长兴岛沿岸春季和夏季的浮游动物群落结构

2005年8月(夏季)的大、小潮期间和2006年3月(春季)的大、小潮期间对长兴岛沿岸进行了4个航次的浮游生物调查,共检出浮游动物47种,其中春季32种,夏季44种。浮游动物的优势类群为桡足类和浮游幼虫。小拟哲水蚤、双毛纺锤水蚤、拟长腹剑水蚤、无节幼虫为春季优势种。小拟哲水蚤、双毛纺锤水蚤、近缘大眼剑水蚤、桡足类幼体、太平洋纺锤水蚤为夏季优势种。春季浮游动物的丰度、生物量及种类数均低于夏季。小潮期间浮游动物的丰度、生物量高于大潮期间。浮游动物的丰度、生物量及优势种受潮周期的影响。北部沿岸和南部沿岸浮游动物丰度、生物量较高。小型桡足类在长兴岛沿岸浮游动物群落结构中扮演重要角色,长兴岛沿岸浮游动物群落结构较为成熟稳定。     

黄海北部春季和夏季浮游动物生态特性与时空分布

根据2015年3月(春季)和6月(夏季)对黄海北部辽宁近岸海域的浮游动物调查结果,分析了两个季节的浮游动物种类、生物量、丰度等群落结构特征。此次调查共鉴定出浮游动物47种,其中春季42种,夏季34种。浮游动物以浮游幼虫和小型桡足类为主。桡足类幼虫、棘皮动物幼体、桡足类幼体、洪氏纺锤水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、小拟哲水蚤、拟长腹剑水蚤和腹针胸刺水蚤为春季优势种;夏季浮游动物优势种依次为桡足类幼体、洪氏纺锤水蚤,拟长腹剑水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、桡足类幼虫、小拟哲水蚤和腹针胸刺水蚤。春季浮游动物平均生物量为512.09mg/m~3,平均丰度为15 522.18个/m~3;夏季浮游动物平均生物量为218.84mg/m~3,平均丰度为7582.39个/m~3;浮游动物生物量和丰度均为春季较高。黄海北部辽宁沿岸海域的浮游动物生物量、丰度较高。水温是影响浮游动物群落结构的重要环境因子。     

辽宁省黄海北部沿岸夏季和秋季浮游动物群落结构

2014年8月(夏季)和10月(秋季)对辽宁省黄海北部沿岸海域进行了2个航次的浮游生物调查,共检测出浮游动物35种,其中夏季30种,秋季34种。浮游动物以小型桡足类和浮游幼虫为主。洪氏纺锤水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、小拟哲水蚤、近缘大眼剑水蚤、强壮箭虫、异体柱囊虫和双壳类幼体为夏季优势种;洪氏纺锤水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、近缘大眼剑水蚤、强壮箭虫、异体柱囊虫、桡足类幼虫、沃氏纺锤水蚤为秋季优势种。夏季浮游动物生物量高于秋季,生物量则低于秋季。季节变化会影响浮游动物的丰度和生物量。辽宁省黄海北部沿岸浮游动物丰度、生物量较高,小型桡足类在黄海北部沿岸浮游动物群落结构中具有重要的作用。     

养鳗池塘的浮游生物及其与鳗摄食关系的初步研究

报道了养鳗池塘的浮游生物种量及其与鳗摄食的关系,论述了水质良好的养鳗池塘浮游生物优势种,养鳗池和传统家鱼池生态学特点和养鳗池水质的有效调控措施。养鳗池塘的浮游生物群落结构与我国传统家鱼高产池塘的游浮生物群落结构区别较大。黑仔鳗塘的浮游植物则以硅藻类和绿藻类占优势,生物量分别占浮游植物总量的４０％和３７％。浮游动物则以轮虫和桡足类为主,枝角类的比例很少。浮游生物的丰度和群落结构对鳗的摄食有很大的影响     

三峡工程截流后长江口邻近海域的网采浮游植物群落结构特征

通过对2004年9月、2005年5月、2006年6月和2007年8月4个航次的长江口邻近海域浮游植物调查资料的分析,研究三峡工程截流后长江口邻近海域网采浮游植物的群落结构特征.结果显示,调查水域网采浮游植物共有2门36属93种(包括7个变种和6个不确定种),硅藻门的种类数量最多,有30属76种,占总种数的81.7%;甲藻门6属17种,占总种数的18.3%.其中,硅藻六门以角毛藻属、圆筛藻属和根管藻属的种类最多,分别有23种、10种和10种;甲藻门以角藻属为主,共有10种,占甲藻总种数的58.8%.长江口邻近海域的浮游植物可分为河口半咸水和近岸低盐类群、外海高盐类群和海洋广布性种类等3个类群.浮游植物的丰度具有明显的季节变化,夏末(8月)和秋季(9月)浮游植物的数量明显高于春季(5月)和夏初(6月),而且硅藻类浮游植物的数最占绝对优势.达到浮游植物总量的95%以上.优势度分析显示中肋骨条藻、尖刺菱形藻、柔弱角毛藻和洛氏角毛藻是长江口邻近水域浮游植物的主要优势种,其中以中肋骨条藻和尖刺菱形藻为绝对优势种.浮游植物丰度的分布跟长江冲淡水有密切的关系,密集分布区主要分布在123.5°E以西近长江口海域,主要由优势种骨条藻等的分布决定.     

阿维菌素对池塘水质和浮游生物群落结构的短期影响

在湖北省公安县崇湖渔场3口面积均为0.268hm2的主养草鱼池塘中,施用剂量0.0375mL/m3的阿维菌素后,于第2、3、4、5、6d采样,测定池塘水质及浮游生物群落结构的短期变化。研究结果表明,阿维菌素可使池塘水体硝态氮水平显著下降,亚硝态氮、铵态氮和总氮水平显著上升;而对总磷、可溶性磷酸盐和pH值的影响不显著。施用阿维菌素前共镜检出浮游植物6门80种,浮游动物32属41种;用药后共检出浮游植物7门94种,浮游动物38属48种。其中,原生动物消失10种、新增9种,轮虫消失5种、新增10种,桡足类新出现3种成体。绿藻消失9种、新增10种,硅藻消失1种、新增8种,裸藻消失2种、新增7种,甲藻和金藻各新增1种。施用阿维菌素后,浮游动植物优势种显著变化,小型浮游植物种类增多。阿维菌素导致原生动物和枝角类的密度和生物量显著下降,桡足类数量显著上升,而对轮虫密度和生物量影响不大;同时裸藻、蓝藻、甲藻等部分浮游植物密度和生物量剧烈波动;使用阿维菌素的池塘易发生裸藻水华,应慎用阿维菌素。     

海水越冬池冰下浮游生物群落结构特征的研究

为了解海水越冬池浮游生物群落结构特征,对四口海水越冬池的主要理化因子及浮游生物状况进行了监测。共鉴定出浮游植物27种(属),其中常见或形成优势种群者主要有蛋白核小球藻、椭圆小球藻、布氏棕鞭藻、小环藻、前沟藻、海洋原甲藻、多甲藻、裸甲藻、光甲藻以及绿裸藻10种(属)。浮游植物总平均生物量为149.96mg/L,绿藻门所占比例最多,达97.87%,其分布状况是中、下层明显大于表层。原生动物和轮虫种类较少,前者主要为侠盗虫,平均数量为2737.3个/L,后者主要是喜冷疣毛轮虫和喜盐疣毛轮虫,平均数量为583个/L,分布特点均表层明显多于中、下层。桡足类种类主要有指状许水蚤、细巧华哲水蚤和近亲真宽水蚤等,数量上呈典型的下多上少的梯形分布。研究结果表明:浮游生物种、量及其分布状况是影响海水越冬池溶氧状况的关键因素之一。     

大竹山岛丰水期浮游动物群落特征及与环境的关系

根据大竹山岛丰水期生态环境调查结果,分析了大竹山岛海域浮游动物群落的分布特征及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明,此次调查共鉴定浮游动物16种,其中桡足类7种,占总种数43．75％;桡足类幼体6种,占总种数37．50％;毛颚类、端足类和糠虾类各1种,各占总种数6．25％。聚类分析结果显示,12个采样站位明显地分为养殖区与非养殖区两大类别,养殖活动对浮游动物的群落结构与分布产生了重要影响。通过CCA分析可知,不同浮游动物类群对环境因子的响应机制不同。影响浮游动物群落分布的主要驱动因子为营养盐。研究表明环境因子的变化会对浮游动物的群落分布产生重要影响。     

流沙湾浮游动物群落特征及与鱼贝养殖的关系

为了解流沙湾养殖活动对浮游动物群落的影响,于2015—2016年对流沙湾海区进行了夏(8月)、秋(11月)、冬(2月)、春(5月)4个季度的浮游动物调查,分析了浮游动物群落特征及其与环境因子的相关性。共记录浮游动物18大类119种、浮游幼体17种。浮游动物种类组成以桡足类(45种)和端足类(20种)为主,其次为毛颚类(15种)、水螅水母类(12种)、等足类(6种)等。十足目幼体(Decapod larvae)为春、夏两季的主要优势类群,亚强次真哲水蚤( Subeucalanus subcrassus)、微驼隆哲水蚤(Acrocalanus gracilis)为秋季主要优势种,夜光虫(Noctiluca scintillans )为冬季主要优势种。年均浮游动物丰度和生物量分别为151.53个·m^-3 和73.48 mg·m^-3 。多维尺度分析(nMDS)结果表明,除春季外,流沙湾内湾浮游动物群落组成与外湾差异明显。典范对应分析(CCA)显示,溶解氧、磷酸盐、透明度、温度和硝酸盐等环境因子是影响浮游动物优势种分布的主要因素。在流沙湾海区,鱼类小网箱的养殖活动在夏秋两季对浮游动物群落组成和结构影响较大;贝类养殖区的浮游动物的丰度和生物量明显降低,但浮游动物群落组成及多样性与其它采样点差异不大。     

乐清湾浮游植物群落结构调查研究

2011年5月和9月对温州乐清湾浮游植物现状进行调查,分析研究了浮游植物种类组成、数量分布和多样性指数。结果表明:5月共获浮游植物5门37属62种。9月共获5门43属74种。5月和9月浮游植物主要由硅藻和甲藻组成,而硅藻又占绝对优势。5月浮游植物优势种为中肋骨条藻和琼氏圆筛藻,9月浮游植物优势种为中肋骨条藻和具翼漂流藻。9月份浮游植物细胞数量明显高于5月份,但5月16个站位的丰度分度均比9月份均匀。9月份浮游植物丰度指数、优势度指数和多样性指数高于5月份,但9月份的均匀度指数比5月份稍低。本文通过研究乐清湾的浮游植物的种类组成、数量分布、多样性及其与环境因子的相关性,为该海域的生态监测、评价提供依据,也为该海域海洋资源可持续利用和发展提供科学依据。     

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.     

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 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.     

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).     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

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.     

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.