First feeding of diploid and triploid yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae: An initial stage for application in laboratory studies

In this study, the aim was to establish a protocol for first feeding of diploid and triploid yellowtail tetra Astyanax altiparanae in laboratory conditions. The fry were fed with five different diets: (i) Artemia franciscana nauplii, (ii) plankton, (iii) dry food, (iv) Artemia franciscana nauplii + plankton, and (v) Artemia nauplii + plankton + dry food. Additionally, the growth and survival rates of diploid and triploid individuals were also evaluated. On day 10, the length of the fish between the treatments differed significantly (p = .0001) and ranged from 4.07 ± 0.06 mm (dry food) to 8.50 ± 0.64 mm (plankton + Artemia). The sizes of the fish increased with time, except for the fish fed with dry food. The survival rates were similar for the fish fed with the four diets and ranged from 80.7 ± 5.4% (dry food + plankton + Artemia to 92.0 ± 1.6% (plankton + Artemia), but differed from the fish fed with dry food (17.7 ± 5.8%, p = .0017). Diploids and triploids did not present differences on day 0 (p = .2252) and on day 10 (p = .4844) when the fish presented 6.77 ± 0.25 mm and 6.54 ± 0.15 mm respectively. Survival of diploids (87.3 ± 5.13%) and triploids (74.67 ± 2.30%) were also similar (p = .0285). These data are innovative and useful for establishing protocols for this species in both academic and applied sciences.     

Post‐hatching development of the ornamental ‘Red Cherry Shrimp’ Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904) (Crustacea,Caridea, Atyidae) under laboratorial conditions

The ‘Red Cherry shrimp’, Neocaridina davidi is a small freshwater caridean shrimp living, originally, in various kinds of inland water bodies around Asian countries. This shrimp has reached several countries for ornamental use; however, basic information on the biology of the species is still scarce in the literature. Its early post embryonic development morphology has not yet been described. This paper focused on the production and the development of early post‐hatching stages of N. davidi, its male secondary sexual features, observation of the gonads and the presence of females with embryos. The larval development of N. davidi was almost suppressed as noted by the presence of relatively large‐sized eggs, first stage hatching as a decapodid; and the tail fans were present only from the 2nd post‐hatching stage. A biological important consequence of the presence of this Red Cherry shrimp species in the Neotropics is its potential release into nature, which could cause its rapid dispersion affecting populations of other indigenous caridean freshwater shrimps.     

Life cycle of Caligus rogercresseyi, (Copepoda: Caligidae) parasite of Chilean reared salmonids

Caligus rogercresseyi, [Contrib. Zool. 69 (2000) 137] is the only caligid known to affect the salmon industry in Southern Chile. Economic losses due to reduced fish quality, cost of chemical treatment and outbreaks of other diseases such as the Piscirickettsiosis occur. The life cycle of C. rogercresseyi is described in rainbow trout reared in seawater tanks from observations made under natural conditions of light and temperature between January 1997 and April 1998. Fish were infected with laboratory-cultured larvae obtained from ovigerous females. Rainbow trout were periodically slaughtered for parasite collection and identification. C. rogercresseyi life cycle includes the following stages: two nauplius, one copepodid, four chalimus and the adult. No preadult stage was observed. Timing of the different stages of development was directly dependent on water temperature. The maturation of the eggs or the time for a complete life cycle took place at 45 days in July at 10.3 °C, 31–32 days in April at 12.4 and 12.8 °C, respectively, and at 26 days in November at 15.2 °C. In January, at 16.7 °C, only the appearance of first eggs were observed at 18 days. A simple degree–day (dd) model is proposed for each developmental stage between 4 and 17 °C, where the development rate is a linear function of the average temperature of water. Using this degree–day model, the proportion of fourth stage chalimus was maximum at 172 dd of effective temperature, adult males at 193 degree–days, adult females at 208 dd. The minimum temperature threshold is at 4.2 °C where there is no development of the parasite. The appearance of first eggs occurred at 231 dd and the first pigmented eggs at 277 dd. The temperature-independent degree–days value allowed to predict the timing of C. rogercresseyi life cycle at any temperature within the evaluated range.     

The clinical utility of the right lateral intercostal ultrasound scan technique in dogs

When performing abdominal ultrasonography in dogs, the right aspect of the liver, porta hepatis, right kidney, right adrenal gland, pancreas, and duodenum are often not fully visible from a ventral, or subcostal, approach. The right lateral intercostal plane is an alternative approach that allows evaluation of these structures. This report provides multiple case examples that demonstrate the sonographic anatomy via the right intercostal approach. Other cases are included to demonstrate indications for this approach. Animals in which the right intercostal approach may prove most useful include large- and giant-breed dogs; deep-chested dogs; dogs with gas distention of the stomach, duodenum, and colon; dogs with microhepatia; and those with abdominal effusion and pain.     

Triploid Induction in the Yellowtail Tetra,Astyanax altiparanae,Using Temperature Shock: Tools for Conservation and Aquaculture

Triploidization is an interesting tool to produce sterile fish. In the yellowtail tetra, Astyanax altiparanae, this can be applied for aquaculture and surrogate technologies. In this study, we compared the efficacy of cold (2 C) or heat shock (38 C, 40 C, and 42 C) on triploid induction in the yellowtail tetra. The eggs were treated with cold or heat shock, 2 min postfertilization (30 min in cold shock or 2 min in heat shock). Intact embryos served as the control group. Ploidy status was confirmed by karyotyping, flow cytometry, and nuclear diameter of erythrocytes. The hatching rate decreased after cold shock (12.69 ± 15.76%) and heat shock at 42 C (0.35 ± 0.69%) in comparison with the control group (63.19 ± 16.82%). At 38 C and 40 C, hatching rates (61.29 ± 17.73% and 61.75 ± 22.1%, respectively) were not decreased. Only one triploid arose at 38 C (1/80). At 40 C, a high number of triploids arose (72/78). At 42 C, very few embryos developed into the hatching stage. A large number of haploid individuals arose after cold shock (61/75), with only one triploid. Our results indicate that heat shocking of embryos at 40 C is optimum for triploid production in the yellowtail tetra.     

Adoption of milk cooling technology among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya

Factors influencing adoption of milk cooling technology were studied with data for 90 smallholder dairy farmers who were randomly selected from seven dairy cooperative societies in Kiambu County, Kenya. Logistic regression identified the age of the household head, daily household milk consumption, freehold land ownership, fodder production area, number of female calves, cooperative membership and cooperative services as significant factors influencing farmers’ willingness to invest in milk cooling technology. These findings offer an entry point for increased interventions by policy makers and various dairy sector stakeholders in promoting milk cooling technology with the aim of significantly reducing post-harvest losses and increasing the sector’s competitiveness.     

Environmental Impacts of Chemicals for Snow and Ice Control: State of the Knowledge

As chemicals are widely used for snow and ice control of highway and airfield pavements or aircrafts, recent years have seen increased concerns over their potentially detrimental effects on the surrounding environment. The abrasives used for winter operations on pavements are also a cause of environmental concerns. After some background information, this paper presents a review of the environmental impacts of chemicals used for snow and ice control, including those on: surface, ground, and drinking waters; soil; flora; and fauna. The paper provides a state-of-the-art survey of published work (with a focus on those in the last two decades) and examines mainly the impacts of abrasives, chlorides, acetates and formates, urea, glycols, and agro-based deicers. Finally, we conclude with a brief discussion of public perception of such impacts and best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate them.     

Endotracheal stenting therapy in dogs with tracheal collapse

Tracheal collapse in dogs is a common respiratory disorder, typically presenting with a history of chronic cough, increasing respiratory difficulties, and episodes of dyspnoea. Medical treatment is the therapy of choice and surgical repair is considered when patients do not respond well. Minimally invasive endotracheal stenting is a promising new therapy under investigation, but there remain significant challenges to overcome potential complications. The purpose of this article is to provide a comparative overview of intra-luminal stenting of the trachea in human and veterinary medicine. The currently available stents and their potential clinical application to the veterinary patient will be discussed.