Genetic characterization of a collection of chayote, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sechium edule</Emphasis> (Jacq.) Swartz,in Costa Rica by using isozyme markers

We established protocols for the analysis of genetic diversity in chayote (Sechium edule) by using isozyme markers, thereby determining the level of genetic diversity present in 42 accessions of chayote from Costa Rica. We obtained clear and reproducible zymograms for eight enzyme staining systems: PGM, 6-PGD, PGI, IDH, MDH, SOD, SKD, and EST, and were able to score 14 putative loci. Eight of the 14 loci examined were polymorphic. We found 35 distinct multilocus genotypes among these accessions. Five of these multilocus genotypes were homozygous for all loci. In addition, our data also revealed that most of the multilocus genotypes (24) were heterozygous for only one of the eight loci, and the rest were heterozygous for two or three loci (9 and 4 accessions, respectively). Seven multilocus genotypes were found in two different accessions. Dice similarity coefficient was used to study the relationship between accessions. This analysis, based on the presence and absence of alleles, revealed that accessions collected in the same location seldom shared the same multilocus genotype. The value of isozyme polymorphisms as tools to continue studies on the characterization of chayote is discussed.     

Effects of no‐take area size and age of marine protected areas on fisheries yields: a meta‐analytical approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often promoted as tools for biodiversity conservation as well as for fisheries management. Despite increasing evidence of their usefulness, questions remain regarding the optimal design of MPAs, in particular concerning their function as fisheries management tools, for which empirical studies are still lacking. Using 28 data sets from seven MPAs in Southern Europe, we developed a meta‐analytical approach to investigate the effects of protection on adjacent fisheries and asking how these effects are influenced by MPA size and age. Southern European MPAs showed clear effects on the surrounding fisheries, on the ‘catch per unit effort’ (CPUE) of target species, but especially on the CPUE of the marketable catch. These effects depended on the time of protection and on the size of the no‐take area. CPUE of both target species and the marketable catch increased gradually by 2–4% per year over a long time period (at least 30 years). The influence of the size of the no‐take area appeared to be more complex. The catch rates of the entire fishery in and around the MPA were higher when the no‐take areas were smaller. Conversely, catch rates of selected fisheries that were expected to benefit most from protection increased when the no‐take area was larger. Our results emphasize the importance of MPA size on its export functions and suggest that an adequate, often extended, time frame be used for the management and the evaluation of effectiveness of MPAs.     

Enhancement of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larval growth by dietary vitamin E in relation to two different levels of essential fatty acids

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growth and survival, at two different highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) levels. Eighteen days old gilthead seabream larvae were fed four formulated experimental diets combining two different dietary levels of HUFAs (M: medium 2.5 + 1.5, DHA + EPA, H: high 5 + 2.5 DHA + EPA g per 100 g) with two different levels of vitamin E (M: medium 540 mg kg^?1, H: high 2900 mg kg^?1): MM, MH, HM, HH (HUFA/vitamin E). After 2‐week feeding trial, the average survival rate was 52.6% and there were no significant differences found among treatments. Increase in vitamin E up to high level markedly improved larval growth, particularly when dietary HUFA levels were lower, suggesting a higher protection value when these fatty acids are more limiting. At medium dietary HUFA levels, increase in vitamin E from medium to high level enhanced larval growth performance in terms of total length. Moreover, increase in vit E enhanced HUFAs content in the larval polar lipids denoting the anti‐oxidative effect of vitamin E.     

Regulation of growth, fatty acid composition and delta 6 desaturase expression by dietary lipids in gilthead seabream larvae (Sparus aurata)

The Δ6 and Δ5 desaturases and elongases show only very limited activity in marine fish, and little is known of the possibility of enhancing Δ6 desaturase gene expression in these fish. The use of plant oils in marine fish diets is limited by their lack of n−3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) despite an abundant content of the 18C fatty acid precursor linoleic and α-linolenic acids. The objective of the present study was to determine the ability of larval gilthead seabream to utilize vegetable oils and assess the nutritional regulation of Δ6 desaturase gene expression. Seventeen-day-old gilthead seabream larvae were fed during a 17-day period with one of four different microdiets formulated with either sardine fish oil (FO), soybean, rapeseed or linseed oils, respectively, or a fifth diet containing defatted squid meal and linseed oil. Good larval survival and growth, both in terms of total length and body weight, were obtained by feeding the larvae either rapeseed, soybean or linseed oils. The presence of vegetable oils in the diet increased the levels of 20:2n−9 and 20:2n−6, 18:2n−9, 18:3n−6, 20:3n−6 and 20:4n−6, in larvae fed rapeseed and soybean oils in comparison to those fed FO. In addition, a sixfold increase in the relative expression of Δ6 desaturase-like gene was found in larvae fed rapeseed and soybean oils, denoting the nutritional regulation of desaturase activity through its gene expression in this fish species. However, feeding linseed oil did not increase the expression of the Δ6 desaturase gene to such a high extent.     

拉丁美洲和加勒比地区主要竹种资源与利用

拉丁美洲和加勒比地区是世界主要的竹资源分布区,以瓜多竹为代表的560多竹种资源占全球竹种的33%,其中巴西、哥伦比亚、秘鲁、厄瓜多尔、墨西哥等国竹林面积和竹种数量位居该地区前列。与亚洲相比,拉丁美洲和加勒比地区现代竹产业发展起步较晚,规模和效益有限。面向未来,该区竹资源主要分布国家的政府正在制定和实施相关政策和战略,助力竹区发展经济、缓解贫困和保护环境。     

Ripening-related defense proteins in Annona fruit

In order to obtain a better understanding of the active defense strategy of cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.) fruit, hydrolytic and antifungal activity, as well as expression of proteins functionally and immunogenically related to the pathogenesis-related proteins chitinase (PR-Q) and 1,3-β-glucanase (PR-2), were estimated in fruit at different ripening stages. Increase in expression of the 27 kDa constitutive chitinase and the induction of two new proteins, a 26 kDa chitinase and a 51 kDa 1,3-β-glucanase were associated with enhanced in vitro hydrolytic and antifungal activity of the acidic protein extract in ripe fruit. Ripening modified the expression of constitutive basic isoenzymes, with a sharp decrease in both relative accumulation and hydrolytic activity. Likewise, a new basic 33 kDa chitinase was induced in the over-ripe fruit, concomitant with accumulation of a basic constitutive 76 kDa 1,3-β-glucanase. At this stage, the basic protein extract modified in vitro growth inhibition of Botrytis cinerea. Short-term high CO₂ treatment delayed fruit ripening and maintained a similar distribution of activity and isoenzymatic pattern in both protein fractions to that in unripe fruit. These results indicate that the changes in the pattern of defense proteins and hydrolytic activity in cherimoyas appear to be associated with ripening. Moreover, unlike the constitutively expressed isoenzymes, only the transitorily induced chitinases and 1,3-β-glucanases were associated with an active defense-related response.     

Bioprospection of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria as Biocontrol Agents Against Vibrio campbellii and Their Use in White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Culture

Vibrio spp. are the most common and harmful shrimp pathogenic bacteria; however, microalgae and cyanobacteria have the ability to produce antimicrobial substances against these species. In this study, the organic and aqueous extracts of 28 species of marine microalgae and cyanobacteria were screened against Vibrio campbellii M1. Two of these phytoplankton species with antibacterial activity in aqueous extracts (Dunaliella tertiolecta and Skeletonema costatum) and nontoxic to brine shrimp Artemia franciscana nauplii were used to evaluate their anti‐Vibrio effect when used as green‐water cultures in Vibrio‐challenged white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultures. No differences in mortality of juvenile L. vannamei were observed between treatments tested, suggesting that the pathogenicity of V. campbellii could be related to the growth stage of shrimp. The proximal composition of D. tertiolecta and S. costatum was in the recommended range for penaeid shrimp nutrition, allowing shrimp supplemented with these microalgae to have significantly greater total length and weight than control shrimp. Shrimp supplemented with S. costatum presented the highest values of organic mass (11.48 mg/organism) and growth rate (0.31 mg/d) in comparison to D. tertiolecta. These results indicate that microalgae are not only capable of producing antibacterial compounds against Vibrio but can also help shrimp nutrition.