A computer vision system for oocyte counting using images captured by smartphone

This work proposes a computer vision procedure for counting Twospot astyanax (Astyanax bimaculatus) oocytes in Petri dishes using images captured by smartphone. First, the proposed procedure uses simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC) to divide the images into groups of pixels (superpixels). Then, based on their color and space characteristics, the images are classified into light background, dark background, dirt, or oocyte by a machine learning algorithm. Five different types of machine learning algorithms were tested: support vector machines (SVM), decision trees using the algorithm J48 and random forest, k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), and Naive Bayes. To train the algorithms, 8.578 superpixels were classified by an expert into oocyte (n = 354), dirtiness (n = 651), dark background (n = 3.622), and light background (n = 3.951). Of the five learning algorithms, SVM obtained the best result with 97% correct oocyte recognition. Given the wide availability of smartphones, we therefore conclude that the presented procedure can be a valuable tool in future experiments and studies on fertilization and hatching success in Twospot astyanax.     

Seasonal dynamics of fish assemblage in a pond canal

The annual dynamics of fish assemblage in a pond-connecting canal of a South Moravian pond aquaculture facility was studied to reveal potential assemblage effects on pond stocks and vice versa. The species richness of fish assemblage and seasonal dynamics of its development were predominantly dependent upon the fish stock of the interconnected ponds (particularly due to escapees during the period of pond harvesting), which contributed to a considerable increase of commercial fish species occurrence. Using a seasonal parameter, the season proved to have a major impact on fish assemblage dynamics (r = −0.71, P < 0.001). Spring samples were dominated by commercial fishes of aquaculture origin (mainly Cyprinus carpio). Occurrence of several fish species originating from the wild (bleak, Alburnus alburnus, chub, Leuciscus cephalus and roach, Rutilus rutilus) was also reported. The pond canal was found to be an important reservoir site of persistent survival and potential subsequent spreading of some undesirable alien fishes such as topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva) and gibel carp (Carrasius auratus). Moreover, more attention should be paid to the potential negative impacts of all fishes of aquaculture origin upon the natural ecosystem and to the adverse effects due to the immigration of wild fish into aquaculture pond farming units.     

4种饲料投喂对鲻(Mugil cephalus)生长及鱼体组成的影响

以初始体重(25.0±1.59) g的鲻为研究对象,通过8周的生长实验,研究不同饲料投喂对鲻的生长及鱼体生化组成的影响。处理组分别为面粉组(T1)、米糠组(T2)、虾料组(T3)和鱼料组(T4)。研究结果显示,在室内水族缸内单一地使用面粉或米糠投喂,鲻几乎不生长,但仍能维持较高的成活率(>80%)。虾料组的特定生长率(1.46 %/d)和饲料效率(48.62%)均为各组最高,约为鱼料组的两倍,且两组的特定生长率和饲料效率均显著高于面粉组和米糠组(P<0.05)。面粉组和米糠组的周均日摄食量在第4周后迅速降低(<0.80 g/d),而整个养殖期间虾料组和鱼料组普遍高于0.80 g/d,且在第8周明显升高。养殖结束时全鱼的粗蛋白以米糠组最高(18.62%±1.36%),粗脂肪以虾料组最高(10.52%±0.36%)。面粉组有较明显的粗脂肪积累(8.01%±0.42%)。研究结果表明,碳水化合物(面粉)水平的提高会促进鲻全鱼脂肪的积累,用米糠代替配合饲料投喂时可维持鲻的粗蛋白含量水平。     

短蛸(Amphioctopus fangsiao)幼体摄食行为和不同饵料对其生长、存活的影响

为了研究短蛸(Amphioctopus fangsiao)不同生长阶段的饵料需求,本研究采用刚孵化的短蛸幼体作为实验材料,首先观察不同环境条件下短蛸幼体的摄食行为,然后通过投喂不同的饵料,对短蛸幼体的生长过程进行研究。结果显示,卤虫无节幼体密度从0.1个/ml上升至1个/ml的过程中,密度在0.1个/ml时短蛸初孵幼体摄食量高;1–2 d龄幼体和2–3 d龄幼体有较为强烈的摄食行为,因此,需要从孵化第2天开始重视短蛸幼体的饵料情况。晚上是初孵幼体的摄食活跃阶段,在室内光和黑暗条件下均表现出高摄食量。投喂混合饵料时,短蛸幼体有较高的存活率和增长率;初孵幼体(0.03 g)培育过程中,卤虫无节幼体是关键饵料;当幼体开始附底(0.1 g)时,应及时进行饵料转换,虾苗和贝肉是附底幼体的重要饵料。该研究结果对短蛸规模化苗种繁育具有重要实用价值。     

Dietary fishmeal levels affect the volatile compounds in cooked muscle of farmed large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea

A comparative study on the volatile compounds in cooked muscle of wild and farmed large yellow croaker (LYC) was conducted. The two farmed LYC groups were fed with diets containing 44% (CF) and 25% (LF) of fish meal (FM) respectively. Results showed that 48 volatiles, including aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, hydrocarbons, aromatics, acids, esters, furans and miscellaneous compound, were detected in cooked fillets. The LF group had significantly lower amounts of total aldehydes and ketones, higher content of miscellaneous compound in cooked fillets than that in the CF and wild groups (p < .05). Compared with the wild group, the LF group had significantly lower amounts of total alcohols, acids and esters, while the CF group had significantly lower amounts of total aldehydes, higher content of total ketones in cooked muscle (p < .05). According to the principal component analysis (PCA), some volatiles (propanal, nonanal, etc.) could be considered as sensitive indicators to classify cooked muscle samples. In conclusion, differences in the volatiles in the cooked muscle between the wild and farmed LYC have been found. Low level of dietary FM (25%) changed the volatile profiles in cooked fillets of farmed LYC. A PCA may be useful to screen potential volatiles to classify cooked muscle samples in this study.     

Effects of dietary substitution of soya bean meal for fish meal on consumption, growth, and metabolism of juvenile giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

A 42‐day study was conducted where prawns (0.32 g) were fed diets where 0, 20, 50, 75 and 100 g (100 g)^?1 of fish meal was replaced by soya bean meal (SBM). Feed intake was not significantly affected by inclusion of SBM, while specific growth rate and conversion efficiency decreased with increasing dietary SBM. Standard metabolic rate was significantly affected by dietary soya bean level, and was the highest in the 75 g (100 g)^?1 SBM group. Carcass dry matter, crude fat and energy value declined with increasing SBM inclusion. SBM, without supplementation of amino acids or other additives, was not suitable as a major protein source in freshwater‐prawn diets.     

A behavioural sensor for fish stress

Due to water turbidity, fish stress might be difficult to observe. Evaluation of fish stress by blood sampling requires removing a fish from the water, which is in itself a stressful event. Therefore, we designed and built a sensor to detect fish behaviour that reflects stress. The electronic sensor detected early signs of fish stress by scoring the fish's inactivity. LEDs and detectors are embedded on a steel wand that is held underwater by an operator. In this preliminary (feasibility) study, the new sensor was validated for Tilapia (Cichlidae) and Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone). We induced stressful situations in the fish tanks by manipulating oxygen and temperature levels.ResultsLowering the temperature and oxygen levels both significantly increased the average number of signals identified by the sensor, which indicate stress. The effect of reducing water temperature from 24 °C to 15 °C was three times stronger than was the effect of lowering the oxygen saturation level from 85% to 50%. The difference in the number of signals between the good and stressful conditions was statistically significant, amounting to approximately eight sensor signals, 10.57 compared to 2.49 respectively. Lowering the temperature increased the mean number of signals by 5.85 and 6.06 at 85% and 50% oxygen saturation respectively, whereas lowering oxygen levels increased the mean number of signals by 2.02 and 2.23 at 24 °C and 15 °C, respectively. The results indicate that the stress status of cultured fish can be evaluated using the proposed behavioural sensor. The new sensor may provide an earlier indication of a problem in a fish tank or pond than was heretofore possible. This early warning can enable the fish farmer to take action before many fish are harmed.     

Experimental investigation on the transport of different fish species in a jet fish pump

A jet fish pump with a throat of ø60 mm was designed to study its performance in the transport of different fish species and the physiological changes in fish thereafter. Experiments were conducted to investigate the fish transport rate and energy required to transport each ton of fish when transporting Carassius auratus, commonly known as the Chinese goldfish, Megalobrama amblycephala, or Wuchang bream, and Ctenopharyngodon idella, the grass carp. Fish were examined for external injuries as well as for several important enzymes and hormones which are indicators of tissue injury and stress. The results showed that the transport rate for all three species of fish rose dramatically with an increase in the primary stream rate. In this experiment, the transport rates of C. auratus, M. amblycephala and C. idella reached 2357 ± 37.2 kg ∙ h⁻¹, 2888 ± 41.6 kg ∙ h⁻¹, and 2060 ± 40.2 kg ∙ h⁻¹, respectively. However, both injury rate and energy required to transport each ton of fish increased no matter whether the primary stream rate was too low or too high. Considering both transport rate and injury rate, the mean primary stream rate of 80 m³ ∙ h⁻¹ was determined to be the optimal operating condition in this experiment. Fish were stressed and most likely some of their organs were damaged. However, most physiological indexes almost fully recovered after several hours.     

基于转录组测序技术挖掘长吻鮠生长关键基因

为挖掘我国名优鱼类长吻鮠 (Leiocassis longirostris)生长相关基因,本研究运用Illumina高通量测序技术比较分析了快速生长组[平均体质量为(534.02±53.68) g]和缓慢生长组[平均体质量为(108.41±4.96) g]各9尾长吻鮠的脑组织基因表达谱。测序共获得267 404 674个高质量测序片段(clean reads),通过2种不同生长速率长吻鮠脑组织转录组比较筛选出518个差异表达基因,其中,412 个基因表达量上调,106个基因表达量下调。对12个差异表达基因进行实时荧光定量PCR验证的结果与转录组测序结果一致。GO功能分类显示,大量差异表达基因富集到生长(growth)、生长因子活性(growth factor activity)和激素介导的信号通路(hormone-mediated signaling pathway) GO条目中。KEGG富集分析显示,一些差异表达基因在MAPK信号通路(MAPK signaling pathway)、转化生长因子β信号通路(TGF-beta signaling pathway)、钙离子信号通路(calcium signaling pathway)和神经活性配体–受体相互作用(neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction)等途径中富集。根据GO功能注释和KEGG富集分析,筛选出gnrh、thr、egr1、fgf18、sst、gipr、cart和crf等基因是调控长吻鮠生长发育的关键候选基因。本研究结果为后续深入研究长吻鮠生长调控机制提供了重要的参考资料。