Mapping QTLs of caudal fin length in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) exhibits significant morphological variability in the shape and size of the caudal fin. In this study, we used 190 progeny from two F₁ parents to identify and map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence caudal fin length (CFL) and the ratio (RCS) between caudal fin length and standard length (SL) based on a microsatellite genetic map of common carp. A total of 15 QTLs were detected in seven different linkage groups. One significant and eight suggestive QTLs affecting CFL were identified on LG8, LG14, LG29, LG32 and LG44, which explained 8.0%–22.1% of the phenotypic variation; six suggestive QTLs affecting RCS were detected on LG8, LG32, LG46 and LG48, which explained 7.0%–15.4% of the phenotypic variation. The QTLs for caudal fin length detected in this study may serve as a starting point for identification of genes involved in caudal fin development in common carp.     

Nitrogen utilisation by size‐fractionated phytoplankton assemblages associated with an upwelling event off Westland,New Zealand

Abstract

Uptake rates of ammonium (NH₄ ⁺ ), nitrate (NO₃ ^? ), and urea by three subgroups of phytoplankton (< 200, < 20, < 2 μm) off Westland, were measured using ¹⁵ N tracer techniques in midwinter 1988, after a recent upwelling. For all size fractions at surface irradiance (I₁₀₀), nitrogen (N) was taken up primarily as NO₃ ^?. This accounted for 67–85% of total N uptake (SρN), whereas at 40 and 7% of surface irradiance, the regenerated N (NH₄ ⁺ ) and urea) made up 31–72% of SρN. Depth profile experiments for all three size components showed that uptake of NO₃ ^? was most light‐sensitive, followed by that of NH₄ ⁺ and urea. The irradiance and nutrient availability plot indicated that light was substantially more important than the nutrient concentrations in controlling the assimilation of N by microplankton (20–200 μm). Nano‐ (2–20 μm) and picoplankton (< 2 μm) however, were not as sensitive to either light or nutrient concentrations. High winds and the resulting deep mixing, combined with offshore and alongshore advection in the midwinter, were suggested to be the major cause of the low biomass and N productivity.     

Effects of vegetation and sewage load on mangrove crab condition using experimental mesocosms

Constructed wetlands, especially mangroves, have been studied for their usefulness in sewage treatment but the effects of mangrove vegetation and a sewage load on mangrove macrofauna have been given little attention. Ocypodid crabs are important components of mangrove forests and constitute good bioindicators of the functioning of the ecosystem as a whole. In constructed mangrove mesocosms, three vegetation treatments (bare substratum, and Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata seedlings) were subjected to 0, 20, 60 and 100% sewage loads from a nearby hotel. The physiological condition of introduced Uca annulipes and Uca inversa was evaluated in terms of their RNA/DNA ratio after one, five and twelve months, and used as an indicator of ecological function in the system. Crab condition in 0% sewage load was similar to that of wild crabs throughout, suggesting no significant effects of the mesocosms on their RNA/DNA ratio. Overall, both species coped well with the administered sewage loads, suggesting good ecological function in the system. Both species manifested similar patterns in RNA/DNA ratio, being more affected by seasonal fluctuations than by sewage load and vegetation presence and type. Higher RNA/DNA ratios were recorded in the long compared to the short rainy season. Sewage enhanced crab condition in the bare substratum and R. mucronata treatments, especially after one year, probably as a result of enhanced food availability. Uca inversa may be more sensitive to sewage pollution than U. annulipes. In A. marina, no difference in crab condition was observed between sewage loads, and this mangrove yielded the best reduction in sewage impacts. Our results support the usefulness of constructed mangrove areas in sewage treatment, especially if planted with A. marina and inhabited by physiologically healthy ocypodid crabs to enhance the system's performance.     

Neogene sequence stratigraphic architecture of the Nile Delta,Egypt: A micropaleontological perspective

The sequence stratigraphic architecture of the Neogene section from the subsurface Nile Delta is resolved based on exceptionally well-preserved microfossils from the offshore NDOB-1 borehole. The architecture is configured on bathymetry variations and statistical parameters as deduced from the relative abundance of foraminiferal associations. The statistical parameters include ratios of planktic versus benthic foraminifera, and cluster and correspondence analysis of the twelve most commonly used benthic foraminiferal genera as proxies of water depths. The combination of cluster and correspondence analysis was employed to decipher the evolution and dynamics of the basin and the mechanisms that controlled the deposition of Neogene sequences in the Nile Delta region. Four basic environmental settings were recognized: 1.) a middle to outer neritic eutrophic setting, 2.) a middle to outer neritic mesotrophic setting, 3.) an outer neritic to upper bathyal mesotrophic setting and 4.) an upper bathyal mesotrophic setting.Eight stratigraphic sequences were identified in the Neogene Nile Delta section. Three sequence in the Miocene (MSeq1, MSeq2 and MSeq3), three in the Pliocene (PSeq1, PSeq2 and PSeq3) and two in the Pleistocene (PtSeq1 and PtSeq2). These sequences are systematically measured and described in terms of time, space and water bathymetry. The sequence boundaries and flooding surfaces were dated using high-resolution microfossil biochronology and stratigraphic index markers. Individual sequences and boundaries were correlated with international and local sequence stratigraphic models. The new sequence stratigraphic model established here provides age calibrated surfaces for inter-basinal correlations and opens new avenues for hydrocarbon reservoir exploration.     

绿潮迁移过程中环境要素与浒苔藻体生物学特征的相关性分析

浒苔(Ulva prolifera)引起的大规模绿潮起源于黄海南部,在向北迁移过程中生物量迅速扩增,在海州湾附近(35°N左右)迅速增加达到峰值.在绿潮漂浮迁移过程中,海水表层温度、溶解无机氮(dissolved inorganic nitrogen,DIN)和磷酸盐(PO43--P)变化显著.本文以迁移过程中的浒苔为...     

立柱直径比对四立柱平台涡激运动性能影响的数值研究

与单立柱平台(Spar)类似,四立柱平台在洋流作用下也容易发生涡激运动,对锚泊和立管系统的疲劳寿命产生不利影响。一种非对称半潜式平台具有两种不同尺寸的立柱,立柱直径比对非对称平台涡激运动性能的影响尚需深入研究。采用计算流体力学(CFD)方法,对直径比分别为1.0、1.5和2.0的立柱组合在两种不同角度水流作用下的运动响应进行了二维数值模拟,分析发现:立柱直径比不为1时四立柱平台也具有明显的涡激运动,其横荡运动具有显著的锁定现象;在广义折合速度定义下,与相同直径的四立柱平台相比,立柱直径比不为1时其横荡运动锁定区间变宽且滞后,横荡响应幅值的峰值具有明显差异;在所研究的直径比范围内,大直径立柱在上游时涡激运动响应比其在下游时更显著,且这种差异随着直径比变大而变大。     

沉积物镁铝含量比及其古气候意义

沉积物的镁铝含量比——m 值(m=100×MgO/Al_2O_3)与沉积水介质的盐度、pH 水温关系密切。当水温处在冰点以下时,沉积物的m 值随水温降低而增大。当水温处在冰点以上时,水介质的盐度、pH 和水温的增加,都有利于m 值增大。由于气候条件能直接或间接地影响沉积水介质的特征,因此,沉积物的m 值对古气候的变化具有一定的判别功能。通过对中国元古宙以来沉积物m 值的分析,发现古气候的热冷变化有1200Ma 的周期,其中还有次一级的热冷气候波动。第四纪的气候是处在热气候期后期的一个冷的气候波动阶段。     

中国南海极端风暴海况下固定式平台结构可靠性分析

基于中国南海海域风暴环境条件,研究分析南海海域固定式导管架平台结构整体性和可靠性,以及新建固定式平台结构设计准则。采用海洋环境数据后报方法,得到南海海域1972~2011共40年的风、浪、流联合数据,从中抽取风暴环境条件;利用通用荷载模型,将40年间的风暴环境数据转变成结构的荷载数据,即基底剪力或倾覆力矩;并计算得到风暴环境荷载的短期及长期分布,以及任意风暴下荷载的概率分布;根据结构可靠性模型,结合荷载的长期分布,研究基于结构暴露等级及失效概率的固定式平台结构强度储备比。根据计算,得到了不同暴露等级下中国南海平台的强度储备比,并与墨西哥湾及北海海域进行了比较,为新建平台提供设计参考。