Substrate composition determines emergence success and development of European nase larvae (Chondrostoma nasus L.)

European nase (Chondrostoma nasus) is a specialist riverine fish, characterised by a complex life cycle making it vulnerable to habitat degradation. Recent findings indicate that, analogously to salmonids, the interstitial zone quality may pose a serious bottleneck for successful recruitment of this species. In this study, nase eggs were exposed to different substrate qualities. First, standardised substrate mixtures with differing fine sediment additions were used. Second, we tested different homogenous gravel fractions for their influence on egg development and emergence success. In both setups, substrate composition significantly affected emergence success, timing of emergence and larvae size at emergence. In the substrate mixtures, emergence was most successful in substratum with no fine sediment addition (98%) and decreased to 55% in substratum with 20% fine sediment addition. Emergence was most successful in the coarsest fraction (93%) and decreased to 47% in the finest fraction. Over all treatments, the time between hatching and emergence from substrate differed by up to 156 degree days, thereby indicating that free embryos of nase use the shelter of the interstitial zone for early ontogeny. These results suggest that a loose and porous stream bed can positively contribute to the development success of eggs and larvae and thereby potentially improve the recruitment of nase populations. It is thus important to consider the substrate and interstitial conditions in the conservation and restoration management of this rheophilic cyprinid.     

Allochrony as a potential driver for reproductive isolation in adaptive radiations of European whitefish ecomorphs

In northern Fennoscandian lakes, monophylogenetic lineages of postglacial fishes are radiating into several adaptive forms, but the speciation process is still at an incipient stage. The speciation process has received increased attention over the years, but the underlying mechanisms and drivers are still debated and poorly understood. European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus [L.]) is the most abundant fish species in these lakes and has evolved into several ecomorphs adapted to different trophic niches and habitats. Genetic divergence has been observed among these ecomorphs, but the mechanism(s) responsible for the ongoing build-up of reproductive isolation has still to be revealed. As these systems are young in evolutionary time (<10 kyr), prezygotic and postzygotic extrinsic isolation mechanisms are thought to be more likely to contribute to the reproductive isolation than intrinsic isolation mechanisms. We determined the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of three ecomorphs in two replicated lake systems and used GSI as a proxy to investigate the prezygotic isolation mechanism, allochrony, as a driving factor of divergence in this adaptive radiation of whitefish. We found that the three ecomorphs differed in GSI values within and between lakes, suggesting different spawning times of the ecomorphs. We also show that males of one ecomorph had equal onset of maturity as another ecomorph, giving novel insights into the ongoing gene flow observed between ecomorphs. The result supports allochrony as a driver for the divergence process of whitefish ecomorphs, but more evidence is still needed to rule out that the three ecomorphs make use of different spawning grounds.     

Stability in reproductive timing and habitat usage of Chinook salmon across six years of varying environmental conditions and abundance

The spatial and temporal distribution of spawning activity by autumn‐run Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum) was examined across multiple years. The study period included two years of extreme drought conditions when water temperatures in the spawning reach of the Stanislaus River were considered sub‐optimal for spawning and egg incubation. Despite varying levels of superimposition, redd counts and densities remained stable and positively associated with river location, indicating that superimposition may be driven by habitat preference rather than the absence of suitable spawning locations. Spawning occurred slightly later during drought years (6–10 days later compared with wetter years). This delay was attributable to deferred migration instead of deferred spawning, and the majority of redds were constructed at water temperatures exceeding the optimal temperature range. As a consequence, estimates of juvenile production during 2014 and 2015 were among the lowest on record. These findings may be related in part to the high hatchery contribution to the population, above‐average temperatures during spawning and incubation, and superimposition rates. Management recommendations include adequate cold‐water storage in the upstream reservoir, refined spawning habitat restoration techniques in the light of superimposition rates and, on a broader system scale, actions that reduce the amount of stray hatchery Chinook salmon.     

严格意义的无霜期统计方法探讨

根据霜冻和无霜期对农作物生长的影响及农业气候区划的指导意义,比较无霜期与严格意义上的“无冻期”的关系和区别,分析霜冻出现的初、终日与霜、结冰现象及气温、地面温度、草面温度≤0℃出现的初日、终日之间的关系,探讨“无霜冻期”的合理统计方法,并通过对鄂东地区的麻城、浠水、黄石三地的无霜期和“无冻期”的统计,总结两者的差异和特征,从而为正确理解和统计无霜冻期,提出一套新的观点和方法,为指导农业生产和农业气候区划提供依据。     

离地高度可调的减振式履带驱动机构设计

履带式农田作业车由于其优异的通过性与稳定的行驶性能,被广泛使用于南方丘陵地区。针对传统履带底盘采用刚性悬架,无法调节离地高度,行驶时乘坐舒适性较差的问题,设计了一种离地高度可调的减振式履带驱动机构。该机构采用分离式设计,将整个驱动机构分为上层承载架与下层行驶架,通过在上、下层之间设置液压缸与弹性元件,达到在一定区间内调节车辆离地高度与减少车身振动的目的。通过对关键部件进行重点设计,并对其工作过程进行简要分析,该机构在理论上能达到设计要求。     

Seasonal Changes in the Milt Quality of Waigieu Seaperch,Psammoperca waigiensis: Implications for Artificial Propagation

Milt quality of Waigieu seaperch was sampled at the beginning, the middle, and the end of the spawning season to assess if the sampling season has an effect on milt quality parameters. The milt volume and total sperm production were higher at the middle of the spawning season while the sperm concentration in milt was significantly higher at the beginning and the end of the spawning season. Sperm morphology and the major parameters of seminal plasma (pH, total protein, Mg²⁺, or Ca²⁺ concentrations) did not differ throughout the spawning season. The concentrations of Na⁺ and the osmolality increased throughout the spawning season. The percentage of motile cells did not differ during the spawning season while the duration of sperm motility (swimming duration) and velocity (swimming speed) were significantly different during the spawning season. The fertilization rate (75.7 ± 6.8%) and hatching rate (56.5 ± 3.1%) at the middle of the spawning season were higher than at the beginning and end periods. Results indicated that milt quality parameters and fertility success in the middle of the spawning season were higher compared to earlier and later sampling dates. Thus, we recommend collecting milt during this time for maximal fertilization and hatching success.     

DNA barcoding of fish eggs collected off northwestern Cuba and across the Florida Straits demonstrates egg transport by mesoscale eddies

Identifying spawning sites for broadcast spawning fish species is a key element of delineating critical habitat for managing and regulating marine fisheries. Genetic barcoding has enabled accurate taxonomic identification of individual fish eggs, overcoming limitations of morphological classification techniques. In this study, planktonic fish eggs were collected at 23 stations along the northwestern coast of Cuba and across the Florida Straits to United States waters. A total of 564 fish eggs were successfully identified to 89 taxa within 30 families, with the majority of taxa resolved to species. We provide new spawning information for Luvarus imperialis (Louvar), Bothus lunatus (Plate Fish), Eumegistus illustris (Brilliant Pomfret), and many economically important species. Data from most sites supported previously established patterns of eggs from neritic fish species being found on continental shelves and oceanic species spawning over deeper waters. However, some sites deviated from this pattern, with eggs from reef‐associated fish species detected in the deep waters of the Florida Straits and pelagic species detected in the shallow, continental shelf waters off the coast of northwestern Cuba. Further investigation using satellite imagery revealed the presence of a mesoscale cyclonic eddy that likely entrained neritic fish eggs and transported them into the Florida Straits. The technique of combining DNA‐based fish egg identification with remotely‐sensed hydrodynamics provides an important new tool for assessing the interplay of regional oceanography with fish spawning strategies.     

滑县花生新黑地蛛蚧的发生与防治技术

花生新黑地蛛蚧是近年来滑县花生田新发现的一种地下害虫，对花生造成危害，影响花生的 品质和产量。本文主要介绍新黑地蛛蚧的形态特征、发生规律、生活习性、为害症状及防治措施。     

Ovulation and spawning induction in Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum by administration of GnRHa and catecholaminergic pharmaceutical compounds with Ovaprim

The acceleration of final oocyte maturation and ovulation is recognized as a principal process in Caspian kutum Rutilus frisii kutum, a commercial and valuable species in Caspian Sea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of catecholaminergic pharmaceutics which include Salbutamol (β₂‐adrenergic receptor agonist), Metoprolol (β₁‐adrenergic receptor antagonist), Clozapine and Olanzapine (the third generation of D₄ and D₂ dopamine receptor antagonists) which can be more efficient than the first and second generations, in combination with Buserelin ([D‐Ser(tBu)⁶,Pro⁹‐NEt]‐GnRHa) and Ovaprim (D‐Ala⁶,Pro⁹‐Net)‐sGnRH+Domperidone on ovulation and spawning induction in Caspian kutum. One hundred eight adult females were injected once with Buserelin Acetate (BUS) 5 μg kg^?1 BW, Ovaprim 0.5 mL kg^?1 BW, Salbutamol Sulphate (SLB) 4 mg kg^?1 BW, Olanzapine (OLZ) 5 mg kg^?1 BW, Clozapine (CZ) 12 mg kg^?1 BW and Metoprolol Tartrate (MTP) 5 mg kg^?1 BW, being divided into 12 groups: group 1, intact (negative control); group 2, Ovaprim (positive control); group 3, OLZ+SLB; group 4, OLZ+MTP; group 5, OLZ+BUS; group 6, CZ+SLB; group 7, CZ+MTP; group 8, CZ+BUS; group 9, OLZ+BUS+SLB; group 10, OLZ+BUS+MTP; group 11, CZ+BUS+SLB and group 12, CZ+BUS+MTP (N = 9). The results showed that the highest mean value in ovulation success, ovulation index, fertilization success, relative fecundity and the number of eggs belonged to Ovaprim treatment. On the other hand, spawning was successful in OLZ+BUS+SLB and CZ+BUS treatments (P < 0.05), whereas it was lower in CZ+MTP, CZ+BUS+MTP and OLZ+BUS than the other treatments. Therefore, it could be concluded that Clozapine and Olanzapine potentiated the effect of Buserelin treatment in ovulation and spawning induction, while Metoprolol blocked the stimulatory effects of GnRHa, Clozapine and Olanzapine. Salbutamol also can amplify stimulatory effect of all mentioned pharmaceutics.