大亚湾黑棘鲷的摄食习性

为了解黑棘鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegeli)在大亚湾生态系统食物网结构中的地位和作用, 2018 年 3 月至 2019 年 1 月逐月在大亚湾采集黑棘鲷样本, 分析黑棘鲷的食性组成、摄食强度、生态位宽度以及食性随季节和体长变化的趋势。结果表明, 大亚湾黑棘鲷饵料生物组成主要包括藤壶、鱼类、贝类、蟹类、虾类、星虫类、头足类、 水生植物等 8 个类群, 相对重要性指数百分比(IRI%)表明藤壶是最重要的饵料类群(IRI%为 42.41%), 其次依次是鱼类、贝类、蟹类、虾类、星虫类、头足类和水生植物。大亚湾黑棘鲷全年均有摄食, 摄食强度随季节变化显著, 其中胃饱满指数以春、冬季较高, 夏、秋季较低; 而空胃率则以夏季显著高于其他季节。不同季节食性差异明显, 春季主要以藤壶为食, 夏季主要以鱼类为食, 秋季主要以贝类为食, 冬季则主要以藤壶和鱼类为食, 影响食性组成随着季节变化的主要因子为水温、食物资源的可获得性等; 黑棘鲷体长越长, 越倾向于摄食大个体饵料, 摄食强度也越大, 营养生态位宽度先宽后窄。本研究结果将为今后黑棘鲷的保护和人工养殖提供理论依据。     

荣成俚岛大泷六线鱼摄食生态研究

为研究荣成俚岛大泷六线鱼的摄食生态,于2010年3月—2011年2月逐月采集荣成俚岛近海482尾大泷六线鱼,对其进行胃含物分析。结果发现,大泷六线鱼为底栖生物食性鱼类摄食的饵料生物有10个类群,主要摄食鱼类,其次是多毛类、虾类、海藻类、蟹类和口足类等。食物组成随季节和体长而变化:除四季均大量摄食虾类外,春季还摄食蟹类和多毛类,夏季和秋季主要摄食鱼类,冬季摄食多毛类的比例最高;体长80 mm的大泷六线鱼喜食虾类和端足类,体长80~119 mm个体喜食多毛类、口虾蛄幼体和虾类等,而体长119 mm个体主要摄食鱼类、虾蟹类。摄食强度也随季节和体长而变化:夏季摄食强度最高,冬季最低(不停食);体长80 mm个体摄食强度最高,随体长增加摄食强度逐渐下降,体长180 mm以上的个体又随体长、年龄的增大而逐渐升高。通过DNA条形码对大泷六线鱼的6个饵料生物样品进行鉴定,其中,4个饵料生物样品鉴定到种,1个样品鉴定到属,1个样品鉴定到科。     

荣成俚岛斑头鱼摄食生态研究

2010年3月至2011年2月逐月采集荣成俚岛近海的743尾斑头鱼(Hexagrammos agrammus),探讨其摄食生态特征。结果表明,斑头鱼为底栖生物食性鱼类,摄食的饵料生物包括11个类群,主要摄食多毛类(Polychaeta),其次是鱼卵、海藻类、海草类、口足类(Stomatopoda)、端足类(Amphipoda)和鱼类等。食物组成随季节和体长而变化:除四季均大量摄食多毛类以外,春季还摄食口足类和虾类,夏季还摄食鱼类和蟹类,秋季还摄食鱼卵和鱼类,冬季摄食鱼卵比例最高;体长80 mm的斑头鱼喜食海草和海藻等植物性饵料,体长80~199 mm的个体喜食多毛类、鱼类和虾蟹类等,体长199 mm的个体主要摄食鱼类、多毛类和鱼卵等。摄食强度也随季节和体长而变化:夏季摄食强度最高,春季和秋季次之,冬季最低(不停食);体长100 mm的个体摄食强度最高,随着体长增加而逐渐下降,体长180 mm以上的个体又随体长和年龄的增大而逐渐升高。对斑头鱼5个饵料生物样品进行了DNA条形码鉴定,其中4个饵料生物样品鉴定到种,1个饵料生物样品鉴定到属。结论认为,斑头鱼的摄食习性会随季节、个体生长和栖息海域饵料生物的种类和丰度的不同而发生变化。     

长江口外海域龙头鱼营养生态学特征

利用2009年9月至2010年8月在东海北部、黄海南部海域获取的龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)样品,采用胃含物分析法,对龙头鱼的摄食习性进行了研究。结果表明,龙头鱼摄食饵料种类有39种,鱼类是其主要饵料类群,所占质量百分比为84.13%。优势饵料种类为龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)、小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)、细条天竺鱼(Apogonichthys lineatus)、皮氏叫姑鱼(Johnius belengerii)、口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)等。龙头鱼的摄食强度秋季最高,冬季最低;食物组成季节变化明显,春季主要摄食虾类,其他季节则主要以鱼类为食;不同生长发育阶段的食物组成及摄食强度具有显著差异,体长为100 mm和250 mm处存在食性转换现象,并在体长250 mm时表现为由广食性向狭食性转换的特征,摄食选择性增强。龙头鱼营养级为3.80,在东、黄海食物网中处于较高的营养层次。     

长江口斑尾刺虾虎鱼的摄食习性

2014年6月至2015年5月,在长江口东旺沙、东风西沙和青草沙潮间带水域隔月进行插网作业,共采集到459尾斑尾刺虾虎鱼(Acanthogobius ommaturus)样品,分析其胃含物。结果表明,斑尾刺虾虎鱼共摄食12类37种生物,主要摄食虾类,其次是鱼类、蟹类等。其饵料生物组成随季节和体长的不同而有所变化,除四季均大量摄食虾类以外,春季还摄食糠虾类和蟹类,夏季还摄食鱼类,冬季还摄食糠虾类;体长70 mm的斑尾刺虾虎鱼主要以幼鱼为食,同时还摄食大量的糠虾类和磷虾类,体长70~189 mm的个体主要摄食虾类和鱼类,体长189 mm的个体主要以鱼类为食。聚类分析结果表明,斑尾刺虾虎鱼秋季的饵料生物组成与春、夏、冬季相比,存在较大差异;体长70 mm的斑尾刺虾虎鱼食物组成与体长≥70 mm相比,存在较大差异。斑尾刺虾虎鱼的摄食强度也有显著的季节和体长变化,Kruskal-Wallis非参数秩检验结果表明,不同季节组和体长组平均胃饱满系数均差异显著(P0.01);列联表检验结果表明,不同季节斑尾刺虾虎鱼的空胃率不存在显著差异(P0.05),不同体长组空胃率差异显著(P0.01)。通过计算Spearman等级相关系数得到饵料生物体长与斑尾刺虾虎鱼体长之间呈显著的正相关(rs=0.263,P0.01)。此外,摄食饵料平均重量和个数随着斑尾刺虾虎鱼体长的增大而增大,符合"最佳摄食理论"。因此,斑尾刺虾虎鱼的摄食习性不仅与环境中饵料生物丰度有关,也与其自身生长发育有关。     

基于捕食者CPUE权重的浙江南部近海龙头鱼摄食习性分析

根据 2019 年 3 月至 11 月在浙江南部近海进行的 4 个航次底拖网调查所获得的 750 尾龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)样本, 采用胃含物分析法, 结合该海域各调查站位龙头鱼的 CPUE, 对其进行了食性分析, 研究了龙头鱼的食物组成、摄食强度及其随季节和体长变化的情况。结果表明, 浙江南部近海龙头鱼摄食的饵料生物有 40 余种, 以鱼类(IRI%=82.29%)和虾类(IRI%=15.77%)为主。优势饵料种类为七星底灯鱼(Benthosema pterotum)、细条天竺鲷 (Apogon lineantus)、龙头鱼和中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis)等。龙头鱼各季节摄食的饵料类群存在一定差异, 但均以鱼类为主。春、秋季摄食的鱼类相对重要性指数百分比(IRI%)超过了 85%, 在夏、冬季, 还摄食了一定比例的虾类。 龙头鱼摄食强度在春季和秋季较高, 冬季最低。不同体长组龙头鱼食物组成差异明显, 随着体长增加, 饵料中鱼类比例逐渐升高, 虾类比例降低。浙江南部近海龙头鱼存在同类相残现象且主要发生在较大体长组内。     

海州湾大泷六线鱼摄食生态研究

根据2011年3—12月在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的5个航次底拖网调查,通过分析531尾大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)的胃含物样品,对其摄食生态进行了初步研究。结果表明,大泷六线鱼摄食的饵料种类有60余种,虾类、蟹类、双壳类是其最主要的3种饵料类群,优势饵料生物有东方缝栖蛤(Hiatella orientalis)、疣背宽额虾(Latreutes planirostris)和钩虾(Gammarus sp.)等;其食物组成存在明显的季节变化和体长变化,全年均大量摄食虾类,夏季还摄食一定量的蟹类,秋季摄食多毛类和头足类的比例较高。随着体长的增长,大泷六线鱼摄食的饵料生物由小型甲壳类逐渐转变为体型较大的虾类和鱼类。大泷六线鱼的空胃率和平均胃饱满指数存在明显的季节变化,春季空胃率最高,冬季空胃率最低;平均胃饱满指数春季最高,秋季最低。典范对应分析表明,体长是影响大泷六线鱼摄食的主要因子,其次是底层水温、叶绿素a和pH。     

东海北部近海棘头梅童鱼食性及营养级的探讨

对东海北部近海棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)的食性从饵料组成、摄食强度、食性类型和营养级等方面进行了探讨。结果表明:棘头梅童鱼的饵料生物种类数多,组成复杂,选择范围较广,水域差异较大。其空胃率为7.59%,最高饱满指数为188.55‰,平均为24.62‰,单因素方差分析表明摄食强度的季节差异和体长组差异都极显著。棘头梅童鱼食谱较宽,主要摄食糠虾类、磷虾类和桡足类等浮游动物,兼食鱼类和长尾类等游泳动物,属浮游生物食性鱼类。通过计算其生境宽度为2.250,营养级为3.282级,属次级消费层的低级肉食性鱼类。     

东海区龙头鱼摄食习性的研究

根据2008年4月~2009年2月东海区渔业资源大面积定点底拖网调查所捕获的渔获样品,对龙头鱼进行食性及其季节变化的研究。结果表明,龙头鱼属肉食性鱼类,且存在严重的同类相食现象。龙头鱼全年摄食的饵料种类数共有48种,优势饵料种类为龙头鱼、七星鱼、中国毛虾、太平洋磷虾、六丝矛尾虾虎鱼等。其中,春季的优势饵料种类为六丝矛尾虾虎鱼、细螯虾、龙头鱼等;夏季的优势饵料种类为龙头鱼、中国毛虾、七星鱼等;秋季的优势饵料种类为龙头鱼、七星鱼、细条天竺鲷等;冬季的优势饵料种类为七星鱼、带鱼、龙头鱼等。鱼类为其主要饵料类群,樱虾类、磷虾类、长尾类为其次要饵料类群。龙头鱼全年摄食率为47.26%,平均饱满系数为35.43‰,龙头鱼胃平均饱满系数在秋季最高,春季最低,摄食强度存在季节变化。     

海州湾星康吉鳗的摄食生态特征

根据2011年3—12月在海州湾及其邻近海域进行的5个航次的底拖网调查,通过分析516尾星康吉鳗(Conger myriaster)的胃含物样品,对其食物组成、食性类型、摄食强度、营养生态位以及营养级等摄食生态特征进行了初步研究。结果表明,星康吉鳗摄食的饵料种类有40余种,鱼类、虾类和头足类是其最主要的3种饵料类群,优势饵料生物有尖海龙(Syngnathus acus)、矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)、鲜明鼓虾(Alpheus distinguendus)、枪乌贼(Loligo sp.)等。星康吉鳗的食性类型以底栖动物和游泳动物食性为主,其食物组成存在明显的季节变化和肛长变化,除在4个季节均摄食大量的鱼类和虾类外,秋季还摄食大量头足类。不同肛长组星康吉鳗摄食的主要饵料种类存在明显差异:肛长小于70 mm的星康吉鳗主要摄食枪乌贼,70~99 mm的星康吉鳗主要摄食绯(Callionymus beniteguri)和鲜明鼓虾,大于100 mm的星康吉鳗则主要以枪乌贼、尖海龙(Syngnathus acus)和鲜明鼓虾为食。星康吉鳗的空胃率和平均胃饱满指数存在明显的季节变化,空胃率夏季最低,春季最高;平均胃饱满指数春季最低,秋季最高。星康吉鳗的营养级为4.17,表明其在海州湾食物网中处于较高的营养位置。本研究发现,海州湾星康吉鳗的摄食随季节和肛长的变化,主要与其栖息海域中优势饵料生物的种类组成和丰度有关,因此,通过定期监测星康吉鳗的摄食可间接了解基础饵料生物种类和数量的变动情况,同时也为食物网的构建和生态系统营养动力学的研究提供基础资料。     

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.     

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.