The nature and consequences of co-infections in tilapia: A review

Co-infections commonly arise when two or multiple different pathogens infect the same host, either as simultaneous or as secondary concurrent infection. This potentiates their pathogenic effects and leads to serious negative consequences on the exposed host. Numerous studies on the occurrence of the bacterial, parasitic, fungal and viral co-infections were conducted in various tilapia species. Co-infections have been associated with serious negative impacts on susceptible fish because they increase the fish susceptibility to diseases and the likelihood of outbreaks in the affected fish. Co-infections can alter the disease course and increase the severity of disease through synergistic and, more rarely, antagonistic interactions. In this review, reports on the synergistic co-infections and their impacts on the affected tilapia species are highlighted. Additionally, their pathogenic mechanisms are briefly discussed. Tilapia producers should be aware of the possible occurrence of co-infections and their effects on the affected tilapia species and in particular of the clinical signs and course of the disease. To date, there is still limited information regarding the pathogenicity mechanisms and pathogen interactions during these co-infections. This is generally due to low awareness regarding co-infections, and in many cases, a dominant pathogen is perceived to be of vital importance and hence becomes the target of treatment while the treatment of the co-infectious agents is neglected. This review article aimed at raising awareness regarding co-infections and helping researchers and fish health specialists pay greater attention to these natural cases, leading to increased research and more consistent diagnosis of co-infectious outbreaks in order to improve control strategies to protect tilapia when infected with multiple pathogens.     

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.     

Aurantiochytrium sp. meal as DHA source in Nile tilapia diet,part II: Body fatty acid retention and muscle fatty acid profile

Nile tilapia juveniles (8.35 ± 0.80 g) were fed on four levels (0.0%; 0.5%; 1.0%; 2.0%, 4.0%) of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (ALL‐G‐RICH?), a source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. meal diet was compared to a control diet, which contained the same amount of DHA as cod liver oil (CLO) at 1.7% diet. Groups of 25 fish were stocked in 100 L tanks and fed twice daily until apparent satiation, for 57 days, at 28°C. Increasing dietary Aurantiochytrium sp. meal reduced the body retention of DHA and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) but increased the body retention of alpha‐linolenic (α‐LNA), linoleic (LOA) and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 PUFA). Fatty acid profile in tilapia muscle was affected by increasing dietary inclusions of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal, with an increase in DHA, α‐LNA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 long chain‐polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 LC‐PUFA) but a decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n‐6 PUFA and n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 LC‐PUFA). There was a larger body retention of DHA, α‐LNA, LOA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐6 PUFA fatty acids and a higher percentage of DHA, n‐3 PUFA and n‐3 LC‐PUFA in muscle fatty acid profile in fish fed on CLO diets than in those fed on 1% Aurantiochytrium sp. Therefore, Aurantiochytrium sp. meal is an alternative source of DHA for Nile tilapia diets.     

Monoammonium Phosphate Effects on Glyphosate in Soils: Mobilization,Phytotoxicity, and Alteration of the Microbial Community

Eurasian Soil Science - Application of monoammonium phosphate has been demonstrated to re-immobilize glyphosate sorbed by soil under model laboratory experiment conditions. This effect was most...     

Assessment of the Impact of No-Till and Conventional Tillage Technologies on the Microbiome of Southern Agrochernozems

Eurasian Soil Science - Quantitative characteristics of microbial communities in southern agrochernozems of the Stavropol region managed with the use of no-till technology and moldboard plowing...     

Influence of Fertilizer Systems on Soil Organic Carbon Content and Crop Yield: Results of Long-Term Field Experiments at the Geographical Network of Research Stations in Russia

Eurasian Soil Science - The results of long-term experiments (LTEs) performed at the Geographical Network of experimental stations encompassing major soil types in Russia (soddy-podzolic (Retisols,...     

Tomato brown rugose fruit disease: current distribution,knowledge and future prospects

Tomato is the most economically important fruit/vegetable crop grown worldwide. However, viral diseases remain an important factor limiting its productivity, with estimated quantitative and qualitative yield losses in tomato crops often reaching up to 100%. Many viruses infecting tomato have been reported, while new viral diseases have also emerged. The climatic changes the world is experiencing can be a contributing factor to the successful spread of newly emerging viruses, as well as the establishment of disease in areas that were previously either unfavourable or where the disease was absent. Because antiviral products are not available, strategies to mitigate viral diseases rely on genetic resistance/tolerance to infection, control of vectors, improvement in crop hygiene, roguing of infected plants and seed certification. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an emerging viral threat to tomato productivity and is currently spreading into new areas, which is of great concern to the growing global production in the absence of mitigation measures. This review presents the current knowledge about ToBRFV and future prospects for an improved understanding of the virus, which will be needed to support effective control and mitigation of the impact it is likely to cause.