Supernumerary chromosomes in a Rhamdia hilarii population (Pisces,Pimelodidae)

A study was conducted on the chromosomes of a Rhamdia hilarii (Pisces, Pimelodidae) population. The results suggest that the basic chromosome number is 2n=58, with numerical variation up to a limit of 2n=63, due to the presence of supernumerary chromosomes which seem to be mitotically stable. These chromosomes are metacentrics and can be different in size. The C-banding pattern, showing heterochromatin especially in both telomeric regions, permits their identification in the karyotype. The NORs are located on secondary terminal constrictions on the short arm of a pair of subtelocentric chromosomes. However, there may be heteromorphism in the size of the secondary constrictions and, consequently, in the size of the NORs.     

Planktivory by larval Odontesthes bonariensis (Atherinidae: Pisces) and its effects on zooplankton community structure

This paper describes the effect of predation by larvae of theatherinid Odontesthes bonariensis upon the zooplankton communityduring a 3-month experiment Three-day-old larvae were stockedin 45 m² concrete tanks at rates of 100 and 200 fish m^–2Gut content analyses showed that the larvae consumed relativelysmall prey all along the experiment Morphological (mouth width)and physiological (gastric inefficiency) constraints seems tohave precluded the capture of the largest prey. The prey community,however, showed all the symptoms generally ascribed to size-selectivepredation upon the largest individuals: decrease in maximumzooplankton size and mean cladoceran size, decrease in cladoceranand copepod biomass, extinction of the largest zooplankton species(Daphnia stmilis), increase in rotifer biomass, etc It is concludedthat size-selective predation is not a necessary condition forthe commonly observed decrease in zooplankton size after theincrease in density of a vertebrate predator. The ecologicalimplications of this result are discussed. Present address: Department of Biology, Lehigh University, WilliamsHall 31, Bethlehem, PA 18015-3189, USA     

Evolutionary history of the genus Rhamdia (Teleostei: Pimelodidae) in Central America

We constructed phylogenetic hypotheses for Mesoamerican Rhamdia, the only genus of primary freshwater fish represented by sympatric species across Central America. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from analysis of 1990 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), represented by the complete nucleotide sequences of the cytochrome b (cyt b) and the ATP synthase 8 and 6 (ATPase 8/6) genes. We sequenced 120 individuals from 53 drainages to provide a comprehensive geographic picture of Central American Rhamdia systematics and phylogeography. Phylogeographic analysis distinguished multiple Rhamdia mtDNA lineages, and the geographic congruence across evolutionarily independent Rhamdia clades indicated that vicariance has played a strong role in the Mesoamerican diversification of this genus. Phylogenetic analyses of species-level relationships provide strong support for the monophyly of a trans-Andean clade of three evolutionarily equivalent Rhamdia taxa: R. guatemalensis, R. laticauda, and R. cinerascens. Application of fish-based mitochondrial DNA clocks ticking at 1.3-1.5% sequence divergence per million years (Ma), suggests that the split between cis- and trans-Andean Rhamdia extends back about 8 Ma, and the three distinct trans-Andean Rhamdia clades split about 6 Ma ago. Thus the mtDNA divergence observed between cis- and trans-Andean Rhamdia species is too low to support an ancient colonization of Central America in the Late Cretaceous or Paleocene as had been hypothesized in one colonization model for Mesoamerican fishes. Rather the mtDNA data indicate that Rhamdia most likely colonized Central America in the late Miocene or Pliocene, promoting a strong role for the Isthmus of Panamá in the Mesoamerican expansion of this genus. Basal polytomies suggest that both the R. laticauda and R. guatemalensis clades spread rapidly across the Central American landscape, but differences in the average mtDNA genetic distances among clades comprising the two species, indicate that the R. laticauda spread and diversified across Mesoamerica about 1 million years before R. guatemalensis.     

Potential impact of size-selective planktivory on phosphorus release by zooplankton

A laboratory model of phosphorus release by Daphnia rosea was implemented for published zooplankton data from lakes characterized by different abundances of size-selective planktivores. Size-selective feeding reduces average prey size and increases P release per unit biomass. At the system level, decreased prey standing crop associated with higher planktivore abundance could balance the size dependent increase in P release rate. However, estimates of both net reduction and net increase in rate of P release from zooplankton resulted from model application. Size-selective feeding might be important not only in energetic or evolutionary relationships between predator and prey but also in determination of the relative importance of different pathways of phosphorus flow through pelagic systems.     

Effect of some metal ions on blood and liver delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase of Pimelodus maculatus (Pisces, Pimelodidae)

1. delta-ALA-D from Pimelodus maculatus was inhibited in vitro by Cd2+ greater than Pb2+ greater than Hg2+ greater than Cu2+ greater than Zn2+ in blood and by Pb2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Hg2+ greater than Cu2+ = Zn2+ in the liver. 2. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition by the metal ions showed that Cd2+ and Hg2+ act as non-competitive inhibitors on both sources. 3. Pb2+ showed a mixed type of inhibition in blood and a non-competitive type in the liver. 4. Zn2+ acted as a competitive or mixed inhibitor, on both sources, depending on concentration.     

Kritskyia moraveci n. g., n. sp. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) from the urinary bladder and ureters of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Pisces: Pimelodidae) in Brazil

Kritskyia n. g. is proposed for K. moraveci n. sp. from the urinary bladder and ureters of Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824), a pimelodid fish from the reservoir of the Hydroelectric Power Station of Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The new genus is most closely related to Acolpenteron Fischthal & Allison, 1940, from which it differs by having a male copulatory complex composed of a coiled cirrus and a bipartite accessory piece, a sinistral vagina, and an antero-ventrally concave haptor which possesses 14 ventrally directed marginal hooks, but lacks an anterior rim and 4A hooks.Research fellow Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, Brasil.     

Convergent Adaptations to Cave Life in the Rhamdia Laticauda Catfish Group (Pimelodidae, Teleostei)

The nocturnal Mexican catfish Rhamdia laticauda (Pimelodidae, Teleostei) is the surface sister species of a number of cave species. Comparison between two of them, R. zongolicensis and R. reddelli, reveals an intermediate state of reduction of the biologically functionless eyes, melanin pigmentation and the negative phototactic behavior. The surface species is perfectly adapted to life in darkness. Therefore only few constructive adaptations are developed in the cave species. For survival under conditions of low food supply in the caves the barbels are elongated to improve the senses of taste and touch and more fat can be deposited in the cave fish tissue. Due to convergent evolution the two cave species are morphologically much alike and show only minor diagnostic meristic differences. From geological data it can be concluded that the two cave species started troglobitic evolution at the end of Pleistocene.     

Analyses of Nucleolus Organizer Regions and Heterochromatin of Pimelodus Maculatus (Pisces, Pimelodidae)

Eighteen specimens of Pimelodus maculatus collected from Tibagi River (Sertaneja, PR, Brazil) were analyzed cytogenetically. The diploid number of 56 chromosomes was observed and karyotype was 20 M + 20 SM + 10 ST + 6 A with fundamental number (FN) of 106. Results of analyses from the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), obtained by AgNO₃, CMA₃ and C-band staining showed marking in a terminal position on the long arm of a pair of subtelocentric chromosomes. The restriction enzyme AluI produced a linear differentiation similar to C-banding. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Parasite community structure in Pimephales promelas (Pisces: Cyprinidae) from two converging streams

Parasites of the fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas, were examined in fish collected from Elk Creek (40.88534 degrees N, 96.83366 degrees W) and West Oak Creek (40.90821 degrees N, 96.81432 degrees W), Lancaster County, Nebraska. These 2 streams are part of the Salt Valley watershed and flow together approximately 2 km downstream from the collection sites to form Oak Creek. This study examined the extent to which the 2 tributaries constitute a continuous habitat with respect to fish hosts. The parasite community included Trichodina sp., Myxobolus sp., Dactylogyrus simplex, D. bychowskyi, and D. pectenatus (all on gills); Gyrodactylus hoffmani (gill and body surface); Posthodiplostomum sp. (neascus, body cavity); and Uvulifer ambloplitis (encysted in skin). Among 46 fish from Elk Creek and 56 fish from West Oak Creek taken on 5 dates during April-July 1998, U. ambloplitis was found in Elk Creek fish at prevalences of 44-100% but in only 2 West Oak fish on 1 date. Prevalence and mean abundance of D. simplex also differed between the 2 sites. On the basis of these observations, fish populations in the 2 streams were considered to be distinct, with little or no fish movement between the tributaries.     

Karyotype similarities among Pimelodidae (Pisces, Siluriformes) from the Brazilian amazon region.

Three neotropical species of freshwater fish (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, P. tigrinum and Sorubim lima) of the Amazon region (Brazil) were cytogenetically analysed by means of conventional, silver staining and C-banding techniques. All showed 2n = 56, with a predominance of biarmed chromosomes. The NORs were located in the terminal position on the short arms, and only two chromosomes bearing NORs were detected. Heterochromatin was found to be equilocally distributed in some chromosomes of the three species, which may share homologous chromosomes. The present data indicate a somewhat conservative karyotypic evolution in this fish group.     

Karyotypic characterization of Iheringichthys labrosus (Pisces, Pimelodidae): C-, G- and restriction endonuclease banding

Various chromosomal banding techniques were utilized on the catfish, Iheringichthys labrosus, taken from the Capivara Reservoir. C-banding regions were evidenced in telomeric regions of most of the chromosomes. The B microchromosome appeared totally heterochromatic. The restriction endonuclease AluI produced a banding pattern similar to C-banding in some chromosomes; the B microchromosome, when present, was not digested by this enzyme and remained stained. G-banding was conspicuous in almost all the chromosomes, with the centromeres showing negative G-banding. When the restriction endonuclease BamHI was used, most of the telomeres remained intact, while some centromeres were weakly digested. The B chromosome was also not digested by this enzyme. The first pair of chromosomes showed a pattern of longitudinal bands, both with G-banding and BamHI; this was more evident with G-banding. This banding pattern can be considered a chromosomal marker for this population of I. labrosus.     

Biological evaluation of frozen zooplankton as food for milkfish (Cbanoschanos) fry

Milkfish fry with an average standard length and weight of 13.88 mm and 3.95 mg, respectively, were reared for 30 days using live and frozen Moina macrocopa and Brachionusplicatilis at feeding densities of 10–20 individuals per ml. Growth, survival and yield were used as indicators of the overall performances of the various treatment groups. Fry fed live M. macrocopa showed gains (both length and weight), growth and survival rates and yields significantly higher than fry fed with other treatment groups (P < 0.05). However, significant reductions in growth and survival rates resulted when fry were fed frozen M. macrocopa. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in growth and survival rates (P < 0.05) in fry fed live or frozen B. plicatilis. The results of the current study showed that although milkfish fry could be grown successfully using B. plicatilis, feeding with live Moina significantly improved growth, survival rate and yield (P lt; 0.05). Frozen Moina was found to be unsuitable as a feed for rearing milkfish fry because it reduced growth rates and increased mortality. Comparisons between live and frozen rotifers have proven the suitability of frozen rotifers as feed for rearing milkfish fry. By freezing surplus rotifers this would permit short term storage in anticipation of high hatchery demand and overcome any unpredictable failures with live cultures.     

Impact of selective predation by Mesocyclops pehpeiensis on a zooplankton community: experimental analysis using mesocosms

Predation by cyclopoid copepods is an important factor affecting zooplankton communities in freshwater habitats. Experiments provide strong evidence of the role of selective predation by cyclopoid copepods in structuring zooplankton communities. To assess the predation impact of a cyclopoid copepod, Mesocyclops pehpeiensis, we conducted a mesocosm experiment using 20-l polyethylene tanks in which the density of the predator and the food available to herbivorous zooplankton varied. M. pehpeiensis had a notable but selective effect on the zooplankton community. The population of a small cladoceran, Bosmina fatalis was affected negatively, but M. pehpeiensis did not have any apparent impact on the population dynamics of another Bosmina species, B. longirostris. On the other hand, the population of small rotifers responded positively to the presence of M. pehpeiensis, and their densities increased in mesocosms with a high density of M. pehpeiensis. It seems that suppression of B. fatalis by M. pehpeiensis predation indirectly affected rotifers by releasing them from competition with B. fatalis. The results suggest that copepod predation is a powerful factor regulating zooplankton communities directly and indirectly.     

Histopathology in Paulicea lutkeni (Pisces: Pimelodidae) resulting from infections with Megathylacus brooksi and Jauela glandicephalus (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae)

The histopathology in Paulicea lutkeni naturally infected with Megathylacus brooksi and Jauela glandicephalus is described. Megathylacus brooksi attaches to the epithelium of the anterior intestine by means of suckers, resulting in damage to the epithelium, haemorrhages and lymphocyte infiltration. Jauela glandicephalus penetrates through all layers of the intestine. This penetration elicits an intense host-response resulting in the hyperplasy of connective tissue and formation of a nodule surrounding the scolex of the parasite. Lymphocyte infiltration was observed. Concurrent infections were found in some specimens.     

Gill raker structure and selective predation on zooplankton by particulate feeding fish

The relationship between the gill raker structure of planktivorous fish (number, distance between gill rakers and length) and selective feeding on different species and size classes of zooplankton was studied. Gill raker structure was measured for brown trout Salmo trutta , Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus , whitefish Coregonus lavaretus , roach Rutilus rutilus , bleak Alburnus alburnus , and three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus . All species are facultative planktivorous fish and occur commonly in Scandinavian lakes. The effect of gill raker structure was studied by comparing prey found in fish stomachs with the availability of zooplankton from several lakes. Gill raker length and distance were significantly correlated with fish length. Although gill raker structure differed among species, all fish species selected the larger zooplankters. The minimum size of cladoceran species found in fish stomachs was much smaller than the distance between gill rakers. Despite great differences in gill raker spacing, the minimum size ingested of Daphnia galeata and Bosmina longispina was similar for all predators. The hypothesis that small zooplankton are strained and retained by the gill rakers in particulate feeding planktivorous fish, particularly in salmonids and roach, is rejected.     

Spatial structure of the zooplankton community in the Cabo Frio region (Brazil) influenced by coastal upwelling

Cabo Frio area (Central-southern Brazilian littoral) is characterized by a coastal upwelling due to prevailing E-NE winds, mainly during the spring-summer season. The geographic distribution of the zooplankton was described in order to separate ecological areas in terms of specific communities. Cluster analysis by weighted pair-group method (WPGA) and principal component (PC) analysis was performed on the most important hydrological parameters and zooplankton taxa. The first PC, explaining 38% of the total zooplankton variability, represented the influence of the nearshore-offshore gradient. Zooplankton communities and ecological areas were defined as follows:

1. nearshore neritic: the richest region with more than 5 000 org. m-3. In this very narrow nearshore region we observed 3 groups of taxa deliminated by upwelling effects and trophic conditions: a) Ctenocalanus vanus, Penilia avirostris, Calanoides carinatus and Copepod larva, all herbivorous species associated with the phytoplankton blooms in the upwelling zone; b) Creseis acicula and Temora stylifera; c) Siphonophora, Chaetognaths and a high diversity of Copepoda dominated by Coryceus amazonicus, C. giesbrechti, Eucalanus pileatus, Clausocalanus acuicornis, all carnivorous or omnivorous feeders representing a high degree of complexity of the ecosystem.
2. offshore neritic: characterized by appendicularians, this region constitutes an intermediate zone between coastal and oceanic waters.
3. oceanic: occupied by the Brazil Current where zooplankton is poor, but diversified, with typical copepods from tropical warm water: Clausocalanus furcatus, Mecynocera clausi, Corycella gracilis, Oithona setigera, Coryceus typicus, Oncea conifera, Undinula vulgaris, Calocalanus pavo, Haloptilus longicornis, Lucicutia flavicornis.

     

滤食杂食性鱼类放养对浮游动物群落结构的影响

滤食杂食性鱼类是我国南方水体中常见鱼类,本文调查了放养滤食杂食性鱼类后浮游动物的丰度和种类组成的变化,以探讨其对浮游动物群落的影响.结果显示,滤食杂食性鱼类放养之后,枝角类模糊秀体溞(Diaphanosoma dubium)、微型裸腹溞(Moina micrura)和桡足类蒙古温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops mongolicus)、南方近镖水蚤(Tropodiaptomus australis)等丰度迅速下降,而轮虫丰度在鱼类放养一周后迅速增加,且保持较高的密度;轮虫优势种也发生了变化,调查前两周主要以臂尾轮虫(Brachionus)为主,两周后以暗小异尾轮虫(Trichocereidae pusilla)、广布多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla)和裂痕龟纹轮虫(Anuraeopsisfissa)等个体更小的种类为主.本研究说明,滤食杂食性鱼类能够显著影响浮游动物群落结构,个体较大的种类受到的影响较大,最后导致浮游动物群落的小型化.     

Ultrastructural studies of Henneguya rhamdia n. sp. (Myxozoa) a parasite from the Amazon teleost fish, Rhamdia quelen (Pimelodidae)

Henneguya rhamdia n. sp. is described in the gill filaments of the teleost fish Rhamdia quelen, collected from the Peixe Boi River, State of Pará, Brazil. This myxosporean produced spherical to ellipsoidal plasmodia, up to 300 microm in diameter, which contained developmental stages, including spores. Several dense bodies up to 2 microm in diameter were observed among the spores. The spore body was ellipsoidal (13.1 microm in length, 5.2 microm in width, and 2.5 microm in thickness) and each of the two valves presented a tapering tail (36.9 microm in length). These valves surrounded the binucleated sporoplasm cell and two equal ellipsoidal polar capsules (4.7 x 1.1 microm), which contained 10-11 (rarely 12) polar filament coils. The sporoplasm contained sporoplasmosomes with a laterally eccentric dense structure with a half-crescent section. Based on the data obtained by electron microscopy and on the host specificity, the spores differed from previously described Henneguya species, mainly in their shape and size, number and arrangement of the polar filament coils, and sporoplasmosome morphology.