同时检测两种对虾病毒和4种弧菌的同步PCR方法的建立

通过检索、多重比对、分析和筛选GenBank中对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)、传染性皮下和造血器官坏死病毒(IHHNV)、副溶血孤菌、创伤弧菌、哈维氏弧菌和溶藻胶弧菌的基因序列,设计了10对特异性引物,以已知毒株和菌株的DNA为模板进行PCR,均能扩增出与实验设计相符合的DNA片段,对PCR扩增条件进行优化,建立了可同时检测鉴别WSSV、IHHNV、副溶血弧菌、创伤弧菌、哈维氏弧菌和溶藻胶弧菌,并且能同时区分WSSV不同地理毒株的同步PCR方法.研究结果表明,该方法检测特异性好,检测通量大,适合于对虾多种病原的同时检测.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal systems in the pejerrey, Odontesthes bonariensis (Atheriniformes)

The brain of the pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) has recently been shown to contain three forms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): salmon GnRH (sGnRH), chicken GnRH-II (cGnRH-II) and pejerrey GnRH (pjGnRH), nevertheless neuroanatomical studies on the distribution of these peptides are lacking. In this study we investigated the distribution of immunoreactive GnRH in the brain of adult pejerrey. Four different policlonal antisera and a monoclonal antibody against different GnRH variants were applied on cryosections and visualized using the ABC method. Three antisera (PBL#49, sGnRH#2 and cII741) revealed three different immunoreactive areas: the terminal nerve ganglion (at the junction between the olfactory bulbs and the anterior telencephalon), the preoptic area just anterior to the hypothalamus and the midbrain tegmentum. Fibers immunoreactive to GnRH were detected in different brain areas: the olfactory bulbs, the ventral thelencephalon, the hypothalamus, the mesencephalic area and an important innervation entering into the pituitary gland. Two other antibodies (LRH13 and s1668) labeled the two nuclei corresponding to the forebrain but not the midbrain tegmentum. As both antibodies have low crossreactivity to cGnRH-II, the data suggest that this group of cells express cGnRH-II. In summary, three different areas with immunoreactivity to GnRH were detected in the pejerrey brain. The distribution of sGnRH, pjGnRH and cGnRH-II expressing neurons, is discussed.     

Modeling environmental,temporal and spatial effects on twaite shad (Alosa fallax) by‐catches in the central Mediterranean Sea

Modeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of species of conservation interest can be useful in predicting their occurrence from a local to a regional scale. This information is essential for planning management and conservation initiatives. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to investigate the influence of environmental, temporal and spatial variables on the catch rates of the twaite shad Alosa fallax (Lacepède) by the pelagic trawl fishery in the north‐central Adriatic Sea. Presence/absence and abundance [catch per unit effort (CPUE)] data between 2006 and 2012 were separately modeled, and the two models were then validated using a test data set. The most important factor influencing the presence and abundance of adult twaite shads was the spatial predictor (latitude × longitude). Two areas of major shads aggregations were observed, the most important of which being located near the estuaries of three main river systems of northern Italy. The twaite shad presence was also significantly affected by season, the largest and lowest occurrences being observed in autumn and spring, respectively. Among the environmental variables tested, only sea surface temperature was included in both models. Alosa fallax showed a wide thermal tolerance (6–27°C) with preference for temperature around 23°C. The model developed from the abundance data showed a moderate predictive power, whereas the accuracy of the presence/absence model was rather low. Some conclusions on the ecological requirements of A. fallax at sea arising from this study are useful to orient future monitoring and research programs and to develop effective conservation actions.     

Comparison of loss on ignition and thermal analysis stepwise methods for determination of sedimentary organic matter

• 1. Loss on ignition (LOI) is a widely used method to estimate organic matter (OM) in the sediment of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Thermogravimetric‐differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA) of organic species provides information on thermal reactions, the amount and properties of clay structural water, organic species and carbonates.
• 2. The accuracy of LOI compared with that of TG‐DTA was evaluated in 33 sediment samples from the Lagoon of Venice (Italy).
• 3. In all tests conducted with TG‐DTA the mass loss of OM and the loss of clay structural water (LCSW) from oxidized samples were measured. The mass loss of OM at 350°C (TG‐DTA 350 OM) and the total extraction of organic matter at 567°C (TEOM) calculated from the difference between natural state samples and oxidized samples highlight the presence of both thermally labile and thermally stable substances.
• 4. The grain size data of sediment samples from the Lagoon shows a variable distribution between slightly muddy sand and mud. Loss of clay structural water at 350°C (LCSW 350) and total extraction of clay structural water at 567°C (TECSW) both estimated by TG‐DTA on oxidized samples, were found to correspond approximately to 6% and 10%, respectively of the clay fraction (<4 µm). This percentage may be used to correct LOI measurements of OM in sediments with high clay content.
• 5. LOI 350 (loss on ignition at 350°C) and LOI 550 (loss on ignition at 550°C) proved to be ～80% and ～200%, respectively, of total extraction of mass loss at 350°C (TG‐DTA 350 tot) and at 567°C (TEML) estimated by TG‐DTA on natural samples, meaning that the LOI 550 value represents a significant overestimate. The difference between the LOI 550 and TEML values indicates that the mass loss excess (MLE) may be accounted for by losses due to breakdown of carbonates.

Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Can pH and Water-to-Protein Ratio be Good Instruments to Evaluate the Abusive Water Added in Seafood by Phosphate Addition?

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the phosphates on tuna meat pH, and water-to-protein ratio. Tuna fillets were soaked in cold (5 °C) tripolyphosphate solution (STPP) and blend phosphate (CARNAL® 961) at 3, 5 and 10% for 30, 60 and 120 min. The control group was represented by cold distilled water. After soaking, the samples were drained, weighed, frozen, stored (-35 °C, for 15 days), thawed, drained, and grilled. After each step, samples were withdrawn for the following analysis: pH, phosphate (as P2O5), moisture and protein. A gradual increase in pH and residual phosphate was observed, which remained below the limits established by national (for pH) and international (for phosphate) legislation. A moderate positive correlation between pH and phosphate values was observed. An increase in moisture content and the water-to-protein ratio were observed, and still below to the legislation limit (i.e., 6.0). We suggest a critical review and possible changes in the parameters which are used as indicators of abusive use of the phosphate additive in seafood to combat the economic fraud in the frozen seafood products. It should be emphasized that these suggestions should be the focus of the collaborative study for its validation.     

A surplus production model with latent truncation and species targeting,with an application to Papua New Guinean fisheries

This paper first reviews traditional bio-economic models of catch–effort equilibrium and later contributions based on augmented and revised specifications. To overcome some of the pitfalls in fisheries analysis, an approach is formulated which accounts for latent truncation in the fishing fleet, species targeting and non-linear long-term relationships among catch, effort and biomass. The procedure is applied to purse seine and longline offshore marine fisheries in Papua New Guinea, where tuna and other fish resources are believed to be under-exploited on the whole, but selective overfishing is reported to take place. Statistical evidence of incidental truncation is weak, with results being sensitive to the selection of variables. Based on regression diagnostics and expected signs/statistical significance of parameter estimates, non-linear surplus production specifications prove to be more suited than original and unrestricted versions of the conventional approach for modelling the dominant (purse seine) fishery in PNG over the period 1979–2007, with both main and secondary target fishing being found not to exceed the maximum sustainable yield. In either case, policy implications of these results should be pondered against underreporting of official fish catches.     

Subsoiling of an oxisol at fixed and varying depth in areas under sugarcane

Precision Agriculture - Knowledge of the spatial variability of compaction would minimize the movement of soil and optimize the operation and economic viability of sugarcane activities. The present...     

Development and validation of a robust KASP marker for zt2 locus in faba bean (Vicia faba)

Faba bean has the potential to become a key food and feed protein crop in many areas of the world. The presence of tannins in its seed coat has limited the deployment of this crop as feed and food. The expression of either of the two recessive genes, zt1 and zt2, causes a great reduction of tannins from the seed coat and results in a white flower phenotype. Molecular markers linked to these loci are fundamental tools for speeding up the breeding of low-tannin varieties. The main aim of this study was to develop and validate a robust molecular marker linked to the zt2 locus. We used 176 recombinant inbred lines of the Disco/2 × ILB 938/2 cross at F₆ and genotyped those using 257 SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers. An SNP marker associated with zt2 locus was found on faba bean chromosome 3 and was used to develop a high-throughput low-cost KASP (kompetitive allele-specific PCR) marker. The KASP marker can successfully discriminate low-tannin faba beans carrying zt2 from those carrying zt1 and wild-type alleles.     

Population structure of purple sea urchin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Strongylocentrotus purpuratus</Emphasis> along the Baja California peninsula

Abstract:   Purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is fished from British Columbia, Canada to Punta Baja, Mexico. The North American population has been divided into northern and southern fishery stocks at the break of Point Conception, but little is known about its southernmost distribution along the Mexican Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula. In this study purple sea urchin populations in six sites along the Baja California peninsula were analyzed using mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP). A homogeneous distribution of three common haplotypes among all sites was observed. A significant F _ST value, however, indicated genetic structure mainly due to the haplotype array in San Miguel, Isla Todos Santos and Punta Baja sites, which were characterized by having high haplotype diversity and several unique haplotypes. Homogeneous distribution of haplotypes along the peninsula could have been influenced by the unidirectional California Current system, flowing north to south. Unique haplotypes in Punta Baja and the structure found could be the result of local oceanographic features specific to this major upwelling zone. It may be necessary to consider the Punta Baja populations individually when managing the purple sea urchin fishery in Baja California, as they show signs of being a unique stock.