Effects of natural sediment properties on test results in bioassays with oyster larvae (Crassostrea gigas) on sediment elutriates

Toxicity tests with oyster larvae are becoming increasingly important as sensitive bioassays for assessing water and sediment quality. In 1983 a procedure was presented specifically for the testing of seawater elutriates of sediment samples. Testing sediment elutriates with oyster larvae in a sediment-water system invokes specific problems related to natural sediment characteristics. Experiments were set up to study the effects of these sediment properties on the bioassay results. The effects of sediment grain size, suspended solids, elutriation period, as well as the possible effects of naturally occurring toxic nutrients, like ammonia, were studied. Also the effect of presence or absence of the elutriated sediment and the distribution of larvae in the test vessels were studied.It is concluded that natural sediment properties can have substantial effects on the test results in elutriate tests with sediment present in the test vessel. Recommendations are formulated to minimize these effects or to use other test fractions for predicting bulk sediment toxicity.     

Gut evacuation of walleye pollock larvae in response to feeding conditions

Gut residence times of first-feeding walleye pollock larvae were measured at 6°C in continuous and discontinuous feeding regimes. Larvae fed tagged copepod prey evacuated their guts more quickly in continuous feeding as compared to the discontinuous feeding treatment. The mean gut residence time was estimated to be 5.0 h for larvae feeding continuously. Gut evacuation by larvae fed tagged prey and then isolated without food (discontinuous treatment) was slower and more variable, with an estimated gut residence time exceeding 8.0 h. Field and laboratory observations suggest that the larval fish gut may be modeled as an intermittent plug-flow reactor (PFR) in response to diel feeding patterns. The cyclical nature of gut dynamics has implications for gut content analyses and the estimation of daily food rations.     

Effects of sediment eluates and extracts from differently polluted small rivers on zebrafish embryos and larvae

The effects on newly fertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of zebrafish Danio rerio following exposure to sediment samples from the more heavily contaminated River Körsch, southern Germany, occurred earlier and were more prominent than in samples from the less contaminated Krähenbach. Dose- and time-related effects following exposure to Körsch sediment eluates and extracts included: (1) hatching failure and subsequent death of larvae exposed to undiluted aqueous sediment eluates and reduced hatching rates at sediment extract concentrations 0·0125%; (2) increased mortality after exposure to 25 and 50% dilutions of aqueous sediment eluates, and dilutions of 0·00625% sediment extracts; (3) reduction of heart beat frequency for 50% dilutions of sediment eluates and concentrations of 0·025% extracts; (4) increased frequency of heart and yolk sac oedema after exposure to 0·0125% sediment extracts. Since adverse effects of sediment extracts observed in zebrafish laboratory tests correlated with reproductive failure in natural populations of brown trout Salmo trutta f. fario in the severely polluted River Körsch, early life stages tests with zebrafish appear to be a suitable tool to assess the contamination rate of natural sediments.     

Improvement of post-thaw sperm survivals using liquid nitrogen vapor in a spermcasting oyster Ostrea angasi

Low survival of cryopreserved sperm impedes the application of cryopreservation technique in spermcasting oyster species. This study developed a simple method of liquid nitrogen vapor freezing to improve post-thaw sperm survival in the spermcasting oyster Ostrea angasi. The results indicate that the permeable cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG) were non-toxic to sperm up to 20% concentration and 90 min exposure whereas methanol at 10% or higher was toxic to sperm for any exposure over 30 min. Among the treatments with permeable cryoprotectants, 15% EG produced the highest post-thaw sperm motility. Sperm motility was further improved by the addition of non-permeable cryoprotectants (trehalose and glucose), with 15% EG + 0.2 M trehalose resulting in the highest post-thaw sperm motility among all the combinations evaluated. The durations of 20, 30 and 60 min equilibrations produced a higher post-thaw sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) than 10 min. Higher post-thaw motility and PMI were achieved by freezing sperm at the 8 cm height from the liquid nitrogen surface than at the 2, 4, 6, 10 or 12 cm height. Holding sperm for 10 min in liquid nitrogen vapor produced higher post-thaw motility and PMI than for 2, 5 or 20 min. The cryopreservation protocol developed in this study improved both post-thaw motility and PMI of O. angasi sperm at least 15% higher than those cryopreserved using programmable freezing method. Liquid nitrogen vapor freezing might have greater applicability in improving post-thaw sperm quality of spermcasting oyster species.     

Growth factors as clinical biomarkers of prognosis and diagnosis in psychiatric disorders

The psychiatric disorders are one of the most disabling illnesses in the world and represent a major problem for public health. These disorders are characterized by neuroanatomical or biochemical changes and it has been suggested that such changes may be due to inadequate neurodevelopment. Diverse alterations in the gene expression and/or serum level of specific growth factors have been implicated in the etiology, symptoms and progression of some psychiatric disorders. Herein, we summarize the latest information regarding the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), neuroregulin-1 (NGR-1), erythropoietin (EPO), vascular growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), nerve growth factor (NGF) and others cytokines in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, depression, bipolar and anxiety disorders. Focusing on the role of these growth factors and their relationship with the main impairments (cognitive, emotional and social) of these pathologies. Some of these signaling molecules may be suitable biological markers for diagnosis and prognosis in cognitive, mood and social disabilities across different mental disorders.     

In situ localization of heat-shock and histone proteins in honey-bee (Apis mellifera l.) larvae infected with Paenibacillus larvae

The immunohistochemical localization of the heat shock proteins (Hsp70 and Hsp90) and histone protein in healthy and Paenibacillus larvae infected honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) larvae has been studied. Hsp70 was found in the nuclei and the cytoplasm of infected midgut, salivary gland cells and haemocytes, but not in uninfected larvae. Hsp90 was localized in both infected and uninfected cells. Exposed histone proteins were localized in the nuclei of dying uninfected cells undergoing programmed cell death. The distribution of histone protein in uninfected cells of midgut, salivary gland, and other tissues was nuclear and indicative of normal programmed cell death at levels between 1 and 5%.After applying histone protein antibodies to P. larvae infected honeybee larvae, the DAB based reaction product was located in the nuclei or immediate surroundings of all larval cells. The Hsp70, Hsp90 and histone protein distribution patterns are discussed in relation to the morphological, cytochemical and immunocytochemical characteristics of programmed cell death and pathological necrosis. Results produced by methyl green-pyronin staining confirm an elevation of RNA levels in normal programmed cell death and a reduced staining for RNA in necrotic infected cells.     

Different sensitivity of Ca(2+)-ATPase and cholinesterase to pure and commercial pesticides in nervous ganglia of Phyllocaulis soleiformis (Mollusca)

We measured the effects in vitro of pure and commercial pesticides on Ca(2+)-activated ATPase and cholinesterase (ChE) activities in the nervous system of the slug Phyllocaulis soleiformis. The pesticides used in this study included carbamate and organophosphates, which acts as reversible and irreversible anticholinesterases, respectively. Both enzymes were insensitive to pure carbofuran (1 mM), glyphosate (1 mM) and malathion (120 microM). However, the carbamate carbofuran, in the commercial formulation Furandan 350S, inhibited ATPase and ChE activities. The organophosphate glyphosate used in the commercial preparation of Gliz 480CS inhibited ATPase activity and increased cholinesterase activity. These effects are likely due to the action of adjuvant substances of the chemical formulation. The commercial formulation (Malatol 500CE) did not alter enzymes activities. Our results suggest that cholinesterase present in the slug nervous tissue has a different behavior to those identified in vertebrate nervous tissue, since it was insensitive to pure compounds, known as anticholinesterases in vertebrates. Considering the insensitivity of the Ca(2+)-activated ATPase, we suggested that the purinergic neurotransmission and other roles of ATP might not be affected by the pure pesticides tested.     

Effects of environmental factors on survival, growth, and production of American shad larvae

Episodic increases in temperature of 5°C above 20° C, over 48 h or declines in pH of 1·0 unit from pH 7·0 reduced survival of yolk-sac and feeding-stage larvae of American shad Alosa sapidissima . Over 16 days all measures of survival, growth, and production were more favourable at each higher temperature in the 15–25° C range. More favourable responses were also obtained at the higher prey level (500 v . 50 Artemia nauplii l^-1) and at the higher pH (7·5 v . 6·5). Combinations of high temperature and high prey levels, at pH 7·5, led to highest larval production. Little growth or production occurred at 15° C, regardless of pH or prey level. The effect of pH was strong with respect to survival, but weak with respect to growth. In attempts to restore American shad populations by larval stocking, release times and sites can be critical to optimize survival and eventual returns. Releases of larvae potentially will be most effective when made at temperatures >20° C, pH>7·0, and prey levels >50 1^-1. These conditions are most likely to occur in Maryland tributaries of Chesapeake Bay between mid-May and early June.     

The effects of environmental factors on rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax embryos and larvae

Experiments were conducted to identify environmental factors that influence the survival of rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax during their early life stages. Developing rainbow smelt embryos and yolk-sac larvae were cultured under controlled conditions with different dissolved oxygen (DO; 1·09, 2·18, 4·37 and 6·55 mg l⁻¹, pH (4·0, 4·5, 5·0, 5·5, 6·0 and 7·0), nitrate ( 0·7, 3·6, 7·3, 14·6 and 29·2 mg l⁻¹), phosphate (0·04, 0·21, 0·42, 2·08 and 4·17 mg l⁻¹) and salinity (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30) levels. Rainbow smelt embryos were also incubated with simulated tidal salinity fluctuations (2–28), ultraviolet radiation (irradiances of 2·8, 6·2 and 5·1 W m⁻²) and under natural conditions in two rainbow smelt spawning rivers. In the laboratory, hatch was only impaired under the lowest DO and pH conditions (0 and 13% hatch, respectively) and at highest constant salinity levels (0% hatch). Larval survival was only affected by pH levels ≤5·0. The experiment that compared hatch under natural conditions was terminated when embryos became covered with silt and fungus. These results suggest that water acidification, sediment and fungal growth may affect rainbow smelt survival during their early life stages.     

Neural correlates of settlement in veliger larvae of the gastropod,Crepidula fornicata

Settlement behavior of molluscan veliger larvae prior to metamorphosis requires cessation of swimming, accomplished by arrest of prototrochal cilia on the margin of the velum (the larval swimming organ). Ciliary arrest in larvae of gastropods is mediated by an action potential that occurs synchronously across the velum as a consequence of electrical coupling between the prototrochal ciliated cells. We developed a preparation for extracellular recording of such ciliary arrest spikes from intact swimming and crawling veliger larvae of the caenogastropod Crepidula fornicata, using a fine wire electrode. Ciliary arrest spike rates during bouts of substrate crawling were significantly higher than those recorded during preceding swimming periods in larvae that were competent for metamorphosis, but not in precompetent larvae. Spike rates were similar on clean polystyrene substrates, and on substrates that had been coated with a natural cue for metamorphosis (mucus from conspecific adults). We used immunohistochemical methods to localize neuromodulators that might regulate the function of velar cilia. Labeled terminals for serotonin, FMRFamide, and tyrosine hydroxylase (an enzyme for catecholamine synthesis) were located in positions consistent with modulatory effects on the prototrochal ciliated cells. Prototrochal ciliary arrest spike rates and beat frequencies were measured in isolated velar lobes from competent larvae, which were exposed to serotonin, FMRFamide, and dopamine (10^?5 mol L^?1). Serotonin abolished arrest spiking and increased beat frequency; dopamine also increased beat frequency, and FMRFamide depressed it. Competent larvae tested in a small static water column swam to the top of the column when exposed to serotonin, but occupied lower positions than controls when in the presence of dopamine and FMRFamide. The larval nervous system appears to regulate velar functions that are critical for settlement behavior, and is likely to do so by integrating different sensory modalities in an age‐dependent manner.     

蜂王幼虫与工蜂幼虫发育期食物消耗量的研究

以意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica雌性幼虫为试验材料,用鲜王浆、葡萄糖、果糖和酵母抽提物分别配制不同日龄的蜂王幼虫食物和工蜂幼虫食物,采用室内人工饲养蜜蜂幼虫技术饲养12h以内的蜂王幼虫和工蜂幼虫,直到幼虫出现排便和吐丝行为,记录幼虫生长发育期间消耗的总食物量。结果表明:1只蜂王幼虫在生长发育期平均消耗196.8mg蜂王幼虫食物,而1只工蜂幼虫在生长发育期平均消耗139.4mg工蜂幼虫食物。     

泰安地区松阿扁叶蜂越冬幼虫抗寒性

松阿扁叶蜂越是松树的重要食叶害虫之一。其幼虫在松林土壤中越冬,越冬幼虫的抗寒能力影响翌年的种群密度和危害程度。用NTC-TD热敏电阻 数字电表法研究了越冬幼虫的过冷却能力并调查了越冬场所、龄期、死亡率等。结果表明:越冬幼虫的过冷却点随外界温度的高低而变化。4、5、6龄越冬幼虫平均过冷却点依次由越冬初期的-19.3℃-、20.3℃-、21.6℃降至越冬期的-22.5℃-、24.8℃-、23.1℃,冰点依次由越冬初期的-12.8℃-、12.9℃-、12.1℃降至越冬期的-14.1℃、-16.8℃-、15.3℃。从越冬期进入早春出蛰期后,随着温度的回升,过冷却点也随之升高。调查林间越冬幼虫龄期表明,4龄、5龄、6龄皆有,以5龄为最多,占53%;越冬幼虫以山坡中部和顶部土壤瘠薄处虫口密度较小,分别占28.6%和29.3%,山坡基部土层较厚处密度较大,占42.1%;越冬幼虫在树冠内的分布,以南部方位最多(27.0%),东部方位(26.3%)和西部方位(25.6%)略少,北部方位最少(21.1%);调查幼虫死亡因子,以真菌感染致死最多,占总死亡数的42.4%,细菌和其它因子分别为28%和29.7%。     

Comparison of laboratory-reared eggs, embryos and larvae of five labrid fishes

Eggs, embryos and larvae of five labrid fishes, Thalassoma cupido, Pteragogus flagellifer, Pseudolabrus japonicus, Halichoeres tenuispinnis, and H. poecilopterus, reared in the laboratory are described and compared. The eggs were buoyant and spherical, with a single, spherical oil globule. P. japonicus eggs were unique in lacking melanophores on the oil globule. Eggs of the remaining species closely resembled each other, except in diameter. Incubation periods were short, ranging from ca. 19 h in H. poecilopterus to ca. 31 h in P. japonicus. The newly-hatched embryos also resembled each other, having a short tail and large oval or pear-shaped yolksac, the anterior tip of which extended beyond the snout. The single oil globule was located at the anterior tip of the yolk. As the yolksac diminished with growth, its anterior tip moved posteriorly. The yolk and oil globule were completely absorbed 3 or 4 days after hatching. In all free embryos and larvae except for Pteragogus flagellifer, needle-like projections appeared on both the dorsal and anal finfold margins 12 h to 1 day after hatching. Although morphology of free embryos and larvae of all five species was very similar, differences in pigmentation, location of the anus, and the needle-like projections were apparent. Artificial keys to the newly-hatched embryos and larvae are given.     

Ecosystem engineering in space and time

The ecosystem engineering concept focuses on how organisms physically change the abiotic environment and how this feeds back to the biota. While the concept was formally introduced a little more than 10 years ago, the underpinning of the concept can be traced back to more than a century to the early work of Darwin. The formal application of the idea is yielding new insights into the role of species in ecosystems and many other areas of basic and applied ecology. Here we focus on how temporal, spatial and organizational scales usefully inform the roles played by ecosystem engineers and their incorporation into broader ecological contexts. Two particular, distinguishing features of ecosystem engineers are that they affect the physical space in which other species live and their direct effects can last longer than the lifetime of the organism – engineering can in essence outlive the engineer. Together, these factors identify critical considerations that need to be included in models, experimental and observational work. The ecosystem engineering concept holds particular promise in the area of ecological applications, where influence over abiotic variables and their consequent effects on biotic communities may facilitate ecological restoration and counterbalance anthropogenic influences.     

Biological control of Botrytis bunch rot in Atlantic climate vineyards with Candida sake CPA-1 and its survival under limiting conditions of temperature and humidity

Candida sake CPA-1 is an antagonistic yeast that has previously been shown to effectively control Botrytis bunch rot in grapes. The efficacy of biological control agents is dependent on their survival, which may also depend on climatic conditions. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of abiotic factors affecting the survival of biological control agents, such as temperature (T) or relative humidity (RH). In this study, efficacy of C. sake (5 × 10⁷ CFU mL⁻¹), which was applied with the additive Fungicover (FC; 50 g L⁻¹), was tested against BBR in the laboratory and in field trials under the Atlantic climate conditions of the Bordeaux region (France). The study also evaluated the survival of C. sake under T and RH regimes simulated in climatic chambers. Two or five applications of C. sake plus FC during the growing season significantly reduced BBR severity at harvest by 48% and 82%, respectively, when compared to the control. Similar reductions were achieved after inoculation with selected virulent Botrytis cinerea strains (75% compared to control) in laboratory experiments. C. sake populations showed minimal decreases between field applications and were favored by simulated Atlantic climate conditions. The survival pattern of C. sake exposed to 40 and 45 °C combined with 30% and 100% of RH was described, demonstrating a sharp decrease during the first 24 h. Allowing 48 h for C. sake to incubate and become established on fruits prior to the exposure to 40 °C and 30% RH increased survival (P < 0.05). These results confirm the efficacy of treatment with C. sake plus FC under favorable climatic conditions for BBR development, while survival studies may help to improve the survival and efficacy of yeast BCAs, such as C. sake CPA-1.     

亮斑扁角水虻幼虫酶解制备蛋白胨工艺优化及蛋白胨性质

【背景】用于餐厨垃圾等有机废弃物处理的亮斑扁角水虻(Hermetia illucens, HI)含有丰富的氨基酸和营养物质,是一种优质、经济的蛋白来源。【目的】利用亮斑扁角水虻幼虫(Hermetia illucens larvae, HIL)制备蛋白胨用于细菌培养,为亮斑扁角水虻的应用方式提供新的思路。【方法】以亮斑扁角水虻幼虫为原料,利用单因素试验确定最佳酶解条件,对比分析HIL蛋白胨和市售胰蛋白胨的基本性质和功能性状,并进行细菌培养、生物化学试验,利用两种蛋白胨分别培养大肠杆菌(Escherichia coli) ATCC 25922模式细菌并通过生长动力学分析评价应用效果。【结果】制备HIL蛋白胨的最佳酶解工艺为按1.3%(质量分数)添加复合酶(胰酶:碱性蛋白酶质量比为1:1),在pH 7.0、54℃条件下反应4 h,此时HIL的水解度为(19.34±0.15)%。HIL蛋白胨和市售胰蛋白胨的功能性状和生物化学试验差异不显著(P>0.05)。大肠杆菌ATCC25922在HIL蛋白胨培养基中生长的X_max和λ分别为6.44和2.45,在市售胰蛋白胨生长的...     

Fish larvae assemblages in the Gulf of California

The distributional diversity and assemblages of fish larvae in the Gulf of California indicated two main seasonal stages and two transitional periods: in winter, the tropical water mass is confined to the south‐east portion of the mouth of the Gulf and larval fish assemblages are dominated by subtropical and temperate‐subarctic species; in summer; tropical water invades the Gulf and assemblages are dominated by tropical species. Both seasonal stages are separated by transitional periods coinciding with strong latitudinal temperature gradients. During the autumn and spring transitional periods, the Gulf of California splits into three regions: a northern region where temperate and subarctic species spawn from autumn to spring, a southern region dominated by tropical and subtropical species year round and a central region where tropical and temperate assemblages merge. Seasonal changes in the location of the regions, as well as the borders between them, show expansion and contraction of the northern and southern faunas related to the general oceanic circulation patterns during the year.