Models for comparing average first-year growth in length of freshwater fish

Abstract  Logistic curves of the average growth in length were elaborated for young-of-the-year perch, Perca fluviatilis L., zander. Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), ruffe, Gymnocephalus cernua (L.), bream, Abramis brama (L.), and roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.), using data from 62 localities. Mean relative deviation from this average growth (MRDAG) is proposed as a simple and reliable indicator of growth rate. The MRDAG for perch, zander, bream and roach showed a significant negative linear relationship with the geographical latitude.     

Salinity tolerance of cultured Eurasian perch, Perca fluviatilis L.: Effects on growth and on survival as a function of temperature

Eurasian perch is generally only considered to be a candidate for freshwater aquaculture even though wild populations are found in estuarine and brackish water habitats. Little knowledge exists on two issues a) the effect of temperature on the salinity tolerance of perch and b) the long-term effects of brackish water on their overall growth performance. The present study addresses these two questions.

Firstly, the effect of temperature (12, 15, 20 and 25°C) on perch survival of a salinity challenge at either 13 or 18‰ was determined. Survival was unaffected by 13‰ at the two lowest temperatures whereas higher temperature and higher salinities had a dramatic detrimental effect (at 25°C, 50% mortality was reach at 62h and 39h for 13‰ and 18‰, respectively). Secondly, we examined the effect of salinity on growth, which was assessed by measuring standard length and body weight at regular intervals for 130days. In addition, Specific growth rate (SGR), Fulton's condition factor (K) and food conversion ratio (FCR) were also calculated as was the effect of salinity on plasma osmolality, blood ion content (Na⁺, Cl⁻, K⁺) and muscle water content at the termination of the experiment. The optimum growth for this study was seen in the lowest salinities at 0 and 4‰. Surprisingly, even small increases in salinity were detrimental to perch growth. At 10‰, growth in terms of body weight was reduced by about 50% after 130days compared to perch reared in freshwater.

Interest in brackish water production of perch would be most likely served best by selecting a strain of perch that is adapted to saline conditions, as found in the lower Baltic region. Further studies are required to understand the potential for brackish water perch production.     

First-year overwinter mortality in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) Results from a field study and a simulation experiment

Abstract– The importance of overwinter mortality of 0+ perch ( Perca fluviatilis L.) in central European lakes was estimated using a stochastic simulation model. The probability of overwinter mortality of a perch cohort was calculated by using a model developed for yellow perch ( P. flavescens Mitchill). Winter duration from a long-term data set and the length of perch at the end of the first year from five lakes were used as input data. After 1000 simulation runs, the total extinction of a cohort in the lakes studied was never predicted. Mortality rates of more than 0.5 were only predicted in two of the five lakes, and rates of more than 0.3 in these two lakes were predicted in approximately 10% of all cases. For two consecutive winters differing in duration, the length-frequency distributions of 0+ perch in the autumn and following spring were compared by a graphical method. No significant size-dependent mortality of smaller individuals could be detected in any of the populations studied. Simulated spring length-frequencies were derived from observed autumn length distributions by the same model that was used for the stochastic simulation. These simulated and the empirical spring length-frequency distributions were not identical. The differences between the two distributions were attributed to growth, which occurred between the sampling dates. The results from the simulation and the analysis of the empirical data suggest that high overwinter mortality caused by starvation is rare in central European lakes.     

No reason for keeping 0+ perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) with the prey fish

Growth and survival of 0+ perch were studied in 4 ponds with the topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) and without it. In the end of April, all ponds were stocked by free-swimming perch larvae (120,000 ind ha^?1). In June, topmouth gudgeon was introduced as forage fish (40 kg ha^?1) into two of the experimental ponds. Topmouth gudgeon significantly influenced neither the total abundance of zooplankton nor the abundance of its groups (Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda). The most important food item for perch (TL > 29 mm) was macroinvertebrates (especially Chironomidae). In the ponds with topmouth gudgeon, copepods and cladocerans were more important than in ponds without it. Specific growth rate of perch was 0.01 mm day^?1 in all ponds. Final mean total length (TL ± SD) of perch was 73 ± 13 and 70 ± 6 mm in the ponds with topmouth gudgeon and without it, respectively. Only 1 % of the perch reached higher TL than that recorded in the ponds without the topmouth gudgeon. Survival rate of perch varied from 12 to 36 % depending on ponds. Piscivory was recorded in all ponds from the age of 57 days (post-stocking); however, perch siblings were preferred to topmouth gudgeon. The highest asymptotic growth (L∞ = 88 mm) was calculated in the pond stocked with topmouth gudgeon. This corresponded with the highest cannibalism and lowest survival rate (12 %). Perch growth rate increased till 42–53 days of perch age and then started to decrease. There was no significant influence of potential prey fish (topmouth gudgeon) on the growth of 0+ perch; however, two size cohorts were found in the ponds with the topmouth gudgeon. Presence or absence of littoral macrophytes seems to be more substantial for rearing perch in ponds than stocking with the prey fish.     

Diet overlap between young-of-the-year perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and burbot, Lota lota (L.), during early life-history stages

Abstract –  The diet overlap between young-of-the-year (YOY) perch and burbot in the pelagic zone of Lake Constance during spring and summer was investigated in relation to gape size limitation. Because perch were larger and grew faster than burbot during their early life history, perch overcame gape size limitation for various zooplankton taxa earlier than burbot. The interspecific diet overlap between perch and burbot decreased continuously until June, but increased slightly, when burbot became able to feed on large daphnids by the beginning of July. All zooplankton taxa could be found within perch stomachs by the middle of June, when perch overcame gape size limitation for large cladocerans. However, there was an increasing tendency for individual diet specialisation of perch, as the similarity between individual perch stomach contents decreased. In contrast, the similarity between individual burbot stomach contents remained at almost 50% until the end of August, indicating that all burbot rely on cyclopoid copepods during their entire pelagic life-history stage. Because by July YOY perch are more abundant by one order of magnitude in the pelagic zone than burbot, YOY perch may be more affected by intraspecific competition than by interspecific competition with burbot. Burbot, on the other hand, may evade strong competition with YOY perch by performing diel vertical migrations, thus being restricted to feed on migrating zooplankton prey.     

Production, growth, condition and angling vulnerability of zander, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), in relation to the availability of prey fish in ponds

Abstract. In four 0.8-ha drainable ponds the production, growth, condition and angling vulnerability of zander (<45cm) were studied in relation to the availability of forage fish (cyprinids > 15cm). The experiments look place in the period April-October 1986. The P:Bü ratios of zander in two ponds with an average biomass of forage fish (282 kg) 3.5 times the mean biomass of zander(.80kg), were 0.17 and 0.28. In two ponds with an average biomass of forage fish (38kg) 0.58 times the mean biomass of zander (65 kg), P:Bü ratios were 0.02 and 0.06. The growth and condition responses of individual zander were highly variable within each pond. Effects of sex were not observed on these responses. In June 1986 the angling vulnerability of zander was negatively related with the availability of forage fish. In August-September 1986 no differences in angling vulnerability were observed between the zander in the four ponds. The male and female zander were equally exploited by anglers. The captures of zander were not related with the size or weight of the fish.     

Impacts of otter (Lutra lutra L.) predation on fishponds: A study of fish remains at ponds in the Czech Republic

The increasing numbers of otters (Lutralutra L.), which are protected by the CzechAct of Nature and Landscape Protection, arecausing serious problems for fishpondmanagement. The diet of otters on pond farmsconsists predominantly (80%) of common carp,Cyprinus carpio, and to a lesser extentother pond fish species (perch, Percafluviatilis, zander, Stizostedionlucioperca and grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella). The size of carpcaptured by otters ranged between 376–683 mmTL (500 ± 88 mm) and 1,049–11,768 g(3,478 ± 2,867 g). Reconstructed originalweight and length of captured grass carp andperch were 599 and 182 mm TL, and 2,665 and163 g, respectively. In most of prey fishcorpses left by otters, only viscera andassociated parts were consumed. The weight ofindividual common carp corpses was estimated as73.0 ± 24.6 (26.3–95.9)% of theoriginal reconstructed weight, which means thatonly 27.0 ± 17.2 (4.1–73.7)% of fishbody mass was consumed by otters. In perch,62.8% of fish body mass was left unconsumed.Heavy losses have been reported also on fishstocks in ice-covered ponds during the winterperiod, when shoals of resting fish have beendisturbed and stressed due to otter hunting.     

Abundance, depth distribution, diet composition and growth of perch (Perca fluviatilis) and burbot (Lota lota) larvae and juveniles in the pelagic zone of Lake Constance

Abstract— Surveys of larval and juvenile fish in the pelagic zone were made in Lake Constance between April and July 1994 with a plankton net. Perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) and burbot ( Lota lota ) were caught persistently, while other species were found only occasionally. Perch and burbot coexisted in the pelagic zone; both species were found first in mid-May, reached peak density in June, and disappeared from the pelagic zone in late July. However, the abundance of perch was much higher than that of burbot. Perch were distributed mainly near the surface, whereas burbot were more abundant at the deeper strata of 5 and 10 m, exhibiting habitat segregation. Perch fed mainly on copepods and positively selected them during their first month of life, and afterwards, they consumed principally on Daphnia , while burbot fed mainly on copepods and positively selected them throughout the study period. Perch grew significantly faster than burbot, and the mean lengths of perch were about 3 times greater than that of burbot in July. The results demonstrate that perch and burbot were the main species of pelagic larvae in Lake Constance between May and July, and that the two species differed somewhat in depth distribution, diet composition and growth.     

A study of the movements of the zander, Lucioperca lucioperca L., population of two lowland fisheries

Abstract. A total of 495 zander, Lucioperca lucioperca L., were marked using two types of tag and released into two lowland English fisheries. A totai of 168 recaptures were recorded and this provided information on zander movements. Zander populations were found to consist of two components, those which moved very little and those which wandered more widely. No relation was noted between zander size and distance or rate of movements.     

Phylogenetic analysis and molecular methods for the detection of lymphocystis disease virus from yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchell)

Lymphocystis disease is a prevalent, non-fatal disease that affects many teleost fish and is caused by the DNA virus lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV). Lymphocystis-like lesions have been observed in yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchell), in lakes in northern Alberta, Canada. In an effort to confirm the identity of the virus causing these lesions, DNA was extracted from these lesions and PCR with genotype generic LCDV primers specific to the major capsid protein (MCP) gene was performed. A 1357-base pair nucleotide sequence corresponding to a peptide length of 452 amino acids of the MCP gene was sequenced, confirming the lesions as being lymphocystis disease lesions. Phylogenetic analysis of the generated amino acid sequence revealed the perch LCDV isolate to be a distinct and novel genotype. From the obtained sequence, a real-time PCR identification method was developed using fluorgenic LUX primers. The identification method was used to detect the presence/absence of LCDV in yellow perch from two lakes, one where lymphocystis disease was observed to occur and the other where the disease had not been observed. All samples of fin, spleen and liver tested negative for LCDV in the lake where lymphocystis disease had not been observed. The second lake had a 2.6% incidence of LCD, and virus was detected in tissue samples from all individuals tested regardless of whether they were expressing the disease or not. However, estimated viral copy number in spleen and liver of symptomatic perch was four orders of magnitude higher than that in asymptomatic perch.     

Gillnet selectivity to pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), and perch, Percafluviatilis L., caught mainly wedged

Abstract. The size selectivity of gillnets to pikeperch, Stizosiedion lucioperca (L.), and perch, Perca fluviatilis L., caught mainly wedged, was estimated by the selective use of the deterministic model of Holt (1963). The selectivity characteristics for pikeperch based on samples in gillnets with 48-65-mm bar mesh were: k= 0·903 and σ= 4·93cm (fork length). When a higher efficiency of large-meshed nets is accounted for, the estimated selectivity curve shifts to the right. The condition of the pikeperch had a major influence on the position and shape o(the selectivity curve. The selectivity to perch was established with 25–35-mm gillnets in a year with a poor food supply: k= 0·723 and σ= 2·59cm (fork length). Estimates based on literature data from an exploited perch population showed a much lower k= 0σ639 (total length) (σ= 2·69cm).     

Molecular cloning of Yersinia ruckeri aroA gene: a useful taxonomic tool

The aroA gene of Yersinia ruckeri , which encodes 5-enolpyruvylshikimate 3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase was cloned by complementation of the aroA mutation in Escherichia coli AB2829 by using pUC18 plasmid as a vector. Nucleotide sequence of the aroA gene revealed an open reading frame of 427 amino acids showing a high degree of homology to other bacterial AroA proteins. A pair of primers with 23 and 20 nucleotides were selected from the 5' and 3' termini, respectively, and formed the basis of a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. A 1165-bp deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment was amplified from all lysed Y. ruckeri strains. An identical size fragment was also amplified from lysed Y. pseudotuberculosis , Y. aldovae , Salmonella enteritidis and E. coli , but not from other enterobacteria. Alu I restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the PCR amplified products allowed for differentiation between Y. ruckeri and the other bacteria. Specificity and sensitivity make this PCR assay a useful method for rapid identification and diagnosis of Y. ruckeri infections.     

Molecular attempt to identify prey organisms of lobster phyllosoma larvae

ABSTRACT:   A molecular approach was adopted to investigate the natural diets of palinurid and scyllarid lobster phyllosoma larvae. The central domain of the 18S rDNA gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic DNA extracted from the larval hepatopancreas. The resulting 18S rDNA clones were screened using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and then FASTA homology search and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the nucleotide sequences to identify the source of the eukaryotic organisms. The feasibility of this method was confirmed using the laboratory-reared phyllosoma larvae of the Japanese spiny lobster Panulirus japonicus that were fed either with common mussel Mytilus edulis gonads or with Artemia nauplii exclusively. Among the 804 clones isolated from five wild-caught mid- to late-stage phyllosoma larvae (three palinurids and two scyllarids), 0–132 clones per sample possessed restriction profiles distinct from those of the hosts. The Cnidaria and Urochordata DNA were identified from both the palinurid and the scyllarid larvae, which were thought to be prey animals for the mid- to late-stage phyllosoma larvae.     

Inter‐individual variation in the dominant intestinal microbiota of reared Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) larvae

The diversity of the microbiota in 15 Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) larvae from three different hatcheries with variable food type and water treatment was characterized with culture dependent and independent approaches. The culture‐dependent approach was phenotypic characterization of bacterial isolates based on 16 tests, and the culture‐independent approach was terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) of PCR amplified 16S rRNA. Both approaches revealed large inter‐individual differences in the microbiota of cod larvae. Data from real time PCR indicate substantially lower variation in bacterial number larva^?1 both within and between hatcheries than the data on colony forming units, resulting in an estimated four orders of magnitude variation in culturability between larvae. Considerably higher richness and diversity were observed with T‐RFLP than with phenotypic characterization, and no correlation between the two approaches was found for diversity indexes calculated at the individual level. Dissimilarity in the composition of the microbiota between individuals from the same rearing environment was comparable to the dissimilarities between hatcheries. The large inter‐individual variation is important to consider when designing experiments, as pooling of individuals will completely mask this variability. We conclude that colonization of individual cod larvae by bacteria seems to be a stochastic and not a deterministic process, which is not well understood.     

Myxobolus neurophilus Guilford 1963 (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae): a common parasite infecting yellow perch Perca flavescens (Mitchell, 1814) in Saskatchewan,Canada

The goal of this study was to identify a myxosporidian parasite infecting the central nervous system of yellow perch Perca flavescens (Mitchell, 1814) observed while investigating a fish kill in Saskatchewan, Canada. Fish were collected from seven different lakes, from two distinct watersheds. Sixty-four per cent (54/86) of yellow perch contained myxozoan pseudocysts located throughout the spinal cord and brain. Myxospores measured 16.5 μm (range 16.2–16.8) long and 8.2 μm (range 7.9–8.4) wide and contained two pyriform, mildly dissymmetrical, polar capsules measuring 7.7 μm (range 7.3–8.1) long and 2.7 μm (range 2.4–3.0) wide. The polar capsules each contained a single polar filament, with 7–9 turns per polar filament coil. Sequencing of the 18S SSU rDNA gene demonstrated >99% similarity to Myxobolus neurophilus. In 60% of infected fish, there was a mild to moderate, non-suppurative myelitis or encephalitis, or both, associated with myxospores. Axonal degeneration was present in rare cases. These findings extend the geographical distribution of M. neurophilus and suggest it may be widespread in yellow perch populations in Saskatchewan.     

Preliminary experiments on the development of extensive culture methods for juvenile sole, Solea solea (L.)

Abstract. The effect of different levels of organic enrichment on benthic productivity was studied over a 16-week period in trays of sediment placed in a fertilized seawater pond. Primary and secondary planktonic production were also monitored. The exploitation of these sources of food by juvenile sole and their growth and survival over an 8-week period were assessed.
The colonization of the sediments showed a marked succession. Nematodes were numerically the most abundant group and reached a peak after about 8 weeks. This was followed by a peak in the abundance of epibenthic copepods after 11 weeks. The maximum numbers of poiychaetes and larger Crustacea (mainly amphipods) occurred at the end of the trial (15 weeks). The high-organic sediment supported fewer polychaetes and copepods than either the low- or medium-organic sediments. The species composition of the benthos varied both with the level of organic enrichment and with time. Peaks of zooplankton concentrations of 23 to 25 organisms/l occurred during the spring and late summer. There was some evidence of an inverse relationship between zooplankton abundance and standing crop of algae, as indicated by chlorophyll a concentrations.
Harpacticoid copepods were the dominant food item consumed by small (21-50mm total length) sole. Polychaetes, amphipods and Crangon spp. were exploited by large (61-90mm total length) sole to a much greater extent, though harpacticoid copepods were also commonly taken.
The percentage increase in length of the juvenile sole at low-, medium- and high-organic levels was 108, 146 and 152 respectively. Survival, however, was highest (100%) on the untreated sediment and lowest (57%) at the medium-organic level.     

我国渔用疫苗的研制

定量（quantitive PCR）是用PCR技术评估样本中靶基因的分子数，实现对核酸信息的量化分析及比较。目前主要有外标法和内标法两大类。其中，其中外标法中主要有PCR产物的直接定量法，极限稀释法等；内参标法中主要有竞争性和非竞争性PCR等。     

Hydroacoustic assessment of young-of-year perch, Perca fluviatilis, population dynamics in an oligotrophic lake (Lake Annecy, France)

Abstract  A cohort of perch, Perca fluviatilis (L.) was monitored from hatching to first winter in the oligotrophic Lake Annecy, France, by combining hydroacoustic and direct capture methods (fish plankton net and pelagic trawl). The total stock of pelagic fish increased by a factor of 10 during the season, reaching a maximum in August and decreasing in autumn. Juvenile perch were mainly pelagic, being aggregated into schools in the daytime and dispersed at night. Migration of young-of-year (Y-O-Y) perch to the pelagic zone of Lake Annecy in late spring did not significantly affect zooplankton population abundance. It did, however, result in changes in zooplankton vertical distribution, with Daphnia remaining deeper in the water column. The increase in Y-O-Y biomass during summer was possibly associated with collapse of the Daphnia population by late July, and copepods one month later.     

The effects of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and bronze bream, Abramis brama (L.), on insect emergence and benthic invertebrate abundance in experimental ponds

Abstract The effects of perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and bronze bream, Abramis brama (L.), predation on the production of insects emerging at the water surface and the autumn biomass of benthic macro-invertebrates were assessed in a series of experimental ponds. The study attempted to discover whether fish affect food availability for diving and dabbling ducks in freshwater habitats. Ten ponds (bisected by fine netting) were used for the study: one was left totally fish-free, whilst one half of each of three groups of three ponds was stocked with either perch, bream or perch plus bream. The relative abundance of emerging insects (mainly Chironomidae) was significantly reduced in two perch ponds, two perch + bream ponds and two bream ponds. The autumn standing crops of benthic macroinvertebrates were significantly reduced in one perch pond, three bream ponds and one perch plus bream pond. These results support findings of a contemporaneous large bio-manipulation experiment carried out in two adjacent lakes. During the biomanipulation studies, aquatic invertebrate standing stocks greatly increased after the removal of fish and decreased following restocking.     

Yolk mobilization in perch, Perca fluviatilis L., embryos

During embryogenesis of the perch, Perca fluviatilis L., a gradual proteolysis of yolk proteins was revealed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting and was comparable to other teleosts. A 118 kDa polypeptide was processed in two 96 and 18 kDa descendants; further proteolysis produced two peptides of 64 and 31 kDa. Ultrastructure and immunocytochemistry were used to compare electrophoresis patterns with morphological changes in the developing embryo and to localise yolk proteins in embryonic cell layers. In contrast to most other freshwater teleost, in spawned eggs of the perch yolk spheres fused together forming a homogenous yolk mass; lipid droplets formed a single oil drop on top of the egg. Combination of electrophoresis data and light and electron microscopical observations suggested a specific and parallel mobilization of yolk and lipid. In addition, yolk absorption by the yolk syncytial layer was observed. Numerous yolk platelets were found in the yolk syncytial layer and, in later stages of embryogenesis, also in the inner cell mass, but never in the cells of the enveloping layer.