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Sparids have different organoleptic properties that correlate with a wide variety of retail prices in the market. Components of the observed morphology are rarely sufficient for full identification of these fish species, whose authentication requires specialist knowledge. Genetic diversity or variation and their measurements enable molecular methods as one of the most suggested remedies for aliud pro alio frauds. Genetic approaches have the potential for reducing costs and providing correct identification for a large number of market products. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences (16S and 12S ribosome subunits, cytochrome b- CYTB , and cytochrome c oxidase I- COI) have been widely used for fish species identification. Yet, these mtDNA regions perform well for certain species but are less discriminating for others. Here, we report the first study of the whole mtDNA of the perciform fishes of the family Sparidae with the aim to select more efficient barcoding markers for taxonomical discrimination against frauds. For species-level sequence information, we analyzed and compared the whole sequence of thirteen Sparidae mitogenomes, nine publicly available and four recently sequenced ones. In particular, we searched for effective DNA barcode markers for the correct identification of sparid species by looking for interspecific variable regions flanked by conserved sequences for PCR primer design. We found that only four mtDNA genes are devoid of insertions or deletions, which can complicate the process of sequence alignment. Among them, NAD genes show encouraging utility in discriminating closely related sparid species owing to nucleotide sequence variability compared with classical barcodes for species. Discrimination capacity of NAD genes suggests their application as alternative mtDNA tools for the identification of Sparidae fishes. In particular, NAD5 fragments with high interspecific nucleotide sequence divergence were amplified and appear flawless for Sparidae species identification. • We compared the mtDNA of thirteen Sparidae species for barcoding applications. • We searched for variable regions flanked by conserved sequences for PCR primer design. • NAD5 showed high nucleotide variability flanked by a high number of conserved areas. • NAD5 gene may be an alternative and effective barcode marker for Sparids. • New markers could be used for species characterization in seafood products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of thermally processed diet (TD) on the muscle nutritional values of southern catfish in two experiments (named E1 and E2). Compared to non-thermally processed diet (ND), TD did not significantly affect proximate composition of southern catfish, but increased moisture content and decreased protein content in E1. Meanwhile, it had no effect on overall fatty acid profiles of the catfish rich in PUFA. Southern catfish had high proportions of indispensable amino acids (IAA, 44.6–46.4% of total fatty acids), with the highest contents of lysine (1551–1808 mg/100 g wet weight muscle). However, TD altered profiles of the IAA, particularly decreased 68.5% and 68.4% of methionine, and 9.5% and 10.7% of lysine in E1 and E2, respectively. Conversely, it increased 45.4% and 83.4% of dispensable fatty acid proline. These results suggest TD could affect the nutritional quality of protein rather than fat in farmed fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry with carnivorous fish such as salmon has been accompanied by an equally rapid development in alternative feed ingredients. This has outpaced the ability of prevailing authentication method to trace the diet and origins of salmon products at the retail end. To close this gap, we developed a new profiling tool based on amino acid δ 13 C fingerprints. With this tool, we discriminated with high-accuracy among wild-caught, organically, and conventionally farmed salmon groups, as well as salmon fed alternative diets such as insects and macroalgae. Substitution of fishmeal with macroalgae was detected at 5% difference level. The δ 13 C fingerprints of essential amino acids appear particularly well suited for tracing protein sources, and the non-essentials for tracing lipid origins (terrestrial vs. aquatic). In an industry constantly developing new feed proteins and functional additives, our method is a promising tool for tracing salmon and other seafood products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane press residue (SPR), a nonconventional feed ingredient is a soft, spongy, amorphous, dark brown to white material was fed to 32-week-old white-leghorn-layer at 0, 5, 10 and 15 per cent either in the soya-based or fish-based diets to form T1 to T8 diets, respectively. Each diet so formulated was offered to five-replicates of four laying-hens each constituting a total of one-sixty birds reared for 84-days. Results revealed that the cumulative efficiency of protein utilization values of layers fed different experimental diets were 29.36, 28.62, 27.20, 29.11, 27.90, 28.21, 28.02 and 25.95 in T1 through T8 groups, respectively. Likewise, efficiency of energy utilization values ranged non-significantly from 28.18 (T1) to 24.84 (T8). Whereas, average EPU and EEU values due to main factors were found to be statistically non-significant. It was concluded that SPR can be included up to 15% in soya and fish based layer diets for energy and protein utilization apart from inorganic-matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nine dietary exposure bioaccumulation fish tests with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were conducted with common carp to explore how differences in test conditions (different test foods and feeding rates) influenced the lipid‐corrected, growth‐corrected kinetic biomagnification factor (BMFkgL) value (BMFkgL = BMFkg × lipid content of test food/lipid content of test fish). The BMFkgL values for HCB differed by approximately a factor of 5 among the tests. The average, median, 95% confidence interval, and coefficient of variation of the BMFkgL values were 0.925, 0.998, 0.578 to 1.27, and 49%, respectively. The BMFkgL value differed markedly between tests conducted using test food with lipid contents of approximately 5 and 15%. Different feeding rates (2 or 3% of body weight/d) had comparatively little effect on the BMFkgL of HCB. The present study revealed that the lipid content of test fish was correlated with the growth‐corrected kinetic BMF (BMFkg) value of HCB but the lipid content of test food was poorly correlated with BMFkg. This lack of correlation might explain the large variations of the BMFkgL values observed. The value of the BMFkg normalized to a fish with a 5% lipid content (defined as the 5% lipid‐normalized BMFkg in the present study) did not differ markedly between tests conducted using test food with different lipid contents (5–15%). It is therefore useful to report the 5% lipid‐normalized BMFkg as well as the BMFkgL when dietary exposure tests are conducted. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1032–1039. © 2017 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of planktonic larval invertebrates can play an important role in predator avoidance. Megalopae, the last larval stage in crab development, are strong swimmers yet are vulnerable to predation by fish. The behaviors of megalopae of the native mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi (Smith, 1869) and the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus (De Haan, 1835) in flowing seawater were analyzed in response to chemical cues from potential fish predators and adult crabs. Fish predators consisted of cunner ( Tautogolabrus adspersus [Walbaum, 1792]), tautog ( Tautoga onitis [Linnaeus, 1758]), and mummichog ( Fundulus heteroclitus [Linnaeus, 1766]). Larvae were reared to early and late stages of megalopal development. Individual megalopae were dropped into a horizontal glass tube containing a stream of flowing artificial seawater (control) or seawater containing chemicals from fish or adult crabs. Behaviors of each megalopa were observed and categorized as swimming, walking, tumbling, or inactive. In control seawater, megalopae of both species swam upstream more than in seawater with fish or crab cues. Mud crab megalopae were inactive in the presence of chemicals from all fish species whereas Asian shore crab megalopae were inactive more in the presence of cues from tautog and cunner than from mummichog, a species unrelated to fish predators in its native range. Late-stage D . sayi megalopae walked on the bottom of the tube in response to confamilial adult cues more than H . sanguineus . Both species can therefore detect chemical cues in flowing water, even early in megalopal development, and H . sanguineus can distinguish cues from different potential fish predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producing fish silage for animal feed is an excellent way of valorizing underutilized fishery byproducts. However, the nutritional quality of fish silage strongly depends on the freshness and composition of the raw materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of raw material composition (RMC) on nutritional quality and stability of fish silage. Using different combinations of whole undersized flatfish (plaice, sole, flounder) and codfish (whiting), four fish silages were produced: a single-species (plaice) flatfish silage (F-single); a mixed flatfish silage in equal ratios (F-equal); a mixed flatfish silage in ratios similar to fish-bycatch ratios (F-bycatch); a mixed flatfish and codfish silage, also in ratios similar to fish-bycatch ratios (FC-bycatch). Raw materials were homogenized, mixed with 2.5% (v/w) formic acid and 0.2% (w/w) potassium sorbate, and stored for 91 days at ambient temperature. Dry matter (DM) increased slightly during storage in all silages, from 228 ± 3.7 g/kg silage to 256 ± 3.6 g/kg silage; whereas ash content slightly decreased, from 192 ± 15.8 g/kg DM to 176 ± 13.1 g/kg DM. Crude protein did not differ in the raw materials (739 ± 18.9 g/kg DM), but decreased at different speeds in the silages. After 91 days, protein content of F-single and F-bycatch decreased to 621 ± 9.5 g/kg DM and 634 ± 18.8 g/kg DM, respectively, whereas F-equal and FC-bycatch decreased to 592 ± 6.7 g/kg DM and 580 ± 7.6 g/kg DM, respectively. Differences in protein decrease could be caused by the higher degree of hydrolysis in F-equal (60.6 ± 3.4%) and FC-bycatch (62.2 ± 2.3%), compared to F-single (51.6 ± 4.7%) and F-bycatch (52.9 ± 1.7%), after 91 days. Extended hydrolysis leads to overall deamination, also reflected by the decrease in essential amino acids (EAA) and increase in total volatile basic nitrogen. Crude lipid decreased in F-single and F-bycatch, but remained stable in F-equal and FC-bycatch. After 91 days, there were no more differences between the silages (58.0 ± 4.2 g/kg DM). The decrease in F-single and F-bycatch could be the result of lipid oxidation, also reflected by the TBARS value and decreased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Overall there is a significant effect of RMC on nutritional quality and stability of fish silage. A more diverse mixture of raw materials improved nutritional quality, mainly in the form of EAA and PUFA, but was also more prone to deterioration by chemical and biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Processing of fish and shellfish may result in substantial amounts of by-products and unless they can be used as food, the most realistic option in most cases is the production of preserved feed nutrients. If large volumes are available, reduction to fishmeal and fish oil is the preferred technology. However, fresh by-products are most often available in insufficient quantities to justify production of fishmeal. Preservation by acid silage is, however, a simple and inexpensive alternative. Scope and approach The purpose of this paper is to highlight that silage preservation of by-products using formic acid produces a protein hydrolysate that may function as a useful feed additive and not only an important feed nutrient. The fast growing global aquaculture industry is particularly in need of high quality feed nutrients and the focus in this paper is therefore on including acid protein hydrolysate in diets for fish and shellfish. Key findings and conclusions The proteins in acid silage are largely hydrolysed to free amino acids and short-chain peptides. Studies have shown that moderate amounts of protein hydrolysate may successfully be included in fish feed and in some cases this leads to improved performance. In addition, the formic acid in the hydrolysate may contribute to the growth and well-being of fish, in particular under unfavourable microbiological conditions. This may encourage fish processors to preserve by-products using acid silage and feed producers to incorporate the products in the feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the partial replacement of fish meal by chemical silage of pig by-products in extruded diets to feeding fish, a total of 360 small fish of Clarias gariepinus (10.15 ± 0.01 g initial weight and 11.8 ± 0.01 cm) were used, randomly placed in three treatments with three repetitions, according to one-way model. The treatments were a control diet, with 35% of fish meal and two experimental, with levels of 10 and 20% (dry basis) of chemical silage with pig by-products, representing substitution of 28.75% and 57.14% of fish meal, respectively. The survival was high in all treatments (100 to 96%). The food and protein supplied per fish were reduced (P <0.05) in 8.64 g and 3.09 g respectively, for 20% of pig by-products with respect to the control. There were significant differences (P <0.001) in growth. In the treatments with 10 and 20% of chemical silage of pig by-products, the final weights were 7.4 g and 28.33 g lower than in the control, and the length was only statistically reduced 3.26 cm for 20% of chemical silage of pig by-products. The conversion factor was affected at 530 g more of food/kg of live weight, when including 20% of by-product chemical silage, as well as protein efficiency, which decreased with that treatment. The condition factors K were similar for the three evaluated diets. It is concluded that silage can be acceptable up to 10% (dry basis) in extruded diets for Clarias gariepinus and higher levels markedly reduce productive indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pangasius production in Vietnam is widely known as a success story in aquaculture, the fastest growing global food system because of its tremendous expansion by volume, value and the number of international markets to which Pangasius has been exported in recent years. While certification schemes are becoming significant features of international fish trade and marketing, an increasing number of Pangasius producers have followed at least one of the certification schemes recognised by international markets to incorporate environmental and social sustainability practices in aquaculture, typically the Pangasius Aquaculture Dialogue (PAD) scheme certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC). An assessment of the environmental benefit of applying certification schemes on Pangasius production, however, is still needed. This article compared the environmental impact of ASC-certified versus non-ASC certified intensive Pangasius aquaculture, using a statistically supported LCA. We focused on both resource-related (water, land and total resources) and emissions-related (global warming, acidification, freshwater and marine eutrophication) categories. The ASC certification scheme was shown to be a good approach for determining adequate environmental sustainability, especially concerning emissions-related categories, in Pangasius production. However, the non-ASC certified farms, due to the large spread, the impact (e.g., water resources and freshwater eutrophication) was possibly lower for a certain farm. However, this result was not generally prominent. Further improvements in intensive Pangasius production to inspire certification schemes are proposed, e.g., making the implementation of certification schemes more affordable, well-oriented and facilitated; reducing consumed feed amounts and of the incorporated share in fishmeal, especially domestic fishmeal, etc. However, their implementation should be vetted with key stakeholders to assess their feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to measure the DE and ME concentrations and standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of P in 2 sources of single-cell protein (SCP) and fish meal (FM). In Exp. 1, the energy concentrations were measured using 8 barrows with an initial mean BW of 36.8 kg (SD = 2.5). A basal diet contained corn as the sole source of energy, and 3 additional diets were formulated to contain 15% of SCP 1 (65.1% CP; produced in Korea) or SCP 2 (75.6% CP; produced in China) and 19% of FM. In Exp. 2, the STTD values of P were measured using 8 barrows with an initial mean BW of 66.7 kg (SD = 4.4). Three experimental diets contained 10% of SCP 1 or SCP 2 and 22% of FM as the sole source of P. A P-free diet was prepared to estimate the basal endogenous loss of P. In both experiments, a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design was used. Values for the DE in the corn, SCP 1, SCP 2, and FM (3,451, 3,555, 3,313, and 3,515 kcal/kg on an as-fed basis) were not different among the ingredients. The ME in the corn was greater than in SCP 2 (3,376 vs. 2,754 kcal/kg on an as-fed basis; P < 0.05). The STTD of P in SCP 1 and SCP 2 were greater (117.5% and 103.1% vs. 48.3%; P < 0.05) than in the FM. In conclusion, a source of SCP had less energy value compared with corn, and the 2 sources of SCP had greater digestibility of P than FM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of three isoproteineous (35 % crude protein) feeds, prepared from different ingredients, on the meat quality of major carps (Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita) was investigated. Total 90 fingerlings of each fish species were randomly stocked with three replicate tanks of each treatment. Maximum quantitative protein concentration was recorded in C. mrigala (0.798 + 0.013 mg/ml) followed by L. rohita (0.666 + 0.001 mg/ml) fed with diet B, whereas diet C showed maximum protein concentration (0.725 + 0.015 mg/ml) in C. catla. Minimum protein concentration was recorded as (0.495 + 0.019, 0.567+ 0.003 and 0.564 + 0.036 mg/ml in C. mrigala, L. rohita and C. catla fed with diet A, respectively. The order of protein concentration in C. mrigala and L. rohita was diet A < C < B, whereas in C. catla it was diet A < B < C. The protein efficiency of diets A and B in C. mrigala and L. rohita were statistically different. In C. catla the protein efficiency of the diet A was significantly different (P<0.01) from diet B, and diet A exhibited non-significant (P>0.05) with diet C. The qualitative analysis depicted a maximum number of bands of isolated protein subunits in C. mrigala which were 16, 13 and 15, respectively, in diets A, B and C. In L. rohita 13, 11 and 12 bands of isolated proteins of different molecular weight was observed after the effect of diet A, B and C, respectively. The number of bands of isolated protein subunits in L. rohita were 13, 11 and 12 in case of diets A, B and C. In C. catla 12, 10 and 11 in bands of isolated proteins of different molecular weights were observed after feeding with A, B and C, respectively. The overall order of the number of bands of isolated protein subunits in all fish species was diet A > C > B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to know the effect of formic acid-treated shrimp meal as a protein source on growth performance, digestibilities, and nitrogen (N) retention for broilers. Shrimp meal (SM) was treated with 3% formic acid (w/v) at room temperature for 20 minutes, sun-dried, ground through a 1.0mm mesh screen, and then ready to use as the treated SM (TSM). Forty-two male broiler chicks (8 d old, Ross 308) were randomly divided into 7 dietary groups (6 birds each), namely control diet, diets containing 5, 10, and 15% of SM, and diets containing 5, 10, and 15% of TSM and offered diets till 35 d old. Final body weight, body weight gain and feed intake decreased significantly with increasing levels of SM in diets. Feed conversion ratio also decreased with increasing levels of the SM (P< 0.05). Similar trend was observed in the TSM group, but the adverse effects of the TSM were milder in comparison to the SM group (P<0.05). Dry matter digestibility tended to decrease (P<0.05) with increasing levels of the SM but unchanged with increasing level of the TSM. Availability of ash decreased with increasing levels of the SM and TSM in diets (P<0.05). Although N retention decreased (P<0.05) with increasing level of the SM and TSM in diets but the decreasing trend was milder in the TSM groups than the SM groups. Moreover, chitin digestibility was significantly greater in the TSM groups than the SM groups. In conclusion, broilers received diets containing the TSM showed better growth performance along with improved nutrient digestibility and N retention which suggests that formic acid-treated SM can be used as a potential protein source in broiler diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increases in the price of fishmeal have spurred increases in the cost of aquafeeds to fish production facilities. This intensified a search for alternatives to fish meal. In this study, eight experimental aquafeeds were formulated from 4 ingredient groups that excluded fishmeal. These ingredient groups were designed as an animal product diet (APD), a novel plant protein diet (NPD), a plant products with future potential diet (PFP), and a plant product diet (PPD). These diets were compared to two standard fishmeal based diets (FMD). Each ingredient group was formulated into high protein (45%) and low protein (40%) diets and used in a 5 × 2 factorial feeding trial. Diets were randomly assigned to three replicate tanks containing 15 juvenile Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (mean initial weight = 91.3 g). After the growth trial fish from each treatment were used in a sensory analysis, examining the aroma, flavor, and texture of the fillets being harvested. The 40% protein FMD produced both the highest final wet weight: 441 ± 5.7 g (mean ± SEM) and lowest feed conversion ratio 0.93 ± 0.02 g feed consumed/g weight gain (mean ± SEM). However, the best performing experimental diets had comparable values. More differences in growth metrics were noted among different feed ingredient groups than between protein levels. Proximate analyses were also used to determine proportions of moisture, protein, lipid, and energy within a subsample of fish from each treatment. These analyses indicated protein sparing and lipid sparing by fish consuming the 40% protein diets and 45% protein diets, respectively. Sensory analyses identified few significant differences in fillet characteristics among the different treatments. The results indicate that diets composed solely of plant-based ingredients can promote similar rates of Rainbow Trout growth, produce high quality fillets, and be less costly to fish producers. Statement of relevance We show that alternative feeds efficiently grow trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Half of the seafood consumed globally now comes from aquaculture, or farmed seafood. Aquaculture therefore plays an increasingly important role in the global food system, the environment, and human health. Traditionally, aquaculture feed has contained high levels of wild fish, which is unsustainable for ocean ecosystems as demand grows. The aquaculture industry is shifting to crop-based feed ingredients, such as soy, to replace wild fish as a feed source and allow for continued industry growth. This shift fundamentally links seafood production to terrestrial agriculture, and multidisciplinary research is needed to understand the ecological and environmental health implications. We provide basic estimates of the agricultural resource use associated with producing the top five crops used in commercial aquaculture feed. Aquaculture's environmental footprint may now include nutrient and pesticide runoff from industrial crop production, and depending on where and how feed crops are produced, could be indirectly linked to associated negative health outcomes. We summarize key environmental health research on health effects associated with exposure to air, water, and soil contaminated by industrial crop production. Our review also finds that changes in the nutritional content of farmed seafood products due to altered feed composition could impact human nutrition. Based on our literature reviews and estimates of resource use, we present a conceptual framework describing the potential links between increasing use of crop-based ingredients in aquaculture and human health. Additional data and geographic sourcing information for crop-based ingredients are needed to fully assess the environmental health implications of this trend. This is especially critical in the context of a food system that is using both aquatic and terrestrial resources at unsustainable rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown bears ( Ursus arctos) occasionally engage in geophagy, the act of purposefully ingesting lithogenic mineral substances. From 1999 to 2013, we collected samples from 4,619 brown bear scats from 3 regions of the Russian Far East (Kamchatka, Primorsky Krai, Sakhalin) in order to better understand geophagy in this species. Depending on region collected, soils were detected in 1-5.2% of samples. The greatest soil concentrations were found in scats from Sakhalin in August and September, the same months when Pacific salmon ( Oncorhynchus spp.) play a dominant role in seasonal brown bear diets there. Of the 207 Sakhalin scats with soil content, nearly all (87%) also contained fish remains. A chemical analysis of samples suggested that the soils being purposefully consumed by brown bears are clay-like substances from the illuviated soil horizon-minerals that most likely aid the bears in preventing diarrhea by helping excrete excessive amounts of phosphorus inherent in a fish-heavy diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllosomas (planktonic larvae) of slipper lobsters cling onto and feed on jellyfish under both natural and laboratory conditions. Phyllosomas of Ibacus novemdentatus are capable of feeding on various jellyfish species including venomous stingers; however, the range of jellyfish species capable of supporting the growth and survival of phyllosomas is unknown. Seventeen (12 for the first and five for the second trials) and 18 (13 for the first and five for the second trials) phyllosomas were fed exclusively on the jellyfish Aurelia aurita and Chrysaora pacifica, respectively. Aurelia aurita-fed phyllosomas metamorphosed into the nisto stage (postbenthic larvae) ∼54 days after hatching, whereas C. pacifica-fed phyllosomas did not. Major nutritional compositions such as amino acids, fatty acids and minerals were compared between the two jellyfish species. The proportion of each major nutritional component was not significantly different between the two jellyfish species, suggesting that C. pacifica was not nutritionally inferior to A. aurita. Therefore, the observation that the C. pacifica-fed phyllosomas did not metamorphose into the nisto stage was not because of major nutritional compositions but due to other factors such as the lack or excess of other minor nutrients, or the species-specific texture of the jellyfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of including starfish meal (SM) as an alternative protein source in diets for piglets on performance, faeces characteristics and plasma parameters were investigated. Four diets were formulated to contain different protein sources: fish meal (FM), extruded soybean meal (ESBM) and two levels of SM (SM50 and SM100). All diets contained 174.4 g soybean meal/kg feed and were supplemented by up to 166-172 g standardised ileal digestible crude protein/kg feed with either FM, ESBM, SM or a combination giving rise to two SM + ESBM diets with different levels of SM and ESBM. One wk after weaning, 96 pigs with a body weight of 9.6 ± 0.4 kg were housed individually and allocated to one of the four diets ( n = 24) and fed ad libitum for a 14 d period. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and gain to feed ratio (G:F) were determined. Pigs fed the SM100 diet had a 23–28% lower ( P < 0.001) ADG than pigs fed the FM, ESBM and SM50 diets, despite the fact that they ate the same amount of feed. Faeces characteristics were evaluated by scoring during 5 d, and no differences were observed, indicating no effect of the diet on diarrhoea. Blood samples were collected on d 15. Plasma urea nitrogen in SM100 was higher ( P < 0.003) than the concentrations in ESBM and SM50 but not FM. Plasma Ca concentration was higher ( P < 0.001) in pigs receiving SM100 compared to FM, ESBM and SM50. The opposite was the case with P where the concentration was lower ( P < 0.001) in SM100 compared to FM, ESBM and SM50. In conclusion, feeding 50 g SM/kg resulted in a performance equal to pigs fed the control diets. Inclusion of 100 g SM/kg in the diet affected performance negatively due to a wide Ca:P affecting digestibility and absorption of P negatively. Thus, the determining factor for the maximum inclusion level of SM in diets for piglets may be the dietary Ca level and the resulting Ca:P in relation to the nutritional requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Powerful Owl Ninox strenua typically forages for arboreal prey; however, some authors have identified crustaceans in pellet material. This paper reports on an anecdotal observation of a juvenile Owl catching and consuming a fish. The observation was recorded at dusk in the upper reaches of tidal mangroves in one of the bushland remnants in Sydney, New South Wales, along the Georges River. The observation may constitute investigative 'play' behaviour by juvenile Owls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish consumption advisories are issued by states, tribes, and federal agencies to provide guidance to consumers about eating sport-caught fish potentially affected by chemical contaminants. Previous work has found that while anglers report being aware that advisories are available, awareness and use of specific advisory recommendations is low. This study uses the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction (IMBP) to identify beliefs with potential to increase intentions to follow fish consumption advisories in Great Lakes states. We conducted a mail survey of 1,712 licensed anglers in seven of eight Great Lakes states (excluding Ohio) to gauge advisory awareness, cognitive factors influencing fish consumption behaviors (informed by the IMBP), and sociodemographic characteristics. Results show that most anglers reported being generally or vaguely aware of fish consumption advisories and try to follow them, but far fewer report being aware of specific advice needed to decide whether or not to consume different types of sport-caught fish. Informed by the IMBP, we also identify several behavioral, normative, and control beliefs that have sufficient room to change, strong associations with intentions to follow the advisories, and potential to be modified if targeted with strategic risk messages. Targeting these beliefs with strategic communication holds potential to increase the proportion of anglers intending to follow fish consumption advisory recommendations in choosing which fish to eat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive biology of the black marlin, Istiompax indica , was assessed by examining 4762 fish (458 ovary samples) caught by offshore longliners off southwestern and eastern Taiwan during 2004–2007. The overall sex ratio (0.67 off southwestern and 0.86 off eastern Taiwan) was significantly different from 0.5 ( p < 0.01), with females predominant in both sampling areas. Monthly variation in the gonadosomatic index, mean monthly oocyte diameter, and histological analysis indicated that black marlin spawned off southwestern Taiwan during March and April. Although black marlin aggregated for feeding purposes off eastern Taiwan, no evidence of spawning was found in samples from this location. The size-at-50% maturity was estimated at ∼195 cm eye-to-fork-length (EFL) (∼5.4 years old) for female black marlin. Fully mature female black marlin were estimated to spawn once every ∼2.8 days using the hydrated oocyte method. Batch fecundity was estimated from 19 females, and varied 10-fold from 3.2 to 32 million eggs, with an average of 15.2 ± 1.9 (±S.E.) million eggs. The average relative batch fecundity was estimated at 105.7 ± 12.0 (±S.E.) eggs per gram of body weight. The relationships between batch fecundity (BF, million eggs), EFL and round weight (i.e., whole fish weight; RW, kg) were BF = 2 × 10 −12 EFL 8.05 ( r 2 = 0.43) and BF = 8 × 10 −4 RW 1.95 ( r 2 = 0.37), respectively. The parameters estimated in this study are key information for stock assessments of black marlin in the western Pacific Ocean and will contribute to the management, conservation and sustainable yield of this species [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, pet food claiming high-valued fish among ingredients is largely available on the market. Unfortunately, the modifications induced by processing make species identification by visual inspection difficult and hinder the enforcement of the legislation on traceability. In this work, after aligning 819 sequences of Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Salangidae and Scombridae families, we developed new universal primers for the amplification and sequencing of 2 short fragments (±118 and ±213) of the mitochondrial 16s ribosomal RNA ( 16S rRNA ) gene. Once tested on 130 DNA reference samples, these primers were used in the analysis of highly degraded DNA extracted from 43 canned cat food containing whole minnows (whitebait) (M) and tuna, or bonito or mackerel fillets (F). Three M and 2 F samples were analyzed for each can. A BLAST and a FINS analysis, the latter performed only on the 118 bp fragment, were performed separately on the sequences obtained from M and F samples. All the M samples were identified at the species or genus level by both BLAST and FINS analysis. This allowed to highlight an impressive rate of mislabeling (100%). F samples, for which FINS was less performing in species identification, resulted mislabeled in 40% of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of parasites in fish products is a problem that concerns consumers and authorities due to the potential hazards it may cause. The majority of studies on the viability of parasites in marine fish products currently focus on nematodes of the family Anisakidae whereas only few are concerned with trematodes. In this study on the heterophyid trematode Cryptocotyle lingua (identified by morphometric and molecular techniques) we isolated metacercariae from Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) and incubated the parasites in cod muscle tissue at different temperatures ranging from −80 °C to 100 °C and subsequently tested their viability. SEM images were made to assess the physical damage caused to parasites exposed to different temperatures. Temperatures between 50 °C and 100 °C and between −80 °C and −20 °C killed the metacercariae present in fish flesh in less than 2 h. Controls kept at 5 °C survived for nine days. Extreme freezing temperatures caused minimal visual physical damage to cysts, but the tegument of metacercariae was severely affected at all temperatures when incubated for long periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are persistent pollutants that are widespread in the environment and in foodstuffs, particularly in freshwater fish, which frequently exceed the maximum levels set by European regulations. Objectives First, we describe the consumption of freshwater fish and serum PCB levels in French anglers, a population expected to have the highest level of dietary PCB exposure. Second, we investigated whether there is a statistical relationship between serum PCB levels and the angler consumption of freshwater fish with high PCB bioaccumulation potential (PCB-BP + freshwater fish) in order to make recommendations with regard to safe consumption of freshwater fish. Methods We conducted a survey of anglers from six sites with contrasting PCB contamination levels. The survey included a food consumption frequency questionnaire and blood samples were taken to assess serum PCB levels. We used a regression model to determine the main factors contributing to serum PCB levels. Results Consumption of PCB-BP + freshwater fish was relatively infrequent. Serum PCB levels of the study population and of women of childbearing age were in the same range as those observed in the French population and in neighbouring European countries, but higher than in the North American population. The two factors with the highest positive association with serum PCB levels were age (R 2 = 61%) and the consumption of PCB-BP + freshwater fish (R 2 = 2%). Using the regression model, we calculated, for several scenarios depending on the age and gender of the population, the maximum annual frequencies for PCB-BP + freshwater fish consumption that do not exceed the critical body burden threshold. Conclusion Following the results of this study, the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety (ANSES) issued an opinion and recommended some specific maximum freshwater fish consumption frequencies to protect the French general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biology of Simophis rhinostoma (Schlegel, 1837) is poorly known.There are no enough information about its diet, just about feeding on anurans and, in captivity, there are records of lizards ingestion. We present the first record of fish ingestion by S. rhinostoma, a colubrid inhabiting the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado areas, also some behavior aspects during feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the predation of killer whale on beaked whale in Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Topics include tropical populations of killer whales in habitat, feeding behavior of numerous species of marine mammals and discernible arch in the lower jaw where teeth are present for feeding on mesoplodonts.

A total of 350 pigs (DNALine 200 x 400; initially 6.5 ± 0.09 kg BW; 21 d of age) were used in a 14-d experiment to determine the effects offish meal source on nursery pig performance. Pigs were randomly allotted to pens at weaning (d 0) and were fed a common starter diet for 7 d. On d 7, pens of pigs were randomly allotted by BW to 1 of 7 dietary treatments (10 pens/treatment and 5 pigs/pen) in a 2 x 3 + 1 factorial. Diets were corn-soybean meal-based that contained 10% dried whey and none (Control) or 3 or 6% fish meal from 1 of 3 sources (IPC 790 Fish Meal, The Scoular Company, Minneapolis, MN; Special Select Menhaden Fish Meal, Omega Proteins, Houston, TX; and Daybrook LT Prime Menhaden Fish Meal, Daybrook Fisheries, Morristown, NJ). All fish meal sources were from the 2014 catch year. All samples offish meal contained less than 0.15% total volatile N suggesting high quality. A source x level interaction (P < 0.05) for ADG and final BW was observed as increasing levels of IPC 790 improved ADG; however, pigs fed Special Select and LT Prime fish meal only saw improvement when 3% was included. While no differences were observed between treatments for ADFI, there was a source x level interaction for G:F (Linear P = 0.005). This was a result of G:F linearly improving as IPC 790 increased with pigs fed 3% Special Select or LT Prime having similar performance to 6% IPC 790, but no further improvement thereafter. In conclusion, adding 3% of any fish meal source improved ADG and G:F; however, only pigs fed IPC 790 had a further improvement in ADG when 6% was fed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses protein content, amino acids (AA), and anti-nutritional factors (ANF) of Fish meal (FM) and fermented or enzymatically prepared soybean meal (SBM) for weaned pigs, and reports on a study of their effect on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake (FI).

Some venomous cone snails feed on small fishes using an immobilizing combination of synergistic venom peptides that target Kv and Nav channels. As part of this envenomation strategy, δ-conotoxins are potent ichtyotoxins that enhance Nav channel function. δ-Conotoxins belong to an ancient and widely distributed gene superfamily, but any evolutionary link from ancestral worm-eating cone snails to modern piscivorous species has not been elucidated. Here, we report the discovery of SuVIA, a potent vertebrate-active δ-conotoxin characterized from a vermivorous cone snail (Conus suturatus). SuVIA is equipotent at hNaV1.3, hNaV1.4 and hNaV1.6 with EC50s in the low nanomolar range. SuVIA also increased peak hNaV1.7 current by approximately 75% and shifted the voltage-dependence of activation to more hyperpolarized potentials from –15 mV to –25 mV, with little effect on the voltage-dependence of inactivation. Interestingly, the proximal venom gland expression and pain-inducing effect of SuVIA in mammals suggest that δ-conotoxins in vermivorous cone snails play a defensive role against higher order vertebrates. We propose that δ-conotoxins originally evolved in ancestral vermivorous cones to defend against larger predators including fishes have been repurposed to facilitate a shift to piscivorous behaviour, suggesting an unexpected underlying mechanism for this remarkable evolutionary transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]