果表明,两个位点在4个家系的5个已知父母本和98个后代中共检测出11个等位基因,其中Pot17位点6个,Pot42位点5个。分析显示,上述检出的等位基因频率在0.0291和0.3592之间,Pot17和Pot42位点的期望杂合度分别为0.7740和0.7577,观测杂合度分别为0.6214和0.6796,多态信息含量分别为0.7373和0.7129。根据已知亲本和子代基因型,推断出了4个家系全部亲本的基因型。Pot17和Pot42微卫星标记具有达0.995的较高累积个体识别率,可以用于三疣梭子蟹的亲子关系鉴定。     

尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(♂)F_1家系亲权关系微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)第2代遗传连锁图谱标记,对3组不同尼罗罗非鱼(♀)×萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)(♂)杂交F1家系内亲权关系进行分析。结果显示,86个微卫星位点中共筛选出20个在尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异的扩增位点,含13个种间特异性和7个共享带差异位点。尼萨杂交F1中,平均等位基因2.90,平均多态信息含量0.439,位点多态性较高。3个尼萨杂交F1家系组间遗传距离0.362~0.504,组内个体间遗传距离0.245~0.316,组内遗传距离明显小于组间。利用3个种间特异位点组合,可对3个不同家系组父、母本个体进行鉴别。通过对各组亲本与子代位点基因型分析,家系A、B和C组分别使用4、8和12个特异位点组合进行亲权鉴定,累积排除概率分别为99.99%、99.99%和99.91%,家系A、B组分别含3个半同胞家系,家系C组含2对非同胞或4个半同胞家系。     

尼罗罗非鱼（ ♀） × 萨罗罗非鱼（ ♂） F1家系亲权关系微卫星分析

利用尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）第2代遗传连锁图谱标记,对3组不同尼罗罗非鱼（♀）×萨罗罗非鱼（Sarotherodon melanotheron）（♂）杂交F1家系内亲权关系进行分析。结果显示,86个微卫星位点中共筛选出20个在尼罗罗非鱼、萨罗罗非鱼中存在差异的扩增位点,含13个种间特异性和7个共享带差异位点。尼萨杂交F1中,平均等位基因2.90,平均多态信息含量0.439,位点多态性较高。3个尼萨杂交F1家系组间遗传距离0.362~0.504,组内个体间遗传距离0.245~0.316,组内遗传距离明显小于组间。利用3个种间特异位点组合,可对3个不同家系组父、母本个体进行鉴别。通过对各组亲本与子代位点基因型分析,家系A、B和C组分别使用4、8和12个特异位点组合进行亲权鉴定,累积排除概率分别为99.99%、99.99%、99.91%,家系A、B组分别含3个半同胞家系,家系C组含2对非同胞或4个半同胞家系。     

利用微卫星标记进行马氏珠母贝家系遗传结构分析与系谱认证

为改良马氏珠母贝养殖群体性状,2010年4月,从马氏珠母贝选育系F3选择性腺成熟个体为亲本,建立了36个家系,按照常规技术进行幼体培育和海区养成.2010年11月,从36个家系中随机选取4个家系,每个家系取样30个个体,利用13对微卫星引物进行家系遗传结构和系谱鉴别分析.结果显示,(1) 13个微卫星引物在4个家系中共检测到39个等位基因,每个位点的等位基因数为2～5,4个家系的平均观测杂合度(Ho)为0.531 ～0.597,平均期望杂合度(He)为0.474 ～0.507；(2)根据子代基因型成功地推断出4个家系的亲本基因型,据此鉴别各个家系；用UPGMA法对120个样本进行聚类分析,98.3％的同一家系的子代个体能够聚到一起,分类结果与系谱来源基本一致.结果说明,这4个家系具有较高的遗传多样性和家系间具有明显的遗传分化；微卫星标记能有效地为马氏珠母贝群体的系谱分析提供技术支持.     

湘西盲高原鳅遗传多样性的微卫星分析

利用筛选的16对微卫星标记对来自于湖南湘西龙山县乌龙山3个不同洞穴的盲高原鳅群体进行遗传多样性及遗传分化分析.通过计算多态信息含量、平均杂合度、等位基因数、遗传距离、基因流、F-统计量等参数,评估各盲高原鳅群体遗传多样性和各群体间遗传分化.16个微卫星标记在3个群体中共检测出83个等位基因.每个座位检测到3～8个等位基因不等.3个群体各个多态位点的平均观测杂合度分别为0.362 5～0.946 5,平均期望杂合度为0.538 6～0.906 5.3个群体多态微卫星位点的PIC分别为0.263 2、0.231 3、0.303 5,选取的16个微卫星位点中2个为高度多态,2个为低度多态,其余为中度多态.分子变异方差分析(AMOVA)结果表明,遗传变异大部分(92.84％)来自群体内,仅有7.16％的变异来自于群体间,数据表明3个群体处于未分化状态,遗传一致性较大.     

基于微卫星标记的22个道氏虹鳟选育家系的遗传多样性研究

采用10对微卫星标记分析了道氏虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)22个选育家系的遗传多样性及遗传结构。结果显示:22个道氏虹鳟家系均具有较高的遗传多样性,在9个微卫星位点共获得71个等位基因,平均等位基因数为7.89;平均多态信息含量(PIC)为0.74;平均观测杂合度(Ho)和期望杂合度(He)分别为0.780和0.771。进行Hardy-Weinberg平衡检验,发现22个群体在不同位点均发生了不同程度偏离。计算遗传距离,发现部分家系之间遗传距离较大。综合分析,得出22个道氏虹鳟家系中家系8、家系11、家系12、家系21、家系28、家系29遗传多样性相对丰富,具有较大的遗传潜力,可作为下一代繁育亲本。研究结果对22个道氏虹鳟家系的人工选育及其合理的推广应用具有一定的指导意义。     

斑节对虾7个全同胞家系间亲缘关系的微卫星分析

为了斑节对虾（Penaeus monodon）后续育种工作的需要,研究了斑节对虾7个全同胞家系的亲缘关系。从95对微卫星引物中筛选出16对,16个微卫星位点共发现79个等位基因（A）。每个位点的A为2～10个,平均4.9375,有效等位基因（Ne）1.7575～5.3980,平均3.3878,平均杂合度观测值（Ho）0.6679,平均杂合度期望值（He）0.6698。平均多态信息含量（PIC）0.6110。7个家系总近交系数（FIT）0.0099,家系内近交系数（FIS）-0.3725,家系间基因分化系数（FST）0.2709。根据遗传距离采用UPGMA法对7个家系进行聚类,F2和F6家系之间的遗传距离最小聚为一类,与F7家系遗传距离最远。结果表明,家系间基因交流较低,遗传分化程度较高,且很少发生近交,F7家系可以优先考虑与其他家系进行杂交选育。     

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.