汉丰湖入湖支流河岸带植物群落特征及其环境影响分析

为探究三峡库区汉丰湖入湖支流河岸带植物分布格局及其环境特征,2013年6月在4条主要入湖支流——南河、桃溪河、头道河和东河设置12个站点,从纵向分布格局(沿河岸带上游至下游)和侧向分布格局(沿水面到高地)开展调查。结果显示,共采集到维管束植物69科、155属、171种;其中禾本科、菊科和蔷薇科种类数较多,分别为19种、16种和9种,占总种数的11.1%、9.4%和5.3%,生活型以草本为主(68.4%),其次为灌木(12.9%);草本植物鲜重、盖度和高度均值依次为(1 951.6±3 076.2)g/m2、(79.9±34.7)%和(34.2±18.3)cm;重要值较大的植物主要有枫杨(Pterocarya stenoptera)、牛筋草(Eleusine indica)和金发草(Pogonatherum paniceum)。河岸带土壤容重、p H值、有机质、碱解氮、有效磷、有效钾的含量均值依次为(1.32±0.19)g/cm3、(7.91±0.38)、(18.22±21.45)g/kg、(60.58±68.67)mg/kg、(6.51±5.21)mg/kg和(59.42±34.33)mg/kg。典范对应分析(CCA)表明,影响河岸带植物重要值的环境因子主要是高程和土壤有机质。     

三峡库区万州段消落带植被及土壤理化特征分析

水文节律是河岸带植物群落演替的主要驱动因子,受水文节律影响的土壤理化特性也有可能逐渐改变周边植被,为了探究周期性淹没对三峡水库消落带植物群落及其生境状况的影响,2015年8-9月,以三峡水库腹地万州段消落带为研究区域,调查分析了8个样地、24个样带、96个样方的消落带植被及土壤理化特征。结果表明,在三峡库区万州段消落带共调查到维管植物22科、47属、51种,其中禾本科、菊科、蓼科和莎草科的种类数较多;植物群落组成以草本植物为主,一年生和多年生草本植物分别占58.8%和27.5%。高程不同,群落优势种有差异,145~155 m及156~165 m区域优势度较高的物种相近,为狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、光头稗(Echinochloa crusgalli var.mitis)和醴肠(Eclipta prostrata);高程166~175 m区域优势度较高的物种为鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)和狗尾草(Setaria viridis)和狗牙根;高程156~166 m区域植物鲜重均值最高,为(2199.1±863.9)g/m2;高程166~175 m区域Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数的均值最高,分别为(2.00±0.30)和(0.85±0.06)。随着坡度等级增加,植物鲜重和盖度呈递减趋势,物种数在坡度6~15°区域最高。长江左岸消落带植物鲜重、高度、Shannon-Wiener和Pielou指数高于右岸。消落带土壤理化性质具有较高的空间异质性,土壤容重、p H、有机质、全氮、有效氮、全磷、有效磷均值分别为(1.34±0.09)g/cm3、(7.60±0.47)、(6.02±2.94)g/kg、(1.21±0.16)g/kg、(53.42±9.67)mg/kg、(0.42±0.14)g/kg、(6.55±2.82)mg/kg,其中有机质的变异系数最大,其次为有效磷和全磷。左岸消落带土壤p H、有机质、全氮和有效氮含量均值低于右岸,但左岸土壤全磷和有效磷含量高于右岸。淹没时间和土壤有效磷含量对消落带植物重要值影响较大。     

三峡水库小江流域消落区土壤的理化性状

2009年5月、7月和9月对小江流域上游至下游消落区的5个断面的土壤理化性状进行监测。结果表明,土壤容重、孔隙度、pH、有机质、全氮和全磷的总体平均值分别为1.47g/cm3、45%、7.33、16.42g/kg、0.79g/kg和0.59g/kg,变化范围分别为1.15～1.68g/cm3、37.0%～61.0%、4.04～8.72、6.64～35.69g/kg、0.40～1.42g/kg和0.36～0.94g/kg。高程150m处的土壤容重均值在7月下降、9月增加,160m处的土壤容重均值在7月增加较多,9月变化不大;不同高程处的孔隙度均值变化与土壤容重变化呈相反的变化趋势;高程160m处土壤有机质在7月有所下降,9月变化不大;各高程土壤全氮和全磷总体呈7月升高、9月下降趋势。并对消落区土壤理化性状变化的影响因素进行了初步分析。     

三峡水库小江流域消落区土壤的理化性状

2009年5月、7月和9月对小江流域上游至下游消落区的5个断面的土壤理化性状进行监测。结果表明,土壤容重、孔隙度、pH、有机质、全氮和全磷的总体平均值分别为1.47g/cm3、45%、7.33、16.42g/kg、0.79g/kg和0.59g/kg,变化范围分别为1.15～1.68g/cm3、37.0%～61.0%、4.04～8.72、6.64～35.69g/kg、0.40～1.42g/kg和0.36～0.94g/kg。高程150m处的土壤容重均值在7月下降、9月增加,160m处的土壤容重均值在7月增加较多,9月变化不大;不同高程处的孔隙度均值变化与土壤容重变化呈相反的变化趋势;高程160m处土壤有机质在7月有所下降,9月变化不大;各高程土壤全氮和全磷总体呈7月升高、9月下降趋势。并对消落区土壤理化性状变化的影响因素进行了初步分析。     

汉丰湖富营养化综合评价与水环境容量分析

2012、2013年季节性监测了汉丰湖水体理化指标,采用综合营养状态指数法对其富营养化状态进行了评价,采用沃伦威德尔模型(Vollenweider)和狄龙模型(Dillon)计算了化学需氧量、总氮、总磷的水环境容量。结果表明:汉丰湖水质总体处于地表水Ⅱ类~Ⅳ类标准,TN 0.76~2.24 mg/L、平均1.41 mg/L,NH3-N 0.17~0.95 mg/L、平均0.41 mg/L,TP 0.010~0.106 mg/L、平均0.069 mg/L,CODMn2.34~14.60 mg/L、平均4.22 mg/L。东河区域水质优于小江干流、南河区域,秋季污染程度最轻;汉丰湖水体营养状态介于中营养到轻度富营养型,其中南河区域的营养程度相对较高;从单个评价因子看,总氮的营养状态最高,持续处于轻度、中度至重度富营养状态。汉丰湖化学需氧量、总氮、总磷水环境容量分别为37 335、109.1和1 643.84 t/a,为达到汉丰湖水功能区划Ⅱ类水的管理目标,总氮、总磷削减率分别为38%和56%。     

生态护坡生境基材土壤肥力动态变化研究

分析植被恢复过程中基材土壤肥力,为进一步改进生境基材性能、完善植被混凝土生态防护技术提供科学依据。在湖北省宜昌市选择清江水布垭电站公路边坡(S样地)、高坝洲电站进厂公路边坡(G样地)和三峡大学图书馆后边坡(T样地)等3个植被混凝土生态修复边坡,采用系统布点法,在坡面5~10 cm深度处取环刀样,对生境基材多年份(2007-2012年)土壤主要肥力因子进行定量测定,并采用T-S模糊神经网络模型对肥力水平进行综合评价分析。结果表明:有机质S样地由13.34 g/kg增加至32.89 g/kg,G样地由14.78 g/kg增加至35.02 g/kg,T样地在5.65~22.87 g/kg缓慢、波动增长;土壤全氮含量S样地0.12~2.27 g/kg,G样地0.13~1.64 g/kg,T样地0.08~0.84 g/kg;速效氮含量S样地23.94~170.87 mg/kg,G样地31.70~237.51 mg/kg,T样地20.88~122.28 mg/kg;全磷变化范围S样地2.30~2.66 g/kg,G样地1.64~2.06 g/kg,T样地1.63~2.18 g/kg;速效磷S样地2007、2009年异常丰富,均在300 mg/kg以上,其余年度为36.23~154.29mg/kg,G、T样地变化规律与S样地类似;速效钾G样地波动范围在59.87~207.03mg/kg,S样地、T样地波动幅度较小且总体处于丰富水平。各样地综合肥力指数随着监测时间的推移,总体是逐渐减小趋于稳定,综合肥力指数S样地3.14~2.69,G样地3.25~2.73,T样地3.47~2.74。总体上各样地综合肥力水平呈现先增长后稳定的发展趋势,肥力综合等级处于中等向上水平。     

稻-金鱼共栖生态系统土壤理化性状研究

通过田间试验对稻-金鱼共栖生态系统的稻田土壤理化性状进行了研究。研究结果表明,与常规稻田相比,实行稻-金鱼生态复合种养,土壤的速效氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质分别增加9.6mg/kg、0.8mg/kg、4.0mg/kg、1.67g/kg,增加幅度分别为5.7%、6.4%、6.2%、7.5%;土壤物理性状也得到一定程度地改善,土壤容重降低了0.11g/cm3;土壤总孔隙度增加了8.63%,土壤非毛管孔隙度增加0.01%。     

典型滨海翅碱蓬盐沼湿地土壤理化特征研究

为了解滨海潮间带盐沼湿地翅碱蓬生长的土壤环境,2013年7月～8月采集辽宁盘锦、辽宁庄河、天津、山东东营及江苏连云港5个不同纬度典型滨海翅碱蓬生长区域土壤,研究了其理化特征。结果表明,翅碱蓬可生长的我国滨海潮间带湿地土壤含盐量（2.5±0.5）g/kg～（19.0±6.1）g/kg、氯离子含量（1.16±0.04）g/kg～（11.27±0.3.43）g/kg、pH （7.05±0.01）～（8.96±0.01）、碱度（3.56±0.59）mmol/kg～（8.78±0.78）mmol/kg、全碳含量（7.70±1.84）mg/kg～（21.73±4.11）mg/kg,全氮含量（0.36±0.03）mg/kg～（0.87±0.04）mg/kg、无机氮含量（1.95±0.95）mg/kg～（16.10±1.57）mg/kg、速效磷含量（5.26±0.33）mg/kg～（39.98±0.61）mg/kg、速效钾含量（0.53±0.19）mg/kg～（1.77±0.01）mg/kg,其中铵氮含量（1.60±0.58）mg/kg～（8.76±0.16）mg/kg、亚硝酸盐氮含量（0.01±0.00）mg/kg～（0.11±0.00）mg/kg、硝酸盐氮含量（1.00±0.20）mg/kg～（2.54±1.09）mg/kg。土壤N:P比平均值为0.80±0.25、N:K比平均值为17.77±6.08、P:K比平均值为26.90±4.67;TC:TN比平均值为26.50±4.67。在符合这些土壤特征的滨海潮间带光滩可采用翅碱蓬进行生态修复。     

乌杨调节坝运行初期汉丰湖浮游植物群落结构及其与环境因子的相关性分析

为了解乌杨调节坝正式运行初期汉丰湖水体情况,2016年10月—2017年10月对汉丰湖浮游植物群落及水质状况进行了调查。结果显示,调查期间共检出浮游植物7门58属114种,其中绿藻门和硅藻门最多,分别占39.47%和38.60%。尖针杆藻、梅尼小环藻和啮蚀隐藻等为优势种。浮游植物平均密度为8.64×10~5 ind./L;平均生物量为2.03 mg/L;其中,平均密度和生物量在2016年12月最小,2017年2—8月不断增大,10月份有所下降;四个采样点的平均密度和生物量差异均不显著。各采样点浮游植物Margalef物种丰富度指数(d_(Ma))为1.69～5.23;Shannon-Wiener指数(H’e)为1.12～2.75;Pielou均匀性指数(J_e)为0.45～0.96。水温、高锰酸盐指数、总磷、总氮、氨氮的变化范围分别为12.7～31.5℃、1.54～4.92 mg/L、0.01～0.18 mg/L、0.20～1.11mg/L、0.10～0.81 mg/L。冗余分析(RDA)结果表明,汉丰湖浮游植物与高锰酸盐指数、总磷、亚硝态氮和氨氮呈正相关,与透明度呈负相关。     

汉丰湖入湖支流浮游植物群落结构及环境因子影响分析

为了准确反映汉丰湖的水环境状况,通过浮游植物监测和环境因子监测相结合,探讨汉丰湖入湖支流东河、桃溪河、南河、头道河浮游植物群落结构特征及其与水体理化因子的关系,对小江中上游开县汉丰湖4条主要支流的水体理化指标和浮游植物进行了采样分析,在东河、南河、桃溪河、头道河各设置3个监测点,于2013年3、6、9、12月各采样1次。结果表明,4条入湖支流共采集鉴定浮游植物8门、84属、218种（含变种）,以硅藻（107种）和绿藻（64种）种类居多,其次是蓝藻（31种）,这3类的种数占浮游植物总数的92.7%,其它5门的种类数较少。各支流浮游植物种类数由低到高依次为东河（83种）、桃溪河（100种）、南河（106种）、头道河（120种）,其密度均值在105数量级,南河下游浮游植物密度在夏季出现最大峰值,达到1.06×107 个/L,在大部分时段均以蓝藻占优势。水体理化指标监测数据显示,汉丰湖4条主要支流的总氮、总磷、pH、溶氧、水温、CODMn和电导率均值分别为1.00~1.61 mg/L、0.03~0.11 mg/L、7.82~8.53、6.65~7.03 mg/L、17.9~20.4℃、2.07~4.57 mg/L、269.25~522.50 μS/cm;其中,南河的总氮、CODMn较高,头道河的总磷较高,各支流的水温、溶氧、pH较为接近。浮游植物与环境因子的相关性分析表明,东河的裸藻、桃溪河的绿藻以及头道河的蓝藻密度均与水温显著相关（P<0.05）,南河的硅藻和绿藻密度与水温极显著正相关（P<0.01）,东河的甲藻密度与总磷浓度极显著相关（P<0.01）,桃溪河的硅藻和甲藻密度与总磷浓度显著相关（P<0.05）,绿藻密度与总氮浓度显著负相关（P<0.05）,硅藻密度与总氮浓度极显著负相关（P<0.01）;浮游植物分布及密度主要受水温、总氮和总磷的影响。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.