An evaluation of the growth-promoting effects of green light on spotted halibut for its practical application in aquaculture

Fisheries Science - We examined the effects of tank color and stocking density on the growth of spotted halibut (Verasper variegatus) under a green light-emitting diode (LED). Fish reared for...     

Effects of yield-related QTLs SPIKE and GPS in two indica rice genetic backgrounds

Recent progress in rice genomics has promoted the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with yield and its related traits. SPIKE, a QTL controlling spikelet number per panicle, and GPS, a QTL controlling leaf photosynthesis rate, were identical to NAL1. To assess the effect of SPIKE/GPS on yield potential, we compared DNA sequences of these alleles and conducted yield experiments in the field of Japan using the near-isogenic lines NIL-SPIKE (allele from Daringan in IR 64 genetic background), NIL-GPS (allele from Koshihikari in Takanari genetic background), and a chromosome segment substitution line, SL2115 (allele from Koshihikari in IR 64 genetic background). Despite the two SNPs in the promoter regions between Koshihikari and Daringan, both alleles were effective to increase the number of spikelets per panicle both in Takanari and IR 64 backgrounds. However, the extent of the increase was smaller and unstable in Takanari background than that in IR 64 background. In addition, SPIKE/GPS improved percentage of filled spikelets only in the IR 64 background. These results suggest that the effects of SPIKE/GPS alleles are similar but are affected by the difference of the genetic backgrounds. Because the increasing effect of spikelets number per panicle was canceled by the decrease of the number of panicles, which seems to be affected by environmental factors, none of NIL-SPIKE, SL2115, or NIL-GPS significantly out-yielded their parental cultivars. These results indicate the importance to consider genetic backgrounds and QTL-environment interaction toward the future use of SPIKE/GPS.     

Taurine is an essential nutrient for yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata fed non-fish meal diets based on soy protein concentrate

The requirement of dietary taurine in yellowtail fed a non-fish meal (FM) diet based on soy protein concentrate (SPC) was examined by a feeding trial. A recovery test (RCT) was also conducted to confirm the requirement of dietary taurine in yellowtail fed the SPC diet. The non-FM diet including 58% SPC as the protein source was supplemented with 0% (NTS) and 4.5% taurine (TS). A diet including 58% FM was also included as a reference. Juvenile fish (initial BW; 470 g) were fed one type of experimental diet for 39 weeks. The RCT group was fed the taurine un-supplemented SPC (NTS) diet for the first 23 weeks, and then fed the taurine supplemented SPC (TS) diet for 16 weeks. Tissue taurine concentration of the NTS group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the FM group. Specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the NTS group was significantly inferior compared to the FM group. In the NTS group, green liver syndrome was observed in all the samples. In contrast, tissue taurine concentration of the TS group increased to a similar level to that of the FM group. Compared to the NTS group, SGR and FCR of the TS group were significantly improved (P < 0.05) by taurine supplementation to the SPC diet. Moreover, yellowtail of this group could be reared for a long term without any physiological abnormalities, and their physiological condition and performance were comparable to the fish fed the FM diet. Although the physiological condition and performance of the RCT group was markedly inferior as the NTS group at the 23rd week (wk23) of the feeding trial, the physiological condition and performance of the RCT group markedly improved by the switch of the NTS diet to the TS diet at the end of feeding trial on the 39th week (wk39). These results indicate that yellowtail fed a non-FM diet based on SPC require taurine as an essential nutrient for maintaining normal physiological condition and growth performance.     

Abnormal morphology in megalopae of the swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus during seed production: causes and prevention

The occurrence of morphologically immature megalopae, which retain zoeal features such as dorsal spines and furcae of telson, is closely correlated with larval mass mortality during seed production of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus in Japanese hatcheries. To determine the cause of immature megalopal morphology, zoeae were reared with various supplementary schedules and density of diets (rotifer, Artemia and phytoplanktons including Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata). In addition, to assess the relationship between immature morphology and endocrine control, the effect of causative dietary factor was compared with the effect of eyestalk ablation at various timing during zoeal development. Megalopal immature morphology was more distinct in Chlorella‐supplemented groups than in Nannochloropsis‐supplemented groups. High density Chlorella supplementation was associated with the highest incidence of immaturity and resulted in larval mass mortality. The premoult of the third zoeal stage was identified as a critical period at which Chlorella supplementation led to the highest incidence of immaturity. This critical period coincided with the critical period at which larval metamorphosis was regulated by the eyestalk neurosecretory system. Our results suggested that the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology under culture conditions is most likely caused by phytoplankton (especially, Chlorella) supplementation, which disrupts the endocrine regulation. On the basis of our results, we successfully prevented the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology in 500 L tanks by excluding the influence of phytoplankton before the critical period (i.e. discontinuing phytoplankton supplementation and supplying rotifer cultured with non‐phytoplankton materials).     

Seasonal changes in spermatogenesis and peripheral testosterone concentration in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Hokkaido

Feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) have been increasing in number since 1979 and are currently subject to pest control in Hokkaido. One of the reasons for the increase in numbers is thought to be the high reproductive potential of raccoons, but little is known about their reproduction. The main aim of this study was to clarify seasonal changes in spermatogenesis and peripheral testosterone concentration of raccoons in Hokkaido. In the present study, external characteristics and histology of the testis and epididymis and the plasma testosterone concentration were investigated in 68 feral, male raccoons culled for pest control and once a month in one live, captive male. The feral males exhibited seasonal changes in spermatogenesis, showing active spermatogenesis in autumn, winter and spring (October-June) with noted spermatogenesis and inactive spermatogenesis in summer (July-September) with lower mean levels of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis. Even in the inactive period, spermatozoa were observed in about half of the individuals (14/26); therefore, individuals producing spermatozoa existed every month throughout the year. Testosterone concentrations were significantly high in the winter mating season. In the captive male, the testosterone concentrations were low from June to August, and spermatozoa could not be observed from July to September. These results suggest that raccoons exhibit seasonality of reproduction, but the time and duration of spermatogenetic decline varies widely among individuals. This individual variation in the inactive period is a feature of male raccoon reproduction and is unique among seasonally breeding mammals.     

Ultrastructural and histochemical properties of the olfactory system in the japanese jungle crow, Corvus macrorhynchos

Although it has been commonly believed that birds are more dependent on the vision and audition than the olfaction, recent studies indicate that the olfaction of birds is related to the reproductive, homing, and predatory behaviors. In an attempt to reveal the dependence on the olfactory system in crows, we examined the olfactory system of the Japanese jungle crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) by histological, ultrastructural, and lectin histochemical methods. The olfactory epithelium (OE) of the crow occupied remarkably a small area of the nasal cavity (NC) and had the histological and ultrastructural features like other birds. The olfactory bulb (OB) of the crow was remarkably small and did not possess the olfactory ventricle. The left and right halves of the OB were fused in many cases. In the lectin histochemistry, soybean agglutinin (SBA) and Vicia villosa agglutinin (VVA) stained a small number of the receptor cells (RCs) in the OE and the olfactory nerve layer (ONL) and glomerular layer (GL) on the dorsocaudal region of the OB. Phaseolus vulgaris agglutinin-E (PHA-E) stained several RCs in the OE and the ONL and GL on the ventral region of the OB. These results suggest that 1) the crow has less-developed olfactory system than other birds, and 2) the dedicated olfactory receptor cells project their axons to the specific regions of the OB in the crow.