Identification of polymorphic microsatellite markers from RAPD product in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and a test of cross‐species amplification

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci have been isolated and characterized from random amplified polymorphic DNA product in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. Twelve microsatellites were selected for designing microsatellite primers, of which five gave working primer pairs. They had between four and nine alleles. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.76 to 0.90 and from 0.63 to 0.83, respectively. Five additional fish species assessed for cross‐species amplification revealed between one and three positive amplifications and between zero and two polymorphic loci per species.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci from an EST library of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) and cross‐species amplification

In the present study, we report 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci developed from a cDNA library from the turbot, Scophthalmus maximus. Observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.20 to 1.00 and from 0.18 to 0.78, respectively. No significant linkage disequilibrium between pairs of loci was found, but two loci significantly deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction. Cross‐species amplifications of these microsatellites in five additional fish species revealed between five and 11 positive amplifications and between zero and four polymorphic loci per species.     

Broad-scale patterns of abundance of non-indigenous soft-bottom invertebrates in Denmark

Quantifying the broad-scale distribution and abundance of non-indigenous species (NIS) is necessary to provide accurate estimations on impacts of invasions, to prioritize research, and to guide national management. Sediment grab-sampling is a standardized method for monitoring marine benthos. In Denmark, ~45,000 grab-samples were collected from 1970 to 2005. Using these samples, we compared densities of NIS and native species among 27 broad spatio-temporal groupings. Eight known NIS and one ‘cryptogenic species’ (the polychaete Neanthes succinea) were found in the samples. Most were present in low abundance, but the bivalve Mya arenaria, likely introduced by the vikings from North America, was particularly abundant. M. arenaria was found in ca. 20% of all samples and was among the 10 most common species in all of Denmark. M. arenaria’s high abundance, high filtration capacity and importance in food-web interactions, suggest that this species has dramatically impacted shallow coastal ecosystems in Denmark. The polychaete Marenzelleria viridis, the gastropod Potamopyrgus antipodarum and N. succinea were also widespread and abundant, and they too are likely to have had broad-scale impacts. In conclusion, 28% of grab-samples collected in Denmark over 35 years were affected by some degree of NIS or cryptogenic species, suggesting that centuries of human-mediated transfer of organisms has had a profound impact on the ecology of soft-bottom systems in Denmark.     

Gene diversity analysis in natural populations and cultured stocks of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

The genetic variability of eight fish-farm and three natural populations of turbot was studied by electrophoretic analysis of 35 enzymatic loci. The results showed low genetic variability in natural populations of turbot ( H _T = 0·029 ± 0·013) in comparison with other flatfish species. Great genetic similarity was revealed among the natural populations studied, which indicates high rates of gene flow in this species. The hatchery stocks showed less genetic variation than the wild populations analysed, which suggests genetic drift phenomena involved in the foundation and management of broodstocks. In addition, the heterozygosity differences detected among the hatchery stocks analysed are correlated with inverted levels of fluctuating asymmetry, which supports the existence of inbreeding depression phenomena in turbot culture.     

Ontogeny of the epicranial portion of the dorsal fin in Solea solea and Scophthalmus maximus (Teleostei, Pleuronectiformes)

A study of laboratory-reared larvae of Solea solea (Soleidae) and Scophthalmus maximus (Scophthalmidae) indicated that the epicranial portion of the dorsal fin results from the anterior displacement of proximal pterygiophores during ontogeny. The adult epicranial formula is attained early during ontogeny, and the anterior displacement is finalized after the passage of the migrating eye. In both species, the first two proximal pterygiophores fuse to form an erisma that is particularly long and well-developed in Solea. Moreover, in Solea, the neural spine of the second abdominal vertebra curves over the otic region, and the neural arch of the first vertebra remains incomplete. Received: August 3, 2000 / Revised: August 10, 2001 / Accepted: October 12, 2001     

蟹栖异阿脑虫寄生大菱鲆及其组织病理学研究

论文首次报道了蟹栖异阿脑虫(Mesanophrys carcini)在养殖大菱鲆体内的寄生情况以及所引起宿主的组织病理学变化。观察结果表明,感染的苗期大菱鲆的大部分器官组织包括皮肤、鳍、鳃、眼、脑、心脏、肝脏、肾脏、脾脏、胰腺和消化道等以及器官组织间隙中都发现了寄生的蟹栖异阿脑虫,属于全身性感染;而对于成鱼,蟹栖异阿脑虫主要寄生于皮肤、鳍和鳃等器官组织;严重感染者,蟹栖异阿脑虫可侵入其脑、肝脏、肾脏和心脏等器官组织,但数量不多。蟹栖异阿脑虫在大菱鲆体内的寄生能够引起病鱼各器官组织发生不同程度的组织病理学改变。该病在幼鱼和成鱼身上所表现出较一致的病理学特征为:鳃小叶呼吸上皮细胞增生;脑膜炎和脑组织液化性坏死;肾脏和脾脏造血组织坏死;肝脏中央静脉和窦状隙扩张;肌纤维发生凝固性坏死和眼的脉络膜充血、水肿;单核巨噬细胞浸润。研究认为,蟹栖异阿脑虫寄生引起的鳃损害使病鱼呼吸困难,窒息是病鱼发生死亡的主要原因,而虫体寄生导致的各器官组织变性,坏死,使得病鱼器官功能衰竭可加速鱼的死亡。另外,文中还探讨了蟹栖异阿脑虫入侵大菱鲆的可能途径,认为破损的皮肤和鳃是入侵的主要途径。研究结果告诉我们,在大菱鲆养殖过程中防止鱼体擦伤,保持池底清洁对于预防疾病的发生非常重要;对该病的治疗应采取外部杀虫和内部口服药物相结合的方式。     

Diatoms in surface sediments of the Gotland Basin in the Baltic Sea

A sediment core, 55 cm long, from station F81 in the Gotland Basin of the Baltic Sea was analysed for diatoms and ebridians. Chrysophyte stomatocysts found in the core were also counted but not identified. The aim was to trace environmental changes, e.g. eutrophication and salinity variations. There is evidence that eutrophication has been increasing in the Baltic Sea in recent decades.Brackish-marine plankton diatoms dominate the entire core and reflect the local planktonic taxa rather well. The dominant taxon is the polyhalobous Actinocyclus octonarius. The main biostratigraphical change within the core analysed takes place at a depth of about 22 cm, where the abundance of diatoms, and especially of Chaetoceros spp., Thalassiosira hyberborea var. pelagica and T. baltica start to increase. This may reflect eutrophication which can be estimated to have started c. 200 years ago.     

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellites for the sardine Sardina pilchardus (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae)

The sardine Sardina pilchardus Walbaum, 1792 is a small pelagic fish species that sustains an economically important fishery in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Eight perfect microsatellite loci of sardine were characterized from a partial genomic library enriched for CA repeat sequences. All loci revealed high levels of polymorphism, with the number of alleles per locus ranging between 22 and 45, and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.772. The newly described loci can be employed to determine population genetic structure of the sardine, and may aid in fishery management of this species.     

Is reversing the decline of Asian elephants in North American zoos possible? An individual‐based modeling approach

Demographic models are important tools for assessing population status, diagnosing potential causes of population decline, and comparing management strategies that might change population trajectory. The population of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) maintained in North American zoos has been declining for the past decade, and Wiese ([2000] Zoo. Biol. 19:299–309) predicted a continued decline in the population using an age‐based matrix model. We developed an individual‐based model to further explore the demographic issues of the population. Our model allowed us to quantitatively evaluate the prospects for slowing or reversing the decline given the potential management strategies of improving reproduction, reducing infant mortality, altering birth sex ratio, and recruiting additional individuals from outside the population. Our simulations showed that if current demographic trends continued, the population would continue to decline at 2%/year. It was possible to create sustainable simulations, but these required a large increase in the annual number of births produced. Increasing reproduction was the most effective strategy to slow the decline, whereas other management strategies had the most impact when combined with increases in reproduction. Almost all simulations resulted in large changes in population structure, with increases in the male population and decreases in the female population. Given the population's demographic issues, it will be difficult to either increase the population substantially or sustain it at its current size. Zoo Biol 25:201–218, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.