海州湾前三岛人工鱼礁区浮游植物群落组成及与环境因子的关系

通过2012年9月至2013年8月对海州湾前三岛人工鱼礁及邻近海域浮游植物4个航次的调查,共鉴定出浮游植物3门35属85种,其中硅藻门67种,甲藻门17种,金藻门1种。春、秋季全区浮游植物丰度(分别为16.5×105、13.31×105 cell/m3)明显高于夏、冬季(分别为6×105、3.8×105 cell/m3)。主要优势种有密联角毛藻(Chaetoceros densus)、深环沟角毛藻(Chaetoceros constrictus)、拟旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros pseudocurvisetus)、细弱圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus subtilis)、明璧圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus debilis)、卡氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros castracanei)、旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros curvisetus)、柔弱角毛藻(Chaetoceros debilis)等,其中密联角毛藻为春季的绝对优势种。除春季鱼礁区与对照区浮游植物多样性指数和均匀度指数存在显著性差异外,其他季节的鱼礁区与对照区浮游植物群落参数(浮游植物种类数、细胞丰度、叶绿素a浓度、丰富度指数、多样性指数和均匀度指数)均无显著性差异(P0.05),但不同季节间浮游植物群落参数存在显著差异(P0.01)。环境因子在鱼礁区与对照区不存在显著差异(P0.05),但不同季节间存在显著差异(P0.05)。多维尺度和聚类分析表明,浮游植物的群落组成存在明显的季节差异,但区域间无显著差异(P0.05)。人工鱼礁区与对照区相似的浮游植物群落结构可能是由于对照区与鱼礁区相距较近、调查范围小、水较深、采样站位靠近岛屿及人工鱼礁投放时间较短等因素引起的。冗余分析(redundancy analysis,RDA)结果表明,影响浮游植物群落的主要环境因子依次为:温度、Si O3-Si、溶解氧(DO)、PO4-P、生化需氧量(BOD5)、可溶无机氮(DIN)、化学需氧量(COD)和透明度。     

套尔河贝类增养殖区放流活动前后浮游植物群落结构变化

为了研究贝类增养殖区浮游植物群落结构变化及其影响因素,于2018年5月(增殖放流前)、8月(增殖放流后),对套尔河贝类增养殖区叶绿素a含量、浮游植物群落结构和环境因子的空间分布特征进行了综合调查。在调查海域,5月叶绿素a整体呈现近岸泥滩—离岸逐渐递减的趋势,浮游植物以硅藻为主,优势种是布氏双尾藻(Ditylum brightwellii)、威利圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus wailesii)、羽纹藻(Pinnularia sp.)和夜光藻(Noctiluca scientillans),;8月叶绿素a的分布趋势与5月有明显的不同,高值区出现在离岸,硅藻依然是最重要的浮游植物类群,优势种演替明显,中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)、菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides)、旋链角毛藻(Chaetoceros curvisetus)、派格棍形藻(Bacillaria paxillifera)、丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)、海洋斜纹藻(Pleurosigma pelagicum)、伏氏海线藻(Thalassionema frauenfeldii)、柔弱角毛藻(Chaetoceros debilis)和尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudonitzschia pungens)是优势种群。叶绿素a浓度与环境因子的相关分析表明,5月盐度与氨氮是影响叶绿素a浓度的重要因素,8月环境因子与叶绿素a的相关性不显著。浮游植物优势种与环境因子冗余分析(RDA)分析表明,氮、磷营养盐是影响调查海域浮游植物群落结构的主要环境因子。浮游植物群落结构季节性演替明显,贝类增养殖对环境因子和浮游植物群落结构耦合关系还需要进一步研究。     

养马岛扇贝养殖区浮游藻类的生态特征及其与环境因子的关系

2018年5—11月对养马岛扇贝养殖区的3个海域进行了7个航次的调查,分析了浮游藻类群落结构的组成、密度、Shannon-Winner多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Mc-Naughton优势度指数,并应用典范对应分析(CCA)探讨了环境因子对养殖区浮游藻类优势种的影响。结果表明:养马岛扇贝养殖区检测出的浮游藻类共有5门34属60种,以硅藻门和甲藻门为主,分别占73.33%和13.33%;浮游藻类的密度范围为(1.49～124.92)×10~4个/L,最高密度和最低密度分别出现在6月和11月;优势种包括尖刺伪菱形藻(Pseudonitzschia pungens)、等鞭金藻(Isochrysis sp.)、蓝隐藻(Chroomonas sp.)、柔弱几内亚藻(Guinardia delicatula)、扁面角毛藻(Chaetoceros compressus)和丹麦细柱藻(Leptocylindrus danicus)等;浮游植物多样性指数、均匀度指数以及丰富度指数的变化范围分别为0.51～3.62、0.14～1.00、1.08～4.12;CCA分析表明无机氮、无机磷、盐度和温度为影响该海域浮游藻类群落分布的主要因子。总体而言,养马岛扇贝养殖区的浮游藻类分布合理,结构稳定,适合扇贝养殖。     

2004年秋季长江口海域浮游植物的群落结构和多样性

2004年9月20日~10月9日对长江口海域浮游植物的种类组成、多样性、丰度及其分布进行了调查研究。本次调查,长江口海域共鉴定浮游植物2门26属68种(含4个变种、6个不确定种),主要为温带近岸性种,其中硅藻门有21属51种,占总种数75%,甲藻门有5属17种,占总种数的25%。硅藻门中角毛藻属(Chaetoceros)和圆筛藻属(Coscinodiscus)的种类最多,分别为17种(占硅藻总种数的33.33%)和7种(占硅藻总种数的13.73%),甲藻门中以角藻属(Ceratium)为主,有10种,占甲藻总种数的58.8%。浮游植物数量平均为1400.00×104cells/m3。硅藻的平均数量为1392.69×104cells/m3,占浮游植物总量的99.3%;甲藻的平均细胞数量为7.31×104cells/m3,占浮游植物总量的0.7%。多样性指数平均值为1.90,而均匀度指数平均值为0.68。浮游植物密集区出现在调查区域的中部,靠近长江入海口水域。浮游植物的优势种主要为:中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum(Greville)Cleve)、尖刺菱形藻(Nitzschia pungens Grunow)、菱形海线藻(Thalassionema nitzschioides Grunow)、洛氏角毛藻(Chaetoceros lorenzianus Grunow)、柔弱角毛藻(Chaetoceros debilis Cleve)、窄隙角毛藻(Chaetoseros affinis Lauder)和旋链角毛藻(Chaetoecros curvisetus Cleve)。本次调查长江口海域的浮游植物可划分为:东北部组群、近河口组群和南部组群3个主要生态类型。     

日照紫菜养殖海域营养盐的时空分布特征及其与浮游植物群落结构的相关性分析

2016年11月～2017年3月对山东日照阜鑫渔港紫菜(Pyropia sp.)养殖海域开展调查,分析该海域浮游植物群落结构和营养盐的时空分布特征及其相关性。结果显示,调查海区中无机氮(DIN)、磷酸盐(PO_4~(3–)-P)及硅酸盐(SiO_3~(2–)-Si)浓度均表现为自近岸海区到外海区逐渐降低的趋势;硝酸盐、SiO_3~(2–)-Si、PO_4~(3–)-P、DIN和溶解有机氮(DON)等营养盐的浓度均因月份的不同具有显著差异;调查海区营养水平总体为中营养型,浮游植物丰度为(0.049～3.031)×10~4 cells/L,浮游植物的生长受控于SiO_3~(2–)-Si和PO_4~(3–)-P的几率较大;该海区共检出硅藻门27属37种,甲藻门7属8种,金藻门1属1种,主要优势种为骨条藻(Skeletonema sp.)、角毛藻(Chaetoceros sp.)、圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus sp.)等;盐度的大幅降低和丰富的营养盐、氨氮(NH_(4+)~(-N))和PO_4~(3–)-P浓度的显著变化可能分别是导致1、3月浮游植物多样性指数显著降低的主要原因;调查海区NH_(4+)~(-N)浓度和DIN/P值与浮游植物多样性指数均呈负相关关系,其中,非紫菜养殖区的负相关程度达到显著水平,而养殖区的负相关程度不显著,表明条斑紫菜(Pyropiayezoensis)养殖可能有利于降低该海域的NH_(4+)~(-N)水平和DIN/P值、提高浮游植物群落结构稳定性及物种多样性,从而有利于防止赤潮的发生。研究结果可为该海域环境保护、赤潮防治以及水产养殖活动的开展等提供基础数据。     

崂山近岸浮游植物群落结构季节变化及其环境影响因素

为了解山东省青岛市崂山近岸海域浮游植物群落结构变化特征及其与环境因子的关系,于2016~2017年的春、夏、秋3个季节在该海域设置15个监测站位进行调查,并同步监测海区环境因子。结果显示,共检出浮游植物2门31属69种。其中,硅藻门(Bacillariophyta)为绝对优势门类,共25属60种,甲藻门(Pyrrophyta)有6属9种。调查海区浮游植物细胞丰度变化范围为(732.10~ 1142.19)×104 cell/m3,平均为937.15×104 cell/m3。浮游植物细胞丰度季节变化明显,2016年最高峰出现在秋季;2017年最高峰出现在夏季;空间分布上,春、夏2个季节呈现由北向南递减的趋势。浮游植物群落结构特征指数分析结果显示,调查海域浮游植物的多样性指数和丰富度指数均较好,表明该海域浮游植物群落结构比较稳定。聚类分析结果显示,春季浮游植物细胞丰度季节变化不大,2016和2017年相似性高达70%左右,但夏、秋季的浮游植物细胞丰度季节变化较大,相似性仅为40%左右,这主要与环境因子变化有关。浮游植物群落结构与环境因子相关性分析表明,浮游植物细胞丰度平均值与化学需氧量(COD)的相关系数最高,最高值为0.536,其次与之相关的双因子组为pH与COD、COD与无机氮(DIN)、溶解氧(DO)与COD。因此,崂山近岸海区浮游植物细胞丰度的关键限制因子为COD、pH、DIN和DO。     

秦皇岛海域赤潮期间浮游植物的生态特征

2010年5月下旬,秦皇岛海域暴发了多次赤潮,其影响一直持续至当年的8月份。通过2010年5–9月对秦皇岛近岸海域进行的5个月份调查,对赤潮期间该海域浮游植物的种类组成、时空分布、群落结构特征及浮游植物与夜光藻的依存关系、浮游植物与环境因子的关系进行了分析。结果表明,调查海域共检出浮游植物46属96种,主要隶属硅藻门(Bacillario phyta)和甲藻门(Pyrroptata),生态类型多数为广温广盐的广布种或近岸性种类,少数为暖海性物种或远洋性种类。主要优势种有夜光藻(Noctiluca scintillans)、斯托根管藻(Rhizosolenia stolterfothii)、角毛藻(Chaetoceros sp.)、圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus sp.)和辐杆藻(Bacteriastrum sp.)等。共鉴定赤潮生物48种,占浮游植物种类数的50%。浮游植物丰度均值的变化范围为6.20×104~4 129.53×104 cells/m3,其丰度均值的高峰出现在9月份,低谷出现在7月份。调查海域浮游植物5个月份的多样性指数均值都大于1,生物多样性状况良好,群落结构比较稳定;聚类分析表明,5个调查月份群落相似性程度较高,相似性范围为40%~71%。相关性分析表明,浮游植物平均丰度与盐度存在显著的负相关关系(r=–0.734,P0.01,N=37);与无机氮营养盐(DIN)存在显著地正相关关系(r=0.753,P0.01,N=37),推测调查期间该海域浮游植物生长繁殖的主导环境因子为无机氮营养盐。浮游植物物种与环境因子的典范对应分析表明,N/P、盐度、硝酸盐、硅酸盐、亚硝酸盐和水温是影响秦皇岛海域浮游植物群落结构特征的主要环境因子。     

2009年春夏季浙江中北部近岸海域浮游植物群落特征

分析了2009年春季(4月)和夏季(8月)在浙江中北部海域(121°30′~123°30′E、28°30′~30°45′N)进行调查所采集的浮游植物样品,对调查海域浮游植物群落的物种组成、细胞丰度的平面分布、优势种分布和群落的多样性指数等群落特征进行分析研究。初步鉴定浮游植物6门62属169种,硅藻占绝对优势。春季主要优势种为中肋骨条藻、蛇目圆筛藻、星脐圆筛藻和辐射圆筛藻。夏季主要优势种为尖刺拟菱形藻、窄隙角毛藻、中肋骨条藻和远距角毛藻。不同季节优势种既有交叉又有演替;春季浮游植物细胞丰度介于0.01×104~40.67×104cells/m3之间,平均为3.80×104cells/m3;夏季介于0.28×104~6 546.22×104cells/m3之间,平均为467.59×104cells/m3。细胞数量季节变化显著,浮游植物平面分布特征呈明显的斑块状分布,优势种明显。春季的香农-维纳指数和Pielou均匀度指数都好于夏季,而细胞丰度却低于夏季。     

铜围网大黄鱼养殖海域浮游植物群落结构特征及其环境效应研究

铜围网养殖是近年新兴的一种水产养殖模式,为了探究铜围网养殖对海洋生态环境的影响,于2016年7月-2017年5月对浙江省台州市大陈岛铜围网养殖大黄鱼(Pseudosciaena crocea)附近海域的浮游植物以及营养盐进行了周年调查。调查海域共鉴定出浮游植物2门39属80种,硅藻68种,甲藻12种,上大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域浮游植物种类数量(51种)低于下大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域的浮游植物种类数量(70种),浮游植物优势种18种,其中上大陈岛调查海域鉴定出浮游植物优势种14种,下大陈岛调查海域鉴定出浮游植物优势种15种;调查海域浮游植物年平均丰度为8.40×10~5个·m~(-3),下大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域浮游植物年均丰度(1.25×10~6个·m~(-3))高于上大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域(4.30×10~5个·m~(-3)),但两者相差不显著(P0.05);调查海域浮游植物四季平均单纯度指数(C)、多样性指数(H')、均匀度指数(J')和丰富度指数(d)分别为0.41、2.05、0.56、0.75,上、下大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域浮游植物群落四季平均单纯度指数(C)、多样性指数(H')、均匀度指数(J')和丰富度指数(d)分别为0.40、2.03、0.55、0.78和0.41、2.08、0.57、0.73,两者差异不明显(P0.05)。各项浮游植物群落结构指数显示大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域秋季和冬季水质状况最好,春季次之,夏季最差。通过对上下大陈岛铜围网养殖附近海域浮游植物群落结构分析比较,说明铜围网养殖对所在海域环境污染有加重趋势,但与传统网箱养殖相比,铜围网养殖是一种可持续、且更具有发展前景的养殖模式。     

安海湾浮游植物群落特征

根据2016年5月(春)、8月(夏)、10月(秋)和2017年2月(冬)在安海湾调查所获得的资料,对安海湾浮游植物群落进行研究。结果表明,浮游植物共鉴定6门68属139种,其中蓝藻5属5种,裸藻2属3种,绿藻4属8种,金藻1属1种,甲藻11属17种,硅藻45属105种。浮游植物种类以广布种为主,有较多淡水性种类存在。小环藻(未定种)、中肋骨条藻、菱形藻(未定种)、直链藻(未定种)、簇生布纹藻和聚生角毛藻等是优势的种类,其中小环藻(未定种)和中肋骨条藻在各季度月均为优势种。各季度月浮游植物细胞平均数量分别为22.26×10~4、6.23×10~4、10.61×10~4和54.21×10~4cells/L,四个季度月平均为23.33×10~4cells/L。浮游植物群落多样性指数平均为2.64。晋江经济开发区污水处理厂站位在低潮和高潮时浮游植物数量和多样性指数等变化大,裸藻和栅藻等耐污性种类数量相对较多。安海湾湾顶淡水对部分区域浮游植物有较大影响。浮游植物优势种和多样性指数等的变化表明安海湾浮游植物群落不稳定。     

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).     

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.     

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.     

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.