Reproduction in three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) from rainforest streams in northern Queensland, Australia

Abstract – The reproductive biology of three species of rainbowfish (Melanotaeniidae) in northeastern Australian rainforest streams was investigated. Two species, Melanotaenia eachamensis and Cairnsichthys rhombosomoides are endemic to the area, whereas the third, M. splendida splendida, is more widespread. The species were all highly fecund, producing many hundreds of eggs between 1.10 and 1.24 mm in diameter. Melanotaenia eachamensis was the most fecund, produced the largest eggs of the three species, and consequently exhibited the greatest maternal investment (as measured by gonadosomatic index). The majority of reproductive effort occurred during the dry season, although reproductively active fish were present year-round for each of the species, but particularly so for M. s. splendida and C. rhombosomoides. No evidence for a role by temperature or photoperiod as environmental cues for reproduction was found, and it was suggested that gonad development was strongly tied to somatic growth. The concentration of reproduction to the dry season ensures that larvae are produced during a period of relatively stable and benign physical conditions. Comparison of temporal changes in gonadosomatic index values suggest that the spawning season of M. eachamensis , which occurs in high-elevation streams, is more restricted and commences about 1 month earlier than either other species. A similar phenology was observed for the M. s. splendida population found at high elevation and highlights the potential for spatial differences in stream productivity to influence life history. ^Note     

Transpositional feeding rhythm of loach <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus anguillicaudatus</Emphasis> from larvae to juveniles and its ontogenesis under artificial rearing conditions

The diel feeding rhythm and ontogenesis during early life stage of loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were investigated under experimental conditions (light: L 06:00–18:00, D 18:00–06:00 h). Morphological and behavioral developments of loach from newly hatched to 40 days after hatching were observed. Larvae were able to prey on daphnia 3–4 days after hatching at 23 ± 0.5°C. As the larvae grew, they showed an increasing feeding capacity and a distinct feeding rhythm. Feeding intensity and incidence for day-4 larvae were highest at 10:00 and 16:00 h. The highest levels of feeding intensity for day-12 larvae occurred at 08:00, 12:00, and 18:00 h as did feeding incidence. By day 20, when the larvae metamorphosed, the highest levels of feeding intensity occurred at 06:00, 18:00, and 24:00 h and were concurrent with the highest feeding incidence. After metamorphosis, feeding capacity had again increased considerably and, in contrast to the earlier stages before day 20, feeding intensity for day-30 juveniles peaked at 05:00 and 20:00 h, about 1–2 h after the maximum feeding incidence. The feeding rhythm of loach juveniles at day 40 was almost the same as the day-30 juveniles. The estimated maximum daily feeding rates were 43.1%, 33.4%, 19.0%, 12.8%, and 5.8% of body weight on days 4, 12, 20, 30, and 40, respectively. Thus, loach was found to have different feeding rhythms in the pre- and post-metamorphosis stages, with the highest feeding activity in daytime during the larval planktonic stage before metamorphosis, and intensely nocturnal feeding behavior during the juvenile benthic stage after metamorphosis.     

The life cycle of Henneguya nuesslini Schuberg & Schroder, 1905 (Myxozoa) involves a triactinomyxon-type actinospore

The life cycle of the histozoic myxozoan parasite Henneguya nuesslini was investigated in two salmonid host species. Naive brown trout, Salmo trutta, and brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, were experimentally infected in two trials by triactinomyxon type actinospores from naturally infected Tubifex tubifex. In exposed common carp, Cyprinus carpio, no myxospore production was detected. The parasite formed cysts with mature myxospores in the connective tissue of the fish 102 days post-exposure. The morphology of both actinosporean and myxosporean stages was described by light microscopy and a 1417-bp fragment of the 18S rDNA gene was sequenced. Sequence analysis confirmed the absolute congruence of the two developmental stages and assisted in determining species identity. Host range, tissue specificity and myxospore measurements provided sufficiently distinctive features to confirm species validity and were thus crucial for identification. The triactinomyxon spores had 16 secondary germ cells, unique dimensions, a very opaque sporoplasm matrix and three conspicuously protruding, pyriform polar capsules. This is the first record of a Henneguya sp. life cycle with a triactinomyxon-type actinospore, which suggests a close relationship with the Myxobolus group and a polyphyletic origin of the genus Henneguya.     

Lipid characterization of both wild and cultured eggs of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis L.) throughout the embryonic development

The present work reports a characterization of mean wet weight and moisture, the lipid class and fatty acid (FA) composition from the total lipids (TL), of both culture and wild eggs of the cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis , throughout the embryonic development. Additionally, reproductive data, such as the number of spawnings, number and mean weight of eggs and duration of spawning period of cultured cuttlefish is provided. Both types of eggs were similar in mean wet weight, moisture content, TL content and lipid composition throughout embryonic development. Females from the cultured group spawned 13 times and laid 8654 eggs in 64 days, with a mean weight of 0.607 ± 0.179 g. A sex ratio of 1.57 (11♀ for 7♂) promoted an individual fecundity of 787 eggs/♀ (the biggest until now on our culture facilities), which might be related to increased bottom areas. The TL increased with day/stage of embryonic development ( P  < 0.05) only in the cultured egg group. However, no differences were found on TL between culture and wild eggs at the same day/stage ( P  > 0.05). Eggs displayed predominant levels of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cholesterol and triacylglycerol at the end of embryonic development. Polar and neutral lipids of both eggs groups remained consistently proportional (∼50% for each lipid fraction) and a significant increase ( P  < 0.05) was observed in phosphatidylserine, PE and free FA throughout the embryonic development. In either egg type and day, 16:0, 18:0, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 accounted for approximately 70 g Kg⁻¹ of all FA and saturated and n-3 totals seemed to have the same proportion in the cuttlefish eggs. The present results suggest that lipids are not used as energetic substrate but as structural components in cuttlefish egg.     

Complete developmental cycle of Myxobolus pseudodispar (Gorbunova) (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae)

Myxobolus pseudodispar (Gorbunova) is a common parasite of the muscle of roach, Rutilus rutilus L., whereas its actinosporean development occurs in two oligochaete alternate hosts. This paper reports the complete developmental cycle of this parasite in the oligochaete alternate host Tubifex tubifex and the roach. In laboratory experiments, parasite-free T. tubifex specimens were infected by myxospores of M. pseudodispar collected from roach in Lake Balaton. Parasite-free roach fingerlings were infected with floating triactinospores (TAMs) released from oligochaetes on day 69 after challenge. Young plasmodia and spores in roach were first recorded on day 80 post-exposure (p.e.). Myxospores collected from experimentally infected roach initiated a new development in T. tubifex and the resulting TAMs infected roach. No infection of roach resulted from feeding oligochaetes containing mature triactinospores.     

Life-history variation in relation to nest site abundance in males of the freshwater goby Tridentiger brevispinis

Abstract –  Age at maturity in males of the freshwater goby Tridentiger brevispinis , a species with exclusive paternal care, was investigated in two populations in Lake Biwa, Japan, that differed markedly in nest site abundance. At Ohmi-maiko, where nest sites were scarce, most males matured at age 3, and mean body size of males guarding eggs in nests was larger than that of males sampled randomly (including both guarding and nonguarding males) in the population. Conversely, at Minamihama, where nest sites were abundant, many males matured at age 1, and there was no difference in body size between guarding males and males collected randomly. The slope of regression lines between body size of the guarding male and the number of eggs in his nest was greater in Ohmi-maiko than in Minamihama. These results suggest that the shortage of nest sites enhances reproductive success in larger males, probably through male–male competition for nest sites and female mate choice for larger males. I conclude that in nest spawners, the availability of nest sites should strongly affect life-history traits of males through sexual selection.     

The effects of utilization of hazelnut oil,sunflower oil and their products on performance and fatty acid composition of yolk in layer hens

This research has been performed to determine the effects of hazelnut crude oil, sunflower crude oil and its refinery by-products over the laying hens performance and the fatty acid composition of the egg’s yolk. Four hundreds 36-week-old Nick Brown layer hens were allocated into five groups. Treatment groups were supplemented with 1.5% of sunflower crude oil, hazelnut crude oil, acidulated sunflower soapstock, acidulated hazelnut soapstock and acidulated hazelnut crude oil. The daily feed consumption for groups that were fed with crude oils were numerically improved as compared for those nourished with acidulated soapstocks. Although the percentages of cracked and broken eggs in acidulated hazelnut soapstock group was significantly higher than the other groups, daily feed consumption and egg production values were not different. The usage of acidulated hazelnut soapstock reduced the percentage of intact egg ratio. Egg’s specific gravity and yolk color index were the highest level throughout the experiment from start to end in hazelnut crude oil group (p < 0.05). In group that was nourished by hazelnut oil, Omega 3/Omega-6 fatty acid ratios in egg yolk were higher than the groups that were fed with sunflower oil. The oleic acid content of the egg yolk was increased in the groups which were supplemented with hazelnut crude oil and acidulated hazelnut crude oil. Consequently, hazelnut crude oil and acidulated hazelnut crude oil improved the egg shell quality, yolk color index and yolk oleic acid value which would increase egg’s shelf life. On the other hand acidulated hazelnut soapstock supplementation adversely affects the quality of egg shell.     

Extending the postharvest life of carnations with nitric oxide—comparison of fumigation and in vivo delivery

The ability of nitric oxide (NO) to extend the postharvest life at 20 °C of carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. White-Sim) was investigated using delivery by gas-based fumigation and in vivo release via a solution containing the NO donor compound 2,2′-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)-bisethanamine (DETA/NO). Treatment with NO gas in air at 1 and 5 μl l⁻¹ produced about a 30% increase in postharvest life while DETA/NO applied in solution at 10 mg l⁻¹ extended postharvest life by about 50% when dissolved in water. For flowers, use of solid delivery appears to offer a more convenient and more effective method of NO treatment than gaseous fumigation to extend postharvest life.