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.     

Reproductive biology of the female Japanese mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria (Stomatopoda) in relation to changes in the seasonal pattern of larval occurrence in Tokyo Bay, Japan

ABSTRACT:   The reproductive traits and the monthly larval abundance of the mantis shrimp Oratosquilla oratoria were investigated in Tokyo Bay, Japan, in 2002. The goal of the study was to elucidate the cause of changes in the monthly pattern of larval abundance from the 1980s to the 1990s as these changes relate to variation in the stock size of the adult shrimp. Oogenesis was divided into 10 stages by histological observation. The developmental stage of oocytes in an individual's ovary was synchronous, suggesting that almost all the oocytes in an ovary are spawned at the same time. The size at first maturity was estimated to be 7 ≤ body length ( BL ) < 8 cm. Fecundity was expressed as a function of BL , ranging from 19 300 eggs for 8 cm BL to 92 100 eggs for 14 cm BL . Small female shrimps (<10 cm BL ) spawned around August. Most large female shrimps (≥10 cm BL ) spawned around May, and some large female shrimps also spawned until September. Although most large female shrimps spawned in spring, the larval abundance was low before July and high from August onwards. The results suggest that a substantial decrease in the stock size of large individuals causes the low larval abundance before July.     

深厚覆盖层上混凝土防渗墙服役性能分析

【目的】研究混凝土面板砂砾石坝防渗墙的应力变形及实际防渗效果,为高寒地区深厚覆盖层类似工程的设计与施工提供依据。【方法】以青海省纳子峡混凝土面板砂砾石坝为研究对象,在防渗墙施工及运行初期(2012-05-2018-01)对其进行应力监测、变形监测、渗流监测,对所得监测数据进行统计分析,进而评价防渗墙的实际工作状态。【结果】纳子峡混凝土面板砂砾石坝防渗墙各测点应力及变形表现稳定,在施工期防渗墙钢筋的应力变化因受地面施工等因素影响主要承受拉应力,且向上游侧倾斜;在水库运行期间(2014-09-2018-01),墙体受到来自上游的水压力,主要承受压应力,且向下游侧倾斜;布置在墙体上游侧的渗压计渗透压力远大于下游侧各测点,表明防渗墙防渗效果良好,渗透压力受测孔孔内水位影响,且随库水位表现出一定的周期性变化规律,库水位每抬升(或下降)1 m,墙体下游侧各测点渗透压力增加(或减小)约0.6 kPa。【结论】纳子峡大坝混凝土防渗墙在其施工及运行初期应力变形较为稳定,防渗效果良好,能为大坝的安全提供保障。     

连续模拟降雨下岩溶区含砾石堆积体坡面径流产沙特征

为明确砾石含量对岩溶区石灰土质堆积体坡面径流产沙特征的影响,以土质坡面为对照,采用室内模拟降雨试验方法,研究了递增型降雨(0.5,1.0,2.0,2.5,3.0 mm/min)条件下偏土质(砾石含量30%)和偏石质(砾石含量70%)石灰土坡面的径流特性及侵蚀特征。结果表明:(1)随雨强增大,各坡面径流率呈稳定增长—波动的变化趋势,且土质坡面径流率整体小于2种含砾石坡面;偏土质、偏石质坡面累计产流量较土质坡面增加了0.49,0.37倍;(2)1.0~3.0 mm/min雨强下,土质坡面侵蚀速率在0.16~5.4 g/(m^2·s)范围内波动,整体呈稳定—波动增加的变化趋势;偏土质和偏石质坡面分别为0.16~5.4,0.06~0.74 g/(m^2·s),前者侵蚀速率变化范围大且波动剧烈,后者变化范围小且稳定;随砾石含量的增加,各坡面累计侵蚀量呈先增后减的变化趋势,偏土质坡面侵蚀量较土质坡面增加2.5倍,偏石质坡面较其减少了0.9倍;(3)土质、偏土质和偏石质坡面的侵蚀速率与径流率分别呈极显著正相关幂函数、线性函数和线性函数关系。研究结果可为桂西北岩溶区弃渣场水土流失治理提供一定的科学依据。     

Incubation success and habitat selection of shore‐spawning kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka: effects of water‐level regulation and habitat characteristics

Changes to water‐level regimes have been known to restructure fish assemblages and interfere with the population dynamics of both littoral and pelagic species. The effect of altered water‐level regimes on shore‐spawning kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka incubation success was evaluated using a comprehensive in situ study in Lake Pend Oreille, ID, USA. Survival was not related to substrate size composition or depth, indicating that shore‐spawning kokanee do not currently receive a substrate‐mediated survival benefit from higher winter water levels. Substrate composition also did not differ among isobaths in the nearshore area. On average, the odds of an egg surviving to the preemergent stage were more than three times greater for sites in downwelling areas than those lacking downwelling. This study revealed that shoreline spawning habitat is not as limited as previously thought. Downwelling areas appear to contribute substantially to shore‐spawning kokanee recruitment. This research illustrates the value of rigorous in situ studies both for testing potential mechanisms underlying population trends and providing insight into spawning habitat selection.     

Littoral spawning habitats of three southern Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) populations

Abstract Arctic charr populations in southern latitudes are nonmigratory, with all life‐stages limited to freshwater lakes and in‐ or out‐flowing tributaries. Although many of these populations are reported to also spawn in lake littorals, little is known about the physical characteristics of putative spawning grounds. A total of 23 discrete spawning sites within three Irish lakes were located by fyke netting of spawning adults and snorkelling in littoral habitats. Spawning sites were found to be long, narrow strips running parallel to the shore at a maximum depth of 124 cm. Spawning sites were limited to areas of coarse mineral substrate with an adequate (c. 8 cm) depth of clean interstitial spaces. In individual lakes, combined areas of spawning sites made up 0.4–0.7% of available littoral. Egg densities varied considerably between sites (33–900·eggs m^?2) and were significantly correlated with gradient and width of spawning sites. No evidence of redd digging was found. The shallow, localised and restricted nature of spawning grounds makes such populations vulnerable to anthropogenically induced postoviposition changes in surface water level, eutrophication processes such as increased lake sedimentation and elevated nutrient status.     

Reproductive biology of common silver biddy Gerres oyena in Okinawa Island of southern Japan

ABSTRACT:   Common silver biddy Gerres oyena were collected monthly between November 2002 and November 2005 in Okinawa Island of southern Japan. The seasonal reproductive cycle of this species was investigated using the gonadosomatic index (GSI) and through histological observation of gonads. Temporal variation in the GSI reflected gonadal development from histological observations; ovary development occurred from March to September and testes development occurred between March and August. Maximal development was observed in April and May in both sexes. While mean values for hepatosomatic and lipidosomatic indices decreased markedly in females relative to males during gonadal development, mean condition factors decreased with gonadal recrudescence in both sexes. The minimum standard length (SL) at sexual maturity was 89.7 mm for females and 81.4 mm for males and the size at which 50% of individuals were sexually mature was 104 and 92 mm SL in females and males, respectively. The power relationships of batch fecundity (BF) versus standard length (SL, mm) and body weight (BW, g) of females can be expressed as BF  = 46.7 × e^{1.64 SL} and BF  = 19 697 × e^{0.49 BW} , respectively.