Target strength estimation of black porgy Acanthopagrus schlegeli using acoustic measurements and a scattering model

ABSTRACT:   Black porgy are hatched and released in marine ranching areas in Japan, Korea and Taiwan to maintain fisheries resources in coastal areas. If acoustic methods are used for field surveys, target strength ( TS ) information on the species is needed to convert acoustic data to biomass density. Target strength of black porgy ( Acanthopagrus schlegeli ) 15.5–32.9 cm fork length (nine individuals) was measured at 38 and 120 kHz (split beam) by ex situ measurements (cage and fishhook methods) of living fish, a tethered method with shock-frozen fish, and an acoustic scattering model, the Kirchhoff ray mode (KRM) model based on fish morphology. The ex situ TS -to-fork length ( FL , cm) relationships were TS _38kHz = 20log₁₀ FL  − 64.6 ( r  = 0.77) and TS _120kHz = 20log₁₀ FL  − 65.2 ( r  = 0.70). The values for the KRM model were TS _38kHz = 20log₁₀ FL  − 64.8 ( r  = 0.88) and TS _120kHz = 20log₁₀ FL  − 65.4 ( r  = 0.80). The agreement between the ex situ measurements and the KRM model for the mean TS was very good. In contrast, the results for the tethered method ( TS _38kHz = 20log₁₀ FL  − 69.3 [ r  = 0.42]) differed markedly from the other two methods, perhaps because of the effects of the shock-freezing procedure in air. The results of the ex situ measurements and scattering model provide basic information for studying TS and conducting acoustic surveys of black porgy, even though the tethered method must be modified.     

中国近海黑鲷线粒体DNA控制区序列多态性分析

采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)和直接测序的方法,测定了广西北海、广东深圳和山东青岛3个地理群体共72尾黑鲷(Acanthopagrusschlegeli)线粒体Dloop第一高变区5′端547～549bp序列,以探讨黑鲷种群的遗传变异。分析结果表明:72条序列T、C、A、G4种核苷酸的平均含量分别为30.8%、21.8%、36.3%、11.0%。共检测到55个变异位点,其中转换位点32个,颠换位点19个,缺失/颠换位点1个,插入/颠换位点3个。72个个体具有51种单倍型(haplotype),单倍型比率为70.8%,黑鲷线粒体Dloop控制区表现出较为丰富的核苷酸多态性。对其所有单倍型依据序列距离使用NJ法构建的亲缘关系树并无明显的系谱分支,没有显示出明显的地理分布族群,说明黑鲷线粒体DNA控制区第一高变区序列无法用于黑鲷种群的鉴别。     

野生与养殖黄鳍鲷消化道中粘液细胞的类型及分布

采用常规石蜡组织切片及AB-PAS的染色方法对野生和养殖黄鳍鲷（Sparus latus）消化道中粘液细胞的类型及分布情况进行了比较观察研究。黄鳍鲷粘液细胞在消化道各部位均有分布,不同部位粘液细胞的类型和分布均有差异。食道中以Ⅰ、Ⅱ型粘液细胞为主;贲门部和胃体部只有Ⅰ、Ⅱ型粘液细胞分布,幽门部只有Ⅰ型粘液细胞;幽门盲囊、肠道及直肠都是Ⅱ型粘液细胞最多。野生与养殖黄鳍鲷粘液细胞的区别在于消化道的相同部位养殖鱼比野生鱼粘液细胞数量更多。根据研究结果推测粘液细胞的类型和分布与鱼的生活环境及食物相关,也可能与消化道中各种菌群的分布有关。     

温度对黄鳍鲷主要消化酶活性的影响

研究了温度对黄鳍鲷肝、肠和胃3个部位蛋白酶、淀粉酶和脂肪酶比活的影响。实验设计了15、20、25、30、35、40、45、50、55、60、65℃等11个温度梯度,结果表明:肠蛋白酶和胃蛋白酶的最适温度为45℃,而肝蛋白酶的最适温度为40℃;胃淀粉酶的最适温度是40℃,肝淀粉酶的最适温度是35℃,而肠淀粉酶的最适温度是30℃;肠脂肪酶和胃脂肪酶的最适温度是40℃,肝脂肪酶的最适温度是45℃。从整体来看,在35~45℃的范围内,肝、肠和胃3部位的3种酶都有较高的活性。     

Changes in plasma prolactin and growth hormone concentrations during freshwater adaptation of juvenile chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) reared in seawater for a prolonged period

Freshwater adaptability of chum salmon was examined in juvenile fish reared in seawater for 4 months. The fish, weighing about 40g, were transferred directly to fresh water in October, when their cohorts are migrating in the North Pacific Ocean. Plasma sodium concentration decreased from 167 mM in seawater to about 130 mM during the first 24h, and increased gradually during 2–7 days after the transfer. No immunoreactive prolactin (PRL) was detected in the plasma of the seawater-adapted fish nor during the first 24h in fresh water. Significant levels of PRL were detected after 2–3 days. The maximal level (2.6 ng/ml) was observed after 5 days and became undetectable again after 7 days; no significant correlation was seen between the changes in plasma sodium and PRL levels during the transfer. Plasma growth hormone levels were relatively constant, except for a significant decrease 12h after the transfer. Although plasma thyroxine levels were highly variable during the experiment, a significant decrease and an increase were observed 12h and 5 days after the transfer, respectively. The present study indicates that juvenile chum salmon retain hyperosmoregulatory ability even after prolonged rearing in seawater. Examination of turnover rates, rather than changes in plasma levels, seems to be essential to clarify the osmoregulatory roles of the hormones.     

卵形鲳鲹MHCⅡβ基因的克隆与表达分析

水通道蛋白(aquaporin,AQPs)是由内在膜蛋白组成的超家族,介导水分子的跨膜运输,对渗透压调节具有重要作用。为研究AQP1a在急性盐度胁迫下对卵形鲳鲹 (Trachinotus ovatus)的渗透压调节作用,该研究获得AQP1a基因。基因全长1 078 bp,开放阅读框786 bp,编码261个氨基酸,具有MIP家族特有序列(HINPAVTLG)和2个天冬酰胺−脯氨酸−丙氨酸蛋白基序。qRT-PCR结果显示,AQP1a在11个被测组织中均有表达,在性腺中的表达量最高,其次是鳃和肠,在肌肉中表达量最低。在急性盐度胁迫下,当转入淡水时,AQP1a在鳃的表达量在第4小时显著上升,而在肾和肠中没有显著变化;当转入盐度10和20海水时,鳃中AQP1a的表达量在第2和第4小时显著升高,然后下降趋于稳定;转入盐度10海水时,肠中AQP1a的表达量均上升,肾中AQP1a的表达量呈先上升后下降趋势;转入盐度20海水时,肠中AQP1a的表达量仅在第4、第8和第48小时显著上升,肾中AQP1a的表达量在第12小时达到最大;转入盐度40海水中,鳃中AQP1a的表达量明显下降,相反,在肾和肠中AQP1a的表达量均明显上调。这些结果反映了AQP1a在不同组织中的功能特异性,证实了AQP1a在卵形鲳鲹盐度适应中起重要作用。     

Distribution and abundance of the larval black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli (Bleeker), in coastal waters and an estuary of western Taiwan

This study compared the distribution, abundance and body length of larval black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli (Bleeker), to relative environmental conditions in the coastal waters near Wan-kung and the Da-du estuary of western Taiwan to evaluate the utilization of these two water bodies as nursery grounds. Sampling was carried out on spring tides from October 1993 to September 1994. In the coastal waters, salinity (mean = 31.5^0/00) and current speed (39.1 cm s^?1) were significantly higher than those in the estuary (28.3^0/00 and 29.6 cm s^?1). Most of the larvae occurred from late winter to early spring. The period of occurrence was longer and the density was higher in the coastal waters. The mean body length in the coastal waters (9.28 mm) was greater than that in the estuary (7.33 mm), but the coefficient of variation of body length was smaller (coastal waters, 8.15%; estuary, 19.87%). The occurrence of the larvae in the two regions was negatively correlated with water temperature and positively with salinity and dissolved oxygen, and the change of density of larval black porgy was similar to that of all larval species discriminated by principal component analysis. The range and mode of the length-frequency distributions were different between the two regions. It was concluded that coastal waters are overall a better nursery habitat for black porgy.     

Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth performance, lipid peroxidation and tissue fatty acid composition of black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) fed oxidized fish oil

A 9-week feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of black sea bream fed oxidized oil. The FL and OL diets contained fresh fish oil and oxidized oil, respectively, without additional vitamin E supplementation. Another four α-tocopherol levels (150, 250, 450 and 800 mg kg⁻¹ diet) were used within the OL diet, giving a total of six experimental diets. Fish were hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily. At end of the trial, the weight gain and survival rate of fish were significantly reduced by diets with oxidized oil, whereas hepatosomatic index was remarkably high in fish fed oxidized oil diet. However, vitamin E supplementation to diet significantly improved growth performance and increased vitamin E content in the liver. Although, liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and docosahexaenoic acid were significantly increased by dietary oxidized oil, their levels were reduced by dietary vitamin E supplementation. Our results indicate that the fish were performing the best at intermediate concentrations of α-tocopherol and a dose of >150 mg α-tocopherol kg⁻¹ diet could reduce lipid peroxidation and improve fish growth performance when oxidized oils exist in diet.     

Expression and functional characterization of glutamine synthetase from giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under osmotic stress

The freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii naturally lives in the freshwater, though it migrates to the brackish water environment during spawning that claimed to be resistant on a broad range of saline fluxes. However, little is known about the osmoregulatory patterns and the effect of an enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS) in M. rosenbergii under stress. Here, we described the identification and functional characterization of GS from M. rosenbergii (Mr‐GS) at molecular and protein levels. The identified Mr‐GS was comprised of 361 amino acids that phylogenetically shared the highest identity with other crustaceans and predicted to contain Gln‐synt_C and Gln‐synt_N domains at the respective terminal regions. Tissue distribution analysis in M. rosenbergii revealed that the Mr‐GS was highly expressed in muscle, and commonly existed in other examined tissues in the following order gills > heart > stomach > brain > haemolymph. Whereas, the mRNA of Mr‐GS was significantly up‐regulated in the muscle and gill tissues following challenges with either hyper (0 → 13‰), or hypo (13 → 0‰) osmotic stress at 3, 6 and 12 hr. Furthermore, the level of Glutamine concentration was positively correlated with the GS mRNA and protein expression patterns in hyper‐osmotic stress, whereas in hypo‐osmotic stress a slight decrease in the gills and maintained a level in the muscle tissues at 3, 6 and 12 hr post‐treatments. Our findings suggest that Mr‐GS potentially exhibited the osmoregulation responses in the gill and muscle tissues of M. rosenbergii throughout the time of osmotic stress, which will benefit for future study on osmoregulation.     

Whole animal transepithelial potential (TEP) of coho salmon during the parr-smolt transformation and effects of thyroxine,prolactin and hypophysectomy

Whole animal transepithelial potentials (TEP) of yearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in fresh water and after transfer to seawater were recorded throughout parr-smolt transformation (smoltification) from February to August 1984, along with plasma Na⁺ and Cl^– concentrations and osmolality. Based on plasma ion regulation in seawater, the yearling coho in this study completed smoltification and attained sea-water adaptability in April. TEP in freshwater fish decreased (became inside-negative) after smoltification, and the TEP increased significantly (P < 0.01) after seawater transfer. When fish were transferred into seawater, thyroxine increased TEP of the transferred smolts by approximately 30% over the control level (P < 0.01) in April, but this did not occur when freshwater postsmolts were transferred in July and August. Hypophysectomy increased TEP (P < 0.01) in fresh water; it did not affect the TEP of the fish after seawater transfer. Ovine prolactin (3 g/g body weight) implanted into seawater-adapted fish caused a reduction in TEP (P < 0.01) when fish were exposed to fresh water. Whole-animal TEP appears to provide a valuable index of the completion of smoltification (April–May) and a useful tool for investigating the endocrine control of salmonid osmoregulation.     

Flounder skin meal as a potential protein source substitute in the diet of juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli)

In this study, we investigated the potential utility of fish skin, usually discarded during processing, as a cost‐effective protein source. We evaluated the effects on juvenile black rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) of an 8‐week feeding trial in which 0%, 5%, 10% or 20% of the casein (purified protein) in their diets was replaced with flounder skin meal. The fish that received flounder skin meal, particularly the 20% group, showed significantly higher growth performance and feeding efficiency. They had lower levels of body lipids, elevated levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased body and muscle protein contents. They recovered more rapidly from stress induced by anaesthesia or exposure to air. Supplementation with flounder skin meal confirms the functionality of flounder skin meal as a high collagen component of fish diets.     

Thermal stress responses of a sterile mutant of Ulva pertusa (Chlorophyta)

SUMMARY: The thermal stress responses of a sterile mutant of the marine alga Ulva pertusa were investigated at 20°C and 30°C. The amounts of the photosynthetic pigments, β-carotene, chlorophylls a and b , lutein, neoxanthin, and violaxanthin, were 1.4–2.4 times higher in the 30°C-cultivated alga than in the 20°C-cultivated alga. The free amino acids, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, and serine, were abundant in the 20°C-cultivated alga, and increased 1.9–10.5-fold in response to thermal stress (30°C). Total carbon and nitrogen contents also increased in the 30°C-cultivated alga. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns of total proteins extracted from both temperature-treated algae showed the increases of 20, 25, and 90 kDa proteins in the 30°C-cultivated alga. Isozyme assays for 20 enzymes showed a different banding pattern only in the case of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Although it was observed that both temperature-treated algae possessed NAD⁺- and NADP⁺-specific GDH, the 30°C-cultivated alga had an additional NADP⁺-specific GDH (NADP-GDH). These results suggest that NADP-GDH compensates for the thermally induced decreases in nitrogen assimilation efficiency and thereby regulates nitrogen metabolism under conditions of temperature stress.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with Clostridium autoethanogenum single‐cell protein in the diet for juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a single‐cell protein derived from ethanol production and may have potential to become a substitute for fishmeal in aquafeeds. A 70‐day feeding trial was conducted with black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) (mean initial weight 6.03 ± 0.09 g) to evaluate partial replacement of fishmeal with CAP in diets. Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with graded levels of CAP (0, 4.85, 9.70, 14.55, 19.40, 38.80 and 58.20%) to replace fishmeal. The inclusion of CAP at all dietary levels tested did not significantly affect the growth performance (p > .05). Fish fed the CAP58.20% diet showed a significantly lower feeding rate, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio compared with fish fed the other diets (p < .05). No statistical differences were found in dorsal muscle and whole‐body compositions. Total superoxide dismutase in serum of fish fed CAP58.20% diet was significantly lower compared with that of the control. Malondialdehyde, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme activities revealed no significant differences among dietary treatments. Phosphorus retention efficiency significantly increased, and phosphorus discharge showed a downward trend with increasing CAP inclusion levels. In conclusion, the results indicated that CAP is a safe and effective alternative protein source, which can replace fishmeal in the diet of black sea bream up to 58.20%, without adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidation and digestive enzyme activity. This study has shown the potential of converting industrial waste into a high protein feed ingredient for aquafeeds.     

Immune responses of Litopenaeus vannamei to non‐ionic ammonia stress: a comparative study on shrimps in freshwater and seawater conditions

To investigate the effect of non‐ionic ammonia (NH₃‐N) stress (0.1 and 0.5 mg L^?1) on the immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in long‐term freshwater, the total haemocyte count (THC), the activity of phenoloxidase (PO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined and further compared with those of seawater shrimps. The results showed that NH₃‐N stress significantly reduced THC and the activity of PO and SOD (P < 0.05). Under 0.1 mg L^?1 NH₃‐N stress, NOS activity increased first and then decreased significantly, while it dropped dramatically under 0.5 mg L^?1 NH₃‐N stress (P < 0.05). During NH₃‐N stress, MDA content increased continuously, and the MDA content in hepatopancreas of freshwater shrimps was higher than that of seawater shrimps. It was concluded that NH₃‐N stress significantly influenced the non‐specific immunity and could also upset the balance of antioxidant system of L. vannamei in both freshwater and seawater shrimps. Compared with in seawater, the shrimps in freshwater were more vulnerable to NH₃‐N stress because of higher lipid peroxidation and lower immunity.     

Pigmentation, carotenoids, lipid peroxides and lipid composition of skin of red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) fed diets supplemented with different astaxanthin sources

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the efficiency of different commercial sources, chemical forms and levels, of dietary astaxanthin, to appropriately pigment the red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) skin. According to this, total carotenoid content, profiles and chemical forms present in the skin were determined. In order to establish the potential for antioxidant protecting role of astaxanthin supplemented diets, peroxide levels and lipid composition of skin were also determined.

Red porgy alevins were fed six dietary treatments in triplicate; a basal diet (B) without carotenoids; two diets (N25 and N50) formulated to supply either 25 or 50 mg kg^− 1 of an esterified source of astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis, NatuRose™); two diets (CP25 and CP50) with either 25 or 50 mg kg^− 1 of unesterified astaxanthin (Carophyll® Pink); and a positive control diet (B + S) proved as a successful pigmenting-diet in previous experiences (B + S, 88% basal diet:12% frozen shrimp) [Cejas, J., Almansa, E., Tejera, N., Jerez, S., Bolaños, A., Lorenzo, A., 2003. Effect of dietary supplementation with shrimp on skin pigmentation and lipid composition of red porgy (P. pagrus) alevins. Aquaculture 218, 457–469].

All fish fed carotenoid supplemented diets displayed a pink-coloured skin after 4 months of feeding in contrast to the greyish appearance displayed by fish fed the basal diet not supplemented with carotenoids (B). Furthermore, astaxanthin diesters were the major carotenoid in the skin of pink fish. A second carotenoid, tentatively identified as tunaxanthin diester, was also detected. The best results in terms of skin natural reddish hue, total carotenoid and astaxanthin contents were found by using the esterified forms of dietary astaxanthin (N25, N50 and B + S). Interestingly, the lowest levels of lipid peroxides were found in the fish fed these three treatments. However, no effect of treatment on lipid composition was found. In conclusion, red porgy alevins are able to efficiently utilise dietary natural or synthetic astaxanthin, and deposit this pigment in its esterified form to acquire an acceptable pink-coloured skin compared to that of the wild fish.     

Growth, stress response and free amino acid levels in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) chronically exposed to exogenous ammonia

Stressful husbandry conditions are likely to affect growth and amino acid metabolism in fish. In this study, chronic ammonia exposure was used to test the effects of a stressor on growth and amino acid metabolism of Senegalese sole juveniles. The fish were exposed for 52 days to 11.6 mg L⁻¹ [low‐TAN (L‐TAN)] or 23.2 mg L⁻¹ [high‐TAN (H‐TAN)] of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), or to 0 mg L⁻¹ (Control). Growth in L‐TAN groups was slightly but significantly different from the Control groups [relative growth rate (RGR=0.35±0.13 and 0.52±0.23% day⁻¹ respectively)]. In H‐TAN groups, growth was severely affected (RGR=0.01±0.13% day⁻¹). Stress parameters (plasma cortisol and glucose) showed slight or no significant differences between treatments. Plasma free amino acid (FAA) concentrations were affected after H‐TAN treatment. Increases in glutamine and aspartate concentrations in H‐TAN fish suggest alterations in amino acid metabolism related to nitrogen excretion processes. Some of the changes in FAA concentrations also suggest mobilization to energy supply and synthesis of metabolites related to stress response. Therefore, Senegalese sole seem to adapt to the L‐TAN concentration tested, but the H‐TAN concentration reduced growth and affected amino acid metabolism.     

维生素C对青鱼幼鱼生长、免疫及抗氨氮胁迫能力的影响

以初始体质量为(7.27 ±0.40)g的青鱼为研究对象,采用维生素C(VC)含量分别为0(对照组)、16.3、33.9、69.1、137.8和277.5 mg/kg 6种等氮等能实验饲料,饲养青鱼8周后,选取0、69.1和277.5 mg/kg VC组进行24 h氨氮胁迫(20 mg/L),研究VC对青鱼幼鱼生长、免疫及抗氨氮胁迫能力的影响.结果显示:以特定生长率为指标,折线模型分析表明青鱼有效维生素C需要量为63.0 mg/kg.肌肉、肝脏和血清中VC积累量与饲料中VC含量呈正相关性,当VC添加量达到137.8 mg/kg时,肌肉和肝脏中VC积累量达到饱和.饲料中添加VC对血清总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性及丙二醛(MDA)含量无显著影响,饲料中添加VC显著提高了血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-px)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性(P＜0.05);血清中谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和鳃丝Na+/K+-ATP酶活力(NKA)随饲料中VC添加量的增加呈升高趋势,而血清皮质醇含量(COR)呈下降趋势.氨氮胁迫有使肝脏和肌肉VC含量、血清T-SOD、CAT、GSH-px活性、GSH含量和鳃丝NKA活性降低,血清VC含量、COR和MDA含量增加趋势.其中,对照组T-SOD、CAT、NKA活性、GSH、MDA和COR胁迫前后差异显著(P＜0.05),氨氮胁迫使VC添加组青鱼肝脏VC含量显著降低(P＜0.05),而CAT、NKA活力、GSH、COR胁迫前后均无显著变化.69.1 mg/kg VC组T-SOD活性胁迫前后无显著差异,但GSH-px活性和MDA含量胁迫前后差异显著(P＜0.05),而277.5 mg/kg VC添加组GSH-px活力和MDA含量胁迫前后差异不显著,但T-SOD活性显著降低,血清VC含量显著升高(P＜0.05).研究表明,青鱼获得最好生长的饲料有效VC添加量为63.0 mg/kg,氨氮胁迫使青鱼产生免疫应激反应,而补充VC可有效增强机体免疫,缓解机体免疫应激,改善青鱼抗氨氮胁迫能力.