洱海湖滨带大型底栖动物的群落结构

洱海是云贵高原第二大湖泊,拥有生物较为丰富的湖滨带和特有种,如螺蛳(Margarya melanioides)、绘环棱螺(Bellamya limnophila)。2009年5月和12月在洱海湖滨带开展调查,共采集到底栖动物30个分类单元;其中,寡毛类、摇蚊科幼虫和软体动物等主要类群为11种、7种和9种,分别占物种总数的36.7%、23.3%和30.0%,其它动物3种。在密度方面,群落结构以寡毛类为主,平均密度达488个/m2(占总丰度的89.7%),密度峰值出现在弥苴河口(7424个/m2);而在生物量方面则以软体动物占优势,平均生物量为67.26g/m2(占总丰度的91.4%)。按密度的平均相对丰度计算,霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)为第一优势种(平均相对丰度24.4%),其次为异腹腮摇蚊(Einfeldia sp.)(13.2%)、苏氏尾鳃蚓(Branchiura sowerbyi)(11.6%)和正颤蚓(Tubifex tubifex)(11.5%)。按生物量计算,圆田螺(Cipangopaludina sp.)为第一优势种(占总生物量的79.3%),其次为河蚬(Corbicula fluminea)(10.6%)和环棱螺(Bellamya sp.)(6.2%)。洱海的Shannon-Wiener指数平均为1.08,西岸比东岸的生物多样性指数要高。     

张家界大鲵繁殖洞穴外溪冬季大型无脊椎动物

2013年1月与2014年1月对湖南张家界大鲵国家级自然保护区大鲵自然繁殖洞穴外溪大型无脊椎动物群落和水质状况进行了调查。共采集到动物117种,隶属于5门8纲16目59科。其中水生昆虫107种,软体动物3种,甲壳动物2种,环节动物3种,涡虫纲和线虫动物各1种。两年各采样点物种数平均为27种,七眼泉洞穴出水口(S6)物种数最多,为33种,骡子塔洞穴出水口(S1)物种数最少为15种。2年1个月中各采样点大型无脊椎动物密度介于872.2~3511.1 ind/m2,平均密度为1747.6 ind/m~2,水生昆虫为优势类群,相对丰度97.05%,其中,四节蜉(Baetis sp.)、宽基蜉(Choroterpes sp.)、纹石蛾(Hydropsyche sp.)、锯形蜉(Serratella sp.)、扁蜉(Heptagenia sp.)和朝大蚊(Antocha sp.)为最优势的种类,其丰度分别占总丰度的32.27%、9.15%、7.13%、6.61%、6.52%、5.45%;基于Shannon-Wiener指数和BI生物指数的水质评价结果显示,各洞穴出水口溪流中,乌木峪(S3)、院子(S4)和七眼泉(S6)水质最为清洁,骡子塔(S1)和芭茅溪(S7)水质稍差,有轻微污染;功能摄食类群分析结果显示各采样点以收集者(GC)和捕食者(PR)为主要优势类群;K-优势曲线结果表明,除了骡子塔洞穴出水口溪流(S1)受到较重的人为影响外,其他采样点基本保持了较高的物种多样性。从两年调查状况来看,张家界大鲵(Andrias davidianus)自然繁殖洞穴外溪出苗期大型无脊椎动物具有较高的多样性,环境敏感类群优势地位明显,通过估算稚鲵营养容纳量推测,洞穴外溪可为野生稚鲵提供良好的饵料条件,但一些自然繁殖洞穴外溪稚鲵食物可能存在不足的风险,应加强保护区内喀斯特溶洞与大型无脊椎动物群落的保护。     

南溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构及其季节变化

2020年8月和11月对云南南溪河水系进行了两次大型底栖无脊椎动物调查,共采样到9000余头标本,鉴定出208个物种,隶属4门7纲73科。该区域大型底栖无脊椎动物以水生昆虫为主,软体动物次之。水生昆虫中蜉蝣目、双翅目、毛翅目和蜻蜓目为优势类群。南溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物整体生物多样性较高,表现为大多数样点的生物多样性指数值处于较高水平。无论丰水期还是枯水期,大型底栖无脊椎动物在物种组成和个体数量上均以水生昆虫为主,丰水期的物种数、个体数量和密度均显著低于枯水期,但丰水期的生物量显著高于枯水期。优势物种为四节蜉科一种（Baetidae sp.1）、纹石蛾属一种（Hydropsyche sp.1）、蚋科一种（Simuliidae sp.1）、亚非蜉属一种Afromurus sp. 、扁蜉属Heptagenia sp.1,其中前四种在丰水期和枯水期均为优势种。南溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物多样性受到海拔、河道底质和干扰强度的影响,在海拔1000-1500m的地区多样性最高,淤泥质底质和重度干扰使大型底栖无脊椎动物的物种数和密度显著降低。     

镜泊湖大型底栖动物群落调查

2006年春、夏、秋3个季节对镜泊湖大型底栖动物群落特征和生物多样性进行了调查研究.结果表明,镜泊湖大型底栖动物主要隶属于3门、9科、26种.其中水栖寡毛类2科、8属、11种,为绝对优势类群,其密度呈现季节性差异,在春季最高(951.45个/m2),夏季最低(706.40个/m2);其次,优势类群为水生昆虫,夏季密度最高(840.26个/m2),秋季最低(319.47个/m2).霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)和前突摇蚊(Proeladius sp.)幼虫等耐污种为底栖动物的优势种,同时也是镜泊湖水体污染的指示生物.底栖动物群落的Shannon-Wiener指数(H')和Pielou均匀度指数(J)都表现为春季最大,夏季次之,秋季最小;Margalef物种丰富度指数(d)在各季节差异不大;Simpson优势度指数(D)和BI指数都表现为秋季最大,夏季次之,春季最小.采用Shannon-Wiener指数和BI指数对该水体污染状况进行了评价,该湖区水质污染程度为轻度一中度污染状态.     

洱海湖滨带大型底栖动物的群落结构

洱海是云贵高原第二大湖泊,拥有生物较为丰富的湖滨带和特有种,如螺蛳（Margarya melanioides）、绘环棱螺（Bellamya limnophila）。2009年5月和12月在洱海湖滨带开展调查,共采集到底栖动物30个分类单元;其中,寡毛类、摇蚊科幼虫和软体动物等主要类群为11种、7种和9种,分别占物种总数的36.7%、23.3%和30.0%,其它动物3种。在密度方面,群落结构以寡毛类为主,平均密度达488个/m2（占总丰度的89.7%）,密度峰值出现在弥苴河口（7424个/m2）;而在生物量     

淀山湖大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为了解淀山湖大型底栖动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的关系,于2014-2015年对淀山湖11个采样点的大型底栖动物按季度进行8次调查,同时对12项水环境指标进行监测。结果表明,大型底栖动物共计47种,其中寡毛类4种(9%),多毛类4种(9%),甲壳类6种(13%),摇蚊幼虫18种(38%),软体动物12种(26%),其他3种。河蚬Corbicula fluminea为第一优势种(IRI=41.26),其次为疣吻沙蚕Tylorrhynchus heterochaetus(5.23)、红裸须摇蚊Propsilocerus akamusi(3.17)、霍甫水丝蚓Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri(2.37)、日本旋卷蜾蠃蜚Corophium volutator(2.1)、寡鳃齿吻沙蚕Nephtys oligobranchia(1.92)、三角石缨虫Laonome triangularis(1.92)、太湖裸须摇蚊Propsilocerus taihuensis(1.43)。底栖动物密度存在显著的空间差异和季节变化,空间上,其最高值主要集中在湖心区,平均密度为385个/m~2,湖口区次之,为343.2个/m~2,湖湾区平均密度最小,为252.3个/m~2;大型底栖动物的密度在冬季最大,秋季最小,冬季出现大量的红裸须摇蚊。全年与四季的底栖动物密度和水质数据冗余分析(RDA)以及经蒙特卡罗置换检验(Monte Carlo)表明,淀山湖水体的电导率(SPC)、水温(WT)、总氮(TN)、高锰酸钾指数(COD_(Mn))和溶解氧(DO)是影响底栖动物群落分布关键的环境因子。     

洪泽湖大型底栖动物群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

洪泽湖是我国第四大淡水湖,然而关于洪泽湖大型底栖动物的报道较少。为了研究洪泽湖大型底栖动物群落结构特征及其影响因子,在洪泽湖设置20个采样点,进行了为期1周年的季度调查(2010年5月-2011年2月)。共采集到大型底栖动物14种,寡毛类、摇蚊科幼虫和软体动物分别有5种(占总物种数的35.7%)、3种(21.4%)和6种(42.9%)。河蚬为第一优势种(优势度Y=0.18),其次分别为苏氏尾鳃蚓(0.09)、羽摇蚊(0.07)、霍甫水丝蚓(0.06)和铜锈环棱螺(0.06)。群落的平均密度和平均生物量分别为(45.45±7.38)个/m2和(52.43±12.04)g/m2,其中软体动物平均密度和平均生物量最高[(24.80±6.20)个/m2和(49.55±11.94)g/m2],摇蚊类次之[(13.76±2.87)个/m2和(2.28±0.71)g/m2],寡毛类最低[(6.96±2.41)个/m2和(0.60±0.18)g/m2]。全湖Shannon-Wiener、Margalef和Pielou指数分别为2.69、1.10和0.71,各指数季节差异不明显。冗余分析(RDA)结果共解释物种数据累计方差的35.0%;MonteCarlo检验表明,洪泽湖水体中硝酸盐氮、总氮和化学耗氧量是影响底栖动物群落分布最关键的环境因子(F=2.181～3.277,P<0.05)。     

泥河水库底栖动物群落的研究

1997年对泥河水库进行资源调查，共获底栖动物4大类26种。其中软体动物14种，摇蚊幼虫6种，寡毛类5种，甲壳类1种。底栖动物的年平均密度为621.9个/m^2，生物量年平均为37.226g/m^2。阐述了底栖动物的季节变化、渔产潜力及底栖动物在环境检测中的作用。     

兴化湾潮间带大型底栖生物群落生态研究

分别于2005年11月(秋季)和2006年5月(春季)两个季节,在兴化湾潮间带4条断面取样,共鉴定大型底栖生物189种.其中,多毛类、甲壳类和软体动物占总种数的90.5％,是该海域的主要优势类群.优势种主要有寡鳃卷吻沙蚕(Nephtys oligobranchia)、中蚓虫(Mediomastus sp.)、异蚓虫(Heteromastus sp.)、珠带拟蟹守螺(Cerithideopsilla cingulata)和侧理蛤(Theora lata)等.平均栖息密度和生物量分别为326 ind/m2和32.35 g/m2.空间分布上,栖息密度和生物量的垂直分布次序为:中潮区＞低潮区＞高潮区,水平分布具有湾内向湾口递减的趋势;对比两个季节,春季的平均栖息密度和生物量均大于秋季.群落结构分析显示,兴化湾潮间带大型底栖生物群落结构不稳定,群落发生扰动.     

黄河口海域夏季大型底栖动物的生态学特征

根据2012年6月黄河口海域的大型底栖动物调查数据,应用典范对应分析等方法对大型底栖动物生态学特征进行分析。结果显示,在调查海域共采集到大型底栖动物67种,隶属于6门53科,多毛类28种,节肢动物17种,软体动物16种,棘皮动物和其他类群各3种。优势种有 3种,为无尾涟虫(Leucon sp.)、丝异须虫(Heteromastus filiforms)和寡节甘吻沙蚕(Glycinde gurjanovae)。调查海域的生物量和栖息密度的平均值分别为2.03 g/m2和358 ind./m2。物种多样性指数变化范围为1.825–3.976;种类丰富度指数为0.775–4.052;物种均匀度指数为0.637–0.924。群落结构多元统计分析和典范对应分析表明,18个调查站位可分为3组,Ⅰ组(C4、D4站位),群落组成为长尾虫(Apseudes sp.)、日本鳞缘蛇尾(Ophiophragmus japonicus)、钩虾1种(Gammaridea sp.),它们的分布与水深、水温、盐度呈正相关;Ⅲ组(C1、B1站位)为丝异须虫、背蚓虫(Notomastus latericeus)群落,与氨氮、硝酸盐、总氮和溶解氧呈正相关;其余站位为Ⅱ组,为寡节甘吻沙蚕、江户明樱蛤(Moerella jedoensis)、无尾涟虫群落,与各环境因子不相关。ABC曲线分析显示出黄河口海域的大型底栖动物群落倾向于受到中等程度的干扰。环境因子中,水深与大型底栖动物丰度分布相关性最高,其次为氨氮。     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of cortisol on hepatic carbohydrate metabolism and responsiveness to hormones in the sea raven,Hemitripterus americanus

The sea raven, Hemitripterus americanus, is a sit-and-wait, low metabolic rate, marine teleost. The objective of this study was to determine i) whether cortisol implantation (50 mg. kg^-1) for 7 days altered hepatocyte metabolism, and hepatocyte responsiveness to epinephrine, glucagon and insulin, and ii) whether 8 weeks of food-deprivation modified the above response. Cortisol implantation significantly increased hepatocyte total glucose production and oxidation from alanine compared to the sham group. There was no cortisol effect on glycogen breakdown, suggesting that the activation of other pathways, including gluconeogenesis, are required to account for the increased glucose production. Epinephrine-mediated (10^-5M) glycogen breakdown and insulin-mediated (10^-8M) total glucose production were enhanced in hepatocytes of cortisol implanted sea ravens, but there were no change in any glucagon (10^-7M) effects. The enhanced glycogen breakdown in the absence of similar increases in total glucose production with epinephrine indicates mobilization of carbohydrate reserves for endogenous use by the liver. Food-deprivation for 8 weeks significantly decreased condition factor, plasma cortisol concentration and liver glycogen content in the sea raven, but had no effect on plasma glucose concentration. Hepatocyte total glucose production and flux rates from alanine increased significantly with food-deprivation. Moreover, food-deprivation increased responsiveness of total hepatocyte glucose production to the actions of glucagon and insulin, but not to epinephrine; none of these effects were modified by cortisol implantation. Our results indicate that cortisol in the sea raven exerts both a direct and an indirect or permissive effect on hepatocyte metabolism by modifying hepatocyte responsiveness to epinephrine and insulin stimulation. Cortisol implantation did not modify the effects of glucagon or food-deprivation in this species.     

Simulation and quantification of enrichment and retention processes in the southern Benguela upwelling ecosystem

Important environmental processes for the survival and recruitment of early life stages of pelagic fishes have been synthesized through Bakun's fundamental triad as enrichment, concentration and retention processes (A. Bakun, 1996, Patterns in the Ocean. Ocean Processes and Marine Population Dynamics. San Diego, CA, USA: University of California Sea Grant). This conceptual framework states that from favourable spawning habitats, eggs and larvae would be transported to and/or retained in places where food originating from enrichment areas would be concentrated. We propose a method for quantifying two of the triad processes, enrichment and retention, based on the Lagrangian tracking of particles transported within water velocity fields generated by a three‐dimensional hydrodynamic model. We apply this method to the southern Benguela upwelling ecosystem, constructing putative maps of enrichment and retention. We comment on these maps regarding main features of the circulation in the region, and investigate seasonal variability of the processes. We finally discuss the results in relation to available knowledge on the reproductive strategies of two pelagic clupeoid species abundant in the southern Benguela, anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardinops sagax). Our approach is intended to be sufficiently generic so as to allow its application to other upwelling systems.     

Effects of capture,loading density and transport stress on the mortality,physiological responses,bacterial density and growth of rohu <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic"> rohita</Emphasis> fingerlings

This study evaluated the effects of three levels of loading density (200, 300 and 400 g L⁻¹) and four levels of duration (1, 3, 6 and 9 h) on the mortality, plasma cortisol and chloride levels and growth of rohu Labeo rohita fingerlings in a transport simulation. While total immediate mortality was low (4–12%), delayed mortality was high (27–49%). Initial capture and handling were found to constitute the most stressful phase as indicated by elevated plasma cortisol. The levels of cortisol continued to rise at 6 and 9 h after transport, with the highest level observed at 9 h after transport. The level of plasma chloride fell after transport across all density levels and treatment durations. Specific growth rate (SGR, %/day) and total bacterial density (cfu/g) were not different between and within treatments, and between treatments and the controls. This study demonstrates that transport has a profound effect on the stress responses of rohu fingerlings. Although the level of immediate mortality was low, the higher level of delayed mortality has serious implications in terms of production inefficiency for grow-out farmers.     

The effects of introduced tilapias on native biodiversity

• 1. The common name ‘tilapia’ refers to a group of tropical freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae (Oreochromis, Tilapia, and Sarotherodon spp.) that are indigenous to Africa and the southwestern Middle East. Since the 1930s, tilapias have been intentionally dispersed worldwide for the biological control of aquatic weeds and insects, as baitfish for certain capture fisheries, for aquaria, and as a food fish. They have most recently been promoted as an important source of protein that could provide food security for developing countries without the environmental problems associated with terrestrial agriculture. In addition, market demand for tilapia in developed countries such as the United States is growing rapidly.
• 2. Tilapias are well‐suited to aquaculture because they are highly prolific and tolerant to a range of environmental conditions. They have come to be known as the ‘aquatic chicken’ because of their potential as an affordable, high‐yield source of protein that can be easily raised in a range of environments — from subsistence or ‘backyard’ units to intensive fish hatcheries. In some countries, particularly in Asia, nearly all of the introduced tilapias produced are consumed domestically; tilapias have contributed to basic food security for such societies.
• 3. This review indicates that tilapia species are highly invasive and exist under feral conditions in every nation in which they have been cultured or introduced. Thus, the authors have concluded that, despite potential or observed benefits to human society, tilapia aquaculture and open‐water introductions cannot continue unchecked without further exacerbating damage to native fish species and biodiversity. Recommendations include restricting tilapia culture to carefully managed, contained ponds, although exclusion is preferred when it is feasible. Research into culture of indigenous species is also recommended.

Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.