Descripción de la morfología externa e interna del langostino con algunas aplicaciones de indole taxonómica y biológica

In the present paper the external and internal morphology of the shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate), is described in detail. Special attention is given to those features which are of diagnostic value or which are significant for a fuller understanding of the biology of this species. The major portion of the paper deals with the description of the cephalopereion, pleon and telson and its appendages, as well as the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, excretory and reproductive systems. Special attention is given to the digestive system, the stomodaeal apparatus and sexual dimorphism. The relations between form and function of several organs and systems are pointed out. A study is made of the development of the gonads, the sexual cycle in males and females; the variations found in relative weight and size are described. The phylogenetical jposition of the Penaeidae, the genera of the subfamily Solenoceridae and of P. muelleri are discussed. (PDF contains 72 pages)

Responses of plasma transaminase activity in Cyprinus carpio var. communis to mercury toxicity

The present study reports the behavioural and enzymological responses in a freshwater teleost fish, Cyprinus carpio var. communis, exposed to acute and sublethal toxicities of mercuric chloride. During acute treatment, significant behavioural changes like erratic swimming, excess mucus secretion and increased opercular movements were noticed. During acute and sublethal treatments, both aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase activity increased throughout the study period. Comparing the treatments, the changes in enzyme activities were found high in acute treatment and all the values were significant at 5% level. The above findings can be used as non-specific biomarkers of environmental pollutants.