DIET of THE BLUE MARLIN (MAKAIRA NIGRICANS, LACEPEDE 1802) (PERCIFORMES: ISTIOPHORIDAE) of THE SOUTHWESTERN EQUATORIAL ATLANTIC OCEAN.

Diet composition of the blue marlin, Makaira nigricans, from the southwestern equatorial Atlantic Ocean was analyzed between October 2004 and November 2005. In the 226 stomachs of fish ranging between 100 and 311 cm lower jaw -fork length (LJFL), 44 items were identified, including 31 fishes and 13 cephalopods. Seventy stomachs were empty (23.6 %). M. nigricans fed preferentially on heavy and muscular scombrid fishes especially upon the skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus, 1758), probably to sustain their high metabolism, and on a variety of other items composed mainly by epipelagic species of fish and cephalopods.

Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala : Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus (Osteichthyes : Prochilodontidae)from the Parana River, Brazil

This work evaluated, parasitic infections by Neoechinorhynchus curemai (Acanthocephala: Neoechinorhynchidae) in Prochilodus lineatus captured between August 2000 and August 2001 in the Parana River, Presidente Epitacio, São Paulo, Brazil. of 87 fishes examined, 59 were infected (25 males and 34 females). High mean intensities occurred in August 2000 (45.2, range 2-204), September 2000 (28.5, range 11-73), October 2000 (59.3, range 2-250) and February 2001 (27.3, range 3-73). There was no relationship of rainfall with mean intensity and prevalence. Males were more parasitized (P < 0.05) than females. This work contributes to the knowledge of helminth parasites of fish from a little studied region of the Parana River, showing diversity in their fauna when compared to other places in the same river. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Acute lethal and sublethal effects of neem leaf extract on the neotropical freshwater fish Prochilodus lineatus

The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity of the aqueous extract of neem leaves, a product extensively used in fish-farms as alternative for the control of fish parasites and fish fry predators, for the neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus. The 24 It LC(50) of neem leaf extract for juveniles P lineatus was estimated as 4.8 g L(-1); the fish were then exposed for 24 h to 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 g L(-1) or only clean water (control). Plasma glucose levels were higher in fish exposed to 2.5 g L(-1) and 5.0 g L(-1) neem extract, relative to control, indicating a typical stress response. Neem extract did not interfere with the osmoregulating capacity of the fish, as their plasma sodium, chloride, total protein and osmolarity did not change. The presence of the biopesticide interfered with the antioxidant defense system of P. lineatus, as there was a decrease in liver catalase activity at all neem concentrations and the detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase was activated in fish exposed to 5.0 g L(-1). Fish exposed to all neem extract concentrations exhibited damaged gill and kidney tissue. These results indicate that although neem extract is less toxic to P. lineatus than other synthetic insecticides used in fish-farming it does cause functional and morphological changes in this fish species. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Histopatologia de fígado, rim e baço de piaractus mesopotamicus, prochilodus lineatus e pseudoplatystoma fasciatum parasitados por myxosporídios, capturados no Rio Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

Este estudo descreveu a histopatologia de rim, baço e fígado de Piaractus mesopotamicus, Prochilodus lineatus e Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, parasitados por mixosporídios, capturados no Rio Aquidauana, MS. Após necropsia, amostras do fígado, rim cefálico e baço foram colhidas, fixadas em formalina a 10 % tamponada e processadas de acordo com a rotina histológica. Os cortes foram feitos à espessura de 5 μm e corados com hematoxilina-eosina. Foram encontrados Myxobolus porofilus em P. lineatus, M. colossomatis em P. mesopotamicus e Myxobolus spp. nas três espécies de hospedeiros. Cistos de mixosporídios no exame histopatológico foram vistos no fígado e baço de P. mesopotamicus. Mais de 50% das amostras de fígado de P mesopotamicus e P lineatus apresentou hepatodistrofia difusa. Mais de 80 % das amostras de fígado de P. fasciatum apresentou formações hialinas concêntricas e esteatose em 50% das amostras. em 95,23 % das amostras de rins de P. mesopotamicus, foram observadas alterações teciduais, e em mais de 60 % dos casos nefrodistrofia difusa moderada e congestão de sinusóides glomerulares. Alterações teciduais nas amostras de rins de P. lineatus foram observadas em menos de 20 % da amostra. No baço dos peixes ora examinados não foram encontradas lesões dignas de relato.

Transporte de juvenis de curimbatá Prochilodus lineatus em diferentes densidades

Transportation of curimbata Prochilodus lineatus juveniles in different densities. Tins study evaluated the effects of curimbata Prochilodus lineatus transportation in three densities (100, 150 and 250 g L-1) on survival, metabolic, ionic and hematological (red series) variables Curimbata juveniles were transported in plastic bag during six hours, and sampled before packing, immediately after die arrival, 24 and 96 hours after transportation During recovery, higher mortality was seen in fish transported in die highest density Water variables, such as conductivity and total ammonia, presented increased values as density increased (p < 005). whereas the opposite occurred with dissolved oxygen Glucose level observed in the arrival was high, significantly reducing after 96 hours Among ionic variables, chloride decreased in higher fish densities and according to sampling times Red series hematological variables, such as hematocrit, red blood cell and hemoglobin, Increased in arrival, but diminished 96 hours after transportation There were no significant differences in the interaction between density and time of sampling for mentioned variables 250 g L-1 density induced the highest mortality rate and the worst variables values measured 96 hours of recovery after the stressing event was enough to return to initial values for hematological variables, but was not sufficient to return to initial values for metabolic and ionic variables.

Morphometric characteristics of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes 1847), of the migratory and resident stocks of the river Mogí-Guaçu, São Paulo State, Brazil

A espécie Prochilodus lineatus é de grande importância comercial na região dos rios Grande, Pardo e Mogi-Guaçu e tem como característica a formação de grandes cardumes, apta a desenvolver amplos deslocamentos migratórios. O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar, por meio das características morfométricas e etária, se os curimbatás (P. lineatus) dos diferentes estoques migradores e residentes constituem uma única população, havendo interação entre as sub-populações no período de piracema (migração reprodutiva). Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 4 x 2, com quatro tipos de estoques (um residente e três migradores) e dois sexos (macho e fêmea) com trinta repetições, considerando cada peixe como unidade experimental. Foi observada variação de 80,19% para o primeiro componente principal e 8,09% do segundo componente principal fornecida pelas dez variáveis morfométricas dos estoques residentes e migradores. O estoque residente correspondeu aos maiores valores para todas as variáveis morfométricas. Houve sobreposição dos escores individuais das mesmas características entre os estoques migradores. Observou-se predominância de machos entre os estoques residentes e migrador I e II. As semelhanças morfométricas verificadas entre os estoques migradores indicam tratar-se de uma única população, com pequenas variações interpopulacional.

Substituição da farinha de peixe pelo farelo de soja em dietas para juvenis de curimba

Replacement of fishmeal by soybean meal in juvenile curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) diets was evaluated. Five isonitrogenous (26% crude protein) and isocaloric (4,000 kcal of gross energy kg(-1)) diets with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of replacement were used. Fish (3.71 +/- 0.54 g) were distributed in 25 tanks (120 liters). The diets were provided for 84 days. Total replacement of fishmeal (100%) by soybean meal worsened weight gain, feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio. An increase in carcass fat was observed at the expense of reducing protein percentage, as well as an increase in hepatosomatic index. It was concluded that replacing 75.0% fish meal by soybean meal (33.2% of inclusion) did not affect the animal growth, although there been observed changes in corporal composition and hepatic hyperplasia.