Search Results (20,035)

The replacement of fishmeal with plant protein is widely regarded as a key strategy for sustainable aquaculture. However, carnivorous marine fish often show limited tolerance to fishmeal-free diets. Here, we investigated growth performance, hepatic physiological responses, and molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to a soy protein concentrate-based diet (SPCD) in golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus). An 8-week feeding trial was conducted under communal rearing conditions, followed by the phenotypic stratification of SPCD-fed fish into high- and low-growth subgroups. Growth performance, serum biochemical indices, and liver histology were assessed, and integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed on liver tissue. At the population level, the SPCD resulted in reduced growth, a lower feed intake, and decreased feed utilization efficiency compared with a fishmeal-based diet. Notably, marked inter-individual variation was observed: fish fed the SPCD exhibited significantly lower final body weights and a higher FCR compared with the FMD group (p < 0.001), and pronounced growth divergence was observed between the PB and PS subgroups, with a subset of SPCD-fed fish maintaining growth comparable to fishmeal-fed controls, whereas others exhibited severely constrained growth. Divergent phenotypes were associated with distinct hepatic alterations, including aggravated vacuolation, the enrichment of tight junction-related and immune regulatory pathways, and the broad reprogramming of lipid metabolism. Integrated multi-omics analysis identified arachidonic acid metabolism as the most significantly perturbed pathway, characterized by altered membrane phospholipid composition, the upregulation of RARRES3L, increased COX/LOX-derived eicosanoids, and the suppression of the CYP–EET branch. Collectively, these findings indicate that soy protein replacement induces coordinated hepatic structural and metabolic remodeling, with tight junction disruption and arachidonic acid metabolic reprogramming contributing to inflammatory imbalance and divergent growth phenotypes in T. ovatus. Full article

Many species within the family Moronidae possess biological traits that facilitate their success as invasive species in freshwater ecosystems. In Iowa, USA, non-native Yellow Bass (Morone mississippiensis) have expanded their range into at least 19 glacial natural lakes, yet their trophic interactions in these complex systems remain poorly understood. From 2018 to 2020, we evaluated the open-water diet composition of 1300 Yellow Bass across six Iowa natural lakes to quantify diet composition, feeding intensity, and ontogenetic dietary shifts. While zooplankton numerically dominated diets across most systems (>80% by number) biomass was driven primarily by benthic invertebrates and fish. Feeding intensity was not uniform, characterized by a distinct suppression of foraging during late spring followed by intense feeding in early summer. Overall, we found that Yellow Bass foraging is highly plastic but heavily constrained by spatial (lake identity, season, and year) and biological (ontogeny, age, and sex) filters. Spatial heterogeneity was the primary driver of diet composition ${(R}^2=0.407)$, with individual lakes explaining the largest portion of variance ${(R}^2=0.126)$. The interaction between lake size and population history ${(R}^2=0.054)$ was also significant, highlighting that the ecological impact of Yellow Bass is context-dependent, differing among established populations in small lakes versus recent invasions in large lakes. We identified distinct ontogenetic breakpoints at 114 mm and 252 mm; fish < 114 mm were obligate zooplanktivores, while significant piscivory was restricted to large adults (>252 mm). These results suggest that the successful colonization of Yellow Bass is supported by high dietary plasticity, which may lead to intensive resource competition with native juveniles. Our findings provide a critical baseline for fisheries managers to assess the ecological risks associated with Yellow Bass expansion and emphasize the importance of monitoring trophic shifts to preserve the integrity of native fish communities in the Midwest. Full article

The study aimed to assess the influence of two packaging methods (under vacuum, VP vs. air, AP) on the quality of fish balls from carp (Cyprinus carpio) stored at +4 °C up to 14 days after preparation. The air-packed and vacuum-packed fish balls were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, microbiological status, and sensory characteristics. The packaging method and storage time interaction significantly (p < 0.05) affected the acid value (AV) and peroxide value (PV), as well as the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance index (TBARS), with lower values of these parameters observed in vacuum-packed samples at 7 d (AV, PV, TBARS), 9 d (TBARS), 12 d (PV) and 14 d (TBARS) of storage. Moreover, vacuum packaging helped maintain a beneficial oil absorption and pH, and partially slowed down the occurrence of undesirable changes in color, i.e., the decrease in redness of semi-raw fish balls or increase in yellowness of deep-fried products. Based on the overall quality values, the air-packed fish balls were sensory acceptable for up to 9 days, while the vacuum-packed fish balls were acceptable up to 12 d. The bacterial counts (total viable counts—TVC, psychrotrophic bacterial counts—PBC, total staphylococcal counts—TSC, sulfite-producing bacteria counts—SPBC, and lactic acid bacteria counts—LABC) increased during storage. Although the rate and pattern of growth varied depending on the packaging, fish balls maintained the recommended microbiological quality throughout the entire storage period. The VP method inhibited the growth of TVC, PBC, TSC, and SPBC relative to the AP method, while the VP method showed a higher increase in LABC. The results indicated that vacuum packaging appears to be an effective approach to prolong the shelf life of fish balls made from carp. Additionally, developing this convenient food product could be a valuable strategy to enhance consumer acceptance and promote the use of widely farmed carp species. Full article

Background/Objectives: Candidozyma auris is the most frequent multidrug-resistant fungal infection in the Arabian Peninsula, with high mortality rates; therefore, new medications are in high demand. Microbes in marine habitats have genetically evolved to survive under a variety of adverse conditions, including severe temperatures, salinity, pH, and other stress factors, by generating various bioactive metabolites. These bioactive secondary metabolites have strong potential for use as antifungal agents. Due to the shortage of antifungal medications and the emergence of treatment resistance in C. auris, identifying new therapeutics from synthetic bacterial components or natural materials has become a necessity. Natural molecules have numerous advantages over synthetic substances, including structural variation and low toxicity. Few next-generation sequence-based investigations have been carried out on anti-Candidozyma auris bacterial species to identify potential therapeutic candidates. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify biosynthetic gene clusters from marine bacteria using next-generation sequencing to discover novel drug compounds against multidrug-resistant C. auris. Methods: More than 68 isolates were collected from various marine environments using standard techniques. All isolates were tested against the multidrug-resistant C. auris. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the cell membrane rupture caused by defused metabolites of the IRMCESH58L bacterium in C. auris. The Vibrio sp. IRMCESH58L genome was sequenced using long-read nanopore sequencing technology. Results: The bacterial strain IRMCESH58L, isolated from a fish liver sample, showed the highest and most constant activity against C. auris. An in vitro toxicity test found that IRMCESH58L had no cell cytotoxicity against HFF-1 cells. The assembled plasmid-free genome is 6,556,025 bp (48.93% G+C), with an N50 of 909243. Comparative analysis confirmed its relation to Vibrio alginolyticus. Conclusions: Whole-genome analysis of the native bacterial strain IRMCESH58L revealed various biosynthetic gene clusters, including those involved in surfactin’s biosynthesis of putative natural anti-C. auris chemicals, but no pathogenic protein-coding genes, emphasizing the importance of marine bacteria in the fight against C. auris. Following this in vivo study, therapeutic targets will later be selected for further pre-clinical studies. Full article

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869), characterized by its rapid mass accumulation and high survival rate under industrial breeding conditions, is one of the most promising aquacultural species. This research aimed to study the growth and development of farmed Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869) to improve breeding programs. This research was conducted at the Federal Research Center for Animal Husbandry named after Academy Member L.K. Ernst and focused on the Lena population broodstock of Siberian sturgeon of the April 2022 generation (n = 98), grown in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). The experiment took into account body weight (W, g) and eleven morphological measurements: L—absolute length (cm); LR—fish body length increase (cm/day); l—commercial length (cm); L2—fork length (cm); HL—head length (cm); PV—pectoventral distance (cm); VA—ventroanal distance (cm); pl1—peduncle length (cm); H—body height (cm); h—peduncle height (cm); SC—body thickness (cm); GC—body circumference (cm); and Cc—peduncle circumference (cm). These measurements were taken from the same sample of fish at five different time points, all belonging to the same generation and approximately the same age. Measurements were taken every 3 to 9 months: 1 y (group G1), 1 y. 5 m. (group G2), 2 y. 2 m. (group G3), 2 y. 5 m. (group G4), 3 y. 2 m. (group G5), and 3 y. 5 m. (group G6). To evaluate the rate of growth and development, relative speed of growth (SGR) and relative speed of lengthening (SLR) during the observation period were determined. To characterize the fish’s exterior, we evaluated Fulton’s condition factor (KF) and the leanness index (Q). With increasing age, there was a significant (p < 0.01) decline in both SGR (from 0.454 to 0.065 g%/day) and SLR (from 0.132 to 0.028 cm%/day), which reflects changes in the fish’s physiological processes tied to the transition from the growth phase to the puberty phase. Relatively large variability was observed in body weight (C_v = 19.7–30.4%) compared to morphological measurements (C_v = 5.7–14.9%). Correlations between morphological measurements and the body weight of the fish varied from low to high (r = 0.22–0.97). Equations that allow for very precise (coefficient of determination R² = 0.800–0.933) estimation of the fish’s body weight based on morphological measurements were developed. The most preferable predictors were measurements of H (R² = 0.931), SC (R² = 0.933), and L2 (R² = 0.930). These morphological measurements are promising candidates for future development of contactless live weight detection using computer vision and machine learning algorithms. The study of live weight conjugacy at different ages showed that the best time to use this measurement to select fish for reproduction is at the age of 2 y. 2 m. or older. Acquired data can be used for the development and improvement of programs for the selection and breeding of Siberian sturgeon grown in a recirculating aquaculture system. Full article

As global aquaculture continues to expand, there is increasing interest in sustainable and non-invasive tools for monitoring fish growth. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the most farmed species worldwide. Its biomass estimation often relies on manual sampling or stereo-camera systems limited by water turbidity. This study establishes a robust relationship between lateral target strength (TS) and the total length (TL) and weight (W) of Nile tilapia using a cost-effective 201 kHz single-beam echosounder. Measurements were conducted with free-swimming fish in a controlled pond environment (TL range, 13–44 cm). The results show a strong linear correlation between acoustic and biometric data. Specifically, the relationship for mean TS was defined as TS_mean = 20.4log(TL) − 68.8 (R² = 0.93) and TS_mean = 6.3log(W) − 55.4 (R² = 0.96), proving the system’s accuracy for biomass estimation. Furthermore, the Method of Fundamental Solutions (MFS) was employed for numerical validation based on X-ray morphometry of the swim bladder. Very good agreement was observed between experimental data and numerical simulations, reinforcing the validity of the acoustic models despite the inherent complexity of biological targets. These findings demonstrate that calibrated single-beam acoustic systems provide a viable, non-intrusive tool for real-time monitoring in aquaculture ponds. Full article

Developing safe and effective hemostatic materials is critical for rapid bleeding control and wound management. However, traditional hemostatic materials using chemical crosslinking often fall short in hemostatic efficiency and carry risks of secondary injury from reagent residues. This study introduced an irradiation-fabricated composite collagen sponge based on fish skin collagen, chitosan, and soluble starch. The sponge was prepared via material solution blending, followed by cobalt-60 gamma irradiation at various doses, with casting and freeze-drying. Its functionality and safety were systematically evaluated. The results show that low-dose gamma irradiation (1–3 kGy) applied to a precursor solution prior to freeze-drying promoted intermolecular crosslinking, improving mechanical strength, elongation, and biostability, while higher doses (6 kGy) slightly reduced crosslinking due to the partial degradation of collagen, chitosan, and starch. With low-dose irradiation, the proposed hemostatic sponges show enhanced water absorption, blood cell adsorption, swelling, and antibacterial properties, indicating effective hemostatic performance. Spectroscopic characterization confirmed chemical bond modifications with no loss of crystallinity. Cytotoxicity and in vivo tests demonstrated biocompatibility and effective hemostatic performance. Compared with the commercial HSD sponge, the irradiated sponges exhibited superior hemostatic efficacy. This study presents that a collagen-based synergistic matrix prepared by gamma-ray irradiation can produce a hemostatic sponge with enhanced absorbency, bioactivity, and antibacterial properties, highlighting its great potential in rapid hemostasis and wound care applications. Full article

Camera-based wildlife monitoring is often overwhelmed by non-target triggers and slowed by manual review or cloud-dependent inference, which can prevent timely intervention for high stakes human–wildlife conflicts. Our key contribution is a deployable, fully offline edge vision sensor that achieves near-real-time, highly accurate wildlife event classification by combining detector-based empty-image suppression with a lightweight classifier trained with a staged transfer-learning curriculum. Specifically, Stage 1 uses a pretrained You Only Look Once (YOLO)-family detector for permissive animal localization and empty-trigger suppression, and Stage 2 uses a lightweight EfficientNet-based binary classifier to confirm puma on detector crops and gate downstream actions. Our design is robust to low-quality nighttime monochrome imagery (motion blur, low contrast, illumination artifacts, and partial-body captures) and operates using commercially available components in connectivity-limited settings. In field deployments running since May 2025, end-to-end latency from camera trigger to action command is approximately 4 s. Ablation studies using a dataset of labeled wildlife images (pumas, not pumas) show that the two-stage approach substantially reduces false alarms in identifying pumas relative to a full-image classifier while maintaining high recall. On the held-out test set ($N=1434$ events), the proposed two-stage cascade achieves precision $0.983$, recall $0.975$, F1 $0.979$, accuracy $0.986$, and balanced accuracy $0.983$, with only 8 false positives and 12 false negatives. The system can be easily adapted for other species, as demonstrated by rapid retraining of the second stage to classify ringtails. Downstream responses (e.g., notifications and optional audio/light outputs) provide flexible actuation capabilities that can be configured to support intervention. Full article

With the rapid development of genomic big data and genome-wide association study technologies, massive genomic data are available for the genetic dissection, development and utilization of important economic traits. Various GWAS algorithms have become increasingly efficient, enabling high-performance processing of these massive datasets. This has made it possible to conduct genetic dissection of economic traits based on big data and advanced statistical methods, which will provide accurate target loci for future trait improvement and genetic manipulation, greatly accelerating the process of genetic breeding. In this study, genotyping of 426 fish was performed using the T7 sequencing platform and 555,242 SNPs distributed across all the chromosomes were screened by data cleaning. We compared the performance of two GWAS methods, GCTA and GEMMA, in both single-trait and multi-trait frameworks. Twenty-nine SNPs significantly associated with seven traits were identified through single and multi-trait combined GWAS. Single-trait GWAS analysis using GCTA identified 1047 and 1452 significant loci for six growth traits and one sex trait (phenotypic sex, male or female) respectively, ultimately revealing 10 candidate genes, including slc48a1a, filip1L, nedd9, Crebbpa, LOC134024622, zbtb18, LOC117378376, LOC131530706, syde2, and col24a1. Similarly, 671 and 642 significant SNPs were detected with GEMMA for single-trait GWAS associated with six growth traits and the sex trait, respectively. In total, 16 candidate genes were mapped for these seven traits. Multi-trait GWAS was also performed using GEMMA for the six growth traits (sex was included as a covariate). The traits were grouped into five combinations based on their genetic correlations. A total of 37 SNPs were identified, corresponding to 10 candidate genes: LOC131530706, LOC134022516, abat, maml3, cica, LOC124013321, slc25a12, dnah10, syt9a, and LOC136932979. Notably, five overlapping candidate genes (LOC131530706, LOC134022516, abat, slc25a12 and dnah10) were also identified in both single- and multi-trait GWAS methods of GEMMA, highlighting their genetic stability and significance. The two GWAS methods, GCTA and GEMMA, identified two genes that were the same. The results of this study provide molecular markers and genetic resources for the improvement of growth traits in Plecoglossus altivelis. Full article

Understanding meat quality and gut microbiota hold great potential for promoting healthy and sustainable fish production, while also contributing to fisheries management and conservation. However, differences in meat quality and the diversity, structure, and function of gut microbiota among fish across different feeding regimes remain poorly understood. This study compared meat quality and gut microbiota between grass carp (gc) and crisped grass carp (cgc) to support sustainable aquaculture and provide more tasted fish meat. Cgc exhibited higher levels of free amino acids, fatty acids, and collagen, whereas gc had greater concentrations of hydrolyzed amino acids, nucleotides, and antioxidant indices. Fatty acid composition differed significantly between the two. Gut microbiota diversity was higher in cgc, with Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, and Firmicutes being dominant, while gc was dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes. The microbial community structures differed significantly. Functional predictions showed 1612 COG and 2032 KEGG pathways varied between groups. Significant correlations were found between microbial abundance and meat quality traits, including fatty acids, hydrolyzed amino acids, and collagen. These findings offered valuable insights for enhancing fish nutrition, optimizing feed formulations, and improving aquaculture practices. Full article

C-type maneuvers (abbreviated as C-turns), a crucial escape response from for carangiform fish, are investigated to elucidate their yaw control mechanism. High-speed photography coupled with image processing was used to quantify the time-varying midline curvature during C-turns of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Self-propelled simulations replicated the motion, resolving the evolving vorticity field and pressure gradients. Statistical analyses revealed a pronounced linear correlation between body deformation and total turning angle for yaw angles exceeding 60°. Notably, large-angle turns (>140°) exhibited both higher initial speed and sustained greater mean speed throughout the maneuver, indicating that achieving substantial yaw not only relies on enhanced body deformation, but also, critically, on inertial dominance persisting throughout the unsteady hydrodynamic interaction. The vortex dynamics and pressure distributions obtained form simulations corroborate the inferred control strategy rooted in this inertial dominance. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) frequently co-occurs with malnutrition and gut dysbiosis, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Herein, this cross-sectional study first profiles dietary intake differences using dietary records from 210,874 participants (ASD = 232; non-ASD = 210,642; median age = 56.18) from the UK Biobank (UKB). Second, a bi-directional Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach serves to dissect relationships between ASD genetic susceptibility and dietary preferences by leveraging genome-wide association metadata from the iPSYCH-PGC (ASD) and UKB (dietary intake/food-liking traits). The same strategy is implemented to identify ASD-associated gut microbial species. Mediation analyses further assess the role of gut microbiota in the association between ASD and dietary preferences. Subjects with ASD exhibit higher consumption of cheese, processed meat, and oily fish, alongside lower intake of fruits, and demonstrate a preference for high-fat/salt and energy-dense foods. Additionally, the depletion of Turicibacter, Streptococcus, and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 was causally related with ASD (all false discovery rate < 0.05; β = −0.15, β = −0.10, β = −0.093, respectively), which significantly mediates the ASD-associated elevated preference for high-fat/salt foods. In conclusion, ASD is associated with specific dietary preferences, likely mediated via gut microbiota, highlighting the future potential of gut microbiome-based therapeutics to modify eating disorders for ASD. Full article

The mulberry-dyke fishpond system represents China’s traditional circular agricultural heritage yet faces challenges of “circularity without economic viability” and preservation under modernization pressures. Taking the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System site of Digang in Huzhou as a case study, this paper reveals fundamental shifts in its value structure through local research and interviews. Key findings include the following: (1) Significant decline in traditional economic value: Annual income from mulberry-dyke fishpond systems is extremely low, far below the per-mu yield of modern intensive aquaculture in the area. This has led to producer withdrawal and the disintegration of the base-pond structure. (2) Ecological and social values increasingly emerge and partially marketize: The system’s ecological service value is substantial and policy-recognized, with markets responding through a 100% premium on eco-fish prices. Concurrently, heritage-based cultural tourism integration generates significant new value—for instance, Digang village’s 2023 tourism revenue reached 140 million. However, these prominent non-market values still lack stable, adequate realization pathways. The core argument of this study is that the decline in mulberry-dyke fishpond systems stems from an imbalance in value structures rather than the disappearance of value. Their revitalization hinges on institutional innovation that transforms ecological and social value into sustainable market incentives. To this end, this paper proposes a systematic revitalization framework encompassing a concession system (incorporating community interest alignment and risk management clauses), regional brand certification, carbon sink value realization, and mechanisms for deep community participation. This approach aims to provide a Chinese solution for the sustainable development of similar agricultural cultural heritage sites, offering both theoretical insights and practical value. Full article

This study evaluated whether body size could serve as a quality and traceability marker for cage-reared butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) from the Pak Phanang Basin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, in support of Geographical Indication (GI) certification. Fish were classified into three commercial size grades—small (12–15 fish/kg), medium (6–10 fish/kg), and large (3–5 fish/kg)—corresponding to fish harvested after 6, 8, and 12 months of rearing, respectively, with mean body weight and total length of 75 ± 7 g and 19.8 ± 1.1 cm (small), 120 ± 9 g and 25.8 ± 2.1 cm (medium), and 260 ± 10 g and 32.2 ± 2.8 cm (large). Dorsal muscle samples were comparatively analyzed to assess size-related differences in physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and microbiological quality. Proximate analysis showed that moisture, lipid, ash, and total energy contents increased significantly with fish size (p < 0.05), whereas protein and carbohydrate contents did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Small fish exhibited slightly higher muscle pH (7.02 ± 0.18) than medium and large fish (6.65 ± 0.11 to 6.66 ± 0.25) (p < 0.05). Flesh color was characterized by a pale whitish to slightly yellow appearance with high lightness (L*; p < 0.05), while redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Mineral composition varied with size, with large fish containing significantly higher levels of calcium and magnesium (p < 0.05). Amino acid profiling identified 17 amino acids, including eight essential amino acids (EAA) and nine non-essential amino acids (NEAA), with EAA being more abundant in large fish—particularly leucine and lysine—indicating improved protein quality, while NEAA were dominated by glutamic and aspartic acids across all size groups. Fatty acid analysis revealed higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and greater unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (UFA/SFA) ratios (1.7–1.8) in medium and large fish. Microbiological assessment showed a decrease in total viable counts with increasing fish size, while Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any size group, as these microorganisms are commonly used as key hygiene and food-safety indicators in fish products (E. coli for fecal/handling hygiene, S. aureus for human-handling contamination, and Salmonella spp. as a major foodborne pathogen). Overall, body size was associated with consistent variations in physicochemical characteristics, nutritional composition, and microbial quality of Pak Phanang Basin butter catfish. These findings provide baseline compositional and safety markers that can support product specification development and GI documentation. Full article

Cleaning, the removal of parasites and dead tissue from clients, is common in the Sea. Reef-based cleaning stations are visited by many fish clients, some by both resident and visitor pelagic species, while others are visited solely by resident species. Nonetheless, no distinction has ever been made between the potentially different cleaning stations. Here we describe two distinct categories of cleaning stations: pelagic cleaning stations (PCS) and residential cleaning stations (RCS). We suggest that the two station types differ not only in their clientele but also in the characteristics of their cleaning services. We examined the behaviour of the cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus, at six cleaning stations on isolated knolls in Palawan, the Philippines—three stations that are routinely visited by pelagic manta rays (i.e., PCS), and three stations that service only resident clients (i.e., RCS). Our results indicate that PCS have more cleaners per station and that cleaners forage at greater distances from the station’s focal point. These distinct patterns suggest functional differences between pelagic and residential cleaning stations. Our findings may aid in the identification and conservation of shark and manta cleaning stations. Full article