Length–weight relationships and condition factor of the Japanese silver-biddy, Gerres equulus, in the Yatsushiro Sea, western Kyushu, Japan

The Japanese silver-biddy Gerres equulus (Temminck and Schlegel) is one of the most common shore fishes in the costal waters of southern Japan and commercially important for the local fishery. In this study the condition factor, length–weight (LWR) and length–length relationships (LLR) of G. equulus are described for the first time. A total of 1121 specimens (511 males; 620 females) were collected using gill nets in the Yatsushiro Sea, western Kyushu, Japan. The overall allometric coefficient b of LWR was close to the isometric values ( b  =   3.088). Fulton's condition factor showed high values at the beginning of the spawning season (June–September) and peaking 2 months after the spawning season.     

Weight‐length relationships and condition factor trends for thirty‐eight fish species in trawled and untrawled areas off the coast of northern Sicily (central Mediterranean Sea)

This paper reports the weight‐length relationship (WLR) for thirty‐eight fish species from the Gulf of Castellammare (NW Sicily, Mediterranean Sea). A total of 59 870 fish were collected and measured during four seasonal trawl surveys carried out in 2005 at 10 to 200 m depth. The b parameter of the WLRs ranged from 1.79 (Cepola macrophthalma) to 3.56 (Conger conger). Significant differences in both a and b values among seasons were detected for eight species. Moreover, the condition factors (as weight‐at‐length) of Merluccius merluccius and Mullus barbatus were compared in different area/year combinations characterized by the presence or absence of trawling impact. While M. barbatus showed a higher condition factor in trawled areas/years, possibly due to density‐dependent factors linked to the increased biomass in the no‐trawl area, no such link was detected in M. merluccius.     

Length–length relationship, length–weight relationship, gonadosomatic index, condition factor, size at maturity and fecundity of Parastromateus niger (Carangidae) in Kuwaiti waters

Analyses of morphometric parameters of the black pomfret, Parastromateus niger, in the Kuwaiti waters of the Arabian Gulf during a 44‐month study revealed the following length‐length relationships: TL (cm) = 0.63 + 1.15SL (females), TL (cm) = 0.94 + 1.14SL (males) and TL (cm) = 0.75 + 1.15SL (both sexes including juveniles). The 95% CI of the exponent in length‐weight relationship varied from 2.788 to 2.796 in females, 2.726 to 2.732 in males, 2.779 to 2.784 for both sexes and 2.590 to 2.613 in juveniles, all indicating an allometric relationship. Simultaneous analysis of Fulton’s condition factor (K) and GSI indicate that spawning in black pomfret peaks in May and June even though the fish remain in good condition throughout the spawning season. The Fulton’s condition factor was statistically discriminatory in determining the well‐being of P. niger. Variation in average maximum condition was significant between sexes and also higher in 2004 as compared to 2005. The mean size at first sexual maturity (SL_50%) was 17.5 cm for males and 29 cm for females. Fecundity ranged from 71 305 to 3 895 449 eggs and correlated positively with: (a) ovary‐free body weight (P < 0.05), standard length (P < 0.05) and ovary weight (P < 0.05), and negatively with egg size (P > 0.05). Fecundity‐total length relationship was best described by the logarithmic equation of the form F = 0.898 + 3.15 × TL^3.15. The use of results of such morphometric studies in the management of the P. niger species in the Arabian Gulf is suggested due to its growing commercial importance.     

Weight–length relationships of 63 fish species in Saros Bay, Turkey

Weight–length relationships are presented for 63 fish species sampled with a commercial trawl vessel at depths ranging from 28 to 370 m between February 2005 and April 2006 in Saros Bay, Turkey. Saros Bay was closed to trawl fishery in 2000, thus, most of the demersal fish species sampled were relatively undisturbed.     

Pollen grain size, stigma depth, and style length: the relationships revisited

I examine data and review information in the literature to test hypotheses proposed by Delpino and Darwin to explain the source of nutrients utilized by pollen tubes. In 1867, Delpino, in his discussion of distyly, suggested that the positive relationship between pollen grain size and style length was based on the pollen grains containing sufficient nutrients to sustain the growth of their pollen tubes through their respective styles. Darwin (The different forms of flowers on plants of the same species, 2nd edn. J. Murray, London, 1884) rejected Delpino’s suggestion based on his examination of distylous species whose morphs produced pollen grains whose sizes were not proportionate to the lengths of their respective styles. Darwin then proposed that pollen tubes first grow autotrophically, i.e., through the stigma, then heterotrophically in the style. This should result in a positive relationship between pollen grain size and stigma depth, if pollen tubes grow autotrophically through the stigma. I examined 15 species in Fabaceae and 20 species in Proteaceae to test the two hypotheses. Pollen grain size was correlated with stigma depth among the Fabaceae, i.e., consistent with Darwin’s hypothesis, and was not correlated with style length in either family, i.e., inconsistent with Delpino’s proposal. Comparisons of related species, in general, were consistent with Darwin’s hypothesis. In addition, information in the literature provided no evidence that pollen tubes obtain resources on or in the stigma, i.e., pollen tube growth from the stigmatic surface to the style was autotrophic. In contrast, pollen tubes obtain an array of resources from the transmission tissue, thus there is little reason for pollen grains to contain those resources. In addition, I suggest that positive correlations between pollen grain size and style/pistil length may be a result of both being correlated with stigma depth.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of 10 small fish species from the Ganges, Bangladesh

This study describes the length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships for ten small indigenous fish species from the lower part of the Ganges, Bangladesh, namely Ailia coila , Amblypharyngodon mola , Aspidoparia morar , Clupisoma atherinoides , Eutropiichthyes vacha , Glossogobius giuris , Gudusia chapra , Lepidocephalus guntea , Mystus vittatus , and Puntius ticto . A total of 2142 specimens, representing 10 species of 5 families used for this study were caught by traditional fishing gear from March 2006 to February 2007. Standard length (SL), total length (TL) and fork length (FL) for each specimen were measured by digital slide calipers and each body weight (BW) was taken by a digital balance. The allometric coefficient b of the LWR was close to the isometric value ( b  =   3.001) in G. giuris , although it suggested negative allometric growth in A. coila, A. morar, C. atherinoides, E. vacha, and P. ticto, whilst positive allometric growth in rest of the species. The results further indicated that the LLRs were highly correlated ( r ²  >   0.890; P < 0.01). To the best our knowledge, this study presented the first reference on LWR and LLR for most of the species in Bangladesh.     

Weight–length relationships for 54 species of the Arade estuary, southern Portugal

Weight–length relationships (WLRs) are presented for 54 species sampled by several types of fishing gear between February 2004 and May 2007, in the Arade estuary (southern Portugal). WLRs for six species are presented for the first time.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships for some continental fishes of northwestern Baja California, México

Length–weight and length–length relationships were estimated for 10 freshwater, estuarine and marine fish species caught at the mouths of coastal sterams from northwestern Baja California (Mexico). The parameter b estimated by nonlinear least squares of weight and length data, ranged from 2.50 to 3.61. Size conversions (calculated total length from standard length) can be used in fishery for understanding several aspects of population dynamics.     

Species-area curve,life history strategies,and succession: a field test of relationships

Changes of species richness along temporal and environmental gradients were investigated. Two data sets were used: a successional sere of old-field plant communities in the Bohemian Karst, and a set of plant communities under various intensities of disturbance in the Krkonoe (Giant) Mts, both in Czechoslovakia. The species richness of a plant community is a spatial phenomenon, and should be described by the species-area relationship (using e.g. the power function S=c\A ^z) rather than by a single number. In the old-field succession, the number of species in very small plots (0.1×0.1 m) tends to increase with successional age while the number of species in larger plots (4×4 m) decreases from the third year of succession. The plant community under the highest rate of disturbance of the Krkonoe Mts data set shows the lowest number of species on small plots and the highest number of species on large plots. The results may be explained using the distinction between founder-and dominance-controlled communities (Yodzis 1978, 1984). In accordance with this theory, the species-area relationship within a community is shaped mainly by the type of competitive interaction and may be predicted on the basis of life-history strategies of constituent species. Disturbance causes a shift from dominance to founder control. On the landscape scale, the species-area relationship is shaped by other factors, and so it is unjustified to extrapolate the relationship outside the range in which it was originally assessed.     

Weight–length relationships of cyprinid fishes of the Iberian Peninsula

Weight–length (W–L) relationships for 28 cyprinid species collected on the Iberian Peninsula are presented. Values of the exponent b in the W–L relationships ranged from 2.78 to 3.47. These are the first W–L parameters reported for 11 of the species, all of them endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of fish species from the Chi River,northeastern Thailand

The relationships of total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) are presented for four fish species and the relationships between TL and wet weight for 23 fish species from the Chi River in northeastern Thailand. All length–length relationships were linear (r² > 0.95). Slope (b) of the length–weight relationships showed values between 2.5073 and 3.4896.     

Length–weight,length–length relationships and feeding habits of wild Indus Mahseer,Tor macrolepis,from Attock,Pakistan

In this study the length–weight (LWR) and length–length relationships (LLR) were carried out for Indus Mahseer, Tor macrolepis, from the Haro River and Nalah Kala, Attock, Pakistan. A total of 118 specimens were used to estimate the relationship parameters. The results of LWR (W = a TL^b) from five different sites indicated W = 0.0044 TL^3.14, W = 0.0054 TL^3.08, W = 0.0059 TL^3.21, W = 0.0076 TL^3.12, and W = 0.0107 TL^2.99, respectively, with an overall value of W = 0.0100 TL^2.94. All regressions for LLR were highly significant (P ≤ 0.001), with coefficient of determination (r²) values of > 0.90. All relationships for LWR and LLR were found to be isometric. T. macrolepis is principally a herbivorous bottom feeder, mainly feeding on aquatic plants and algae, supplemented by insects.     

Natural history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the probabilities of transition of stages in the cervical cancer by conducting a meta-studies on the topic. STUDY DESIGN: We identified health states of interest in the natural history of cervical precancer, identified all possible papers that could meet selection criteria, developed relevance and acceptability criteria for inclusion, then thoroughly reviewed the selected studies. To determine the transition probability data we used a random effects model. We determined probabilities for 4 health state transitions. The 6-month mean predictive transition probability (95% confidence intervals with "prediction interval" in parentheses) for high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) to cancer was 0.0037 (0.00004, 0.03386), for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) to HSIL was 0.0362 (0.00055, 0.23220), for HSIL to LSIL was 0.0282 (0.00027, 0.35782), and for LSIL to normal was 0.0740 (0.00119, 0.42672). CONCLUSION: The transition probabilities between cervical cancer health states for 6-month intervals are small; however, the cumulative risk of cervical cancer is significant. Markers to identify the cervical precursors that will lead to the transition to cervical cancer are needed.     

Microsatellite variation, repeat array length, and population history of Plasmodium vivax

A recent paper (Leclerc et al. 2004) described limited variationin dinucleotide microsatellites from Plasmodium vivax, suggestingvery recent bottlenecks or genome-wide selective events. Wedescribe patterns of variation in 11 dinucleotide microsatellitesin P. vivax populations from Colombia, India, and Thailand.We find abundant variation with heterozygosity of 0.64, 0.76,and 0.77, respectively, in the three countries. The discrepancybetween these two studies results is simply explained by thedifferences in the size of repeat arrays. The microsatellitesstudied by Leclerc et al. (2004) have very few repeats (median5.5, range 4–13) and so would not be expected to be variable.Plasmodium vivax microsatellites show comparable levels of variationto those in Plasmodium falciparum when repeat array length istaken into account and provide no support for recent bottlenecksor widespread selective purging     

Weight–length relationships of mangrove fishes from Bahía de La Paz,Gulf of California,Mexico

The weight (W) – length (L) relationship was calculated for 24 fish species captured in three mangrove systems of the southwest Gulf of California, Mexico.     

The effects of four preservation methods on length, weight and condition factor of the clupeid Sardinella aurita Val. 1847

Formalin preservation, freezing, and salted and non‐salted smoking are often used to preserve fishes. Body proportions of fish show changes upon preservation when applying different preserving techniques; most authors report a decrease in length and some authors report changes in weight and condition factor (k). Four groups of round sardinella (Sardinella aurita) were subjected to the above treatments. Initial fork length (cm) and weight (g) ranged from 8.7 to 10.8 cm and 6.74 to 11.4 g, respectively. All fish decreased in both length and weight, with highly significant (P < 0.05) differences. Condition factor decreased in all treatments except formalin. Percentage reductions in length, weight, and condition factor were 11.0, 68.0 and 54.8% with salted smoking; 13.0, 69.3 and 53.3% with non‐salted smoking; 3.0, 14.1 and 6.7% with freezing; and 7.1, 13.3 and 108.1% with formalin preservation, respectively. Shrinkage was the least with freezing, followed by formalin, salted smoking, and non‐salted smoking preservation.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of some small indigenous fish species from the Mathabhanga River, southwestern Bangladesh

The present study describes the length–weight (LWR) and length–length (LLR) relationships for eight important small indigenous fish species (SIS) from the Mathabhanga River, southwestern Bangladesh, namely Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton, 1822), Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793), Hyporamphus quoi (Valenciennes, 1847), Macrognathus aculeatus (Bloch, 1786), M. pancalus (Hamilton, 1822), Nandus nandus (Hamilton, 1822), Puntius sophore (Hamilton, 1822), and Setipinna phasa (Hamilton, 1822). A total of 2543 specimens used for this study was caught by traditional fishing gear from January to December 2005. To the best knowledge of the authors, this study presented the first reference on LWR and LLR for these species from Bangladeshi waters.     

Dry mass–length relationships for benthic insects: a review with new data from Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick, Canada

1.___We summarized previously published mass–length relationships for aquatic insects, and determined the relationship between dry body mass and body length for eight genera and seven families of benthic insects from Catamaran Brook, New Brunswick, Canada.
2.___A power function was the most commonly used model in the earlier studies and best described the observed mass–length relationship for taxa from Catamaran Brook.
3.___Predicted mass at length was highly variable (coefficient of variation_≥ 25%) among models developed in different studies for the same family group. This variability presumably resulted from both variation in the methods used to construct the models, and in the natural spatio-temporal and taxonomic variation in mass at length, although the relative contributions of these two sources cannot be determined from existing data.
4.___Several recommendations are made for the development and application of mass–length equations in future studies.