Common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>) response to two pieces of music (“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and “Romanza”) combined with light intensity,using recirculating water system

The objective of this study was to further investigate the effects of music on fish physiology, bearing in mind available information regarding the involvement of endogenous and exogenous factors in fish farming. Therefore, Cyprinus carpio (50.5 ± 0.36 g) were reared in a recirculating water system under 80 and 200 lux and subjected to no music at all (control, ambient noise only), 4 h of Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, or 4 h of anonymous “Romanza-Jeux Interdits” for 106 days. Both music treatments resulted in increased growth performance at both light intensities, with Romanza treatment at 200 lux resulting in better growth performance than Mozart treatment. Furthermore, feed efficiency for the Romanza groups was significantly better than for the control. Although no significant music effect was apparent for brain neurotransmitters, lower anterior intestine alkaline protease levels were detected for both music treatments. Taking into consideration the numerous advantages of recirculating water systems, it should be emphasised that fish response to music expresses the results of various physiological and biochemical processes, especially when fish notably respond differently when subjected to two different pieces of music.     

Ontogeny of the shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture

The ontogeny of shi drum Umbrina cirrosa (Linnaeus 1758), a candidate new species for aquaculture, was studied throughout the entire larval phase. Geometric morphometric analysis revealed two clear inflection points (7.0 and 12.7 mm total length, TL) in the shape ontogeny of this species, separating the studied period into three phases of different allometric priorities. Spline graphs demonstrated that the major non‐uniform shape ontogeny correlated with the development of the fins, the anterior dorsal area of the body, the caudal peduncle, the eye and the mouth. Concerning the morphological features, shi drum larvae are characterized by an upward anterior bending of the notochord. The ontogeny of the fins began with the formation of the pectoral buds (2.9 mm TL), continued with the notochord flexion (4.3 mm TL, associated with the caudal fin development), the appearance of the pelvic buds, the first anal rays (4.5 mm TL) and the first dorsal rays (4.8 mm TL). Shi drum juveniles presented 25 vertebrae and the following dominant fin types: D XI,23, AII,6, VI,5, P17 and C17.     

Phenological,morphological and functional indicators of genetic variability and their implication in the sexual reproductive system of Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae)

The floral biology of ‘Koroneiki’, ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Mastoidis’ was studied for three consecutive years to elucidate the potential physiological and genetic controls of inflorescence architecture and phenology and to identify potential genotype-distinguishing characters that could be employed for morphological cultivar discrimination. The first open flowers were mainly observed at position I for ‘Koroneiki’ (83%) while they were mainly located at position II for ‘Mastoidis’ (40%) and ‘Kalamata’ (63%). The last open flowers were principally located at the apical position for ‘Koroneiki’ (46%) and ‘Kalamata’ (68%) and at position II for ‘Mastoidis’ (75%). Most of the first open flowers were perfect for ‘Koroneiki’ (89%) and ‘Mastoidis’ (97%) while lower percentages were observed in the last open flowers (67% and 80%, respectively). Higher percentages of perfect flowers were observed in ‘Mastoidis’ compared to ‘Koroneiki’ in both cases. The average flowering shoots of ‘Kalamata’ produced significantly more flowers (1523/m) compared to ‘Koroneiki’ (1139/m) and ‘Mastoidis’ (1044/m). The half of the flowers in ‘Mastoidis’ were located at position I while the 38% was located at position II and only the 12% at the apex. By contrast, approximately the 80% of flowers in ‘Koroneiki’ and ‘Kalamata’ panicles was equally distributed at positions I and II, while the 18% and 19%, respectively, was located at the apex. A marked relationship was also observed between flower position in the panicle and flower gender.     

Genetic variation in farmed populations of the gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata in Greece using microsatellite DNA markers

Genetic variation in seven reared stocks of gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata, originating from Greek commercial farms, was assessed using five polymorphic microsatellite markers and was compared with that of two natural populations from the Ionian and the Adriatic Seas. The total number of alleles per marker ranged from 11 to 19 alleles, and hatchery samples showed the same levels of observed heterozygosity with samples from the wild but substantially smaller allelic diversity and expected heterozygosity. The global genetic differentiation for the cultivated samples was significant as indicated by F_st analysis, which might indicate random genetic drift and inbreeding events operating in the hatcheries. On the contrary, no significant difference was found between the two wild populations. Population pairwise tests between farmed and wild stocks were also significant, with the exception of one hatchery sample, the Central Greece 1, which was not significantly different from the two wild samples perhaps due to its recent use in aquaculture from wild‐caught animals. The UPGMA tree topology grouped the wild samples together with the Central Greece 1 stock, and showed a clear division between wild and farmed sample sets for the six remaining hatchery samples. Knowledge of the genetic variation in S. aurata cultured populations compared with that in the wild ones is essential for setting up appropriate guidelines for the proper monitoring and management of the stocks either under traditional practices or for the implementation of selective breeding programmes.     

Agronomic techniques to controlLobesia botrana

The grapevine mothLobesia botrana (Denis & Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a key pest of grapevines in Greece. As part of a broader study on integrated pest management, the effects were investigated of different cultural methods on the establishment and survival ofL. botrana, specifically: application of different nitrogen levels (30 and 100 units of ammonium sulfate or 70 units of Agrobiosol); summer leaf and shoot pruning; application of growth regulators (Regalis, prohexadione-calcium; or Falgro, gibberellic acid). There were significant differences among the three levels of N application. The lowestL. botrana infestation rates were found in plots treated with 30 units of (NH₄)₂SO₄ and plots that received some summer pruning. Following the application of plant growth regulators, the lowestL. botrana infestation levels occurred in the plots treated with Regalis or Falgro at the manufacturers’ recommended concentrations. On vines where growth regulators had been applied, the clusters had fewer berries than those not treated with growth regulators. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting June 11, 2008.     

Morphological and free amino acid profile variability,as a tool for stock identification among farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss of different origin

As a tool for stock identification the body morphology and the free amino acid (FAA) profile variability were determined among farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792) from different geographical areas throughout Greece, using geometric morphometrics and Reversed Phase‐High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography. Significant intraspecific body shape variation was detected among the fish stocks of different origin. Canonical Variate Analysis distinguished populations into two groups being consistent to a great extent with a previous population genetics study. General linear models did not support an association of haplotypes and diet with shape. However, shape was significantly correlated with origin, water temperature, geological‐chemical‐climatic zones, histidine and arginine. Therefore, morphological variation was primarily driven by environmentally induced differences among these zones being the result of phenotypic plasticity. Environmental cues and rearing conditions played the pivotal role in comparison to broodstock origin. Specimens presented different FAA profiles depending on their geographical origin. Principal Component Analysis showed a division between eastern and western Greece which might be owed to the existence of climatic fluctuations affecting the abiotic factors. This combined approach offers an important tool for stock identification thus assisting environmental risk assessments in evaluation of potential ecological effects and fostering research excellence in sustainable aquaculture management.     

Biophenols in table olives

Unprocessed olives are well-known sources of phenolic antioxidants with important biological properties. Processing methods to prepare table olives may cause a reduction of valuable phenols and may deprive the food of precious biological functions. The present work was undertaken to evaluate table olives produced in Greece as sources of biophenols. Commercially available olives were analyzed for their total phenol content by using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and for individual phenols by RP-HPLC. Samples were Spanish-style green olives in brine, Greek-style naturally black olives in brine, and Kalamata olives in brine. Most of the types of olives analyzed were found to be good sources of phenols. Hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and luteolin were the prevailing phenols in almost all of the samples examined. High levels of hydroxytyrosol were determined mainly in Kalamata olives and Spanish-style green olives, cultivar Chalkidiki (250-760 mg/kg).     

Liver flukes promote cholelithiasis in sheep

The main objective of this study was to investigate whether cholelithiasis in sheep is related to parasitism or other commonly observed disorders such as liver abscesses. Additionally, the features of the observed biliary calculi are described. The livers of 254 randomly selected clinically healthy adult dairy sheep were used. All visible concretions in the bile were considered as stones. Based on the macroscopical examination, 60 livers were normal, 40 were parasitized with Fasciola hepatica, 42 were parasitized with Dicrocoelium dendriticum, 28 were parasitized with both D. dendriticum and F. hepatica, 40 livers had abscesses and 44 had hydatid cysts. Biliary calculi were detected in 40 livers. Twenty livers had pigment stones and 20 livers had cholesterol stones. The percentage of cholelithiasis was significantly higher in livers parasitized with flukes compared with the others (P<0.05) and the parasitoses with F. hepatica and D. dendriticum were proven to be significant risk factors (P<0.05) for the presence of cholelithiasis in sheep.     

Spontaneous urethral catheter kinking or knotting in male dogs: four cases

Four dogs were diagnosed with urethral catheter malfunction. The catheter was kinked in three dogs and knotted in one dog. In two dogs, kinking of the catheter was associated with presence of urethroliths in the perineal urethra. Diagnosis was based on the difficulty encountered retrieving the catheter in all dogs and swelling in the scrotal or perineal area in two dogs. Diagnosis of catheter kinking or knotting was confirmed after catheter retrieval. Catheter removal was achieved in two dogs after traction under anesthesia, whereas scrotal or perineal urethrotomy were used in the other two dogs. No complications associated with urination were reported in any of the dogs after 7 to 12 mo.