The study aimed to investigate if fermentation of sweet lupin, Lupinus angustifolius, increases inclusion level of the lupin by replacing fishmeal content in the formulated diets of juvenile barramundi. Sweet lupin kernel was fermented by Lactobacilli (3.10 8 CFU/g) for 72 hours to be used to replace fishmeal at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 75% of inclusion levels. The results showed that the fermentation of lupin significantly reduced the amount of antinutrients and improved the amino acid profile of the lupin. The growth rates of the juvenile barramundi were not adversely affected by the different inclusion levels of fermented lupin in the diets. There was an even significant increase in the final weight and length of the barramundi fed 45% and 60% fishmeal replacement diets. The survival rates were more than 93% in all dietary treatments. Feed conversion rates (FCR) were unchanged among the diets, except significantly higher FCR shown in 75% fishmeal replacement diet. The differences of protein digestibility among diets were not significant. However, hydrolyzed fat and phosphorus in the diets significantly increased (p<0.05) when the fermented lupin inclusion level rose from 30% to75%. Fish carcass protein, fat and energy contents were not significantly affected by any diet, while essential amino acid profiles revealed a little change. In conclusion, the fermentation by Lactobacilli improved the lupin's nutritional quality, allowing higher inclusion level in barramundi diets.

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The fine scale morphological and genetic dynamics of successive waves of Anguilla anguilla glass eel recruitment was studied over a 2 year period at a southern European Mediterranean location (Camargue, France) with continuous recruitment. Using morphometric [total length (L(T)), mass (M), condition (K) and pigmentation stage] as well as genetic (allozyme) markers, the aim was to test for the existence of temporally separated spawning groups and explore the relation between genetic variability and morphological heterogeneity of recruits. The results showed that L(T), M and K varied over time, being highest from the end of summer to winter (peaking in December) and lowest in spring (lowest in April). The pigmentation stages within monthly samples were highly diverse with a heterogeneous seasonal pattern. Allozyme data showed high genetic variability values within samples, but low genetic differentiation among samples (F(ST) = 0.003, P < 0.05). Pairwise comparisons between samples indicated a positive correlation between genetic differentiation and difference in recruitment time (days), with a marked increase in genetic differentiation around 250 days between monthly recruitment samples. Furthermore, genetic diversity increased with the number of pigmentation stages per sample and was negatively correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index during the putative year of trans-oceanic migration. No correlation, however, was found between the level of multilocus heterozygosity (MLH) and growth variables. A situation of genetic patchiness with fluctuating parental contribution can thus best explain the patterns observed, although the existence of two separate spawning periods cannot be excluded. More discriminatory and sensitive genetic markers, such as (neutral and adaptive) microsatellites, could probably provide additional insights into the most probable hypothesis explaining the population structure and recruitment heterogeneity of A. anguilla.