Assessing the sublethal impacts of anthropogenic stressors on fish: An energy‐budget approach

Fish are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic stressors from human developments and activities such as agriculture, urbanization, pollution and fishing. Lethal impacts of these stressors have been studied but the potential sublethal impacts, such as behavioural changes or reduced growth and reproduction, have often been overlooked. Unlike mortality, sublethal impacts are broad and difficult to quantify experimentally. As a result, sublethal impacts are often ignored in regulatory frameworks and management decisions. Building on established fish bioenergetic models, we present a general method for using the population consequences of disturbance framework to investigate how stressors influence ecologically relevant life processes of fish. We partition impact into the initial energetic cost of attempts to escape from the stressor, followed by the energetic impacts of any injury or behavioural change, and their consequent effects on life processes. As a case study, we assess the sublethal effects of catch and release angling for the European sea bass (Dicentrachus labrax, Moronidae), a popular target species for recreational fishers. The energy budget model described is not intended to replace existing experimental approaches but does provide a simple way to account for sublethal impacts in assessment of the impact of recreational fisheries and aid development of robust management approaches. There is potential to apply our energy budget approach to investigate a broad range of stressors and cumulative impacts for many fish species while also using individual‐based models to estimate population‐level impacts.     

饲料中不同淀粉源及水平对大口黑鲈肝脏组织学的影响

为了评估饲料中不同淀粉源及水平对大口黑鲈肝脏组织学的影响,采用4种淀粉(蜡质玉米淀粉、高直链玉米淀粉、小麦淀粉和木薯淀粉)各按两水平(5%和10%)配制成8种等氮和等能的饲料,投喂初始体质量为(23.45±0.08)g的大口黑鲈,经45 d的饲养后,采集肝脏样本进行肝脏组织的生化测定和切片观察。结果显示,摄食全部5%淀粉饲料和10%高直链玉米淀粉饲料的实验鱼的肝脏颜色呈正常的鲜红色;而摄食其他10%淀粉饲料的实验鱼肝脏均显现出发白现象,同时,肝细胞体积、肝体指数和肝糖原含量均显著高于5%淀粉饲料组和10%高直链玉米淀粉饲料组,肝细胞的细胞核移至细胞边位,出现空泡化现象。在5%和10%的淀粉水平上,高直链玉米淀粉饲料组的肝体指数、肝糖原含量和肝细胞体积均显著小于其他淀粉源的饲料组,肝细胞也没有出现细胞肿胀现象。本研究得出,饲料的碳水化合物来源与水平均对大口黑鲈肝脏组织的肝糖原含量和组织结构产生显著的影响;高直链玉米淀粉优于小麦淀粉、蜡质玉米淀粉和木薯淀粉,5%的饲料淀粉水平优于10%的水平。     

Comparison of the effects of six stunning/killing procedures on flesh quality of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax,Linnaeus 1758) and evaluation of clove oil anaesthesia followed by chilling on ice/water slurry for potential implementation in aquaculture

The effects of different stunning/killing procedures on flesh quality of European sea bass were investigated: (1) anaesthesia with clove oil, (2) anaesthesia with 2‐phenoxyethanol, (3) percussive stunning, (4) immersion in ice/water slurry, (5) chilling on ice and (6) anaesthesia with clove oil followed by immersion in ice/water slurry. Muscle pH values were significantly lower in sea bass anaesthetized or stunned by a blow to the head compared with fish immersed in ice/water slurry, chilled on ice or immersed in ice/water slurry after clove oil anaesthesia. Lightness was highest in sea bass anaesthetized by 2‐phenoxyethanol or percussively stunned and lowest in ice‐chilled fish. Redness and yellowness were highest in fish chilled on ice and lowest in fish anaesthetized with clove oil. Liquid loss, fat loss and shear values were not significantly different among the procedures. In general, lipid oxidation values during refrigerated or frozen storage did not significantly differ among treatment groups. Combination of clove oil anaesthesia followed by chilling on ice/water slurry appears to improve both flesh quality and welfare of sea bass, although the implementation of further studies is warranted to consolidate this finding.     

Oxidative status and histological changes in sea bass larvae muscle in response to high dietary content of docosahexaenoic acid DHA

In previous studies, we observed dystrophic alterations in muscle of 48‐day‐old sea bass fed imbalanced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E diets. To understand the whole pathological process associated with oxidative stress, a histological study was performed by feeding 14‐day‐old sea bass larvae with microdiets containing different ratios of DHA/vitamin E (1/150, 5/150 and 5/300) for a period of 21 days. Larvae fed diet 1/150 showed no lesions in contrast to larvae fed diets 5/150 and 5/300 where the highest incidence of muscle lesions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was observed. Semithin sections revealed focal lesions consisting of degenerated fibres with hypercontracted myofilaments and extensive sarcoplasm vacuolization affecting both red and white muscle. Ultrathin sections of degenerating muscle fibres showed diffuse dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, disorganized myofilaments and autophagic vacuoles containing myelin figures and dense bodies. Additionally, some macrophages were observed among injured fibres as numerous satellite cells. Results from the study agree with those obtained from previous work, proving the pathological potential of free radicals in sea bass larvae musculature. Moreover, high vitamin E inclusion could not completely protect cell membranes from free radicals action.     

The Effect of PIT Tagging on Survival,Tag Retention,and Weight Gain in Fingerling White Bass

We tagged fingerling white bass, Morone chrysops, with passive integrated transponders (PIT) at two body locations (peritoneal cavity and dorsal musculature) and six weight classes to evaluate survival, tag retention, and weight gain during a 28-day experimental period. The probability of survival (as calculated by logistic regression) was >95% for fingerlings >19 g for both PC and DM. Retention of PIT tags varied between PC and DM tagged white bass in 6 g and 14 g fingerlings. The probability of tag retention was 100% in all sizes of fingerlings tagged PC, and >95% for fish >19 g tagged DM.     

Genetic Effects and Estimates for the Heritability of Size in Fingerling Hybrid Striped Bass Reared Indoors

Hybrid striped bass fingerlings were grown in replicated indoor tanks for 42 days to evaluate progeny performance of two growth-related traits. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences in length and weight of fingerlings among paternal and maternal half-sib families and high estimates of heritability for dams and sires. Based on significant sire and dam effects and high heritabilities, a substantial portion of the selection differential could be expected to be gained in offspring from selected pure-line parents. As demonstrated by these results, a breeding program could be used to select parental lines that produce faster growing hybrid offspring.     

Effect of Dietary Protein Sources in Microdiets on Feeding Behavior and Growth of Red Sea Bream,Pagrus major,During Weaning and Metamorphosis

ABSTRACT

The use of two protein sources, krill meal (protein 62% dry matter) and soybean protein (protein 85.2% dry matter), and their effect on growth performance and feeding behavior of red sea bream, Pagrus major, during weaning and metamorphosis, was studied using microbound diets. High levels of dietary soybean protein (25% of the diet) resulted in a poor feeding response and marked anorexia, resulting in high mortalities and poor growth. Moderate levels of dietary soybean protein (17-19% of diet) resulted in higher growth. Krill meal contributed to an increase in food consumption. A possible reason for the reduced growth of fish fed soybean protein-based diets was the lower palatability of these diets. Alternative sources of protein could replace fish meal, if these sources are more palatable to the fish.     

Production Economic Analysis of Black Sea Bass Juveniles to Support Finfish Mariculture Growout Industry Development in the Southeastern United States

A pilot-scale finfish mariculture hatchery was established at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In 2011, research-based hatchery protocols were scaled up to produce 37,000 advanced (1–5 g) black sea bass fingerlings. Based on engineering, biological, and cost data from operating the pilot hatchery, an economic analysis of a hypothetical commercial scale black sea bass hatchery operation was conducted. The financial performance of two alternative facilities that produce 97,200 5-g and 388,800 1-g fingerlings per year over a 30-year project life showed cumulative net present value (NPV) of $445,000, and $3,168,000, modified internal rates of return (MIRR) of 6.52% and 10.52%, and per unit breakeven prices of $1.67 and $0.47, respectively. Sensitivity analyses showed that final stocking density was critical to financial performance. Fingerlings were supplied to startup growers in NC and in VA, and market-size fish from these growout facilities were distributed (live or whole on ice) to premium-value markets on the eastern seaboard. This pilot hatchery is enabling new farmers to access fingerlings, establish growout technology and understand market value and demand.     

大口黑鲈遗传连锁图谱的构建

采用AFLP技术结合＂拟测交＂策略,以大口黑鲈Micropterus salmoides选育家系作为亲本进行单对杂交产生的F1代家系为作图群体,初步构建了大口黑鲈雌、雄性遗传连锁图谱。结果表明：用64对AFLP引物组合对父母本和106个子代个体进行遗传分析,共得到398个分离标记。母本分离标记有189个,其中172个符合1∶1孟德尔分离规律;父本分离标记有209个,其中181个符合1∶1孟德尔分离标记。雌性框架图包括75个遗传标记,分布在21个连锁群中,有6个三联体,6个连锁对,标记间平均间隔为18.22cM,图谱总长度为983.8 cM;雄性框架图包括82个遗传标记,分布在22个连锁群中,有7个三联体,5个连锁对,标记间平均间隔为19.22 cM,图谱总长度为1153.2 cM。雌、雄性基因组估算长度分别为1 399.85和1 582.72,图谱的总覆盖率分别达到70.28%和72.86%。     

大口黑鲈北方亚种和佛罗里达亚种及其杂交子代的遗传分析

用18对微卫星引物对大口黑鲈北方亚种(Micropterus salmoides salmoides,N)、佛罗里达亚种(M.salmoides floridanus,F)及其正交子代(N♀×F♂)和反交子代(F♀×N♂)进行遗传多样性和遗传结构分析。结果表明,18对引物扩增出的等位基因数为2~8个,平均等位基因数为5.0。检测到6对(Jzl48、Jzl68、Jzl84、MiSaTPW76、Msal21、Mdo6和Mdo7)亚种间特异性引物,其中有2对引物(Jzl48和Mdo7)可以用来鉴别大口黑鲈北方亚种、佛罗里达亚种和其杂交子代。平均有效等位基因数、平均期望杂合度和平均多态信息含量均为杂交组合F♀×N♂最高,分别为3.199 7,0.638 9和0.570 6,平均观测杂合度为杂交组合N♀×F♂最高(0.848 8)。对亲代与杂交子代间的遗传分化分析表明,正反交子代均与北方亚种的遗传分化最小(0.092和0.119 6)。基于Nei’s遗传距离构建的UPGMA系统进化树显示正交子代N♀×F♂与母本N聚为一支,反交子代F♀×N♂与父本N聚为一支。