虹鳟体质量和主要体尺性状异速生长的遗传分析

采用联合异速生长遗传模型,对中国水产科学研究院黑龙江水产研究所渤海冷水性鱼类试验站培育的F1杂交虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)和F2杂交虹鳟的体质量和体尺性状异速生长进行了遗传分析,旨在为虹鳟及其他水产动物异速生长的遗传参数估计和实现体质量与体型的同步选育奠定理论基础。首先采用逐步回归分析法选择体尺性状对体质量的异速生长显著的性状,建立最优表型联合静态、动态异速生长指数模型,随后构建了两个用于遗传分析多个静态、动态异速生长的随机回归模型。虹鳟多个体尺性状相对体质量的异速生长遗传分析结果表明,体长与体质量具有较大的异速生长指数,为1.633 8,且为正异速生长,而其他体尺性状相对体质量呈现负异速生长;遗传方差大小顺序和表型的偏异速生长指数一致,体宽和背鳍基长的异速生长的遗传相关最大,为-0.867 5,其次为体长和体高,为-0.619 4,最小的是-0.021 7,为体高和体宽。体长与体质量的动态异速生长的加性遗传方差估计值为0.292 9。结果表明,虹鳟体质量和主要体尺性状的异速生长是由遗传机制决定的,遗传方差及遗传相关的估计能够用来筛选优良亲本,这为进一步利用异速生长理论指导虹鳟及其他水产动物体质量与体型的同步选育提供了理论基础。     

牙鲆主要生长性状与体质量的灰色关联度分析

采用灰色关联分析方法对牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)10个选育家系的9个生长性状与体质量的关联度进行分析和评价。首先对体质量与生长性况进行数列无量纲化处理,计算出每个生长性状与体质量的关联系数和关联度,根据灰色关联度构建两两比较判断矩阵定量分析各生长性状对体质量的影响度。结果显示,每个生长性状与体质量的关联度由大到小依次为:全长(0.875 8)、体长(0.859 3)、尾柄高(0.830 7)、躯干长(0.827 7)、头长(0.803 5)、尾长(0.781 2)、体高(0.740 2)、吻长(0.665 7)和尾柄长(0.654 0)。体质量的主控因素为:全长、体长、尾柄高和躯干长4个性状,影响度分别为:28.51%、21.62%、16.41%和11.69%,四者的影响度总和达到78.23%。分析表明,与体质量关联度最大的分别是全长、体长、尾柄高和躯干长,且它们对体质量的影响度最高,可以将其作为培育高产牙鲆的重要评价指标,以提高选择效率。本研究旨在为制定理想的牙鲆选育目标、提高育种效率提供理论依据,同时拓展灰色关联度方法在水产动物育种研究中的应用。     

许氏平鲉不同月龄选育群体形态性状的主成分与通径分析

为研究许氏平鲉不同月龄选育群体性状的生长规律特征及形态性状对体质量的影响,采用相关分析、主成分分析、通径分析和多元回归分析方法对12月龄、15月龄和18月龄许氏平鲉个体的全长、体长、头长、躯干长、体高、尾柄长、尾柄高和体质量8个性状进行分析。结果显示,各月龄许氏平鲉性状之间均呈现显著的正相关,其中以全长与体长的相关性最为显著。各月龄许氏平鲉的第一主成分均指向增长、增重因子;第二主成分有所不同,12月龄未提取第二主成分,15月龄和18月龄第二主成分分别指向躯干因子、尾柄因子。12月龄和15月龄许氏平鲉体长和体高对体质量的直接作用均最大(0.340、0.314和0.347、0.324),18月龄全长对体质量的直接作用最大(0.498),各性状对体质量决定程度与通径系数变化趋势一致。各月龄的不同形态性状对体质量最优回归方程的建立,能准确预测体质量的变化。研究表明,由于许氏平鲉生长阶段的不同,各性状的生长速率及所选形态性状对体质量的影响均存在一定差异,建议把体长和体高(12~15月龄)、全长(18月龄)作为育种工作的目标性状,达到有效提高选育效率的目的,为许氏平鲉的选育工作提供理论依据和技术参数。     

大口黑鲈家系早期形态性状的相关和主成分分析

利用17个大口黑鲈(Micropterus salmoides)家系在4月龄和6月龄的生长数据,对大口黑鲈全长、体长、头长、尾柄长、体高和尾柄高6个性状进行相关分析和主成分分析。结果表明:6个形态性状之间均呈高表型正相关,其值在0.565~0.990之间;4月龄和6月龄全长对形态性状的贡献率分别为92.29%和86.40%,可作为大口黑鲈形态性状的选择指标;4月龄全长/体高和尾柄长/尾柄高对体型的贡献率分别为65.94%和34.06%,6月龄全长/体高和尾柄长/尾柄高的贡献率分别为69.08%和30.92%,这两个指标均可作为大口黑鲈体型的选择标准。另外,采用方差分析对大口黑鲈各家系的全长、绝对增长率、生长指标和体型指数进行比较,结果表明家系S07D07的生长表现为最优。     

杂交石斑鱼(斜带石斑鱼♀×赤点石斑鱼♂)与其亲本形态性状比较研究

研究了杂交石斑鱼[斜带石斑鱼(Epinephelus coioides)♀×赤点石斑鱼(E.akaara)♂]与其亲本的生长差异。采用形态学测量方法,分别测定了3种石斑鱼体质量和7个形态性状,对各形态性状对体质量影响进行通径分析,并分析杂交子代杂种优势。结果显示,3种石斑鱼各形态性状与体质量之间均呈极显著相关(P0.01),斜带石斑鱼、赤点石斑鱼体质量与全长的相关性最高,相关系数分别为0.946、0.932,杂交子代体质量与尾柄高的相关性最高(0.955),与全长的相关系数为0.927;形态性状与体质量的多元线性回归方程中,斜带石斑鱼保留体长、体高、尾柄高和体厚,赤点石斑鱼保留全长、体高和尾柄高,杂交子代保留全长、体高、尾柄高和体厚。对杂交子代杂种优势进行分析发现,体质量平均杂种优势为3.43%,体长平均杂种优势为3.02%,杂交子代同时表现出正向超亲优势和负向超亲优势。该研究表明杂交子代(斜带石斑鱼♀×赤点石斑鱼♂)与斜带石斑鱼的差异要小于赤点石斑鱼,杂交子代形态性状更偏向于母本。     

斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的相关性和通径分析

对4月龄斜带石斑鱼体质量、头长、躯干长、体长、全长、体高、体宽、眼间距、眼径、吻长、尾柄高和尾柄长等12个性状的测量数据进行了多元分析,以明确斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的相互关系。结果显示,斜带石斑鱼的各形态性状间相互关系达极显著水平(P0.01);通径分析结果表明,全长(x_4)、体高(x_5)、眼间距(x_7)、眼径(x_8)和尾柄高(x_(10))对体质量的通径系数达极显著水平(P0.01),其中全长的直接影响最大,而体高、眼间距、眼径和尾柄高主要通过全长间接影响体质量;这5个性状对体质量的共同决定系数之和为0.920,说明全长、体高、眼间距、眼径和尾柄高是影响4月龄斜带石斑鱼体质量的主要性状;回归分析建立了4月龄斜带石斑鱼形态性状与体质量的回归方程。本研究可为斜带石斑鱼的选择育种提供参考。     

墨瑞鳕幼鱼形态性状对体质量通径分析及生长曲线拟合

为研究墨瑞鳕(Maccullochella peelii)形态性状与体质量之间关系，找出适用于选育的主要形态性状，本研究测量了4月龄墨瑞鳕幼鱼的体质量及11个形态性状，采用相关性分析、通径分析、回归分析、曲线拟合等方法，确定影响体质量的主要形态性状指标。在相关性分析中，11个形态性状与体质量均表现极显著正相关，其中全长和体长的相关系数最大(0.994),体长与体质量的相关系数最大(0.903)。经通径分析，体长、尾柄高、眼径对体质量的通径系数显著水平，其中体长对体质量的直接作用系数最大(0.676),眼径对体质量直接作用系数最小且产生负向效应，主要通过间接作用来影响体质量；决定系数分析显示，3个形态性状(体长、尾柄高、眼径)对体质量的R²=0.861>0.85,确定了3个形态性状为影响体质量的重要形态指标。通过逐步回归分析方法，建立回归方程：Y=-1.568+0.055 X₂-0.124 X₇+0.267 X₁₁(R²=0.857),并筛选出最优拟合曲线模型。在生产中，4...     

30日龄翘嘴鳜形态性状与体质量之间的关系

为确定适于翘嘴鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)人工选育的理想测度指标,随机选取200尾30日龄翘嘴鳜,测定其体质量(y)、全长(x_1)、体长(x_2)、吻长(x_3)、眼径(x_4)、体厚(x_5)、体高(x_6)、头长(x_7)、尾柄长(x_8)和尾柄高(x_9)共10个指标,采用相关分析、通径分析和多元回归分析,探讨了30日龄翘嘴鳜形态性状与体质量之间的关系。结果表明,30日龄翘嘴鳜体质量变异系数最大(达26.73%),各形态性状与体质量的相关系数均达到极具统计学意义水平(P0.01)。模型拟合结果显示,体高、体长、尾柄长和体厚4个形态性状与体质量的最优模型决定系数R2达0.935。这4个形态性状中,体高对体质量的直接作用(0.452)和决策系数(0.634)均为最大,说明体高为主要决策变量。利用逐步回归分析方法,建立的多元回归方程为:y=-0.672+0.053x_6+0.019x_2+0.015x_8+0.019x_5。该研究为翘嘴鳜选育工作提供了理论依据和技术参数。     

3月龄卵形鲳鲹形态性状对体质量的影响分析

为了探明卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)幼鱼形态性状对体质量的影响程度,分别测定其全长(TL)、体长(SL)、头长(HL)等11个形态学指标和体质量(BW)。分别计算形态性状测量值和体质量数值之间的通径系数和决定系数,分析各形态性状对体质量性状的关联程度。分析结果显示,卵形鲳鲹被测量形态性状对体重的相关系数皆达极显著水平(P0.01);在通径分析中,3月龄卵形鲳鲹仅全长、体宽、体高和尾柄高的形态性状测量值对幼鱼体质量数据的通径系数达到极显著水平(P0.01),可将其确定为影响体质量的主要性状,其中全长对体质量的直接影响最大(P_2=0.493 6);决定系数分析显示,全长对体质量的决定系数最大,达到24.39%。卵形鲳鲹的4个形态性状与体质量性状的相关指数大小为R~2=0.888 1,说明该被选性状是与体质量关联的主要性状。设全长(X_2)、体高(X_3)、体宽(X_4)和尾柄高(X_(10))为自变量,设体质量(Y)为因变量,建立多元回归方程:Y=-32.217 8+0.252 4X_2+0.378 2X_3+0.440 8X_4+0.634 1X_(10),回归预测的估计值与实际值间差异不显著(P0.05),故该方程可被用于卵形鲳鲹的实际生产。本研究可为卵形鲳鲹选育工作提供理论依据和测量指标。     

褐点石斑鱼不同月龄形态性状的主成分及通径分析

为研究褐点石斑鱼不同月龄形态性状的生长规律特征及形态性状对体质量的影响,采用主成分分析和通径分析方法对3月龄、8月龄和13月龄褐点石斑鱼个体全长(X_1)、体长(X_2)、头长(X_3)、体宽(X_4)、体高(X_5)、尾柄高(X_6)、眼径(X_7)、眼后头长(X_8)和体质量(Y)9个性状进行分析。结果显示,(1)不同月龄褐点石斑鱼各形态性状对体质量的相关系数均达到极显著水平,不同月龄相同形态性状与体质量的相关性存在差异。(2)各月龄第一主成分均指向褐点石斑鱼的生长发育情况;第二主成分均指向眼睛发育情况;但3月龄、8月龄和13月龄第三主成分分别指向尾部发育、体宽发育及体高发育。(3)3月龄阶段,全长、体高、体宽及尾柄高对体质量的直接通径系数达到显著水平;8月龄阶段,全长、体宽、尾柄高及眼后头长对体质量的直接通径系数达到显著水平;13月龄阶段,全长、体高、体宽及体长对体质量的直接通径系数达到极显著水平,并建立了3个月龄组的不同形态性状对体质量最优回归方程。(4)褐点石斑鱼3~13月龄阶段的体长(L)与体质量(W)的关系为W=0.0378L2.873(R~2=0.9596),说明该阶段生长属于等速生长。研究表明,在褐点石斑鱼的不同生长阶段,各形态性状对体质量的影响有所不同,建议以全长(3~13月龄)作为育种工作的目标性状,为褐点石斑鱼早期生长发育阶段的选择育种工作和测量指标提供科学依据。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production of diatom–bacteria biofilm isolated from Seriola lalandi cultures for aquaculture application

Controlled incorporation of selected microalgae and bacteria in aquaculture systems can be beneficial because they can act as microbiological control. That is why the characteristics of biofilm generated naturally in Seriola lalandi culture cages were analysed, their potential benefit to the growth of larvae was studied, and their controlled use for improving the larval viability and as a vector to improve incorporation of previously studied probiotic bacteria was tested. According to biodiversity results, these biofilms are composed of a diatom–bacteria mix showing a decrease in biodiversity in laboratory culture conditions being dominated by Navicula phyllepta and bacteria of the family Rhodobacteraceae. This can be produced on mesh substrates incorporated in bioreactors with rapid growth rate and adhesiveness. Preliminary results from the addition of substrates with this specific biofilm in larvae culture systems showed that it is consumed by the larvae without negative effects, while positive effects on the viability of larvae in combination with probiotics were observed. Considering preliminary results, the addition of these specific substrates with diatom–bacteria biofilms could be a good improvement for aquaculture systems and together with the use of probiotics can contribute to maintaining a stable and controlled system improving the viability of the larval fish culture in its early stages.