Catch, survey and life-history data for shrimp (Pandalus borealis) off Jan Mayen

The Jan Mayen area has an extreme environment with low temperatures and infrequent, but abrupt temperature changes. The shrimp population here is considered to be on its edge of distribution. The life-history parameters are in the same range as in other high-latitude shrimp populations and are characterized by slow growth, large size at maturation and extended longevity. Irregular and sporadic commercial exploitation limit fishing mortality and give the population life-history parameters not previously seen in other areas. The Jan Mayen shrimp are large compared to, e.g., the Barents Sea shrimp and can reach a maximum carapace length (L_max) of 37 mm and an age of 10–11 years. The large size at sex transformation (L₅₀, >24 mm) and analyses of length–frequency distributions indicate that the shrimp may be 6–7 years of age before changing sex. The change in L_max and L₅₀ observed during the study period is probably caused by increased natural mortality due to sudden temperature changes or due to increased predation, rather than increased growth rates. The life-history strategy of shrimp in the Jan Mayen area can be explained by factors such as depth, temperature and population density variations caused by fluctuation in recruitment and mortality.The shrimp fisheries in the Jan Mayen area began in the late 1970s and reached an annual landing of 2000 tonnes in 1985, and since then landings have oscillated around 500 tonnes depending on a combination of factors. The survey indices of stock biomass varied between 3000 and 6600 tonnes. For most years, the highest shrimp densities are at a depth of 200–299 m, while large shrimp (and therefore also female shrimp) are dominant at depths greater than 300 m.Fish community data were studied as the composition of the demersal fish community is an integrated response to environmental conditions and as predation affects the shrimp stock. Polar cod and capelin are the most abundant fish species in the study area. A high number of blue whiting was registered in 1979, but the number declined in 1980 and 1981 as temperature decreased. During the surveys in 1994 and 1995, no blue whiting was registered. A few individuals were found again in the 1999 samples. The number of Greenland halibut has declined from the beginning of the 1980s to the 1990s.     

Distribution, condition, and growth of newly settled southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) in the Galveston Bay Estuary, TX

Several flatfish species, including southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) recruit to estuaries during early life. Therefore, evaluation of estuarine sites and habitats that serve as nurseries is critical to conservation and management. The present study used density data in conjunction with biochemical condition and growth measurements to evaluate settlement sites used by southern flounder in the Galveston Bay Estuary (GBE). In 2005, beam-trawl collections were made in three major sections of the GBE (East Bay, Galveston Bay, West Bay). Three sites were sampled in each bay. Within each sampling site, replicate collections were taken from three habitats: 1) marsh edge (< 1 m depth), 2) intermediate zone (10–20 m from marsh interface;  1 m depth), and 3) bay zone (typically > 100 m from marsh interface; depth > 1 m). Average size of southern flounder collected was 12–19 mm standard length, and peak densities occurred in January and February. Catch data indicated that densities of southern flounder were significantly greater in East Bay (2.75 per 100 m²) than in Galveston Bay (0.91 per 100 m²) or in West Bay (0.45 per 100 m²). Densities were statistically similar among habitats. Otolith-based estimates of age indicated that the majority of southern flounder collected were 35–45 days old and derived from early December to early January hatch-dates. Growth rates were similar among bays and among habitats, with the average growth rate being 0.40 mm day^− 1 (range: 0.21–0.76 mm day^− 1). RNA:DNA was above the established baseline value for nutritional stress, indicating that newly settled southern flounder in the GBE were in relatively high condition. Habitat-specific differences in RNA:DNA ratios were not observed; however, ratios were significantly lower in West Bay (average 8.0) than in East Bay (average 9.5) or in Galveston Bay (average 9.8), suggesting the condition of new recruits may vary spatially within the GBE. Findings from the current study suggest density and condition of newly settled southern flounder vary at the bay scale, suggesting that parts of GBE do not function equally as nurseries.     

Spatio-temporal variability of small copepods (especially Oithona plumifera) in shallow nearshore waters off the south coast of South Africa

Although small copepods are one of the main dietary sources for many commercially important fish, their role in the pelagic trophic dynamics has traditionally been underestimated due to the methodology commonly used in plankton sampling. Temporal variation in abundance of adults and nauplii of small copepods (particularly Oithona plumifera) in nearshore waters on the south coast of South Africa was investigated fortnightly over 14 months at site (km) and location (100 m) scales. Sampling was within <500 m of the shore, where depth was ca. 10 m, using vertical hauls of an 80-μm mesh plankton net from 1 m above the seabed to the surface. Twenty-seven adult copepod taxa were recorded, but Oithona spp. was consistently the most abundant. Taxon richness was 7–19 on each sampling occasion. There was strong temporal variation (Oithona varied between 0 and 2300 m⁻³), but much of this was short-term variability (e.g. between consecutive sampling sessions), with no seasonality or other long-term discernable patterns. There were periods of consistently low numbers, but very high numbers often followed samples with low abundances. Nor was there spatial structure at the location scale, though numbers differed between sites. Despite considerable variability at the location scale within sites, Kenton consistently showed higher densities than High Rocks. Separate analyses, with Bonferroni adjustment, showed that this difference was significant on eight out of 21 occasions for Oithona, six for other pelagic copepods and three for nauplii. This suggests that hydrodynamics favour aggregation of plankton at Kenton. A high degree of short-term variability, with a tendency for aggregation of small zooplankton at certain sites has implications for both pelagic processes and food-web links between the benthic and pelagic environments.     

Temporal and spatial variability in shallow- and deep-water populations of the invasive Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea in the Western Mediterranean

The invasive green alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea represents an important threat to the diversity of Mediterranean benthic coastal ecosystems by interfering with native species and modifying benthic assemblages. The present study deals, for the first time, with the temporal and spatial variability of the biomass and phenology of C. racemosa considering both deep- and shallow-water populations. Two sampling depths (30 and 10 m) were sampled at three different rocky bottom sites every 3 months in the Archipelago of Cabrera National Park (Western Mediterranean). All morphometric variables analysed showed a spatial variation and temporal patterns depending on depth. Between depths, C. racemosa biomass, stolon length, number of fronds and frond length were usually significantly higher at deep-water populations, suggesting that C. racemosa grows better in deep-waters. Deep- and shallow-water populations displayed a high temporal variation although no evidence of seasonal patterns was found, in contrast with what has been reported by other authors. The sources of this variability are still unknown but probably both physical factors and differential herbivory pressures display a key role.     

Recruitment of flatfish species to an estuarine nursery habitat (Lima estuary, NW Iberian Peninsula)

One of the present concerns of fish biologists involves defining and identifying nursery habitats in the context of conservation and resource management strategies. Fish nursery studies usually report upon nursery occupation during the latter juvenile stages, despite the fact that recruitment to nurseries can start early in life, during the larval phase. Here we investigated the use of a temperate estuarine nursery area, the Lima estuary (NW Portugal), by initial development stages of flatfish species before and after metamorphosis, integrating the larval and juvenile phases. The Lima estuarine flatfish community comprised twelve taxa, seven of which were present as pelagic larvae, six as juveniles and three as adults. There was a general trend of increasing spring–summer abundance of both larvae and juveniles, followed by a sharp winter decrease, mainly of larval flatfishes. The Lima estuary was used by Solea senegalensis, Platichthys flesus and Solea solea as a nursery area, with direct settlement for the two first species. In contrast, indirect settlement was suggested for S. solea, with metamorphosis occurring outside the estuarine area. Estuarine recruitment of S. senegalensis varied between years, with young larvae occurring in the estuary throughout a prolonged period that lasted 6–9 months, corroborating the protracted spawning season. P. flesus, the second most abundant species, exhibited a typical spring estuarine recruitment, without inter-annual variations. Developed larvae arrived in the estuary during spring, whereas the 0-group juveniles emerged in the following summer period. The present study contributes new insight to our understanding of the economically important S. senegalensis, and highlights the importance of integrating the planktonic larval phase into traditional flatfish nursery studies.     

基于水下摄像的渔山列岛厚壳贻贝资源评估与分析

厚壳贻贝是我国东部沿海重要的经济贝类之一,自然环境中栖息范围不甚明确。本文于2014年7月间利用水下摄像的手段,调查和分析了渔山列岛不同断面上厚壳贻贝的自然分布特征。结果表明:渔山列岛潮下带5条断面的生态类型差异显著,不同断面栖息的优势种也不相同;断面间厚壳贻贝的栖息密度均值为37.04~185.80 ind/m2,其中断面A的栖息密度最低,断面E的栖息密度最高,断面C和断面D的栖息密度相差不大,但是不同调查样方内厚壳贻贝的栖息密度从0~388.89 ind/m2不等;厚壳贻贝主要分布在水深3~9 m的水层中,其中以水深5~8 m的水层中最为密集,约占总栖息密度的90%以上;在水深8 m的区带上,厚壳贻贝的栖息密度为160.19 ind/m2,当水深小于1 m和大于11 m时,厚壳贻贝分布极少;经双因素方差分析表明,厚壳贻贝栖息密度在不同断面(F=57.011,P<0.01)和不同水层(F=66.495,P<0.01)中的差异均极显著,断面和水层的交互作用(F=10.483,P<0.01)对厚壳贻贝的自然分布也有极显著差异;经检验,厚壳贻贝栖息密度(A)的自然分布与水深(D)呈正态分布,可以用高斯方程拟合,R2的取值范围为0.8753~0.9997;利用聚类分析发现,调查样方被明显的分为3组,体现了水深在厚壳贻贝自然分布中的显著作用。     

圆斑星鲽(Verasper variegatus)wtl基因的克隆与表达分析

圆斑星鲽（Verasper variegatus）雌鱼生长快，成熟雌鱼个体大小是雄鱼的2倍以上，开展性别相关基因的功能研究，对于探究圆斑星鲽性别决定机制，建立单性培育技术具有重要意义。本研究获得了wt1a及wt1b两个同源基因，wt1a基因全长为3263bp，预测开放阅读框（ORF）长为1245bp，编码415个氨基酸，5''-UTR和3''-UTR分别长372bp和1640bp；wt1b基因全长为2312bp，预测开放阅读框（ORF）长为1281bp，编码427个氨基酸，5''-UTR和3''-UTR分别长369bp和659bp。wt1a基因编码氨基酸分子量为46.2kDa，理论等电点为9.24，无跨膜结构及信号肽，在ORF末端有4个锌指结构，编码KTS三肽；wt1b基因编码氨基酸分子量为46.95kDa，理论等电点为8.99，无跨膜结构及信号肽，在ORF末端有4个锌指结构，并且编码KTS三肽。基因表达结果表明：wt1a和wt1b基因主要在圆斑星鲽性腺中表达，精巢的表达高于卵巢，肾脏的表达量显著高于其他组织，推测wt1a基因和wt1b基因在性腺和肾脏发育过程及功能方面均发挥重要作用；在早期发育阶段，wt1a基因在原肠期之前微弱表达，从原肠早期开始逐渐上升至神经胚期表达量达到最高，之后逐渐下降，直至孵化阶段，推测wt1a基因在圆斑星鲽原始生殖细胞分化过程及性腺发育中发挥重要作用。     

小清河河口邻近海域口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)COI序列特征及遗传多样性分析

受河流沿岸工农业发展以及人口急剧增加影响,小清河河口及邻近海域受到严重污染。口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)作为小清河河口及邻近海域重要渔业资源之一,承受着巨大的捕捞和生存压力。为了掌握口虾蛄种群在该区域的种群遗传多样性,本研究于2020年6—10月在小清河河口及邻近海域采集口虾蛄生物样本,进行了基于线粒体COI基因的种群遗传多样性分析。研究结果表明,基于216条长度为655bp的COI基因片段,共定义90个单倍型,63个多态位点,其中包括59个转换位点,1个颠换位点和3个转换与颠换同时存在的位点,核苷酸多样性指数和单倍型多样性分别为0.9700和0.0051。与其他海域相比,小清河河口种群遗传多样性处于相对较高水平;同时遗传结构分析发现黄渤海与东海及南海分布的口虾蛄种群遗传变异较大,但黄渤海海域内遗传变异较小。通过本研究基本掌握了小清河河口及邻近海域口虾蛄种群遗传多样性背景,也可为口虾蛄资源管理以及种质资源库建立等提供科学的基础理论依据。     

斑节对虾TSG101基因的克隆及表达分析

为探究肿瘤易感基因101(简称TSG101)对斑节对虾(Penaeusmonodon)的免疫应答作用,了解在细菌刺激下斑节对虾的机体发生的变化机制,本研究以哈维弧菌(Vibrioharveyi)和金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcusaureus)为实验组,以磷酸缓冲液(PBS)为对照组,通过荧光定量分析展开对斑节对虾对菌刺激的免疫应答作用。结果显示,斑节对虾的TSG101在各组织中均有表达,在肝胰腺中的表达量最高。在金黄色葡萄球菌刺激下,斑节对虾的TSG101在肝胰腺中的表达量与对照组相比呈极显著上调(P0.01),第12小时的TSG101 mRNA的表达量达到最大(为对照组的21.60倍);在鳃中的表达量与对照组相比呈极显著上调(P0.01),第6小时斑节对虾TSG101的表达量达到最大值(为对照组的3.64倍)。在注射哈维弧菌第9小时,肝胰腺中的PmTSG101 mRNA表达量极显著上调(P0.01)且达到最大(为对照组的2.50倍)。实验结果初步表明,斑节TSG101参与斑节对虾的先天免疫反应,在金黄色葡萄球菌和哈维弧菌的刺激的情况下,该基因RNA水平的表达情况发生明显变化。     

Appearance of Chelophyes appendiculata and Abylopsis tetragona (Cnidaria, Siphonophora) in the Bay of Villefranche, northwestern Mediterranean

The vertical and temporal distribution of two calycophoran siphonophores, Chelophyes appendiculata (Eschscholtz, 1829) and Abylopsis tetragona (Otto, 1823) in the Bay of Villefranche (northwestern Mediterranean) was investigated by an analysis of three different planktonic time series. A daily series (1993–1995) showed seasonal peaks of the nectophores of C. appendiculata during spring and particularly in late summer, while the abundance of A. tetragona remained similar throughout the year. A weekly series (1994–1995) showed that C. appendiculata (nectophores and eudoxids) became concentrated above the thermal discontinuity, in the most stratified and warm waters, whereas A. tetragona was collected in large numbers below this discontinuity. A 27-year survey (1966–1993) showed long-term fluctuations of these siphonophore populations, which became abundant in the Bay starting from 1980 and especially after 1984, when the water column grew warm and hypersaline, corresponding to a less rainy period. Temporal (seasonal and long-term) and bathymetric (between 10 and 60 m depth) successions of these two siphonophores were noted in this shallow coastal bay.     

基于微卫星(SSR)分子标记的中国对虾渤海湾增殖亲虾群体及回捕群体的遗传多样性分析

Eight microsatellite markers were used to analyze genetic diversity, level of inbreeding, and effective population size of spawner and recaptured populations of Chinese shrimp(Fenneropenaeus chinensis) during stock enhancement in the Bohai Bay in 2013. A total of 254 and 238 alleles were identified in the spawner and recaptured populations, respectively, and the numbers of alleles(N_a) were 8–63 and 6–60, respectively. The numbers of effective alleles(N_e) were 2.52–21.60 and 2.67–20.72, respectively. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.529 to 0.952. The observed heterozygosity(H_o) values(0.638–0.910 and 0.712–0.927) were lower than the expected heterozygosity(H_e) values(0.603–0.954 and 0.625–0.952), which indicated that the two populations possessed a rich genetic diversity. In 16 tests(2 populations×8 loci), 13 tests deviated from the HardyWeinberg equilibrium. F_(is) values were positive at seven loci and the inbreeding coefficients(F) of the two populations estimated by trio ML were 13.234% and 11.603%, suggesting that there was a relatively high degree of inbreeding. A certain level of inbreeding depression had occurred in the Chinese shrimp population. F_(st) values ranged from 0 to 0.059, with a mean of 0.028, displaying a low level of genetic differentiation in the two populations. Effective population sizes(3 060.2 and 3 842.8) were higher than the minimum number suggested for retaining the evolutionary potential to adapt to new environmental conditions. For enhancement activity in 2014,the ideal number of captured shrimp spawners should have ranged from 7 686 to 19 214 to maintain genetic diversity and effective population size. Further strategies to adjust the balance of economic cost, fishing effort and ideal number of shrimp spawners to maintain a satisfactory effective population size for ensuring the sustainability of Chinese shrimp are proposed.     

梭鱼（Lizahaematocheila）外部形态性状对体重影响效果分析

采用相关分析、通径分析、决定分析和多元线性回归分析方法,对不同年龄组梭鱼外部形态性状对体重的影响效果进行了分析研究。结果表明,体长、体高是影响各年龄组梭鱼体重的共同性状,在0、1、3、5龄组,体长对体重的作用最大;在2、4龄组,体高对体重的作用最大。尾柄高是除3龄组外影响梭鱼体重的重点性状。头长、尾柄长对体重直接作用相...     

缢蛏天然抗性相关巨噬蛋白2(Sc-Nramp2)基因克隆及其在副溶血弧菌刺激下的表达分析

克隆得到缢蛏天然抗性相关巨噬蛋白2（Sc-Nramp2）基因的cDNA全长序列3 681 bp,该基因的开放阅读框有1 776 bp,编码591个氨基酸,预测分子量为65.86 kDa;其结构具有Slc11蛋白家族的典型特征,包括有10个典型的跨膜结构和2个糖基化位点。Sc-Nramp2基因3'-UTR有2个类似于脊椎动物Nramp2中铁反应控制蛋白结合位点;同源性分析表明,Sc-Nramp2和太平洋牡蛎Nramp2-like的同源性最高为71.6%。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,Sc-Nramp2基因在闭壳肌、外套膜、肝胰腺、斧足、水管和鳃6个组织中均有表达,其中肝胰腺中的表达量最高,其次是鳃,与其他组织均有极显著性差异（P<0.01）;注射副溶血弧菌后,肝胰腺中Sc-Nramp2基因的表达量较对照组显著上调（P<0.01）,且表达量呈现先上升后下降的趋势,在12 h时达到最大表达量,推测Sc-Nramp2基因参与了缢蛏非特异性免疫应答反应。     

Relationship between environment and the occurrence of the deep-water rose shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) in the Blanes submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean)

We performed a multidisciplinary study characterizing the relationships between hydrodynamic conditions (currents and water masses) and the presence and abundance of the deep-water rose shrimp Aristeus antennatus in a submarine canyon (Blanes canyon in the NW Mediterranean Sea). This species is heavily commercially exploited and is the main target species of a bottom trawl fishery. Seasonal fluctuations in landings are attributed to spatio-temporal movements by this species associated with submarine canyons in the study area. Despite the economic importance of this species and the decreases in catches in the area in recent years, few studies have provided significant insight into the environmental conditions driving shrimp distribution. We therefore measured daily A. antennatus catches over the course of an entire year and analyzed this time series in terms of daily average temperature, salinity, mean kinetic energy (MKE), and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) values using generalized additive models and decision trees. A. antennatus was captured between 600 and 900 m in the Blanes canyon, depths that include Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) and the underlying Western Mediterranean Deep Water (WMDW). The greatest catches were associated with relatively salty waters (38.5–38.6), low MKE values (6 and 9 cm² s⁻²) and moderate EKE values (10 and 20 cm² s⁻²). Deep-water rose shrimp occurrence appears to be driven in a non-linear manner by environmental conditions including local temperature. A. antennatus appears to prefer relatively salty (LIW) waters and low currents (MKE) with moderate variability (EKE).     

The impact of overfishing and El Niño on the condition factor and reproductive success of Peruvian hake, Merluccius gayi peruanus

In this study we examine physiological responses of Peruvian hake (Merluccius gayi peruanus) to changes in their population structure and physical environment during the period 1971–2004. In particular, we assess the relative investment of energy in growth and/or reproduction of small (20–35 cm) and large (35–50 cm) hake. We calculated the (i) condition (Fulton’s K), (ii) gonad and (iii) gut fullness indices for 42,761 female hakes sampled from commercial landings; these indices indicate fish somatic, reproductive and feeding condition, respectively. Using Generalized Additive Models we then examined potential relationships between these indices and sea surface temperature anomalies and date. Drastic energy exhaustion and a decrease in female hake fecundity were observed during El Niño events. The long-term trend showed a general increase in condition factor and a decrease in gonad index for large hake between 1971 and 2004. Small hake exhibited a different trend with an increase in reproductive activity, which was accompanied by an earlier maturation. We hypothesise that the observed low investment of energy in reproduction by large female hake might be related to the lack of large males, due to a sex-selective fishery and the impact of El Niño. We suggest that fishing diminished hake reproductive capacity, modified the sex ratio in favour of females and increased population vulnerability to environmental stress, in particular to the El Niño. The impact of multidecadal variability and predators like the squid, Dosidicus gigas, remain unresolved until longer time series become available.     

Dioxin compounds in the deep-sea rose shrimp Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) throughout the Mediterranean Sea

Polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs) are among the more toxic anthropogenic contaminants. They are fat-soluble and accumulate in animal tissues. Exposure to PCDD/Fs can cause several endocrine, reproductive and developmental problems in animals, including human beings. Several studies have demonstrated that fish and invertebrates living in association with sediments are exposed to and accumulate contaminants, but to date there have been no studies of PCDD/Fs contamination in deep-sea regions. Specimens of Aristeus antennatus (Risso, 1816) were collected from depths of 600–2500 m at different points in the Mediterranean Sea, from the western basin off the coast of Barcelona to the central basin off the Peloponnesian Peninsula, with otter trawl gear. Amounts of PCDD/Fs were measured in different animal tissues by high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC–HRMS). This is the first study to report the presence of PCDD/Fs in deep-sea organisms dwelling at depths below 600 m. A. antennatus presented levels of PCDD/Fs of the same order of magnitude, or slightly higher, as those found in shallow-water species (Melicertus kerathurus) with respect to land-generated contamination. This highlights the widespread distribution of these pollutants and the potential threat posed to the biodiversity of fragile and vulnerable ecosystems such as the deep-sea. PCDD/F levels detected in the edible parts (muscle) of the commercial shrimp A. antennatus were clearly below the toxic limit value established by European legislation. Levels followed the trend muscle<ovary<hepatopancreas, according to the lipid content of the organs in question. The specific profile of toxic PCDD/F congeners in the studied Penaeid shrimp specimens was characterized mainly by octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) congeners. Moreover, non 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners bioaccumulated in this species, as observed in shallow-water crustaceans. PCDD/Fs were found in the shrimp A. antennatus throughout the Mediterranean Sea. Total PCDD/Fs burdens were higher in shrimps caught in the western Mediterranean than in those caught at eastern Mediterranean sites. There was a tendency for higher levels of PCDD/F contamination in samples obtained from deeper (2500 m) than from shallower sites (600 m).     

Use of submerged aquatic vegetation as habitat by young-of-the-year epibenthic fishes in shallow Maine nearshore waters

Epibenthic fishes were collected with daytime beam trawl tows (n = 1713) in three shallow (<10 m) habitats of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), Zostera marina (eelgrass), Laminaria longicruris (kelp), Phyllophora sp. (algae), and unvegetated sandy/mud areas. We divided the Maine coast into three broad zones based upon geological features and sampled over five consecutive years; during April–November 2000 in the mid coast, in 2001 and 2002 along the south coast and in 2003 and 2004 along the eastern Maine coast. We quantified habitat use by eight economically important fish species (Gadus morhua, Microgadus tomcod, Pollachius virens, Urophycis chuss, Urophycis tenuis, Osmerus mordax, Tautogolabrus adspersus, and Pseudopleuronectes americanus) and 10 other common epibenthic species (n = 18 571). We identified the physical and biological variables most important in discriminating between habitats with and without individual fish species. Logistic regression models based on nearshore habitat characteristics were developed to predict the distribution of these species along the three zones representing broad geological regions of the Maine coast. Logistic regression models correctly classified individual fish species 58.7–97.1% of the time based on the temporal and physical habitat variables (month, temperature, salinity, and depth) and the presence–absence of submerged aquatic vegetation (Zostera, Laminaria, or Phyllophora). Overall fish presence and economically important fish presence were correctly classified 61.1–79.8% and 66.0–73.6% of the time, respectively. The Maine shallow water fish community was composed primarily of young-of-the-year and juvenile fishes with all habitats functioning as facultative nursery areas. Presence of most fish species was positively associated with Zostera, Laminaria, and to a lesser extent, Phyllophora. This study provides direct evidence of shallow waters of the Gulf of Maine as critical facultative nursery habitat for juvenile G. morhua, M. tomcod, P. virens, U. tenuis, U. chuss, T. adspersus, O. mordax and P. americanus, and many ecologically important species.     

凡纳滨对虾4种血蓝蛋白亚型的特征分析

血蓝蛋白是对虾体内的氧运输蛋白,占血浆中蛋白含量的95%以上.研究表明,它参与了许多生理功能,包括蛋白储运,渗透压调节,蜕皮过程以及骨架形成等等.近年来的研究表明,血蓝蛋白还参与了对虾的先天性免疫反应,具有酚氧化酶,抗菌肽、抗病毒等相关生物活性.本研究从凡纳滨对虾中克隆获得了血蓝蛋白L亚基LvHcL,并对其基因组织结构进行了分析.该基因具有丰富的多态性,含有多个SNP位点.研究中发现该基因亚基至少存在4种亚型,其中一种亚型缺失第二个外显子,仅含有2个外显子.对各个亚型的转录水平分析表明,抗病对虾在病毒感染刺激下,各个亚型的转录水平均会被诱导提高.而普通对虾在病毒感染刺激下,各个亚型的转录水平则被抑制.研究结果表明,血蓝蛋白参与了对虾的抗病毒免疫反应.这些结果不仅有助于深入了解对虾血蓝蛋白的免疫学特点,也有助于促进对无脊椎动物抗病毒免疫机制的认识.     

矛尾复虾虎鱼溃疡病病原创伤弧菌的鉴定

2009年8月江苏连云港赣榆县多家虾蟹养殖塘混养的矛尾复虾虎鱼（砂nechogobius hasta）大量死亡．从病鱼深层溃烂组织及肝脏中分离出大量优势生长的细菌,人工感染试验证明分离菌对虾虎鱼的半数致死量（LD,0）为1．63×10^6cfu／g。对分离菌进行了形态特征、理化特性和分子生物学等方面的分析。一方面．分离...     

Long term changes in Zostera meadows in the Berre lagoon (Provence, Mediterranean Sea)

The Berre lagoon (Provence, France), one of the largest Mediterranean brackish lagoons (155 km²), was occupied, at the turn of the 20th century, by extensive Zostera meadows (Zostera marina and probably Zostera noltii; perhaps over 6000 ha). Subsequently, the lagoon was disturbed by urban and industrial pollution and, from 1966, by the diversion of the Durance River. This resulted in a 10–49-fold and 8–31-fold increase of the freshwater and silt inputs, respectively. By means of digital analysis of aerial photographs for the years 1944, 1992, 1998 and 2004, coupled with ground truth for the last three dates, we mapped the Zostera meadows. The replacement of Z. marina by Z. noltii, the latter species being already dominant in the 1970s, was completed in 1990. In parallel to this substitution, the Zostera beds underwent a dramatic decline. Their depth limit, which was (6–9) m in the early 20th century, withdrew to 3.5, 3, 1 and less than 1 m by 1944, the 1970s, 1992 and 1998, respectively. Since 1998, Zostera must be considered as functionally extinct. The total surface area of Zostera meadows was of the order of 1.5 ha in 2004. In an attempt to alleviate disturbance, the input of freshwater and silt from the Durance River was significantly reduced from the early 1980s and 1990s respectively. Similarly, from the 1970s to the 1990s, urban and domestic pollution was drastically reduced. Despite these steps, Zostera meadows continued to shrink to near extinction. The lagoon has shifted from a system dominated by seagrass beds to a system with bare silt bottoms, which now occupy most of the lagoon. The reasons could be, in addition to continuing nutrient inputs, the resuspension of silt, no longer trapped under the seagrass canopy, during wind episodes, which are frequent in the area, and/or the release of nutrients from the bare silt habitat, which would constitute an indication of a possible hysteresis of the system. However, since 2000, the establishment of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a drop in turbidity and a slight, inconspicuous progression of Z. noltii could be the harbinger of a reverse shift of the system.