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.     

The Role of Iron Bacteria on Weathering and Attenuation Processes at Acidic Environments

The present research reproduces the chemical and microbiological reactions that occur naturally when a metal sulfide is discharged onto a natural soil, with special emphasis on iron cycle. The role of indigenous microbiota from an extremely acidic site on both weathering and attenuation processes related to the iron mobilization has been studied and the iron cycle has been reproduced at laboratory scale. In the first stage, the weathering phase, a residual sulfide mineral was bioleached using a mixed culture of iron-oxidizing bacteria isolated from the own substrate. The acid liquor obtained (pH 2), with a high metal concentration (160 mM in total iron), was filtered and neutralized. Solids obtained from the two sources (from the weathering process and after the neutralization stage) were characterized by X-ray and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, resulting ferric iron precipitates such as jarosites, goethites, and ferrihydrites with different crystalline properties. The contribution of ferric iron-reducing bacteria on the attenuation of high-content iron effluents was also studied. Mixed cultures of ferric iron-reducing bacteria, isolated from those acidic substrates, were active in reducing soluble ferric iron (60 mM in concentration), and a 66% of bioreduction was reached after 15 days. Dissimilatory ferric iron reduction has been achieved with adapted cultures at pH values from 7 to 4.     

Comparative study of embryonal development in 2 oviparous and 1 ovoviviparous species (Gallus gallus, Coturnix c. japonica and Liolaemus tenuis t.)

In a study of the development of two oviparous species (domestic chicken and Japanese quail) and one ovoviviparous species (a common lizard), the relationship to alterations in egg size and weight during incubation was examined. It was observed, as reported by others that the avian egg diminishes in size during incubation, but that the lizard egg increases in size and weight. This investigation examines these relationships and suggests that the increase in the size and weight of the lizard egg is a result of an increase of liquid content. The mechanism is discussed.     

十字花科根肿病菌在不同温度、pH值条件下致病性差异研究（英文）

[目的]探讨十字花科白菜根肿病菌在不同温度、pH值条件下致病性。[方法]采用根肿病菌和土壤混合法,在休眠孢子浓度1×108(个/g土)条件下,设置7个温度及6个土壤pH值梯度,进行根肿病菌对白菜致病性测定,90 d后拔根调查根肿病菌侵染发病情况。[结果]在pH值6时,不同温度梯度间白菜根肿病发病株率存在较大差异,其发病株率从高到低的温度为30℃25℃20℃35℃15℃10℃5℃。5℃和10℃条件下,其根肿病菌侵染力弱,不发病或发病株率较低;15~30℃条件下随温度升高发病率增加,但在35℃条件下,发病株率降低。温度25℃条件下,pH值为4、5、6、7、8、9的白菜发病株率分别为80.36%、100%、65%、10.77%、3.23%、0.0%。pH值4发病率虽高,但白菜生长受抑制,生长弱,存活率低。pH值7和8时,发病率较低,pH值9时没有发病,在pH值5和6时,植株生长良好,发病率也较高。[结论]该研究结果表明根肿病菌侵染发病与温度、土壤pH值关系密切。     

Interactions of local habitat type,landscape composition and flower availability moderate wild bee communities

Context

Landscape and local habitat traits moderate wild bee communities. However, whether landscape effects differ between local habitat types is largely unknown.

Objectives

We explored the way that wild bee communities in three distinct habitats are shaped by landscape composition and the availability of flowering plants by evaluating divergences in response patterns between habitats.

Methods

In a large-scale monitoring project across 20 research areas, wild bee data were collected on three habitats: near-natural grassland, established flower plantings and residual habitats (e.g. field margins). Additionally, landscape composition was mapped around the research areas.

Results

Our monitoring produced a dataset of 27,650 bees belonging to 324 species. Bee communities on all three habitats reacted similarly to local flower availability. Intensively managed grassland in the surrounding landscape had an overall negative effect on the studied habitats. Other landscape variables produced diverging response patterns that were particularly pronounced during early and late season. Bee communities in near-natural grassland showed a strong positive response to ruderal areas. Flower plantings and residual habitats such as field margins showed a pronounced positive response to extensively managed grassland and woodland edges. Response patterns regarding bee abundance were consistent with those found for species richness.

Conclusion

We advise the consideration of local habitat type and seasonality when assessing the effect of landscape context on bee communities. A reduction in the intensity of grassland management enhances bee diversity in a broad range of habitats. Moreover, wild bee communities are promoted by habitat types such as ruderal areas or woodland edges.

     

Behavior of neutral 17-ketosteroids in the urine of female pigs

Ketosteroids were determined colorimetrically in samples of 24-hour urine from sows, ten days after service. Pregnancy was diagnosed by injection of the "Gravignost-swine" preparation in eight sows. Significant differences between the 17-ketosteroid excretion on non-pregnant sows were revealed by the excretion in 24-hour urine, but not by urinary concentration expressed in mg per litre. Injection of "Gravignost" had no effect on 17-ketosteroid values. In pregnant sows the urinary concentration of 17-ketosteroids was inversely proportional to daily urine volume, and there was also a significant correlation between urine volume and 17-ketosteroid excretion expressed in mg per 24 hours. The method used for determining urinary ketosteroids was sufficiently reliable and simple to be used for routine testing.