Production of the Malawi chambo, Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) association, and Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger, 1896) in polyculture with the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)

Results are reported of the growth and yield of the Malawi chambo, Oreochromis karongae (Trewavas, 1941) association, and Oreochromis shiranus (Boulenger. 1896) in polyculture with Clarias gariepinus (Burchell. 1822). Six ponds of 150 m² were assigned to two replicates of three treatments: C. gariepinus and O. shiranus; C. gariepinus and chambo spawned on station; C. gariepinus and chambo collected from the lake. Total fish stocking density was 3 m^?2, and stocking ratio 1:2 (C. gariepinus: titapias). Initial mean body weights were 10.9 g for O. shiranus. 13.2 g for C. gariepinus and 13.3 g for chambo. The ponds were fertilized with chicken manure at the rate of 13.5 kg dry matter ha^?1 day^?1, representing the daily NPK loading of 0.618.0.186 and 0.191 kg ha^?1, respectively. Maize bran was applied at 3% body weight day^?1 for 168 days. Fish growth rate for C. gariepinus was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the tilapias. Weight gains were 0.48-0.57 g day^?1 for C. gariepinus, 0.30-0.31 g day^?1 for chambo and 0.24 g day^?1 for O shiranus. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the growth of chambo despite the source of fingerlings. More fish biomass came from C. gariepinus stocked at 1 m^?2 than from the tilapias stocked at 2 m^?2. Extrapolated fish yields in the range of 4.37-4.75 t ha^?1 year^?1 were obtained from the polyculture of chambo and C. gariepinus. Oreochromis shiranus and C. gariepinus gave 3.95 t ha^?1 year^?1. Low water temperatures for 112 days slowed the growth of tilapias but did not seem to inhibit the growth of C. gariepinus. Chicken manure and maize bran, applied at smallholder farmer's level, has produced higher yields than by using O. shiranus in monoculture at optimal temperatures. The yields obtained show that the polyculture system is feasible during the cold season and may justify investment in aquaculture at semi-intensive level in Malawi.     

Loma salmonae (Putz, Hoffman and Dunbar, 1965) in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, and L. fontinalis sp. nov. (Microsporida) in the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill)

Abstract. Loma salmonae (Putz, Hoffman and Dunbar, 1965), Morrison & Sprague, 1981, in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, was studied with the electron microscope. It is morphologically very similar to L. morhua Morrison and Sprague, 1981, in the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., having only minor differences. Loma sp. Morrison and Sprague, 1981, in the brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), is more like L. salmonae than the other species of Loma , but was deemed to be distinct. It was named L. fontinalis sp. nov.     

The prevalence and pathology of the cestode Polyonchobothrium clarias (Woodland, 1925) in the teleost, Clarias mossambicm (Peters)

Abstract. The prevalence and pathology of the pseudophyllidean cestode, Polyonchobothrium clarias in the gastrointestinal tract of the teleost, Clarias mossambi-cus have been studied. The cestodes were most abundant in the gall bladder where they caused pronounced nodular outgrowths in the mucosa and exhibited a gradual decrease in number distally towards the rectum. Generally the intensity of the infection due to P. clarias was higher in young fish than in old fish.     

Ontogenetic changes in the diet of the black-stripe minnow Galaxiella nigrostriata (Shipway, 1953) (Galaxiidae) and the salamanderfish Lepidogalaxias salamandroides (Mees, 1961) (Lepidogalaxiidae)

Abstract –  Similarities in the diets of larval, juvenile and adult black-stripe minnow ( Galaxiella nigrostriata ) and salamanderfish ( Lepidogalaxias salamandroides ), collected from ephemeral pools in south-western Australia during the mid-wet, late-wet and dry seasons, were assessed. During the mid-wet season, both intra- and interspecific competition for a diminishing food supply was minimised through differences in prey utilisation by the various developmental stages of both species. During the late-wet season, the pools contained only juvenile G. nigrostriata and juvenile and adult L. salamandroides , the diets of which were vastly different. A shift towards terrestrial fauna by G. nigrostriata and the ingestion of greater proportions of larger benthic prey taxa by L. salamandroides minimised interspecific competition for food at a time when densities of zooplanktors were rapidly declining. Timing differences in the onset of aestivation ensures that no interspecific competition for food occurs during the dry season.     

Abundance,distribution and diet of the common dolphin,Delphinus delphis,in the northern Aegean Sea (Greece)

1. The abundance, distribution and diet of the short-beaked common dolphin were investigated as part of the first detailed study on cetacean populations in the North Aegean Sea. Since 2004, the area has been proposed by national and international entities as a marine protected area for common dolphins and other cetacean species owing to its high biodiversity.
2. Abundance and distribution were investigated between 2005 and 2013 through dedicated scientific marine transect surveys, covering 14,701 km, in sea conditions of Beaufort sea state 3 and below. The line-transect sampling method was used to estimate relative abundance, using Distance 6.0 software. Encounter rate for this species in the study area was estimated to be 0.24 groups/100 km (1.5 dolphins/100 km), with a mean group size of 6.88 (SE = 1.90).
3. Common dolphin sightings were analysed for correlations with eight environmental variables (distance from the coast, depth, slope, median salinity, gradient of salinity, median temperature, gradient of temperature and mean current) using generalized additive modelling. Common dolphin sightings were significantly correlated to depth, temperature and salinity.
4. Stomach-content analyses were performed on eight suitable samples from common dolphins stranded in the study area. The trophic level of the species was calculated, indicating that this species is a top predator.
5. This research provides the first estimates for abundance and distribution and the first diet analysis for this Mediterranean Endangered dolphin species in the study area based on a year-round long-term study.

     

Age structure of eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), populations in the River Severn, England, and the River Dee, Wales

Abstract. Sampling was carried out at 93 sites on the River Severn, England and at 8 sites on the River Dee, Wales. The age structure of the population shifted gradually from the younger to the older age-classes with distance upstream. This was related to the time required for the eels to reach these regions and to the increase in the proportion of females.
In the Severn, eels can migrate (unaided by tidal transport) at rates of between 20 and 30 km year⁻¹, while in the Dee, passage upstream is between 10 and 20 km year⁻¹. It is suggested that this slower rate is related to a more arduous migration, resulting from the steeper gradient of the Dee, In the lower reaches of the Severn, eels aged from 7 to 8 years were generally the most abundant, while in the middle and upper reaches, eels aged 13 years occurred most frequently and in the greatest numbers.
The age structures of the populations were classified using twinspan into three main groups and related to distance, upstream of the region of flow reversal, using discriminant analysis. The analysis demonstrated that age structure was related to the distance upstream of the region of flow reversal and that 60–76% of the twinspan site groupings could be classified in terms of distance.     

Characteristics and rehabilitation of the spawning habitats of the sea trout, Salmo trutta, in Gotland (Sweden)

Characteristics of the natural spawning habitat of sea trout, Salmo trutta L., were studied in Själsöån, a small stream of Gotland, Sweden, from 1992 to 1999. Each year, trout spawned on 17 ± 7 different areas (156 places ha^?1). Most of the spawning grounds were used every year. Overcutting was evident for at least 60% of the spawning grounds. Fish spawned on a gravel of 19 ± 7 mm in diameter. From 1978 to 1992, 242 artificial spawning grounds were constructed by the Gotland Sport Fishermen Association in four Gotland streams. A sediment trap was dug upstream to the spawning grounds. The artificial spawning ground comprised of a downstream V‐shape stream deflector of large stones with a log weir at the narrowest point of the deflector. Upstream of the dam, 15–60 mm diameter gravel was deposited to constitute the spawning ground substratum. To keep the installation efficient, maintenance is needed every year before the spawning season.     

Setal development and molt prediction in the larvae and adults of the crayfish,Astacus leptodactylus (Nordmann, 1842)

The criteria for determination, given by Drach (1939), have been adapted to divide the molt cycle into different stages for larvae and adults of the crayfish Astacus leptodactylus. The setal formation in the transparent appendages can be used for the definition of stages and substages in the premolt period. In order to evaluate the post-and intermolt stages in more detail, one can combine this method with changes occurring in the cuticle.     

Invasive molluscs in the diet of Pterodoras granulosus (Valenciennes, 1821) (Pisces, Doradidae) in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil

Abstract –  Diet composition of Pterodoras granulosus was investigated from June 2004 to June 2005 in the Upper Paraná River floodplain, following invasion by two mollusc species Corbicula fluminea and Limnoperna fortunei . Stomach and intestinal contents analysis showed spatial differences in the diet composition. In the Baía River, P. granulosus diet consisted mainly of C. fluminea , whereas plant items dominated in the Ivinheima River, and L. fortunei was the most important food in the Paraná River. There was little selectivity in shell length consumed. In spite of C. fluminea being a larger mollusc, L. fortunei appears to be energetically more profitable because its shell is more fragile and is rapidly opened and digested. A considerable amount of closed shells of C. fluminea at the end of the digestive tract points to a possible role of P. granulosus as a mollusc disperser.     

Melanomacrophages in three species of free-ranging sharks from the northwestern Atlantic, the blue shark Prionacae glauca (L.), the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrhinchus Rafinesque, and the thresher, Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre)

The melanomacrophage aggregates or cells (MMC) are commonly used as biomarkers of exposure to pollution in fish, albeit their numbers and morphological characteristics can be influenced not only by environmental toxins but also by a range of physiological parameters and pathological conditions. Accordingly, before we can use MMC as biomarkers in any fish species, their normal, 'background' characteristics have to be established in apparently healthy fish. The knowledge of MMC in sharks is minimal. The aim of this study was to characterize MMC from 51 free-ranging, large pelagic sharks from the northwestern Atlantic, including shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrhinchus , thresher, Alopias vulpinus and blue shark, Prionacae glauca . The rationale of this study was twofold. First, because, sharks have life histories predisposing them to the accumulation of environmental toxins they constitute good sentinel species of the health of the global marine ecosystem. Second, because many shark populations are in decline or threatened by extinction, we need to expand our understanding of their health status in order to develop appropriate protective measures. All sharks were collected by sports fishing gear between June and August in 2007. Their health condition was assessed by necropsy, morphometrics, and by microscopic examination of gonads, livers, spleens and kidneys. Routine, haematoxylin and eosin and/or Pearl's reagent-stained paraffin embedded sections were studied by light microscopy. Our results provide the first data on the morphometric and morphological characteristics of MMC in viscera of apparently healthy free-ranging sharks from the northwestern Atlantic.     

Differential growth of the brown mussel,Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758), in longline and pole cultures in Dakhla Bay (SW Morocco,Atlantic Ocean)

There is a great interest in establishing mussel farming in Dakhla bay. Selection of suitable sites is more meaningful only if a reliable culture method at proposed site is included. We compared two different culture methods, longline and pole, over 1 year (June 2016 to June 2017). Growth indicators for Perna perna (size and weight growth rates, frequency distributions and estimating growth curves) were analysed from seeding to harvest. The results highlighted the influence of culture method on growth rates of mussels (p < 0.05). At harvest, individuals reared on longline presented higher growth rates and consequently reached greater weight and length values than those reared on pole. Mussels reared at the longline grew 73.2 mm and gained 53.5 g W_L (live weight) and 3.3 g W_t (tissue dry weight) after 12 months of cultivation. However, mussels cultured at the pole gained only 52.3 mm, 26.7 g W_L and 1.6 g W_t. Aerial exposure of mussels at low tides could explain this reduced performance on pole compared with longline. Size frequency distributions at harvest fitted bimodal distribution in both cultures due to an asymmetric competition among individuals. Effect of density started in both treatments after 7 months of culture when mussels reached 60–70 mm, implying an increment of their food and space requirements. To prevent overcrowding, the initial density should have been reduced through “thinning‐out.” The longline method exhibited high‐performance growth and hence is highly recommended for cultivation of P. perna in Dakhla bay.     

Light and electron microscopic observations of sporogenesis in the myxosporida, Ceratomyxa shasta (Noble, 1950)

Abstract. The stages of development leading to sporogenesis of Ceratomyxa shasta (Noble) were investigated by light and electron microscopy. Salmonid fishes were infected by exposing them to water containing the infectious stage and intestinal material was fixed at weekly intervals. Signs of intestinal infection were barely detectable by 7 days following exposure where trophozoites and later developmental forms were present, but by 14 days a large number of pansporoblasts could be detected in varying stages of development. By 21 days the majority of caeca were completely occluded and infection had spread throughout the connective tissues attached to the caeca.
The early developing trophozoites contained two or more nucleated cells within a mother cell. There was some evidence of multiplication of nuclei by fission. The sporoblasts usually contained twelve nucleated cells that gave rise to two groups of six cells (sporonts) and resulted in the formation of two spores in each mother cell. Each spore was formed by two sets of bilaterally arranged cells consisting of the main germinative cell or sporoplasm, the anteriorly placed capsule cells and the outer envelope or spore valve cell that surrounded the others and formed the spore covering.
As the spore matured the two germinative cells interacted with each other by pseudopodial extensions and appeared to fuse to form a diploid cell. The position of the cells laterally and slightly posteriorly to the central suture line formed a bilaterally curved spore. Mature spores when examined with the electron microscope were condensed, dark staining and relatively featureless, with a lateral measurement of 15 μm and an anterior-posterior measurement of 7μm.     

Protein polymorphism and genetic variation in the catfish Synodontis schall (Bloch-Schneider, 1801) and S. serratus (Ruppel, 1829) from the White Nile (Sudan)

Protein polymorphism and allelic variation were investigated in the blood of the catfish, Synodontis schall (Bloch‐Schneider, 1801) and S. serratus (Ruppel, 1829) from three localities along the White Nile. The first sampling locality at khartoum, the second at Jebel Aulia Dam, 45 km south of khartoum and the third locality was 45 km southward along the White Nile. Seventeen gene loci were identified in separating 13 enzymes and proteins. Nine loci were polymorphic and eight were monomorphic in the two species. Two alleles were observed for each polymorphic locus. Except for serum albumin (ALB^*) and erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI‐1^*), all corresponding allozymes in the two species revealed similar mobilities and separation patterns. Serum albumin (ALB^*) was monomorphic with a molecular weight of 67 kd in S. schall and 60–62 kd in S. serratus. Glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI‐1^*) was polymorphic in S. schall, but monomorphic in S. serratus. A contingency (χ²) test shows significant interspecies heterogeneity in allele frequency at (haemoglobin (HB^*)), (6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD^*)) and (superoxide dismutase (SOD^*)) but none of the other polymorphic loci. Average heterozygosity was (0.26) for both species and the genetic distance between the two species was (0.22).     

Spontaneous hybridization in the laboratory and genetic markers for the identification of hybrids between two atherinid species, Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) and Patagonina hatcheri (Eigenmann, 1909)

This study reports the occurrence of spontaneous hybridization between Odontesthes bonariensis (Valenciennes, 1835) and Patagonina hatcheri (Eigenmann, 1909), two South American freshwater atherinids, while adults of both species were being held in a communal laboratory tank, and describes suitable genetic markers for distinction of both species and their hybrids. Combined allozyme and mitochondrial DNA restriction length polymorphism analyses of offspring from three spawnings in the communal tanks confirmed the presence of hybrids along with purebreds in each spawning. Hybrids of an O. bonariensis mother X a P. hatcheri father were produced along purebred O. bonariensis in one occasion, whereas hybrids of P. hatcheri mothers X O. bonariensis fathers were produced along purebred P. hatcheri in two occasions. Three enzyme systems (coded by loci LDH-B*, PGM*, and CK*) out of 15 (20 loci) screened allowed distinction of species and their hybrids, but the usefulness of LDH-B* for field work may be limited by intraspecific polymorphism. Eight restriction enzymes (Apa I, Bgl II, Eco RI, Eco RV, Eco T22I, Hinc II, Hind III, and Pvu II) among 11 produced diagnostic restriction fragments applicable for species (motherhood) distinction. The relevance of these findings for the management of natural genetic resources and the aquaculture of these two species is discussed.     

四指马鲅精巢发育及精子发生的组织学和超微结构

为了解四指马鲅（）精巢的组织结构和精巢发育及精子发生的组织学和超微结构变化，运用组织切片HE染色和透射电镜技术对养殖四指马鲅的精巢发育过程进行观察。结果显示，四指马鲅精巢位于腹腔背侧，紧贴中肾和鳔的腹面，为一对延长的扁平带状器官，呈灰白色，两条精巢于后端融合，呈“Y”字形，组织学上属典型小叶型精巢；根据精巢发育及精子发生的组织学特点可将其分为6个时期：3月龄精巢发育至第I期（精原细胞增殖期），4月龄发育至第II期（精母细胞增长期），5~7月龄发育至第III期（精母细胞成熟期），7~9月龄发育至第IV期（精子开始出现期），最早在10月龄发育至第V期（精子完全成熟期）达到初次性成熟；参与生殖排精后的精巢为第VI期（精子退化吸收期）；精子发生过程经历初级精原细胞、次级精原细胞、初级精母细胞、次级精母细胞、精细胞和精子6个时相，其细胞及细胞核直径逐级减小，核质比发生规律性变化；电镜下显示精子发生过程中，细胞核内染色体逐渐浓缩，电子密度增加，线粒体数量减少，体积增大，內嵴结构逐渐丰富；精子由头部、中部和尾部组成，鞭毛轴丝为典型“9+2”结构。本研究阐述了四指马鲅雄鱼精巢的组织结构及初次性成熟精巢发育及精子发生过程的组织学和超微结构变化，丰富了四指马鲅的繁殖生物学内容，为掌握四指马鲅的繁殖规律和提高人工繁育技术提供理论参考。     

Annual cyclic,and castration and cyproterone acetate-induced,changes in sialic acid content of the seminal vesicle of the catfish,Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

In this study, the presence of sialic acid is demonstrated in the seminal vesicle (SV) of Heteropneustes fossilis. Sialic acid levels show an annual variation that was correlated with the secretory activity of the SV (expressed as the SV somatic index (SV-SI)) with the index being lowest in resting phase (January) and highest in spawning phase (July). Sialic acid was not detectable from November to March (resting to mid-preparatory phases). Castration (3 weeks) induced a significant rise in both SV-SI and SV sialic acid content possibly due to an elevated local production of androgens under the influence of increased gonadotropin secretion. Cyproterone acetate treatment caused a significant decrease in both SV-SI and SV sialic acid content. The results suggest that secretion of sialic acid in the SV is influenced by androgens and its measurement can be used as a simple and reliable index for quantitative assessment of the functional testicular state.     

条斑紫菜优良品系(LC-14)的筛选与特性分析

从条斑紫菜(Pyropia yezoensis)绿色突变体和红色突变体种内杂交产生的F_1叶状体中,分离出新品系LC-14。该品系的F_1叶状体在生长速度和品质等方面均显著优于条斑紫菜野生型栽培品系(WT)。日龄70 d的叶状体平均长度和湿重,LC-14品系分别为106.53 cm和3.07 g,分别是WT品系的4.39和10.27倍。培养至第55天,LC-14品系的3种主要光合色素(叶绿素a、藻红蛋白和藻蓝蛋白)含量分别为9.85 mg/g、52.09 mg/g和23.26 mg/g,分别比WT品系提高了65%、65%和49%,而其藻体的平均厚度(20.89μm)反而降低了32%。此外,LC-14品系的壳孢子放散总量为761.32×10~4 ind/壳,是WT品系的1.28倍。上述结果表明,LC-14品系具有生长快、品质优、壳孢子放散量大的优点,藻体颜色与野生色(棕褐色)相近,是条斑紫菜的优良品系,有望在生产中应用。