Circadian heart rate changes and light-dependence in the Mediterranean seabream Sparus aurata

Despite the abundant literature on circadian heart rate rhythms in fish, few studies have attempted to elucidate if such pattern is endogenous or if it is modulated by environmental cues. In this study, heart rates were continuously recorded in Sparus aurata acclimated to different light regimes (normal or shifted LD 12:12 cycle and a pulsed 0.75:0.75 LD cycle) to investigate the endogenous nature and the role of light on the circadian pattern of heart rate. Under LD 12:12, the daily pattern of heart rate showed higher values at night and lower rates during the day (average amplitude of the heart rate change of 10.6 ± 5.7 beats min^–1). The circadian pattern was maintained in animals under constant light but the amplitude was decreased (2.4 ± 1.1 beats min^–1). Light masks the expression of the rhythm because under a pulsed LD cycle, heart rate tracks the pulsed LD phases, increasing during the dark phase and decreasing during the light phase. Besides the ultradian pattern imposed, an underlying circadian rhythm was detected, which indicates that the rhythm is endogenous. However, the strong link between heart rate and light obtained under pulsed LD cycles suggest the timing mechanism to be mostly based on external light reception.     

First isolation of Tenacibaculum maritimum from wedge sole, Dicologoglossa cuneata (Moreau)

The first isolation of Tenacibaculum maritimum from wedge sole, Dicologoglossa cuneata, is reported. The pathogen was recovered from ulcers of cultured fish, from three different outbreaks. The six isolates obtained were biochemically and serologically characterized and diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates constituted a homogeneous phenotypic group; however, they belong to two of the different serotypes described within this species. A virulence evaluation of the isolates using Wedge sole fry was also performed.     

Histopathological effects of cadmium on the gills of the freshwater fish, Macropsobrycon uruguayanae Eigenmann (Pisces, Atherinidae)

Evaluations of histopathological lesions in gill tissue were carried out in the freshwater fish Macropsobrycon uruguayanae following 30 and 60 days of exposure to 1.5 mg 1^-1 of cadmium. The study was conducted on both fed and starved animals in order to determine the influence of feeding condition on cadmium toxicity. The main lesions observed and quantified were: (1) hyperplasia of primary lamellar epithelium; (2) hyperplasia of secondary lamellar epithelium; (3) separation of respiratory epithelium; (4) shortening of secondary lamellae; (5) epithelial necrosis; (6) fusion of adjacent secondary lamellae; (7) hypertrophy of respiratory epithelium; (8) lamellar telangiectasis; (9) hyperplasia of chloride cells; (10) mucinous metaplasia; and (11) inflammatory infiltration. Lesions 6, 8, 9 and 11 were only induced by exposure to cadmium, while lesion 4 could be produced only by starvation. Starved fish also showed a reduction in total body weight and length. Lesion 2 was shown to be non-specific, and produced by either cadmium, starvation or even exposure time. The possible mode of action of the experimental factors are discussed in relation to the observed pathologies.     

Expression of genes involved in the early immune response at the distal segment of the gut in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L. after vaccination with a bacterial antigen

The gastro-intestinal tract serves as the route of infection of most bacterial pathogens in fish, and the immune response genes in the gut produce substances that provide an initial defense during pathogen invasion. The expression of some genes involved in antibacterial defense, cell-mediated immunity and inflammation in the distal intestine of Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., was investigated following intraperitoneal vaccination with heat-killed Vibrio anguillarum. Tissue samples of the distal intestine were collected at 0, 1, 3, 7 and 10 days post-vaccination (dpv) and processed for semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses. Expression of the bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein/lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (BPI/LBP), g-type lysozyme, non-specific cytotoxic cell receptor protein-1 (NCCRP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) significantly increased during the early stages post-vaccination, that is, 1–3 dpv, followed by a decrease in their expression returning to their initial levels. Transferrin and apolipoprotein A-I, although weakly expressed in the distal intestine, also increased in the vaccinated fish. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was significantly decreased in its expression level relative to the PBS-injected fish at 3 and 7 dpv. The expression of these immune-related genes in the distal intestine as a result of vaccination provides valuable information on the mechanisms of gut immunity in the fish against pathogenic bacteria, particularly during the early stages of infection.     

Comparative feeding, growth and movements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr from riverine and estuarine environments

Abstract– The diet composition, movcments and growth of Atlantic salmon parr rearing in the estuary of Western Arm Brook, Newfoundland were compared with those of parr from riverine habitats over 2 years. Estuarine parr consumed a variety of prey, including many freshwater taxa (mainly insects), which indicated a dependence on freshwater drift from the river. Prey of estuarine origin (amphipods and sticklebacks) were increasingly consumed between spring and autumn. Prey volume per fish and number of prey per fish increased significantly for estuarine parr between spring and autumn, suggesting an improvement in food availability. Riverine parr, however, realized a general decrease in both parameters between spring and autumn. The recapture of 16% ( n = 131) of the 829 parr marked in the estuary in 1987 and 1988 indicated a directed movement toward the head of the estuary and river mouth, as also suggested by the diet analysis. Parr from outer estuary sites were very mobile compared with parr from the estuary site closest to the river mouth, which behaved more like parr in the river proper in displaying strong site fidelity. Movement patterns of parr were primarily along the shoreline. Individual growth rates were highly variable in both environments but especially in the estuary. The mean growth of estuarine parr was 0.23 mm. d⁻¹ between May and October with some evidence of fastest growth having occurred in late spring and early summer (approx. 0.4 mm. d⁻¹); mean growth rate of riverine parr was slower, at 0.12 mm. d⁻¹. The results are discussed in the context that estuarine rearing by salmon parr represents an alternative life-history tactic for the species in river systems in eastern Canada.     

Production of polyclonal antiserum against recombinant VP28 protein and its application for the detection of white spot syndrome virus in crustaceans

The VP28 gene of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was cloned into pRSET B expression vector. The VP28 protein was expressed as a protein with a 6-histidine taq in Escherichia coli GJ1158 with NaCl induction. Antiserum was raised against this recombinant-VP28 protein in rabbits and it recognized VP28 protein in naturally and experimentally WSSV-infected shrimp, marine crabs, freshwater prawns and freshwater crabs. The antiserum did not recognize any of the other known WSSV structural proteins. Various organs such as eyestalks, head muscle, gill tissue, heart tissue, haemolymph, tail tissue and appendages were found to be good materials for detection of WSSV using the antiserum and detection of WSSV was successful in experimentally infected Penaeus monodon and P. indicus at 12 and 24 h post-infection (p.i.), respectively. The antiserum was capable of detecting WSSV in 5 ng of total haemolymph protein from WSSV-infected shrimp.     

Production of salmonid amoebic gill disease by exposure to Paramoeba sp. harvested from the gills of infected fish

Atlantic salmon, S almo salar L., were exposed to different concentrations of Paramoeba sp. The lowest concentration which induced amoebic gill disease (AGD) was 230 Paramoeba sp. L^–1 and the severity of infection increased with increasing concentration. The concentration of Paramoeba sp. positively correlated with the number of gill lesions ( R ² > 0.7). This study provides evidence that Paramoeba sp. is the causative agent of AGD and describes an experimental model that enables the severity of the induced disease to be controlled.     

Breaking the ice: the introduction of biofouling organisms to Antarctica on vessel hulls

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Photosynthetic suspended-growth systems in aquaculture

Standardized evaluation and rating of biofilters for aquaculture should be assessed in the context of the economic efficiency of ecological services (waste assimilation, nutrient recycling, and internal food production) provided by earthen ponds, and the availability and cost of land, water, and electrical energy resources required to support particular classes of production systems. In photosynthetic suspended-growth systems, water quality control is achieved by a combination of natural and mechanical processes. Natural processes include photosynthesis of oxygen, algal nutrient uptake, coupled nitrification–denitrification, and organic matter oxidation; mechanical processes include aeration and water circulation. Ammonia is controlled by a combination of phytoplankton uptake, nitrification, and immobilization by bacteria. Unlike biofilters for recirculating aquaculture systems, unit processes are combined and are an integral part of the culture unit. The important design and operational considerations for photosynthetic suspended-growth systems include temperature effects, aeration and mixing, quantity and quality of loaded organic matter, and fish water quality tolerance limits. The principle advantages of photosynthetic suspended-growth systems are lower capital costs relative to other recirculating aquaculture systems and increased control over stock management relative to conventional static ponds. The main disadvantage is the relatively low degree of control over water quality and phytoplankton density, metabolism, and community composition relative to other recirculating aquaculture systems. Examples of photosynthetic suspended-growth systems include semi-intensive ponds, intensively aerated outdoor lined ponds, combined intensive–extensive ponds, partitioned aquaculture systems, greenwater tanks, greenwater tanks with solids removal, and greenwater recirculating aquaculture systems.