Evaluating the effects of catch-and-release angling on Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi in a South African estuary

Fisheries managers are increasingly promoting catch-and-release (C&R) to manage recreationally angled fish stocks. Despite this, there is a scarcity of information on the effects of C&R on estuarine-dependent species. Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi dominates the recreational fisheries catch and provides an important source of food for subsistence fishers in some temperate South African estuaries. The health and survival of R. holubi exposed to a C&R event was investigated by examining their physiological stress response (blood glucose and lactate), reflex impairment (reflex action mortality predictors [RAMP]) and short-term (12-hour) survival. Fish were captured and exposed to one of three air-exposure treatments: 0 s, 30 s or 90 s. Stress and health were measured either immediately (immediate) or one hour after (delayed) the C&R event. There was no significant difference in blood glucose between air-exposure treatments, but there was a significant difference between the mean immediate and delayed glucose levels within each treatment (F_(2,143) = 81.8, p < 0.01). In contrast, blood lactate level was significantly higher in the 90-s treatment (p < 0.05). Immediate blood lactate levels were significantly lower than the delayed samples for each treatment (F = 4.29, p = 0.02; n = 169). Although all fish exhibited at least one reflex impairment, the RAMP score was significantly higher in the 90-s air-exposure treatment (H_(2,86) = 9.73, p = 0.007). Also, RAMP scores were significantly lower in the delayed samples (p < 0.01). Although short-term mortality was relatively low (2.3%) for this species, it was highest in the 90-s treatment (7%). These results suggest that physiological stress is higher when R. holubi are exposed to longer periods of air exposure and that the physiological stress of fish subject to a C&R event is best measured after a delay.     

波西米亚块体西部长周期电磁研究(英文)

在波西米亚块体西南部做了一条长周期电磁剖面 ,它靠近德国超深钻的位置。用一个二维合成模型对数据做了大体的拟合 ,模型走向东西 ,近地表盖层高度地不均匀畸变。畸变层显示强烈的各向异性 ,优势电导方向为NW -SE至NNW -SSE。讨论了深部区域结构的几个不同的模型 ,其中一个模型可以解释由MT和GDS数据显示的主方向的偏差 ,还讨论了沿特别剖面得到的结果与区域地电结构的关系     

Effects of trace metal and exposure to air on serotonin and dopamine levels in tissues of the mussel Perna perna

We evaluated levels of serotonin (5HT) and dopamine (DOPA) in muscle and digestive glands of the mussel, Perna perna, collected at different times of day; exposed to air for 24 h, followed by re-submersion; and after exposure to different metals. Mussels collected at different periods of day showed little oscillation in 5HT and DOPA levels. Mussels exposed to metals showed significant changes in 5HT and DOPA levels in digestive gland and muscle, as did mussels exposed to air. Our data suggest that analyses of 5HT and DOPA in tissues of mussels could serve as a tool to evaluate the presence and effects of heavy metal contamination in mussels. Care in data interpretation is required, however, since other environmental factors such as exposure of mussels to air (i.e. at low tides) can also cause changes in DOPA and 5HT levels. Additional research is necessary to separate such natural environmental effects from effects of contaminants.     

Biochemical alterations in juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to zinc: glutathione reductase as a target

The aim of this study was to investigate biochemical changes in juvenile carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to zinc chloride (10, 30 and 100 microM) for a period of 48 h. Zinc exposure caused a concentration-dependent reduction in glutathione reductase (GR) activity in gills, liver and brain. Gill glutathione S-transferase (GST) was reduced when animals were exposed to the highest concentration of 100 microM zinc. The phosphorylation of p38(MAPK) increased in the brain of fish exposed to zinc 100 microM, while phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) remained unchanged. Expression of proteins HSP60 and HSP70 were not affected by zinc exposure. Considering the significant concentration-dependent inhibition of GR in all tissues analyzed, this enzyme could be a potential biomarker of exposure to zinc, which has to be confirmed.     

The age and growth of hottentot seabream Pachymetopon blochii before and after the South African linefish state of emergency in 2000

The hottentot seabream Pachymetopon blochii is a small-sized (maximum 2.67 kg) sparid endemic to southern Africa. It is an important target in South Africa's Western Cape traditional linefishery, particularly in the absence of more valuable pelagic species (such as Thyrsites atun and Seriola lalandi). In 2000, South Africa's linefishery was declared to be in a state of emergency, and commercial fishing effort was consequently reduced by 70%. A subsequent increase in stock biomass and intraspecific competition, coupled with environmental changes, were hypothesised to have thereafter altered the growth rate of hottentot, from 2000 to 2010. This study aimed to revise outdated age–growth models for the hottentot by using modern techniques (sectioned otoliths), and to compare age–growth relationships before and after the declared linefish state of emergency. The maximum age observed was 19 years, with no difference in the growth rate between sexes (p = 0.39–0.43) or time-periods (p = 0.96). Although the growth rate did not change, there is evidence that the age structure of the stock changed between time-periods as a result of changes in fishing pressure between 2000 and 2010. The enhanced recent growth model for hottentot, described as L_t = 418.063 (1 – e^{?0.104(t – [?4.709])}) (pooled sexes; n = 206), indicates a considerably slower growth rate for this species than was proposed previously using whole otoliths and has major implications for effective stock management.     

Population ecology of Sinelobus stanfordi (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) in a temperate southern microtidal estuary

Sinelobus stanfordi is a tanaidacean of worldwide distribution of considerable significance within coastal ecosystems. The aim of this research was to provide essential information on the poorly-known population biology of this species. Benthic samples were taken seasonally from winter 2005 through summer 2007 along 155?km of shoreline within the Río de la Plata Estuary, Argentina. The density of this tanaidacean was higher in vegetated than in bare sediments. The smaller individuals flourished in spring and summer, whereas the larger mature members prevailed in the cooler seasons. Females were always twice as abundant as males. Copulatory females, with 18?±?8 eggs each, were collected during all the seasons. Five cohorts were distinguished by the von Bertalanffy growth function. This research represents a baseline investigation for future studies on the population dynamics of S. stanfordi both in this estuary and in other places where this species is found.     

Effects of naphthalene and phenanthrene on visual and prey capture endpoints during early stages of the dourado Salminus brasiliensis

Naphthalene (NAP) and phenanthrene (PHE) effects on Salminus brasiliensis, a carnivorous freshwater fish, were investigated using behavioral tests. Larval stages of S. brasiliensis were exposed to water concentrations of 0, 0.04 mg/l, 0.20mg/l and 0.50mg/l for naphthalene and 0, 0.01 mg/l, 0.05 mg/l and 0.1mg/l for phenanthrene during two developmental phases. The prey fish Prochilodus lineatus were not exposed. Visual acuity was measured at the end of phase 2 in individual S. brasiliensis, which were also tested at the end of each phase for number of attacks on prey, number of prey captured, prey capture efficiency, and distance swam. Vision was impaired by PHE exposure, as acuity angles increased in exposed fish. At Stage I 2.3+/-1.2 prey were captured with 46% efficiency in controls compared to 0.4+/-0.3 prey captured with 13.4% efficiency in fish exposed to 0.05 mg PHEl(-1), the LOEL for both endpoints. At Stage II 4.0+/-1.1 preys were captured in controls compared to 2.5+/-0.9 preys captured in fish exposed to 0.01 mg PHEl(-1), the LOEL. Stage II control fish captured prey with 70% efficiency compared to 30% efficiency at Stage II fish exposed to 0.05 mg PHEl(-1), the LOEL. Distance swam was not affected by either NAP or PHE exposure. The exposure of larval stages of S. brasiliensis to realistic water concentrations of PHE impairs foraging skills and could affect recruitment of the species.     

四川北部米仓山地区下三叠统内部不整合面的发现及其意义

前人认为四川北部米仓山地区下三叠统内部各组地层之间是整合接触,然而通过构造和沉积学的研究发现下三叠统内部(奥伦尼阶)存在一个区域不整合面。在沉积上表现为环米仓山地区广泛发育的陆相和海相碎屑岩,与下伏地层呈不整合接触。地震剖面上表现为不整合面上下的变形特征不一致、不整合面下部地层被削截、古构造的存在等等,通过对古褶皱和古断裂的平面投影,发现古构造走向为东-西向,与勉略构造带走向一致。综合区域大地构造历史,笔者认为在早三叠世奥伦尼期(约249.7～245.0Ma)南秦岭造山带和上扬子地块就已经发生碰撞,碰撞引起了米仓山地区强烈的构造变形,形成这一区域不整合面。该碰撞时间不一定是南秦岭造山带和上扬子地块在此处的初始碰撞时间。     

Use of probiotic bacteria to improve growth and survivability of farmed New Zealand abalone (Haliotis iris)

The effects of two probiotic feeds containing two and three bacterial isolates were evaluated on the growth performance of New Zealand abalone (Haliotis iris). Probiotic bacteria were isolated from the guts of healthy adult abalone. The isolates were screened qualitatively and quantitatively according to their ability to hydrolyse nutrients (i.e. proteins, starch and alginate), produce acid and resist bile salts. Based on the screening results, we developed a multi-strain conglomerate of 2- and 3- probiotic bacterial strains that were supplemented into a commercial abalone feed to use in our experiments. The 2-probiotic conglomerate consisted of Exiguobacterium JHEb1 and Vibrio JH1, and the 3-probiotic conglomerate consisted of Exiguobacterium JHEb1, Vibrio JH1 and Enterococcus JHLDc. The probiotic feeding trial involved abalone juveniles (20–30 mm in maximum shell length). Both probiotic feeds significantly improved abalone growth compared to that of the unsupplemented feed. The 3-probiotic supplemented feed produced a significant shell length increase of 20.9%, a wet weight gain of 19.8% and a five-fold reduction in mortality compared to the controls. The 2-probiotic supplemented feed resulted in significant increases in shell length (15.4%) and reduced mortality (five-fold), but not in weight gain, compared to controls.     

Neurophysiological control of swimming behaviour,attachment and metamorphosis in black-footed abalone (Haliotis iris) larvae

Experiments were conducted to test the effect of a range of chemicals on larval responses in swimming behaviour, attachment and metamorphosis of the black-footed abalone (Haliotis iris). The effect of antibiotics on larval survival was first tested within negative (filtered seawater) and positive (GABA at 10^?5, 10^?4 and 10^?3 mol L^?1) control assays over 3 days. This experiment corroborated the effectiveness of using antibiotics to improve survival of larvae without obvious synergistic interactions with the GABA inducer or confounding effects of potential bacterial interactions. Chemical treatments (acetylcholine, potassium chloride, dopamine and glutamine) were then tested at various concentrations for their ability to modulate swimming behaviour and induce larval attachment and metamorphosis over 14 days. Generally, larval state shifted from swimming to attached, and from attached to metamorphosed, in the control and treatments over time. However, the peak percentage of attached and metamorphosed larvae varied in time among chemicals and concentrations. While overall percent metamorphosis was minimally enhanced after 14 days of exposure to some chemical treatments at certain concentrations, all treatments displayed significant capacities to down-regulate larval swimming and induce early attachment and metamorphosis. Mortality was recorded throughout the duration of the experiment, and was generally low (<20%) across controls and most treatments for exposures of less than 12 days. Interpretations of specific results from this study are used to elucidate neurophysiological control of larval activities for this abalone species. Comparisons with other marine invertebrates highlight the specificities of chemical cues and endogenous regulatory mechanisms across relatively closely related taxa.