Digestion of lipids and carbohydrates from microalgae (Chaetoceros muelleri Lemmermann and Isochrysis aff. galbana clone T‐ISO) in juvenile scallops (Pecten maximus L.)

The digestion of laminaran and neutral lipids from the microalgae Chaetoceros muelleri or mixtures of C. muelleri and Isochrysis galbana clone T‐ISO in 4‐mm scallops Pecten maximus were studied. The microalgae were cultivated at fixed low and high growth rate (5% and 60% of μ_max). The cultivation method clearly affected the lipid and carbohydrate contents, as well as their enzyme activity. Chaetoceros muelleri and T‐ISO grown at low growth rate exhibited a considerably higher content of lipids and carbohydrates than those algae grown at high growth rate. The specific activity of laminaranase and neutral lipase was the highest in C. muelleri grown at the low growth rate. Growth rate of scallops was best when they were fed a mono‐species diet of C. muelleri grown at low growth rate. The growth rate of the scallops was positively correlated to the dietary carbohydrate content as well as to the specific activity of neutral lipase and laminaranase in the diet. The capacity to digest carbohydrates (laminaran) might be limiting for the young scallops, and the content of carbohydrates and enzymatic activities of laminaran in the diet should be considered when formulating an optimal diet, both when the diet consist of live microalgae and formulated diets.     

The importance of manual white blood cell differential counts and platelet estimates in elephant hematology: blood film review is essential

Unique features of elephant hematology are known challenges in analytical methodology like two types of monocytes typical for members of the Order Afrotheria and platelet counts of the comparatively small elephant platelet. To investigate WBC differential and platelet data generated by an impedance-based hematology analyzer without availability of validated species-specific software for recognition of elephant WBCs and platelets, compared to manual blood film review. Blood samples preserved in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) of 50 elephants (n = 35 Elephas maximus and n = 15 Loxodonta africana) were used. A Mann-Whitney test for independent samples was used to compare parameters between methods and agreement was tested using Bland-Altman bias plots. All hematological variables, including absolute numbers of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and platelets, were significantly different (p < 0.0001) between both methods of analysis, and there was no agreement using Bland-Altman bias plots. Manual review consistently produced higher heterophil and monocyte counts as well as platelet estimates, while the automated analyzer produced higher lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts. The hematology analyzer did not properly differentiate elephant lymphocytes and monocytes, and did not accurately count elephant platelets. These findings emphasize the importance of manual blood film review as part of elephant complete blood counts in both clinical and research settings and as a basis for the development of hematological reference intervals.     

Using genetic tools to inform conservation of fragmented populations of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) across their range in China

A herd of 15 Chinese elephants attracted international attention during their 2021 northward trek, motivating the government to propose establishment of an Asian elephant national park. However, planning is hampered by a lack of genetic information on the remaining populations in China. We collected DNA from 497 dung samples from all 5 populations encompassing the entire range of elephants in China and used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate their genetic and demographic structure. We identified 237 unique genotypes (153 females, 84 males), representing 81% of the known population. However, the effective population size was small (28, range 25–32). Historic demographic contraction appeared to account for low haplotype diversity (H_d = 0.235), but moderate nucleotide and nuclear diversity (π = 0.6%, H_e = 0.55) was attributable to post-bottleneck recovery involving recent population expansion plus historical gene exchange with elephants in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. The 5 populations fell into 3 clusters, with Nangunhe elephants differing consistently from the other 4 populations (F_ST = 0.23); elephants from Mengyang, Simao, and Jiangcheng belonged to a single population (henceforth, MSJ), and differed from the Shangyong population (F_ST = 0.11). Interpopulation genetic variation reflected isolation by distance and female-biased dispersal. Chinese elephants should be managed as 2 distinct units: Nangunhe and another combining Shangyong and MSJ; their long-term viability will require restoring gene flow between Shangyong and MSJ, and between elephants in China and neighboring countries. Our results have the potential to inform conservation planning for an iconic megafaunal species.     

过饱和溶氧对大菱鲆生长及消化酶的影响

探讨工程化养殖中过饱和溶氧对大菱鲆生长的影响,通过充入液态氧与空气,使试验水体的溶氧分别达到过饱和溶氧水平(12±1)mg/L和(14±1)mg/L,正常溶氧水平(7.0±0.5)mg/L.结果显示,过饱和溶氧组的大菱鲆生长速度及饵料利用率明显高于正常溶氧组(p<0.05),而在过饱和溶氧条件下与正常溶氧条件下大菱鲆的丰满度无显著差异(P>0.05).对大菱鲆胃、肠道消化酶、脂肪酶与淀粉酶的分析发现,大菱鲆胃蛋白酶活性在过饱和溶氧条件下较正常溶氧有明显提高(p<0.05),而脂肪酶与淀粉酶的酶活力未得到显著性提高(p>0.05).     

思茅区亚洲象活动现状及保护策略

采用野外监测、数据收集整理、村寨走访调查等方法,分析1996年以来亚洲象在思茅区的数量与分布情况。结果表明,在思茅活动的亚洲象数量逐渐增多,活动范围不断扩大,由于人—象冲突对周边区域的居民造成了较大损失。对亚洲象的生存环境现状的有利因素和不利因素进行分析,提出划定亚洲象的栖息地并严格保护,加大对亚洲象保护宣传力度和执法管理,完善亚洲象保护与监测信息系统,调整产业结构等保护管理建议。     

Isolation of a highly pathogenic Vibrio pelagius strain associated with mass mortalities of turbot,Scophthalmus maximus (L.), larvae

A bacterial strain, characterized as Vibrio pelagius (Hq 222), was isolated from a turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), larvae mass mortality in a commercial fish farm in Spain. Turbot larvae, post-larvae (0.2 g) and juveniles (5 and 15 g) were experimentally infected. The bacterium appeared to be very virulent for larvae and post-larvae, LD50 being < 5 bacteria mL(-1) for larvae 1 week post-infection and 3.9 x 10(5) bacteria mL(-1) in post-larvae at day 12 post-infection. The bacterial strain was recovered in pure culture from the internal organs of infected fish. Histological lesions in post-larvae exhibited swelling and necrosis of gill secondary lamellae, sloughing of intestinal mucosa and necrosis of haematopoietic tissue in the kidney. Vibrio pelagius (Hq 222) was able to grow in sterile sea water when incubated at room temperature or at 15 degrees C. Vibrio pelagius (Hq 222) was more adherent to the turbot cell lines TV-1 and TF than Escherichia coli. In both cell lines, the number of adhered bacteria increased with incubation time.     

大菱鲆健康苗种高产培育技术

介绍了在大菱鲆苗种培育过程中,添加微藻、有益复合菌、弧菌疫苗,在稳定的水环境中培育健康苗种,取得较高的成活率。     

纯氧充气对大菱鲆生长及水质指标的影响

主要研究了纯氧增氧技术对大菱鲆的生长及养殖水体中几项重要水质因子的影响。本实验中,实验池中的溶氧最低能维持在8.96±0.16mg/L,最高时可达到12.2±0.71mg/L。经过282d的培养,大菱鲆体重由30.43±0.42g达到1103.73±19.00g,日增重率平均为1.24±0.14%,整个实验期间大菱鲆均处于快速生长状态。至实验结束时,养殖密度最终达到33.99±0.59kg/m3。养殖水体中,pH变化范围在7.62～8.03之间,平均pH为7.76±0.05。COD变化范围在0.75～1.85mg/L,平均COD为1.04±0.16mg/L。亚硝酸盐浓度1.27～7.23μg/L之间,平均浓度在3.23±0.21μg/L。氨氮浓度一般维持在0.07～0.28mg/L,平均浓度为0.14±0.02mg/L。硝酸盐浓度在0.39～0.69mg/L之间,平均浓度为0.51±0.02mg/L。COD、pH、亚硝酸盐浓度很低,均在渔业水质标准所规定的范围以内。     

溶藻胶弧菌脂多糖对大菱鲆白细胞吞噬活性的影响

针对溶藻胶弧菌脂多糖在增强大菱鲆非特异性免疫功能、提高机体抗病能力方面的作用机理,开展了研究工作。实验中以浓度为2．4mg／ml 溶藻胶弧菌脂多糖,通过口服和注射的方式接种平均体重47．2g 大菱鲆幼鱼,接种后第7、15、 30天,分别采血根据血细胞吞噬作用检测结果计算吞噬百分比和吞噬指数。结果显示,溶藻胶弧菌脂多糖对白细胞吞噬活性有明显促进作用,在增强白细胞的吞噬能力方面作用不显著。     

盐度对大菱鲆幼鱼耗氧率和排氨率的影响

研究了大菱鲆(Scophamusmaximus)幼鱼由盐度34向低盐(盐度28、23、18、12、6)以及向高盐(盐度40)适应过程中代谢率的变化。结果表明:盐度改变后,各突变组大菱鲆幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率都呈现出不同程度的逐渐升高趋势,随着盐度突变范围的增大,变化趋势更为明显。在突变后24h左右,各突变组大菱鲆幼鱼耗氧率出现高峰值,48h后恢复到突变前的水平,此时各实验组大菱鲆的耗氧率没有显著的差异性(P>0.05)。在突变后9～15h排氨率出现高峰值,48h后各组大菱鲆幼鱼的排氨率恢复到突变前的水平,此时各实验组大菱鲆的排氨率没有显著的差异性(P>0.05)。