基于碳氮稳定同位素的太湖鱼类营养生态位研究

为探究太湖鱼类的营养生态位特征，于2019~2020年开展了太湖鱼类的碳氮稳定同位素调查，分析了鱼类营养生态位大小、生态位重叠度及营养级。研究结果表明，鱼类δ13C值范围为-27.67‰~-17.92‰，δ15N值范围为6.02‰~20.31‰。营养生态位大小（SEAc值）范围为0.14‰2~20.43‰2，其中黄颡鱼的生态位最大，光泽黄颡鱼的生态位最小。短颌鲚、陈氏短吻银鱼和鲢的SEAc值均较小，表明他们利用的食物源和生境范围较窄，鳙的SEAc值较大，表明其利用的食物源和生境范围较广。鱼类的营养生态位重叠度为0~70.6%。大银鱼与翘嘴鲌的生态位重叠度最大（70.6%），其次为鲈与翘嘴鲌（39.9%），其余物种间的生态位重叠度范围为0~38.9%。短颌鲚与其他肉食性鱼类的生态位重叠度较小，表明他们之间的食物资源竞争较弱。陈氏短吻银鱼与鲢、鳙在生态位上存在明显的分离，这与陈氏短吻银鱼专食浮游动物有关。鱼类营养级范围为0.73~3.62，鮠一种的营养级最高，泥鳅的营养级最低。分析表明，鱼类营养生态位的大小与其摄食的食物种类以及对不同生境的利用程度有关；大部分鱼类间生态位重叠度较低，表明鱼类在资源利用上存在较大分离。本研究结果也为太湖鱼类食物网分析及渔业资源管理提供了基础数据。     

长江口青草沙水库刀鲚食性转变

采用胃内含物法并结合碳氮稳定同位素分析,探讨长江口青草沙水库刀鲚(Coilia nasus)食物组成及其食性转变。基于胃内含物数据的聚类分析表明,刀鲚食物重量百分比(W%)在小个体(<99 mm)、中等个体(100~150 mm)和大个体(>150 mm)间两两差异显著;出现率(F%)和相对重要性指数百分比(IRI%)大个体与其他 2 个体长组差异显著,后两者无显著差异;数量百分比(N%)各体长组间均无显著差异。以上 4 种指数综合显示,小个体和大个体刀鲚分别主要摄食浮游动物和虾鱼类,中等大小个体刀鲚主要摄食浮游动物(F%、N%和 IRI%占优势)和鱼类(W%占优势);碳氮双稳定同位素混合模型亦表明,虾类和鱼类对大个体刀鲚有较大的食物贡献率。刀鲚的δ15N 随体长线性增加,δ13C 与体长呈二次多项函数关系,大个体的δ15N[(15.18±0.79)‰]和营养级(TL: 3.63±0.23)显著高于中等个体的δ15N[(13.87±0.68)‰]和 TL (3.26±0.20)(P<0.01),δ13C 差异不显著(P>0.05)。胃内含物法结合稳定同位素分析表明,刀鲚在生长发育中发生了食性转变,转变前后分别以水层和底层生物为主要食物来源,推测其作为优势种对该水库底层和水层食物网的营养耦合起着重要作用。     

太湖鲌鱼数量变化规律及生态效应分析

通过2003~2005年的食性分析和渔获物组成调查,研究了太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌数量变化的规律及在鱼类群落演替过程的作用。食性分析表明:太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌主要摄食鲚鱼,其次是小型鱼类和虾。其中鲚鱼在翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌消化道的出现率分别为95.24%、59.26%;在翘嘴红鲌食物中的重量组成比例为59.2%±11.4%。渔获量统计表明:1952~1958年鲌鱼平均年产量为406.4±102.5 t、占渔获总量的6.28%±0.85%;1987年达到历史最高产量1 090.8 t、占渔获总量7.65%;1993年后鲌鱼资源在快速减少,由1993年的922.3 t、占6.55%下降到近年的100~160 t、仅占渔获总量的0.4%~0.8%。2004年调查表明,在74 667kg渔获物中,翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌仅占0.0038%。分析历年渔获量变化趋势发现,随着鲌鱼数量的不断减少,鲚鱼和小型其它鱼类均呈相反的快速增加趋势,而银鱼则有大体一致的持续下降趋势。简单相关和偏相关分析发现,鲌鱼-鲚鱼、鲌鱼-小型鱼类渔获量的负相关关系达到显著水平;鲌鱼-银鱼渔获量的正相关关系达到显著水平。研究认为:太湖翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌对鲚鱼和小型鱼类有很强的抑制作用,对银鱼可能有间接促进作用;人为过度捕捞使翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌数量不断减少,从而导致鱼类群落向鲚鱼为绝对优势种、小型鱼类不断增加的方向变化。鲚鱼和小型鱼类主要摄食浮游动物,其快速增加抑制了浮游动物、有利于浮游植物生长,这是太湖蓝藻频繁暴发的生物学因素之一。     

基于稳定同位素的口虾蛄食性分析

为了探讨口虾蛄的食物组成,利用稳定同位素方法对2015年5月在汕尾红海湾海域采集的口虾蛄及其饵料生物的碳、氮稳定同位素比值(δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值)进行分析,定量研究不同饵料生物在口虾蛄食物中的贡献比率。结果表明,口虾蛄的δ~(13)C值为–18.1‰~–16.3‰,δ~(15)N值为10.9‰~13.5‰,平均值分别为–17.1‰±0.5‰和12.7‰±0.7‰。δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值的变化范围均较大,表明口虾蛄的食物来源较多。口虾蛄的食物主要由鱼类、虾类、贝类、蟹类和桡足类组成。其中,贝类为口虾蛄的主要食物,平均贡献率为38.6%;其次为蟹类和桡足类,平均贡献率分别为22.9%和16.0%;虾类的平均贡献率为13.6%;鱼类的平均贡献率最低,仅为8.9%。根据δ~(15)N值及营养级的计算公式得出,口虾蛄的营养级为3.01±0.22,在其5类食物中,桡足类的营养级最低,仅为1.77±0.12;其次为贝类;蟹类和虾类的营养级分别为2.78±0.21和2.89±0.16;鱼类的最高,为2.98±0.15;它们的营养级均低于口虾蛄。此外相关分析显示,口虾蛄的δ~(15)N值与其个体体质量间存在极显著的正相关关系,说明不同大小的口虾蛄营养级有所差异。     

老虎潭水库鱼类群落结构特征、营养等级及鲢、鳙生长特性研究

研究老虎潭水库鱼类资源现状、群落结构特征、营养级及主要鱼类生长特性,为水质生物调控提供基础资料。2015年2月、5月、8月和11月利用漂流混合刺网、笼壶(地笼网)和抛撒抄网采集鱼类样本,对水库鱼类资源进行了系统调查。共发现鱼类35种,隶属于4目9科。其中,鲤形目28种,占总数的80%;鲇形目和鲈形目各3种,分别占总数的8.6%;合鳃目1种,占总数的2.8%;优势种有6种,分别为鳙、鲢、翘嘴鲌、鲫、黄尾鲴和伍氏半。鲢的全长、体重生长方程分别为:L_t=110.533[1-e~(-0.386(t+0.227))]、W_t=25.138[1-e~(-0.265(t+0.136))]~(3.118),鳙的全长、体重生长方程分别为:L_t=93.042[1-e~(-0.415(t+0.223))]、W_t=12.257[1-e~(-0.415(t+0.223))]~(2.756)。老虎潭水库鲢、鳙体重增长速度以1~3龄较高,3龄以后逐渐降低,鲢、鳙体重生长拐点分别为2.721龄和2.223龄。为最大程度发挥鲢、鳙洁水保水功效,建议起捕年龄均为3龄。碳、氮稳定同位素分析结果显示:老虎潭水库2种食物源的δ~(13)C值跨度范围为-28.99‰~-24.32‰、δ~(15)N值跨度范围为5.06‰~8.19‰,浮游植物的δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N值均大于有机碎屑。26种消费者δ~(13)C值跨度范围为-27.07‰~-20.42‰,平均(-24.76±1.54)‰;δ~(15)N变化范围为8.93‰~14.88‰,平均(12.03±1.47)‰。营养级分析结果显示,26种消费者的营养级从2.18到3.61,分属于2个营养级,且与其食性特征有较好的一致性。     

基于稳定同位素技术的天津大神堂海域人工鱼礁区食物网结构研究

本研究对2016年6月在天津大神堂3个礁区(2010年建成的鱼礁区;2012年建成的鱼礁区;2014年建成的鱼礁区)和对照区域采集的生物消费者及其食物源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素组成进行了分析,通过IsoSource模型计算不同区域生物的食物网基础,并利用氮稳定同位素数据计算消费者的营养级。结果显示,根据δ13C值可以将其食物源分为浮游植物、悬浮颗粒有机物(POM)和沉积相颗粒有机物(SOM)三类;浮游植物对消费者的碳源贡献率(67.2%~81.5%)最大,是大神堂海域的生物食物网的基础。不同区域同一食物源的δ13C和δ15N值没有显著性差异;礁区内滤食性贝类毛蚶(Arca subcrenata)、菲律宾蛤仔(Ruditapes philippinarum)和长牡蛎(Crassostrea gigas)的δ13C值显著高于对照区,作为潜在碳源的浮游植物对其的贡献率显著增加。消费者的δ15N值则介于7.70‰~14.34‰之间,消费者的营养级介于2.0~3.95级之间。游泳生物食性生物的δ15N和营养级在礁区内有所提高,礁区建成的年份越长,其营养级与对照区域的差别越显著。稳定同位素研究表明,人工鱼礁建设可能导致鱼礁区内滤食性生物的食物来源组成改变,并提高游泳生物食性生物的营养级。     

基于稳定同位素技术的浙江南部近海主要渔业生物营养级

2016年2月和5月在浙江南部近海拖网采集到33种鱼类和18种无脊椎动物,利用稳定同位素技术测定渔业生物的稳定碳、氮同位素比值(δ~(13)C、δ~(15)N),并以此估算其营养级。研究结果表明:(1)浙江南部近海主要渔业生物同位素比值跨度范围大,δ~(13)C值范围为–19.71‰～–14.01‰(跨度5.70‰),δ15N值范围为7.05‰～13.69‰(跨度6.64‰),其中鱼类的碳、氮同位素跨度范围最大;(2)以滤食性双壳类为基线生物估算浙江南部近海鱼类平均营养级范围为2.66～4.21,甲壳类营养级范围为3.08～3.72,头足类营养级范围为2.83～3.49,腹足类营养级范围为3.54～3.62,渔业生物营养级主要处于3.0～4.0营养级,以初级和中级肉食性种类为主;(3)根据聚类和食性文献资料分析浙江南部近海主要渔业生物存在5种食性类型,包括浮游动物食性、杂食性、底栖生物食性、混合食性和游泳动物食性;(4)根据营养结构特征,浙江南部近海食物网营养结构可划分为4个营养群,初级消费者主要为杂食性种类,次级消费者主要为小型鱼类、虾类及头足类,中级消费者主要为底栖蟹类、腹足类和混合食性鱼类,高级消费者为凶猛肉食性鱼类。本研究建立了浙江南部近海主要渔业生物的连续营养谱,为生态系统的食物网能量流动和物质循环研究提供科学参考。     

渤海银鲳的营养级及摄食习性

根据2017年9—11月在渤海进行的3次定点底拖网调查采集的216个样品[包括120个银鲳(Pampus argenteus)样品, 51个饵料生物样品和45个比较研究鱼类样品],采用碳、氮稳定同位素技术测定了样品的稳定同位素比值。对银鲳各饵料种类的贡献比率进行了计算,探讨其摄食习性、营养级、生态位宽度和生态位重叠随叉长变化的特征。同时也通过对比研究验证了采用稳定同位素技术研究银鲳摄食生态的准确性。结果表明:(1)渤海银鲳的δ~(13)C值范围为-19.50‰～-14.85‰,平均值为-17.18‰,与叉长相关性不显著(r=-0.03,P=0.71);δ~(15)N值范围为11.55‰～14.77‰,平均值为13.30‰,与叉长相关性极显著,但相关强度是弱相关(r=0.26,P0.01)。(2)基于R语言的贝叶斯稳定同位素混合模型(SIAR)计算各饵料贡献率,表明渤海银鲳为杂食性,其主要饵料为底层虾类,其贡献率为11.52%～57.49%,平均贡献率为35.03%;其次是中国毛虾(Acetes chinensis),其贡献率为13.52%～42.82%,平均贡献率为27.87%。其他饵料的贡献率从高到低依次为日本枪乌贼(Loligo japonica)、浮游植物和浮游动物,其贡献率范围分别为6.41%～42.57%、0～21.33%和0～16.21%;平均贡献率分别为23.29%、8.08%和5.77%。(3)随叉长增加,银鲳的食物组成存在一定变化。生态位宽幅计算结果表明,渤海银鲳的营养生态位宽度随叉长增大存在先升高后下降的特征, 90～109 mm叉长组的生态位宽幅达到最大;但各叉长组营养生态位相似,生态位存在较多的重叠。(4)渤海银鲳的营养级范围为2.84～3.79,平均营养级为3.35;营养级随着叉长增大有升高的趋势。(5)MDS图分析得出银鲳与赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)的δ~(13)C和δ~(15)N值相似性最高。本研究通过碳氮稳定同位素技术对银鲳的营养级和摄食习性有了较全面的了解,对构建渤海全程食物网,进而研究其动态变化具有重要的意义。     

太湖主要鱼类食物组成

根据2004年9-12月和2005年4月的调查,研究了太湖8种鱼的食物组成.结果表明:优势种鲚主要摄食枝角类、占食物个数比例89.77%±13.69%;太湖新银鱼主要摄食桡足类、占个数比例70.11%±10.57%;鲢、鳙主要摄食微囊藻、占食物体积比例90%以上;鲤食物中水生植物约占体积比例70%;鲫主要摄食微囊藻、占体积比例93.99%±3.34%;翘嘴红鲌、蒙古红鲌主要摄食鲚和小型鱼类.分析认为,随着太湖富营养化程度不断加重,以蓝藻为主的浮游植物食性鱼产力在快速增加,但实际渔获量以浮游动物食性鱼类为主.如2003年浮游植物食性鱼产力为10234t、占总鱼产力37.0%.而2004年实际渔获量中浮游动物食性鱼类占80%-90%,浮游植物食性鱼类渔获量仅3637.7t、占10.9%.因此,太湖现有鱼类群落组成和实际饵料构成是不吻合的.不仅如此,浮游动物食性鱼类数量的快速增加对浮游动物形成了巨大牧食压力,这更利于藻类繁殖.太湖鲫几乎完全以微囊藻为食物,可能对蓝藻暴发有抑制作用,应重新评价其对环境的影响.     

应用稳定同位素技术研究崂山湾夏季鱼类群落的摄食生态

崂山湾是黄海沿岸众多海湾之一,也是当前增殖放流的重要水域,研究该区域鱼类群落结构及其食物网结构,有着非常重要的生态意义和实用价值。本研究根据2014年6月和8月在崂山湾海域进行的底拖网调查,分析该海域夏季鱼类群落的优势种组成,并通过测定稳定同位素对其摄食生态进行研究。结果表明,崂山湾夏季鱼类群落的优势鱼种共有10种,包括六丝矛尾鳅虎鱼、中华栉孔鳅虎鱼、红狼牙鳅虎鱼、皮氏叫姑鱼、白姑鱼、小黄鱼、绿鳍鱼、短吻红舌鳎、斑鲨和赤鼻棱鳀;夏季崂山湾不同月份鱼类群落的优势种组成差异较大。各优势鱼种间δ13C值存在显著差异,结合胃含物分析结果表明6月鱼类群落食物的主要来源均为底层饵料,而8月鱼类群落的食物来源则更广泛。崂山湾夏季2个月鱼类群落的优势鱼种间的δ15N值均存在显著差异,最大分别相差4.61‰和3.70‰。崂山湾6月鱼类群落的优势种包括了中营养级鱼类和高营养级鱼类,鱼类群落的平均营养级为3.90,主要是底栖动物食性鱼类;而8月鱼类群落的优势种包括了低营养级鱼类和中营养级鱼类,鱼类群落的平均营养级为3.37,包括浮游动物食性和底栖动物食性2种食性类型,以底栖动物食性鱼类为主。线性回归分析表明崂山湾夏季10种优势鱼种除皮氏叫姑鱼、斑鲨、短吻红舌鳎和绿鳍鱼的营养级与体长无线性相关外,其余优势鱼种的营养级均与体长呈显著的正相关。这主要由于它们随着体长的增加,摄食高营养级的饵料增加,低营养级的饵料减少,自身的营养级也随之升高。     

Rare serotype occurrence and PFGE genotypic diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from tilapia in China

Previously, we reported 10 PEGE types of 85 tilapia Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS), which shifted from Streptococcus iniae in China, by using PEGE method. Presently, larger and more representative tilapia GBS were isolated, for the ?rst time in China, to characterize their serotypes and genetic diversities more precisely than had done before. 168 GBS strains were distributed in ?ve provinces of China, in which Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan were the major ones, holding36.9%(62/168), 37.5%(63/168) and 19.6%(33/168), respectively. Serotypes, Ia, Ib and III, were observed in these strains and the most predominant one was Ia(95.2%), which mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan. Ia initially occurred in 2009, it shoot up to 32.1% in 2010,but decreased to 16.1% in 2011 before went up to 45.2% in 2012. Ib sporadically occurred during2007–2011, III onlyoccurred in 2012. 14 different PFGE types, including 4 new types(N, O,P and Q), were observed, in which B, D, F and G were the predominant types, holding 83.9%(141/168) of the total GBS strains. Ia corresponded to 11 PFGE types(A–H, N–P), in which type D predominated(51%). Ib represented 3 genotypes(I, J and Q) and III harbored only 2genotypes(N and F). Type N and Fsynchronously presented in Ia and III. In summary, the genetic diversity of tilapia GBS varied by serotypes and changed with geographical locations and years.Although Iastillpredominated, new rareserotypeIII alreadyoccurred in China.     

Growth hormone (GH) and reproduction: a review

Interaction between growth and reproduction occurs in many vertebrates and is particularly obvious at certain stages of the life cycle in fish. Endocrine interactions between the gonadotropic axis and the somatotropic axis are described, the potential role of GH being emphasised. A comparative analysis of these phenomena in mammals, amphibians and fish, suggests a specific role of GH in the physiology of puberty, gametogenesis and fertility. It also shows the original contribution made by studies on the fish model in this field of investigations.     

Purification and partial characterization of GtHs (cfLH and cfFSH) from Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) (L.) and development of a homologous ELISA for cfLH

Two gonadotropins (GtH; Qa and Qb) were purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography from the pituitaries of Indian walking catfish (Clarias batrachus). The presence of GtH during purification was assessed by in vitro oocyte maturation and in vivo steroidogenic activity, and their identities were determined by elution profiles, molecular weight, biological activities and yield. The molecular weights of Qa and Qb were 37 and 42 kDa, respectively, and composed of distinct subunits (Qa: 20 and 14 kDa and Qb: 26 and 18 kDa). Polyclonal antibodies raised against Qa immunostained Qa, Qb and pituitary GtH cells. A competitive Qa‐ELISA was developed whose sensitivity was 6.25 ng mL^?1 (1.25 ng well^?1) with intra‐ (3.5%) and inter‐ (12.4%) assay coefficients of variation. Displacement curves parallel to the standard were obtained with plasma and pituitary extracts of catfish, Qb and carp GtHII. The assay was validated by measuring the plasma Qa levels after LHRH treatment and in relation to ovarian growth in the female catfish during different reproductive phases. Based on the results, Qa and Qb corresponded to fish LH and FSH respectively. The findings will increase the knowledge of the mechanisms controlling fish reproduction and identification of sensitive phases in fish in captivity for hormonal manipulation.     

Controlled infection of Poecilia reticulata Peters (guppy) with Tetrahymena by immersion and intraperitoneal injection

Tetrahymena is a protozoan parasite, which infects guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters, and causes substantial economical losses in commercial farms worldwide. Studies of guppy infected by Tetrahymena require standardized infection protocols. The LD50 for Tetrahymena infection of guppies by intraperitoneal (IP) injection was calibrated, and the level obtained was 946 parasites per fish. Guppy infection with Tetrahymena by immersion, imitating the natural route of infection via the integument, was studied under normal or stress conditions. Exposure to cold and netting (CNI) and to cold only (CI) followed by immersion exposure to 10 000 Tetrahymena per mL resulted in 22.5% and 19.2% mortality, respectively, as compared to 14.2% and 10% in groups that were netted only (NI) or non‐stressed (I). Histopathology revealed that immersion infection resulted in a systemic infection. Lysozyme levels, measured 3 weeks after infection, were significantly higher in the CNI group (288 μg per mg protein) compared with CI‐, NI‐ and I‐treated groups (94.5, 64 and 62.3 μg mg^?1, respectively). There was no evident parasite immobilization activity in body homogenates, suggesting no development of acquired immunity. Re‐infection by IP injection revealed no increase in protection in any of the treatment groups, mortality range of 56.3–75%, higher than in the non‐exposed control (40.6% mortality).     

Nitrogenous waste excretion and accumulation of urea and ammonia inChalcalburnus tarichi (Cyprinidae), endemic to the extremely alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Turkey)

The endemic, anadromous cyprinidChalcalburnus tarichi is the only fish species known to occur in alkaline Lake Van (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey). EightC. tarichi were maintained individually in Lake Van water (17 – 19°C; pH 9.8; 153 mEq·I^–1 total alkalinity; 22 total salinity) and tank water samples analyzed for 24 h in 2 to 4 h intervals. At zero time, < 1µM ammonia was present and urea was undetectable in the tank water; at 24 h, total ammonia and urea made up 114±32 and 35±25µM, respectively. Over the experimental period, ammonia-N and urea-N excretion averaged 1041±494 and 607±169moles·kg^–1 fish·h^–1, respectively. The extent of urea excretion was highly variable between specimens. Uric acid excretion was not detectable.Urea was present at high concentrations in all tissues and plasma (25 – 35moles·g^–1·ml^–1) of freshly caughtC. tarichi; total ammonia content of the tissues was by a factor of 1.9 (liver) to 3.0 (brain) lower. High arginase activity (2.4±0.2 U·min^–1·g^–1) was detected in the liver ofC. tarichi but ornithine carbamoylphosphate transferase, a key enzyme of the ornithine-urea-cycle, was absent. Ureagenesis is likely through degradation of arginine and/or uricolysis. High glutamine synthetase activity (11±0.6 U·min^–1·g^–1) and low ammonia content in brain suggest that, like other teleosts,C. tarichi has an efficient ammonia detoxification in the brain, but in no other tissue.Nitrogenous waste excretion at alkaline pH is discussed. The ability ofC. tarichi to excrete high levels of ammonia at extremely alkaline pH is unique among teleosts studied so far. The mechanism of ammonia excretion under Lake Van conditions remains to be elucidated.     

Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria

There has been growing concern about the overuse of antibiotics in the ornamental fish industry and its possible effect on the increasing drug resistance in both commensal and pathogenic organisms in these fish. The aim of this study was to carry out an assessment of the diversity of bacteria, including pathogens, in ornamental fish species imported into North America and to assess their antibiotic resistance. Kidney samples were collected from 32 freshwater ornamental fish of various species, which arrived to an importing facility in Portland, Oregon from Colombia, Singapore and Florida. Sixty‐four unique bacterial colonies were isolated and identified by PCR using bacterial 16S primers and DNA sequencing. Multiple isolates were identified as bacteria with potential to cause disease in both fish and humans. The antibiotic resistance profile of each isolate was performed for nine different antibiotics. Among them, cefotaxime (16% resistance among isolates) was the antibiotic associated with more activity, while the least active was tetracycline (77% resistant). Knowing information about the diversity of bacteria in imported ornamental fish, as well as the resistance profiles for the bacteria will be useful in more effectively treating clinical infected fish, and also potential zoonoses in the future.     

Effect of iodophor disinfection of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs on their bacterial and fungus load

This study investigated the efficiency of iodophor disinfection (135 ppm active iodine for 15–30 min) of non‐hardened Salmo trutta eggs against different groups of bacteria and against fungus. Egg samples were taken from non‐disinfected and from disinfected eggs, microorganisms were cultured on specific nutrient media and their mass was measured by turbidimetric methods. Bacteria and fungus mass of non‐hardened eggs could be reduced but not eliminated by iodophor disinfection with 135 ppm active iodine for 15 min. The extent of reduction was 47–65% (Experiment 1). The efficiency of disinfection increased with disinfection time as the reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was 40–55% after 15 min and 58–74% after 30 min (Experiment 2). Disinfection efficiency of iodophor solution diluted in water (reduction 49–57%) and of iodophor solution diluted in sodium chloride solution iso‐osmolar to the oocytes (reduction 52–61%) was similar (Experiment 3). The reduction in bacteria and fungus mass was persistent as it was 39–72% lower in embryos deriving from disinfected eggs than in embryos deriving from non‐disinfected ones (Experiment 4). In conclusion, the tested disinfection method is inadequate to eliminate pathogens completely but it could positively influence immune defence of eggs and embryos.     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.