Transmission of porcine cysticercosis in the Portuguesa state of Venezuela

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to assess transmission of Taenia solium cysticercosis in Palmarito Arriba, a small village in the rural area of the Portuguesa...     

Culture possibilities of the razor clam Ensis arcuatus (Pharidae: Bivalvia)

This study investigated razor clam Ensis arcuatus culture from larval rearing to commercial size to assess it's aquaculture potential. Broodstock was spawned several times in hatchery facilities to demonstrate that larval availability is not a constraint for hatchery production. Larval culture lasted 20 days, showing an average survival of 14.35%. The razor clam seed reached a size of 28.5 mm at 4 months. Seed culture is feasible; however, it is constrained by the fact that razor clams need to be buried. Higher survival was observed when culturing razor clam seed with a substrate (82–83%), irrespective of the substrate grain size, while containers held without a substrate showed a significantly lower survival (56.5%). We showed that it is possible to rear E. arcuatus juveniles in bottles, with survival as high as 94–95% being achieved. The length increase of the hatchery‐produced E. arcuatus over 600 days was described by the equation Ln L=4.5+(?141.17/t), where L is length in mm and t is time in days. On‐growing showed adequate survival rates and it took 2–3 years to reach commercial size.     

Delineating Genotype × Environment interactions towards durable resistance in mungbean against Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora canescens) using GGE biplot

Cercospora leaf spot (Cercospora canescens) is a major fungal disease which impedes mungbean production worldwide. Presence of wider host range with existence of pathogenic variability creates intricacy towards host-pathogen dynamics. Moreover, environmental factors having crucial role in augmenting severity of this disease further complicate disease management. An attempt has been made for unfolding genotype x environment interactions towards identifying and validating durable resistant genotypes against cercospora leaf spot in multi-environment testing. Preliminary screening with 246 genotypes under artificial epiphytotic condition was conducted to extract out a subset of 22 mungbean genotypes for further evaluation in field testing across six environments consecutively for two years. GGE biplot analysis detected significant environmental influence towards genotypic response and confirmed the presence of non-crossover interaction with incoherent genotypic response, thus advocating the urgency for multi-location testing. GGE biplot aptly identified “LGG 460” and “COGG 912” as “ideal” and “desirable” genotypes, respectively having durable resistance and genetic homeostasis and thus suggested for their utilization in future resistance breeding programme in mungbean against cercospora leaf spot.     

Thermal stress altered growth performance and metabolism and induced anaemia and liver disorder in Labeo rohita

Sudden fish deaths occurred during summer peaks in India and expected to be more in future. This study was conducted to explain the biochemical responses of Labeo rohita under extreme thermal condition (treated: 37–38°C against controlled: 28–30°C). Exposure of 14 days resulted in 30% of fish mortality. Glucose concentration was maintained in serum for both treated and controlled groups. However, triglycerides, protein, globulin, calcium, cholesterol and haemoglobin were declined and enzymes (glutamate‐pyruvate transaminase, GPT and glutamate‐oxalate transaminase, GOT) were elevated in serum in the treated group. Indicators of overall metabolism (biomolecules: glucose, triglycerides, protein, cholesterol; enzymes: GPT, GOT; and RNA: DNA) were diminished in liver, whereas these were less affected in muscle. Higher GPT, GOT and lower albumin in serum confirmed disturbance in hepatic panel. Simultaneously compromised growth (lower SGR, DNA content in liver) was observed in treated fish due to impaired metabolism. Extreme thermal stress induced by such catastrophic warmer water exposure caused liver problems and anaemia which ultimately caused fish death.     

Regulation of the interrenal of fishes: non-classical control mechanisms

The regulation of the interrenal of teleostean fishes is reviewed from the perspective of non-classical control mechanisms and new evidence is presented suggesting gonadotropic control of the interrenal. Cortisol secretion by the interrenal, in addition to regulation by ACTH, appears to be mediated by other hormones. Physiologically relevant, direct control of interrenal function by hydromineral factors is unclear.In vitro experiments with interrenals of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) indicate that salmon gonadotropin is extremely corticotropic and both ACTH and gonadotropin stimulate the secretion of large quantities of androstenedione from the interrenal.