Should only females of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii be selected in genetic improvement programmes?

Sexual dimorphism is widely observed in almost all farmed aquatic animal species but giant freshwater pawn (GFP) is unique, with males characterized by three main morphotypes (blue claw, orange claw and small males) and females by different reproduction status (ovary, berried egg and already‐spawned females). There has been reported evidence that the effect of male morphotype may have masked genetic variation in growth‐related traits, as a result the heritability for male body weight was lower than that estimated in female. A pending question has arisen whether selection should be made in female only. To answer this question, we used an 8‐year data set from a long‐term selection programme (2008–2015) for high growth in this species comprising 106,756 individuals that were offspring of 515 sires and 810 dams. The body weight data of female and male GFP or of each morphotype was treated as a separate trait and a multi‐trait approach was used to estimate genetic correlations for homologous traits between sexes and between morphotypes. Our analysis showed that there were little differences in the heritability estimates between female and male. In female, mature ovary individual displayed higher heritability than berried egg and already‐spawned females. For male, the heritability for blue claw, orange claw and small males were 0.11, 0.06 and 0.00 respectively. Between‐sex genetic correlation was moderate (0.55 ± 0.11) for body weight, suggesting that the trait expressions in female and male may be genetically different. In female, the genetic correlations for body weight among three female types were close to one (0.91–0.94). In contrast, the genetic correlations for body weight between male morphotypes especially between blue claw or orange claw and small males were low (0.15–0.25). Furthermore, we estimated genetic gain as the difference in least square means (LSM) or estimated breeding values (EBV) between the selection line and control group. The genetic gain in body weight was smaller in females than in males. It is concluded that there is no need to run separate breeding programme for female and male GFP. A combined selection using both female and male data can achieve selection response for body weight as demonstrated in the present study.     

Effects of Dietary Digestible Protein and Energy Levels on Growth Performance,Feed Utilization,and Body Composition of Juvenile Permit,Trachinotus falcatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

A 9‐wk study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary protein and energy on growth performance of juvenile permit, Trachinotus falcatus, growing from approximately 30 to 150 g. Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain three levels of crude protein (400, 450, and 500 g/kg dry matter [DM]); and three levels of crude lipid (100, 200, and 300 g/kg DM) in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly improved with increasing dietary protein levels from 400 to 500 g/kg and with dietary lipid levels from 100 to 200 g/kg. Fish body protein content was positively correlated with dietary ratio of digestible protein (DP) to digestible energy (DE) (P < 0.01, R² = 0.83), while body lipid was negatively correlated with dietary DP/DE (R² = 0.55, P < 0.05) but positively correlated with dietary DE levels (R² = 0.66, P < 0.01). Results showed a protein‐sparing effect, as protein retention was significantly increased by increasing dietary lipid level. In conclusion, the diet containing DP of 392.7 g/kg and DE of 18.8 MJ/kg (DM), corresponding to a DP/DE of 20.9 g/MJ, is suggested as an optimal feed for growth and feed efficiency in juvenile permit.     

Effect of carbon/nitrogen ratio manipulation in feed supplements on Artemia production and water quality in solar salt ponds in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

The effect of carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio manipulation in feed supplements on Artemia production and water quality was investigated in solar salt ponds in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. It was assumed that development of bacterial bioflocs through C/N manipulation would improve Artemia production and water quality as demonstrated in freshwater and marine aquaculture. Twelve ponds were used for three treatments and the control, in triplicates. Green water (GW) was supplied to all ponds, with the standard Vietnamese procedure of supplying GW and chicken manure (CM) as the control (C/N 1.8). Treatment ponds were supplemented with tapioca (TAP) as carbon source, combined with either CM, pig manure (PM) or rice bran (RB), with C/N ratios of 7.4, 10.5 or 20.1 respectively. After 6 weeks of culture, no single treatment supported both improved water quality and enhanced Artemia production. Overall, improved water quality was observed at C/N 20.1 and higher Artemia production at C/N 7.4. Although external field factors could have interfered with the set‐up, this is the first study on the effect of C/N manipulation in feed supplements in Artemia pond production systems and provides the basis for development of bacterial bioflocs as a technology to improve water quality and Artemia production.     

Can fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend be used as fishmeal replacements for Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)?

An experiment was carried out to evaluate fermented soybean meal and squid by‐product blend (1:1) (FP) as replacement of fishmeal (FM) for Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Five isocaloric (19 kJ g^?1) diets were prepared by replacing 0 (FP0), 12 (FP12), 24 (FP24), 36 (FP36) and 48% (FP48) FM protein with FP. Triplicate groups of juveniles (mean weight of 3.9 g) were delivered the test diets for 8 weeks in a flow‐through sea water system. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the growth rates of fish fed FP0, FP12, FP24 and FP36 diets. Growth and nutrient utilization parameters were significantly reduced in fish fed FP48 diet. Although, whole body proximate composition of fish were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments compared to the control; methionine and phenylalanine contents were significantly decreased in FP48 group. Protein retention was also significantly decreased in the similar group of fish. Dietary treatments did not alter most of the plasma metabolites, while some of the health parameters were improved in the replacement groups. Results suggested that FP is a potential candidate for alternative protein ingredient in aquafeed and can replace 36% FM protein in the diet of Japanese flounder.     

The influence of antibiotics on the immune system: immuno-pharmokinetic investigations on the primary anti-SRBC response in carp, Cyprinus carpio L., after oxytetracycline injection

Abstract. The present study was performed to obtain further details on the immuno-modulating effects of oxytetracycline (OTC) in carp, Cyprinus carpio L. The immuno-logical study was extended by investigating the pharmacokinetic behaviour of OTC. Oxytetracycline, at a dosage of 60 mg/kg, was administered five times intra-peritoneally at 3-day intervals; the first injection was given 1 day before immunization. The kinetics of the primary anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) response, during a short-term OTC treatment revealed that the kinetics of the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response was not significantly affected by OTC nor its solvent. In contrast, the number of plaque-forming cells was significantly decreased. The anti-SRBC antibody production was delayed by 2–4 days in both experimental groups (OTC and solvent). However, within 12–14 days post-immunization, the same antibody levels were detected as in the control group. High OTC plasma levels (>50 μg/ml) were detected about 10 h after a single i. p. injection. A mean plasma elimination half-life (T¹/₂) of 34·5 h was calculated.     

Effects of elevated CO2 concentration on bulbil germination and early seedling growth in Chinese yam under different air temperatures

The present study investigated the effects of elevated carbon dioxide concentration ([CO₂]) and air temperature on the germination of seed bulbils and the seedling vigour of two Chinese yam lines. Plants were grown under two [CO₂] levels, ambient and elevated (ambient + 200 μmol mol^?1), and two mean air temperature regimes, 22.2 °C (ambient + 1.4 °C) and 25.6 °C (ambient + 5.2 °C). Elevated [CO₂] did not affect bulbil germination under both air temperature regimes. During the early growth stage, the dry weight (DW) of leaves, vines, shoots, roots, belowground parts (roots + tubers) and whole plants were higher under elevated [CO₂] than ambient [CO₂] for both lines under the low- and high-temperature regimes. The values of vigour indexes (index I = germination % × seedling length and index II = germination % × seedling DW) were also higher under elevated [CO₂] than ambient [CO₂] for both lines. These results indicated that Chinese yam seedlings respond positively to elevated [CO₂] during the early growth stage. The above:belowground DW ratios were lower under elevated [CO₂] than ambient [CO₂] in seedlings with very small new tubers for both yam lines, indicating that elevated [CO₂] strongly affected the root growth in the early growth stage. The DWs of post-treatment seed bulbils were higher in the elevated [CO₂] under both air temperature regimes. The results showed that Chinese yam used a smaller amount of the reserves in seed bulbils under elevated [CO₂] than under ambient [CO₂].     

基于SRTM_DEM的泾河流域特征信息提取研究

流域特征信息的提取对于水文地理信息分析、模拟技术和水文模型建立具有重要意义。基于STRM_DEM数据,在ArcGIS9．3环境下,提取泾河流域坡度、坡向等地形特征,以及河网、流域边界和面积等水文要素,并划分子流域。分析表明,当闽值取5000（40．5km^2）时,生成的流域河网能够较好地反映该地区水系。根据河网分级、低级集水区域生成结果和流域地形特征,可划分为32个子流域,为流域分布式水文模型的构建提供了基础地理信息。SRTM_DEM提取泾河和部分支流流域面积误差均较小,说明提取结果与实际非常接近。结果表明,SRTM_DEM数据和ArcGIS9．3提取流域特征信息方便快捷,具有较高的精度和准确性,应用前景广阔。     

Phosphorus Retention and Release Characteristics of Sewage-Impacted Wetland Sediments

Sediment deposited in traps positioned along a sewage-impacted wetland receiving phosphorus (P)-retaining reactants from natural wetland water was fractionated into different particle sizes, and the amount of P retained in these particle sizes was investigated. Subsamples of the sediments collected from different sites along the wetland system were also equilibrated with water at different water:sediment ratios and equilibration periods to investigate the extent of P released from these sediments under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Results obtained showed that most of P deposited in sediments is in fine fractions (<16 µm), particularly in sediments collected from confluence sites where water inflow from the natural wetland provides P-retaining reactants and from sites immediately below these confluence sites (postconfluence sites). The extent of P release from sediments depended on the aerobic-anaerobic conditions of the sediments, equilibration period, water:sediment ratio and the position of sites within the wetland. The rate of P released from sediments associated with an increase in equilibration period tended to be higher under aerobic than anaerobic conditions. Water:sediment ratio was found to be a more important factor in controlling the release of P from sediments under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. The amount of P released from the confluence and postconfluence sites was higher than that from other sites over a range of equilibration periods and water:sediment ratios under aerobic and anaerobic conditions.     

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the CrDAT gene and selection of transgenic periwinkle lines with a high vincristine accumulation

Catharanthus roseus contains vincristine and vinblastine, which are outstanding drugs for cancer. In the biosynthetic pathways of terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs) in C. roseus, deacetylvindoline 4-O-acetyltransferase (DAT) is a key enzyme that catalyses the last reaction of vindoline biosynthesis to form vinblastine and vincristine. In this study, the CrDAT transgene was transferred into the periwinkle by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and generated transgenic periwinkle lines with an increase in vincristine accumulation. The C. roseus DAT gene was introduced into C. roseus plants and it was confirmed that CrDAT was successfully transferred into the genome of periwinkle plants and efficiently translated to synthesise recombinant DAT protein. Four transgenic periwinkle lines in T1 generation, T1-1, T1-3, T1-6, and T1-7, expressed recombinant DAT protein with the total protein content in the range of 2.86 μg.mg^?1 to 5.12 μg.mg^?1. Moreover, the vincristine contents of four transgenic lines increased by 1.63?2.48-fold compared to non-transgenic plants, ranging from 6.91 µg.g^?1 (fresh weight) to 10.53 µg.g^?1 (fresh weight). The T1-1 line had the highest vincristine content. Hence, the overexpression of the recombinant DAT protein can improve the vincristine accumulation of transgenic C. roseus plants.

Abbreviation: CrDAT - Catharanthus roseus Deacetylvindoline-4-O-Acetyl Transferase; D4H - Deacetoxyvindoline 4-hydroxylase; ELISA - Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Monoterpene indole alkaloid; T0, T1 - Generations of transgenic plants; TIAs - Terpenoid indole alkaloids; WT- The wild-type tobacco plants (non transgenic plant); 35S - Cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter