海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网研究进展

首先总结归纳了海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网研究中的实验方法,主要包括胃含物分析法、碳氮稳定同位素法、特定化合物同位素法等实验方法的发展历史和应用现状;随后介绍了海洋鱼类摄食生态与食物网最新研究进展和取得的成绩,主要包括海洋鱼类摄食生态中食物组成、摄食方式、摄食量和食物用于机体各种生命活动分配方式,以及海洋食物网研究中以传统胃含物分析法为基础、以简化食物网为核心,碳氮稳定同位素技术和生态系统模型的应用发展;最后,着重分析了我国海洋鱼类摄食生态和食物网研究中有待解决的问题,并对该领域今后的发展趋势进行了展望。     

碳、氮稳定同位素在构建海洋食物网及生态系统群落结构中的研究进展

该文综述了碳、氮稳定同位素在海洋生态系统中的最新研究进展及应用,着重讨论了海洋食物网中不同层级消费者的营养级时空变化及食性特征,为海域生态系统及其动态关系提供了重要手段,也为现代同位素全球生物化学提供理论基础。     

柘林湾海洋牧场不同功能区食物网结构

海洋牧场是由多个功能区组成的生态系统工程,不同功能区的生态环境和食物网结构各不相同,通过研究不同功能区食物网结构有助于了解功能区之间生态系统差异。实验通过对南澳柘林湾海洋牧场渔业资源环境调查,利用碳氮稳定同位素技术对海洋牧场不同功能区食物网结构进行比较,并借助SIBER对稳定同位素数据进行分析。结果显示,海洋牧场调查共采获生物种类78种,其中,消费者的δ~(13)C比值介于–19.94‰~–13.62‰,δ~(15)N比值介于8.78‰~15.29‰,营养级范围介于1.73~3.64。不同功能区同位素数据对比表明,人工鱼礁区生物资源相对丰富,食物网结构较为复杂;海藻增殖区中生物生态位分布最广,营养冗余程度较高;贝类增殖区生物生态位较窄,营养级分布较为集中。在不同功能区生态系统稳定性对比中,人工鱼礁区生态系统稳定性最佳,海藻增殖区生态系统稳定性较差。     

水生食物网研究方法的发展和应用

水生生物在食物网中的相互关系及其变化是生态学研究的重要领域之一,其实质是研究生物之间的捕食与被捕食关系。传统的水生食物网研究方法是基于形态学观察的胃含物分析,具有较大的局限性。随着科学技术的发展,稳定同位素技术、特征脂肪酸组成分析和DNA条形码等分子技术的引入有效的弥补了胃含物分析的不足,并可以更深入的了解水生生物的摄食信息,因此得到了广泛的应用。本文采用文献计量法分析了水生食物网研究方法的发展动态,分别介绍了稳定同位素技术、特征脂肪酸组成分析和DNA条形码技术与胃含物结合应用的研究进展,着重归纳总结了其在水生生物食性研究中的应用现状及发展前景,详细地指出了4种水生食物网研究方法的优势和局限性、适用范畴和对实验样品的需求。胃含物分析作为传统食物网研究方法未来仍是不可缺少的一部分,其向我们传递了最为直接的摄食信息。在此基础上,稳定同位素技术、特征脂肪酸组成分析和DNA条形码等分子技术作为胃含物分析方法的补充手段,将更有利于重建复杂的水生食物网结构,进而为渔业管理提供必要的帮助。     

大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统简化食物网的稳定同位素

为了阐明大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统的简化食物网结构,本研究应用碳(C)、氮(N)稳定同位素技术测定了大亚湾珊瑚礁区样品的δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值,计算主要消费者营养级并绘制连续营养谱,构建了大亚湾珊瑚礁的营养结构。结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统食物网δ~(13)C值范围为-23.22‰～-10.76‰,平均值为-16.47‰±2.89‰;δ~(15)N值的范围为4.32‰～15.82‰,平均值为11.46‰±2.37‰。各潜在食源和消费者的碳、氮同位素比值之间均有显著性差异。根据δ~(15)N值计算结果显示,大亚湾珊瑚礁区主要消费者生物种类的营养级范围为1.70～3.64,其中腹足类、双壳类和鱼类的营养级分别为1.84～2.68、1.70～2.49和2.45～3.64。大型底栖动物的碳、氮同位素比值在季节之间无显著性差异。利用SIBER模型计算了大型底栖动物群落的6个营养结构量化指标,发现平均营养级多样性(CD)在各季节变化较小,摄食来源多样性水平(CR)、营养级长度(NR)和生态空间利用程度(SEAc)均在春季最高;物种聚集度密度参数(MNND)和物种聚集度均匀度参数(SDNND)均在冬季最低。研究表明,不同来源的有机物对大亚湾珊瑚礁食物网的贡献各不相同,其中浮游植物和藻类是大亚湾珊瑚礁中重要的初级生产者和驱动食物网的重要碳源。部分消费者摄食共同的饵料生物,存在生态位重叠现象。各消费者类群具有不同的营养位置,头足类的平均营养级最高,其次是鱼类、双壳类,主要与其食性相关。大亚湾珊瑚礁生态系统中的主要消费者呈现两端营养级生物种类少、中间层次种类较多的营养层次分布。大亚湾珊瑚礁底栖群落的碳、氮稳定同位素无显著季节性差异,可能与珊瑚礁生态系统的特点和底栖动物的个体大小有关。底栖动物群落总体上具有相对较为稳定的营养多样性水平和食物网,其中在春季种群内营养层级差别较大、竞争较激烈,冬季群落营养冗余性最高。     

中华鲎的食物组成及营养位置分析

通过对北部湾海域采集的中华鲎(Tachypleus tridentatus)样品及其食物网链中具有食源可能性的种类(虾类、蟹类、双壳类和鱼类)进行碳、氮稳定同位素(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N)比值测定,采用稳定同位素混合模型(SIAR)分析北部湾中华鲎食物组成及其营养位置。结果显示,中华鲎δ~(13)C均值为(-17.11±0.03)‰,δ~(15)N均值为(12.14±0.20)‰。SIAR模型显示双壳类为中华鲎的主要食物来源,其平均贡献率为31.27%;其次为鱼类,平均贡献率为25.91%;蟹类平均贡献率占比为23.50%;虾类平均贡献率占比最低(19.32%)。营养位置分析显示中华鲎营养位置为2.02±0.06。该研究涉及的中华鲎潜在食源样本中,鱼类、虾类和蟹类的营养位置分别为2.13±0.51、2.36±0.09和2.61±0.21。营养位置分析表明中华鲎在自然生态系统食物网中处于较为弱势的地位,在已然濒危的情况下迫切需要科学的保护措施。     

上海青草沙水库食物网结构特征分析

为了给青草沙水库生态系统能量流动和物质循环分析提供基础数据,并为生物操纵等生态修复实践提供科学依据,在青草沙水库采集了鱼类、底栖动物、浮游植物、浮游动物和悬浮物样品,结合碳氮稳定同位素(δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N)技术和胃肠内含物分析法,利用IsoSource软件计算了不同食物对消费者的贡献率,并应用"简化食物网"原则,构建青草沙水库生态系统食物网,分析其结构特征。结果显示,青草沙水库食物网的δ~(13)C值为-28.15‰～-21.53‰,δ~(15)N值为6.81‰～14.94‰。在青草沙水库中,刀鲚Coilia nasus和红鳍原鲌Culter erythropterus属于顶级肉食者,其营养级分别3.595和3.589,其他鱼类的营养级在2.482～3.264。青草沙水库食物网结构显示,浮游动物对杂食性鱼类贝氏歺又鱼Hemiculter bleekeri(34%)和寡鳞飘鱼Pseudolaubuca engraulis(32%)的碳源贡献率较高,浮游植物对似鱎Toxabramis swinhonis的贡献率(31%)高于浮游动物(11%),大型无脊椎动物对黄颡鱼Pelteobagrus fulvidraco(60%)和光泽黄颡鱼Pseudobagrus nitidus(64%)的贡献率远高于其他食物成分,处在食物网顶端的刀鲚和红鳍原鲌的食物主要来源于饵料鱼类。青草沙水库食物链长度为3.60个营养级。     

渤海鱼类的食物关系

本研究通过对2010~2011年渤海大面调查所获得的渔获物进行胃含物分析,了解当前渤海鱼类的食物关系及其变化。结果显示,渤海生态系统的27种鱼类有12种低营养级鱼类、12种中营养级鱼类和3种高营养级鱼类,包括了杂食性鱼类、浮游动物食性鱼类、底栖动物食性鱼类、混合动物食性鱼类和鱼食性鱼类,各鱼种营养级较20世纪90年代变化不大。3种高营养级鱼类均为鱼食性鱼类,饵料生境宽度值均很低,属于狭食性鱼类;矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和小黄鱼(Pseudosciaena polyactis)是渤海饵料生境宽度最大的2种鱼,同时也是当前渤海生态系统食物网中最重要的饵料种类,其广食性有利于食物网各营养层次的物质、能量流动。当前渤海食物网中浮游食物链削弱,主要食物链转变为“植物、有机碎屑→鼓虾→鱼类”和“底栖动物→虾虎鱼、小黄鱼→大型经济鱼类”。     

基于稳定同位素技术的天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区食物网结构研究

本研究对2016年6月在天津大神堂3个礁区(2010年建成的鱼礁区;2012年建成的鱼礁区;2014年建成的鱼礁区)和对照区域采集的生物消费者及其食物源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素组成进行了分析,通过IsoSource模型计算不同区域生物的食物网基础,并利用氮稳定同位素数据计算消费者的营养级。结果显示,根据δ13C值可以将其食物源分为浮游植物、悬浮颗粒有机物(POM)和沉积相颗粒有机物(SOM)三类;浮游植物对消费者的碳源贡献率(67.2%~81.5%)最大,是大神堂海域的生物食物网的基础。不同区域同一食物源的δ13C和δ15N值没有显著性差异;礁区内滤食性贝类毛蚶(Arca subcrenata)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的δ13C值显著高于对照区,作为潜在碳源的浮游植物对其的贡献率显著增加。消费者的δ15N值则介于7.70‰~14.34‰之间,消费者的营养级介于2.0~3.95级之间。游泳生物食性生物的δ15N和营养级在礁区内有所提高,礁区建成的年份越长,其营养级与对照区域的差别越显著。稳定同位素研究表明,人工鱼礁建设可能导致鱼礁区内滤食性生物的食物来源组成改变,并提高游泳生物食性生物的营养级。     

海洋食物网拓扑学方法研究进展

基于生态系统的渔业管理(EBFM)对海洋食物网研究提出了新的理论和方法需求.作者针对食物网动态这一生态系统的核心问题,对其近期发展起来的研究领域——食物网拓扑学理论和方法进行综述.食物网拓扑学通过建立一系列拓扑学指标,定量描述食物网各个成员之间的联系紧密程度,以及各个成员对整个食物网的作用.评价渔业对食物网的影响或食物网对外界的响应,开发可持续的捕捞方案,需要建立并运用食物网的动态模型.鱼类生物的重要特点是其捕食关系在很大程度上由个体大小(体长、体重)决定.而体长结构的渔业种群动力学模型发展已经成熟.因此,建议将食物网拓扑学的动态建模、体长结构的渔业种群生物量模型、鱼类个体大小相关的捕捞过程研究结合起来,作为基于生态系统渔业管理的一个重要的、潜在解决方案.对此,下一步的研究重点是,选择食物网资料采集较为容易、渔业统计资料较为全面的海洋食物网,开展试点研究,从而逐步构建起完整的、具有实际应用能力的EBFM方法体系.     

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.     

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.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

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).     

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.     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.