Agronomic,nutritive value,reproductive, cytogenetic,and molecular aspects of Paspalum accessions: Contribution to the development of new forage cultivars

This study investigated the agronomic, nutritive value, cytogenetic, molecular, and reproductive aspects of twenty-five Paspalum accessions to support breeding programs. The agronomic aspects and the nutritive value were evaluated in a randomized block experimental design with four replications, and with monthly repeated measures for 2 years. For the molecular characterization 16 microsatellite markers developed for different Paspalum species in previous works were used. The number of chromosomes was determined by visualizing the meiotic cells and the DNA content was determined by flow cytometry. The embryo sac clarification technique was used to characterize the reproductive system. T he results indicated genetic variability for all the variables related to yield and nutritive value. For almost all variables, the values of Paspalum accessions were higher than those of the commercial cultivars Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tanzania and Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, used as references. However, the accessions showed in vitro dry matter digestibility values lower than the mean value presented by the references. The groups formed in the molecular analysis showed correspondence to the groups observed in the principal components analysis, considering the variables related to yield and nutritive value. Most accessions were revealed to be tetraploid with 40 chromosomes and most accessions belonging to the Virgata group displayed a sexual embryo sac structure . Some crosses can be indicated for genetic breeding, due to a superior genomic affinity between the accessions and the higher probability of heterosis in the progeny. These results provide subsidies to genetic plant breeding programs that use these accessions.     

Effect of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri on corn and sorghum silage quality and sheep energy partition under tropical conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the silage quality, ingestive behaviour, and sheep energy partition fed corn and sorghum silages, with or without inoculation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri. Whole plants of one dent corn hybrid (DCS), one flint corn hybrid (FCS), and one forage sorghum hybrid (SS) were ensiled with or without an inoculant containing L. plantarum and L. buchneri (4 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹), totalling six treatments (3 × 2 factorial scheme). The treatments were ensiled in metal drums with 200 L capacity. The lactic acid concentrations in the inoculated FCS and DCS were higher by 13.4% and 12.8%, respectively, than those in the non-inoculated plants. In contrast, the lactic acid concentration in the inoculated SS was 23.1% lower than that in the non-inoculated SS. Furthermore, there were differences in pH and acetic acid concentrations only in SS, which were 2.3% and 45.2% higher, respectively, in inoculated silage than in non-inoculated silage. In inoculated DCS and SS, propionic acid concentrations were 1.7 times higher (for both silages), and 1-propanol was 3.7 and 1.8 times higher compared than those in non-inoculated silages. There was a main effect of the inoculant on 1,2-propanediol concentrations, which were 37.5% higher in inoculated silages than in non-inoculated silages. However, ingestive behaviour, heat and methane production, and silage net energy concentrations were not affected by inoculant use. Fermentative modifications caused by inoculation with L. plantarum and L. buchneri in whole plant corn or sorghum silage did not modify sheep energy partition.     

Effect of protein source on the reproductive performance of female rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Two-year-old rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), females were fed three different diets containing animal protein R1 or vegetable protein R2 and R3 over 12 months from March 1993 until February 1994. Diets containing vegetable protein slightly depressed broodstock growth rates, although the final weight differences among groups were not statistically significant. The mean total fecundity (eggs female^?1) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group R1. With regard egg composition, amino acids levels in group R3 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than in the other groups. Although the total amino acids of eggs from the R1 and R2 groups presented a similar pattern, the essential amino acids lysine, threonine, cystine and isoleucine were lower in the R2 group. The ω 6 and ω3 fatty acid levels of the eggs were also affected by the protein source of the diet. In both the R2 and R3 groups, the plasma levels of 17β-estradiol reached a maximum level one month later than the R1 group. For the R2 and R3 groups, plasma levels of vitellogenin peaked after a one-month delay; peak values were significantly lower (P< 0.05) than in the R1 group. Similarly, the vitellogenin content of the eggs was in accordance with plasma levels in broodstock females. The results of the present study demonstrated that the composition of diet significantly affected reproductive indices and composition of the eggs.     

Transport of juvenile dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus under different packing densities: Metabolic and haematological responses

The aim of this study was to investigate a suitable packing density for the transport of juvenile dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus, based on the evaluation of stress responses in blood. After acclimation, fish were placed in plastic bags and transported for 8 hr on paved road at densities of 28, 45 and 64 g/L. Water quality was monitored before and after transport. Blood was collected before, upon arrival (0 hr), after 2 and 24 hr of transport. Plasma cortisol, blood glucose, partial pressures of O₂ (pO₂) and CO₂ (pCO₂), blood pH and HCO₃^? were evaluated. Blood smears were prepared for the verification of leucocyte profile and neutrophils:lymphocyte ratio (N:L). Blood pCO₂, pH and HCO₃^? increased significantly after transport for all treatments compared with pre‐transport. Glucose levels increased at the higher density whereas no effects were observed on plasma cortisol and pO₂ levels. Upon arrival, all treatments showed lymphopenia and neutrophilia which increased N:L ratio. Although lymphopenia was observed in higher densities until 2 hr after transport, haematological parameters were fully restored within 24 hr post transport. Furthermore, no mortalities were observed throughout the experimental period. Based on the transient physiological changes observed in this study, juvenile dusky grouper can be safely transported in plastic bags for 8 hr at a density of up to 64 g/L.     

Bursatella leachii from Mar Menor as a Source of Bioactive Molecules: Preliminary Evaluation of the Nutritional Profile,In Vitro Biological Activities,and Fatty Acids Contents

Marine invertebrates contain nutritionally important elements that make them suitable to be included in the human diet, and they are considered an outstanding source of secondary metabolites with multiple biotechnological uses. The sea hare Bursatella leachii is an invasive species in Mar Menor that can be managed through the control of its reproduction and/or by massive biomass removal. In this context, this work evaluated the possible use of biomass from B. leachii in the food and cosmetics industries. Biomass was appraised for nutritional properties, and extracts were prepared and evaluated in vitro for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity, cholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition, and for total contents in different phenolic groups. It had a moderate moisture level, low ash and fat levels, and an adequate protein amount and protein/lipid ratio. The fatty acids (FA) profile was mainly saturated, dominated by palmitic acid. The methanol extract had the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The acetone extract had the strongest capacity to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, reduce iron, inhibit tyrosinase, decrease nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated microglia cells, and the upmost levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins. Our results suggest multiple biotechnological applications for B. leachii biomass in different economic areas.     

Autochthonous probiotic Lactobacillus sp. in the diet of bullfrog tadpoles Lithobates catesbeianus improves weight gain,feed conversion and gut microbiota

Dietary supplementation with probiotics in animal production is an alternative to antibiotics. In frog culture, studies involving native strains of probiotic bacteria and their effects on the performance and intestinal histology of farmed animals are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate a diet supplemented with Lactobacillus sp. in tadpoles of Lithobates catesbeianus. This randomized test was performed with two dietary treatments: non‐supplemented control diet and diet supplemented with Lactobacillus sp., with nine replications. The growth performance of Lactobacillus sp., including its bacterial enzymatic activity and stability in feed, as well as colonization and histology of the intestinal tract, was evaluated after 42 days of experimentation. Animals fed with a supplemented diet showed higher weight gain and concentration of lactic acid bacteria in the gut and lower feed conversion. No significant difference was observed in survival, total heterotrophic bacterial count or histological change in the gut between the two treatments. The Lactobacillus sp. strain was able to colonize the intestinal tract and feed and remain at a high concentration of 10⁷ and 10⁶ CFU g^?1, respectively. It produced several enzymes, which might have contributed to the greater weight gain and lower feed conversion in the supplemented animals, thus demonstrating its probiotic potential for use as a dietary supplement in bullfrog tadpoles.     

Ultramorphological changes in gill rakers of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astyanax altiparanae</Emphasis> (Characidae) kept in contaminated environments

Most water bodies in Brazil, and in the world, are contaminated by some types of pollutants, ranging from sewage to metal/chemicals, carcinogenic products, and biodegradable detergents. Despite the extensive knowledge on their effects on fish biology and especially on gill morphology, research that concerns their impacts on gill rakers and implications in parameters such as food consumption cannot be found in the literature. Gill rakers are vital because, together with gills, they are responsible for the defense and protection of the organism and for selecting appropriate food for survival. When detergents, which can act as toxic chemical agents, get in contact with the body of the fish, they can cause severe effects that must be understood. Therefore, our study investigated ultramorphological changes in gill rakers of Astyanax altiparanae (Lambeth) caused by the exposure to biodegradable detergents. Fish were exposed to a 1 mg/L dilution of a mixture of detergents and pure water from an artesian well for 5 months. Results revealed that the first month of exposure to detergent caused dilation of chemical receptors in taste buds and the rise of a large number of orifices for mucus release among pavement cells in gill rakers, although only a small amount of mucus was found in fish exposed both to pure water and the detergent dilution. After 5 months, there was an increase in the dilation of these chemoreceptors, excess mucus on gill rakers of detergent groups, and the emergence of microbridges between microridges in pavement cells.     

Experience counts: Integrating spearfishers’ skills and knowledge in the evaluation of biological and ecological impacts

Fishing experience and skills are not commonly considered in recreational fishery studies. To analyse potential different biological/ecological impacts of three experience levels of spearfishers (novice, intermediate and experienced), access point surveys were conducted over a period of 10 months in São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago). Groups differed in terms of catch rate and composition, species size and vulnerability (i.e. intrinsic vulnerability index of fishes to fishing). Experienced spearfishers explored different areas along the island coast, fished deeper and farther off shore, were more selective regarding fish size and target species, reached higher catch weights and had catches with a higher mean index of vulnerability. Results suggest that catch composition and rate not only depend on fish community and ecosystem health, but also on the expertise of the fishers who operate in a given area. Consequently, scientific studies should consider fishers’ experience in the survey design and data analysis to not over‐ or underestimate their potential impact.     

‘Damsel in distress’‐ The tale of Miss Kerala,Puntius denisonii (Day), an endemic and endangered cyprinid of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot (South India)

• 1. Denison's Barb, Puntius denisonii (Day) is an endemic and endangered cyprinid fish of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in peninsular India, which is the focus of an organized yet undocumented fishery targeting juveniles for the international aquarium trade.
• 2. Research on P. denisonii has been very limited and there has been no systematic effort to assess and monitor their abundance, distribution and populations.
• 3. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence indicates a highly restricted distribution, low abundance, declining populations, low catch per unit effort and increasing market prices, providing evidence of an impending conservation crisis and the need for urgent management of wild stocks.
• 4. This paper reviews current knowledge, provides results from the authors' field study and suggests priorities for conservation and management actions for P. denisonii in the streams of Kerala.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon and nitrogen cycling in a tropical Brazilian soil cropped with sugarcane and irrigated with wastewater

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in agro-systems can be altered as a consequence of treated sewage effluent (TSE) irrigation. The present study evaluated the effects of TSE irrigation over 16 months on N concentrations in sugarcane (leaves, stalks and juice), total soil carbon (TC), total soil nitrogen (TN), NO₃⁻-N in soil and nitrate (NO₃⁻) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil solution. The soil was classified as an Oxisol and samplings were carried out during the first productive crop cycle, from February 2005 (before planting) to September 2006 (after sugarcane harvest and 16 months of TSE irrigation). The experiment was arranged in a complete block design with five treatments and four replicates. Irrigated plots received 50% of the recommended mineral N fertilization and 100% (T100), 125% (T125), 150% (T150) and 200% (T200) of crop water demand. No mineral N and irrigation were applied to the control plots. TSE irrigation enhanced sugarcane yield but resulted in total-N inputs (804-1622 kg N ha⁻¹) greater than exported N (463-597 kg N ha⁻¹). Hence, throughout the irrigation period, high NO₃⁻ concentrations (up to 388 mg L⁻¹ at T200) and DOC (up to 142 mg L⁻¹ at T100) were measured in soil solution below the root zone, indicating the potential of groundwater contamination. TSE irrigation did not change soil TC and TN.