Stomach pH,feeding rhythm and ingestion rate in Oreochromis niloticus L. (Pisces: Cichlidae) in Lake Awasa,Ethiopia

Fish were caught in February and October, 1985 with gill and trawl nets at different time intervals. The length and weight of the fish, the stomach pH and the weight of the stomach contents were determined. The feeding pattern of O. niloticus was observed to have a diel rhythm. The stomach became more acidic towards the afternoon and most of the evening. The pH of the stomach had a significant regression on stomach fullness. The feeding rate of O. niloticus in Lake Awasa was estimated from daily feeding periodicity and rate of gastric evacuation. The fish ingests 11.5% of their wet body weight daily at an average water temperature of 21.5 °C. It is believed that the fish ingests and assimilates adequate supply of energy (9.1 KJ/day) for growth, maintenance and other energy requiring activities of the fish.     

Observations on limnological conditions associated with a fish kill of Oreochromis niloticus in Lake Chivero following collapse of an algal bloom

Possible causes of deaths of Oreochromis niloticus in Lake Chivero were examined in relation to changes in limnological conditions monitored over a 25‐month period. The fish deaths coincided with the collapse of an algal bloom that had developed and builtup in the lake for 8 months. Chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen increased to average concentrations of 42.4 μg l^?1 and 10.9 mg l^?1 respectively prior to the collapse of the bloom. Dissolved oxygen decreased when the bloom started to die off and coincided with the fish deaths when the average surface dissolved oxygen concentration in the lake was 3.9 mg l^?1 and was at a depth of 5 m <2 mg l^?1. Mortality probably resulted from depressed oxygen levels caused by the high oxygen demand from the massive algal die‐off and released algal toxins. This is the first time that die‐off of algae has been linked to fish‐kills in Lake Chivero as occurs in other hypereutrophic systems.     

Otolith microstructure pattern in Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

The microstructure of otoliths from young and old Oreochromis niloticus (L.) were studied. Otoliths were prepared histologically except for those from newly hatched fish. Hatching results in the formation of a check in the otoliths, which appeared 1 day later. Other checks are rare in juvenile otoliths but common in adult otoliths. Faint and non-daily increments were observed within the hatching check. After hatching, increments were deposited daily. Sub-daily increments were faint and narrow, they were present in the area along the dorso-ventral axis of the otolith but did not continue into the lateral region. Discontinuous zones in the medial area appeared different from those in the lateral area. New growth centres were not only found in the juvenile fish otoliths, but also in adult fish otoliths.     

Digestive efficiency and nutrient composition gradient in the gut of Oreochromis niloticus L. in Lake Awasa, Ethiopia

Assimilation efficiencies were measured by comparing the amount of nutrient in the food and faeces of fish from the natural environment. The comparison of nutrients was made in relation to reference markers: ash, hydrolysis-resistant ash (HRA) and hydrolysis-resistant organic matter (HROM). Assimilation efficiencies of nutrients computed using ash and HRA as reference markers were significantly ( P < 0.05) lower than those measured with HROM; digestibility estimates of protein were the least influenced by the type of marker used. Generally, HROM appears to be the most suitable reference marker for a digestibility study in an herbivorous fish such as Oreochromis niloticus .
Nutrient composition gradient examined by analysis of stomach, intestinal and rectal contents showed that digestion of all nutrients was completed when the food passed two-thirds of the way through the length of the intestine. Most of the nutrients were significantly ( P < 0.05) affected by the processes of digestion and assimilation in different sections of the gut, and a decline in the quantity of nutrients was obvious towards the rectum.     

尼罗罗非鱼Orexin前体基因的克隆、组织分布及其在摄食调控中的表达

该文采用RT-PCR和cDNA末端快速扩增技术(rapid-amplification of cDNA ends,RACE)的方法,从尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)下丘脑总RNA中获得了尼罗罗非鱼Orexin前体基因的cDNA全长序列。该cDNA全长648bp,其中开放阅读框的长423bp,编码Orexin前体蛋白为140个氨基酸,包括37个氨基酸的信号肽、43个氨基酸的Orexin-A、28个氨基酸的Orexin-B和末尾32个氨基酸组成的功能不详的多肽。采用Real-time PCR技术对尼罗罗非鱼Orexin前体基因的组织表达模式以及在摄食前后、饥饿和再投喂状态下的表达量变化进行了研究。结果显示,在脑部和外周等18个组织中都检测到了Orexin前体基因的表达,其中在下丘脑中表达量最高;在摄食前后,尼罗罗非鱼Orexin前体基因的表达量显著低于在摄食状态中;饥饿2、4、6和8d后,Orexin前体基因在下丘脑中的表达量与正常投喂组相比均显著升高,饥饿4d再投喂后,表达量又恢复至正常水平。这些结果表明,Orexin在尼罗罗非鱼摄食中可能有着重要的调节作用。     

Trace metal speciation in a wastewater wetland and its bioaccumulation in tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

Trace metal species in the water column of a canal system forming a wetland filled with wastewater were analyzed to determine their correlation with metal accumulation in the gills of locally fished Oreochromis niloticus. The metal concentrations in the suspended particles and water dissolved were analyzed. The metal species were calculated using Windermere Humic Aqueous Model version VII showing that the high organic matter and major cation contents were important parameters. Also, the free ion metal concentration was expected to correlate with the organic matter aromaticity; however, organic compounds other than humic susbtances seem to be complexing the metals in the system. Additionally, no clear correlation could be found between metal accumulation in gills and any of the dissolved metal species. Nonetheless, certain trends could be seen between the calculated metal species and metal accumulation in the tilapia from the suspended particles.     

Physical mapping of the brain and ovarian aromatase genes in the Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus,by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Cytochrome P450-aromatase enzyme (CYP19), which catalyses the conversion of androgens to oestrogens, is critical in ovarian differentiation and hence in the sex differentiation pathways of non-mammalian vertebrates. As in other fish species, distinct ovarian and brain aromatase genes have been identified in the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Here we demonstrate by in situ hybridization that the two aromatase genes of this species are present on different chromosomes and that neither are located on the sex chromosomes. Hence, the aromatase genes are not the primary sex determination genes in O. niloticus.     

Mortality rates of Lates niloticus,L. in Lake Nasser

Landings of Lates niloticus from Lake Nasser belonged to age groups I–VII, with II–III predominent. Mortality rate, as computed by two different methods, ranges around 75%. Turbid flood water did not reach Lake Nasser in 1972, and this fact may be responsible for the decline in the commercial catch from 1972 to 1973.     

Protein intensity changes in the hemoglobin and plasma electrophoretic patterns of Oreochromis niloticus in response to single and combined Zn and Cd exposure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metals on the electrophoretic patterns of hemoglobin and blood plasma proteins of Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were exposed to 0.5 and 5.0 mg/L Zn, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L Cd, and 0.5 mg/L Zn + 0.1 mg/L Cd, and 5.0 mg/L Zn + 1.0 mg/L Cd mixtures for 7 and 28 days. In all concentrations tested, electrophoretic pattern of hemoglobin and plasma proteins by cellulose acetate electrophoresis consist of three and eight bands, respectively. The three bands for hemoglobin are one cathodic (Hb1) and two anodic (Hb2 and Hb3) bands. The protein intensity in hemoglobins of fish following Zn, Cd, and Zn + Cd exposures decreased in Hb1, whereas it increased in Hb3. The eight bands for plasma proteins are 60, 78, 87, and 94 kDA high molecular weight proteins (HMP) for four bands and 120, 132, 176, and 273 kDA very high molecular weight proteins (VHMP) for four bands. The level of 60, 78, and 94 kDA HMP and 120, 132, and 176 kDA VHMP increased in response to single and combined Zn and Cd exposure. Also, there was increasing level of the metals in the whole blood with increasing concentrations of metals in the exposure medium and with increasing duration of exposure.     

尼罗罗非鱼和萨罗罗非鱼遗传生殖隔离的初步证据(英文)

罗非鱼类(Tilapiini)含3个属70余种,种间和属间颇易人工杂交,但尼罗罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)和萨罗罗非鱼(Sarotherodon melanotheron)人工杂交难度大,产苗概率甚低,要获得数量足够的可用于生产的杂交子代相当困难。该文对这两种鱼及其正交(O.niloticus♀×S.melanotheron♂)和反交(S.melanotheron♀×O.niloticus♂)子代的头肾细胞的核型进行了比较。此外,采用同工酶电泳方法检测肾、肝、眼、肌肉、心中乳酸脱氢酶等4种同工酶的表型差异。4种遗传型罗非鱼具有相同的染色体二倍数(2n=44)和总臂数(NF=50),但各具不同的染色体类型,尼罗罗非鱼为3对近中着丝点染色体(sm)、12对近端着丝点染色体(st)和7对端着丝点染色体(t);萨罗罗非鱼为1对中间着丝点染色体(m)、2对sm、12对st和7对t;正反杂交子代表现为介于双亲之间的混合类型,为0.5对m、2.5对sm、12对st和7对t。在同工酶中,仅见肾脏乳酸脱氢酶电泳结果有清晰差异,尼罗罗非鱼出现5条谱带,萨罗罗非鱼3条,而杂交子代6条,且所有谱带的迁移率和活性均表现出多态性。据此初步认为,核型和同工酶方面的差异可能是导致这两种不同属罗非鱼生殖隔离的遗传原因,这些差异也可能为这两种(属)鱼的分类学提供新的遗传背景资料。     

Homogeneously sized groups increase aggressive interaction and affect social stress in Thai strain Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Social fish raised in farms are usually kept in groups of similar-sized individuals. However, social animals of similar size typically have similar fighting ability, which increases aggressive interaction for social rank establishment, as well as social stress. We compared Thai strain Nile tilapia fish, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), held under two treatments: (1) The Homogeneous one, with five adult male fish of similar size and (2) the Heterogeneous treatment with five adult males of different sizes. We recorded the frequency of aggressive interactions and checked social stability and stress levels (cortisol) after five days in the groups. Grouping similar sized Thai Nile tilapia increased the aggressive interactions and delayed rank stability with increased body injuries as a consequence. Homogeneous-sized individuals showed a similar level of stress while heterogeneous-sized individuals showed different stress levels with dominants being more stressed than subordinates. The data indicate that the practice of selecting fish of similar size in aquaculture management could reduce the welfare of social fish and that the effect is observed in different lineages.     

The diet of Oreochromis lidole (Trewavas) and other chambo species in Lakes Malaŵi and Malombe

Oreochromis lidole (Trewavas) is a member of a flock of tilapünes endemic to the Lake Mala% catchment area, of which it is considered to be the most pelagic and planktivorous species. Analysis of the stomach contents of adults from the South East Arm of Lake Malaŵ, from fish caught by both the offshore trawl fishery, and the inshore gillnet fishery, indicates a very narrow dietary breadth, dominated by the filamentous diatom Melosira . The presence of quantities of sand in the stomach indicates that at least some of the food is obtained from sediment feeding. During the breeding season, in November, brooding female O. lidole caught in shallow water exhibited a much broader diet, resembling the more inshore species O. squarnipinnis (Gunther) and O. karongae (Trewavas), with a higher proportion of filamentous chlorophytes and a large amount of sand. Juvenile chambo initially feed mainly on epilithic and epiphytic algae, turning more to plankton and sediment at larger sizes. In general, the different Oreochromiv spp. Caught in the same place at the same time have very similar diets, suggesting that any avoidance of competition for food resources results from habitat partitioning.     

The breeding season of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L. in Lake Awassa (Ethiopian rift valley)

The breeding season of Oreochromis niloticus in Lake Awassa was studied from fish caught monthly from December 1987 to November 1988 in relation to a number of environmental factors. Fish at various stages of gonad development and spawning were caught in almost all months, but breeding fish were more frequent twice a year: main peak occurred during January–March and a secondary one occurred during July–September. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) values peaked twice in the study year, a major peak being during January–March and a less pronounced one during July–September. Thus, it was concluded that O. niloticus in Lake Awassa breeds intensively in the former and less intensively during the latter period, and that some breeding occurs at any time of the year. Intensive breeding activity during January–March appeared associated with increase in solar radiation and sunshine hours d^–1 whereas that during July–September appeared associated with heavy rainfall. However, intensive breeding in both periods coincided with increase in phytoplankton biomass. Previously, phytoplankton biomass in this lake is shown to increase following increase in nutrients due to mixing- and rainfall-associated changes in the hydrography and hydrology of the lake. Thus, although further studies are required, increase in phytoplankton may be one of the environmental cues to stimulate spawning in O. niloticus in Lake Awassa whereas other factors such as sunshine and rainfall may have indirect roles through their effects on the hydrology and hydrography of the lake ultimately resulting in changes in phytoplankton biomass.     

酸碱胁迫对不同体质量尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼能量代谢的影响

利用6×3析因试验设计,设置6组pH(5.0、6.0、7.0、8.0、9.0和10.0)和3组体质量(1.02、5.13和10.31 9),在试验室条件下研究了酸碱胁迫对不同体质量尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的呼吸、排泄、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和Na+-K+ATPase活力的影响.结果表明:尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率随pH值的升高先上升后下降,在pH7.0～8.0时达到最高值.耗氧量与排氨量随体质量的增加而增加并呈幂函数相关.体质量的一次和pH的一次、二次效应对尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率有极显著的影响(P＜0.0l);体质量与pH之间无互作效应(P＞0.05);建立了pH与体质量对耗氧率、排氨率之间的回归方程,决定系数分别达到0.942和0.936;体质量对氧氮比(O:N)值有显著影响(P＜0.01),酸碱胁迫使尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的能源物质利用模式发生改变.高pH条件不利于LDH活力的增加,但有利于Na+-K+ ATPase活力的上升,pH的一次和二次效应对酶活有极显著影响(P＜0.01),体质量对Na+-K+ ATPase活力没有显著影响,且pH与体质量对酶活无互作效应(P＞0.05).     

Growth parameters and total mortality in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) from Nyanza Gulf,Lake Victoria

Length-frequency data collected from fish landings in the Kenya waters of Lake Victoria were used to estimate the growth parameters, total mortality rate and growth performance index in Oreochromis niloticus. The asymptotic length, (L _∞) and the ratio of the total mortality rate (Z) to the growth constant (K), were estimated to be 64.6 cm and 3.219 respectively. K was 0.254 y^-1, Z was 0.818 y^-1 and the growth performance index θ′ = Log₁₀ K + 2 log₁₀ L∞ = 3.025, which is rather high as compared to other tilapia populations in natural waters.     

Lymphoid apoptosis in Edwardsiella tarda septicemia in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The present study revealed a relationship between the kinetic change of apoptosis and the inflammatory response during experimental intraperitoneal infection with Edwardsiella tarda as a septicemic model. The morphological changes of apoptotic cells including cellular shrinkage, condensed nuclear chromatin, nuclear fragmentation and membrane blebbing were detected by light and transmission electron microscopy. TUNEL and agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed the fragmentation of DNA in the apoptotic cells. Apoptosis was highly detected in lymphoid organs prior to the inflammatory process and gradually decreased after an extensive inflammatory response. Apoptosis in thymus and spleen was extensive and an in vitro study revealed that lymphocytes were the major cell population which underwent apoptosis. The result suggests that E. tarda-induced systemic immunosuppression via lymphocyte apoptosis as determined by suppression of the systemic inflammatory response during an initial step of generalized septicemia.     

应用RAPD技术分析奥利亚罗非鱼和尼罗罗非鱼的基因多态性(英文)

以随机扩增多态ＤＮＡ技术（ＲＡＰＤ）分析了奥利亚罗非鱼和尼罗罗非鱼两个养殖群体的群体内及群体间遗传关系,并探讨了该技术在种群鉴定中的应用。ＲＡＰＤ引物筛选结果表明,所测试的２０个随机引物中（Ｔａｂｌｅ　１）,除一个引物未扩增出任何片段外,其余１９个引物均扩增出１～１１个大小不等的片段,长度大部分在５００～３０００ｂｐ之间,共扩增出２２０个片段,平均每个引物产生５．５个片段。两群体间共有片段７０条,大部分引物的扩增产物具有种间多态性,种群间相似系数为０．７２７。以筛选的引物对两种群不同个体（Ｆｉｇ．１,Ｔａｂｌｅ２）及种群混合样品（Ｆｉｇ．２,Ｔａｂｌｅ３）进行ＲＡＰＤ分析。结果表明,不同引物在扩增图谱上表现很大差异。奥利亚罗非鱼不同个体间表现为一致的扩增图谱,种内相似系数达１０００,显示了其种群内遗传变异的缺乏;尼罗罗非鱼种内相似系数为０．８２７,个体间存在不同程度的多态性;两个种群间的相似系数分别为０．７６７和０．７４２,表明种间有较高的同源性,遗传距离为０．２３５,略低于国外的报道、此外,两个养殖群体间的扩增图谱比较也暗示了遗传渐渗现象的存在。实验表明,ＲＡＰＤ标记可以作为一种可靠的遗传标记,用于不同鱼     

Fine structure of chloride cells in freshwater- and seawater-adapted Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) and Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

Ultrastructural features of branchial chloride cells in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus) and O. mossambicus (Peters) adapted to both fresh water and sea water were compdred. In freshwater adapted fish of both species chloride cells showed similar morphological features. Multicellular complexes made of a mature chloride cell and one or more accessory cells sharing a single apical crypt have been observed. Whereas high percentages of 0. mossambicus survived at maximum salinity only a few individuals of 0. niloticus showed the capacity to adapt to sea water. In the seawater-adapted individuals of 0. niloficus and 0. rnossambicus the chloride cells showed a two- and three-fold increase in sizei. respectively. Most chloride cells are organized in large multi-cellular complcxcs with apical interdigitations of accessory cells and 'leaky junctions'. These results indicate that the difference in euryhalinity of the species studied is related to functional rather than structural differences.     

The blood-testis barrier and its breakdown following immunization to testis material in the Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Summary The blood-testis barrier and its changes following immunization to testis material, were investigated by light- and electron microscopy in a teleost fish, the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, using horseradish peroxidase and bovine serum albumin as tracers. In the normal testis, histochemistry using horseradish peroxidase revealed that a barrier composed of junctional complexes connecting adjacent Sertoli cells existed around the central lumina of the seminal lobules, and also around the germ-cell cysts containing spermatids at the middle or late phase of chromatin condensation. By contrast, bovine serum albumin was prevented from passing through the basement membrane and could not penetrate any of the spermatogenetic cysts, indicating that the basement membrane may be an ion-selective barrier. In tilapia immunized with allogeneic testis homogenate emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant, bovine serum albumin could penetrate the spermatogenetic cysts, and horseradish peroxidase was able to pass through the intercellular spaces between Sertoli cells to the region nearer the seminal lobule lumen, due to the junctional complexes becoming loosened. The results suggest that the blood-testis barrier, both junctional complexes and the basement membrane, are broken down during immune responses.     

Muscle growth in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): histochemical,ultrastructural and morphometric study

Muscle growth in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was studied focusing on histochemical, ultrastructural, and morphometric characteristics of muscle fibers. Based on body length (cm), we studied four groups: G1=1.36+/-0.09, G2=3.38+/-0.44, G3=8.90+/-1.47, and G4=28.30+/-3.29 (mean+/-S.D.). All groups showed intense reaction to NADH-TR in subdermal fibers and weak or no reaction in deep layer fibers. In G3 and G4, an intermediate layer was also observed with fibers presenting weak reaction; in G4, groups of fibers with intense reaction were observed in the subdermal region. The myosin ATPase (m-ATPase) activities were acid-stable and alkali-labile in subdermal fibers; most deep layer fibers were alkali-stable and acid-labile. Intermediate fibers were acid-labile and alkali-stable. Two fiber populations were observed near deep muscle layer: one large presenting weak acid- and alkali-stable and the other small alkali-stable.During growth, muscle fiber hypertrophy was more evident in intermediate and white fibers for G3 and G4. However, in these groups, the presence of fiber diameters < or =21 microm suggested that there is still substantial fiber recruitment, confirmed by ultrastructural study, but hypertrophy is the main mechanism contributing to increase in muscular mass.