Effects of Salinity,Commercial Salts,and Water Type on Cultivation of the Cryptophyte Microalgae Rhodomonas salina and the Calanoid Copepod Acartia tonsa

Marine aquaculture facilities positioned far from the sea need access to seawater (SW); hence, commercial salts are often the chosen solution. In marine hatcheries, most fish larvae require live feed (zooplankton) that are in turn fed with microalgae. The objective of this research was to investigate the applicability of commercial salts and clarify the potential effects on the cultivation of the microalga Rhodomonas salina and the copepod Acartia tonsa. Three commercial salts were tested, Red Sea Salt (RS), Red Sea – Coral Pro Salt (CP), and Blue Treasure Salt. R. salina was cultured at salinities of 10, 20, and 30 psu resulting in equal growth rates at salinities 20 and 30 in SW and RS mixed with deionized (DI) water. The optimum salinity for R. salina was 29 psu. For A. tonsa eggs, we observed highest hatching success in 30 psu with CP or RS mixed with DI water. The egg hatching success was not affected by salinities 15–40 and optimal hatching was obtained at 27 psu. Results confirm it was possible to use commercial salts for rearing of both R. salina and A. tonsa, widening the application of these species for aquaculture facilities without access to SW.     

Identification of genotyping-by-sequencing sequence tags associated with milling performance and end-use quality traits in hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) utilizes Next-Generation sequencing to genetically and physically map traits of interest. Here we use GBS to identify QTLs and SNP markers associated with milling and end-use quality traits in an hard red spring wheat recombinant inbred line (RIL) population. The RIL population and parents were phenotyped for eleven milling and end-use quality traits, and genotyped using GBS technology, simple sequence repeat (SSR) and allele specific sequence tagged site markers. A genetic map comprising 696 markers was used to map the end-use quality traits. Multiple QTL mapping identified 79 QTLs, 19 of which were declared ‘major’ as they explained greater than 15% of the phenotypic variance each. Transgressive segregants were observed for all phenotypes and co-locating QTLs controlling multiple quality traits were confirmed on chromosomes 1BL, 5AS, 7AS, 7AL and 7BS. To date, no GBS analysis to locate end-use quality QTLs in wheat has been conducted, thus the reporting and validation of these GBS sequence tags and their associated QTLs will shed light on the genetic architecture underlying these quantitative traits and assist wheat breeders in developing cultivars with favorable alleles through the use of marker assisted selection.     

Analysis of sinking death using video images of the swimming performance of Pacific Bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) larvae

In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanism of sinking death during the larval stage of Pacific Bluefin tuna Thunnus orientalis by investigating the effects of swimming performance on sinking death, using a behavioral approach. Swimming performance was examined 3–9 days after hatching (DAH) under day and night light conditions in cuboid experimental tanks. Swimming behavior variables such as swimming speed and swimming angle were measured under both light conditions. Larvae in the daytime experiment and larvae with inflated swim bladders at night were distributed on the surface layer of the water column. In contrast, larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night were frequently observed swimming vertically or sinking to the bottom of the tank. Larvae with inflated swim bladders at night were always distributed beneath the surface until the next morning (survival rates were 100 %). However, larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night swam upward repeatedly and later sank to the bottom of the tank (survival rates were 60 % and 38 % at 5 and 9 DAH, respectively). Larvae with uninflated swim bladders were not always able to maintain their swimming depth by swimming until the next morning. Additionally, their swimming speed and vertical swimming frequency (ratio) depended on the illumination and swim bladder conditions. Our findings show that larvae with uninflated swim bladders at night were associated with a higher risk of sinking death. The swimming energy capacity of Pacific Bluefin tuna larvae, which indicates the total amount of the energy that enables individuals to swim throughout the night without feeding, was found to be linked to sinking death.     

大型薄壳制件真空辅助树脂传递模塑工艺充模方案仿真分析及优化

针对大型树脂基复合材料制件不适于用实验试错法进行充模方案设计的问题,在分析树脂流动规律的基础上将大型薄壳件的求解区域分解,仿真分析了不同充模方案下树脂在纤维中的流动行为和模腔内压力变化,提出在制件填充面积等分处设置流道的方法,选择和优化大型薄壳制件的充模方案。结果表明:①对于不便进行实验试错法进行真空辅助树脂传递模塑(VARTM)工艺充模方案设计的大型薄壳制件,可以采用数值模拟的方式,以达西定律、能量守恒定律等为计算依据,求解压力场和速度场,对比不同仿真方案的充模时间等数据合理安排注胶方式方法,指导VARTM工艺制备大型复合材料制件合理安排注胶方式,提高生产率、减少因树脂浸润不均匀产生的缺陷。②对于大型薄壳类制件,忽略厚度方向尺寸,影响充模时间的主要因素为流道长度和树脂流动距离。选取尽可能长的注胶流道,合理设置流道位置以减少树脂流动的距离;长流道可以增加树脂瞬时注入量、提高较长时间的压力差;而树脂流程越长,树脂前锋处压力损失越大,流速越慢。③试验提出了制件填充面积等分处设置流道的方法。将大型薄壳工艺制件充模面积等分,注胶流道布置在垂直于制件长度方向的面积等分线上,可缩短充模时间并减少制件两端的树脂富集现象。对于较狭长部分可再次进行面积等分设置流道,以免造成树脂流程过长压力流失过多;而对于较宽阔部分不宜设置过多流道以免树脂前锋稳定前互相接触造成制件充模不均匀。     

棘胸蛙产卵量、卵子孵化率的比较研究

为选择适于闽北的棘胸蛙养殖品种,比较了异地引种棘胸蛙和本地引种棘胸蛙的产卵量和卵子孵化率。试验表明,异地经过几个世代驯化的棘胸蛙在总产卵量上要比本地引种的棘胸蛙要多两倍多,产卵总数为3071枚,本地引种的棘胸蛙产卵总数为863枚。异地引种棘胸蛙在卵子孵化率上也比本地引种棘胸蛙要高,平均为95.3%,而本地引种的棘胸蛙的卵子孵化率仅为64.18%,说明异地引种的棘胸蛙在闽北有较好的推广前景。     

In ovo injection of branched‐chain amino acids: Embryonic development,hatchability and hatching quality of turkey poults

In this study, the influence of a branched‐chain amino acid blend (BCAA composed of 3 l ‐leucine:1 l ‐valine:2 l ‐isoleucine) injected into the amniotic fluid was evaluated for embryonic growth, yolk‐sac (YS) utilization and development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and skeletal muscles of turkey embryos from day 24 of incubation (24E) to hatching, together with hatchability, poult quality and liver L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values at hatch. At day 22 of incubation, embryonated eggs (n = 240) were assigned to three treatments, that is, eggs were not injected (control, NC) or injected with 1.5 ml sterile solution with 0.9% salt (SA) or 0.2% BCAA blend (BCAAb). These solutions were injected manually into the amniotic fluid of the embryonated eggs. To determine weights and lengths (where appropriate) of the studied organs and tissues, four embryonated eggs and poults per treatment were selected at 24E and at hatch. While the BCAAb decreased the YS and embryo weight, hatchability and the liver L* value, it increased the weight and quality of poults and the weights of breast and thigh muscles at hatch. In conclusion, the in ovo feeding of the BCAA blend negatively affected hatchability but positively affected hatching weight and poult quality by improving development of skeletal muscles and by regulating energy metabolism.     

Measurement of membrane integrity in canine spermatozoa using a fluorescent computer‐assisted spermatozoal quantification method and manual counting after eosin‐nigrosin staining compared with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining

The aim of this study was to compare measurement of spermatozoal membrane status using computer‐assisted spermatozoal quantification (CASQ) and eosin‐nigrosin (EN) staining with manual counting after CFDA/PI staining. Analysis was performed on both fresh and thawed cryopreserved canine semen. Membrane‐disrupted spermatozoa (MDS) were counted using CASQ (n = 311) in an untreated sample and a completely membrane‐disrupted sample, and the percentage of membrane‐intact spermatozoa (MIS) calculated: (Total count ? Untreated sample count) ÷ Total count × 100. Spermatozoa were stained with a one‐step EN stain (n = 501), and then, at least 100 spermatozoa were manually examined under ×1,000 magnification and classified as MDS (stained with eosin) or MIS (non‐stained). Spermatozoa from the same samples were also stained with CFDA/PI, and then, at least 200 spermatozoa were manually examined under ×1,000 magnification and classified as MIS (completely stained by CFDA) or MDS. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa (PMS) was determined by both computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) and subjective methodologies, and the data were subsequently analysed to measure the agreement between the CASQ and EN methods with the CFDA/PI technique using Bland–Altman methodology. Pearson's correlation was measured between the MIS and PMS percentage samples and correlation coefficients compared. The mean MIS percentage was lower for CASQ and higher for EN than in CFDA/PI for all comparisons. The agreement of MIS percentage between CASQ and CFDA/PI was ?20.2% to 32.0%, and between EN and CFDA/PI was ?32.9% to 14.9%. In all methods, the MIS and PMS percentages were correlated (p < .001). Measurement of CFDA/PI appeared to be the most reliable and accurate method of determining MIS percentage in dogs. Further investigation is required to determine whether the CASQ technique can be improved. Eosin‐nigrosin staining also appeared to be unreliable at MIS <80% and overestimated the MIS percentage.     

Morphological evaluation of olive germplasm present in Tuscany region

Undesirable characteristic of rapeseed oil is a relatively high level of linolenic acid (18:3), which is easily oxidized leading to rancidity and a shortened shelf life of the oil. Previous attempts to reduce linolenic acid levels in rapeseed oil through breeding have been impaired by complex genetics and strong environmental sensitivity of this trait. Therefore, our objective was to develop molecular markers for low linolenic acid that could facilitate the breeding of low linolenic rapeseed. Bulked segregant analysis was employed to identify two RAPD markers associated with 18:3 in a doubled haploid population segregating for linolenic and erucic acid levels. Based on analysis of individual DH lines, the markers RM350 and RM574, representing two independent loci, accounted for a total of 39% of the genetic variability in this population. This marker RM350 alone accounted for 25% genetic variation for this trait with no evidence of recombination. Significant interlocus interaction found between the markers RM350 and RM574 suggested that epistasis was involved in the genetic control of 18:3 level in this population. Another marker designated as RM322, which was independent of the other two, was found significantly associated with the erucic acid level and oil content. RAPD markers identified in this study should be a useful tool for the early detection of low linolenic, or low or high erucic acid genotypes in rapeseed breeding programs based on doubled haploids. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

中国卤虫卵孵化温度特性的研究

依据有效积温法则,对中国12个主要地理品系卤虫卵的孵化速度、发育起点温度及其发育同步性作了分析。结果表明,各品系的孵化速度因温度不同而差异极显著;相同温度下各品系间孵化速度也有显著差异;在沿海品系中,其发育起点温度由北往南基本呈递增趋势。以各品系孵化发育历期的变差系数作为发育同步性的衡量指标,依据发育同步性程度及发育起点温度、有效积温进行聚类分析,提出了适合我国卤虫卵加工及使用的最佳品系组合。