Reproduction in three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from rainforest streams in northern Queensland, Australia

Abstract – The reproductive biology of three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) in northeastern Australian rainforest streams was investigated. Two species, Melanotaenia eachamensis and Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides are endemic to the area, whereas the third, M. splendida splendida, is more widespread. The species were all highly fecund, producing many hundreds of eggs between 1.10 and 1.24 mm in diameter. Melanotaenia eachamensis was the most fecund, produced the largest eggs of the three species, and consequently exhibited the greatest maternal investment (as measured by gonadosomatic index). The majority of reproductive effort occurred during the dry season, although reproductively active fish were present year-round for each of the species, but particularly so for M. s. splendida and C. rhombosomoides. No evidence for a role by temperature or photoperiod as environmental cues for reproduction was found, and it was suggested that gonad development was strongly tied to somatic growth. The concentration of reproduction to the dry season ensures that larvae are produced during a period of relatively stable and benign physical conditions. Comparison of temporal changes in gonadosomatic index values suggest that the spawning season of M. eachamensis , which occurs in high-elevation streams, is more restricted and commences about 1 month earlier than either other species. A similar phenology was observed for the M. s. splendida population found at high elevation and highlights the potential for spatial differences in stream productivity to influence life history. ^Note     

Acupuncture for general veterinary practice.

Since the International Society of Veterinary Acupuncture (IVAS) was founded in 1974, acupuncture (AP) has received greater acceptance by veterinary professionals throughout the world. This article introduces some important animal diseases that respond well to AP therapy. These include resuscitation of small animals, treatment of anoestrous gilts and sows, bovine reproductive disease, canine vertebral problems and equine backpain, etc. Conventional medicine considers these to be difficult cases to treat. Veterinarians have become more aware of the benefits of AP especially for those diseases, thanks to the efforts of experienced practitioners and scientists, and the many published reports on veterinary AP that have introduced some good indications for AP therapy in veterinary practice. Possible mechanisms behind the effectiveness of AP are discussed. This article aims to introduce veterinarians to good indications for AP to initiate their interest in the practice of AP. Although this is a rapidly expanding field, a long march must begin with one step. We wish this article to be the shoes for such a march. For more information on veterinary AP, contact IVAS , P.O. Box 1478, Longmont, CO.. 80502, USA (http://www.ivas.org), or your national veterinary acupuncture society (http://www.komvet.at/ ivadkom/vapsocs.htm).     

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Fever and associated clinical haematologic and blood biochemical changes in the goat and other animal species

Summary Acute febrile diseases are characterized by specific and non-specific symptoms. The non-specific responses are presented under the headings: fever, inflammation and pain, experimental models for investigating febrile reactions, haematologic changes, blood biochemical changes, cardiovascular effects, changes in gastric function, and the effects of fever upon pharmacokinetics of drugs. It was the purpose of this review to describe present concepts of thermoregulation and fever, the associated reactions produced by bacterial pyrogens and the mechanisms of these reactions. The available data illustrate, that many questions have not yet been clearly answered. However, the entire field of research involving endogenous substances, such as interleukin-1, is now moving ahead with great speed. Furthermore, there is some evidence which suggests that fever and the associated lower plasma zinc and iron levels act together as a co-ordinated non-specific host defence mechanism. Since experimental fever has a distinct effect upon the pharmacokinetics of drugs, more attention should be given to this aspect.     

海拔梯度对台江方竹发笋节律的影响研究

通过原产地对合江方竹不同海拔梯度发笋节律的观察和研究，得出其开始发笋期、停止发笋期及发笋数都随着海拔梯度的变化有显著或极显著的差异，海拔越高，发笋越早，停止发笋期也越早，平均发笋量3300株／667m^2。其发笋期可以划分为开始期、高峰期和停止期阶段。在海拔l200In以L开始发笋期出现在9月中旬，停止生长期出现在10月上旬；1000m以一卜开始发笋期、停止生长期分别出现在9月下旬和10月底以后；随着海拔高度平均每降低100m，开始发笋期推迟2—3d，停止发笋期随着海拔高度平均每降低100m推迟3—4d。数学模型（以9月13日为第一天），发笋开始期为K=31．333-0．02383H海拔，停止发笋期为T=64．867-0．03217H海拔；合江方竹在不同海拔梯度的发笋性状可以划分成900m以下和900m以上两类，其中900m以下具有“笋期晚发笋多（晚多）”特性；900m以上具有“笋期早发笋少（早少）”特性。