水环境中不同Ca~(2+)浓度对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)幼鱼生存生长的影响

作为典型的盐碱湖泊,青海湖水钙离子浓度仅为同盐度海水的1/10。本试验采用单因子静态急性毒性和室内生长试验方法,研究了不同Ca2+浓度对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)幼鱼生存和生长的影响,以期了解适宜青海湖裸鲤幼鱼生长的钙离子浓度范围。结果表明:在Ca2+浓度为0~2431.10 mg·L-1(约为同盐度海水值的0~20倍)水体中,96 h内青海湖裸鲤幼鱼100%存活;在为期60 d的生长试验中,高Ca2+浓度组(1246.02±9.83)mg·L-1与低Ca2+浓度组(10.83±0.11)mg·L-1青海湖裸鲤幼鱼存活率均在95%以上,而体长、体重、体长绝对生长率、体重绝对生长率和特定生长率均显著低于对照组(120.65±1.62)mg·L-1(P0.05),各指标的排列顺序依次为:高Ca2+浓度组低Ca2+浓度组对照组,高Ca2+浓度组的特定生长率仅为对照组的54.62%。综上所述,青海湖裸鲤幼鱼可耐受的Ca2+范围较广,但过低或过高的Ca2+浓度均会导致青海湖裸鲤生长缓慢,且高Ca2+浓度抑制效果更为明显。     

盐度对日本鳗鲡(Anguilla japonica)渗透压调节的影响

以日本鳗鲡(505.1±35.7)g为实验对象,分别在淡水(盐度0)、盐度10和盐度33条件下处理14 d,在0、1、4、12、24、96 h和14 d时测定其血清渗透压、离子(Na+、K+、Cl-)浓度和鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力指标。结果表明:日本鳗鲡血清等渗点为329.1 m Osm·kg-1,其对应盐度为10.48;随着处理时间延长,盐度处理组血清渗透压、Na+和Cl-浓度均呈现先上升后下降的趋势;血清K+浓度受盐度影响较小(P0.05);盐度10处理组鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力于12 h达到最小值(5.40±0.72)μmol·mg-1·h-1,至96 h时恢复至淡水组水平(P0.05);而盐度33处理组鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力则表现为先快速下降,后快速上升,并于24 h达到最大值(13.05±0.62)μmol·mg-1·h-1,约为淡水组的1.5倍(P0.05)。日本鳗鲡的渗透压调节可初步分为3个阶段:(1)快速升高期,血清渗透压、Na+和Cl-浓度异常升高,鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力受到抑制;(2)缓慢升高期,鱼体补偿失水以缓解渗透压升高,血清渗透压、Na+和Cl-浓度表现为缓慢升高,鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶被激活;(3)适应期,鳃Na+/K+-ATP酶活力处于较高水平,血清渗透压、离子浓度基本恢复。     

溶解氧水平对青海湖裸鲤体肾组织结构及抗氧化酶活性的影响

为研究溶解氧水平对青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)体肾组织结构及抗氧化酶活性的影响, 选择平均体重为(97.68±0.12) g 的青海湖裸鲤, 随机分为三组: 中度低氧组(3.0±0.1) mg/L、重度低氧组(0.7±0.1) mg/L和常氧组(8.4±0.1) mg/L, 于低氧胁迫8h和24h, 观察体肾显微结构和线粒体超微结构并检测线粒体膜电位及抗氧化酶活性。结果显示, 中度和重度低氧胁迫对体肾显微结构和线粒体超微结构未造成损伤, 但中度和重度低氧胁迫24h时体肾杆状线粒体比例增加(P<0.05), 且中度和重度低氧胁迫使体肾线粒体膜电位降低(P<0.05)。中度低氧胁迫对体肾超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和过氧化氢(H₂O₂)含量无影响(P>0.05), 但重度低氧胁迫使SOD活性和H₂O₂含量增加(P<0.05)。中度和重度低氧胁迫使体肾总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)和丙二醛(MDA)含量增加(P<0.05)。推测为适应不同低氧环境, 青海湖裸鲤体肾在线粒体形态和相关抗氧化酶活性方面做出适应性调整。研究结果为揭示青海湖裸鲤低氧适应机制提供了一定的理论依据。     

水环境中不同浓度K+、Ca2+对大鳞鲃幼鱼存活率、耗氧率和窒息点的影响

通过单因子静态急性毒性试验和呼吸生理试验,研究了盐度10的水体中不同K+、Ca2+浓度对大鳞鲃(Barbus capito)幼鱼存活率、耗氧率和窒息点的影响.结果表明:在K+浓度3.78 ～ 435.30 mg-L-1(对照组为117.55 mg· L-1)和Ca2+浓度11.01 ～ 1535.90 mg·L-1(对照组为116.59 mg· L-1)水质条件下,大鳞鲃幼鱼存活率均为100％.96 h高浓度K+的LC50为515.01 mg· L-1,低浓度Ca2+的LC50为5.47 mg·L-1.在耗氧率和窒息点试验中,低浓度K+组[(3.75±0.17) mg·L-1]大鳞鲃幼鱼在整个试验过程中的耗氧率和窒息点均未出现显著性变化(P＞0.05);高浓度K+组[(451.67±10.23) mg· L-1]耗氧率在前48 h未出现显著性变化(P＞0.05),72和96 h与对照组[(115.29±0.68) mg·L-1]相比,耗氧率显著提高(P＜0.05);临界窒息点和绝对窒息点与对照组相比均显著升高(P＜0.05).Ca2+试验中,高Ca2+组[(1290.10±15.75) mg·L-1]和低Ca2+组[(8.87±0.34) mg·L-1]表现为相同趋势,即前24 h时高浓度Ca2+组和低浓度Ca2+组耗氧率均比对照组[(117.57±1.68) mg·L-1]有显著升高(P＜0.05),48 h后,高浓度Ca2+组和低浓度Ca2+组耗氧率恢复到对照组水平并持续至96 h试验结束.无论低浓度Ca2+组还是高浓度Ca2+组,大鳞鲃幼鱼的临界窒息点与绝对窒息点都显著升高(P＜0.05).综上所述,大鳞鲃幼鱼对水体中K+、Ca2+具有较强的耐受性,尤其是低浓度K+和高浓度Ca2+.     

急性盐度胁迫对军曹鱼稚鱼渗透压调节的影响

研究了环境盐度急性胁迫对军曹鱼(Rachycentron canadum)稚鱼鳃Na⁺-K⁺ATPase(NKA)活性及血清渗透压、Na⁺、K⁺和Cl^-离子调节的影响.结果表明:将稚鱼从盐度37中直接转移至盐度0、5、15、25、37（对照）和45的水体中,12 h后仅盐度0处理出现死亡(死亡率100％).各处理鳃NKA活性和血清渗透压在最初3 h内出现一定波动,随后变化平稳.试验结束时(12 h), NKA活性与盐度梯度呈“U”型分布,盐度5处理酶活性显著高于其它处理(P<0.05),盐度15处理活性最低,而各处理的血清渗透压大小(293～399 mOsmol·kg^-1)与盐度呈正相关;在3～12 h内稚鱼血清Na⁺和Cl^-浓度随盐度升高而升高,但增幅较小,血清K⁺浓度则与盐度呈负相关;12 h稚鱼的等渗点为328.2 mOsm·kg^-1,相当于盐度11.48,而Na⁺、K⁺和Cl^-等离子点分别为155.2、6.16和137.1 mmol·L^-1,分别相当于盐度10.68、20.44及8.41.军曹鱼在生理上具有广盐性鱼类的“低渗环境高NKA活性”特征,有较强及迅速的渗透压和离子调节与平衡能力.     

NaCl胁迫对白刺试管苗渗透调节物质及离子含量的影响

以西伯利亚白刺试管苗为材料,通过组织培养法研究了其在0、25、50、100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl 胁迫40 d后的生长指标、有机渗透调节物质含量和Na+、K+、Ca2+、Mg2+离子含量的变化,以探讨其耐盐性.结果表明:(1)白刺试管苗地上部干重和根干重在50 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下显著高于对照,而在100和200 mmol·L-1 NaCl胁迫下均显著低于对照.(2)随NaCl胁迫浓度增加,白刺试管苗叶片可溶性糖、脯氨酸含量和细胞质膜透性均呈持续上升趋势,叶片叶绿素含量和丙二醛含量分别呈先升后降、先降后升的趋势,并在50 mmol·L-1 NaCl处理时分别达到最高值和最低值.(3)随着NaCl处理浓度增加,白刺试管苗Na+含量和根系K+含量呈增加趋势且各处理均显著高于对照,幼苗Ca2+含量和地上部K+含量却呈减少趋势,而Mg2+含量较稳定;同时其Na+/K+ 、Na+/Ca2+和Na+/Mg2+随NaCl处理浓度增加而升高.研究发现,在低盐浓度(≤50 mmol·L-1NaCl)胁迫下,白刺试管苗能积累Na+离子和有机渗透调节物质,在根系中维持较高水平的K+和Ca2+含量以及较低水平的Na+/K+和Na+/Ca2+比,以降低白刺细胞渗透势来适应盐渍环境,从而保持其较高的生长水平.     

水体中铜对中华鲟幼鱼血液生化指标的影响

通过检测中华鲟在不同铜离子浓度的水体中暴露60d后血液生化指标,研究Cu2+对幼鱼血浆生化成分和离子含量变化的影响及致毒效应.结果表明:中华鲟幼鱼血浆中血糖( Glu)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、尿素(Urea)、胆固醇(TC)、肌酐(CREA)含量随Cu2+浓度的增加而升高,低浓度组(0.40 μg· L-1)ALP含量与对照组有显著性差异(P＜0.05),Glu、Urea、TC、CREA含量无显著性差异;中浓度组(0.89 μg· L-1)和高浓度组(2.00 μg·L-1)含量与对照组均有显著性差异(P＜0.05).甘油三酯(TG)随着Cu2+浓度的增加而下降,低浓度组与对照组无显著性差异;中、高浓度组与对照组有显著差异(P＜0.05),总蛋白(TP)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH-L)不受Cu2+的影响.Na+、Cl-、P含量和pH值随Cu2+浓度的增加而显著下降,Ca2+、Mg2+显著上升,其变化与Cu2+浓度存在相关性,K+含量不受Cu2+的影响.实验表明,Cu2+对中华鲟幼鱼血液生化指标的最低可观察效应浓度和最高无观察效应浓度分别为0.89和0.4 μg·L-1.血浆中ALP受Cu2+影响最明显,其含量除受Cu2+浓度影响外,随着时间的延长也显著升高,是Cu2+污染的敏感指标.     

钠盐和氯盐胁迫下胡杨木质部汁液ABA、离子浓度和叶片气体交换的变化

研究了渗透胁迫和盐胁迫下一年生胡杨(Populus euphratica Oliv.)幼苗的木质部汁液脱落酸(ABA)、离子浓度及叶片气体交换的变化.PEG 6000 (溶液渗透势 -0.24 MPa)、50 mmol/L含钠离子的盐溶液 (NaNO3∶NaHCO3∶NaH2PO4=5∶4∶1, pH 6.8, 渗透势 -0.24 MPa)和50 mmol/L含氯离子的盐溶液 (KCl∶NH4Cl=1∶1, 渗透势 -0.24 MPa) 3种处理都显著降低了苗木的净光合速率(Pn)和蒸腾速率(TRN),但盐处理植株的TRN高于PEG处理的苗木.木质部汁液ABA的浓度在PEG处理后1 h达到峰值,之后开始下降,降到对照水平后又逐渐回升.盐处理苗木的ABA也是在处理开始后就迅速升高,但之后ABA水平明显高于PEG处理的植株.结果显示,渗透胁迫和离子胁迫都能提高胡杨木质部汁液ABA的浓度: 盐处理开始后ABA的迅速升高主要是渗透胁迫的作用,而此后离子胁迫(Na+和Cl-)对ABA水平的提高具有重要作用.钠盐处理对胡杨净光合速率和蒸腾速率的抑制作用高于氯盐处理,其木质部汁液中较高水平的ABA和盐离子(Na+和Cl-)是可能的原因.钠盐处理苗木的盐离子(Na+和Cl-)水平高于氯盐处理,主要是由以下两方面的原因所致: (1)细胞膜上的Ca2+被Na+所取代, 增加了膜的透性; (2)胡杨根细胞液泡对Na+的区隔化能力较弱(与区隔Cl-相比).另外,盐胁迫下胡杨能保持对营养元素K+、Ca2+和Mg2+的吸收,这也是其抗盐性强的重要原因.     

低氧胁迫对青海湖裸鲤端脑抗氧化酶活性、细胞凋亡及相关基因表达的影响

为研究青海湖裸鲤(Gymnocypris przewalskii)端脑在低氧胁迫下的生理响应机制,选取体重(97.68±0.12) g、体长(24.11±0.12) cm的健康青海湖裸鲤进行低氧[溶解氧含量(0.7±0.1) mg/L]胁迫,设常氧[溶解氧含量(8.4±0.1) mg/L]为对照组,分别在低氧胁迫8h和24h时采集青海湖裸鲤的端脑组织,进行脑细胞线粒体超微结构和膜电位、抗氧化酶活性、脑细胞凋亡和凋亡相关基因(Caspase 3、Bax和Bcl-2)及低氧诱导反应相关基因(Hif-2α和EGLN1)表达测定。结果显示,在低氧胁迫过程中:(1)端脑神经细胞线粒体出现肿胀、嵴溶解;线粒体膜电位在8h时显著升高, 24h时显著降低,表明随着低氧胁迫时间的延长端脑神经细胞线粒体可能受到了损伤。(2)TUNEL检测显示端脑细胞发生了凋亡,但随着低氧胁迫时间延长端脑细胞凋亡率无显著差异;qPCR显示,随着低氧胁迫时间的延长端脑细胞Caspase 3、Bax和Bcl-2基因表达水平升高; Bcl-2/Bax比值随低氧胁迫时间的延长显著降低; Hif-2α基因表达水平显著升高; EGLN...     

NaCl胁迫及钙调节对青钱柳根部组织离子分布的影响

运用X-射线微区分析法研究了NaCl胁迫及钙调节下,青钱柳〔Cyclocarya paliurus(Batal.)Iljinskaja〕幼苗根部组织中离子的浓度和分布情况。结果表明,3.0和5.0 g.L-1NaCl胁迫下,青钱柳幼苗根部各层组织中Na 和Cl-的相对含量增加,K 、Ca2 和Mg2 的相对含量降低;5.0 g.L-1NaCl胁迫下加入3.0 g.L-1Ca(NO3)2后,Na 的相对含量降低,K 的相对含量增加,Cl-的相对含量变化较小。随NaCl浓度的升高,中柱和皮层中Cl-的相对含量增高;Na 大部分沉积在皮层及表皮上;K 由皮层进入中柱的比率增大;Ca2 由表皮进入皮层的比率减少,由皮层进入中柱的比率增大。5.0 g.L-1NaCl胁迫下加入高浓度Ca(NO3)2后,Cl-的分布比率变化不明显;Na 由表皮进入皮层的比率增加,从皮层进入中柱的比率下降;K 和Ca2 的分布比率变化不明显。高浓度NaCl胁迫破坏了青钱柳幼苗根部的离子平衡,加入外源Ca(NO3)2(1.0~3.0 g.L-1)后,缓解作用不明显。     

Oxygen consumption and haematology of juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum during an acute 24 h saltwater challenge

This study focused on the acute physiological responses to saltwater exposure in juvenile shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum. In two separate laboratory experiments, 2 year‐old A. brevirostrum were exposed to either full (32) or half‐strength (16) seawater for up to 24 h. First, oxygen consumption rates were used to estimate the metabolic costs over 24 h. Secondly, blood and muscle samples were analysed at 6, 12 and 24 h for water loss, various measures of osmoregulatory status (plasma osmolality and ions) and other standard haematological variables. Juveniles exposed to full‐strength seawater showed significant decreases in oxygen consumption rates during the 24 h exposure. Furthermore, seawater‐exposed fish had significantly increased plasma osmolality, ions (Na⁺ and Cl^?) and a 17% decrease in total wet mass over the 24 h exposure period. To a lesser extent, increases in osmolality, ions and mass loss were observed in fish exposed to half‐strength seawater but no changes to oxygen consumption. Cortisol was also significantly increased in fish exposed to full‐strength seawater. While plasma protein was elevated following 24 h in full‐strength seawater, haemoglobin, haematocrit and plasma glucose levels did not change with increased salinity. These results imply an inability of juvenile A. brevirostrum to regulate water and ions in full‐strength seawater within 24 h. Nonetheless, no mortality occurred in any exposure, suggesting that juvenile A. brevirostrum can tolerate short periods in saline environments.     

Respiratory and osmoregulatory responses of the hermit crab, Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc), to salinity changes

Intertidal hermit crabs were stepwise acclimated to 10, 20, and 30‰ salinity (S) and 21 ± 1 °C. Hemolymph osmolality, sodium, chloride, and magnesium were isosmotic (isoionic) to ambient sea water at 30‰ and hyperosmotic (hyperionic) at 20 and 10‰ S, while hemolymph potassium was significantly hyperionic in all acclimation salinities. Total body water did not differ significantly at any acclimation salinity. Oxygen uptake rates were higher in summer-than winter-adapted crabs. No salinity effect on oxygen consumption occurred in winter-adapted individuals. Summer-adapted, 30‰ acclimated crabs had a significantly lower oxygen consumption rate than those acclimated 10 and 20‰ S. Crabs exposed to 30 10 30‰ and 10 30 10‰ semidiurnal (12 h) and diurnal (24.8 h) fluctuating salinity regimes showed variable osmoregulatory and respiratory responses. Hemolymph osmolality followed the osmolality of the fluctuating ambient sea water in all cases, but was regulated hyperosmotically. Hemolymph sodium, chloride, and magnesium concentrations were similar to hemolymph osmolality changes. Sodium levels fluctuated the least. Hemolymph potassium was regulated hyperionically during all fluctuation patters, but corresponded to sea water potassium only under diurnal conditions. The osmoregulatory ability of Clibanarius vittatus (Bosc) resembles that reported for several euryhaline brachyuran species. The time course of normalized oxygen consumption rate changed inversely with salinity under semidiurnal and diurnal 10 30 10‰ S fluctuations. Patterns of 30 10 30‰ S cycles had no effect on oxygen consumption rate time course changes. The average hourly oxygen consumption rates during both semidiurnal fluctuations were significantly lower than respective control rates, but no statistical difference was observed under diurnal conditions.     

Survival, osmoregulation and oxygen consumption of YOY coastal largemouth bass,Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede) exposed to saline media

The effect of salinity on survival, osmoregulation and oxygen consumption was determined on coastal young-of-the-year (YOY) largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides by exposing them to saline media of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16‰. The data indicated a decrease in survival with longer exposure time and increased salinity. There were no significant differences in plasma osmolality with increased salinity from 0 to 8‰ but osmolality was significantly greater at 12‰ than 0‰ and osmolality from 16‰ was greater than all other salinity treatments. No significant differences in hematocrits were detected between 0 and 12‰, but hematocrits in the 16‰ treatment were significantly reduced compared to all other treatments. YOYM. salmoides are good osmoregulators up to 8‰ but increased salinity caused measurable osmoregulatory dysfunction. Oxygen consumption rate increased significantly as salinity increased, suggesting that adaptation of this species to hypersaline media is in part accompanied by increased energy expenditure.     

Ontogeny of salinity tolerance and hyper-osmoregulation by embryos of the intertidal crabs Hemigrapsus edwardsii and Hemigrapsus crenulatus (Decapoda, Grapsidae): survival of acute hyposaline exposure

The adults of Hemigrapsus edwardsii and Hemigrapsus crenulatus are euryhaline crabs and strong hyper-osmoregulators. Their embryos are carried externally attached to the abdominal pleopods of female crabs, where they are exposed to temporal and spatial changes in salinity associated with their intertidal and estuarine habitats. Although embryos lack the branchial and excretory organs responsible for adult osmoregulation, post-gastrula embryos were highly tolerant of exposure to hypo-osmotic sea water. Detached eggs (embryos+envelopes), of both species, at all developmental stages between gastrulation and hatching, exhibited 80-100% survival for periods up to 96 h in sea water (osmolality, 1050 mmol kg(-1)) and in dilutions to 50%, 10%, and 1%. Cleavage stages were less tolerant of dilution; H. edwardsii, <50% survived 24 h in 10% sea water; H. crenulatus <50% survived 6 h in 10% sea water. Post-gastrulation stages strongly hyper-osmoregulated but cleavage stages were hyper-osmoconformers (maintaining internal osmolality approximately 150 mmol kg(-1) above external). Osmoregulatory capacity was reduced just prior hatching, particularly in H. crenulatus, although salinity tolerance remained high. Gastrulation therefore marks a critical stage in the ontogeny of osmoregulation and salinity tolerance. Total Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity increased greatly during embryogenesis of H. crenulatus (undetectable in blastulae; gastrulae 0.31+/-0.05 pmol P(i) embryo(-1) min(-1); pre-hatching 16.4+/-1.0 pmol P(i) embryo(-1) min(-1)). Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity increased in embryos exposed to dilute sea water for 24 h implicating regulation of this transporter in a short-term acclimation response.     

Effect of sudden salinity change on Penaeus latisulcatus Kishinouye osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition in inland saline water and potassium-fortified inland saline water

Two trials were conducted to determine the effect of sudden decrease in salinity of raw and potassium-fortified inland saline water on western king prawn Penaeus latisulcatus osmoregulation, ionoregulation and condition. Prawns were subjected to salinity decrease over 1 h from 32 to 25 ppt in the first trial and from 27 to 20 ppt in the second trial in three water types: inland saline water with potassium fortified to 100% and 80% of the marine water concentration (IS100, IS80), and raw inland saline water (ISW). In the first trial condition and ingestion rate were monitored over 19 days following salinity change. In the second trial condition, haemolymph osmo- and iono-regulation were recorded over 48 h following salinity change. In the first trial, 100% mortality was observed in ISW by day 13, with final survival 94% in IS80 and 100% in IS100. Tail muscle moisture content increased significantly (P < 0.05) over time in both trials and in all water types, suggesting loss of energy reserves. In the second trial, serum osmolality, sodium concentration and osmoregulatory capacity decreased following salinity change, stabilising by 24 h in IS100 and IS80 but continuing to decrease till 48 h in ISW, suggesting partial breakdown of osmoregulatory function in the potassium-deficient medium. Prawns were stronger regulators of divalent than monovalent cations. These trials demonstrate that potassium-deficient inland saline water requires fortification with potassium to allow prawn survival and efficient osmoregulation.     

Phylogeography and conservation genetics of Lake Qinghai scaleless carp Gymnocypris przewalskii

The objective of this study was to examine the spatial genetic relationships of the Lake Qinghai scaleless carp Gymnocypris przewalskii within the Lake Qinghai system, determining whether genetic evidence supports the current taxonomy of Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii and Gymnocypris przewalskii ganzihonensis and whether Gymnocypris przewalskii przewalskii are returning to their natal rivers to spawn. Comparison of mitochondrial (control region) variation (42 haplotypes in 203 fish) of G. przewalskii with the postulated ancestral species found in the Yellow River, Gymnocypris eckloni (10 haplotypes in 23 fish), indicated no haplotype sharing, but incomplete lineage sorting. Consistent with the sub-species status, an AMOVA indicated that the Ganzi River population was significantly different from all other river populations (F(ST) = 0·1671, P < 0·001). No genetic structure was found among the other rivers in the Lake Qinghai catchment. An AMOVA of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) loci, however, revealed significant genetic differences between most spawning populations (F(ST) = 0·0721, P < 0·001). Both mitochondrial and AFLP data found significant differences among G. p. przewalskii, G. p. ganzihonensis and G. eckloni (F(ST) values of 0·1959 and 0·1431, respectively, P < 0·001). Consistent with the incomplete lineage sorting, Structure analysis of AFLP loci showed evidence of five clusters. One cluster is shared among all sample locations, one is unique to G. p. ganzihonensis and G. eckloni, and the others are mostly found in G. p. przewalskii. Genetic evidence therefore supports the current taxonomy, including the sub-species status of G. p. ganzihonensis, and is consistent with natal homing of most Lake Qinghai populations. These findings have significant implications for the conservation and management of this unique and threatened species. The evidence suggests that G. p. przewalskii should be treated as a single population for conservation purposes. Exchangeability of the populations, however, should not be used to promote homogenization of fish spawning in the different rivers. As some degree of genetic divergence was detected in this study, it is recommended that the spawning groups be treated as separate management units.     

Branchial carbonic anhydrase activity and ninhydrin positive substances in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, acclimated to low and high salinities

The Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, acclimated to 30 ppt salinity, was transferred to either low (15 and 5 ppt), or high (45 ppt) salinity for 7 days. Hemolymph osmolality, branchial carbonic anhydrase activity, and total ninhydrin-positive substances (TNPS) in abdominal muscle were then measured for each condition. Hemolymph osmotic concentration was regulated slightly below ambient water osmolality in shrimp acclimated to 30 ppt. At 15 and 5 ppt, shrimp were strong hyper-osmotic regulators, maintaining hemolymph osmolality between 200 and 400 mOsm above ambient. Shrimp acclimated to 30 ppt and transferred to 45 ppt salinity were strong hypo-osmotic and hypo-ionic regulators, maintaining hemolymph osmolality over 400 mOsm below ambient. Branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity was low (approximately 100 micromol CO(2) mg protein(-1) min(-1)) and uniform across all 8 gills in shrimp acclimated to 30 ppt, but CA activity increased in all gills after exposure to both low and high salinities. Anterior gills had the largest increases in CA activity, and levels of increase were approximately the same for low and high salinity exposure. Branchial CA induction appears to be functionally important in both hyper- and hypo-osmotic regulations of hemolymph osmotic concentrations. Abdominal muscle TNPS made up between 19 and 38% of the total intracellular osmotic concentration in shrimp acclimated to 5, 15, and 30 ppt. TNPS levels did not change across this salinity range, over which hemolymph osmotic concentrations were tightly regulated. At 45 ppt, hemolymph osmolality increased, and muscle TNPS also increased, presumably to counteract intracellular water loss and restore cell volume. L. vannamei appears to employ mechanisms of both extracellular osmoregulation and intracellular volume regulation as the basis of its euryhalinity.     

Plasma osmolality and oxygen consumption of perch Perca fluviatilis in response to different salinities and temperatures

The present study determined the blood plasma osmolality and oxygen consumption of the perch Perca fluviatilis at different salinities (0, 10 and 15) and temperatures (5, 10 and 20° C). Blood plasma osmolality increased with salinity at all temperatures. Standard metabolic rate (SMR) increased with salinity at 10 and 20° C. Maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and aerobic scope was lowest at salinity of 15 at 5° C, yet at 20° C, they were lowest at a salinity of 0. A cost of osmoregulation (SMR at a salinity of 0 and 15 compared with SMR at a salinity of 10) could only be detected at a salinity of 15 at 20° C, where it was 28%. The results show that P. fluviatilis have capacity to osmoregulate in hyper‐osmotic environments. This contradicts previous studies and indicates intraspecific variability in osmoregulatory capabilities among P. fluviatilis populations or habitat origins. An apparent cost of osmoregulation (28%) at a salinity of 15 at 20° C indicates that the cost of osmoregulation in P. fluviatilis increases with temperature under hyperosmotic conditions and a power analysis showed that the cost of osmoregulation could be lower than 12·5% under other environmental conditions. The effect of salinity on MMR is possibly due to a reduction in gill permeability, initiated to reduce osmotic stress. An interaction between salinity and temperature on aerobic scope shows that high salinity habitats are energetically beneficial during warm periods (summer), whereas low salinity habitats are energetically beneficial during cold periods (winter). It is suggested, therefore, that the seasonal migrations of P. fluviatilis between brackish and fresh water is to select an environment that is optimal for metabolism and aerobic scope.     

Changes in tissue free amino acid contents, branchial Na+/K+ -ATPase activity and bimodal breathing pattern in the freshwater climbing perch, Anabas testudineus (Bloch), during seawater acclimation

This study aimed to examine effects of short- or long-term acclimation to brackish water or seawater on the climbing perch, Anabas testudineus, which is an aquatic air-breathing teleost living typically in freshwater. A. testudineus exhibits hypoosmotic and hypoinoic osmoregulation; the plasma osmolality, [Na+] and [Cl-] of fish acclimated to seawater were consistently lower than those of the external medium. However, during short-term (1 day) exposure to brackish water (15 per thousand) or seawater (30 per thousand), these three parameters increased significantly. There were also significant increases in tissue ammonia and urea contents, contents of certain free amino acids (FAAs) in the muscle, and rates of ammonia and urea excretion in the experimental fish. The accumulated FAAs might have a transient role in cell volume regulation. In addition, these results indicate that increases in protein degradation and amino acid catabolism had occurred, possibly providing energy for the osmoregulatory acclimation of the gills in fish exposed to salinity stress. Indeed, there was a significant increase in the branchial Na+/K+ -ATPase activity in fish exposed to seawater for a prolonged period (7 days), and the plasma osmolality, [Na+] and [Cl-] and the tissue FAA contents of these fish returned to control levels. More importantly, there was a significant increase in the dependence on water-breathing in fish acclimated to seawater for 7 days. This suggests for the first time that A. testudineus could alter its bimodal breathing pattern to facilitate the functioning of branchial Na+/K+ -ATPase for osmoregulatory purposes.