Branchial carbonic anhydrase is present in the dogfish, Squalus acanthias

The distribution of branchial carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the shark, Squalus acanthias, was studied using in situ measurements of pH disequilibrium states in post-branchial saline, and immunological techniques, immunofluorescence microscopy and Western analysis, employing rabbit polyclonal antibodies against rat pulmonary membrane associated CA IV and chick retinal cytosolic CA II. In the in situ saline perfused gill preparation, the CA inhibitor acetazolamide produced a pH disequilibium (0.063 ± 0.022 pH units) while control and bovine carbonic anhydrase perfusions did not (0.012 ± 0.017 and 0.023 ± 0.018 pH units, respectively). These results indicate that the HCO₃ ^- dehydration reaction is accelerate by endogenous extracellular CA. Western analysis of saline perfused gill membrane preparations revealed an immunoreactive 48 kDa band with the CA IV probe. In crude gill homogenates, a 33 kDa and 31 kDa pair of bands is identified by the CA II probe. The pattern of immunolabeling for CA II in the gill epithelium was either diffuse or punctate within both lamellar and filament epithelial cells while eyrthrocytes and pillar cells displayed a diffuse staining pattern.     

Naturally occurring lesions and micro-organisms in two species of free-living sharks: the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias L., and the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill), from the north-western Atlantic

Twenty-three smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis L., and 20 spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias (Mitchill), were examined for the presence of diseases. Sharks were collected from the north-western Atlantic between April and September 2000. Major organs were sampled for histopathology and bacterial cultures were taken from kidneys. Macroscopic lesions were infrequent and included intestinal cestodiasis and gastric and dermal erosions. Microscopic lesions were common in both shark species. Mustelus canis had numerous degenerative lesions involving the pancreatic ducts, seminiferous tubules and coronary vessels. The most frequent lesions in S. acanthias were parasitic and included pancreatic nematodiasis and biliary myxosporeosis. Additionally, both species had focal meningitis, encephalitis, dermatitis, gastritis, enteritis and glomerulomesangial thickening. Microscopic parasites included intestinal coccidiosis, unclassified gastric and testicular protozoa, skeletal muscle and renal tubular myxosporeans, a branchial trichodinid ciliate, olfactory and branchial trematodes, gastrointestinal cestodes and larval nematodes. Shewanella putrefaciens , Photobacterium sp., Vibrio sp., Pseudomonas sp. and Alteromonas sp. were isolated from kidneys of nine sharks. The role of the above lesions in the natural mortality and morbidity of the two shark species is unknown. The finding that apparently healthy sharks can harbour potentially debilitating lesions warrants the inclusion of histopathological studies in the management and conservation of sharks.     

Length and sex-specific associations between spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and hydrographic variables in the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf

The associations between spiny dogfish ( Squalus acanthias ) and hydrographic variables (temperature, salinity and depth) were examined in the Bay of Fundy and Scotian Shelf from 1970 to 1998. Data were obtained from standard groundfish bottom trawl surveys. Dogfish sex affected habitat associations. Males were found to occupy bottom water of significantly higher salinities and depths than that occupied by females. Length also significantly affected habitat associations. Smaller dogfish occupied relatively deep, high salinity bottom water compared with larger dogfish. Overall, the occupied temperatures, salinities and depths were significantly different from those which were available. Dogfish occupied warmer temperatures along a narrow range (6.62–9.19°C) compared with those which were available (1.57–9.35°C). Occupied salinity (32.70–34.43 ppt) and occupied depth (88.62–184.66 m) were also distributed along a narrower range than available salinity (32.16–34.79 ppt) and available depth (55.00–218.10 m). Sex-specific, length-specific and overall environmental preference by dogfish may bias traditional `offshore' groundfish surveys while large scale changes in hydrographic parameters may alter dogfish distribution and their interactions with other marine fauna.     

Spatial distribution analysis of the North Pacific spiny dogfish,Squalus suckleyi,in the North Pacific using generalized additive models

The North Pacific spiny dogfish (SPD), Squalus suckleyi, is a commercially exploited shark species that plays an important role in the ecosystem. To elucidate the distribution of the SPD in the North Pacific and to evaluate the effects of sea surface temperature (SST) and prey availability on its distribution, we estimated the probability of SPD presence using a generalized additive model with a binomial error distribution from SPD presence/absence data on 14,824 operations in fishery‐independent gillnet surveys between 1972 and 2011. The habitat model was structured in the east and west to reflect differences in the North Pacific oceanic environments. In the east, a higher probability of SPD presence was identified along the coast from the eastern Gulf of Alaska to Queen Charlotte Sound. In the west, it was identified around northern Japan. The estimated distribution was continuous between the two areas, whereas the probability of SPD presence was relatively low. Although the probability of SPD presence was higher at SSTs between 6°C and 12°C, the SST at the peak probability of SPD presence differed between the west and east. The prey species, Japanese sardine, Sardinops melanostictus, and walleye pollock, Gadus chalcogrammus, in the west and boreal clubhook squid, Onychoteuthis borealijaponica, in the east significantly affected the probability of SPD presence, which was higher if the prey species co‐existed with SPD. Therefore, SPD might adapt their distribution to that of available prey species. SPD stock assessment and management in these two important areas are required for its sustainable utilization.     

A viral dermatitis of the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill)

Abstract. A viral infection of the smooth dogfish, Mustelus canis (Mitchill), a squaliform shark, is described. The disease was found and observed in wild, laboratory-maintained and aquaria-displayed populations of smooth dogfish of the Woods Hole area of Massachusetts during a 2.5-year period. The disease was characterized by the progressive development of gross and microscopic herpes-like skin lesions. Electron microscopic examination revealed cellular pathology, viral replication and transport, and virions that conformed to those of herpesvirus infection. This study is the first report of a viral infection in elasmobranchs. The comparative pathology and implication for wild and captive shark populations is discussed.     

Body-length frequency and spatial segregation of the North Pacific spiny dogfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Squalus suckleyi</Emphasis> in Tsugaru Strait,northern Japan

The present study elucidated the length structure and habitat segregation of North Pacific spiny dogfish (SPD) Squalus suckleyi in the Tsugaru Strait of northern Japan. Length–frequency distributions using kernel density estimation were determined for SPD captured by the bottom longline fishery landed at Minmaya from 1999 to 2011 and at Ohma from 2007 to 2011. Length–frequency distributions significantly differed between landings at the two ports; SPD at Minmaya were on average larger (65–85 cm precaudal length: PCL) than at Ohma (55–75 cm PCL). This difference is evidence of the length-based spatial segregation of the SPD. The seasonal landing pattern of the SPD was also different between the two ports. The SPD landed at Minmaya were largest during February–June and SPD < 75 cm PCL were caught at Ohma throughout the year. This different landing pattern was related to seasonal differences in bottom-layer water temperatures between the two fishing grounds. Females were thought to be dominant at Minmaya, whereas males dominated in most of the catches at Ohma. These results suggest spatial patterns of sexual segregation for this species in the Tsugaru Strait and require elucidation of the SPD stock condition at Minmaya and Ohma.     

Stimulatory and inhibitory regulation of DNA synthesis during spermatogenesis: studies in Squalus acanthias

Spermatogenesis is a unique developmental sequence involving multiple cell to cell interactions and several categories of regulatory molecules. In contrast to conventional mammalian models in which testicular organization is highly complex, the testis of the dogfish shark Squalus acanthias is technically advantageous for elucidating stage-dependent structural and functional charactericsics and for in vitro regulatory studies. Using incorporation of [³H]thymidine into acid-insoluble molecules as a measure of DNA synthesis by spermatocysts (germ cell/Sertoli cell units) of premeiotic stages, we obtained evidence of a growth inhibitory bioactivity (chalone) within the testis. This activity is differentially distributed (postmeiotic > meiotic > premeiotic), suggesting that more advanced developmental stages, which are upstream in the vascular pathway within the testis, may control the size of the proliferating spermatocyst population and, hence, the advance of less mature stages. These data provide direct evidence for humoral communication between stages of spermatogenesis.     

Sustained endocrine and exocrine function in the pancreas of the Pacific spiny dogfish post-feeding

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Secretions of the exocrine pancreas contain digestive enzymes integral to the digestive process. The Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus suckleyi) has a discrete...     

Reducing elasmobranch bycatch: Laboratory investigation of rare earth metal and magnetic deterrents with spiny dogfish and Pacific halibut

Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthius) comprises a significant unwanted bycatch on demersal longlines set for halibut and cod in shelf waters of the east and west coasts of North America. In this laboratory study, attacks on baits were tested in the presence of two different rare earth materials (neodymium–iron–boride magnets and cerium mischmetal) believed to deter elasmobranch catch. Experiments were made with spiny dogfish and with Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in pairwise tests of the rare earth materials and inert metal controls. Dogfish attacked and consumed baits tested with cerium mischmetal at a lower frequency than controls. Times to attack the baits were significantly higher in the presence of mischmetal, as were numbers of approaches before first attack. The time differential between mischmetal and control treatments and the number of baits consumed converged with increasing food deprivation (1 h, 2 d, and 4 d), but treatment differences were always significant. Cerium mischmetal appeared to be irritating to dogfish and may disrupt their bait detection and orientation abilities. Magnets also appeared to irritate dogfish but provided no protection for baits in feeding trials. Pacific halibut showed no reaction whatsoever to the rare earth magnets or cerium mischmetal. Mischmetal, therefore, may be useful in reducing spiny dogfish bycatch in the halibut fishery. Disadvantages in using mischmetal in commercial operations are expense, hazardous nature, and relatively rapid hydrolysis in seawater.     

On the blood volume of the Mediterranean dogfish,Scyliorhinus canicula

The blood volume of the Mediterranean dogfish,Scyliorhinus canicula was determined to be 4.06±0.92 ml/100 g body weight. This result is discussed in relation with the dye dilution technique used, the degree of dye binding with circulating plasma proteins and the values and techniques used by other authors.     

中国龙虾叶状幼体摄食的研究

中国龙虾叶状幼体孵出后1－2h就开始摄食、其适宜的开口饵料为卤虫无节幼体，叶状幼体Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ期摄食卤虫无节幼体后的变态率分别为80％、40％和32．5％。卤虫幼虫体和贻贝卵巢混合投喂，可提高叶状幼体的存活率。叶状幼体对不同饵料具有选择性，昼夜均可摄食，没有明显的摄食节律性。光照和黑暗对叶状幼体的摄食和存活没有影响。在适宜的卤虫无节幼体下，叶状幼体5－9min就可饱食，然后经过45－90min消化完毕；初孵叶状幼体对不同大小的卤虫无节幼体（349．5－604．9μm）的摄食没有明显差异，本试验可为开展中国龙虾的人工育苗积累资料。     

A novel method of collecting fecal samples from spiny lobsters

A novel method is described for collecting feces from the spiny lobster Panulirus ornatus. Established methods for the collection of feces from crustacean species are not effective with P. ornatus. The feces produced by adults and juveniles of this species are not in a form that can be easily recovered by traditional methods. To overcome this problem, a plastic flange was glued onto the integument, around the anal pore. A small latex balloon was placed over the flange and provided a watertight collection vessel for voided feces. The flange was made from the modified cap from a 2 ml Eppendorf vial. Fixing the flange and changing the balloon after feeding was achieved without the use of anaesthetics and appears not to impose undue stress on the lobsters and they continued to feed. The method was successfully used to collect uncontaminated fecal samples from lobsters ranging from 150 to 800 g. This method may have wider application for other crustacean species.     

A calcified fibroma in the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

Abstract. A large tegumental tumour was observed in a common carp from the pool of the Jardin des Plantes, Montpellier. The tumour was a fibroma characterized by centripetal fibrogenesis and intense calcification of the central region.