Nest site selection and aspects of the reproductive biology of the pygmy sculpin (Cottus paulus) in Coldwater Spring, Calhoun County, Alabama

Abstract – Imperiled pygmy sculpins are known from only one locality in Alabama, USA. One conservation strategy for the species is the creation of another population by introducing the species into a suitable habitat. Before such action is considered, however, an understanding of the life history, including reproductive biology and habitat use, of the species must be obtained. In this study, nesting of pygmy sculpins was found to peak in July, although the species has an extended reproductive period. Preferred nesting sites had higher flow and shallower water depth than the surrounding habitat. Pygmy sculpins readily used artificial nest substrates that were introduced into the spring run, where natural nest substrate was uncommon. ^Note     

Veterinary aspects of raising chimpanzees

The problems involved in chimpanzee husbandry are mainly baised on their behaviour, intelligence and psychical sensitivity. The most suitable species-specific conditions of keeping, feeding and veterinary welfare are fundamental demands for physical and mental health as well as for successful reproduction of chimpanzees living in captivity. In spite of different possibilities and motives of chimpanzee husbandry in each particular case, the general statements given in this article may be useful concerning these requirements.     

Parapox in a pigmy chimpanzee]

Parapoxvirus was found using electron microscopy in skin scrapings from a pygmy chimpanzee with a pustular skin disease. Clinical findings are described and possible ways of transmission are discussed. It seems remarkable that this is the first time parapoxvirus has been diagnosed in a nonhuman primate.     

Food and feeding habits of Tilapia aurea (Steindachner) (Cichlidae) in Lake Kinneret (Israel)

An analysis of the food of 274 specimens of Tilapia aurea (Steindachner), which had been collected in Lake Kinneret, showed that this species is mainly a zooplankton consumer.A study of the quantitative dynamics of the food components in the course of a year has proved that the species in question feeds more intensely in spring, this being the time when zooplankton forms are more abundant in the water of the lake. Vegetable detritus, mixed with plankton and benthos forms, served as additional and alternative food.The lack of clearly positive degree of food component selectivity, as well as the low values of the intestine repletion index and of the condition coefficient, account for the slowness in growth of Tilapia aurea in Lake Kinneret.The low values of the growth and feeding indices are due, according to the authors, to the pressure brought to bear by the other local fish species, which are competitors for the same food.     

Food and feeding habits of Tilapia zillii (Gervais) (Cichlidae) in Lake Kinneret (Israel)

Analysis of the gut content of 329 specimens of T. zillii (Cichlidae) collected from Lake Kinneret, has shown great variation in the sorts of food.A study of seasonal dynamics has proved the prevalence in the food of Chironomida pupae (Diptera) in winter and spring and of zooplankton forms in summer and autumn. The additional food consisted of the various groups of algae, the most frequently found being Cyanophyta (100%) and Pyrrophyta (64.16%). An extremely voraceous species, it consumes — while searching for its preferred food — anything that comes its way in the water: algae, scraps of macrophytes, autochthonous and allochthonous insects, and forms of benthic origin, such as Nematoda, Ostracoda, Porifera and Chironomida (larvae).The satiation index is high (between 4.08 and 5.63), in contradiction to the low values of the coefficient of condition (between 3.05 and 3.51), and with the slow rate of growth in Lake Kinneret. The main food of Tilapia zillii, consists of arthropod species with a chitin content (which is eliminated unchanged) of more than 50% of the total weight, and this may account for the poor exploitation of the trophic base.This species of fish may be considered as being detrimental to others (i.e. commercially important species) because of its successful competition for food, and not, as is often incorrectly assumed, because it is an aggressive consumer of their spawn and fry.     

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) grazing on duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza)

The aims of this experiment were (1) toquantify the ability of grass carp to processduckweed and (2) to assess indirect changes inwater chemistry and phytoplankton community,caused by grass carp feeding. Yearling grass carp sized 126 ± 7.7 mm (TL) and19.6 g in weight were kept in 9 laminate tanksof 1 m³ for 14 days. Two stockingdensities (2 and 6 fish per m³) anda control without fish were used. Standard growthrate (SGR) of grass carp fed exclusively onduckweed was 0.70% body weight (BW) d^–1and food conversion ratio (FCR) reached 2.0(average water temperature =21.1 ± 3.8 °C). Daily food intakewas 0.2 g of duckweed dry weight (DW), i.e.,1% of average BW of grass carp. SGR ofduckweed growing in 20 × 20 cm floatingenclosures, differed significantly[F(6,2) = 417.9; p = 0.002] between the twostocking densities of grass carp and thecontrol tanks (without fish). Mean SGR ofduckweed was 0.02 g g^–1 day^–1 and thehighest SGR was recorded in the control tanks.Both decrease in NH₄-N and increase inNO₂-N concentrations differedsignificantly between the treatments[F(2,2) = 45.3; p = 0.02 and F(2,2) = 19.2; p = 0.04 respectively]. Changes in other nitrogenand phosphorus components (NO₃-N, TN, TPand PO₄-P) caused by stocking of grasscarp were not significant. Biomass ofphytoplankton, dominated by filamentous algaeand blue-greens, increased proportionately tostocking density of grass carp. Althoughduckweed has a large potential for nutrientremoval, the most common pathway for thenutrients released through grass carp grazingif duckweed cover is loose is theirincorporation into phytoplankton biomass.     

叶尔羌高原鳅胚胎发育与胚后发育观察

采用形态学和生态学方法,对叶尔羌高原鳅[Triplophysa(Hedinichthys)yarkandensis(Day)]胚胎发育和胚后发育阶段全过程进行观察、拍照并测量。结果显示:叶尔羌高原鳅,卵微黏性,略有沉性,受精卵呈卵圆形,卵径为(0.60±0.052)mm,在水温(20.0±1.0)℃下,历时65 h 34 min完成整个胚胎发育分为7个生理阶段过程;胚后发育主要根据卵黄囊、体色、鼓鳔和须的变化分为仔鱼期、稚鱼期、幼鱼期。初孵卵黄囊仔鱼全长(2.0±0.65)mm,出膜后7 d,卵黄囊吸收完毕,完全消失;初孵仔鱼继续培育至16日龄,仔鱼鳃盖后缘鼓鳔明显长出,须清晰可辨,体色加深,心脏红色素明显,体色与成体相似,标志后期仔鱼发育完全进入稚鱼期,此时鱼苗全长(8.0±0.45)mm;培育至30日龄,仔鱼鼓鳔完全,鳃盖张合明显,身体透明特征消失,稚鱼阶段完成发育进入幼鱼期,此时全长达(13.0±0.55)mm,其外部形态和生态习性均与成鱼相似。试验中,卵黄囊长度(LY)和出膜天数(D)的关系式:LY=0.0286D2–0.0636D+3.1196(R2=0.9050);用直线方程拟合卵黄囊长度(LY)和卵黄囊仔鱼全长(LT)的关系式:LY=–1.315LT+5.368(R2=0.8199);拟合卵黄囊仔鱼全长(LT)和出膜后仔稚鱼天数(D)的关系式:LT=–0.0263D2+0.5113D+1.6169(R2=0.9890)。本研究旨在通过了解叶尔羌高原鳅的早期发育特征为该物种的保护和增殖对策提供科学依据,并对其苗种生产提供理论指导。     

Transmission of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) from Dendronereis spp. (Peters) (Nereididae) to penaeid shrimp

Dendronereis spp. (Peters) (Nereididae) is a common polychaete in shrimp ponds built on intertidal land and is natural food for shrimp in traditionally managed ponds in Indonesia. White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an important viral pathogen of the shrimp, can replicate in this polychaete (Desrina et al. 2013); therefore, it is a potential propagative vector for virus transmission. The major aim of this study was to determine whether WSSV can be transmitted from naturally infected Dendronereis spp. to specific pathogen‐free (SPF) Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) through feeding. WSSV was detected in naturally infected Dendronereis spp. and Penaeus monodon Fabricius from a traditional shrimp pond, and the positive animals were used in the current experiment. WSSV‐infected Dendronereis spp. and P. monodon in a pond had a point prevalence of 90% and 80%, respectively, as measured by PCR. WSSV was detected in the head, gills, blood and mid‐body of Dendronereis spp. WSSV from naturally infected Dendronereis spp was transmitted to SPF L. vannamei and subsequently from this shrimp to new naïve‐SPF L. vannamei to cause transient infection. Our findings support the contention that Dendronereis spp, upon feeding, can be a source of WSSV infection of shrimp in ponds.     

Development of embryos in Mastacembelus mastacembelus (Bank & Solender, 1794) (Mesopotamian spiny eel) (Mastacembelidae)

In this study, the embryonic development of the eggs in the Mastacembelus mastacembelus (Bank & Solender, 1794) was examined. At the same time, possibilities of artificial breeding through artificial insemination were investigated. Artificial insemination was achieved by mixing the eggs of the mature female and sperm of the mature male samples caught with gill nets (22 × 22) in Ataturk Dam Lake in Turkey. To this end, first in a Petri dish (100 × 20), the testes were cut into small pieces with a lancet and the mixture of sperm–testes‐tissue was obtained. The fertilization rate of the eggs was found to be 80%. The diameter of the eggs ranged from 2.015to 1.147 mm. The perivitelline space formed 0.5 h after insemination. The first cleavage occurred at the animal pool 4 h after insemination. The oil droplets had fused to a single droplet 19 h after insemination. The blastoderm became an embryonic shield 30 h after insemination. The blastoderm covered almost half the egg 40 h after insemination and embryonic body was formed. The blastoderm covered almost the whole egg 50 h after insemination. Some somites were discernible 59 h after insemination. The embryonic body reached two‐third of the circumference of the egg 70 h after insemination. The tail bud began to separate from the yolk 77 h after insemination. A newly hatched larva was observed at 85 h after insemination.     

Extinction of Daphnia lumholtzi (Sars) in Lake Kinneret (Israel)

Daphnia lumholtzi (Sars) was found in Lake Kinneret until the late nineteen-fifties. Lake Kinneret was the northern-most limit of the distribution of this species. It is suggested that fingerlings of grey mullets and Sarotherodon aureus that were introduced into Lake Kinneret caused the extinction of D. lumholtzi.     

Substitution effect of sea tangle (ST) (Laminaria japonica) with tunic of sea squirt (SS) (Halocynthia roretzi) in diet on growth and carcass composition of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus,Reeve 1846)

Substitution effect of sea tangle (ST) with tunic of sea squirt (SS) in diet on growth and carcass composition of juvenile abalone was determined. One thousand four hundred and seventy abalones were distributed into 21 containers. Six formulated diets in triplicate were prepared. A 200 g/kg ST was included into the ST0 diet. The 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 g/kg of ST were substituted with the same amount of tunic of SS, referred to as the ST200, ST400, ST600, ST800 and ST1000 diets, respectively. Finally, Undaria was prepared to compare effect of the formulated diets on performance of abalone. The experimental diets were fed to abalone for 16 weeks. Weight gain of abalone fed the ST400 diet was higher than that of abalone fed the ST0, ST600, ST800 and ST1000 diets and Undaria. Weight gain of abalone fed the formulated diets was higher than that of abalone fed the Undaria. The chemical composition of the carcass of abalone was affected by dietary substitution of ST with tunic of SS. In conclusion, ST could be completely substituted with tunic of SS without retardation in performance of abalone. Abalone fed the ST400 diet substituting 400 g/kg ST with tunic of SS achieved the best growth.     

Complete developmental cycle of Myxobolus pseudodispar (Gorbunova) (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae)

Myxobolus pseudodispar (Gorbunova) is a common parasite of the muscle of roach, Rutilus rutilus L., whereas its actinosporean development occurs in two oligochaete alternate hosts. This paper reports the complete developmental cycle of this parasite in the oligochaete alternate host Tubifex tubifex and the roach. In laboratory experiments, parasite-free T. tubifex specimens were infected by myxospores of M. pseudodispar collected from roach in Lake Balaton. Parasite-free roach fingerlings were infected with floating triactinospores (TAMs) released from oligochaetes on day 69 after challenge. Young plasmodia and spores in roach were first recorded on day 80 post-exposure (p.e.). Myxospores collected from experimentally infected roach initiated a new development in T. tubifex and the resulting TAMs infected roach. No infection of roach resulted from feeding oligochaetes containing mature triactinospores.     

Ontogenetic changes in the diet of the black-stripe minnow Galaxiella nigrostriata (Shipway, 1953) (Galaxiidae) and the salamanderfish Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Mees, 1961) (Lepidogalaxiidae)

Abstract –  Similarities in the diets of larval, juvenile and adult black-stripe minnow ( Galaxiella nigrostriata ) and salamanderfish ( Lepidogalaxias salamandroides ), collected from ephemeral pools in south-western Australia during the mid-wet, late-wet and dry seasons, were assessed. During the mid-wet season, both intra- and interspecific competition for a diminishing food supply was minimised through differences in prey utilisation by the various developmental stages of both species. During the late-wet season, the pools contained only juvenile G. nigrostriata and juvenile and adult L. salamandroides , the diets of which were vastly different. A shift towards terrestrial fauna by G. nigrostriata and the ingestion of greater proportions of larger benthic prey taxa by L. salamandroides minimised interspecific competition for food at a time when densities of zooplanktors were rapidly declining. Timing differences in the onset of aestivation ensures that no interspecific competition for food occurs during the dry season.     

Goussia auxidis (Dogiel, 1948) (Apicomplexa: Calyptosporidae) from tuna (Pisces: Scombridae) in the South Pacific

Abstract. A coccidian identified as Goussia auxidis (Dogiel, 1948) is recorded for the first time from the liver and spleen of albacore, Thunnus alalunga; the liver of slender tuna, Allothunnus fallai , skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis and yellowfin tuna, T. albacares: and in the spleen of Scomber australasicus. All host fish were caught in the western and central South Pacific Ocean. Coccidian spores were not found in the liver of southern bluefin tuna, T. maccoyii , or butterfly tuna, Gasterochisma melampus.     

Using fatty acid markers to distinguish between effects of salmon (Salmo salar) and halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) farming on mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus)

Presence of coastal aquaculture activities in marine landscapes is growing with impacts on the wild fish that share these habitats. However, it is difficult to disentangle subsequent ecological interactions between these activities and marine fish communities. We evaluated the impact of both salmon and halibut farms on mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus) sampled near sea cages using condition indices and fatty acid (FA) biomarkers. Results of the stomach content analysis indicated that mackerel and whiting consumed waste feed which was also reflected in their modified FA profiles. Both mackerel and whiting had elevated levels of FAs that are of vegetable oils origin. The use of vegetable oils as replacement for marine oils is a lot more common in salmon farming than halibut farming. Additionally, the overall effects of the two fish farms were more pronounced in whiting than in mackerel sampled near the sea cages. By allowing discrimination between sources of trophic interactions, this method could lead to more informed decisions in managing different farming activities.     

Palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) as a substitute for corn (Zea mays) in diets of Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of palm kernel meal (Elaeis guineensis) as corn (Zea mays) substitutes in tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) diets based on zootechnical performance, health, characteristics of the muscle, yield and economic efficiency. The first one was carried out in a recirculation aquaculture system for 75 days wherein tambaquis received diets with 0% (T0), 25% (T25), 50% (T50), 75% (T75) and 100% (T100) of corn replacement by palm kernel meal. The second experiment, conducted in ponds for 184 days, tambaquis were fed T0 and T25 diets (selected because showed greater weight gain without health damage). Final weight and weight gain of tambaquis were impaired by the increasing levels of this ingredient on diets, and the feed conversion ratio was worse. The protein efficiency ratio and specific growth rate gradually reduced, while the total number of leucocytes and neutrophils gradually increased. Cholesterol and triglycerides decreased in T75 and T100. Variables analysed in experiment 2 were not affected by treatment, except muscle lipids. Palm kernel meal can replace up to 25% of corn in tambaqui diets since it maintains a balance in economic and zootechnical performance of production.     

Constitutive nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities in big-head carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of nitric oxide (NO), an important biological messenger from L-arginine. There are considerable evidence showing the expression of NOS in mammalian tissues. Information on distribution of NOS activities in various organs and tissues of fish is rare. Non-functional NOS activities were documented in fish semi-quantitatively either by an indirect nicotine-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity histochemical staining method or by an immunohistochemical method using a cross-reacting antibody to brain NOS. Report on the functional levels of NOS activities in fish is lacking. This report represent the first attempt to document the functional NOS levels in various fish organs and tissues. Constitutive NOS (cNOS) activities in various organs of big-head carp (Aristichthys nobilis) was measured by a chemiluminescence method with a detection limit as low as 10 mol of NO produced. It was found that constitutive NOS activity was highest in the brain, followed by the intestine, stomach, retina, olfactory lobe, swim bladder, skeletal muscle, heart, kidney, ovary and liver. NOS activity could not be detected in the gill filaments. Omission of NADPH in the reaction mixture caused a 57–100% decrease in cNOS activities. However, omission of arginine in the mixture only caused a 56–87% drop in cNOS activities. When compared with cNOS activities documented from other species, a similar pattern of cNOS activities in the various organs and tissues of big-head carp could be seen.     

Use of Onion (Allium cepa) and Garlic (Allium sativum) Wastes for the Prevention of Fungal Disease (Saprolegnia parasitica) on Eggs of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was designed to prevent fungal disease (Saprolegnia parasitica) that occurs on rainbow trout eggs (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by using wastes of onion (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum) plants. For this purpose, fertilized rainbow trout eggs were exposed to garlic skin, garlic stem and onion skin aqueous methanolic extracts by bathing in concentrations of 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 g/L, whereas the control group was left untreated. The larvae in all groups were monitored until they become free-swimming larvae, the number of eggs died due to fungus was recorded, and the data obtained from experimental groups and control group were compared. As a result, it was determined that onion skin had no effect on the number of eggs that died due to fungus (p > .05), while garlic skin and garlic stem extracts significantly reduced the number of fungal infestations without affecting the number of live larvae or the embryological development of the eggs (p < .05). In light of these data, we conclude that garlic skin (0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g/L) and garlic stem (0.8 and 1.6 g/L) aqueous methanolic extracts are effective at preventing Saprolegnia parasitica infestation on rainbow trout eggs and may be used in aquaculture.     

A note on the hybrid mrigal,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton) × common carp,Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) (Cyprinidae)

Mrigal-common carp hybrids were produced and examined. Only few hybrids could be reared up to the age of 14 months. These did not show signs of maturity. The parents species mature in ponds in 6 months (common carp) or 12 months (mrigal).