Seasonal dynamics of fish assemblage in a pond canal

The annual dynamics of fish assemblage in a pond-connecting canal of a South Moravian pond aquaculture facility was studied to reveal potential assemblage effects on pond stocks and vice versa. The species richness of fish assemblage and seasonal dynamics of its development were predominantly dependent upon the fish stock of the interconnected ponds (particularly due to escapees during the period of pond harvesting), which contributed to a considerable increase of commercial fish species occurrence. Using a seasonal parameter, the season proved to have a major impact on fish assemblage dynamics (r = −0.71, P < 0.001). Spring samples were dominated by commercial fishes of aquaculture origin (mainly Cyprinus carpio). Occurrence of several fish species originating from the wild (bleak, Alburnus alburnus, chub, Leuciscus cephalus and roach, Rutilus rutilus) was also reported. The pond canal was found to be an important reservoir site of persistent survival and potential subsequent spreading of some undesirable alien fishes such as topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) and gibel carp (Carrasius auratus). Moreover, more attention should be paid to the potential negative impacts of all fishes of aquaculture origin upon the natural ecosystem and to the adverse effects due to the immigration of wild fish into aquaculture pond farming units.     

Effect of pH and Decapsulation on the Toxicity of Ammonia to the Brine Shrimp Artemia franciscana

Artemia franciscana were hatched and tested for tolerance to ammonia at pH 6.5 and 8.5 in artificial seawater with a salinity of 17 ‰. Nauplii seemed to be less tolerant of ammonia at pH 6.5 despite the fact that more of the ammonia is in the ionized form (NH₄⁺). It is suggested that this greater sensitivity is a result of the NH₄⁺ competing with the Na⁺ during gut transfer. Nauplii hatched from decapulated cysts were more tolerant of ammonia than those hatched from whole cysts, probably because of a greater energy reserve.     

The use of eutectic mixture of lidocaine and prilocaine in mice (Mus musculus) for tail vein injections

ObjectiveTo investigate a topical local anesthesia technique as a means to prevent and/or diminish pain in mice in a laboratory setting associated with tail vein injections performed by personnel in training.Study designProspective, randomized experimental trial.AnimalsThirty six adult female, 23–28 g CD-1 mice from an in-house training colony. They were acclimated to routine training and handling classes.MethodsEutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream (2.5% lidocaine/2.5% prilocaine) or a bland ointment control (n = 18) was applied on the tail prior to intravenous injection. The injections were performed by novices, who had never attempted the procedure, and experienced personnel. All participants were blinded to treatment groups. Three injection attempts were allowed per animal. The mice were observed and scored by blinded evaluators for behavioral and physiological changes, including respiratory rate, vocalization, tail flick, and escape behaviors, during and after the injection.ResultsThis study demonstrates that aversive behaviors induced by lateral tail vein injection were not changed by the preemptive application of EMLA cream. The aversive behaviors associated with lateral tail vein injection were significantly affected by the number of injection attempts and the individual's experience level.Conclusions and clinical relevanceTopical EMLA cream did not reduce signs of aversive reaction to tail vein injection and thus we did not find support for its use in mouse training programs for tail vein injections.     

Involvement of steroid hormones in the preovulatory gonadotropin surge in female goldfish

Goldfish,Carassius auratus, spawn several times within a spawning season. A gonadotropin (GtH) surge occurs at the time of ovulation in this cyprinid species. This ovulatory GtH surge mediates the processes of final oocyte maturation and ovulation, and occurs at the end of each spawning cycle. Within a cycle, there is a shift in the predominant plasma steroid from estradiol to testosterone, and finally 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one at the time of the ovulatory GtH surge. High levels of testosterone were always observed before ovulation. When ovariectomized or sexually regressed female goldfish were implanted with testosterone, they exhibited a GtH surge which was similar to those normally observed at ovulation. These results strongly suggest that elevated plasma testosterone is an important physiological requirement for the occurrence of the GtH surge.     

白灵菇木质素降解酶系的检测及其染料脱色能力的研究

[目的]明确白灵菇(Pleurotus ferulae)分泌木质素过氧化物酶(LiP)、锰过氧化物酶(MnP)和漆酶(Laccase)的规律,以及白灵菇染料脱色的能力。[方法]利用紫外可见分光光度计,检测4种培养方式下白灵菇木质素降解酶活性,并在此基础上进行了白灵菇对5种染料的脱色研究。[结果]4种培养方式下,可以检测到MnP和Laccase的活性,但并未检测到LiP。添加Mn2+和2,6-二甲氧基苯酚(2,6-DMP)对MnP和Laccase的产生有抑制作用,而添加青杨木屑可以将MnP的活性提高1.28倍,将Laccase的活性提高3.75倍;白灵菇对中性红和活性黑2种染料的最大脱色率分别为87.12%和86.13%,对活性红和刚果红的最大脱色率分别为45.91%和32.28%,而对结晶紫几乎无脱色能力。[结论]白灵菇产Laccace活性要高于MnP;与脱色活性红、刚果红、结晶紫相比,白灵菇对中性红和活性黑2种染料的脱色更为彻底。     

HYDRUS simulations of the effects of dual-drip subsurface irrigation and a physical barrier on water movement and solute transport in soils

Subsurface drip irrigation systems, compared to other irrigation systems, enhance the delivery of water and nutrients directly into the root zone. However, in light-textured soils, certain quantities of water may percolate below the root zone due to the subsurface position of drip lines and/or poor management of irrigation systems. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate three technologies to enhance a spatial distribution of water and solutes in the root zone and to limit downward leaching. The three technologies include (a) a physical barrier, (b) a dual-drip system with concurrent irrigation, and (c) a dual-drip system with sequential irrigation. To achieve this objective, we performed computer simulations using the HYDRUS (2D/3D) software for both bare and vegetated soils. The results indicate that the physical barrier is more efficient than dual-drip systems in enhancing the water distribution in the root zone while preventing downward leaching. On the other hand, the dual-drip system improves water distribution in sandy soils. Additionally, the dual-drip system with sequential irrigation, followed by the dual-drip system with concurrent irrigation, is the most efficient in limiting downward leaching of solutes.     

不同生态恢复措施下宁南典型草原小气候变化及其与土壤水分的关系

为了探讨不同生态恢复措施对宁南典型草原小气候的影响以及小气候与土壤水分的关系,通过野外测定,研究了水平沟、鱼鳞坑和封育3种恢复措施下地上20 cm气温、空气湿度、风速及地温的变化特征及其与地表水分的关系,发现地上20 cm处气温和0~20 cm土壤含水率为水平沟>鱼鳞坑>封育草地,风速则相反;地上20 cm处湿度、0~15 cm土壤温度为封育草地>水平沟>鱼鳞坑;土壤0~20 cm含水率与地上20 cm处的风速负相关,与空气相对湿度正相关。     

Residential movements of top predators in Chile’s most isolated marine protected area: Implications for the conservation of the Galapagos shark,Carcharhinus galapagensis,and the yellowtail amberjack,Seriola lalandi

1. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are becoming a widely used tool for the conservation of biodiversity and for fishery management; however, most of these areas are designed without prior knowledge of the basic ecological aspects of the species that they are trying to protect.
2. This study investigated the movement of two top predators: the Galapagos shark, Carcharhinus galapagensis, and the yellowtail amberjack, Seriola lalandi, in and around the Motu Motiro Hiva Marine Park (MMHMP) using MiniPAT satellite tags to determine the effectiveness of this MPA for the protection of these species.
3. The Galapagos sharks (n = 4) spent most of their tag deployment periods inside the MMHMP. However, high intraspecific variability was observed in their movement dynamics. Daily individual maximum movements ranged from 17 to 58 km and the maximum distance from Salas y Gómez Island, the only emergent island within the MMHMP, ranged from 31 to 139 km.
4. The maximum linear distance travelled for a female juvenile Galapagos shark (152 cm total length) was 236 km, which is greater than the maximum distance previously documented for juveniles of this species (<50 km).
5. For the yellowtail amberjack (n = 1), 91% of the satellite geolocations were within the MMHMP, with a maximum daily distance travelled of 6 km. The maximum distance travelled between points was 111 km and the maximum distance from Salas y Gómez Island was 62 km.
6. All archival tagged fish spent most of their time at depths of <50 m and never left the epipelagic zone. Daytime versus night-time differences were pronounced in all individuals but showed high interindividual variability.
7. This study provides a baseline on the movement of these two top predators in the MMHMP and provides valuable insights for the creation of MPAs in the region and elsewhere.