Stable isotopes and gut contents indicate differential resource use by coexisting asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca)

Differential use of habitat and prey resources is an important mechanism that may allow coexistence of sympatric species. Unlike interactions between smaller cyprinid and percid fishes, the resource use by coexisting predatory asp (Leuciscus aspius) and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is relatively unknown. Here, gut content and stable isotope analyses were used to study ontogenetic dietary shifts and interspecific trophic niche overlap between asp and pikeperch coexisting in two reservoirs. The hypothesis that both species show an ontogenetic dietary shift from small invertebrates to large fish prey, but at the same time use different prey resources to reduce potential competitive interactions, was validated. The isotopic niches of the two predators showed no, or only a moderate, degree of overlap (0%–65%). The ontogenetic changes in the degree of interspecific isotopic niche overlap were different in the two reservoirs, suggesting that trophic segregation can be dynamic and variable among systems. Gut contents revealed that small (<100 mm standard length) asp consumed mostly terrestrial invertebrates and emerged aquatic insects, whereas small pikeperch foraged on zooplankton, larval and pupal stages of aquatic insects and fish. Larger individuals (>100 mm) of both species were predominantly piscivorous, with asp consuming more cyprinid prey and pikeperch more percid prey. Coexisting asp and pikeperch populations are able to utilise different prey resources, thereby reducing potential negative competitive interactions.     

Effect of dietary protein content on growth rate,survival and body composition of juvenile cauque river prawn,Macrobrachium americanum (Bate 1868)

We determined the effect of four concentrations of dietary crude protein, 30.7, 37.2, 41.8 and 46.8% on growth rate, survival and body composition of the juvenile cauque river prawn (Macrobrachium americanum). The prawns were hatched in the laboratory from the spawn of one wild ovigerous female. Prawns consuming 37.2% crude protein reached a final weight of 0.58 g (feed conversion ratio of 2.15), which was significantly better than the other treatments. Survival was 100% in all treatments. Protein content in the diets had no significant effect on whole body proximate composition and amino acid profile. Juveniles consuming the 37.2% crude protein diet grew faster than those fed the other diets. Specific growth rate was adjusted to the two‐slope broken‐line regression analysis model to estimate the optimal protein requirement. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that the 37.2% protein level diet is optimal for juvenile cauque river prawn M. americanum in the experimental conditions of this study.     

Associations of fish with various types of littoral habitats in reservoirs

Fish associations with different types of littoral habitats were studied in four canyon‐shaped reservoirs in the Czech Republic in years 2010 and 2011 by gillnets. Two to three habitats per reservoir–beaches (former meadows), stump fields (former forest) and rubble slopes–were defined and sampled along the longitudinal axis of reservoirs. Effects of reservoir, habitat and locality (position along longitudinal axis) on fish biomass, abundance and species structure were tested for juvenile and adult fish separately. Hierarchical analysis of variance revealed that habitats differed significantly in fish biomass and abundance. Redundancy analysis showed that analysed environmental variables had significant influence on fish community structure. Most variability in community structure was explained by reservoir and then by combination of habitat and slope steepness. Locality position had the smallest influence on community structure. For both adult and juvenile fish total abundance and biomass, the most inhabited habitat was beaches; rubble slopes were the least inhabited. Habitat associations differed among species. Among adults, bream Abramis brama, white bream Blicca bjoerkna and roach Rutilus rutilus were associated with beaches and stump fields, whereas perch Perca fluviatilis, ruffe Gymnocephalus cernuus, asp Aspius aspius and pike Esox lucius were associated with rubble slopes. Bream, white bream, bleak Alburnus alburnus, roach, ruffe and pikeperch Sander lucioperca were associated with beaches among juveniles, whereas the only juvenile associated with rubble slopes was perch. We showed that most common species are associated with distinct habitats and also that utilisation of various littoral habitats differs in general.     

Regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 activity during meiosis resumption in mammals

In vivo, resumption of oocyte meiosis occurs in large ovarian follicles after the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH surge leads to the activation of a broad signaling network in mural granulosa cells equipped with LH receptors. The signals generated in the mural granulosa cells are further augmented by locally produced peptides or steroids and transferred to the cumulus cell compartment and the oocyte itself. Over the last decade, essential progress has been made in the identification of molecular events associated with the final maturation and ovulation of mammalian oocytes. All new evidence argues for a multiple roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1 (MAPK3/1) in the gonadotropin-induced ovulation processes. However, the knowledge of gonadotropin-induced signaling pathways leading to MAPK3/1 activation in follicular cells seems limited. To date, only the LH-induced transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor/MAPK3/1 pathway has been described in granulosa/cumulus cells even though other mechanisms of MAPK3/1 activation have been detected in other types of cells. In this review, we aimed to summarize recent advances in the elucidation of gonadotropin-induced mechanisms leading to the activation of MAPK3/1 in preovulatory follicles and cultured cumulus-oocyte complexes and to point out a specific role of this kinase in the processes accompanying final maturation of the mammalian oocyte.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis natürlicher Feinde der Platanen-Netzwanze (Corythuca ciliata (Say), Tingidae,Heteroptera)

Studies on the predatory insects of the Sycamore lace bug (Corythuca ciliata (Say)) In our previous work (Maceljski, andBalarin, 1974) we presented some results of our first investigations of the new insect introduced in Europe from North America, the Sycamore lace bug (Corythuca ciliata [SAY]). There we concluded that it is necessary to bring this insect under control especially by biological means.In our recent work we established that some most usual predatory bugs in Yugoslavia, i. e.Nabis pseudoferus Rm.,Rhinocoris iracundus iracundus (Pd.) andHimacerus mirmicoides (O. C.) are in the laboratory very effective sucking on the Sycamore lace bugs. Therefore it is possible that these predators will have a negative influence on the population-dynamic of this new nuisible insects in Europe. The investigation added to the knowledge of the possible preys of these bugs too.

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Die Untersuchungen wurden von der Stadt Zagreb unterstutzt.     

Three-dimensional imaging of a sawn surface: a comparison of confocal microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,and light microscopy combined with serial sectioning

The three-dimensional structure of a transverse sawn wood surface was investigated using several methods, to compare techniques, and to study the types of deformation in tracheids at the saw cut. A sample of spruce sapwood was cut with a fret saw across the grain. The transverse sawn surface was imaged by confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and by light microscopy combined with serial sectioning and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Both confocal microscopy and FESEM were restricted to visualising the cut surface of the wood. However, serial sectioning was able to reveal the internal structure below the cut surface providing more information on the types of cell deformation present. The wood structure was deformed to depths of more than 600 μm below the surface with twisting, crushing and tearing deformations. Near the outer surface, gaps were formed between groups of tracheids where the cell walls had been torn away to form saw dust. The deformation tended to form groups of tracheids that were twisted relative to each other. Latewood was less distorted, forming a dense solid surface compared to the highly fibrous earlywood.     

Modelling the risks of natural stand closure release with ageing in pure beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis>) and spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis>) stands

• Background  

In the development of pure beech and pure spruce pristine forests, we assume there should be a continuous transition from full stocking to successive disintegration and, finally, total replacement of the first generational wave at the end of its lifetime, dependent on mortality due to overcrowding as well as ageing, leading newly recruited cohorts to grow up from below.     

Challenges of Organizing Private Forest Owners in Serbia

Small-scale forestry in Serbia is characterized by high fragmentation of properties, a large number of parcels and forest owners. Numerous activities for private forest owners in Serbia supported by the State, FAO and CEPF have resulted in an increased interest of owners in forming private forest owners’ associations (PFOA). The goal of this paper is to explore preconditions that are necessary for organizing private forest owners in Serbia into effective associations. In order to reach this goal, results of PRIFORT project were used. The over-arching research questions of this paper are: “What is the level of interest among forest owners in forming owners’ associations?”; “Why has forest owner interest in organizing developed so slowly?” and “What are the necessary preconditions for the development of private forest owners’ organizations in the country?” In order to answer these questions, quantitative survey with 42 close, open and Likert scale questions was conducted. Sample size was determined following Malhotra’s proportion method and, in total, 350 private forest owners, from nine municipalities were interviewed. Results of this paper show that majority of respondents are very little or not at all aware of existing legislation. Almost half of respondents consider that their interests are not represented well. Although about 50% of interviewed forest owners miss interest organization, only 0,3% are members of PFOA. More than 70% are ready to join association, if it would provide some economic advantages.     

Mineralization of hydroxylated isoproturon metabolites produced by fungi

When exposed to the herbicide isoproturon, some soil fungi in pure culture metabolize the substance to hydroxylated metabolites. Hydroxylated metabolites of isoproturon have also been detected in soil studies. In an agricultural soil not previously exposed to isoproturon we found that the hydroxylated isoproturon metabolite N-(4-(2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)phenyl)-N′,N′-dimethylurea mineralized faster than both isoproturon and its N-demethylated metabolite N-(4-isopropylphenyl)-N′-methylurea (MDIPU), thus indicating that mineralization of isoproturon is stimulated by fungal hydroxylation in this soil. In soils previously treated with isoproturon, in contrast, isoproturon and both its hydroxylated and demethylated metabolites mineralized at almost the same rate with up to 52% of the ¹⁴C-ring-carbon being degraded to ¹⁴CO₂ within 63 days. Thus hydroxylated metabolites of isoproturon do not seem to be more persistent than isoproturon, and hence may degrade before they can leach from topsoil and contaminate the aquatic environment. While an isoproturon-mineralizing bacterium Sphingomonas sp. SRS2 and a MDIPU-mineralizing mixed bacterial culture were able to deplete the medium of hydroxylated metabolites, little or no mineralization took place. This indicates that other bacteria must be present in the soil that are able to benefit from isoproturon being made available to mineralization by fungal hydroxylation.