Cohort‐specific variation in juvenile coho salmon habitat use

In this study, we examined summer and fall freshwater rearing habitat use by juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the quickly urbanising Big Lake drainage in south‐central Alaska. Habitat use was assessed by regressing fish count data against habitat survey information across thirty study sites using generalised linear mixed models. Habitat associations were examined by age‐0 and age‐1+ cohorts separately, providing an opportunity to compare habitat use across different juvenile coho salmon life stages during freshwater rearing. Regression results indicated that the age‐0 cohorts were strongly associated with shallow, wide stream reaches with in‐stream vegetation, whereas age‐1+ cohorts were associated with deeper stream reaches. Furthermore, associations between fork length and habitat characteristics suggest cohort‐specific habitat use patterns are distinct from those attributable to fish size. Habitat use information generated from this study is being used to guide optimal fish passage restoration planning in the Big Lake drainage. Evidence for habitat use partitioning by age cohort during freshwater juvenile rearing indicates that pooling age cohorts into a single “juvenile” stage for the purposes of watershed management may mask important habitat use dynamics.     

Soil organic carbon stock variability in the Northern Gangetic Plains of India: interaction between agro‐ecological characteristics and cropping systems

Soil organic carbon (SOC) content and its spatial distribution in the Northern Gangetic Plain (NGP) Zone of India were determined to establish the cause–effect relationship between agro‐ecological characteristics, prevailing crop management practices and SOC stock. Area Spread Index (ASI) approach was used to collect soil samples from the NGP areas supporting predominant cropping systems. Exponential ordinary kriging was found most suitable geo‐statistical model for developing SOC surface maps of the NGP. Predicted surface maps indicated that 43.7% area of NGP had 0.5–0.6% SOC, while the rest of the area was equally distributed with high (0.61–0.75%) and low (< 0.5%) SOC content levels. Averaged across cropping systems, maximum SOC content was recorded in Bhabar and Tarai Zone (BTZ), followed by Central Plain Zone (CPZ), Mid‐Western Plain Zone (MWPZ), Western Plain Zone (WPZ) and South‐Western Plain Zone (SWPZ) of the NGP. The SOC stock was above the optimum threshold (> 12.5 Mg/ha) in 97.8, 57.6 and 46.4% areas of BTZ, CPZ and MWPZ, respectively. Only 9.8 and 0.4% area of WPZ and SWPZ, respectively, had SOC stock above the threshold value. The variation in SOC stock was attributed largely to carbon addition through recycling of organic sources, cropping systems, tillage intensity, crop or residue cover and land‐use efficiency, nutrient‐use pattern, soil texture and prevailing ecosystem. Adoption of conservation agriculture, balanced use of nutrients, inclusion of legumes in cropping systems and agro‐forestry were suggested for enhancing SOC stock in the region.     

Carrier rate of the c.235G>C mutation in the bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) gene of Japanese Black cows at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan,and analysis of the metabolic profiling and reproductive performance of heterozygous cows

Bovine isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IARS) disorder, a major cause of weak calf syndrome, is caused by a homozygous missense (c.235G>C) mutation in the bovine IARS gene of Japanese Black (JB) cattle, which was identified in 2013. However, the extent to which the carrier rate has changed at Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, and whether the carrier status is associated with any clinical or reproductive problems, have yet to be ascertained. In this study, using a real-time polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping assay, we determined the carrier rate in a regional JB cow population at Kagoshima prefecture. Comparative analyses were performed on the metabolic profile test (MPT) results and reproductive performance data obtained for heterozygous carrier and homozygous wild-type cows. In 2009 and 2018, DNA samples were collected from 130 and 462 clinically healthy JB cows, respectively, in Kagoshima prefecture. MPT results and reproductive performance data were evaluated for 62 cows, comprising four heterozygous carriers and 58 wild-type cows. Genotyping revealed that the carrier rate was 6.9% in 2009 and 1.5% in 2018, the difference of which was statistically significant (P<0.005). There were no statistically significant differences between the carrier and wild-type cows with respect to either MPT results or reproductive performance, indicating that the carrier cows have necessary IARS activity to maintain minimal health and reproductive potential.     

海氏桨角蚜小蜂的多次交配行为及繁殖效益

海氏桨角蚜小蜂Eretmocerus hayati是烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci的优势寄生蜂,了解寄生蜂的交配行为有利于完善其规模化繁殖技术。通过对海氏桨角蚜小蜂的首次交配及再次交配、配偶选择等行为学观察,以及多次交配对雌蜂繁殖量影响的生物学试验,明确了该蜂的交配过程包括求偶、交尾前期、交尾和交尾后期;雌蜂在整个生活史中未观察到再次交配;雄蜂可在首次交配后迅速进行再次交配,首次交配后1 h内的再次交配率为83.3%,62.5%的个体可在2 h内完成第3次交配,再次交配的行为持续时间显著低于首次交配;雄蜂的交配次数对自身寿命及其配偶的寄生量无显著影响;此外,在配偶选择中,处女蜂倾向于接受有交配经历的雄蜂,多头雄蜂间存在竞争行为进而干扰交配成功率。     

Dietary Moringa oleferia leaf meal induce growth,innate immunity and cytokine expression in grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The present research was designed to investigate the growth promoting and immunostimulating properties of Moringa oleferia leaf meal (MLM) in grass carp. Juvenile grass carp (22.03 g ± 1.164) were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg MLM for 48 days. At the end of feeding trial, skin mucus was used for analysis of lysozyme, protease, antiprotease and peroxidase activity. Head kidney was used for expression analysis of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐8 and interferon‐γ. The obtained results showed that fish fed with 100 and 150 g/kg MLM had significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate (p < .05). However, condition factor was not altered. The MLM (50 and 100 g/kg) inclusion resulted in higher mucus lysozyme and protease activity (p < .05), while peroxidase activity increased only in fish fed with 100 g/kg MLM and antiprotease activity was not altered. Expression of tnf‐α increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant (p < .05) increase was recorded in fish fed with 150 g/kg MLM. The expression of il‐8 and ifn‐γ increased in fish fed with 50 and 150 g/kg MLM; however, the increase was not significant (p > .05). In conclusion, supplementing juvenile grass carp feed with MLM up to 150 g/kg has growth promoting and immunostimulating effects.     

Relative potencies of natural estrogens on vitellogenin and choriogenin levels in the Indian freshwater spotted snakehead, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa punctata</Emphasis>: in vivo and in vitro studies

The relative efficacies of three natural estrogens viz., estrone (E₁), estradiol-17β (E₂) and estriol (E₃) to induce synthesis of vitellogenin (Vg) and choriogenin (Chg) were assessed in primary hepatocyte cultures of the Indian freshwater spotted snakehead, Channa punctata. Hepatocytes were isolated from the spotted snakehead liver by a non-enzymatic protocol. Optimum culture conditions were standardized for ensuring their viability and functioning. Isolated hepatocytes were cultured for 48 h for monolayer formation and then exposed to various concentrations (0.001–10 μM) of the three estrogens. Competitive homologous ELISAs, developed and validated for spotted snakehead Vg and Chg were employed to determine the amounts of these two proteins secreted into the culture medium after 48 h of incubation. The results reveal that although all the three estrogens were effective in inducing the production of Vg and Chg in a dose-dependent manner, there were differences in their relative potencies. Of three estrogens, E₁ was the least potent and could induce synthesis of Vg and Chg only at a minimum concentration of 0.5 μM; whereas significant levels of both the proteins were quantified in culture medium by exposing the hepatocytes to E₂ or E₃ even at a concentration of 0.001 μM. All three estrogens were effective in inducing synthesis of Vg and Chg in vivo also. These results suggest the possibility of employing the above in vitro experimental design to monitor the presence of estrogens/estrogen-like chemicals in natural waters, which could interfere with the estrogen receptor system of fish. This study further points to the possibility of using Chg, in addition to Vg, as a parameter for screening various chemicals for their estrogenic activity.     

Differential HSP90α expression in fish hepatocytes from polluted estuary during summer

The molecular chaperone, heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α), plays an important role in protein folding, degradation of denatured proteins and steroid activation. It is essential for the maintenance of cellular integrity and survival when induced in response to environmental, physical and chemical stresses. In the present investigation the effect of environmental stress on HSP90α expression was examined in grey mullet Mugil cephalus living in either a contaminated (Ennore) or uncontaminated (Kovalam) estuary over two seasons: Hepatocytes were isolated from grey mullet of both estuaries. Oxidative stress was determined along with HSP90α in these fish. Additionally, immunohistochemical changes were studied to confirm the HSP90α expression. Comparison of the results revealed enhanced hepatocyte oxidative stress and HSP90α expressions in fish from Ennore to a significant extent than fish from Kovalam. Also, the results showed significant seasonal variations with maximum expression observed during summer compared to the monsoon season. Overexpression of HSP90α in hepatocytes exposed to chronic environmental stress by pollutants may confer differential effects on cell survival by protecting against oxidative stress induced changes. The results also indicate that seasonal variations have significant effect on the HSP90α expression.     

Isolation, characterization and antifungal activity of major constituents of the Himalayan lichen Parmelia reticulata Tayl

Antifungal activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Parmelia reticulata was evaluated against soilborne pathogenic fungi, namely, Sclerotium rolfsii, Rhizoctonia solani, R. bataticola, Fusarium udum, Pythium aphanidermatum and P. debaryanum by poisoned food technique. Maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by hexane and ethyl acetate extracts against most of the test pathogens. Secondary metabolites, namely, (±)-isousnic acid, (±)-protolichesterinic acid, atranorin, evernyl, ethyl hematommate, ethyl orsellinate, methyl hematommate (3-formyl-2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid methyl ester), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoic acid, 1-hydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-8-methyl-xanthen-9-one, baeomycesic acid and salazinic acid, were isolated from the above extracts and identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopic methods. When these metabolites were tested for antifungal activity against test pathogens, maximum antifungal activity was exhibited by (±)-protolichesterinic acid against R. solani (ED50=23.09 μg mL(-1)) and P. debaryanum (ED50=16.07 μg mL(-1)) and by atranorin against S. rolfsii (ED50=39.70 μg mL(-1)). The antifungal activity of protolichesterinic acid was found to be comparable to that of hexaconazole, a commercial fungicide.     

Detection efficiency and habitat use to inform inventory and monitoring efforts: juvenile coho salmon in the Knik River basin,Alaska

Imperfect detection associated with sampling gear presents challenges for wildlife inventory and monitoring efforts. We examined occupancy dynamics and habitat use of juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, in shallow lake environments over a summer and early fall season in the Knik River area of south central Alaska using models which control for and estimate sampling gear detection efficiency. In addition, we present statements for the probability that observed absences at a survey site or from a survey area (a collection of sites) are true absences given some amount of sampling effort and analysts' beliefs about site occupancy and sampling gear detection efficiency which can be used to guide inventory and monitoring efforts for juvenile salmon or other wildlife and plant species. Occupancy modelling results demonstrate that minnow traps were effective at sampling juvenile coho in shallow lake environments, with a mean probability of detection across the study period of 0.68 (i.e., probability of detecting the presence of juvenile coho given that they are present at a trap site; SE = 0.03). Juvenile coho salmon migrated into shallow water lakes in late summer and early fall, presumably to seek out overwinter habitat. N‐mixture modelling examination of habitat use demonstrated that once in shallow lake environments, juvenile coho were widely distributed across a range of microhabitats, with some evidence for preference for shallower depths and warmer water temperatures.     

Fragment Bb of bovine complement factor B: stimulatory effect on the microbicidal activity of bovine monocytes.

We have previously shown that the Bb fragment of bovine complement factor B activates bovine monocytes and neutrophils. The activation was demonstrated by the enhanced uptake of 3H-deoxyglucose. To investigate the potential effect of fragment Bb on the microbicidal activity of bovine monocytes, a direct method was used. This method involves an initial ingestion period at 37 degrees C followed by repeated washing. The decrease in the total number of viable intracellular Staphylococcus aureus during the reincubation of the bacteria with bovine monocytes determines the intracellular killing. Maximal intracellular killing was seen when the monocytes containing the ingested S. aureus was incubated with fresh bovine serum (mean +/- SEM = 73.4 +/- 1.4%). On incubation of the monocytes, containing the ingested bacteria with heat-inactivated bovine serum, 32.5 +/- 0.7% of the intracellular bacteria were killed. When affinity-purified bovine factor Bb was added to the heat-inactivated serum, the intracellular killing capacity was almost restored (65.8 +/- 1.5%). When monocytes were incubated with medium alone, they killed 22.4% of the intracellular microorganisms. When fragment Bb (25 micrograms/mL) was added to the medium, the intracellular killing of S. aureus doubled (46 +/- 1.29%). We conclude that the Bb fragment of bovine complement factor B stimulates bovine monocytes in their microbicidal activity.