Reproductive biology of yellowfin tuna T. albacares in the west-central Indian Ocean

Survey of yellowfin tuna in the west-central Indian Ocean was conducted on board of Chinese longliners during 2003, 2004 and 2005, which is a part of Chinese Tuna Fishery Scientific Observer Program (CTFSOP). The reproductive biology has been investigated. A total of 1 023 samples are collected including 417 ovaries and 606 testes. Spawning activities of yellowfin tuna have been studied for both male and female from January to June. The data showed that the average monthly sex ratio is 0.59, and the minimum length at sexual maturity is 101 cm for female and 110 cm for male respectively. Length at 50% sexual maturity is estimated at 113.77 cm for female and 120.20 cm for male, whereas maturation rate is 0.066 cm⁻¹ for female and 0.091 cm⁻¹ for male. Sex ratio by length class indicates that the proportion of male is higher than female’s along with size increasing; for instance, in the group of the body length longer than 145 cm, some females have their body length from 145 to 160 cm and males have their body length at 160 cm and even longer. Statistically, yellowfin tuna has a significant seasonal reproduction.     

Studies on the breeding habits of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Yellow Sea

Minke whales caught in the Yellow Sea range from 4.16 m to 8.60 m in length with an average length of 6.93 m for the female and 6.14 m for the male. Sex ratio of the female is 74.3%. The pregnancy ratio of all sexually matured females is 65.8%. The minimum size of the pregnant whale observed is 6.60 m in length. Females having a body length of more than 7 m long are all sexually matured. According to the studies on the embryos obtained from the females caught in the northern Yellow Sea, there is only one breeding season each year. Mating mostly occurs from July through September, and the length of pregnancy is ten to eleven months with the peak of calving from May through July. Most females breed one calf each time, only two cases with twins. Sex ratio of female fetus is 56.6%, and the newly born calf measures 250–270 cm in body length. This paper was published in Chinese inOceanologia et Limnologia Sinica 13 (4): 338–345.     

Fishery biology of jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas off Costa Rica Dome

The jumbo flying squid(Dosidicus gigas) population was surveyed with the help of Chinese squid jigging vessels off the Costa Rica Dome(4°–11°N, 90°–100°W) in 2009 and 2010. The daily catch of D. gigas in the two survey cruises ranged from 0 to 5.5 t and was mostly obtained from the areas bounded by 6°–9°N and 91°–94°W and by 6°30′–7°30′N and 96°–97°W. The sea surface temperature in the areas yielding the most catch ranged from 27.5 to 29℃. The sex ratio of the total catch was 3.75:1(female: male). The mantle length of the squid ranged from 211 to 355 mm(male) and from 204 to 429 mm(female) with an average of 297.9 and 306.7 mm, respectively. In the relationship of the mantle length(mm) and body weight(g) of the squid, there was no significant difference between sexes. The female and male were at a similar maturity, and most individuals are maturing or have matured with a few females being spent. The size(mantle length) and age at the first sexual maturity were 297 mm and 195 d in females, and less than 211 mm and 130 d in males, respectively. Most of the sampled stomachs(70.6%) had no food remains. The major preys of the squids were fish, cephalopods and crustaceans, with the most abundant Myctophum orientale and D. gigas. The preys in more than 65% of the non-empty sampled stomachs evidenced the cannibalism of D. gigas. The results improved current understanding of the fishery biology of D. gigas off the Costa Rica Dome, which may facilitate the assessment and management of relative fishery resources.     

Effect of salinity on growth and first sexual maturity of Exopalaemon carinicauda (Holthuis, 1950)

To determine the optimal salinity for growth and first sexual maturity of ExopaIaemon carinicauda, the effects of salinity on growth and reproductive performance of early juvenile prawns of E. carinicauda were evaluated under laboratory conditions. Postlarvae from the same female broodstock were reared at six salinity levels （5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30） for 12 weeks. The specific growth rate （SGR） and survival rate （SR） under different salinity levels in the first 6 weeks were calculated and compared. SGR was significantly influenced by salinity. Prawns reared in salinity of 10 grew significantly faster （P〈0.05） than those reared in salinities of 5, 20, 25, and 30. However, ANOVA confirmed that there was no significant effect among the six salinity levels on SR. For the next 6 weeks, the body length （BL）, body weight （BW） at the first sexual maturity, and the age at median sexual maturity （As0） of females were measured and compared. Female prawns reared at salinity of 10 presented significantly shorter A50, but no significant differences among the six salinity levels for BL and BW at the first sexual maturity were observed. Based on the above information, the optimal salinity for growth and first sexual maturity of juvenile E. carinicauda is approximately 10.     

Preliminary genetic linkage map of the abalone Haliotis diversicolor Reeve

Haliotis diversicolor Reeve is one of the most important mollusks cultured in South China. Preliminary genetic linkage maps were constructed with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. A total of 2 596 AFLP markers were obtained from 28 primer combinations in two parents and 78 offsprings. Among them, 412 markers (15.9%) were polymorphic and segregated in the mapping family. Chi-square tests showed that 151 (84.4%) markers segregated according to the expected 1:1 Mendelian ratio (P<0.05) in the female parent, and 200 (85.8%) in the male parent. For the female map, 179 markers were used for linkage analysis and 90 markers were assigned to 17 linkage groups with an average interval length of 25.7 cm. For the male map, 233 markers were used and 94 were mapped into 18 linkage groups, with an average interval of 25.0 cm. The estimated genome length was 2 773.0 cm for the female and 2 817.1 cm for the male map. The observed length of the linkage map was 1 875.2 cm and 1 896.5 cm for the female and male maps, respectively. When doublets were considered, the map length increased to 2 152.8 cm for the female and 2 032.7 cm for the male map, corresponding to genome coverage of 77.6% and 72.2%, respectively.     

粤西福建纹胸鮡的食性及繁殖力

对2007年取自粤西水域的福建纹胸鮡进行生物学研究。结果显示:粤西福建纹胸鮡食性是以动物性食物为主;雌雄性比为1.16∶1;性腺成熟系数雌性为0.263%～19.048%,雄性为0.101%～3.226%;福建纹胸鮡个体绝对怀卵量在45～420粒之间,平均140.9±74.7粒;相对怀卵量在31.7～130.4粒/g之间,平均64.3±21.1粒/g;绝对怀卵量与体长呈幂相关:y=0.0008 x7.7308,R2=0.855 2;绝对怀卵量与体重呈指数相关:y=14.439 e0.838 2 x,R2=0.878 3。     

东太平洋赤道公海茎柔鱼生物学特性

根据2013年4~6月在赤道公海探捕期间采集茎柔鱼样本,研究赤道公海茎柔鱼渔业生物学特性。结果表明,不同性别、不同月份,茎柔鱼胴长和体质量组成不同。雌、雄性样本的胴长范围分别为93~495 mm和94~406 mm,优势胴长组分别为260~340 mm和240~320 mm,分别占样本总数72.53%和70.26%;雌、雄性样本体质量范围分别为25~3 900 g和33~2170 g,优势体质量组分别为400~1 200 g和200~1 000 g,分别占样本总数82.71%和87.82%。雌、雄性茎柔鱼净体质量比例分别介于31.69%~80.51%和37.05%~81.35%之间,平均值分别为60.45%和62.73%。协方差分析表明,茎柔鱼胴长与体质量、胴长与净体质量的生长均存在性别间差异,胴长与体质量的生长都最适合用幂函数表示,而胴长与净体质量的生长,雌、雄性样本分别最适合用幂函数和指数函数表示。不同月份茎柔鱼性别比例构成不同,4月、5月和6月性别比例分别为1.87∶1、1.61∶1和1.17∶1,全部样本的性别比例为1.61∶1。不同月份茎柔鱼性腺成熟度的组成不同。不同性别、不同月份间茎柔鱼胃含物等级组成存在差异。     

Effects of spectral composition,photoperiod and light intensity on the gonadal development of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)

Artificial lighting regimes have been successfully used to inhibit sexual maturity of Atlantic salmon in confinement.However,when these operations are applied in commercial recirculating aquaculture systems(RAS) using standard lighting technology,sexual maturation is not suppressed.In this study,an L_9(3~3) orthogonal design was used to determine the effects of three factors(spectral composition,photoperiod,and light intensity) on the gonadal development of Atlantic salmon in RAS.We demonstrated that the photoperiod at the tested levels had a much greater effect on the gonadosomatic index and female Fulton condition factor than spectral composition and light intensity.The photoperiod had a significant effect on the secretion of sex steroids and melatonin(P0.05),and a short photoperiod delayed sex steroid and melatonin level increases.The three test factors had no significant effects on the survival rate,specific growth rate,relative weight gain,and male Fulton condition factor(P0.05).The optimum lighting levels in female and male Atlantic salmon were LD 8:16,455 nm(or 625 nm),8.60 W/m~2;and LD 8:16,8.60 W/m~2,455 nm respectively.These conditions not only delayed gonadal development,but also had no negative effects on Atlantic salmon growth in RAS.These results demonstrate that a combination of spectral composition,photoperiod and light intensity is effective at delaying the gonadal development of both male and female salmon in RAS.     

Phenological study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum thunbergii</Emphasis> (Fucales,Phaeophyta) in Lidao Bay,Rongcheng, China

We conducted a phenological evaluation of Sargassum thunbergii, a common algal species, along the coast of Lidao Bay, Rongcheng, China. The local S. thunbergii population entered a maturation period from early June to mid-August, when seawater temperature was 14.4 to 25.1°C. Our results suggest an increase in temperature and day length during this period initiated thalli maturation. Inhabitants of the low tidal zone had higher thalli length and biomass compared with those from the mid-and high tidal zones. We observed a switch in the length frequency distribution and contribution of length classes to biomass between the small (<20 cm) and long (20–79.9 cm) length classes at the time of thallus maturity. This suggests there is a trade-offbetween sexual reproduction and vegetative regeneration.     

智利外海茎柔鱼耳石生长特性的性别差异研究

根据2007年1~6月和2008年1~5月我国鱿钓船在智利外海调查期间采集的茎柔鱼耳石样本,测量了503枚耳石外部形态参数(雌性348枚,雄性155枚),结合耳石日轮,对耳石生长特性的性别差异进行了研究.结果表明,耳石总长(TSL)、耳石半径(SR)、吻侧区长(RLL)、翼长(WL)及最大宽度(MW)可作为茎柔鱼耳石形态的表征参数.雌雄个体间耳石的生长在5个形态参数上均存在显著性差异,雌性个体 TSL 与日龄间关系最适为指数函数, SR 和 RLL 为幂函数, MW 和 WL 则为线性函数;雄性个体的 TSL、SR 和 RLL 与日龄间的关系最适为幂函数, MW 和 WL 为线性函数.雌性个体 TSL、SR、MW、RLL、WL 的相对生长率和SR、RLL 绝对生长率均随着日龄的增加而先增加后减小, TSL、MW 绝对生长率随着日龄的增加而增加,WL绝对生长率则随着日龄增加而呈现波动趋势;雄性个体 TSL、SR 相对生长率和 MW、RLL、WL 绝对生长率随着日龄增加先增加后减小,而 MW、RLL 和 WL 相对生长率和 TSL、SR 绝对生长率则随日龄增加呈现波动趋势.研究认为,茎柔鱼耳石生长存在性别差异,通常雌性生长较雄性快     

The relationship between fat content and biological parameters of bigeye tuna (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus obseus</Emphasis>) in the Western Central Indian Ocean

Comparing fat content with physiological status can throw light on the reproduction and feeding behavior of the fish. The biological data of 586 bigeye tuna were collected from the longline fishery in the waters of Western Central Indian Ocean from November, 2012 to March, 2013. The spatial or temporal distribution of the fat content, and the relationships of fat content with gender, round weight, gonadal maturity and fork length were analyzed. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to analyze the relationships between fat content and fork length (FL), gonadosomatic index (GSI), condition factor (K), and somatic index (SI). Results showed that: 1) the fat content of bigeye tuna was in the range of 3.1%–27.1% with the average 12.8%; 2) there were no significant geographical differences of average fat content (P > 0.05) among 1° squares in general; 3) there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) of the fat content for different genders, months, or gonad maturity stages; 4) there was an extremely significant correlation (P = 0.000) between fat content and FL and GSI. There was no significant correlation (P = 0.051) between fat content and K. There was a significant correlation (P = 0.003) between fat content and SI. The results of this study suggest that the fat content of the matured fish was relatively stable. The survey area was in a spawning region, and the survey period was the spawning season for bigeye tuna.     

Morphological beak differences of loliginid squid,Uroteuthis chinensis and Uroteuthis edulis,in the northern South China Sea

The mitre squid(U roteuthis chinensis) and the swordtip squid( U. edulis) are Indo-Pacific cephalopod species that are abundant in the western Pacific Ocean. They are currently exploited in the East and South China Seas and make up a significant portion of the Chinese neritic squid catch. Beaks, the feeding organs of squid, are important for individual size and biomass estimation because of their high resistance to degradation in predator stomachs and consistent dimensions. In this study, 104 U. chinensis and 143 U. edulis individuals were sampled from northern South China Sea with mantle length from 70 to 260 mm and 96 to 284 mm, respectively. The results indicated that morphological beak values were greater for U. edulis, compared to U. chinensis, for upper hood length(UHL), upper crest length(UCL), upper lateral wall length(ULWL), lower crest length(LCL), and lower lateral wall length(LLWL). According to principal component analysis, UHL/ML, UCL/ML, ULWL/ML, LCL/ML, LLWL/ML and LWL/ML could represent the characteristics of beaks for U. chinensis, while UHL/ML, UCL/ML, ULWL/ML, LHL/ML, LCL/ML and LLWL/ML could represent it for U. edulis. According to Akaike's information criterion(AIC) values, a power function was the most suitable model for U. chinensis, while a linear function was the most suitable model for U. edulis. The beak variable-mantle length ratio(beak variable/mantle length) declined with the increasing of mantle length and declined sharply at the early stage of growth in both beaks and species. The ratio changed quickly after achieving the mantle length of 140 mm for U. chinensis, while the ratio changed quickly after 170 mm for U. edulis. Beaks in both species experienced sharper changes through maturity stage I to II than other maturity stages. This study gives us basic beak morphology information for U. chinensis and U. edulis in the East and South China Seas. Geometric morphological methods combined with dietary analysis should be used in the future.     

南太平洋长鳍金枪鱼渔场预报模型研究

长鳍金枪鱼资源是南太平洋金枪鱼渔业的重要目标种类,也是我国金枪鱼延绳钓的主要捕捞对象之一。根据2008-2009年我国海洋渔业公司在南太平洋海域的生产数据,结合表层、105 m和205 m水层温度,以及海面高度、叶绿素a浓度等海洋环境数据,运用一元非线性回归方法,按季度建立基于各环境因子的长鳍金枪鱼栖息地适应性指数,采用算术平均法获得基于多环境因子的栖息地指数综合模型,并用于中心渔场的预报。通过与实际作业渔场的比较与验证,结果表明:模型预报准确性达到70%以上,具较高渔情预报准确度。     

中华乌塘鳢个体生殖力的研究

研究了湛江沿海中华乌塘鳢个体生殖力及其与生物学指标的关系。结果表明 :个体绝对生殖力为 840 0～ 3 3 2 70粒 ,个体相对生殖力FL 为 5 67 6～ 1 83 3 2粒 /cm ,Fw为 1 5 5 6～ 482 7粒 /g ;个体绝对生殖力与体长、体重、空壳重、卵巢重呈直线相关 ,与年龄呈二次函数相关 ,与成熟系数和肥满度相关关系不显著 ;个体相对生殖力FL 与各生物学指标正相关 ,Fw除了与卵巢重、肥满度和年龄相关关系不显著外 ,其余均显著相关     

Paramonohystera weihaiensis sp.nov.(Xyalidae,Nematoda) from the intertidal beach of the Yellow Sea,China

A new species of free-living marine nematode of the genus Paramonohystera was described from the intertidal beach,Weihai.Paramonohystera weihaiensis sp.nov.is characterized by cervical region with a circle of long setae;tail sexual dimorphism,male tail angled dorsally with sharp narrowed of the body at the cloaca,female tail ordinary conico-cylindrical; spicules slender,2.5 abd long; gubemaculum plate,enlarged distal end with two teeth,without apophysis; precloacal supplements absent;Four caudal gland cells obviously extended to tail.The new species differs from the other fourteen known valid congeners by the combination of its characteristics:a circle of long cervical setae,tail sexual dimorphism,spicules slender,2.5 abd long,gubernaculum plate with a distal pair of teeth.     

Reproductive biology of bream A bramis brama(L.) in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River,China

The reproductive biology of bream A bramis brama(L.) was studied from 546 fish collected from the lower reaches of the Irtysh River in Xinjiang, north-west China, from March to November 2013. The overall sex ratio(M/F) was 1.06:1, and was not significantly diff erent from the theoretical 1:1 ratio( P 0.5). However, there was a dominance of males during the pre-spawning season(1.33 in March and 1.56 in April, P 0.5), while females were dominant during the peak spawning season(0.88 in June, P 0.5). The monthly variation in gonadosomatic index(GSI) and proportion of gonads at each macroscopic maturity stage, indicated that A. brama spawned once a year with peak spawning occurring from late May to June. The unimodal distribution of oocyte diameter each month indicated that A. brama is a single spawner, with a high degree of spawning synchronicity. The standard lengths(SL 50) and ages( A 50) at first maturity for males and females, were 178 and 204 mm, and 5.6 and 6.8 years, respectively. The mean absolute fecundity(AF) was 77 311 eggs per fish, and mean relative fecundity(RF) was 162 eggs per gram of body weight(BW). The AF of A. brama increased linearly with increasing of gonad weight(GW), eviscerated weight(EW) and standard length(SL), but was not significantly correlated with age. As, A. brama in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River reaches reproductive maturity relatively late in their life span, is mature for a short period and spawns in aggregations, this fish is vulnerable to overexploitation.     

一种复方中草药饲料添加剂在红笛鲷网箱养殖中的应用

将黄芪、当归、甘草和山楂等粉碎后按一定比例配伍制成复方中草药饲料添加剂后,按质量分数0.5%、1.0%、1.5%和2.0%添加到基础饲料中,连续投喂红笛鲷(体重234.95±19.26 g,体长24.76±1.42 cm)56 d,研究复合中草药制剂对红笛鲷生长、成活、免疫和抗病力的影响。结果表明,基础饲料中添加本复方中草药饲料添加剂能够显著促进红笛鲷的生长,增强其血清中的抗菌活力和溶菌酶活力,提高红笛鲷成活率及其对溶藻弧菌的免疫保护率,其中以添加1.5%(质量分数)和连续饲喂28 d效果为最佳(P<0.01)。     

Beak measurements of octopus (Octopus variabilis) in Jiaozhou Bay and their use in size and biomass estimation

Cephalopods play key roles in global marine ecosystems as both predators and preys. Regressive estimation of original size and weight of cephalopod from beak measurements is a powerful tool of interrogating the feeding ecology of predators at higher trophic levels. In this study, regressive relationships among beak measurements and body length and weight were determined for an octopus species (Octopus variabilis), an important endemic cephalopod species in the northwest Pacific Ocean. A total of 193 individuals (63 males and 130 females) were collected at a monthly interval from Jiaozhou Bay, China. Regressive relationships among 6 beak measurements (upper hood length, UHL; upper crest length, UCL; lower hood length, LHL; lower crest length, LCL; and upper and lower beak weights) and mantle length (ML), total length (TL) and body weight (W) were determined. Results showed that the relationships between beak size and TL and beak size and ML were linearly regressive, while those between beak size and W fitted a power function model. LHL and UCL were the most useful measurements for estimating the size and biomass of O. variabilis. The relationships among beak measurements and body length (either ML or TL) were not significantly different between two sexes; while those among several beak measurements (UHL, LHL and LBW) and body weight (W) were sexually different. Since male individuals of this species have a slightly greater body weight distribution than female individuals, the body weight was not an appropriate measurement for estimating size and biomass, especially when the sex of individuals in the stomachs of predators was unknown. These relationships provided essential information for future use in size and biomass estimation of O. variabilis, as well as the estimation of predator/prey size ratios in the diet of top predators.     

南沙北部灯光罩网与金枪鱼延绳钓联合探捕

2010年7月利用灯光罩网和延绳钓对南沙北部海域进行了初步的渔业资源调查,报道了该海域的鸢乌贼(Symplectoteuthis oualaniensis)和金枪鱼的渔获与分布状况。灯光罩网平均CPUE 63.90 kg/网,主要渔获物为鸢乌贼,占总产量的67.57%,平均胴长122 mm,质量89.6 g;延绳钓平均CPUE为18.19 kg/百钩,其中大目金枪鱼(Thunnus obesus)3.24 kg/百钩、短鳍斜齿鲨(Scoliodon Palasorrah)10.46 kg/百钩,渔获尾数较多的为帆蜥鱼(Alepisaurus ferox)和黑魟(Dasyatis atratus),分别占总数的39.13%和26.09%。提出南沙金枪鱼捕捞采用延绳钓与灯光罩网联合方式的建议。