Spawning areas and migration patterns in the early life history of Squalius cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758): Use of otolith microchemistry for conservation and sustainable management

1. In the context of the River Rhône restoration programme, the objective of this study was to assess the dispersal and population connectivity of the European chub, Squalius cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) in a section of the natural, free-flowing part of the lower River Rhône.
2. The elemental water signatures for Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca were measured at seven stations within the river section, including its tributaries and backwaters, to determine whether they could be differentiated by microchemistry. From August to October the signatures differed among three sectors of the study reach: the Rhône; the Ardèche; and the backwaters.
3. The elemental signatures of the otoliths of 178 young-of-the-year (YOY) chub from the stations were measured to assess spawning areas and identify early migratory life histories. Analyses of otolith microchemistry identified the natal origin of 95% of the fish. Sr:Ca signatures of otoliths showed early downstream migration for 30.4% of the YOY chub; however, 70% of the fish recruited relatively close to their spawning origin suggesting a potential inshore retention of fish.
4. The results showed (i) a non-negligible contribution of the tributaries and backwaters in the recruitment of fish into the main channel; and (ii) the ability of chub to migrate over several kilometres during their first few months of life.
5. This study shows that the combination of water and otolith microchemistry analyses of fish growth increases the understanding of fish life history. Moreover, the study revealed that half of the YOY fish from this river section came from the tributaries and the other half came from reproduction in the River Rhône (despite its high anthropization).
6. These methods offer promising future applications of otolith microchemistry for river management in the context of ecological rehabilitation, especially to assess the effectiveness of measures applied in the restoration of floodplain connectivity for riverine fish population conservation.

     

LUPA: a European initiative taking advantage of the canine genome architecture for unravelling complex disorders in both human and dogs

The domestic dog offers a unique opportunity to explore the genetic basis of disease, morphology and behaviour. Humans share many diseases with our canine companions, making dogs an ideal model organism for comparative disease genetics. Using newly developed resources, genome-wide association studies in dog breeds are proving to be exceptionally powerful. Towards this aim, veterinarians and geneticists from 12 European countries are collaborating to collect and analyse the DNA from large cohorts of dogs suffering from a range of carefully defined diseases of relevance to human health. This project, named LUPA, has already delivered considerable results. The consortium has collaborated to develop a new high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Mutations for four monogenic diseases have been identified and the information has been utilised to find mutations in human patients. Several complex diseases have been mapped and fine mapping is underway. These findings should ultimately lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases in both humans and their best friend.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailabilities of 14C-keto-carotenoids, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailabilities of ¹⁴C‐astaxanthin and ¹⁴C‐canthaxanthin were studied in the blood of rainbow trout following intra‐arterial (i.a.) and oral (p.o.) administration. Sixteen months old 1 kg trout were cannulated in the dorsal aorta. [6,7,6′,7′‐¹⁴C]‐keto‐carotenoids were administered i.a. and p.o. at a dose of 573.5 kBq kg^?1 fish body weight for astaxanthin and 836.2 kBq kg^?1 fish body weight for canthaxanthin. After i.a. distribution, total body clearance (Cl_tot) was 17.30±20.29 mL kg^?1 of fish h^?1 for ¹⁴C‐canthaxanthin and 3.30±1.50 mL kg^?1 of fish h^?1 for ¹⁴C‐astaxanthin. The volume of distribution at steady‐state (V_ss) was 208.32±124.79 mL kg^?1 of fish and 71.84±64.15 mL kg^?1 of fish for ¹⁴C‐canthaxanthin and ¹⁴C‐astaxanthin respectively. Less than 0.4% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in urine. Radioactivity (expressed as percent of the dose) excreted in the bile of fish that received ¹⁴C‐canthaxanthin by i.a. route was 20‐fold higher than that observed for fish treated p.o. This ratio was lower for ¹⁴C‐astaxanthin (7.6‐fold). The mean keto‐carotenoid bioavailabilities calculated were 10–15% for both compounds. Findings suggest one daily astaxanthin application is preferable, while 12‐h time intervals between applications are preferable for canthaxanthin.     

Effects of starvation and feeding on canthaxanthin depletion in the muscle of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri Rich.)

An experiment was conducted to examine carotenoid depletion in the muscle of rainbow trout. After 4 weeks of ingestion of canthaxanthin, fish were divided into two groups: the first was fed the same diet but without the canthaxanthin, the second was starved. Lipid and canthaxanthin levels in epaxial muscle were followed for 38 days. The lipid content increased (× 1.84) in fed fish and remained stable in those which were starved. Fed fish lost more canthaxanthin than starved fish. The ratio of the relative weight gain of canthaxanthin to that of the lipids was higher in starved than in fed fish (0.91 and 0.69 respectively). It is concluded that an internal redistribution of canthaxanthin takes place in the absence of an intake of the pigment. These results also show that the muscle of rainbow trout has a high storage capacity.     

Spatial pattern of beech (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Fagus sylvatica</Emphasis> L.) and oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus pubescens</Emphasis> Mill.) seedlings in natural pine (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.) woodlands

Spatial pattern of recruitment is an important factor influencing population dynamics of plant communities. The spatial pattern is determined by seed dispersal and by the spatial variability of germination and initial survival. In the process of forest expansion following farmland abandonment, mid- and late-successional species are often dispersed in pioneer forests by birds. This could result in an aggregated spatial pattern of seeds that could influence the dynamics of these species in mixed pioneer forests. In the sub-Mediterranean area, mid- and late-successional species such as Quercus pubescens (downy oak) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech) are expected to replace pioneer Pinus species. Using a point sampling method we demonstrated that beech and oak seedlings (height <2 m) have a clumped distribution in the understorey of pine. This could result from an aggregated dispersal by jays (dispersal effect) or from preferential recruitment in particular habitats (habitat effect). To test these hypotheses we proposed a statistical analysis of spatial patterns of regeneration of beech and oak. Ground cover variables (i.e. cover by rock outcrops, herbs, box shrubs, mosses or pine) did not differ significantly around seedlings as compared with random sample plots. Likewise, clumped seedlings had growth similar to isolated seedlings, thus refuting the hypothesis of preferential location in the most favourable microsites. Aggregated dispersal seems to be involved in the process of regeneration. Since beech and oak seedlings have contrasting ecological demands, we discuss the implication of this pattern for the replacement dynamics of pine by these species.     

Tracing carbon uptake from a natural CO2 spring into tree rings: an isotope approach

We analyzed 14C, 13C and 18O isotope variations over a 50-year period in tree rings of Quercus ilex L. trees growing at a natural CO2 spring in a Mediterranean ecosystem. We compared trees from two sites, one with high and one with low exposure to CO2 from the spring. The spring CO2 is free of 14C. Thus, this carbon can be traced in the wood, and the amount originating from the spring calculated. The amount decreased over time, from about 40% in 1950 to 15% at present for the site near the spring, indicating a potential difficulty in the use of natural CO2 springs for elevated CO2 research. The reason for the decrease may be decreasing emission from the spring or changes in stand structure, e.g., growth of the canopy into regions with lower concentrations. We used the 14C-calculated CO2 concentration in the canopy to determine the 13C discrimination of the plants growing under elevated CO2 by calculating the effective canopy air 13C/12C isotopic composition. The trees near the spring showed a 2.5 per thousand larger 13C discrimination than the more distant trees at the beginning of the investigated period, i.e., for the young trees, but this difference gradually disappeared. Higher discrimination under elevated CO2 indicated reduced photosynthetic capacity or increased stomatal conductance. The latter assumption is unlikely as inferred from the 18O data, which were insensitive to CO2 concentration. In conclusion, we found evidence for a downward adjustment of photosynthesis under elevated CO2 in Q. ilex in this dry, nutrient-poor environment.     

Alkali extraction of beta-d-glucans from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall and study of their adsorptive properties toward zearalenone

The isolated cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has some capacity to adsorb zearalenone (affinity near 30%) and reduce the bioavailability of toxins in the digestive tract. The adsorption process was quantified in vitro, and the data obtained when plotted with Hill's equation indicated a cooperative process. The model showed that the adsorption capacity was related to the yeast cell wall composition. This work focused on the role of various beta-d-glucan types in the efficacy of zearalenone adsorption by yeast cell wall and sought to elucidate some of the adsorption mechanisms. Zearalenone was mixed at 37 degrees C with a constant quantity of alkali-soluble or alkali-insoluble beta-d-glucans isolated from yeast cell walls, and the amount of adsorbed zearalenone was measured. Given that the alkali solubility of beta-d-glucans is a determining factor for their three-dimensional conformation and that the alkali-insoluble fraction had a greater affinity (up to 50%) than the alkali-soluble fraction ( approximately 16%), it was concluded that the three-dimensional structure strongly influences the adsorption process. The alkali insolubility of beta-d-glucans led to the formation of single and/or triple helices, which have been identified as the most favorable structures for zearalenone adsorption efficacy. The beta(1,3)-d-glucan and beta(1,6)-d-glucan compositions of the two alkali-extracted fractions and their involvement in the adsorption process are discussed.     

Manipulating N mineralization from high N crop residues using on- and off-farm organic materials

We have studied the possibilities of manipulating N mineralization from high N vegetable crop residues by the addition of organic materials, with the aim of initially immobilizing the mineralized residue N with a view to stimulating remineralization at a later stage. Residues of leek (Allium porrum) were incubated with soil, alone and in combination with straw, two types of green waste compost (with contrasting C:N ratios) and tannic acid. Evolution of mineral N was monitored by destructive sampling. After 15 weeks, molasses was added to part of the samples in each treatment, and incubation continued for another 12 weeks. All materials added during the first incubation stage, except the low C:N compost, resulted in significant immobilization of the residue N. The immobilization with the high C:N compost (41.4 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) was significantly larger than with tannic acid and straw (both immobilized about 26 mg N kg⁻¹ soil). In the straw treatment, remineralization started in the first stage of incubation from day 50 onwards. The addition of molasses caused a strong and significant remineralization in the second stage (equivalent to 73% of the N initially immobilized) in the treatment with the high C:N ratio compost. In the case of tannic acid, there was no consistent effect on mineralization from addition of molasses. This was attributed to the fact that the immobilization observed was due to chemical rather than biological fixation of the residue N. A number of non-toxic organic wastes could be considered for use in mediating release of immobilized N from high N crop residue materials in an attempt to synchronize residue N availability with crop N demand.     

Hydrolysis of nitriles using an immobilized nitrilase: applications to the synthesis of methionine hydroxy analogue derivatives

Mild and selective hydrolysis of a large range of nitriles leading to carboxylic acids was achieved under neutral conditions by an immobilized and genetically modified enzyme preparation from Alcaligenes faecalis ATCC8750. This immobilized nitrilase has been shown to be an effective catalyst for the stereoselective hydrolysis of mandelonitrile 1a to R-(-)-mandelic acid 1c. This method is particularly useful for the production of hydroxy analogues of methionine derivatives 2c-4c that could have an interest in cattle feeding and for the transformation of compounds containing other acid- or base-sensitive groups 3a-10a. A series of aliphatic dinitriles 11a-15a was hydrolyzed to the corresponding cyano acids. The suitability of the immobilized catalyst as a robust and versatile biocatalyst is discussed, and models to account for the stereoselectivity of the enzymic hydrolysis have been proposed.