Infection of wild fishes by the parasitic copepod Caligus elongatus on the south east coast of Norway

Natural Caligus elongatus Nordmann infections of wild coastal fishes on the Norwegian south east coast were monitored at various times of the year from 2002 to 2004. The prevalence for all coastal fish (n = 4427) pooled was 15%, and there were great differences between fish species and seasons. Lumpfish Cyclopterus lumpus L. spawners were the most infected fish, with a prevalence of 61% and a median intensity of 4 lice fish(-1), whereas gadids had a mean prevalence of 19% and a median infection of 1 to 2 lice fish(-1). Sea trout Salmo trutta L. and herring Clupea harengus L. carried C. elongatus at prevalence values of 29 and 21%, respectively. The results were compared with infection data for immature North Sea lumpfish. Lumpfish spawners caught on the coast in March to April had fewer lice than North Sea lumpfish in July. Spawners carried mostly adult lice, as did coastal fish hosts in May to June. The low development rates of lice at low spring temperatures and new genetic data suggest that the May to June adult lice could not have been offspring of the March to April lice, indicating transfer of adult lice to coastal fish. Most coastal fish species appeared to acquire new C. elongatus infections between May to June and September. The relatively high numbers of chalimii on North Sea lumpfish suggest that offshore fish sustain an oceanic population of this louse species.     

Postlarvae and juveniles of silver sea bream,Sparus sarba occurring in the surf zones of Tosa Bay,Japan

A total of 515 larval and juvenileSparus sarba (8.2–17.8 mm TL) was collected at semimonthly intervals with a small seine in surf zones of Tosa Bay during the period of May 1981 to May 1982. They had morphological characteristics common to the larvae and juvenile of Sparinae, but were distinguished from the others by 24 dorsal and 14 anal fin rays, the first soft ray of pelvic fin not elongated and small melanophores along the dorsal margin occurring first on the caudal peduncle. They occurred in surf zones of Tosa Bay in two separate seasons, from late March to late May, and from late November to late January, being most abundant in April and May. In past studies using traditional larval nets or minnow-nets in coastal or shallow waters of Tosa Bay, larval and juvenileS. sarba were not reported. It seems that their distribution is limited in extremely shallow waters such as surf zones.     

Larval ecology and reproductive activity of Metapenaeus ensis and M.endeavouri in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, assessed from the distribution and abundance of the protozoeal stages

Plankton samples were collected during six cruises in the Gulfof Carpentaria, Australia, between May 1976 and March 1977.Prawn larvae were identified to genus level, and then Metapenaeusprotozoeae were identified using discriminant analysis of morphologicalcharacters. The majority of larvae identified were either Metapenaeusensis or Metapenaeus endeuvouri. Metapenaeus endeavouri larvaewere only found in coastal regions. Although numbers of thisspecies were low during most months sampled, abundance peakedduring January and March 1977. Metapenaeus ensis larvae werewidely distributed, in both coastal and offshore areas, andwere present throughout the year. Highest abundances were observedin January 1977. The Gulf-wide distribution of adult prawnswas also assessed by exploratory trawling during one cruisein May 1976; during this cruise, adult M.ensis were also foundoffshore, in areas not frequented by commercial fishing vessels.Therefore, this species may be more widely distributed thanwas previously thought.     

Hypodermosis of red deer in Spain

From February 1998 to January 1999, 106 red deer in the Autonomic Organism National Park "Quintos de Mora" (Toledo, central Spain) were evaluated to determine the prevalence and dynamics of infection with Hypoderma sp. by detection of subcutaneous larvae. Between six and 13 deer shot in selective hunting were examined monthly. Hypoderma sp. larvae were detected throughout the period except in June, July and August of 1998. Excluding the period during which no subcutaneous larvae were detected, the number of animals sampled was 80 (52 males and 28 females), belonging to three age classes: 12 calves (<1-yr-old), 19 yearlings (1-yr-old), and 49 adults (2- to 10-yr-old). All the third instar (L3) collected were identified as H. actaeon. Total prevalence during the period of larval detection was 61%. Prevalence in yearling and adult deer shot during the official hunting season was 89%. Monthly prevalence increased from September to January and decreased from February to May. In September and October, a small percentage of larvae were classified as first instar (L1). The rest of larvae collected between September and December were second instar (L2). Third instar (L3) predominated in January and February and was the only stage collected from March to May. Intensity ranged from 1 to 145 larvae. Intensities were >100 larvae in 6% of animals. Possible relationships of intensity or prevalence of infection with sex or age of the animals were evaluated. Significant differences in prevalence were observed among different host age classes. Prevalence was higher in yearlings (84%) than in adults (63%) and lowest in calves (17%).     

Seasonal cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae serogroups O1 and O139 in the coastal aquatic environment of Bangladesh

Since Vibrio cholerae O139 first appeared in 1992, both O1 El Tor and O139 have been recognized as the epidemic serogroups, although their geographic distribution, endemicity, and reservoir are not fully understood. To address this lack of information, a study of the epidemiology and ecology of V. cholerae O1 and O139 was carried out in two coastal areas, Bakerganj and Mathbaria, Bangladesh, where cholera occurs seasonally. The results of a biweekly clinical study (January 2004 to May 2005), employing culture methods, and of an ecological study (monthly in Bakerganj and biweekly in Mathbaria from March 2004 to May 2005), employing direct and enrichment culture, colony blot hybridization, and direct fluorescent-antibody methods, showed that cholera is endemic in both Bakerganj and Mathbaria and that V. cholerae O1, O139, and non-O1/non-O139 are autochthonous to the aquatic environment. Although V. cholerae O1 and O139 were isolated from both areas, most noteworthy was the isolation of V. cholerae O139 in March, July, and September 2004 in Mathbaria, where seasonal cholera was clinically linked only to V. cholerae O1. In Mathbaria, V. cholerae O139 emerged as the sole cause of a significant outbreak of cholera in March 2005. V. cholerae O1 reemerged clinically in April 2005 and established dominance over V. cholerae O139, continuing to cause cholera in Mathbaria. In conclusion, the epidemic potential and coastal aquatic reservoir for V. cholerae O139 have been demonstrated. Based on the results of this study, the coastal ecosystem of the Bay of Bengal is concluded to be a significant reservoir for the epidemic serogroups of V. cholerae.     

Seasonal Cholera Caused by Vibrio cholerae Serogroups O1 and O139 in the Coastal Aquatic Environment of Bangladesh

Since Vibrio cholerae O139 first appeared in 1992, both O1 El Tor and O139 have been recognized as the epidemic serogroups, although their geographic distribution, endemicity, and reservoir are not fully understood. To address this lack of information, a study of the epidemiology and ecology of V. cholerae O1 and O139 was carried out in two coastal areas, Bakerganj and Mathbaria, Bangladesh, where cholera occurs seasonally. The results of a biweekly clinical study (January 2004 to May 2005), employing culture methods, and of an ecological study (monthly in Bakerganj and biweekly in Mathbaria from March 2004 to May 2005), employing direct and enrichment culture, colony blot hybridization, and direct fluorescent-antibody methods, showed that cholera is endemic in both Bakerganj and Mathbaria and that V. cholerae O1, O139, and non-O1/non-O139 are autochthonous to the aquatic environment. Although V. cholerae O1 and O139 were isolated from both areas, most noteworthy was the isolation of V. cholerae O139 in March, July, and September 2004 in Mathbaria, where seasonal cholera was clinically linked only to V. cholerae O1. In Mathbaria, V. cholerae O139 emerged as the sole cause of a significant outbreak of cholera in March 2005. V. cholerae O1 reemerged clinically in April 2005 and established dominance over V. cholerae O139, continuing to cause cholera in Mathbaria. In conclusion, the epidemic potential and coastal aquatic reservoir for V. cholerae O139 have been demonstrated. Based on the results of this study, the coastal ecosystem of the Bay of Bengal is concluded to be a significant reservoir for the epidemic serogroups of V. cholerae.     

基于最大熵模型的狸尾豆属植物在中国的潜在分布区模拟

基于19个气候因子和203条狸尾豆属（Uraria）植物地理分布记录，采用最大熵模型（MaxEnt）对植物当前分布点的气候变量进行分析，推断其在末次盛冰期（LGM）、当前和未来气候（2070s）情景下的潜在分布；采用受试者工作曲线和刀切法对模型的准确性进行检验并探明影响该属在中国分布的气候因子。结果显示：最大熵模型模拟结果极准确，测试集和训练集假阳性值（AUC）分别达到0.934和0.936；影响该属植物分布的主要气候因子是最暖季节降水和最冷月份最低温度；广西、广东及台湾地区为该属在中国的起源中心。在全球气候变暖背景下，狸尾豆属植物的适生环境将向中国北部及东部沿海地区推移，且面积逐渐增加。     

Epidemiological study of blood lead levels of children and adolescents living in Campania, Italy.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate blood levels (PbB) in a group of 500 (245 M, 255 F) children and adolescents of Campania (Italy) aged from 0.197 to 16.915 years, 269 (136 M, 133 F) of whom lived in urban zones and 231 (109 M, 122 F) in rural zones. PbB was assayed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy. The parents of the examined subjects children were interviewed about common risk factors for lead exposure using a standardized questionnaire. The PbB of children living in urban zones were significantly higher than the PbB of those living in rural zones (60.0 +/- 3.0 mg/L vs. 40.0 +/- 2.0 mg/L, p < 0.001). A PbB higher than 100 mg/L was found in 27 children (5.4%). We observed a significant correlation between age and PbB (p < 0.001, r = 0.529). Our data regarding children and adolescents demonstrate that the prevalence of PbB higher than 100 mg/L is greater in children living in urban areas (6.89%) than in subjects living in rural areas (3.89%). The findings can be explained by the higher presence of risk factors of Pb exposure in urban areas. Our data, if compared with those of previous studies concerning children of Campania, show a clear decrease of PbB. The correlation that we found between age and PbB indicates that long-term exposure at low doses more than a more intensive but short-term exposure seems to be important for the increase of blood lead levels.     

莱州湾大型砂壳纤毛虫群落季节变化

为揭示莱州湾砂壳纤毛虫群落季节变化规律, 在莱州湾设置8个站位, 于2011年5-11月及2012年3-4月进行了9个航次的调查, 用浅海III型浮游生物网由底至表垂直拖网采集砂壳纤毛虫。结果表明, 莱州湾3-11月砂壳纤毛虫物种丰富度的变化范围为5-19, 周年变化呈现一峰两谷的趋势。丰度的范围为0-318 ind./L, 丰度较大(> 50 ind./L)的种类有运动类铃虫(Codonellopsis mobilis)和清兰拟铃虫(Tintinnopsis chinglanensis)。各月平均丰度随时间的变化趋势为双峰型, 最大值出现在7月(63 ind./L), 次峰值出现在5月(48 ind./L), 最小值出现在3月(2 ind./L)。黏着壳种类在3-11月均有出现, 透明壳种类仅在温度较高(> 15°C)的6-9月出现。各月的优势种数目为1种(5月)到8种(8月), 其中运动类铃虫在所有月中都是优势种, 对砂壳纤毛虫丰度周年的变化规律产生较大影响。使用各月所有种类的平均丰度对各月砂壳纤毛虫群落进行聚类分析, 得到两个群落(相似度30%): 群落I(7-9月)和群落II(3-6月、10-11月), 说明砂壳纤毛虫群落发生了明显的季节变化。砂壳纤毛虫的物种丰富度、丰度与环境因子(温度、盐度)均没有明显的相关性。     

Circannual and seasonal variations in plasma luteinizing hormone levels of ovariectomized ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis)

Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined at monthly intervals in intact and ovariectomized squirrels maintained in a constant 14L:10D photoperiod at a temperature of 23 +/- 2 degrees C. LH was undetectable (less than 0.9 ng/ml) in plasma of intact females at all times of year. Females ovariectomized (OVX) at 9.5 months of age in March showed substantial increases in plasma LH in May and June but LH was undetectable between July and November. Females ovariectomized at 13 months of age in July first manifested detectable LH levels the following January and February (6-7 months post-ovariectomy). Very few adult females trapped in May and ovariectomized in August had detectable LH levels within 2 months of ovariectomy; however, females ovariectomized the following February had detectable LH titers 1 month later. Long-term studies of individual OVX squirrels indicated peak LH levels between March and June, 1980, relatively low or undetectable titers between August and December and elevated LH levels between January and March, 1981. The results are suggestive of a circannual rhythm of LH secretion which appears restricted to one season of the year and occurs independently of steroid feedback from the ovaries; ovarian steroids only modulate the levels of plasma LH during the brief annual period of hypothalamo-hypophysial activity. We suggest that onset and termination of LH release are mediated by central nervous system circannual clocks.     

The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The role of photoperiod on the initiation of the breeding season of brushtail possums was investigated in possums housed in three light regimens: a short-day, a natural and a long-day photoperiod. Seven possums were housed in a natural photoperiod. Four possums were transferred to a short-day photoperiod (10 h light, 14 h dark) and eight possums to a long-day photoperiod (14 h light, 10 h dark) on 22 November, when the daylength was 13.34 h. The first rises in plasma progesterone concentrations were observed on 9 January +/- 9 days (n = 4), 11 March +/- 6 days (n = 7) and 6 May +/- 6 days (n = 8), for possums held in short-day, natural or long-day photoperiods respectively. Similarly, births were observed on 12 January and 14 February in the short-day group, from 3 March to 8 May for the natural photoperiod group, and from 5 May to 8 August for the long-day group. These results suggest that photoperiod is important in the timing of the breeding season. However, annual breeding will commence in a nonstimulatory long-day photoperiod. Thus a long-day photoperiod does not prevent breeding activity.     

Larvae and Juveniles of Temperate Bass, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lateolabrax latus</Emphasis>, Occurring in the Surf Zones of Tosa Bay,Japan

A total of 343 larval and juvenile Lateolabrax latus (9.2–27.0 mm TL) was collected with a small seine in surf zones of Tosa Bay. They are very similar in general morphology to those of the closely related L. japonicus, but can be distinguished from them by the distribution pattern of melanophores on the tail, head spination, proportion of head length to standard length and the 15 or 16 dorsal fin soft-rays. They occurred in surf zones of Tosa Bay from early January to middle May, being most abundant in middle April. Temperatures and salinities of waters where any number of them were collected ranged from 12.2 to 24.0°C and from 23.7 to 34.5%, respectively. Larval and juvenile L. latus have not been reported so far in coastal and shallow waters, and eelgrass beds of southern Japan. It may be possible that they have been confounded with those of L. japonicus. Their occurrence seems to be limited in extremely shallow waters such as surf zones.     

Temporal Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Red Tide Events in China's Coastal Waters

Between the years 1933–2001, 460 red tide events were found in China's coastal water. The scope of red tide occurrence has extended over all the coastal provinces of China, and the three major areas with high red tide frequency are the Bohai sea, the sea area near the Shengsi Archipelago and Huaniaoshan Island on the outer side of the Changjiang River estuary and the Hangzhou Bay, and the coastal waters on the east side of the Zhujiang River estuary from Hong Kong to East Guangdong. In the past 20 years, the frequency of red tides has been tending upwards. The years of 1988–1990 and 1998–2001 saw the most serious red tides along China's coastal waters, with the latter period as the peak. The average area of a single red tide, i.e., the scale of red tides, is expanding every year, and in 2001 rose to about 500 km². Every year, China's red tides occur from south to north, with those in the South China Sea occurring from March to May, those in the East China Sea from April to August and those in the Bohai and Huanghai Seas from May to September.     

Oil pollution status expressed as the fraction of dissolved and dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons

Four coastal ecosystems with contrasting characteristics were sampled in Costa Rica (2000-2002). Oil pollution status, expressed as the fraction of dissolved/dispersed petroleum hydrocarbons related to chrysene equivalents, was determined by the molecular fluorescence analytical technique. A total of 130 water samples were taken, from the Caribbean (Moín Bay), and from the Pacific (Bahía Culebra, Gulf of Nicoya and Dulce Gulf). On one occasion, seven samples along the Puntarenas estuary were also analysed. In Moín the mean and standard deviation were 0.10 microg x L(-1) +/- 0.18 micro x L(-1), ranging from non detectable (nd) to 0.65 microg x L(-1). For the Pacific ecosystems the total range was from nd to 0.37 microg x L(-1). In Bahia Culebra no fluorescence signals were obtained. In the Gulf of Nicoya the mean and standard deviation were 0.04 microg x L(-1) +/- 0.09 microg x L(-1), from nd to 0.33 microg x L(-1). Values in Dulce Gulf were 0.05 microg x L(-1) +/- 0.11 microg x L(-1), from nd to 0.37 microg x L(-1). Along the Puntarenas estuary the range was 0.17 to 5.91 microg x L(-1), with a mean of 1.21 microg x L(-1) and a standard deviation of +/- 2.10 microg x L(-1). The four coastal ecosystems had concentrations below the 10 microg x L(-1) limit for polluted oceanic areas. The Puntarenas estuary reflects the influence of antropogenic activities from and around the City of Puntarenas. These levels are considered low for inshore waters.     

Responses of ring widths and maximum densities of Larix gmelinii to climate on contrasting north- and south-facing slopes in central Siberia

An analysis was performed of the climatic responses of the radial growth of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. at two sites—both of which included contrasting north- and south-facing slopes—in Tura, central Siberia, with the development of ring width and maximum-density chronologies for each slope. Both residual and standard chronologies of ring widths were positively correlated with temperature from late May until mid June on all four slopes. By contrast, standard chronologies of ring widths were negatively correlated with precipitation during the winter (from October to April) and in May on the north-facing slope at site 1 and on the south-facing slope at site 2 respectively. The negative correlations with precipitation during the winter and in May on some of the slopes suggested that delayed snowmelt in early spring might inhibit the radial growth of L. gmelinii, and the effects of snow are likely to vary with topography. Both residual and standard chronologies of maximum densities were positively correlated with temperature in early July on all four slopes. Maximum densities were also positively correlated with precipitation during summer of the previous year on all the slopes. These suggest that no major differences exist in terms of responses of maximum density to climatic factors between the north- and south-facing slopes.     

Prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis (Apicomplexa: Lecudinidae) in natural populations of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from temperate Argentina

Ascogregarina infections from South America were recently documented in Brazil and Argentina. The aim of this study was to report our recent findings on the prevalence and seasonality of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti adults from temperate Argentina. Between December 2003 and May 2005, 391 females of Ae. aegypti were captured in two areas of Greater Buenos Aires. Overall prevalence of A. culicis was 21.2% (83/391), and a significant difference was observed between both areas (28.4% vs. 8%). Infected Ae. aegypti were found from November to May, with highest values in March (24-37%). Parasite prevalence and host abundance showed similar seasonal patterns. Our observations suggest a widespread infestation of A. culicis among Ae. aegypti populations from temperate Argentina.     

Ichthyoplankton from the pier area in Limón, Costa Rica

Four sampling stations were set 200-500 m off Limon Port, Costa Rica, at an average depth of 20 m. From October 1996 to May 1997 horizontal subsuperficial trawls were done for 12 minutes at a speed of about 2 Km/h, with a 1,000 microns plancton net. A total of 28 samples were processed and 104 physical-chemistry parameter measurements were taken. Average salinity was 30.1 +/- 3.7 and dissolved oxygen 6.9 +/- 0.6 mg l-1 reflecting good aeration throughout the sampling period. This suggests good mixture and a highly dynamic hydrography. Temperature showed no drastic variations (28.0 +/- 1.7 degrees C), possibly because of the constant mixing with shallow water. The highest larval counts were for November and early January and include families common to reefs and estuaries (Balistidae, Lutjanidae) and to coastal areas (Centropomidae, Gerreidae, Haemulidae, Carangidae, Engraulidae, Hemiramphidae, and representative Pleuronectiformes) existing in a common area.     

青岛崂山湾人工鱼礁区底层游泳动物群落结构特征

基于2015年5月至2016年1月在青岛崂山湾人工鱼礁区的调查数据, 采用Margalef种类丰富度指数(d)、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数(H')、Pielou均匀度指数(J)、丰度/生物量曲线、等级聚类分析、SIMPER相似性百分比分析和非度量多维尺度排序(NMDS)分析, 对底层游泳动物群落结构和多样性进行研究。调查期间共捕获游泳动物61种, 隶属34科, 其中鱼类36种, 甲壳类22种, 头足类3种。优势种为日本蟳(Charybdis japonica)、许氏平鲉(Sebastes schlegelii)、大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammus otakii)、斑头鱼(H. agrammus)和星康吉鳗(Conger myriaster), 其中日本蟳(26.91%)和许氏平鲉(26.74%)的生物量占绝对优势。礁区游泳动物的渔获量和渔获种类数均多于对照区, 月平均单位捕捞努力量渔获量(CPUE)最高值出现在5月, 达到735.74 ± 316.59 g·net^-1·d^-1。游泳动物群落组成的特征值上, 7、8月的多样性指数较高, 但鱼礁区和对照区无显著差异(P>0.05)。丰度/生物量曲线表明, 5、6月游泳动物群落处于严重受干扰状态, 11月和次年1月群落处于相对稳定状态。聚类分析表明, 除1月外, 各月份不同区域的样方相似性都较高, 5、6月三亩前礁区的相似性最高, 达到86.21%。     

Seasonal variations of LH, prolactin, androstenedione, testosterone and testicular FSH binding in the male blue fox (Alopex lagopus)

The seasonal changes in testicular weight in the blue fox were associated with considerable variations in plasma concentrations of LH, prolactin, androstenedione and testosterone and in FSH-binding capacity of the testis. An increase in LH secretion and a 5-fold increase in FSH-binding capacity were observed during December and January, as testis weight increased rapidly. LH levels fell during March when testicular weight was maximal. Plasma androgen concentrations reached their peak values in the second half of March (androstenedione: 0.9 +/- 0.1 ng/ml: testosterone: 3.6 +/- 0.6 ng/ml). A small temporary increase in LH was seen in May and June after the breeding season as testicular weight declined rapidly before levels returned to the basal state (0.5-7 ng/ml) that lasted until December. There were clear seasonal variations in the androgenic response of the testis to LH challenge. Plasma prolactin concentrations (2-3 ng/ml) were basal from August until the end of March when levels rose steadily to reach peak values (up to 13 ng/ml) in May and June just before maximum daylength and temperature. The circannual variations in plasma prolactin after castration were indistinguishable from those in intact animals, but LH concentrations were higher than normal for at least 1 year after castration.