Rearing performance of Clarias batrachus larvae: Effect of age at stocking on growth and survival during fingerling production

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the rearing performance of different larval stages for optimum growth and survival during fingerling production of Clarias batrachus with an aim to reduce the rearing time of the catfish larvae in a hatchery system. The larvae were reared for 5, 10 and 15 days before stocking them in the nursery tanks. No significant (P < 0.05) difference could be found in length increment at the end of first week of rearing. But the total length was reduced during rest three weeks in five days old larvae compared to that of other two higher age groups. In 5 days old larvae the reduced weight (P < 0.05) was observed during the entire rearing period. However, the specific growth rate (SGR) did not vary among the groups. The survival rate as well as total biomass was decreased while stocking five days old larvae for rearing, compared to that of other two age groups.     

Influence of light intensity on feeding, growth, and early survival of leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) larvae under mass-scale rearing conditions

This study investigated the effect of different light intensities on feeding, growth and survival of early stage leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus larvae. Four different light intensities (0, 500, 1000 and 3000 lx) were used and larvae were kept under constant light conditions from 0 day after hatching (DAH) to 5 DAH. The larvae were fed a small S-type of Thai strain rotifers at a density of 20 individuals/mL from 2 DAH. The number of rotifers in larval digestive organ and total length of larvae were examined at 3 h intervals between 04:00 and 22:00 h on 3 DAH, and thereafter at 6 h intervals until the end of the experiment (5 DAH). Four experimental trials of the larval rearing were repeated using by 60 kL mass-scale rearing tanks. The results indicate that coral grouper larvae are visual feeders and their food intake increases with increasing light intensity. Food intake of larvae reared at 3000 lx was significantly higher than those reared at 0–1000 lx on 3 DAH despite being the first-feeding day (P < 0.01). On 4 DAH, total length of larvae reared at 3000 lx was significantly larger than those reared at the lower light intensities (0, 500 and 1000 lx), and thereafter light intensity significantly influenced larval feeding and growth until the end of the experiment. Survival on 5 DAH did not show a significant difference between light intensities, but survival rate at 3000 lx and 1000 lx had a tendency to be higher than those reared at the lower light intensities (0 and 500 lx). In contrast, larvae reared at 0 lx exhibited stagnant and/or negative growth. These results indicate that light intensity is significantly the factor affecting larval feeding, growth, and survival in coral grouper larvae under the rearing conditions.     

Suitability of European green frogs for intensive culture: Comparison between different phenotypes of the esculenta hybridogenetic complex

European countries are probably the greatest consumers of frogs' legs, although this is occurring in a context of amphibian decline. Imports of frogs' legs have been increasing over the last few decades in relation to the development of deep-frozen products. This demand has stimulated farming with neotropical species for international trade. Today, in spite of some trials on European species, no production is effective. From the early 1990s, small-scale experimental rearing trials have been undertaken in Brittany (France) with a local green frog belonging to the esculenta complex (Rana ridibunda) which accepts granulated feed. This complex comprises two Mendelian species R. lessonae (LL) and R. ridibunda (RR) as well as their hybridogenetic hybrid Rana esculenta, which can be either diploid (RL) or triploid (RLL, RRL).The purpose of this study is to analyse the ability of each taxon to be reared. During the two months following metamorphosis, froglets were trained to eat pellets. The surviving individuals were reared for one year under regulated conditions to estimate the survival rate, growth and production of each frog type.The results show low survival rates (14.8 to 26.2%) for LL and RLL, higher rates (39–46.4%) for F₁ and F₂ from wild RR and RLL, with the highest rates (63.0 to 77.4%) for RL, RRL and all RR, using data from several years of rearing. After three years under rearing conditions, the adult survival rate is highest for rearing strain RR-Rivan 92* (53.7%). The growth rate varies greatly according to phenotype, and only frogs with an RR phenotype reach marketable size. In the wild, LL exhibits some difficulty in reaching this limit. As a result, production increases from 1.5–8.7 kg/m² for individuals with an L hemiclone to 22.9–35.7 kg/m² for each cohort of phenotype RR from at least two generations under rearing conditions.In relation to hybridogenesis processes, hybrids with diploid or triploid genomes do not seem to offer any advantage for production purposes. However, R. lessonae individuals from intensive rearing can produce fertile eggs and tadpoles, which could enable production for restocking to preserve wild diversity or build up new populations in suitable habitats.     

Effects of NaCl stress on seed germination, leaf gas exchange and seedling growth of Pteroceltis tatarinowii

Effects of NaCl on seed germination, leaf gas exchange and seedling growth were investigated. The germination of P. tatarinowii seeds was delayed in the presence of NaCl, and was significantly inhibited when NaCl concentration exceeded 17 mM (1.0 g·L⁻¹). NaCl treatments induced reductions of transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and net photosynthetic rate and their reductions were significant with the increasing of NaCl concentration. However, intercellular CO₂ concentration in seedling leaves under salt stress was significantly higher than that of controls. There was a significant reduction in survival, basal diameter increment and height increment with increasing NaCl concentration 50 days after NaCl treatment, and a significant reduction in the dry weight increment of roots, stems, and leaves was also observed in the NaCl treatments. The deleterious effect on the biomass increment was more evident in the case of stems and leaves. Results from this study suggest that P. tatarinowii is sensitive to salinity stress and the salinity threshold for seedling growth might be less 34 mM (2.0 g·L⁻¹). Biography: FANG Sheng-zuo (1963–), male, Professor, College of Forest Resources and Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China.     

Afforestation trials with Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz and Prosopis flexuosa D.C. in the Dry Chaco, Argentina

In implantation trials carried out with Prosopis chilensis and Prosopis flexuosa, the following variables were considered: implantation time (December and March), implantation technique (direct seeding and seedling transplantation) and age of the seedlings at the time of transplantation (60, 105 and 150 days). Survival was evaluated for more than 9 months after implantation and trials were repeated in 3 consecutive years.

Results from both species were similar and they show that survival after transplantation was higher (60–80%) than from direct seeding (35–45%). Survival from transplantation was independent of the size and age of the seedlings and it was less affected by climatic conditions than direct field sowing. Survival from direct seeding was higher in March than in December. The best time for either implantation alternative would be the end of the summer or beginning of fall, when climatic conditions increase the probability of seedling survival.     

毛乌素沙地土壤水分特征曲线和入渗性能的研究

采用张力计法测定了毛乌素沙地低吸力段土壤水分特征曲线,并用θ=aψ-b模型进行了拟合,分析了各层次土壤的持水和供水能力.结果显示0～20 cm的土壤持水能力最差,但供水能力最强,40～60 cm的土壤持水能力最强,供水能力一般;当土壤吸力达到0.06～0.08 MPa,即土壤容积含水率在1%～3%时,比水容量就已达到了10-1级,标志着土壤水分处于难效水阶段,植物利用比较困难;在室内采用环刀法测定了沙地土壤水分的入渗率,结果显示有植被覆盖的试验区的初始入渗率、稳定入渗率和累积入渗量都比无植被覆盖的对照区大,说明该地区植被对土壤水分的消耗影响显著.     

基于仿真理论确定缓冲特性曲线方法的研究

本论文探索了一条确定缓冲特性方法的新途径，通过测定缓冲材料的静态特性与一次动态；中击数据为基础，建立数学模型，利用最小二乘法进行误差分析，并使用Madab/Simulink软件仿真出缓冲特性曲线。这种方法得出的缓冲特性曲线准确性高、试验周期短，待理论成熟必将成为今后缓冲材料特性测试的主要方法。     

Behavior of four broad-leaved tree species used to revegetate eroded granite hill slopes

Information on primary growth behavior after planting is required for mixed-plantation revegetation using broad-leaved species. To estimate primary growth, especially from the perspective of crown coverage and changing growth rates, we examined the growth and survival of four broad-leaved species that are frequently used in erosion-control plantations in Japan. The species studied were Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc., Alnus pendula Matsum., Quercus glauca Thunb., and Q. serrata Thunb. The survival, height, and basal diameter of planted trees were measured over a 4-year period, and crown area was calculated over a 3-year period. We found a negative relationship between relative growth rate (RGR) and survival rate, suggesting that fast growth may be fatal when resources are severely limited. The relative height growth rate (RHGR) of A. pendula was especially high during the early period of the study (1997–1999) and then drastically declined, whereas the opposite tendency was observed in Q. glauca. The results of stem allometry analyses conformed to the specific relationships between height growth and diameter growth of the four species; increases in stem thickness based on height increments were smaller in the pioneer species A. pendula. Between-species differences in coverage per planted tree (mean crown area multiplied by survival rate) were small as a result of the negative relationship between coverage area and survival rate.     

5种光响应模型对小叶杨的适用性分析

采用Li-6400光合仪测定CO2400μmol·mol-1条件下小叶杨的光响应数据。分别采用直角双曲线修正模型、二次多项式模型、直角双曲线模型、非直角双曲线模型及指数模型对光响应曲线进行拟合,探讨5种模型对小叶杨的适用性。结果表明:直角双曲线、非直角双曲线及指数模型不能处理光抑制部分的光响应数据,且得到的最大净光合速率大于实测值,光饱和点远小于实测值;二次多项式虽能处理光抑制部分的光响应数据,但得到的光合参数有悖常识;直角双曲线修正模型不仅能处理光抑制部分的光响应数据,且拟合得到的各项光合参数均与实际相符,是拟合小叶杨光响应曲线的最适宜模型。     

Preliminary Investigation of the Area Under the l‐Lactate Concentration–Time Curve (LACAREA) in Critically Ill Equine Neonates

Background

A variety of measures of l‐lactate concentration ([LAC]) in the blood of critically ill neonatal foals have shown utility as prognostic indicators. These measures, evaluating either the severity of hyperlactatemia or the duration of exposure to hyperlactatemia, perform fairly well and have correctly classified 75–80% of foals examined in several studies. The area under the l‐lactate concentration versus time curve (LAC _Area) encompasses both severity and duration of hyperlactatemia and should improve correct classification of patient survival.

Hypothesis/Objectives

LAC _Area is larger in nonsurviving critically ill neonatal foals.

Animals

Forty‐nine foals admitted for critical illness to 1 of 4 referral hospitals.

Methods

Whole blood was obtained at admission and 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after admission for measurement of l‐lactate using a handheld lactate meter. LAC _Area was calculated for: admission–6, 6–12, 12–18, 18–24 hours, and admission–24 hours using the trapezoidal method and summing the 6‐hours interval areas to determine total 24 hours area. Differences between survivors and nonsurvivors were determined using robust regression and Kruskal–Wallis testing, P < .05.

Results

LAC _Area was significantly larger in nonsurviving foals (n = 9) than in surviving foals (n = 40) at all time periods examined.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Differences in LAC _Area between surviving and nonsurviving critically ill neonatal foals are large and support further investigation of this method as an improved biomarker for survival in critically ill neonatal foals is indicated.