Vol 11, No 3 (2018)

A critical analysis of literature data on the distribution, morphology, and phylogeography of the Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) and five species of marine and anadromous fish such as navaga (Eleginus navaga), pollock (Theragra chalcogramma), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax dentex), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), and pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus) has been performed. The results show that all these species have colonized Northern European seas, distributing along the Arctic coastline of Eurasia after the glacier retreat. The reasons that the dispersal of these species in the Atlantic Ocean may be impeded (preference for a cold environment, competition, and decrease of the evolutionary potential) are discussed.

We have analyzed the partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene along with the amino acid sequences of cytochrome oxidase subunit I, encoded by this gene region, in representatives of 11 genera of salmonoid fish. For amino acid sequences, two alternative networks are constructed with outgroups represented by either Esocoidei or Osmeroidei as the supposed ancestral groups. This way, Osmeroidei appear to be closer to the salmonoid fish than Esocoidei, and their presence in the network as an outgroup explains the available data on the morphology and karyology of salmonoids much better. A number of the results of this study are fundamentally new. In particular, the slowing down of the molecular evolution of the grayling (Thymallidae) is shown. We conclude that the charr (Salvelinus) is one of the modern genera of salmonoids closest to their ancestor. The hypothesis of the phylogenetic proximity of the genera Brachymystax, Hucho, and Salmo has been confirmed. We also discuss the possibility that it is namely the changes in the amino acid sequence of cytochrome oxidase subunit I that lead to postzygotic reproductive isolation between taxa.

Two fish species reared in aquaculture (pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and whitefish Coregonus lavaretus) and ten fish species from natural habitats (whitefish C. lavaretus, tugun Coregonus tugun, broad whitefish Coregonus nasus, least cisco Coregonus sardinella, vendace Coregonus albula, boganid charr Salvelinus boganidae, charr Salvelinus alpinus complex, northern pike Esox lucius, sharp-snouted lenok Brachymystax lenok, and taimen Hucho taimen) have been studied. The content of two long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (PUFAs), eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA), in the muscle tissue of the fish and in their food (intestine contents) are compared. In the aquacultures of whitefish and pink salmon, the total content of EPA and DHA is significantly higher in feed than in the muscle tissue of the fish, which indicates losses of PUFA in the two-link food chain of the aquaculture during their transfer to the upper trophic level. EPA and DHA losses in aquaculture, which are confirmed by numerous literature data, mean an inefficient usage of the available sources of PUFAs and the aggravation of the global deficit of these biochemicals in the human diet. A study of natural fish populations reveals the accumulation of EPA and DHA in their biomass compared to food in many cases, although opposite phenomena are also observed. An assumption on the presence of an optimal, physiologically adequate species-specific level of PUFA in the fish muscle tissue has been made based on our data and literature data. If the level of PUFAs in the muscles is lower than optimal, their accumulation (bioaccumulation) from food and/or de novo synthesis are observed. When the optimal level is exceeded, the content of EPA and DHA in biomass approaches maximum species-specific values; however, part of these PUFAs entering from food is not digested or is catabolized. According to the obtained data, the species of the order Salmoniformes have an optimal level of 2 to 6 mg/g of wet weight. It has been found that in aquaculture approaching to maximum values of EPA + DHA content was accompanied by their losses (scattering) in the food chains, while in natural ecosystems the maximum values of PUFA content in the fish biomass are achieved by their accumulation from the lower trophic level. Boganid charr S. boganidae had the highest content of EPA + DHA in the muscle tissue among all known fish species (32.78 mg/g of wet weight).

No qualitative or quantitative differences in the profiles of fatty acids (FAs) belonging to the main classes have been found between freshwater resident (Orzega River, Onega Lake Basin) and anadromous (Indera River, White Sea Basin) forms of young brown trout. Differences have been registered in the conversion rate of the food-derived 18:2ω-6 and 18:3ω-3 FAs into long-chain and physiologically active FAs: 20:4ω-6 (arachidonic) and 22:6ω-3 (docosahexaenoic). Freshwater residential form of young brown trout (parr, at 3+-age) from the Orzega River are distinguished by a higher index of 20:4ω-6/18:2ω-6. Anadromous form of young of brown trout (smolts, at 4+-age) from the Indera River have a higher ratio of essential FAs 22:6ω-3/18:3ω-3 and ω-3/ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs; the last index correlates with higher weight–length characteristics of the studied individuals.

Only males (fully mature and failing to mature) and intersexes have been found among triploids of pink salmon. Possible mechanisms of genetic sex determination in pink salmon are discussed. The possibility of using triploids to regulate sizes of artificial pink salmon populations is also discussed. Triploids of pink salmon are deemed inefficient to use in aquaculture. Delayed maturation is observed in some diploid females reared in farming cages.