Description of the biology of Caspian vimba, Vimba vimba (Linnaeus, 1758), in Gorgan Bay-Miankaleh Wildlife Refuge (southeast Caspian Sea)

We collected Vimba vimba throughout the spawning season (mid April to mid June, 2007) in Gorgan Bay (south-western Iran) and investigated its age, growth, and reproductive traits. The maximum age was 5⁺ years. Both sexes grew allometrically (positive for males: b=3.140 9 and negative for females: b=2.791 4). The von Bertalanffy growth functions were described by the formulae L _t =32.565(1-e^{−0.184(t+0.530)}) for males and L _t =35.950(1-e^{−0.179(t+0.529)}) for females. The overall sex ratio was balanced, but males were predominant in the smaller size classes and females in the larger size classes. Based on the gonadosomatic index (GSI) values, spawning appears to occur between late April and late May in the bay. The highest mean GSI was 6.44 for males in early May and 20.36 for females in late April. Absolute fecundity varies from the minimum of 5 436 eggs for age 3⁺ fish to the maximum of 36 141 eggs for age 5⁺ fish. Fecundity was also positively correlated with fish size (length and weight). Egg diameter ranged from 1.05 to 1.70 mm in the mean of 1.42 mm. There was no correlation between female size and ova diameter.     

主机网络安全防护技术的研究与应用

采用CONSOLE-MANAGER-AGENT的分布式体系结构，综合入侵检测与访问控制等安全技术，基于网络安全模型P2DR，提出了一个动态和静态相结合，集防护、检测和响应为一体的主机系统可适应综合安全模型；并在此基础上设计和实现了USAMS(UNIX Security Audit Management System)，对涉密网内的主机系统实施综合安全防护。     

Relationship between beak morphological variables and body size and mantle length of male and female Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus)

Beak of cephalopod is an important hard tissue.Understanding the morphology of beak can yield critical information on the role of cephalopods in the ecosystem.The south patagonic stock of the Argentine shortfin squid,Illex argentinus,is not only one of the most important fishing targets,but also one of the most important species in the marine eco-system of the southwest Atlantic.A total of 430 samples of I.argentinus,including 229 females 103-346mm in mantle length(ML) and 201 males 140-298mm in ML,were collected from the area off the Exclusive Economic Zone of Argentinean waters by Chinese squid jigging vessels during February to May 2007.The morphology of their beaks was evaluated.The relationships between beak morphological variables and ML differed significantly among males and females.They could be best described by logarithmic functions for females and linear functions for males except for upper wing length(UWL) and lower rostrum length(LRL),which followed exponential functions in their relationships with ML.The results showed the sexual dimorphism in the relationship between ML and beak morphology for the south patagonic stock of I.argentinus.However,no significant difference was found between males and females in the relationships of beak morphological variables(except for UWL) versus body weight(BW),suggesting that the relationship between beak morphological variables and BW can be used for estimating the biomass consumed by their predators.     

Luminescent Properties and Decay Characteristics of CaS: Mn~(2 ) Phosphor

1 Introduction6Alkaline- earth sulfides have been found to beexcellent hosts.. for versatile phosphors such as thecathodo-, photo -, thermo - and electro - luminescent materials (N. Ruelle, M. Pham Thi and C.FOuassier, 1992; S. H. Pawar, 1974). HOwever,no…     

Age,growth,and mortality rate of the yellow goosefish Lophius litulon(Jordan,1902) in the Yellow Sea

With the decline in the most fisheries resources in the Yellow Sea,the yellow goosefish Lophius litulon has increased in commercial and ecological importance in recent years.We studied the length distribution,length-weight relationship,age composition,growth pattern,mortality,and exploitation rates of the yellow goosefish in the Yellow Sea.Total length(TL) of females and males ranged from 173 to582 mm and 178 to 500 mm,respectively.The length-weight relationships were also estimated for females and males.Age classes from 2 to 4 years predominated in the samples.The von Bertalanffy growth function(VB GF),estimated based on non-linear least-squares methodology,showed significant differences between sexes.Females attained a greater estimated asymptotic total length(765 mm TL) compared to males(579 mm TL).The VBGF did not differ significantly between stocks of the northern Yellow Sea and the southern Yellow Sea.Estimated natural instantaneous mortality rate(M) ranged from 0.25/a to 0.33/abased on four age-and length-based methods.Total instantaneous mortality rate(Z) of total samples calculated by the age-based catch curve method was 0.591/a and the average fishing mortality(F) was 0.30/a.Estimated exploitation rate(E) was approximately 0.5,indicating that the population of L.litulon in the Yellow Sea may be sustainable.These results provide a reference for the present status of L.litulon and information for the management.     

Embryonic development of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco （Richardson, 1846）

1 INTRODUCTION Pelteobagrus fulvidraco (Richardson, 1846) or yellow catfish is slender and scaleless with a gently sloping dorsal profile from anterior to posterior. It is generally black-brown to black-yellow on the back, light yellow on the belly, with …     

Reproductive biology of bream A bramis brama(L.) in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River,China

The reproductive biology of bream A bramis brama(L.) was studied from 546 fish collected from the lower reaches of the Irtysh River in Xinjiang, north-west China, from March to November 2013. The overall sex ratio(M/F) was 1.06:1, and was not significantly diff erent from the theoretical 1:1 ratio( P 0.5). However, there was a dominance of males during the pre-spawning season(1.33 in March and 1.56 in April, P 0.5), while females were dominant during the peak spawning season(0.88 in June, P 0.5). The monthly variation in gonadosomatic index(GSI) and proportion of gonads at each macroscopic maturity stage, indicated that A. brama spawned once a year with peak spawning occurring from late May to June. The unimodal distribution of oocyte diameter each month indicated that A. brama is a single spawner, with a high degree of spawning synchronicity. The standard lengths(SL 50) and ages( A 50) at first maturity for males and females, were 178 and 204 mm, and 5.6 and 6.8 years, respectively. The mean absolute fecundity(AF) was 77 311 eggs per fish, and mean relative fecundity(RF) was 162 eggs per gram of body weight(BW). The AF of A. brama increased linearly with increasing of gonad weight(GW), eviscerated weight(EW) and standard length(SL), but was not significantly correlated with age. As, A. brama in the lower reaches of the Irtysh River reaches reproductive maturity relatively late in their life span, is mature for a short period and spawns in aggregations, this fish is vulnerable to overexploitation.     

黄鳝血清甲状腺激素的检测与分析

用放射免疫测定法测定了４４ 条不同性别黄鳝（Ｍｏｎｏｐｔｅｒｕｓ ａｌｂｕｓ Ｚｕｉｅｗ ）血清总甲状腺激素Ｔｈｙｒｏｘｉｎｅ Ｔ３,Ｔｒｉｉｏｄｏｔｈｙｒｏｎｉｎｅ Ｔ４）含量。结果表明：（１）５～９ 月雄性Ｔ３ 含量一直较高;雌性５～６ 月Ｔ３含量比雄性和兼性低,７ 月以后升至与兼性持平,８～９ 月达到与雄性持平,高于兼性含量,升幅较大,但差异不显著（Ｐ＞ ０．０５）。（２）５～６ 月雄性Ｔ４ 含量稍高于其它性别,７ 月以后有所降低;雌性与兼性 Ｔ４ 含量与变化趋势基本相同。（３）同性别Ｔ４ 含量比Ｔ３ 含量要低得多。甲状腺激素可能与性逆转关系不大,其作用在于促进代谢与生长。     

Effect of bis(tributyltin)oxide on reproduction and population growth rate of calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia

A full life-cycle toxicity test,combined with histology,on calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia was used to study the effect of bis(tributyltin)oxide(TBTO).The results indicate no sex-specific differences in TBTO toxicity.Long-term mortalities of the copepods exposed to concentrations higher than 20 ng TBTO L-1were significantly elevated compared with that of control,and larval development was inhibited when they were exposed to 40 and 60 ng TBTO L-1.The percentages of ovigerous females were reduced compared with the control(P0.01)after 24 days exposure to concentrations higher than 10 ng TBTO L-1.Histological examinations suggest that exposure to TBTO might block the posterior end of the diverticula and inhibits the production of egg sacs.A modified Euler-Lotka equation was used to calculate a population-level endpoint,the intrinsic rate of natural increase(rm),from individual life-table endpoints,i.e.mortality rate,time of release of first brood,sex ratio,the fraction of ovigerous females among all females as well as the number of nauplii per ovigerous female.Apart from the highest TBTO concentration(60 ng L-1),where all females aborted their egg sacs,20 ng TBTO L-1was the only concentration that significantly decreased rm compared with that of control(an effect associated with decreased sex ratio).The results show that the S.poplesia is affected by prolonged exposure to low concentrations of TBTO.The full life-cycle toxicity test combined with histology experiments provides more integral understanding of the toxicity of endocrine disrupters.     

Reproductive ecology of the seabob shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xiphopenaeus kroyeri</Emphasis> (Heller, 1862) in a coastal area of Southern Brazil

The predictability of certain environmental factors that affect the life cycle of the seabob shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (Heller, 1862) was evaluated in a study of its reproductive biology in an area adjacent to Babitonga Bay, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Monthly sampling was conducted from July 2010 through June 2011 at depths of 5, 8, 11, 14, and 17 m. 76 004 individuals were obtained, with a pronounced peak in absolute abundance in austral autumn (34 208), coinciding with the annual closed season from March to May. Grain size composition of the sediment showed the closest relationship to the distribution of individuals (multiple linear regression, P <0.05), related to their burying habit. The observed correlations between the abundance of reproductive males (bearing spermatophores) and females with spent gonads (cross-correlation, P <0.05), and between reproductive males and reproductive females (with a 1-month lag) suggest that the peak of reproductive males preceded the peak of female ones. This result agrees with the pattern expected for females, which copulate in post-ecdysis (spent gonads). Spawning seemed to take place at greater depths, as evidenced by the concentration of reproductive females in these areas. The reproductive activities observed here confirm that this species follows a tropical/subtropical reproductive pattern, spawning continuously throughout the year, with the highest peaks in spring and autumn. The data indicate that the juvenile recruitment period observed in August-September resulted from the reproductive output noted in April–May. Additionally, the reproductive period recorded in November led to the juvenile peak observed in March–May.     

Effect of bis(tributyltin) oxide on reproduction and population growth rate of calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia

A full life-cycle toxicity test, combined with histology, on calanoid copepod Schmackeria poplesia was used to study the effect of bis(tributyltin) oxide (TBTO). The results indicate no sex-specific differences in TBTO toxicity. Long-term mortalities of the copepods exposed to concentrations higher than 20 ng TBTO L⁻¹ were significantly elevated compared with that of control, and larval development was inhibited when they were exposed to 40 and 60 ng TBTO L⁻¹. The percentages of ovigerous females were reduced compared with the control (P<0.01) after 24 days exposure to concentrations higher than 10 ng TBTO L⁻¹. Histological examinations suggest that exposure to TBTO might block the posterior end of the diverticula and inhibits the production of egg sacs. A modified Euler-Lotka equation was used to calculate a population-level endpoint, the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), from individual life-table endpoints, i.e. mortality rate, time of release of first brood, sex ratio, the fraction of ovigerous females among all females as well as the number of nauplii per ovigerous female. Apart from the highest TBTO concentration (60 ng L⁻¹), where all females aborted their egg sacs, 20 ng TBTO L⁻¹ was the only concentration that significantly decreased r _m compared with that of control (an effect associated with decreased sex ratio). The results show that the S. poplesia is affected by prolonged exposure to low concentrations of TBTO. The full life-cycle toxicity test combined with histology experiments provides more integral understanding of the toxicity of endocrine disrupters.     

Epiphytic orchids and their ecological niche under anthropogenic influence in central Himalayas,Nepal

The survival chance of epiphytic orchids today not only depends on the natural site conditions required by the orchids but also on anthropogenic changes in site conditions.This study answers two questions:(1) What is the ecological niche of the different epiphytic orchid species?(2) What are the ecological factors that threaten epiphytic orchid's population under anthropogenic disturbances? Our study area was the Kathmandu valley,Nepal,with its subtropical forest.We established 156 systematically selected sampling points in the Kathmandu area covering different types of ecosystems under human impacts such as densely populated area,agricultural land,mixed agricultural and settled area,old tree patches,and a natural forest in a national park.The ecological niche of the orchid species was analyzed with a principal component analysis(PCA).The correlations between the different site factors were statistically significant.Spearman's rank correlation matrices showed that the variables land-use intensities with altitude,and height with diameter in breast height(dbh) of host had the highest significant positive correlation coefficient(0.67 and 0.64 respectively).On the other hand,host bark p H and altitude as well as land use had a significantly strong negative correlation coefficient(-0.80 and-0.61,respectively).Different epiphytic orchid species interact differently with the given set ofenvironmental factors:for occurrence of Vanda cristata there is no single environmental factor of special influence,while for Rhynchostylis retusa high bark p H and high light availability are important.First two axis of the PCA explained more than 50% of the total variance.Most orchid species occupy a specific,narrow niche in this ecological space.The main causes of anthropogenic influence of orchid population in the Kathmandu Valley are loss of adequate host trees(species and size) and increasing air pollution,resulting in increasing host bark p H.     

Studies on the breeding habits of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) in the Yellow Sea

Minke whales caught in the Yellow Sea range from 4.16 m to 8.60 m in length with an average length of 6.93 m for the female and 6.14 m for the male. Sex ratio of the female is 74.3%. The pregnancy ratio of all sexually matured females is 65.8%. The minimum size of the pregnant whale observed is 6.60 m in length. Females having a body length of more than 7 m long are all sexually matured. According to the studies on the embryos obtained from the females caught in the northern Yellow Sea, there is only one breeding season each year. Mating mostly occurs from July through September, and the length of pregnancy is ten to eleven months with the peak of calving from May through July. Most females breed one calf each time, only two cases with twins. Sex ratio of female fetus is 56.6%, and the newly born calf measures 250–270 cm in body length. This paper was published in Chinese inOceanologia et Limnologia Sinica 13 (4): 338–345.     

Preliminary studies onIndomysis annandalei (Mysidacea,crustacea) from Karachi waters with a brief account of its larval development

Population, seasonal abundance of the mysidIndomysis annandalei Tattersal (1914) from Karachi waters (northern Arabian Sea) are studied. Occurrence of breeding females is noted and developmental stages are described.     

Seasonal variation in fatty acid composition of seston and the copepod Calanus sinicus (Brodsky, 1962) in Jiaozhou Bay and its trophic implications

The fatty acid compositions of seston and Calanus sinicus were investigated to study trophic relationships in Jiaozhou Bay. Principal component analysis was carried out to ordinate the fatty acid patterns of seston in stations and months. The results showed that diatoms were most abundant in the phytoplankton at station A5 (located in the northwest of the bay:36°9′N, 120°20′E) and least abundant at station D7 (located outside of the bay: 35°59′N, 120°26′E). By contrast, dinoflagellates were most abundant at station D7 and least abundant at station A5. According to the annual variations of 16:1ω7 and 18:4ω3/ 16:1ω7, diatoms flourished mainly in spring and summer, while dinoflagellates bloomed exclusively in summer. A distinctive feature of the fatty acid composition of C. sinicus was the prevalence of 20:5ω3 and 22:6ω3. The higher content of 16:1ω7 over 18:4ω3 in females indicated that diatoms contributed more than dinoflagellates to the diet of C. sinicus. The feeding intensity of C. sinicus on diatoms was higher in spring and autumn than in other seasons. The herbivorous indicators 20:1 and 22:1 were comparatively low, suggesting that besides phytoplankton, C. sinicus might feed on a wider range of particles including organic detritus, bacteria and small copepods.     

An Evaluation on the Ratio of Plant to Animal Protein in the Diet of Juvenile Sea Cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus): Growth,Nutrient Digestibility and Nonspecific Immunity

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant/animal(P/A) protein ratios(viz.1:4, 1:3, 1:2, 1:1,2:1, 3:1, 4:1) on growth performance, body composition, apparent digestibility of diets, and nonspecific immunity of juvenile sea cucumber(Apostichopus japonicus). Sea cucumbers were divided into 21 plastic tanks, and each tank was stocked with 15 individuals(initial weight: about 23.73 g). Each feed was allocated to three replicates of sea cucumbers. The feeding experiment lasted for 50 days. Results indicated that weight gain rate(WGR) and body wall weight(BWW) significantly increased as dietary ratio of P/A increased from 1:4 to 3:1, and then decreased significantly with further increase of this ratio(P 0.05). The body wall coefficient(BWC) showed a similar tendency to WGR and BWW, but no significance was detected among dietary treatments(P 0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and lipid increased with ratio of P/A increasing from 1:4 to 2:1(P 0.05), and then decreased with further increase of this ratio. Correspondingly, activities of trypsin and amylase were significantly increased as P/A increased from 1:4 to 2:1(P 0.05). The activities of SOD and CAT showed a similar trend with WGR, with the highest value observed in the ratio of 1:2 and 1:1, respectively. Results above showed that moderate or relatively higher ratio of P/A protein(1:1-3:1) significantly increased the growth performance, apparent digestibility, and nonspecific immunity of sea cucumber. This will contribute to improving the feed formulation for juvenile cucumbers.     

Response of the Dominant Modes of Atmospheric Circulation in the Northern Hemisphere to a Projected Arctic Sea Ice Loss in 2007

This study revisits the Arctic sea ice extent(SIE) for the extended period of 1979-2015 based on satellite measurements and finds that the Arctic SIE experienced three different periods: a moderate sea ice decline period for 1979-1996, an accelerated sea ice decline period from 1997 to 2006, and large interannual variation period after 2007, when Arctic sea ice reached its tipping point reported by Livina and Lenton(2013). To address the response of atmospheric circulation to the lowest sea ice conditions with a large interannual variation, we investigated the dominant modes for large atmospheric circulation responses to the projected 2007 Arctic sea ice loss using an atmospheric general circulation model(ECHAM5). The response was obtained from two 50-yr simulations: one with a repeating seasonal cycle of specified sea ice concentration for the period of 1979-1996 and one with that of sea ice conditions in 2007. The results suggest more occurrences of a negative Arctic Oscillation(AO) response to the 2007 Arctic sea ice conditions, accompanied by an North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO)-type atmospheric circulation response under the largest sea ice loss, and more occurrences of the positive Arctic Dipole(AD) mode under the 2007 sea ice conditions, with an across-Arctic wave train pattern response to the largest sea ice loss in the Arctic. This study offers a new perspective for addressing the response of atmospheric circulation to sea ice changes after the Arctic reached the tipping point in 2007.     

Spatial distribution and abundance of small fishes in Xiaosihai Lake, a shallow lake along the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, China

Spatial distribution and abundance of small fishes were studied in autumn 2007 in the Xiaosihai Lake, a shallow lake along the middle reach of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. Based on the plant cover, the lake was divided into three major habitats: Myriophyllum spicatum habitat (MS habitat), Trapa bispinosa habitat (TB habitat), and non-vegetation habitat (NV habitat). A modified pop-net was used for quantitative sampling of small fishes in the three habitats, and the Zippin’s removal method was used for estimating densities of the small fishes. A total of 13 species belonging to 5 families were collected, with 11 species in MS habitat, 7 species in TB habitat, and 5 species in NV habitat. Habitat type had significant effect on the spatial distribution of small fishes. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the MS, TB and NV habitats were 1.28, 0.56 and 0.54, respectively. The total density and biomass of small fishes were significantly higher in the MS habitat (13.68 ind/m² and 4.44 g/m²) than in the TB habitat (1.41 ind/m² and 0.54 g/m²) and the NV habitat (1.08 ind/m² and 0.40 g/m²), and were not significantly different between the TB habitat and the NV habitat. Water depth had no significant effect on spatial distribution of the small fishes. It was suggested that vegetation type played an important role in habitat selectivity of small fishes, and the presence of submersed vegetation should be of significance in the conservation of small fish diversity.     

Morphological and Phylogenetic Studies of a Copepod Species,Irodes parupenei Ho and Lin (2007), Infecting Parupeneus rubescens in Saudi Arabia

Dammam City is one of the gorgeous coastal areas in the Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia.The present study aimed to ex-amine one of the copepod species infecting the rosy goatfish that represents a highly consumed fish species by the local population in the Arabian Gulf.The copepod species isolated from the infected fish specimens belong to the family Taeniacanthidae and was iden-tified as Irodes parupenei Ho and Lin(2007),primarily based on its morphological,morphometric,and ultrastructural characteris-tics,especially the structures of the dorsal cephalic area,segmentation of the first antenna,the absence of the maxilliped claw in the fe-male specimens,and the setation and spinulation of the legs 2-4 for the adult females are of great significance in the taxonomic iden-tification.The 18S rRNA gene sequence was analyzed to ensure the precise identity and exact taxonomic status of the copepod species.The result showed that this copepod species belong to Taenicanthidae and closely related to Irodes sauridi(gb|JF781550.1)in the same taxon.More details on the specificity of the goatfish for Irodes species and identifying these parasitic taxa using molecular analysis are given in the present study.     

Micro-site conditions of epiphytic orchids in a human impact gradient in Kathmandu valley, Nepal

We studied distribution and site conditions of epiphytic orchids in a gradient of human interference in Kathmandu valley, central Nepal. The aim was to understand the recent distribution pattern of epiphytic orchids, with respect to (i) the micro-site conditions and (ii) the type and intensity of land use. The occurrence of epiphytic orchids was recorded for a grid with 1.5 km cell size. The cells represent different types and intensities of human impact. Site factors such as bark rugosity, bark pH, diameter at breast height (dbh; 1.3 m) of host trees, exposure to wind and sunlight intensity were recorded. With regard to the species richness and abundance of epiphytic orchids, we compared different human impact categories from very strong human impact (settlement area) to very low human impact (national park). Remote sensing was used for a supervised classification of land cover. Ficus religiosa turned out to be the most important host species for orchids in urban areas, while Schima wallichii and Alnus nepalensis significantly host orchids in the other categories. Both species richness and abundance of epiphytic orchids were significantly higher under very low human impact (forest in national park) and also some remaining patches of primary forest than the other regions. Micro-climate is crucial for orchid populations. Host bark pH, bark rugosity, sunlight intensity and host exposure were significantly different for all human impact categories in order to harbour epiphytic orchid species. Habitats with a mixture of mature trees are suitable and essential for the conservation of viable populations of epiphytic orchids in settled areas. The study reveals that to improve the population size of orchids it is essential for future urban forestry to: (i) Protect old trees as carriers of existing epiphytic orchid diversity, (ii) protect medium old trees to ensure that they may become old trees, (iii) plant new host trees for the future, (iv) plant in groups instead of single isolate trees. Trees should especially be planted in areas where orchids still exist to provide more trees for orchid population enlargement (e.g. along riparian system). Native species should be favoured; the pool of such native host species is wide.