一座热带城市型水库浮游动物群落结构的特征

2008年12月～2009年9月,分4个季节月采样,研究了一座热带城市型水库——深圳铁岗水库的浮游动物群落结构。共鉴定出浮游动物73种,均为热带、亚热带或广温性种类。轮虫的种类数和数量在各采样点和各次采样中均居首位。淡水筒壳虫（Tintinnidium fluviatile）、长肢多肢轮虫（Polyarthra dolichoptera）、角突臂尾轮虫（Brachionus angularis）、镰状臂尾轮虫（B.falcatus）、前节晶囊轮虫（Asplanchna priodonta）、萼花臂尾轮虫（B.calyciflorus）和桡足类（Copepodities）幼体是4季中最主要的优势种（类群）。聚类分析和标系排序分析显示,铁岗水库浮游动物群落结构存在空间分布差异。九围和料坑库湾浮游动物群落结构4个季节均在一组,萼花臂尾轮虫、尾突臂尾轮虫（B.caudatus）和矩形龟甲轮虫（Keratella quadrata）主要分布于该组,镰状臂尾轮虫主要分布于西丽入水口,剪形臂尾轮虫（B.forficula）和腹足腹尾轮虫（Gastropus hyptopus）主要分布于库中央。浮游动物密度、优势种（类群）组成、群落多样性指数结果分析表明,铁岗水库的水质已受到人类活动的影响,其中又以九围库湾和料坑库湾较严重。     

浙江老虎潭水库后生浮游动物群落组成及其环境影响因子

为探究老虎潭水库后生浮游动物群落多样性变化,2014年5月至2015年2月按季度分4次对水库6个采样站点的后生浮游生物种类组成、密度与生物量、多样性指数以及9项水质理化指标进行了调查。结果表明,老虎潭水库共鉴定出后生浮游动物20属、34种,其中轮虫10属、22种,枝角类4属、6种,桡足类6属、6种;主要优势种为长肢多肢轮虫(Polyarthra dolichoptera)、裂足臂尾轮虫(Brachionus diversicornis)、萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、角突臂尾轮虫(Brachionus angularis)、圆筒异尾轮虫(Trichocerca cylindrica)、罗氏异尾轮虫(Trichocerca rousseleti)、长圆疣毛轮虫(Synchaeta oblonga)和长额象鼻溞(Bomina longirostris),且优势种的季节更替明显;密度和生物量季节差异显著,年均密度为27.79个/L,年均生物量为0.23 mg/L;丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener多样性指数在4个季节间差异显著,夏季略高于其他3个季节;TLI指数显示,老虎潭水库全年各站点均处于中营养水平;冗余分析(RDA)表明,透明度、溶解氧、水温、高锰酸钾指数和p H是影响后生浮游动物群落动态变化的重要环境因子。     

长江口轮虫群落物种多样性的初步研究↑（*）

于１９９６年９月,初步调查了长江口及舟山北部海区轮虫的群落,共检出轮虫２４种,隶属于５科,８属。其中西区排污品轮虫种数最多,为２１种,数量和生物量最大,分别是：９２６３．１５ｍ＾－３,６１．５７ｍｇ／ｍ＾３。常见种有：臂三肢轮虫,出现频度为２１．８８％。萼花臂尾轮虫１８．７５％,曲腿龟甲轮虫、舞跃无柄轮虫、卜氏晶囊轮虫均为１５．６３％,矩形龟甲轮虫１２．５０％。该水域轮虫群落的建群种是萼花臂尾轮虫、舞跃无柄轮虫、卜氏晶囊轮虫。同时,从物种多样性指数、群落均匀度、生态优势度和物种丰富度这几个测度方面进行了多样性分析。     

汾河太原段轮虫多样性及群落结构的动态变化

调查汾河太原段轮虫群落结构的时空变化,探讨轮虫群落结构动态变化规律及其与环境理化因子的关系,为汾河太原段浮游动物动态预测和多样性保护提供必要信息,从生态系统的角度客观评价水质污染状况与水体富营养化程度。在汾河太原段设置采样点7个,于2014年3-12月对轮虫和水体理化指标进行逐月调查。共检出轮虫98种,隶属3目21科33属。全年优势种是长肢多肢轮虫（Polyarthra dolichoptera）和螺形龟甲轮虫（Keratella cochlearis）。调查期间月均检出轮虫28种,轮虫丰度变化范围为153 ~ 1 440 个/L,生物量为0.08～0.89 mg/L;种类数、丰度和生物量均表现为枯水季较低,丰水季最高。群落结构相似性分析表明不同营养状态水体之间差异显著,轮虫丰度、生物量、Shannon-Wiener 多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均存在明显差异;中等营养条件的指示种为卵形无柄轮虫（Ascomorpha ovalis）和单趾狭甲轮虫（Colurella unicauda）,指示轻度富营养的指示种为柔软龟甲轮虫（Keratella delicata）,中等富营养水体的指示种则为臂尾轮属的种类。冗余分析结果显示环境变量对轮虫群落结构变异的解释率为 41.3%,水温、叶绿素a 、溶解氧、总氮等因子是影响轮虫时空分布的主要因素。轮虫群落结构特征可以指示水体的营养状态。     

黄河陕西段浮游动物群落结构时空动态及与环境因子的关系

为了解黄河陕西段浮游动物群落结构时空动态及其与环境因子的关系,更好地进行水资源和水生态保护,于2013年7月至2014年5月在该河段设定了7个研究断面,对其浮游动物群落结构进行了4次调查,同时对15项水环境指标和同期浮游植物群落结构进行了监测和调查。结果显示,共检出浮游动物20种,其中原生动物4种,轮虫10种,枝角类3种,桡足类3种,夏季浮游动物种类数最多,为16种,冬季最少,仅有5种;浮游动物丰度和生物量变化范围分别为25～3 800个/L和0.00001～1.24 mg/L,春夏较大、秋冬较小,空间上整体呈现上游低、下游高的分布趋势;浮游动物优势种为小旋口虫(Spirostomum minus)、萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta)、曲腿龟甲轮虫(Keratella valga)、裂足臂尾轮虫(Brachionus diversicornis)和微型裸腹溞(Moina micrura);浮游动物Shannon-Wiener指数均值为0.65～0.83,Margalef指数为1.08～2.49,Pielou均匀度指数为0.39～0.60;7个断面的浮游动物群落结构和环境因子的典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明,影响浮游动物丰度的主要环境因子为化学需氧量(COD)、总氮(TN)、pH值和重金属铬(Cr)。     

盐碱池塘浮游动物的种类组成和生物量

１９９７年４月５日至１９９８年９月１日对山东高青盐碱池塘浮游动物的种类组成和季节变动进行了研究，结果表明，高青盐碱池塘含盐量变动于１.36-20g.G^-1，总碱度变动于２.4-72.mmol.L^-1,pH值８－９浮游动物主要是淡水盐种或喜盐种，一些是典型的盐水种，浮游动物优势种有团焰毛虫，双环栉毛虫，锥瓶口虫，瓜形膜袋虫，旋回侠盗虫和绿色前管虫（原生动物），褶皱臂尾轮虫，暗小异尾轮虫，萼花臂尾轮虫，角突臂尾轮虫，壶状臂尾轮虫，卜氏晶囊轮虫，简单前翼轮虫，角三肢轮虫和针族多肢轮虫（轮虫）微型裸腹和长肢秀体（枝角类），细巧华哲水蚤，近邻剑水蚤和台液温剑水蚤，（桡足类），无鱼对照池和新挖池塘的浮游动物生物量均较一般养鱼池塘的高。     

大伙房水库的浮游动物

根据2002年6月和9月的调查，大伙房水库浮游动物共35属61种。其中原生动物10属18种、轮虫9科13属24种、枝角类5科8属13种、桡足类2科5属6种，年平均数量和生物量为17677个／L和2．0647mg／L，数量以急游虫、侠盗虫、长肢多肢轮虫、螺形龟甲轮虫、透明（氵蚤）和近邻剑水蚤最多。浮游动物的数量和生物量时空分布较明显，时间上6月为数量高峰，而生物量9月为高峰；水平分布中游数量和生物量均最低，下游数量和生物量均最高。水库浮游动物每年可为浮游动物食性鱼类提供793t鱼产力。     

长江江苏段浮游动物群落结构调查报告

2004年9月和12月、2005年3月对长江江苏段浮游动物的群落结构进行调查.浮游动物108种,以轮虫最多,45个种属,占41.66%;原生动物12个种属,占11.11%;枝角类25个种属,占23.14%;桡足类26个种属,占24.07%.年浮游动物密度为47.96个/L,生物量0.3663mg/L.全年常见的优势类群为:轮虫的臂尾轮虫属、三肢轮虫属、龟甲轮虫属、晶囊轮虫属;枝角类的象鼻溞属、秀体溞属;桡足类的真剑水蚤属、温剑水蚤属、许水蚤属.     

白洋淀河湖系统轮虫群落结构时空动态及与环境因子的关系

2019年4月、6月和9月分别对白洋淀淀区及府河、孝义河和白沟引河3条入淀河流的轮虫群落及水环境因子开展采样调查，探究了白洋淀河湖系统中轮虫群落结构时空动态及其与水环境因子的关系。结果显示，调查期间共检出白洋淀河湖系统轮虫30种，隶属于7科15属，其丰度和生物量年均值分别为(1.43±1.15)×10³ ind.L^-1和(0.67±0.71) mg.L^-1。Jaccard群落相似性系数和NMDS分析综合表明，白洋淀河湖系统轮虫群落组成在季节和区域尺度上相似性均较低。针簇多肢轮虫（Polyarthra trigla）、螺形龟甲轮虫无脊变种（Keratella cochlearis tecta）和异尾轮虫（Trichicerca sp.）是淀区和入淀河流的共同优势种。此外，3条入淀河流的优势种丰度占比均显著高于淀区。除孝义河外，淀区、府河和白沟引河轮虫群落的Shannon-Wiener和Margalef指数均存在显著的季节性差异，且均在夏季最高。生物多样性指数和轮虫营养状态指数（TSIROT）综合指示白洋淀河湖系统为中-重度污染型及中-富营养型。RDA分析表明，营养物质（TN、TP）、透明度（SD）和溶解氧（DO）是影响白洋淀河湖系统轮虫群落结构的重要环境因子。     

济南流域春、夏、秋季轮虫群落的结构及其与环境因子的关系

探讨轮虫群落结构及与水质环境因子之间的关系,为合理开发济南地区水资源以及水环境污染治理提供可靠依据。2014年5月（春季）、8月（夏季）和10月（秋季）分别对济南地区19个站点采样调查,分析不同季节轮虫群落结构的分布特征,应用香农维纳指数和均匀度指数评价济南地区水质健康状况,典范对应分析法判定影响轮虫群落结构的主要环境因子。济南地区水体共鉴定出轮虫17属38种,以龟甲轮属和臂尾轮属为主,春季、夏季和秋季轮虫种类分别为30、17和9种,轮虫密度平均值为114.4、10和8.3个/L。轮虫污染指示种20种,其中寡污带3种、寡污至β中污型5种、β中污性8种、α中污型2种、β-α中污型2种;轮虫污染指示种类占总种类数的52.63%,密度占77.99%;春季出现污染指示种15种,夏季和秋季分别为11种和8种。春季的优势种为卵形彩胃轮虫,夏季的优势种为萼花臂尾轮虫,秋季的优势种为萼花臂尾轮虫、卜氏晶囊轮虫、前节晶囊轮虫。香农维纳指数平均值分别为2.67、1.38和1.20;均匀度指数平均值分别为0.66、0.41和0.35。典范对应分析结果,主要影响南部、中部和北部地区轮虫群落结构的环境因子,春季为总氮、氨氮和硬度,夏季为高锰酸钾,秋季为总磷。综合评价济南地区水生态呈中度污染。     

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.