Elasmobranch fisheries in the Arabian Seas Region: Characteristics,trade and management

The Arabian Seas Region plays an important role in the global landings and trade of sharks and rays. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen, two countries with stark socio‐economic differences, serve as major regional trade hubs for shark and ray products and four countries (Oman, Pakistan, UAE and Yemen) supply nearly 11% of dried fin exports to Hong Kong. Yet, little information is available on the characteristics of this trade and the fisheries contributing to it. Here, we review the fisheries characteristics, trade, utilization and distribution chain of sharks and rays in 15 countries of the Arabian Seas Region based on published and grey literature, landing surveys, field observations and interviews with fishermen and traders. Although regional shark fisheries remain mostly artisanal, reported shark and ray landings represent 28% of the regional total fish production, reaching 56,074 mt in 2012 (7.3% of total world catches), with Iran, Oman, Pakistan and Yemen ranking as the primary catchers. Utilization and distribution patterns are complex, vary between landing sites and countries, and remain unmonitored. Based on widespread over‐exploitation of most teleost fisheries, current exploitation levels for most sharks and rays are potentially unsustainable. The situation is exacerbated by limited research and political will to support policy development, the incomplete nature of fisheries data, as well as insufficient regulations and enforcement. A better understanding of shark and ray fisheries will be key for regulating trade, promoting conservation and developing management initiatives to secure food security, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the region.     

Genetic analysis of resistance to spot blotch disease in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Zambia

Understanding the genetics of resistance to spot blotch disease, caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Sacc.) Shoem, is important to design an appropriate breeding strategy to improve the trait. The objective of this study was to determine the gene action and mode of inheritance of resistance to spot blotch in wheat. Eight genotypes with varying resistance to the disease were crossed in a full diallel mating design. Parents and their progenies were evaluated for spot blotch resistance. Data were analyzed using Hayman’s diallel analysis. The results suggested the importance of additive gene effects in controlling the resistance to spot blotch in the materials under study. No epistasis, maternal, or reciprocal effects were detected. Resistance to spot blotch exhibited partial dominance. Therefore, exercising selection for resistance in the early segregating generation should be an effective approach because of the predominance of additive gene effects. The Wr/Vr graph showed that the parents 30SAWSN5 (P3) and Coucal (P4) possessed more dominant genes, which makes them particularly suitable for inclusion in breeding for resistance to spot blotch.     

Spatial variability of organic matter degradability in tidal Elbe sediments

Purpose

The microbial turnover of sediment organic matter (OM) in ports and waterways impacts water quality, sonic depth finding and presumably also rheological properties as well as greenhouse gas emissions, especially if organic carbon is released as methane. As a consequence, sediment management practices as a whole are affected. This study aimed to discern spatial OM degradability patterns in the Port of Hamburg and investigated correlations with standard analytical properties as a basis for future predictive modelling.

Materials and methods

Sediments in the Port of Hamburg were repeatedly sampled at nine locations along an east-west transect using a 1-m corer. In a stratified sampling approach, layers of suspended particulate matter (SPM), fluid mud (FM), pre-consolidated sediment (PS) and consolidated sediment (CS) were identified and individually analysed for long-term aerobic and anaerobic degradation of organic matter, DNA concentration, stable carbon isotope signature, density fractions and standard solids and pore water properties.

Results and discussion

The investigation area was characterised by a distinct gradient with a 10-fold higher OM degradability in upstream areas and lower degradability in downstream areas. Concomitantly, upstream locations showed higher DNA concentrations and more negative δ¹³C values. The share of bulk sediment in the heavy density fraction as well as the proportion and absolute amount of organic carbon were significantly larger at downstream locations. A depth and hence age-related gradient was found at individual locations, showing higher degradability of the upper, younger material, concomitant with higher DNA concentration, and lower OM turnover in the deeper, older and more consolidated material. Deeper layers were also characterised by higher concentrations of pore water ammonium, indicative of anaerobic nitrogen mineralisation.

Conclusions

Organic matter lability is inversely linked to its stabilisation in organo-mineral complexes. The observed degradability gradient is likely due to the different OM quality in relation to its origin. Downstream OM enters the system with the tidal flood current from the direction of the North Sea whereas upstream locations receive OM originating from the catchment, containing more autochthonous, plankton-derived and more easily degradable components. At individual sampling points, depth-related degradability gradients reflect an age gradient, with easily degradable material in top layers and increasing stabilisation of OM in organo-mineral compounds with depth.

     

Identifying climate refugia for 30 Australian rainforest plant species,from the last glacial maximum to 2070

Landscape Ecology - Climate refugia—areas that remain suitable for species during periods of climate disruption—have played an important role in species persistence over time....     

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) progress to date and future plans

The INHAND Proposal (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee (GESC) manages the overall objectives of the project and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups (OWG), drawing upon experts from North America, Europe and Japan.Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date – Respiratory, Hepatobiliary, Urinary, Central/Peripheral Nervous Systems, Male Reproductive and Mammary, Zymbals, Clitoral and Preputial Glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the Integument and Soft Tissue and Female Reproductive System in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a web site – www.goreni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photo-micrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. During 2012, INHAND GESC representatives attended meetings with representatives of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) to begin incorporation of INHAND terminology as preferred terminology for SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) submissions to the FDA. The interest in utilizing the INHAND nomenclature, based on input from industry and government toxicologists as well as information technology specialists, suggests that there will be wide acceptance of this nomenclature. The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.     

Soil carbon distribution and quality in a montane rangeland-forest mosaic in northern Utah

Relatively little is known about soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics in montane ecosystems of the semi-arid western U.S. or the stability of current SOC pools under future climate change scenarios. We measured the distribution and quality of SOC in a mosaic of rangeland-forest vegetation types that occurs under similar climatic conditions on non-calcareous soils at Utah State University's T.W. Daniel Experimental Forest in northern Utah: the forest types were aspen [Populus tremuloides] and conifer (mixture of fir [Abies lasiocarpa] and spruce [Picea engelmannii]); the rangeland types were sagebrush steppe [Artemisia tridentata], grass-forb meadow, and a meadow-conifer ecotone. Total SOC was calculated from OC concentrations, estimates of bulk density by texture and rock-free soil volume in five pedons. The SOC quality was expressed in terms of leaching potential and decomposability. Amount and aromaticity of water-soluble organic carbon (DOC) was determined by water extraction and specific ultra violet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA) of leached DOC. Decomposability of SOC and DOC was derived from laboratory incubation of soil samples and water extracts, respectively.

Although there was little difference in total SOC between soils sampled under different vegetation types, vertical distribution, and quality of SOC appeared to be influenced by vegetation. Forest soils had a distinct O horizon and higher SOC concentration in near-surface mineral horizons that declined sharply with depth. Rangeland soils lacked O horizons and SOC concentration declined more gradually. Quality of SOC under rangelands was more uniform with depth and SOC was less soluble and less decomposable (i.e., more stable) than under forests. However, DOC in grass-forb meadow soils was less aromatic and more bioavailable, likely promoting C retention through cycling. The SOC in forest soils was notably more leachable and decomposable, especially near the soil surface, with stability increasing with soil depth. Across the entire dataset, there was a weak inverse relationship between the decomposability and the aromaticity of DOC. Our data indicate that despite similar SOC pools, vegetation type may affect SOC retention capacity under future climate projections by influencing potential SOC losses via leaching and decomposition.     

Intermediary metabolic response and gene transcription modulation on the Sub-Antarctic notothenioid Eleginops maclovinus (Valenciennes, 1930) injected with two strains of Piscirickettsia salmonis

Pathogen interactions with cultured fish populations are well studied, but their effects on native fishes have not been characterized. In Chile, the disease caused by bacterial species Piscirickettsia salmonis represents one of the main issues and is considered to be one of the important pathogens in the field of aquaculture. They have been found to infect native fish. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the impact of P. salmonis on native species of local commercial value, as well as the potential impact associated with the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of P. salmonis. Due to this purpose, the native fish Eleginops maclovinus was used in our study. Fish were randomly distributed in tanks and intraperitoneally inoculated with two strains of P. salmonis. No mortality was recorded during the experiment. Cortisol, glucose and total α-amino acid levels increased in fish injected with AUSTRAL-005 strain compared to sham-injected and LF-89-inoculated fish. Moreover, results showed an increase in the activity of carbohydrates and lipids metabolism in liver; and an increase in the carbohydrates, lipids and total α-amino acid metabolism in muscle after injection with AUSTRAL-005. Our results suggest that P. salmonis modulates the physiology of E. maclovinus and the physiological impact increase in the presence of the antibiotic-resistant strain AUSTRAL-005.     

Development of an appropriate breeding scheme for tolerance to Empoasca kraemeri in common bean

Summary Significant advances in increasing tolerance to the leafhopper Empoasca kraemeri Ross & Moore in common bean have been obtained using a new breeding scheme where yield under leafhopper attack is the principal selection criterion in the evaluation of progenies. However, to further refine this breeding scheme, a study was conducted to determine whether selection for nonprotected yield would be more effective in early versus late generations. Two selection strategies were compared. In Strategy I, early generation selections in the F₂ and F₃ were compared to Strategy II where late generation selections were made in the F₄ and F₅, with the F₂ and F₃ generations advanced using single pod descent and bulk practices, respectively. Yield trials of the F₆ lines from both selection strategies were conducted under nonprotected and insecticide protected treatments. No significant differences were detected between the two selection strategies. However, Strategy II did produce advanced lines with greater nonprotected yields than did Strategy I, with the best F₆ line, in three out of four crosses, coming out of Strategy II. Late generation selection is recommended over early generation selection. Results of the new leafhopper breeding scheme, based on yield, are compared to the old breeding scheme where selections were made using visual selection practices in early generations.     

Grain weight responses to post-anthesis spikelet-trimming in an old and a modern wheat under Mediterranean conditions

Average grain weight is a major yield component contributing to its variation, especially in Mediterranean regions where grain weight is frequently exposed to terminal stresses affecting grain growth. Most of the literature agrees that wheat grain growth is hardly limited by the source. However, no source–sink ratios studies seem to have been conducted in the Mediterranean region to determine to what degree wheat grain growth is actually limited by the source in these particular regions. We conducted two field experiments in Catalonia (north-eastern Spain), where an old cultivar (Anza) and a more recently released one (Soissons) were sown in a range of different nitrogen and water availabilities and sowing dates. This was to analyse the degree of source limitation for grain growth. Sink size was modified by removing half of the spikelets c. 10 days after anthesis, virtually doubling the availability of assimilates per grain effectively growing.

Trimming the spikes did not produce significant changes in grain growth rate or duration of grain filling. Consequently, grain weight did not respond noticeably to the reduction in sink demand and any eventual response has been far from representing a strong competition among grains during grain filling.     

Functional genomics of microspore embryogenesis

Isolated plant microspores, when stressed and cultured in vitro, can be diverted from their normal gametophytic pathway towards sporophytic development, with the formation of haploid embryos and ultimately doubled-haploid plants. This process is called androgenesis or microspore embryogenesis, and is widely used in plant breeding programmes to generate homozygous lines for breeding purposes. Protocols for the induction of microspore embryogenesis and the subsequent regeneration of doubled haploid (DH) plants have been successfully developed for more than 200 species. These practical advances stand in stark contrast to our knowledge of the underlying molecular genetic mechanism controlling this process. The majority of information regarding the genetic and molecular control of the developmental switch from gametophytic to sporophytic development has been garnered from four intensely studied (crop) plants comprising two dicotyledonous species, rapeseed (Brassica napus) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), and two monocotyledonous species, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare). In these species the efficiency of microspore embryogenesis is very high and reproducible, making them suitable models for molecular studies. In the past, molecular studies on microspore embryogenesis have focussed mainly on the identification of genes that are differentially expressed during this developmental transition and/or early in embryo development, and have identified a number of genes whose expression marks or predicts the developmental fate of stressed microspores. More recently, functional genomics approaches have been used to obtain a broad overview of the molecular processes that take place during the establishment of microspore embryogenesis. In this review we summarise accumulated molecular data obtained in rapeseed, tobacco, wheat and barley on embryogenic induction of microspores and define common aspects involved in the androgenic switch.