Effects of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids on the early growth, survival, lipid composition and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea): a live food enrichment experiment

The role of dietary ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n−6) on early growth, survival, lipid composition, and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder was studied. Rotifers were enriched with lipid emulsions containing high DHA (43.3% of total fatty acids), DHA+EPA (37.4% and 14.2%, respectively), DHA+AA (36.0% and 8.9%), or a control emulsion containing only olive oil (no DHA, EPA, or AA). Larvae were fed differently enriched rotifers for 4 weeks post-hatch. At week 4, yellowtail larvae fed the high DHA diet were significantly larger (9.7±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and had higher survival (22.1±0.4%), while larvae fed the control diet were significantly smaller (7.3±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and showed lower survival (5.2±1.9%). Larval lipid class and fatty acid profiles differed significantly among treatments with larvae fed high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets having higher relative amounts of triacylglycerols (18–21% of total lipid) than larvae in the control diet (11%). Larval fatty acids reflected dietary levels of DHA, EPA and AA while larvae fed the control diet had reduced amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increased levels of PUFA relative to dietary levels. A strong relationship was observed between the DHA/EPA ratio in the diet and larval size (r²=0.75, P=0.005) and survival (r²=0.86, P=0.001). Following metamorphosis, the incidence of malpigmentation was higher in the DHA+AA diet (92%) than in all other treatments (50%). Results suggest that yellowtail larvae require a high level of dietary DHA for maximal growth and survival while diets containing elevated AA exert negative effects on larval pigmentation.     

First isolation of Vibrio tapetis and an atypical strain of Aeromonas salmonicida from skin ulcerations in common dab (Limanda limanda) in the North Sea

Skin ulcerations rank amongst the most prevalent lesions affecting wild common dab (Limanda limanda) with an increase in prevalence of up to 3.5% in the Belgian part of the North Sea. A complex aetiology of these ulcerations is suspected, and many questions remain on the exact factors contributing to these lesions. To construct the aetiological spectrum of skin ulcerations in flatfish, a one‐day monitoring campaign was undertaken in the North Sea. Fifteen fish presented with one or more ulcerations on the pigmented and/or non‐pigmented side. Pathological features revealed various stages of ulcerations with loss of epidermal and dermal tissue, inflammatory infiltrates and degeneration of the myofibers bordering the ulceration, albeit in varying degrees. Upon bacteriological examination, pure cultures of Vibrio tapetis were retrieved in high numbers from five fish and of Aeromonas salmonicida in one fish. The V. tapetis isolates showed cross‐reactivity with the sera against the representative strain of serotype O2 originating form a carpet‐shell clam (Ruditapes descussatus). Moreover, the A. salmonicida isolates displayed a previously undescribed vapA gene sequence (A‐layer type) with possible specificity towards common dab. Further research is necessary to pinpoint the exact role of these agents in the development of skin ulcerations in common dab.     

Mortality of yellowtail flounder, Limanda ferruginea (Storer), eggs: effects of temperature and hormone-induced ovulation

Yellowtail flounder, Limanda ferruginea (Storer, 1839), is a highly marketable fish species that used to be a significant groundfish in the northwest Atlantic region. The potential of yellowtail flounder for mass rearing has recently been investigated, but studies into aspects of mortality during early ontogeny are lacking. We investigated the impact of spawning inducement on mortality of eggs from fertilisation until hatch, and the effects of rearing temperature on mortality and hatching time in this multiple batch spawning flounder. An ash-free dry mass (AFDM) technique for determining mortality was employed. This technique reduced rearing tank disturbances and provided quantitative mortality estimates. We found (1) that spontaneously ovulated (SO) mean egg mass (AFDM 24.84±0.73 μg) was significantly higher than mean egg mass from induced ovulation (IO) (AFDM 20.09±0.54 μg); (2) that mortality of SO eggs was lower than IO eggs (p=0.028), (3) that SO eggs reached a relatively constant (maximum) mortality by about day 3 and IO eggs by about day 5; (4) that there was no significant difference in mortality between eggs incubated at 10 °C and those incubated at 4 °C (p=0.320); and (5) that time to 100% hatch took significantly longer for eggs incubated at 4 °C (256.0±73.5 h) than those incubated at 10 °C (77.9±11.6 h) (p=0.003). There was considerable variation in egg mortality among batches and females; nevertheless, general trends indicate that GnRHa-induction of ovulation tends to decrease egg quality. In addition, the AFDM technique was an easily employed and accurate method of determining mortality. We recommend that unless coordination of spawning is important to a particular rearing protocol, induced ovulation should not be employed.     

Analysis of meso scaled spatial distribution of dab Limanda limanda in the German Bight: does the type of fishing gear matter?

ABSTRACT:   In the North Sea, studies are carried out to assess the effect of offshore windmills on the spatial distributions of various fish species, based on data often obtained from different fishing gears. In this study, spatial analysis of three size classes of dab Limanda limanda in the German Bight was undertaken and the effect of different fishing gear type on analyzing spatial patterns are assessed, using geostatistics. In an area equal in size to a wind park (with ∼ 200 windmills), a comparative fishing experiment was carried out, where a 7 m-beam trawl and an otter trawl were employed. Structural analyses showed a presence of spatial autocorrelation in the catch data in all cases. The use of an efficient sampling gear led to an improved resolution of spatial structuring, but did not necessarily result in reduction of nugget variability. Ecological parameters derived from a spatial analysis were in good agreement in cases of high abundance and similar gear efficiency. Thus, it is shown that the type of gear matters in cases of low species abundance. Therefore, to achieve reliable results of a structural analysis and an accurate spatial assessment of fisheries data, it is recommended that the abundance of the target species (biological group) and efficiency of the sampling gear are considered.     

光照对黄盖鲽仔鱼生长_发育及摄食的影响

光照对黄盖鲽仔鱼的生长、发育及摄食有显著影响,各组仔鱼的体长与体高在２０日时均产生极显著的差异;Ｄｕｎｃａｎ多范围检验表明：４０－６０ｌｘ光照度下仔鱼生长最好;在４０－７０００ｌｘ范围内随光照度的增强,生长则变差,存活率下降,畸形个体增加,暗条件下及３－６ｌｘ条件下的仔鱼在１２日龄时全部因饥饰物而死亡。在卵黄囊期的各组仔鱼不受外界环境影响,生长情况近似。４０－７０００ｌｘ光照度之间的５且在４日龄至     

Lipid composition of malpigmented and normally pigmented newly settled yellowtail flounder, Limanda ferruginea (Storer)

The lipid composition of malpigmented (MP) and normally pigmented (NP), newly settled yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea, Storer) was compared in order to elucidate a possible connection between lipids and pigmentation development. Larvae were fed commercially enriched live food for 12 weeks post hatch and then differences in lipid composition and size were analysed. NP fish were found to be significantly larger (standard length 35 mm) than MP fish (32 mm) at 100% settlement. There were higher proportions of triacylglycerols in NP fish (P = 0.01), whereas MP fish had an increased percentage of phospholipids (P = 0.01). NP fish had a higher percentage of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the polar lipids of their body (P = 0.03) and total lipids of their eyes (P = 0.04). These data support previously proposed theories for the importance of DHA in pigmentation development. Principal components analysis (PCA) described the majority of the variance (77%) within the data set using just two principal components axes. PCA demonstrated that differences between body zones were greater than those between NP and MP fish within a given zone.     

Evidence for atmosphere–ocean forcing of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) recruitment in the Middle Atlantic Bight

We investigated the relationship between large-scale climate variability (the North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO), continental shelf hydrography, and year-class strength of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea) in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Using long-term environmental time series (1963–98), dominant winter NAO phase in the northeast region of the United States was correlated with local air temperature records from Block Island, Rhode Island (December–March). Air temperature also influenced the characteristics of a pool of remnant winter cold water on the continental shelf, such that negative NAO winters produced a colder-than-average summer cold pool, and vice versa. Smoothed data sets of L. ferruginea recruitment over the 36-yr period (using Southern New England VPA and hindcast data) were highly correlated with the NAO and air temperature, highlighting the influence of multi-year variability. Although less robust, the relationship with the NAO remained significant after removing equal-but-opposite long-term linear trends from the series. Surprisingly, recruitment and cold pool bottom temperature were only marginally correlated. Data from independent 2-m beam trawl and submersible sampling in the region (1994, 1996–2000) indicated a strong relationship between the abundance of recent settlers and cold pool temperature; however, this pattern was often modified by subsequent changes in cold pool stratification (fall overturn). These results underscore the dynamic role thermal habitats play in the lives of early stage benthic fishes. For yellowtail flounder, the generation of recruitment variability represents one endpoint of a complex interaction between large-scale phenomena (climate) and more localized, event-scale features (cold pool).     

温度对黄盖鲽仔鱼生长、发育、摄食及PNR的影响↑（*）

对黄盖鲽（Ｌｉｍａｎｄａｙｏｋｏｈａｍａｅ）仔鱼生长、发育、摄食及ＰＮＲ的研究结果表明：在１０．５－１９℃范围内,温度对其卵黄囊期仔鱼的生长基本上无影响,不适当地升高温度对卵黄耗尽至变态期之间仔鱼的生长不利,较高的温度可促进仔鱼的发育使之提早进入变态期,１０日龄内过高的升温可明显增加仔鱼的死亡率与畸形个体数。黄盖鲽仔鱼在２０日龄以内的摄食无明显节律性;温度对近变态期以前仔鱼在１０：００－１４：００之间的摄食强度基本上无影响,仔鱼的摄食强度随日龄的增加而逐步增加;适宜的轮虫投喂密度在１０日龄内为１０个／ｍｌ,１５－２０日龄为２０个／ｍｌ。黄盖鲽仔鱼的混合营养期很短,约在２４小时以内;仔鱼开口摄食期为孵化后４－６日;升温可使饥饿仔鱼提早进入ＰＮＲ。     

Cytological abnormalities in the ovaries of triploid yellowtail flounder,Limanda ferruginea (Storer)

Abnormal oocytes were detected in the ovaries of triploid yellowtail flounder of three years of age. Triploidy in these females had been induced artificially by hydrostatic pressure shock. Binucleate oocytes were found in the ovaries of six different triploid females. These cells were always small and in a primary growth stage. Cytoplasmic vacuoles, presumed to be due to nucleoplasmic extrusion, was another abnormal feature observed in two primary growth oocytes, each seen in a separate female. The appearance of binucleate oocytes in triploid females, not previously noted in diploid yellowtail flounder, is proposed to be an ephemeral phenomenon associated with the triploid condition.