The karyotype of the dab (Limanda limanda L.)

In the dab ( Limanda limanda L.), the diploid number is 46 and the karyotype consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes, all of which are telocentric or subtelocentric, so that the total number of chromosome arms is 46 (AN-46).     

The reproductive biology of the dab Limanda limanda (L.) in the North Sea: Seasonal changes in the ovary

Oogenesis in the dab is described in six easily identifiable stages: oogonium (Stage I), primary oocyte (II), primary vitellogenesis (III), secondary vitellogenesis (IV), tertiary vitellogenesis (V) and hyaline oocyte (VI). The annual reproductive cycle in female dab may be divided into four morphologically and histologically distinct periods: prespawning (October–January), spawning (February–April), postspawning (May–June) and resting (July–September) period.     

Some observations on the seasonal distribution of dab,Limanda limanda, in the southern North Sea

The seasonal changes in the population structure of dab were observed in intervals of four to six weeks from January 1993 to November 1994 at a fixed station northwest of Helgoland. The sex distribution was characterized by a reduced number of males during autumn and winter. In the autumn of both years, an immigration of large females was evident. During long periods in spring and summer, the population structure remained relatively constant. The observations indicate that dab in the Helgoland region carry out a seasonal migration between coastal waters and the sampling area. Seasonal changes of the population structure occurred at a relatively slow rate.     

Seasonal changes in frequency of diseases in dab,Limanda limanda,from the southern North Sea

Infestation rates of flatfishLimanda limanda from the southern North Sea (German Bight) were investigated in 1981 and 1982. At three stations, including a dumping area of acid-iron wastes northwest of Helgoland, dabs were examined for the occurrence of lymphocystis and epidermal papillomas. Marked seasonal changes of infestation rates were observed with maxima of diseased fish in March and May (epidermal papillomas 2 % in 1981, 4.1 % in 1982; lymphocystis 7.5 % in 1981, 17.2 % in 1982). Infestation minima were found from June to October. Differences in incidence rates were observed between stations in winter and spring, but not in summer. Both diseases turned out to be size-dependent. Seasonality of the two diseases is discussed in relation to spawning cycle and water quality, including pollution.     

Seasonal changes in the common dab, Limanda limanda (L.) in Isle of Man Waters

Otolith accretion was greatest in summer when opaque bands were laid down and slowest in winter when hyaline rings were formed. Food intake was minimal in winter and maximal in summer. Liver weight was high in summer and winter and low in spring after spawning. Growth in length was higher in summer than winter. Gonad weight was greatest in winter for both sexes. Spawning occurred from February to April. After spawning males recovered earlier than females and testes ripened earlier than the ovaries. From winter to summer, the sea temperature increased from 7.5–13.0°C; the day length from 7–17h; and the salinity varied from 34.07−34.36%.     

Comparative study of the autonomic innervation of the mammalian ovary,with particular regard to the follicular system

Summary The autonomic innervation of the ovary was studied in 12 mammalian species utilizing the cholinesterase method in combination with pseudocholinesterase inhibition for the cholinergic component, and glyoxylic acid histochemistry together with fluorometric determination of noradrenaline for the adrenergic component. Ovaries from cow, sheep, cat, and guinea pig were very richly supplied with adrenergic nerves in the cortical stroma, particularly enclosing follicles in various stages of development. In the follicular wall the nerve terminals were located in the theca externa, where they ran parallel to the follicular surface. Numerous adrenergic terminals also surrounded ovarian blood vessels. The adrenergic innervation was of intermediary density in the human ovary and in the pig, dog, cat, and opossum. Ovaries from rabbit, mouse and hamster had a sparse adrenergic nerve supply. The amount of intraovarian adrenergic nerves agreed well with the tissue concentration of noradrenaline in the various species. The cholinergic innervation was generally less well developed, but had the same distribution as the adrenergic system around blood vessels and in the ovarian stroma, including follicular walls.     

The autonomic innervation of rat jugular vein

Summary The autonomic innervation of rat jugular vein was studied using glyoxylic acid fluorescence and acetylcholinesterase histochemical methods. The rat jugular vein is provided with both adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers organized in plexuses located at the adventitial-medial border. The existence of these nerve plexuses does not seem to support biochemical findings that suggest a lack of innervation in the rat jugular vein and which propose this blood vessel as a model for the analysis of drug-smooth muscle cell interaction without the interference of neuronal uptake mechanisms.     

The reproductive biology of the dab Limanda limanda (L.) in the North Sea: Seasonal changes in the testis

Spermatogenesis in the dab is described in five easily identifiable stages: spermatogonium (Stage I), primary spermatocyte (II), secondary spermatocyte (III), spermatid (IV), and spermatozoon (V). The annual reproductive cycle in male dab may be divided into four morphologically and histologically distinct periods: prespawning (September-November), spawning (December-March), postspawning (April-May) and resting (June-August) period.     

The autonomic innervation of Rana ridibunda intestine

1. The innervation of Rana ridibunda intestine has been studied by the following methods: (a) demonstration of cholinesterase activity; (b) FIF method for catecholamines; (c) immunohistochemistry for VIP, SP and SOM, and (d) conventional electron microscopy. 2. The intrinsic intestinal innervation is represented by cholinergic-, VIPergic-, SP- and SOM-like plexuses. The intestinal adrenergic component is of extrinsic origin. 3. The intestinal peptidergic innervation is the most developed, the large intestine being the portion where the studied peptidergic plexuses are more widely distributed. 4. Against a poorly developed cholinergic/adrenergic innervation, it seems that there is a predominant peptidergic innervation in the amphibians intestine wall. 5. Taking into account that amphibians sacral parasympathetic as well as sympathetic innervation development are limited, it could be considered that in vertebrates the intestinal peptidergic innervation is phylogenetically earlier and hence better developed.     

The oxygen requirements of three fish species from the German Bight: cod Gadus morhua, plaice Pleuronectes platessa, and dab Limanda limanda

The survival of cod Gadus morhua , plaice Pleuronectes platessa , and dab Limanda limanda was determined in relation to ambient oxygen saturation at 8° C and 35% m salinity. Mortalit rates were observed in fish exposed to constant oxygen levels for 24h. First mortality occurred around 60 % oxygen saturation in cod and around 30% oxygen saturation in dab and plaice. Below these thresholds mortality increased linearly with decreasing oxygen levels. If cod were infested with 1 or 2 individuals of Lernaeocera branchialis (Copepoda ), their tolerance was significantly lower; under such circumstances the incipient lethal oxygen saturation was 66 %.

Zusammenfassung

Anforderungen an den Sauerstoffgehalt im Wasser für drei verschiedene Fischarten der Deutschen Bucht: Dorsch Gadus morhua, Scholle Pleuronectes platessa und Kliesche Limanda limanda
Die Überlebensraten von Dorschen ( Gadus morthua ), Schollen ( Pleuronenes platessa ) und Klieschen ( Limanda limanda ) wurde in Abhängigkeit von dem Sauerstoffgehalt während einer 24stündigen Halterung bestimmt. Die Temperatur betrug 8° C und der Salzgehalt 35%. Eine erhöhte Sterblichkeit wurde bei Dorschen im Bereich von 60% Sauerstoffsättigung beobachtet. Für Scholle und Kliesche lag dieser Wert bei ungefähr 30% Sauerstoffsättigung. Unterhalb dieser Grenzwerte nahm die Sterblichkeit proportional zu einer Abnahme des Sauersrohgehaltes zu. Bei Dorschen, die mit Lernaeocera brancialic (Copepoda ) befallen waren, war die Toleranz gegenüber niedrigen Sauerstoffsättigungen signifikant geringer, eine erhöhte Sterblichkeit wurde schon bei 66% Sauerstoffsättigung beobachtet.     

The reproductive biology of the dab Limanda limanda (L.) in the North Sea: gonosomatic index, hepatosomatic index and condition factor

Measurements have been made of the annual cyclical changes in gonosomatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI) and condition factor ( K ) in male and female dab Limanda limanda (L.). There is a direct correlation between HSI and K , and an inverse correlation of these factors to GSI but with a three month lag. It was also found that the lower ('ventral') ovaries were invariably heavier than the upper ('dorsal') ovaries at all times, and a similar relationship was found in testes prior to and during the spawning season.     

Responses to hypoxia of plaice,Pleuronectes platessa,and dab,Limanda limanda,in the south-east Kattegat: distribution and growth

Synopsis Plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, and dab, Limanda limanda, were sampled with a Glommen lobster trawl at 25 to 40 m depth in the SE Kattegat during spring and autumn of 1984 to 1990. During autumn, hypoxia (O₂-concentration < 3 mg I^–1) occurred in the bottom water below the halocline for four to ten weeks every year, except in 1984 when moderate hypoxia (O₂-concentration 3–5 mg 1^–1) occurred. Biomass of both species was shown to be negatively correlated with oxygen concentration during autumn. Further, a decrease in population mean total length was observed during the study period in both spring and autumn samples. Laboratory studies of growth of juvenile plaice and dab, at 15° C and 30–34%, showed that growth is reduced at 50 and 30% O₂-saturation for both species during a 20 d period. There was some adaptation to hypoxia resulting in less reduction of growth during the second half of the experiment. The frequency of fish eating was reduced in plaice at 30% O₂-saturation. Reduced mean total length of the plaice and dab population of the SE Kattegat is discussed in view of sublethal effects of oxygen deficiency.     

Emptying rates of single and double meals of different food quality from the stomach of the dab, Limanda limanda (L.)

In previous studies on gastric emptying time in Limanda , data were obtained which predict that food will empty from the stomach according to: after a temperature sensitive delay. This curve gives an excellent prediction of the emptying of both artificial and natural food items given as single meals when stomachs are sampled directly. However, when two meals are given 3 h apart, emptying rate depends on whether the two meals remain separate or are allowed to mix by omitting the binding agent. In the absence of a binder, both meals are slowed so that the overall emptying rate is as predicted by the equation. When binder is present, the first meal is not delayed and the overall gastric emptying rate is increased 35%.     

The feeding strategy of dab Limanda limanda in the southern North Sea: linking stomach contents to prey availability in the environment

The feeding strategy of dab Limanda limanda was investigated within a predefined research area in the southern North Sea for 2 years. The aims were: 1) to establish the relationship between prey availability and dab abundance, distribution, body condition and prey selection, and 2) to determine the underlying functional processes of prey choice in dab. Temporal and spatial trends of prey availability in relation to dab abundances, distribution, condition and prey selection were analysed. Temporal trends in dab condition, percentage of empty stomachs and numbers of ingested prey were apparent. In particular in the winter period 2000–2001 dab were in poor condition and prey items were only rarely found in stomachs. Similarly prey availability decreased in the environment while the abundance of dab increased. Thus, temporal changes in the nutritive state were partly thought to be attributed to density‐dependent effects. The stomach composition of dab during the two consecutive summers was mainly dominated by Pariambus typicus and Ophiura albida while in the winter period only O. albida made a significant contribution to the stomach content. Analysis of prey characteristics indicated that only prey densities in the environment significantly influenced prey choice in dab, while other characteristics such as the position of the prey in the habitat, its palatability or mobility did not have significant effects. The feeding strategy of dab thus was highly opportunistic, although trends were apparent that suggested that buried living fauna was less likely to be ingested, which was also observed in previous studies.     

The autonomic innervation of the liver and gallbladder of Podarcis hispanica

The innervation of the liver and gallbladder of the lizard Podarcis hispanica has been studied by the following methods: a) demonstration of cholinesterase activity; b) FIF method for catecholamines; and c) immunohistochemistry for VIP. The hepatic parenchyma of the reptile's liver show hepatocytes arranged in regular rows of hepatic cords, the portal triad being typical of higher vertebrates (birds and mammals). Nerve fibers are found in the scarce connective tissue distributed among the hepatocytes. The innervation is restricted to the big branches of blood vessels and biliary ducts. It is represented by cholinergic, noradrenergic and VIPergic fibers. The gallbladder shows a well developed cholinergic plexus with pyramidal cells in the interconnection points of the fiber network. The noradrenergic and VIPergic plexuses are also more widely distributed in the gallbladder than in the liver.