Stanford University’s John Otterbein Snyder: Student, Collaborator, and Colleague of David Starr Jordan and Charles Henry Gilbert

John Otterbein Snyder (1867–1943) was an early student of David Starr Jordan at Stanford University and subsequently rose to become an assistant professor there. During his 34 years with the university he taught a wide variety of courses in various branches of zoology and advised numerous students. He eventually mentored 8 M.A. and 4 Ph.D. students to completion at Stanford. He also assisted in the collection of tens of thousands of fish specimens from the western Pacific, central Pacific, and the West Coast of North America, part of the time while stationed as “Naturalist” aboard the U.S. Fish Commission’s Steamer Albatross (1902–06). Although his early publications dealt mainly with fish groups and descriptions (often as a junior author with Jordan), after 1910 he became more autonomous and eventually rose to become one of the Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus spp., experts on the West Coast. Throughout his career, he was especially esteemed by colleagues as “a stimulating teacher,” “an excellent biologist,” and “a fine man.

Charles Henry Gilbert (1859-1928), Naturalist-in-Charge, and Chauncey Thomas, Jr. (1850-1919), Commanding: Conflict Aboard the U. S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross in 1902

Charles Henry Gilbert (1859-1928) was a pioneering ichthyologist who made major contributions to the study of fishes of the American West. As chairman of the Department ofZoology at Leland Stanford Junior University in Palo Alto, Calif., during 1891-1925, Gilbert was extremely devoted to his work and showed little patience with those ofa different mindset. While serving as Naturalist-in-Charge of the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross during her exploratory expedition to the Hawaiian Islands in 1902, Gilbert engaged in an acrimonious feud with the ship's captain, Chauncey Thomas, Jr. (1850-1919), U.S.N., over what Gilbert perceived to be an inadequate effort by the captain. This essay focuses on the conflict between two strong figures, each operatingf rom different world views, and each vying for authority. Despite the difficulties these two men faced, the voyage of the Albatross in 1902 must be considered a success, as reflected by the extensive biological samples collected, the many new species of animals discovered, and the resulting publication of important scientific papers.

Charles Henry Gilbert (1859-1928), Naturalist-in-Charge: the 1906 North Pacific Expedition of the Steamer Albatross

Fishery science pioneers often faced challenges in their field work that are mostly unknown to modern biologists. Some of the travails faced by ichthyologist and, later, fishery biologist Charles Henry Gilbert (1859-1928) during his service as Naturalist-in-Charge of the North Pacific cruise ofthe U.S. Bureau of Fisheries Steamer Albatross in 1906, are described here, as are accomplishments of the cruise. The vessel left San Francisco, Calif., on 3 May 1906, just after the great San Francisco earthquake, for scientific exploration of waters of the Aleutian islands, Bering Sea, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, and Japan, returning to San Francisco in December. Because the expedition occurred just after the war between Japan and Russia of 1904-05 floating derelict mines in Japanese waters were often a menace. Major storms caused havoc in the region, and the captain of the Albatross, Lieutenant Commander LeRoy Mason Garrett (1857-1906), U.S.N., was lost at sea, apparently thrown from the vessel during a sudden storm on the return leg of the cruise. Despite such obstacles, Gilbert and the Albatross successfully completed their assigned chores. They occupied 339 dredging and 48 hydrographic stations, and discovered over 180 new species of fishes and many new species of invertebrates. The expedition's extensive biological collections spawned over 30 descriptive publications, some of which remain today as standards of knowledge.

Morphometry and population dynamics of Sepia aculeata, (Orbigny - 1848) along the Bombay coast

Cephalopods gained importance in the fishing industry when they emerged as one of the leading sea food products exclusively for international market in the mid seventies. Cephalopods fishery in India is still in an infant stage with vast scope for exploitation. The present work on the cephalopods fishery along the Bombay coast is an effort to quantify the resource potential of Sepia acculeata. The morphometry, growth parameters, mortality (total, natural and fishing) rates, the yield per recruit and standing stock were studied.

Escala macroscópica de maturaçāo e ciclo sexual das espécies Penaeus indicus H. Milne Edward e Metapenaeus monoceros (Fabricius)

The macroscopic scale used for determination of sexual maturity in shrimps was tested against objective parameters namely the gonad-somatic index and the size of oocytes. The two main species caught in Mozambique, Penaeus indicus and Metapenaeus monoceros, were the object of the work. In order to reduce the subjectivity in the macroscopic exam, a table with the colours representative of each stage is presented. Since this study was conducted over a period of 13 consecutive months and there were observations from previous years, the sexual cycle of the two species is also presented, as well as an estimate of the size at first maturity.

Morphometry and length-weight relationship of Coilia dussumieri, Valenciennes, 1848 from Mumbai waters

Coilia dussumieri Valenciennes, 1848 a component of 'dol' net fishery forms an important pelagic resource along northwest coast of India. The present communication deals with morphometry and length-weight relationship of this species along Mumbai coast. Morphometric study showed a positive correlation among the compared characters. The length-weight relationship for the species from Mumbai coast was found to be W=0.017L super(2.4223).

Technical report of frame and catch assessment surveys of Lakes Edward and George; and the Kazinga Channel conducted in January and July 2011- 2013

This study aimed at evaluating the production levels in terms of catch estimates of the artisanal fisheries of the Edward-George system in addition to providing information on the facilities and services at landing sites and the composition, magnitude and distribution of fishing effort to guide development and management of the fisheries resources of the Edward and George lakes and Kazinga channel. Specifically, the study was expected to come up with the following outputs:- a) Information on the number of fish landing sites on the basin lakes; b) Information on the facilities available at the fish landing sites to service the fisheries sector ; c) Information on the number of fishers; d) Information on the number and types of fishing crafts; e) Information on the modes of propulsion of the fishing crafts; f) Information on the number types and sizes of fishing gears including the number of illegal fishing gears in the fishery; and g) Recommendations on development and management of the fisheries of the Edward and George lakes and Kazinga channel. h) Beach values in terms of annual catches and annual revenue from the water bodies.

Morphometry, length-weight relationship and biology of Sepia aculeata (d'Orbigny, 1848) from Mumbai coast, India

Seventeen morphometric characters of Sepia aculeata of Mumbai coast have been studied and the relationships of morphometric characters with dorsal mantle length (DML) were established. The characters compared showed a fair to high degree of correlation ('r' 0.63-0.99). Number of arm suckers and shell rings were related with DML. The shell rings also showed high degree of correlation with DML ('r' 0.79-0.95). However, the relationship between arm suckers and DML was not so good ('r' 0.1-0.4). The length-weight relationship is described as W=0.1821336 L sub(2.801102). Food and feeding analysis confirm the carnivorous feeding behaviour of the species. Mature females found in all months indicate that it has prolonged spawning season with two peaks, september and march-april. Absolute fecundity ranged from 214 to 4143 eggs.

Plerchis heterorchis N. sp. (Digenea: Acanthocolpidae Luhe, 1909) from fishes Lutjanus johnii and Otolithus argenteus of Karachi coast, Pakistan

A new species of trematodes Pleorchis heterorchis is described from the fishes Lutjanus johnii and Otolithus argenteus of Karachi coast. The new species is characterized by having a lanceolate body with a notch at the middle of the posterior end of the body. Body surface is smooth, ventral sucker rounded, situated at the anterior middle region of the body, pre-pharynx is well developed, widened posteriorly, pharynx muscular, oesophagus short, intestine H-shaped with anterior arms much shorter than the posterior, intestinal bifurcation almost in the middle of fore body, anterior caeca wide and short extending as far as anterior limit of pharynx. Posteriorly caeca reach to posterior end of the body with no lateral out pocketing. Testes 44 in number, intercecal arranged in 2 parallel rows, sub-globular, entire to slightly irregular, almost of same sizes extending immediately from posterior of the ovary to anterior of excretory vesicle. Cirrus pouch overlaps the ventral sucker, extends into hind body, terminating above the ovary, containing bipartite seminal vesicle, pars prostatica and ejaculatory duct. Genital pore behind the intestinal bifurcation and pre-acetabular. Ovary pre-testicular, consists of 16 follicles of varying sizes. Vitellaria lateral, follicular, extending from post bifurcal to posterior extremity. Excretory vesicle reaches to the posterior level of last pair of testes.

Influence of a fish bacterium Lactobacillus sp. on the production of swordtail xiphophorus helleri (Heckel 1848)

The influence of a fish gut bacterium Lactobacillus sp on the production of swordtail Xiphophorus helleri was studied for a period of one year. The Lactobacillus sp P21 produced bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance and exhibited wide spectrum of action against Aeromonas hydrophila, Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas spp and Citrobacter freundi in vitro. The growth performance of X. helleri reared in the presence of Lactobacillus P21 at 106/ml rearing water was better than the control. The total plate counts, total MRS agar counts and the counts of motile aeromonads, presumptive pseudomonads, lactose fermenters and lactose non-fermenters in the gut of probiotic group were comparatively low than the control. On day 60 the count of Lactobacillus sp P21 was observed to be log 5.28/g in the gut of X. helleri indicating colonization of this bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract. The fecundity of X. helleri was in the range of 9-134. On average, it produced from 39.42±18.72 fry/female in control group to 53.00±23.57 fry/female in probiotic group. The increase in average fecundity in probiotic group over the control group was about 25%. There existed significant difference between probiotic group and control in respect of average fecundity/female (p<0.02), average number of fry survived /female (p<0.006) and average number of fry dead/female (p<0.029). The results of the present study demonstrated that the rearing of X. helleri in probiotic-enriched water have growth inducing ability and favourably influenced the reproductive performance in terms of high fecundity, high fry survival, reduced fry mortality and reduced fry deformity.

Morphometric relationships of spineless cuttlefish, Sepiella inermis (Orbigny, 1848) from Mumbai waters

The relationships of various morphometric characters with dorsal mantle length (DML) of Sepiella inermis from Mumbai waters was established. The coefficient of correlation (r²) for various morphometric characters against dorsal mantle length ranged from 0.747 to 0.942 indicating high degree of relationship among the characters compared. The regression of characteristics obtained by least squares method for S. inermis indicates that the characters have positive allometric growth.

A baseline survey of water quality, invertebrates, fisheries and socioeconomics on Lake Edward for proposed seismic surveys in block 4B : Final report

The National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI) on behalf of OPEP Consult Ltd undertook a baseline survey of the transition zone (basically along the shoreline) and near shore habitats of the Uganda apart of Lake Edward and Kazinga channel during December 2007 to January 2008. A major objective of the baseline survey was to generate baseline information on the aquatic ecosystem features related to the fisheries and socio-economics of the fish catch including issues raised by residents in the fish landing sites. Therefore, the baseline survey captured information on water quality, the aquatic invertebrate fauna, aspects of fish biology and ecology, the fish catch including facilities at fish landings, value in the catch and related fisheries socio-economic issues perceived by residents in the settled areas along the shores.

Fishery resources and some economic aspects of four fishing villages on Lakes George and Edward in the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

The fishery resources of Lake George and Ugandan waters of Lake Edward are described. The main fish species currently observed in the commercial catches were determined and the reasons of changes in species composition of the catches. that occurred in the recent years, are explained. The fishing activity and some economic and nutritional aspects of four fishing villages, selected among the ten present within the Queen Elizabeth National Park boundaries, are analyzed, In the end some suggestions are given for management of the fishery resources of these lakes.

Plankton identified in stomach contents of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces, Cichlidae) and the water system of Lakes Edward, George, and Kazinga channel - Uganda

The samples were collected from Lake Edward at Rwenshama, Kisenyi and Katwe, and from Lake George at Mahyoro, Kashaka and Kasenyi and in Kazinga Channel at Katunguru. The organisms identified from the water samples obtained irrespective of station or depth were mainly the phytoplankton (diatoms, blue-green algae and green algae). Of the phytoplankton, blue green-algae were the most abundant both in quantity and number of species especially in L. George. In order of importance were Microcystis spp, Planktolyngbya spp and Anabaenopsis spp were the dominant blue greens. Diatoms and green algae were present but less abundant. The estimated proportions of different types of phytoplankton identified in O. niloticus stomach contents indicate that bluegreen algae were the most abundant followed by the diatoms and green algae.