Age,growth, maturity and the overfishing of the iconic sciaenid,Argyrosomus japonicus,in south-eastern,Australia

Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) occur in estuarine and coastal waters surrounding Australia, Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Korea and Japan, where they are important in fisheries. This study identified that mulloway in south-eastern Australia had similar growth rates, but matured at smaller lengths and younger ages, to those in South Africa and Western Australia. Growth of both sexes was similar to about 5 years, after which females grew faster and attained a greater maximum length than males. Female mulloway matured at 4–5 years of age with a L₅₀ of 68 cm, whereas males matured at 2–3 years of age with a L₅₀ of 51 cm. The commercial fishery in New South Wales was characterised by declining catches and a reduction in the proportion of mulloway of mature lengths in landings. During 2002–2005 commercial landings were dominated (83%) by fish within 15 cm of the current minimum legal total length of 45 cm and aged 2 and 3 years (>80%), even though mulloway can attain lengths of 200 cm and live >30 years. Estimates of the rates of instantaneous total mortality ranged between 0.34 and 0.45, whilst the rate of instantaneous natural mortality (M) was estimated to be approximately 0.12. Yield-per-recruit analyses indicated that mulloway in New South Wales are being growth overfished and substantial increases in yield could be achieved by increasing the length at first harvest. Values of the spawning potential ratio were below 0.2 under a range of mortality estimates, suggesting that mulloway are at risk of recruitment overfishing. These results suggest that the spawning stock of mulloway in south-eastern Australia has been depleted and that remedial management action is required to protect this iconic species.     

Effect of Lead on Survival,Osmoregulation, and Histological Changes of the Gills of the White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone, 1931

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of lead for different life stages of shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and to determine the effect of its sublethal concentrations on osmoregulatory capacity (OC) as well as the possible histological alteration in the gills of juvenile shrimp. The 24‐, 48‐, and 96‐h LC₅₀ values for lead to L. vannamei increased progressively with increasing life stage, from nauplii < zoeae < mysis < postlarvae < juvenile. After 15‐d exposure to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, the OC values of exposed shrimp were reduced by 39, 73, and 157%, respectively compared to control animals. Compared to controls, the lead concentrations in gill tissues increased significantly by 127,500, 137,500, and 141,000% in shrimps exposed to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, respectively. After lead exposure, hemocytic congestion in efferent vessels and multiple hyperplasia were observed in gill filaments, resulting in narrowed hemolymphatic lacuna. The histopathological effects increased with increasing Pb concentration.     

Factors influencing the abundance of the common bully, Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall, in small, North Island, New Zealand, lakes

Adult common bullies, Gobiomorphus cotidianus McDowall, are small (total length =  30–120 mm), benthic fish commonly found in the littoral zones of New Zealand lakes where they are a major prey species for trout and eels. Differences in their relative abundance (CPUE) were determined between 21 shallow North Island lakes. Mean CPUE ranged from 2 to >  1000 fish net^{− 1} night^{− 1} and was inversely related to water transparency. The abundance of bullies was not reduced in lakes containing rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), but was reduced in all lakes containing self-recruiting populations of eels, Anguilla spp. Mean densities of planktonic larval bullies in the limnetic zone were also inversely related to water transparency. Since low water transparency is related to increased trophic status for these lakes, the abundance of bullies is likely to be related to lake productivity, rather than turbidity.     

Morphological, structural, and functional characterization of the haemocytes of the scallop, Argopecten irradians

Argopecten irradians is one of the most important commercial species of Pectinidae family in China. The internal defense system of mollusks consists of circulating haemocytes. In order to characterize the haemocytes of the scallop A. irradians, light and electron microscopical studies were carried out. Four types of haemocytes were recognized: type I small hyalinocytes (2.38 ± 0.08 μm, 30-35%), type II large hyalinocytes (4.41 ± 0.33 μm, 15-20%), type III small granulocytes (4.15 ± 0.26 μm, 20-25%), and type IV large granulocytes (8.26 ± 0.52 μm, 25-30%). Granulocyte types showed smaller N/C ratios than hyalinocytes. The mean haemocyte concentration was about (3.75 ± 0.65) × 10⁷ cells ml^− 1 of haemolymph. Among haemocytes, 44.7% are granular and 55.3% are agranular. These gave a relatively systematic classification scheme for haemocytes of A. irradians. Three types of granules were identified: type I, with high electron-density; type II, with low electron-density; and type III, with a middle level of electron-density, based on TEM studies. Different haemocyte types were not separated with DDGC of Percoll in this study. Both granulocytes and hyalinocytes showed a phagocytic response to the two strains of bacteria, Escherichia coli and RLOs. The phagocytic ability of granulocyte was significantly higher (41-48%) than that of hyalinocyte (9.2-11.2%).     

Optimizing the essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, in the diet of the prawn, Penaeus monodon

The dietary requirements of Penaeus monodon for eicosapentaenoic (20:5n‐3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n‐3; DHA) acids were examined. These requirements were examined when dietary levels of linoleic (18:2n‐6; LOA) and linolenic acids (18:3n‐3; LNA) were also provided at previously established optimal levels of 14 and 21% respectively of the total lipid fatty acids. A 5 × 5 factorial design was used with incremental amounts (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% of total fatty acids) of EPA and/or DHA. An additional diet containing cod‐liver oil was provided as a reference diet. The total lipid content of all of the 25 treatments and reference diets was maintained at the same level of 75 g kg^?1. Growth of prawns fed with the reference diet after 50 days was 244 ± 21%. The greatest response to singular additions of EPA or DHA was with a 12% inclusion of either fatty acid, resulting in 287 ± 21 and 293 ± 18% weight gain, respectively. Growth was generally better when combinations of EPA and DHA were used, the optimal combination being EPA 4% and DHA 4%, resulting in 335 ± 25% weight gain. Addition of high levels of either of the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in the diet had a negative effect on growth. Digestibilities of the total neutral lipid and specific fatty acids were examined during the growth trials. The digestibility of total neutral lipid was usually higher when either or both HUFA were present, however there were few significant differences between treatments that contained either or both HUFA. Following the growth trials, digestive glands (DG) of prawns fed with the various diets were analysed to determine the total lipid content and fatty acid composition. Total lipid in the digestive gland increased with the inclusion of DHA, but was not significantly affected by the addition of EPA. The fatty acid composition of the digestive gland lipid generally reflected that of the diet. However, the maximum retention of EPA (11.1% of total DG fatty acids) and DHA (10.7% of total DG fatty acids), was not directly proportional to the amount of either fatty acid present in the diet. These results demonstrate that both EPA and DHA have considerable growth promoting capacity. This growth promoting capacity is enhanced when an optimal balance of both fatty acids are incorporated into the diet.     

Larval transport and retention of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in the coastal zone of the Florida Keys, USA

The spiny lobster Panulirus argus is of ecological and commercial importance in the South Florida coast of the continental USA and throughout the Intra‐Americas Sea. Essential spiny lobster habitat in South Florida is primarily located in the Florida Keys coastal zone (including the Dry Tortugas), where the dynamic regional circulation coupled with the long planktonic larval duration (6–12 months) of P. argus raises questions of larval retention and recruitment. Locally spawned phyllosomata entrained in the Florida Current are likely to be expatriated out of the Straits of Florida, which implies that the local spiny lobster population is sustained by the transport of larval recruits from upstream locations. We examined the physical processes that may influence recruitment. Transport processes in the Keys coastal zone are spatially variable. Observed and modelled data suggest that the upper Keys is a point of onshore larval transport via the inshore meandering of the Florida Current, and the lower Keys to Dry Tortugas region apoint of retention through wind‐driven onshore/countercurrents and eddy recirculation. Eddies that propagate between the Dry Tortugas and the lower Keys facilitate the exchange of larvae between the Florida Current and the coastal zone. Northerly wind events associated with cold fronts can enhance recirculation of larvae in the upper Keys. The association of older larvae with the Florida Current front supports the hypothesis that spiny lobster larval recruits come from upstream sources in the Caribbean.     

响应面法研究温度、盐度、pH及磷酸盐、硝氮、氨氮对副溶血弧菌生长的影响

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus，VP)在海洋环境中普遍存在，是能够引起人类中毒的重要食源性病原菌之一，研究其生长受环境因子的影响规律对科研和社会生活都具有重要意义。本研究采用响应面法研究温度、盐度、pH、磷酸盐、硝氮和氨氮对VP的生长影响，以探讨、评估这6种理化因子的综合作用结果。首先用Design-Expert软件中的Box Behnken中心组合原则设计三因素三水平响应面实验，再进行响应面分析，以培养基光密度(OD600 nm)值为生长状态参数，获得该菌的最佳培养参数：温度为34.5℃，盐度为3%，酸碱度pH为8.0。在此基础上，考察NaNO3、NH4Cl和Na3PO4对VP生长的影响并建立模型。回归方程决定系数R2=0.9217，校正系数R2=0.8211，回归模型F=9.16, P=0.004，表明该模型具有较好的准确性。实验所得实测值与模型演算理论值拟合良好，皆表明磷酸盐、硝氮和氨氮对VP的生长都具有抑制作用。     

Population structure,genetic diversity,and colonization history of the eastern pondmussel,Sagittunio nasutus,in the Great Lakes drainage

1. The eastern pondmussel, Sagittunio nasutus (Bivalvia: Unionida), has declined in abundance and distribution in eastern North America over the last few decades. The declines are predominantly the result of infestation by invasive dreissenid mussels and changes in habitat. The species is now considered imperilled across large portions of its distribution, especially in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
2. The genetic diversity and structure of the remnant populations in the Great Lakes region were assessed using 10 newly developed microsatellite DNA loci for S. nasutus. Understanding the remaining populations can inform future management projects and determine whether the remnant populations have experienced a genetic bottleneck or a founder effect. We hope that this will inform the conservation of other species in regions founded by, and isolated from, a more genetically diverse source population or with disjointed geographical distributions.
3. Focusing on the Great Lakes region, samples (n = 428) from 62 collection sites in 28 water bodies were collected. Across the locations sampled for S. nasutus 11 genetic populations were identified, with significant genetic differentiation among them. The genetic structure of the species was assessed, with genetic similarities among populations compared and with geographical routes of colonization and gene flow evaluated.
4. Initial colonization from the Atlantic coast into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is evident, followed by colonization events into nearby inland rivers and lakes. Analyses found evidence of inbreeding in all but one population and evidence of past genetic bottlenecks or strong founder effects in all but four populations. This study deepens our understanding of the genetic past and present of this imperilled species, providing conservation suggestions for the future management of the species.

     

东黄海及日本海西南部绿鳍马面鲀种群的研究

<正> 前言绿鳍马面鲀Navodon septentrionalis(Günther)(以下简称马面鲀)为暖温性近底层鱼类,隶属于鲀形目革纯科马面鲀属,广泛分布于渤、黄、东海、朝鲜及日本沿海,而以东海的数量为多。1974年开始成为我国海洋渔业的捕捞对象,1987年产量为34万     

Influence of net cage fish cultures on the diversity of the zooplankton community in the Furnas hydroelectric reservoir, Areado, MG, Brazil

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the net cage system of fish culture on the composition, abundance and diversity of the zooplankton community. Comparisons were made between three collection points located near a group of 30 net cages, with individual volumes of approximately 4 m³, containing newly hatched, young and adult Nile tilapia, positioned in an arm of the Furnas hydroelectric reservoir; point 1 was in the limnetic region and points 2 and 3 were upstream and downstream of the cages, respectively, near the bank. The sampling was carried out at all three points from July to December, 2005. The composition of the zooplankton community differed among the points analysed. The lowest diversity was recorded at point 1. Point 2, upstream of the cages, was characterized by greater species richness and higher density of organisms pertaining to the Rotifera group. The results of the study suggest that variations in the composition and abundance of Rotifera and Cladocera are a consequence of the impact of net cage fish culture, although the magnitude of the variations is small.     

Conservation genetic assessment of the paleback darter,Etheostoma pallididorsum,a narrowly distributed endemic in the Ouachita Highlands,Arkansas, USA

1. The paleback darter, Etheostoma pallididorsum, is considered imperilled and has recently been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Previous allozyme-based studies found evidence of a small effective population size, warranting conservation concern. The objective of this study was to assess the population dynamics and the phylogeographical history of the paleback darter, using a multilocus microsatellite approach and mitochondrial DNA.
2. The predictions of this study were that: paleback darter populations will exhibit low genetic diversity and minimal gene flow; population structure will correspond to the river systems from which the samples are derived; reservoir dams impounding the reaches between the Caddo and Ouachita rivers would serve as effective barriers to gene flow; and the Caddo and Ouachita rivers are reciprocally monophyletic.
3. Microsatellite DNA loci revealed significant structure among sampled localities (global F_st = 0.17, P < 0.001), with evidence of two distinct populations representing the Caddo and Ouachita rivers. However, Bayesian phylogeographical analyses resulted in three distinct clades: Caddo River, Ouachita River, and Mazarn Creek. Divergence from the most recent ancestor shared among the river drainages was estimated at 60 Kya. Population genetic diversity was relatively low (H_e = 0.65; mean alleles per locus, A = 6.26), but was comparable with the population genetic diversity found in the close relatives slackwater darter, Etheostoma boschungi (H_e = 0.65; A = 6.74), and Tuscumbia darter, Etheostoma tuscumbia (H_e = 0.57; A = 5.53).
4. These results have conservation implications for paleback darter populations and can be informative for other headwater specialist species. Like other headwater species with population structuring and relatively low genetic diversity, the persistence of paleback darter populations is likely to be tied to the persistence and connectivity of local breeding and non-breeding habitat. These results do not raise conservation concern for a population decline; however, the restricted distribution and endemic status of the species still renders paleback darter populations vulnerable to extirpation or extinction.

     

Influence of the flooding regime on the nutritional state and juvenile recruitment of the curimba, Prochilodus scrofa, Steindachner, in upper Paraná River, Brazil

The relationship between the flooding pattern of the Paraná river floodplain and the nutritional state and juvenile growth of the curimba, Prochilodus scrofa Steindachner, over three years and its recruitment to the Itaipu reservoir fish stocks over six years were analysed. Seasonal and annual variation in the condition factor and visceral-somatic relationship were positively influenced by high water levels. A similar effect was found for growth during the second year of life. Recruitment success was found to be related to the occurrence of floods in summer and autumn. The importance of the annual floods to the availability of food, refuges and survival of P. scrofa are discussed in relation to the operation of the upstream dams.     

从扁藻超微结构变化研究CuZnSeCd离子毒性效应

使用透射电镜研究了在半抑制效应的Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｓｅ、Ｃｄ无机离子的毒性作用下，扁藻细胞超微结构的变化。证明不同离子及不同离子浓度对扁藻的毒性效应不同。从细胞器的变化来看，扁藻的叶绿体和细胞核对上述４种离子都较为敏感。其中Ｃｄ离子对叶绿体和细胞核的毒性效应表现最为明显：而Ｃｕ离子对上述两种细胞器的毒性作用相对较弱；Ｓｅ离子对叶绿体，Ｚｎ离子对细胞核的破坏作用相对较小，Ｓｅ离子对细胞核，Ｚｎ离子对叶绿体     

An appraisal of the fisheries of the Sudd wetlands, River Nile, southern Sudan

Abstract. When a survey of fisheries in the Sudd, River Nile, southern Sudan, was carried out between 1980 and 1983, the wetland had more than doubled its size since the 1950s. Seasonal fishing continued to be an integral part of the subsistence economy of the region. A few species of fish (e.g. Clarias) were caught in large quantities with spears on the floodplain during drydown, and a wider variety of fish (e.g. Distichodus, Citharinus, Heterotis, Lates, Gymnarchus, tilapias and large mormyrids, catfishes and characids) with nets and hooks in the channels, lakes and vegetation of the perennial wetland. Year-round fishing had increased as a result of the loss of grazing by swamp encroachment. Canoe estimates ranged between 4000 and 7500, and daily landings of 17–28kg per canoe were recorded In the southern Sudd. Fish were consumed fresh or sun-dried. Commercial production was estimated at 700t and 68t respectively of processed sun-dried and salted, sun-dried fish in 1982. Fishery resources were underexploited but an expansion of the commercial sector was constrained by a scarcity of bulk collection, transportation and storage facilities, and a lack of commitment by fishermen. Unless natural river discharges reverted to pre-1961 levels, construction of the Jonglei Canal (now halted) was not a threat to fishery resources.     

Effects of soft-water acclimation on the physiology, swimming performance, and cardiac parameters of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Rainbow trout acclimated to soft water were submitted to an incremental velocity trial, and exhibited a 14% decrease in critical swimming speed (U _crit ∼ 1.37 ± 0.055 vs. 1.54 ± 0.044 m s⁻¹) compared to fish kept in hard water. After a standardized swimming protocol, soft-water-acclimated fish had higher blood lactate concentrations (6.5 ± 0.66 and 6.0 ± 0.64 mmol L⁻¹ (soft water) vs. 5.0 ± 0.46 and 3.9 ± 0.32 mmol L⁻¹ (hard water)), revealing a greater use of anaerobic metabolism for the same exercise. Cardiovascular parameters were investigated while fish were swimming at increasing water velocities, revealing that soft-water-acclimated fish had lower increases in heart rate (105% vs. 118% of pre-exercise values), due to higher heart rates observed during acclimation and during the first 10 min of the swimming trial. This was also reflected by the plateau in heart rate and stroke volume observed during the swimming protocol, which can be attributed to increased cardiovascular function in response to soft-water acclimation. These results are in accord with previously reported increases in blood-to-water diffusion distance, due to proliferation of chloride cells at the gills in response to soft-water conditions, and underscore the costs and limitations of soft-water acclimation. R. C. Playle—Deceased.