Reproductive roles predict sexual dimorphism in internal and external morphology of lake whitefish,Coregonus clupeaformis

Abstract – The different reproductive roles of the sexes can predict the direction and magnitude of sexual dimorphism of external and internal morphology. Males should have enlarged structures that enhance the acquisition of mating opportunities, whereas females are predicted to have enlarged organs that are associated with the production of eggs. We tested these predictions in male and female lake whitefish, a species in which both sexes have similar overall body size and shape. After controlling for body size, male lake whitefish had significantly longer jaws and pectoral and pelvic fins, larger hearts, and more muscle than females. Sexual dimorphism in relative muscle mass may be one of the most fundamental morphological differences between males and females. Females had relatively heavier livers than males. Because the liver is important for the breakdown of fats and vitellogenesis, selection should favour an enlarged liver in females for the processing of energy and the production of large numbers of eggs.     

Effects of predation and intraspecific interactions on habitat use and foraging by brown trout in artificial streams

Abstract— We studied habitat use, foraging rates and behavior of 10 cm and 12 cm long brown trout, Salmo trutta , at two densities, 1.5 and 3.0 fish. m⁻², in artificial streams that contained either the amphipod, Gammarus pulex , alone or G. pulex together with the piscivore, northern pike, Esox lucius. Gammarus were stocked in and largely restricted to the pools at a density of 128 Gammurus. m⁻² . pool⁻¹ Large trout (12 cm) used pools more and riffles less when small trout (10 cm) were present than when small trout were absent. Small trout consumed fewer Gammarus when together with large trout than when alone, but showed no difference in habitat use in the presence and abscnce of large trout. Habitat use and number of Gammarus consumed per trout were not affected by trout density for either size-class when alone. For both size-classes of trout, use of pools and foraging rates were higher in the absence than in the presence of pike, and pike primarily resided in the pools. The number of aggressive interactions by both size-classes of trout decreased when pike was present. Our results indicate that for habitats that differ in food resources and predation risk, size structure may affect habitat use and foraging by brown trout.     

Effects of processing on physical characteristics of diets with distinct levels of carbohydrates and lipids: the outcomes on the growth of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

The use efficiency and feed conversion of extruded and pelletized diets were compared. Eight isoproteic diets (220 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) were assayed for 90 days in a 2 × 2 × 2 multifactorial design with two carbohydrate levels (400 and 500 g kg⁻¹), two lipids levels (40 and 80 g kg⁻¹) and two diet processing (pelletization and extrusion) with three repetitions. The growth of Piaractus mesopotamicus fed with these diets and the quality control indices of diets were gauged. The density of extruded diets was lower as carbohydrate level was 400 g kg⁻¹ and lipid 40 g kg⁻¹. The interaction carbohydrate and diet processing presented higher leaching value for low carbohydrate level in extruded diet. Fish fed with extruded diets presented the best feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio. When high levels of carbohydrate and lipid are combined, the weight gain is impaired. The interaction between diet processing diet and lipid levels resulted in the best fish performance when pelletized diets with 40 g kg⁻¹ lipid or extruded diets with 80 g kg⁻¹ lipid were considered. The protein efficiency ratio increased with the increment of carbohydrates in the pelletized diets. The fish show low tolerance to lipids and a preference for carbohydrate when the lipid productive values are taken into account.     

Effect of brown trout body size on post-stocking survival and pike predation

Abstract –  A total of 40 (20 age-3 + 20 age-4) radio-tagged hatchery-reared brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) and 40 wild radio-tagged northern pike ( Esox lucius L.) were released into a regulated river. Age-3 brown trout were predicted and observed to be highly vulnerable to predation by pike (50% mortality), whereas age-4 brown trout were predicted and observed to enjoy an almost absolute size refuge from predation (5% mortality). Almost half of the fish from both age groups similarly emigrated and survived from the river within 3 days of the release. However, there was a considerable difference in survival between age groups for fish that remained in the river for a longer period. Of these, all except one age-3 brown trout were eaten by pike, whereas all but one age-4 fish survived predation.     

The effects of long-day photoperiod on growth, body composition and skin colour in immature gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

Immature gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) with a mean initial weight of 25.6 g were reared over 11 months to market size under different photoperiods: 16L:8D; 24L:0D and a control. Differences in final mean weight were significant between the three treatments (P<0.001): 16L:8D, 465.0 g; 24L:0D, 445.9 g; control, 402.6 g. Fish from the 24L:0D consumed most while 16L:8D fish converted it most efficiently. The lipid content of fillets was lower (P<0.05) for the 24L:0D (5.37±0.16 g 100 g^?1 of fillet) than for the control (6.02±0.12 g), and the moisture content lower for the control than for either treatment groups. Skin luminosity (L^*) was directly related to the number of hours of light exposure.     

Differences in head shape of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Differences in eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), head shape were the result of greater increases in head width, rather than changes in head length. The ratio of head width:total length (HW:TL) increased significantly ( t -test, P < 0.05) from the glass-yellow eel stage. Cultured yellow eels were exclusively narrow headed (mean HW:TL = 0.027, range = 0.023–0.032), while wild yellow eels displayed an array of head shapes (mean HW:TL = 0.033, range = 0.023–0.046). Therefore, broad heads (HW:TL 0.033) occurred only among wild yellow eels sampled and may have resulted from diet. Cultured yellow eels consumed only small pellet material. Of wild yellow eels stomachs containing food, 78% of broad-headed eels consumed large and/or hard-bodied organisms (e.g. beetles, fish, molluscs and Notonecta sp.), while 83% of narrow-headed eels consumed exclusively small/soft-bodied prey (e.g. amphipods and chironomids).     

Effects of dietary thyroid hormones on the red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)

Four separate 8-week feeding trials were conducted to assess the effects of supplementing semipurified diets with either triiodothyronine (T₃) or thyroxine (T₄) at 0, 2, 10, and 50 mg/kg on growth and body composition of juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) held in artificial brackish water (6‰) and artificial seawater (32‰). At both levels of salinity, increasing doses of T₃ resulted in fish with reduced weight gain, feed efficiency, condition factor (weight × 100/length³), and muscle ratio (muscle weight × 100/body weight), as well as a lighter body color. Significant (p < 0.05) effects of T₃ on the proximate composition of whole body, liver, and muscle were variable, generally reflecting decreased lipid and protein storage in liver and muscle, respectively. The two highest doses of T₃ given to seawater adapted fish increased survival. Dietary T₄ supplementation had no distinctive effects on appearance, growth or proximate body composition. These results indicate that whereas T₃ may function to regulate protein and lipid metabolism in red drum, dietary supplementation with T₃ leads to a hyperthyroidism-induced catabolic state. The elevated endogenous thyroid hormone levels found in fish fed optimal diets may thus adequately supply tissue needs during juvenile growth.     

Feed deprivation of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), influences organosomatic indices, chemical composition and susceptibility to Flavobacterium columnare

Withholding feed has been suggested as a strategy to manage infectious disease of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque). In a previous study, we demonstrated that deprivation of feed for as little as 7 days reduced innate resistance of catfish to Flavobacterium columnare. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding regimens [no feeding (NF), fed once every other day to satiation (FEOD) and fed once daily to satiation (FD)] on organosomatic indices, physiological changes and susceptibility of channel catfish to F. columnare. Fish that were not fed for 2 and 4 weeks had a significant increase (P < 0.05) in gutted weight:-wet weight ratio and decrease in other organosomatic indices [gut index (GI), mesenteric fat index (MFI) and hepatosomatic index (HSI)]. Haematology was not effected by feeding regimen except at week 4, when a significantly higher haemoglobin level was observed in the NF fish. Serum protein did not differ at week 2, but the level at week 4 of the NF fish (35.91 mg mL(-1)) was significantly lower than that of the FD fish (41.77 mg mL(-1)). Significantly lower (P < 0.05) blood glucose (39.5 and 40.3 mg dL(-1)) and liver glycogen (1.7 and 1.8 mg g(-1)) were seen in the NF fish at weeks 2 and 4, respectively, as compared with blood glucose and liver glycogen levels of FD fish (67.5 and 92.8 mg dL(-1) and 46.5 and 52.6 mg g(-1) at weeks 2 and 4, respectively) and FEOD (82.8 and 85.5 mg dL(-1) and 45.1 and 51.4 mg g(-1) at weeks 2 and 4, respectively). Mortality in the NF fish caused by F. columnare (78%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than mortality in the FD and FEOD treatments (0.0 and 1.7%, respectively). Blood glucose and liver glycogen showed the same trend of low values for NF fish following challenge (week 6). Blood glucose, liver glycogen, GI and HSI are sensitive indicators for channel catfish deprived of feed (NF) for 4 weeks. Blood glucose and liver glycogen levels around 40 mg dL(-1) and 2 mg g(-1), respectively, are indicative of starvation in juvenile channel catfish. Moreover, NF fish were susceptible to F. columnare infection. Thus, it is suggested that in the absence of natural food, juvenile channel catfish should be fed at least once every other day to apparent satiation to maintain normal physiological function and improve resistance to F. columnare.     

Effects of size and morphology on swimming performance in juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)

Abstract –  Our study assesses swimming capacity (speed and stamina) and possible morphometric determinants of locomotor performance of juvenile brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.). We addressed these issues at the individual level to have an approach of the functional significance of intraspecific variation in morphological design. Both swimming speed and endurance time showed significant positive relationships with fish length. Size-corrected values of speed and endurance time were negatively correlated suggesting a phenotypic trade-off between burst and prolonged swimming. Size was also highly correlated with all the morphological variables measured. Therefore, we used the residuals of the regressions of those variables on fish length to remove the effect of body size. A principal components analysis (PCA) summarised the 12 morphological variables into two factors, which accounted for 44.3% of the variance. PC1 combined several measures of body depth and width, whereas PC2 represented mainly postanal length relative to abdomen length. Relationships between the scores of the two factors and size-corrected values of maximum swimming speed and endurance time were weak. PC2 showed a significant positive relationship with endurance time; that is, individuals with longer caudal regions were able to swim against water flow for longer periods of time. Stoutness (PC1) showed a marginally significant negative correlation with endurance time. The lack of stronger relationships could be because of the low morphometric variability among the test individuals, all proceeding from the same population, reared in a common environment, and measured at the same ontogenetic stage.     

关于高校教师主体性作用发挥的再思考

社会发展和高等教育的大众化对高校教师主体性作用的发挥提出了更高的要求。高校教师应积极适应社会发展与教育变革需求,重塑主体性作用,以知识的力量引导人、以智慧的力量说服人、以情感的力量感染人。