Histological observations of seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles in the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra in Okinawan waters

Seasonal reproductive and lunar-related spawning cycles of the female honeycomb grouper Epinephelus merra inhabiting Okinawan waters were examined by histological observation of ovaries. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased beginning in May and peaked in June. Histological observations revealed that many oocytes laden with yolk were present in the ovaries from May to August. From September to October, ovaries were occupied by immature oocytes. These results suggest that the reproductive season of E.   merra lasts for 4 months from May through August in Okinawan waters. When the fish were collected according to the lunar cycle, GSI increased with the approach of the full moon. Oocytes at various development stages were observed from the first quarter to the full moon. Fresh ovulatory follicles were present in the ovaries around the last quarter moon. These results suggest that E.   merra has a lunar spawning cycle and spawns between the full moon and the last quarter moon. Ovarian features of the fish collected around the last quarter moon were different among individuals; some fish had many oocytes at the tertiary yolk stage in the ovaries, while the ovaries of the others were occupied by the oocytes at the peri-nucleolus and the oil droplet stages. This observation suggests that a minor release of eggs occurs in this species before or after a major spawning lunar day. Oocytes at the migratory nucleus and the maturation stages were not observed in any ovarian samples. This may mean that maturation of oocytes is related to the spawning behavior of this species and makes rapid progress in the process of aggregation at the spawning sites.     

Influence of water management, application timing and temperature on efficacy of MTB-951, a mycoherbicide using Drechslera monoceras to control Echinochloa crus-galli L.

MTB-951 is a potential mycoherbicide using a fungal plant pathogen ( Drechslera monoceras ) isolated from native Echinochloa species in Japan. Conidia of this pathogen were used as the active ingredient and its herbicidal performance was examined in a greenhouse. The efficacy of MTB-951 on Echinochloa crus-galli L. was higher in deep water (7–9 cm) than in relatively shallow water (3–5 cm). In a postemergence application, the efficacy decreased as the leaf stage of E. crus-galli proceeded between the 1 and 2.5 leaf stage. For example, the control ratio (%) of E. crus-galli was 95% when applied at the 1 leaf stage, and 72% at the 2.5 leaf stage in 5 cm water. Generally, mycoherbicidal efficacy was less when applied pre-emergence rather than postemergence. Efficacy was also influenced by the duration of submergence in deep water. For example, when water depth was kept at 5 cm for more than 7 days after application and then decreased down to 3 cm, the efficacy was high. However, when the water depth was kept at 5 cm for less than 7 days, the efficacy was low. Efficacy was lower under high temperatures (35°C/25°C, day/night) than under low temperatures (25°C/15°C, day/night). Water management, application timing and temperature are important factors on herbicidal efficacy of MTB-951 to control E. crus-galli .     

The aerobic bacterial flora of the middle and external ears in normal dogs

The aerobic bacterial flora of the middle and external ears was elucidated in 30 normal dogs (60 ears). Bacterial swab samples were obtained by rubbing the surface of the tympanic cavity and external ear canal. In the middle ear, bacteria were cultured from 48 per cent of the total ears and mainly included Escherichia coli (8 per cent), yeasts (8 per cent), staphylococci (7 per cent) and branhamella (7 per cent). In the external ear, bacteria were found in 46 per cent of the total ears and staphylococci (19 per cent) and yeasts (7 per cent) were the main isolates. Mycoplasma was found in one external ear sample, but in no middle ear samples in an examination of 20 ears. The same type of bacterium was hardly ever found in both the middle and external parts of each ear.