Limited contribution of predation by zooplanktivorous cyprinids to 0+ fish mortality

Predation by zooplanktivorous cyprinids was hypothesized as substantially contributing to larval fish mortality. To test this assumption, potential predators were sampled by electric fishing at sites and times of high fish larvae densities in the lower Oder River, Germany, in 2002 and 2003. At ten sites with high prey fish densities, all fishes ≥1+ and 0+ pike – all considered potentially predating on fish larvae – were captured, anaesthetised, and fixed. In the laboratory, 982 guts, respectively, stomachs were dissected and checked for fish larvae and larvae remains. Predation on 0+ fish was detected in the primary piscivorous fishes Esox lucius L. and Aspius aspius (L.), and facultative piscivorous Perca fluviatilis L., whilst none of the other nine species examined consumed fish. These findings implicate that predation by planktivorous cyprinids did not explain the typically strong decline in larval fish densities in the first weeks after hatching.     

Dispersal of fish eggs and larvae in a cascade of small hydropower plants with fish ladders

Hydrobiologia - This study was conducted to investigate fish eggs and larvae dispersal in a river stretch influenced by small hydropower plants in Southeast Brazil. The main hypothesis is...     

Symposium of fish behaviour in relation to fishing operations

Conference Report

Symposium of fish behaviour in relation to fishing operations(organized by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) 11–13 June 1992, Bergen, Norway     

Occurrence of limnic micro-crustaceans in relation to temperature and oxygen

Information on the distribution of 56 micro-crustaceans from different types of waters in south and central Sweden was analyzed to reveal their relationships to temperature and oxygen content. A very wide tolerance range concerning these factors was found for most species.     

Occurrence of enteric viruses in shellfish and relation to climatic-environmental factors

Aims: To investigate the presence of enteric viruses [hepatitis A (HAV) and norovirus (NoV)] in shellfish harvested from the deltaic area of the Po river in relation to environmental factors. Methods and Results: Fortnightly sampling of shellfish was carried out in two lagoon areas (category B production areas) and one sea area (category A). Environmental parameters in the lagoon and hydrometric level of the tributary river were monitored throughout the sampling period. Samples (n = 120) were analysed for bacterial (E. coli and Salmonella) and viral (HAV and NoV) contamination; samples from category B areas were analysed before and after purification treatment. All the samples were negative for HAV whereas 10 samples (8·3%), all harvested in the lagoon areas, were positive for NoV. Sequencing identified the strains as genotypes II.4 and II.b. None of the samples was found to be contaminated after depuration. Conclusions: The monitoring showed a low frequency of NoV presence; viral contamination, detected exclusively in shellfish collected from the deltaic area (category B), could be influenced by the flow of the tributary river. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data collected are useful for the design of targeted prevention strategies and for the modulation of control plans after meteorological events.     

Observations on malachite green in relation to its application to fish diseases

Summary Experiments were carried out to evaluate several properties determining the mutual influence of the system: fish-bath-malachite green-pathogen.The toxicity of malachite green solutions in concentrations varying between 1 : 80,000 and 1 : 2,560,000 was tested on immature sand whiting. As regards the toxicity of 1 : 80,000 solutions, for practical purposes no distinction between fish of different size, between equal concentrations of chloride and oxalate salts of the dye, or between fresh and decolourized solutions appears necessary.The survival time increased appreciably with decreasing temperature for the range 13.5–28.0°C.The dye solutions always showed significant decolourization when the pH was higher than 5.Several body tissues of the fish, notably the central nervous system and the lateral red muscles, were stained by fresh as well as decolourized malachite green solutions.The dye proved bacteriostatic but not bactericidal, to pseudomonad and coccus cultures when 1 : 80,000 solutions were used. Once decolourized, the dye became a less effective bacteriostatic.The addition of the dye, or formaldehyde, to the bath induced hyperventilation in the fish.A triple dye mixture, consisting of malachite green, brilliant green and crystal violet, was found to be a valuable therapeutic agent.

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Zusammenfassung Einige Versuche werden durchgeführt zur Erklärung verschiedener Eigenschaften, die die gegenseitige Einwirkung in dem System: Fisch - Bad - Malachitgrün - Pathogen bestimmen.Die Toxizität von Malachitgrün-Lösungen in Konzentrationen welche variierten zwischen 1 : 80,000 and 1 : 2,560,000 wurde geprüft an jungen Sand Whiting. Was die Toxizität der 1 : 80,000 Lösungen betrifft, scheint, für praktischen Zwecke, kein Unterschied zu sein zwischen Fischen verschiedener Länge, zwischen gleichen Konzentrationen von Chlorid und Oxalat-Salzen des Farbstoffes, oder zwischen frischen und entfärbten Lösungen. Die Überlebungszeit nahm merklich zu, wenn die Temperatur erniedrigt war, im Gebiet von 13.5°–28.0°C. Die Farbstoff-Lösungen zeigten erhebliche Entfärbung, wenn der pH - Wert grösser war als 5. Verschiedene Körpergewebe des Fisches, insbesondere das Zentralnervensystem und die lateralen roten Muskeln, werden von frischen sowie entfärbten Lösungen grün gefärbt. Der Farbstoff zeigte in 1 : 80,000 Lösungen bakteriostatische, aber keine bakterizide Wirkung, wenn geprüft an Pseudomonas und Kokkus Kulturen. Zusatz des Farbstoffes, oder Formaldehyde, zum Bade veranlasste in dem Fisch Hyperventilation. Ein Tripelfarbstoff-Gemisch, das bestand aus Malachitgrün, Brilliantgrün und Kristallviolett, zeigte sich ein wertvolles Therapeutikum.

     

Reproductive investment in relation to survival risk in a livebearing fish

Fish have comparatively small brains and are not renowned for their intelligence. Yet a series of laboratory experiments on the guppy reveals that they can be surprisingly good at learning from each other, and that social learning processes can mediate behavioural traditions analogous to the tool using traditions of different populations of chimpanzees. Transmission chain experiments have established that arbitrary and even maladaptive information can be socially transmitted among shoals of fish. Studies of behavioural innovation in guppies are strikingly consistent with findings of equivalent studies in primates. There are strong sex differences in innovatory tendencies and social learning abilities in guppies, which also parallel observations of primates. These studies suggest that the adage 'necessity is the mother of invention' may be a characteristic feature of animal innovation. When considered in combination with the findings of transfer experiments carried out on natural populations of fish, it becomes apparent that fish are an excellent model system for studies of animal social learning and culture.     

Exercise-induced blood flow in relation to muscle relaxation period

Background

Dynamic exercise is characterized by relaxation periods between contractions. The relaxation period should be considered as a causal factor for determining the magnitude of blood flow during dynamic exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle relaxation periods determined by the response of each subject on the exercise-induced blood flow response.

Methods

Seven healthy female subjects performed dynamic plantar flexions twice in succession; the duration of each flexion was 1- s and they were performed at an intensity of 15%, 30% and 50% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Based on the blood flow response after a single contraction, we set up intervals between two successive contractions; the intervals corresponded to 50% (pre-T_peak), 100% (T_peak), and 150% (post-T_peak) of the time required to reach peak blood flow.

Results

In all the conditions, upon cessation of the contraction, there was a progressive, beat-by-beat increase in the blood flow through the popliteal artery that peaked by the 5^th cardiac cycle. Peak values of blood flow achieved after exercise were significantly higher at pre-T_peak than at T_peak and post-T_peak (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The result indicate that at three intervals based on the time taken to reach the peak value, the highest blood flow value was obtained at the pre-T_peak interval.

     

Feeding selectivity in relation to territory size in a herbivorous reef fish

Summary Territory size in the herbivorous reef fish, Parma victoriae, (Pisces: Pomacentridae) is primarily determined by local density patterns and is independent of changes in food levels (Norman and Jones 1984). However, while individual readily expand territories in response to having their neighbours removed, they appear not to increase total food consumption. Individuals with large territories may benefit from improved food quality. Here we test the hypothesis that expanded territories increase access to preferred food types.A preliminary comparison of the relative proportions of algal species consumed and those present in the field indicated that feeding was highly selective. Strong feeding preferences were indicated by a field cafeteria experiment, in which algal species were presented to individuals in equal amounts. Selectivity indices calculated from diet and availability measures were positively correlated with the feeding preference rankings.Individuals examined from two territory size categories (<10 m² and > 10 m²) did not exhibit significant differences in feeding prefernces. However, they differed greatly in terms of the makeup of their diets. Higher ranking algae such as Champia zostricola and Rhodoglossum sp. were consumed in greater proportions on large territories. Algal abundances within territories also differed for the two groups. Some of the less abundant, high ranking food species were found in greater quantities per unit area on large territories. The differences in diet were not solely explained by changes in availability. The appropriate comparison showed that whereas individuals on large territories fed in a highly selective manner, those on small territories consumed algae in proportion to their availability. A neighbour removal experiment supported the hypothesis that territory expansion results in an increase in the consumption of preferred algal species.     

Longitudinal movement of fish in response to a single-day flow pulse

We studied whether fish were displaced longitudinally downstream by a 1-day whitewater kayaking pulse flow release from Camino Dam on Silver Creek, a tributary of the South Fork American River, California. On 15 September 2004 flows were increased from a base flow of 0.48 m³·s^-1 to a peak of 18.48 m³·s^-1 by midday, and decreased back to base levels. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) were observed in snorkel surveys before and after the pulse. Counts of young-of-the-year and juvenile trout were 26% and 9% lower after the pulse, respectively. Counts of adult trout were 12% higher. Six adult trout were radio-tagged and were observed in the reach before, during, and after the pulsed flow. Our results suggest that most trout were able to remain in the study reach during the pulse, but that smaller fish may be more likely to be displaced downstream.     

Occurrence and distribution of D-cysteinolic acid in fish and shellfish

1. An unknown compound which is very similar to taurine was detected in the extract of sardine Sardinops melanosticta. 2. It was identified as D-cysteinolic acid: 2-amino-3-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonic acid from instrumental analysis. 3. This may be the first report in which the occurrence of D-cysteinolic acid in fish has been demonstrated. 4. Of 14 species of fish and shellfish examined, the presence of this compound was confirmed in 7 species.     

Occurrence of N-acylethanolamine phospholipids in fish brain and spinal cord

N-Acylethanolamine phospholipids were identified in the central nervous system of the fresh water fish, pike (Esox lucius) and carp (Cyprinus carpio), at levels ranging from 0.1 to 0.9% of total phospholipid. The N-acylethanolamine phospholipids of carp brain were isolated and characterized by chemical, biochemical and spectroscopic methods. Two major species, 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(N-acyl)ethanolamines (approx. 30%) and 1-O-(1'-alkenyl)-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho(N-acyl)ethanolamines (approx. 70%) were identified. The N-acyl groups of each species consisted primarily of 16:0 (approx. 60%) but also contained 16:1, 18:0 and 18:1 (approx. 10% each) and a number of trace constituents. The N-acylethanolamine phospholipids had O-acyl and O-alkenyl group compositions similar but not identical to those of the ethanolamine phospholipids of the same tissue. N-Acylethanolamine phospholipids were present in all subcellular fractions of carp brain, except mitochondria.     

Importance of Photobacterium phosphoreum in relation to spoilage of modified atmosphere-packed fish products

Occurrence and growth of Photobacterium phosphoreum were studied in 20 experiments with fresh fish from Denmark, Iceland and Greece. The organism was detected in all marine fish species but not in fish from fresh water. Growth of P. phosphoreum to high levels (>10⁷ cfu g⁻¹) was observed in most products and the organism is likely to be of importance for spoilage of several modified atmosphere-packed (MAP) marine fish species when stored at chill temperatures. Some microbiological methods recommended for control of fish products by national and international authorities are inappropriate for detection of psychrotolerant and heat-labile micro-organisms like P. phosphoreum . These methods have been used in many previous studies of MAP fish and this could explain why, contrary to the findings in the present study, P. phosphoreum in general was not detected previously in spoiled MAP fish.     

Simultaneous polygyny of the gobiid fish Asterropteryx semipunctata in relation to mate availability

Nesting males of Asterropteryx semipunctata conducted spawning behavior with 2–6 females simultaneously. We carried out field observations on a rocky reef in Kagoshima, Japan, to examine the hypotheses that large males will show multi-female spawning behavior because of their mating advantage, and that simultaneous multi-female spawning will occur when the operational sex ratio (OSR; the ratio of receptive males to receptive females) becomes female-biased. Contrary to our prediction, neither the total number of multi-female spawnings during a spawning season nor mean number of spawning females at a time were correlated with nesting male sizes. This indicates that larger males often did not conduct multi-female spawnings. As predicted, the incidence of multi-female spawning followed the change in the OSR over time—as the OSR in the study area became biased toward females, the incidence of multi-female spawnings gradually increased. Our results suggest that mate availability affects mating patterns in A. semipunctata.