Age,growth, maturity and the overfishing of the iconic sciaenid,Argyrosomus japonicus,in south-eastern,Australia

Mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus) occur in estuarine and coastal waters surrounding Australia, Africa, India, Pakistan, China, Korea and Japan, where they are important in fisheries. This study identified that mulloway in south-eastern Australia had similar growth rates, but matured at smaller lengths and younger ages, to those in South Africa and Western Australia. Growth of both sexes was similar to about 5 years, after which females grew faster and attained a greater maximum length than males. Female mulloway matured at 4–5 years of age with a L₅₀ of 68 cm, whereas males matured at 2–3 years of age with a L₅₀ of 51 cm. The commercial fishery in New South Wales was characterised by declining catches and a reduction in the proportion of mulloway of mature lengths in landings. During 2002–2005 commercial landings were dominated (83%) by fish within 15 cm of the current minimum legal total length of 45 cm and aged 2 and 3 years (>80%), even though mulloway can attain lengths of 200 cm and live >30 years. Estimates of the rates of instantaneous total mortality ranged between 0.34 and 0.45, whilst the rate of instantaneous natural mortality (M) was estimated to be approximately 0.12. Yield-per-recruit analyses indicated that mulloway in New South Wales are being growth overfished and substantial increases in yield could be achieved by increasing the length at first harvest. Values of the spawning potential ratio were below 0.2 under a range of mortality estimates, suggesting that mulloway are at risk of recruitment overfishing. These results suggest that the spawning stock of mulloway in south-eastern Australia has been depleted and that remedial management action is required to protect this iconic species.     

Nitrite Toxicity to the Razorback Sucker,Xyrauchen texanus,and the Bonytail,Gila elegans

ABSTRACT

Aquaculture for the purpose of supplementing natural recruitment is one approach used to assist the recovery of endangered fish populations. A common consequence of high-density culture is the accumulation of nitrite in the water. Razorback suckers (Catastomidae; Xyrauchen texanus) survived a 72-hour exposure to 25 mg/L nitrite-N. Bonytails (Cyprinidae; Gila elegans) died within 48 hours of exposure to 10 mg/L and 25 mg/L nitrite-N. A chloride:nitrite ratio of 5 (as either calcium chloride or sodium chloride) protected bonytail from nitrite toxicity. This study provides some basic knowledge that can be applied to the culture of these two endangered species and raises some interesting questions about the nature of nitrite toxicity and inhibition of toxicity in these two species.     

Interspecific competition between the round goby,Neogobius melanostomus,and the logperch,Percina caprodes,in the Duluth‐Superior Harbour

The Laurentian Great Lakes have been the site of numerous aquatic invasive species such as the sea lamprey, zebra mussel and round goby. To further understand interactions between invasive and native species in situ, competitive interactions between native logperch (Percina caprodes) and invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) were examined using submerged enclosures in the Duluth‐Superior Harbour. Experiments were conducted on rocky or sandy substrate throughout the spring and summer months. Trials consisted of single fish, paired conspecifics or round goby/logperch pairs with weight change determined after 28 days. The round gobies were able to outcompete and/or negatively affect logperch on rocky substrates as a direct result of round goby/logperch interactions, as logperch fared well when round gobies were excluded from the enclosures. Although there is evidence that round gobies exclude logperch from rocky substrates, the logperch population remains close to pre‐invasion levels in the predominantly soft‐bottomed harbour. The continued coexistence of the logperch with the round goby is attributed to the vastly greater area of soft‐bottom vs. rocky substrate in the harbour, with the round gobies in the soft bottom younger and smaller than those in the rocky substrate. Recent evidence suggests that the round goby population is declining on the soft substrates indicating that the two populations will continue to coexist in the harbour.     

Optimizing the essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, in the diet of the prawn, Penaeus monodon

The dietary requirements of Penaeus monodon for eicosapentaenoic (20:5n‐3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n‐3; DHA) acids were examined. These requirements were examined when dietary levels of linoleic (18:2n‐6; LOA) and linolenic acids (18:3n‐3; LNA) were also provided at previously established optimal levels of 14 and 21% respectively of the total lipid fatty acids. A 5 × 5 factorial design was used with incremental amounts (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% of total fatty acids) of EPA and/or DHA. An additional diet containing cod‐liver oil was provided as a reference diet. The total lipid content of all of the 25 treatments and reference diets was maintained at the same level of 75 g kg^?1. Growth of prawns fed with the reference diet after 50 days was 244 ± 21%. The greatest response to singular additions of EPA or DHA was with a 12% inclusion of either fatty acid, resulting in 287 ± 21 and 293 ± 18% weight gain, respectively. Growth was generally better when combinations of EPA and DHA were used, the optimal combination being EPA 4% and DHA 4%, resulting in 335 ± 25% weight gain. Addition of high levels of either of the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in the diet had a negative effect on growth. Digestibilities of the total neutral lipid and specific fatty acids were examined during the growth trials. The digestibility of total neutral lipid was usually higher when either or both HUFA were present, however there were few significant differences between treatments that contained either or both HUFA. Following the growth trials, digestive glands (DG) of prawns fed with the various diets were analysed to determine the total lipid content and fatty acid composition. Total lipid in the digestive gland increased with the inclusion of DHA, but was not significantly affected by the addition of EPA. The fatty acid composition of the digestive gland lipid generally reflected that of the diet. However, the maximum retention of EPA (11.1% of total DG fatty acids) and DHA (10.7% of total DG fatty acids), was not directly proportional to the amount of either fatty acid present in the diet. These results demonstrate that both EPA and DHA have considerable growth promoting capacity. This growth promoting capacity is enhanced when an optimal balance of both fatty acids are incorporated into the diet.     

Differences in the digestive biochemistry between the intertidal clam, Ruditapes decussatus, and the subtidal clam, Venerupis pullastra

The present study was aimed to evaluate differences in physicochemical characteristics (pH and temperature optima) of the main digestive enzymes (amylase, cellulase, laminarinase, and protease) in two commercially important bivalves, the intertidal clam, Ruditapes decussatus, and the subtidal clam, Venerupis pullastra, as well to assess individual variability of such activities. The assays were performed on extracts obtained from the digestive glands and crystalline styles of individuals collected in the wild and laboratory-conditioned during 1 week. In both species, maximum activity for amylase and cellulase was measured at pH 6 and that of laminarinase at pH 5.5, while pH profiles of protease activity showed important differences between them. Temperature profiles also showed interspecific variations, mainly in laminarinase. Carbohydrase activities were comparatively much higher in R. decussatus and proteolytic activities in V. pullastra. The observed differences both in physicochemical characteristics and relative importance of digestive enzymes are discussed in relation to the amount and type of food available in their respective habitats.     

Morphological, structural, and functional characterization of the haemocytes of the scallop, Argopecten irradians

Argopecten irradians is one of the most important commercial species of Pectinidae family in China. The internal defense system of mollusks consists of circulating haemocytes. In order to characterize the haemocytes of the scallop A. irradians, light and electron microscopical studies were carried out. Four types of haemocytes were recognized: type I small hyalinocytes (2.38 ± 0.08 μm, 30-35%), type II large hyalinocytes (4.41 ± 0.33 μm, 15-20%), type III small granulocytes (4.15 ± 0.26 μm, 20-25%), and type IV large granulocytes (8.26 ± 0.52 μm, 25-30%). Granulocyte types showed smaller N/C ratios than hyalinocytes. The mean haemocyte concentration was about (3.75 ± 0.65) × 10⁷ cells ml^− 1 of haemolymph. Among haemocytes, 44.7% are granular and 55.3% are agranular. These gave a relatively systematic classification scheme for haemocytes of A. irradians. Three types of granules were identified: type I, with high electron-density; type II, with low electron-density; and type III, with a middle level of electron-density, based on TEM studies. Different haemocyte types were not separated with DDGC of Percoll in this study. Both granulocytes and hyalinocytes showed a phagocytic response to the two strains of bacteria, Escherichia coli and RLOs. The phagocytic ability of granulocyte was significantly higher (41-48%) than that of hyalinocyte (9.2-11.2%).     

Cytogenetic analysis of hybrids and hybrid triploids between the river puffer,Takifugu obscurus,and the tiger puffer,Takifugu rubripes

Cytogenetic analyses of the river puffer, Takifugu obscurus, the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes and hybrids produced between female T. obscurus and male T. rubripes and their hybrid triploids (produced by cold shock treatment at 4°C) were performed. T. obscurus had 2n = 44 chromosomes and 1.84 ± 0.019 pg DNA/cell, T. rubripes had 2n = 44 and 2.64 ± 0.015, the hybrids had 2n = 44 and 2.15 ± 0.010 and the hybrid triploids had 3n = 66 and 3.22 ± 0.010. The erythrocyte values of the hybrids were more similar to those for T. obscurus, whereas the hepatocyte, midgut and proximal tubule kidney cell values of the hybrids fell down between those for the parental species (p < .05). The erythrocyte, proximal tubule, hepatocyte and midgut epithelial cell sizes for the hybrid triploids were 1.5‐fold larger than those for the hybrids (p < .05). The thickness of retina and each layer in the hybrid triploids were 1.1‐fold larger than those of the hybrids (p < .05) and did not differ significantly among T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids (p > .05); however, the hybrid triploids had fewer cell nucleus outer layers than the hybrids (p < .05). Gonad development in the hybrids and hybrid triploids was less matured than in T. obscurus and T. rubripes. The metaphase nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) and the gill cells of T. obscurus, T. rubripes and the hybrids contained two satellite telocentrics, whereas the hybrid triploids contained three satellite telocentrics.     

Population structure,genetic diversity,and colonization history of the eastern pondmussel,Sagittunio nasutus,in the Great Lakes drainage

1. The eastern pondmussel, Sagittunio nasutus (Bivalvia: Unionida), has declined in abundance and distribution in eastern North America over the last few decades. The declines are predominantly the result of infestation by invasive dreissenid mussels and changes in habitat. The species is now considered imperilled across large portions of its distribution, especially in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
2. The genetic diversity and structure of the remnant populations in the Great Lakes region were assessed using 10 newly developed microsatellite DNA loci for S. nasutus. Understanding the remaining populations can inform future management projects and determine whether the remnant populations have experienced a genetic bottleneck or a founder effect. We hope that this will inform the conservation of other species in regions founded by, and isolated from, a more genetically diverse source population or with disjointed geographical distributions.
3. Focusing on the Great Lakes region, samples (n = 428) from 62 collection sites in 28 water bodies were collected. Across the locations sampled for S. nasutus 11 genetic populations were identified, with significant genetic differentiation among them. The genetic structure of the species was assessed, with genetic similarities among populations compared and with geographical routes of colonization and gene flow evaluated.
4. Initial colonization from the Atlantic coast into Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is evident, followed by colonization events into nearby inland rivers and lakes. Analyses found evidence of inbreeding in all but one population and evidence of past genetic bottlenecks or strong founder effects in all but four populations. This study deepens our understanding of the genetic past and present of this imperilled species, providing conservation suggestions for the future management of the species.

     

Assessing the abundance and distribution of eggs of sardine, Sardinops sagax, and round herring, Etrumeus whiteheadi, on the western Agulhas Bank, South Africa, using a continuous, underway fish egg sampler

A continuous, underway fish egg sampler (CUFES) was employed to assess the abundance and distribution of eggs of both sardine, Sardinops sagax , and round herring, Etrumeus whiteheadi , on the Western Agulhas Bank, South Africa, during September 1996. Samples were collected while underway along six inshore/offshore transects, and at stations along the transects. Volumetric estimates of egg density (eggs m⁻³) from on-station CUFES samples were highly correlated with both volumetric and areal (eggs m⁻²) estimates of egg density from samples collected from CalVET net hauls at these stations, demonstrating the validity of this novel sampling technique. Sardine and round herring eggs were encountered in a band running parallel to the coast and extending from 10 to 30 nautical miles offshore to the shelf edge, and highest egg densities were associated with strong north-west-flowing currents in the region of the shelf edge. Collecting samples while underway increased the precision of the estimate of mean egg density for sardine eggs but not for round herring eggs. The use of CUFES in obtaining a fine-scale resolution of sardine egg distribution, and as a tool for stock assessment, are discussed.     

Larval transport and retention of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, in the coastal zone of the Florida Keys, USA

The spiny lobster Panulirus argus is of ecological and commercial importance in the South Florida coast of the continental USA and throughout the Intra‐Americas Sea. Essential spiny lobster habitat in South Florida is primarily located in the Florida Keys coastal zone (including the Dry Tortugas), where the dynamic regional circulation coupled with the long planktonic larval duration (6–12 months) of P. argus raises questions of larval retention and recruitment. Locally spawned phyllosomata entrained in the Florida Current are likely to be expatriated out of the Straits of Florida, which implies that the local spiny lobster population is sustained by the transport of larval recruits from upstream locations. We examined the physical processes that may influence recruitment. Transport processes in the Keys coastal zone are spatially variable. Observed and modelled data suggest that the upper Keys is a point of onshore larval transport via the inshore meandering of the Florida Current, and the lower Keys to Dry Tortugas region apoint of retention through wind‐driven onshore/countercurrents and eddy recirculation. Eddies that propagate between the Dry Tortugas and the lower Keys facilitate the exchange of larvae between the Florida Current and the coastal zone. Northerly wind events associated with cold fronts can enhance recirculation of larvae in the upper Keys. The association of older larvae with the Florida Current front supports the hypothesis that spiny lobster larval recruits come from upstream sources in the Caribbean.     

Effect of Lead on Survival,Osmoregulation, and Histological Changes of the Gills of the White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone, 1931

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity of lead for different life stages of shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and to determine the effect of its sublethal concentrations on osmoregulatory capacity (OC) as well as the possible histological alteration in the gills of juvenile shrimp. The 24‐, 48‐, and 96‐h LC₅₀ values for lead to L. vannamei increased progressively with increasing life stage, from nauplii < zoeae < mysis < postlarvae < juvenile. After 15‐d exposure to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, the OC values of exposed shrimp were reduced by 39, 73, and 157%, respectively compared to control animals. Compared to controls, the lead concentrations in gill tissues increased significantly by 127,500, 137,500, and 141,000% in shrimps exposed to 3.25, 6.50, and 9.75 mg Pb/L, respectively. After lead exposure, hemocytic congestion in efferent vessels and multiple hyperplasia were observed in gill filaments, resulting in narrowed hemolymphatic lacuna. The histopathological effects increased with increasing Pb concentration.     

Dietary curcumin nanoparticles promoted the performance,antioxidant activity,and humoral immunity,and modulated the hepatic and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia fingerlings

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The current study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin nanoparticles (C-NPs) on the performance, hemato-biochemical profile, digestive enzymes activities,...     

响应面法研究温度、盐度、pH及磷酸盐、硝氮、氨氮对副溶血弧菌生长的影响

副溶血弧菌(Vibrio parahaemolyticus,VP)在海洋环境中普遍存在,是能够引起人类中毒的重要食源性病原菌之一,研究其生长受环境因子的影响规律对科研和社会生活都具有重要意义。本研究采用响应面法研究温度、盐度、pH、磷酸盐、硝氮和氨氮对VP的生长影响,以探讨、评估这6种理化因子的综合作用结果。首先用Design-Expert软件中的Box Behnken中心组合原则设计三因素三水平响应面实验,再进行响应面分析,以培养基光密度(OD600 nm)值为生长状态参数,获得该菌的最佳培养参数：温度为34.5℃,盐度为3%,酸碱度pH为8.0。在此基础上,考察NaNO3、NH4Cl和Na3PO4对VP生长的影响并建立模型。回归方程决定系数R2=0.9217,校正系数R2=0.8211,回归模型F=9.16, P=0.004,表明该模型具有较好的准确性。实验所得实测值与模型演算理论值拟合良好,皆表明磷酸盐、硝氮和氨氮对VP的生长都具有抑制作用。     

Size,growth, temperature and the natural mortality of marine fish

The natural mortality of exploited fish populations is often assumed to be a species‐specific constant independent of body size. This assumption has important implications for size‐based fish population models and for predicting the outcome of size‐dependent fisheries management measures such as mesh‐size regulations. To test the assumption, we critically review the empirical estimates of the natural mortality, M (year^?1), of marine and brackish water fish stocks and model them as a function of von Bertalanffy growth parameters, L (cm) and K (year^?1), temperature (Kelvin) and length, L (cm). Using the Arrhenius equation to describe the relationship between M and temperature, we find M to be significantly related to length, L and K, but not to temperature (R² = 0.62, P < 0.0001, n = 168). Temperature and K are significantly correlated and when K is removed from the model the temperature term becomes significant, but the resulting model explains less of the total variance (R² = 0.42, P < 0.0001, n = 168). The relationships between M, L, L, K and temperature are shown to be in general accordance with previous theoretical and empirical investigations. We conclude that natural mortality is significantly related to length and growth characteristics and recommend to use the empirical formula: ln(M) = 0.55 ? 1.61ln(L) + 1.44ln(L) + ln(K), for estimating the natural mortality of marine and brackish water fish.     

Population structure,distribution and habitat use of the Critically Endangered Angelshark,Squatina squatina,in the Canary Islands

相似文献   

Comparative studies of the growth,survival, and reproduction of diploid and triploid Kumamoto oyster,Crassostrea sikamea

Triploid oysters have been used for farming to improve growth but have not been created in the Kumamoto oyster, Crassostrea sikamea, which is one of the crucial aquaculture species on the southern coast of China. In the present study, triploids were created using cytochalasin B to inhibit polar body II release in C. sikamea, with the untreated oysters as controls. Triploidy rates of 87 and 57.67%, on average, were obtained in larvae and adults, respectively. Larval growth and survival of the triploid were significantly lower than that of the controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, the triploid postlarvae and adults had a significant growth advantage over the controls (p < 0.05) during the period of 180 (December) to 450 days (September of the next year). Moreover, the triploids clearly exhibited significant sterility in the reproductive season. The glycogen and triglyceride contents in the gonad, adductor muscle, mantle, and gill were higher in triploids than in controls from 180 to 450 days. As a result, high physiological energy supply was strongly correlated with superior growth and reduced reproduction in triploid C. sikamea. The triploid C. sikamea is an excellent oyster species and can be used to improve growth for C. sikamea farming.     

Fishers,dams, and the potential survival of the world's rarest turtle,Rafetus swinhoei,in two river basins in northern Vietnam

1. Next to cetaceans and megafishes, freshwater turtles are the most iconic endangered freshwater species.
2. A detailed questionnaire survey conducted with more than 100 individuals from fishing communities in northern Vietnam was used to investigate the current status of Southeast Asian turtles and provides new hope concerning the survival of Rafetus swinhoei, for which recent official records in the wild are limited to a single individual in Vietnam.
3. The survey included the entire Vietnamese portion of the Da River in Hoa Binh and Son La provinces, as well as the Chu and Ma river system in Thanh Hoa Province, as they are the last sites where the world's rarest and largest Asian softshell turtle has been seen. The questionnaire, conducted in Vietnamese, focused on demographic details, fishing intensity and gear, the status of fishing grounds, and the frequency of interaction with turtles.
4. The great majority of fishers could recognize different turtle species from photographs and describe their preferential breeding habitats; not all knew that they are protected. A few confirmed that more than once each year they still encounter freshwater turtles during their fishing activities.
5. This survey provides detailed information on sites where freshwater turtles are still seen in northern Vietnam and broadens our hope that wild individuals of the extremely rare R. swinhoei may still be present in the remaining riparian wetlands of these biodiverse, dammed, and controlled river basins in North Vietnam.