Rapid identification of European (Anguilla anguilla) and North American eel (Anguilla rostrata) by polymerase chain reaction.

A rapid and cost effective DNA test is described to identify European eel (Anguilla anguilla) and North American eel (Anguilla rostrata). By means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique parts of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene are amplified with species specific primers which are designed to produce PCR fragments of different characteristic sizes for European and American eel. The size differences can easily be made visible by agarose gel electrophoresis

Pathways for the uptake of dissolved organic matter (DOM) by aquatic animals

In this article, pathways from freshwater and marine environments are described. DOM is defined operationally as all the organic compounds which pass through a filter of pore size 0.45 microm., those retained on the surface of the filter being particulate organic matter (POM). DOM can be taken up directly by animals by transfer across the body wall, but more commonly DOM is obtained from ingested food. Once ingested POM from food particles are broken down in the gut, small molecules of DOM are released for transfer across the gut wall. Some ingested particles are attacked by micro-organisms living in the gut, thereby making the DOM available to the host animal. The importance of the microbial loop is discussed, as well as aggregation processes between the fractions of DOM which are more obviously particulate in nature. (DBO)

Reaction of fish to light (”Conclusions” only). [Translation from: Voprosy Ikhtiologii 6 17-20, 1956]

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the reaction of certain fish to light were tested and reasons for the attraction of certain fish to light are discussed.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) transmission risk through infected cooked shrimp products assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bio-inoculation studies

The aim of the study was to evaluate the resistance of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in shrimps (Penaeus monodon) to the process of cooking. The cooking was carried out at 1000C six different durations 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min. The presence of WSSV was tested by single step and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the single step PCR, the primers 1s5 & 1a16 and IK1 & IK2 were used. While in the nested PCR, primers IK1 &IK2 – IK3 & IK4 were used for the detection of WSSV. WSSV was detected in the single step PCR with the primers 1s5 and 1a16 and the nested PCR with the primers IK1 and IK2 – IK3 & IK4 from the cooked shrimp samples. The cooked shrimps, which gave positive results for WSSV by PCR, were further confirmed for the viability of WSSV by conducting the bio-inoculation studies. Mortality (100%) was observed within 123 h of intra-muscular post injection (P.I) into the live healthy WSSV-free shrimps (P. monodon). These results show that the WSSV survive the cooking process and even infected cooked shrimp products may pose a transmission risk for WSSV to the native shrimp farming systems.

Molecular probes and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -based kits for diagnosis of shrimp diseases

Technology for effective and fast diagnosis of animal diseases is essential for developing aquaculture management strategies. This paper reviews the conventional techniques for shrimp disease diagnosis and discusses the emergence of nuclei acid probes and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based kits as powerful tools for rapid and accurate detection of shrimp diseases.

Comparison of average larval fish vertical distributions among species exhibiting different transport pathways on the southeast United States continental shelf

Water currents are vertically structured in many marine systems and as a result, vertical movements by fish larvae and zooplankton affect horizontal transport (Power, 1984). In estuaries, the vertical movements of larvae with tidal periods can result in their retention or ingress (Fortier and Leggett, 1983; Rijnsdorp et al., 1985; Cronin and Forward, 1986; Forward et al., 1999). On the continental shelf, the vertical movements of organisms interact daily and ontogenetically with depth-varying currents to affect horizontal transport (Pillar et al., 1989; Barange and Pillar, 1992; Cowen et al., 1993, 2000; Batchelder et al., 2002).

Liver genomic responses to ciguatoxin: evidence for activation of Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways following an acute hypothermic response in mice

Ciguatoxins (CTX) are polyether neurotoxins that target voltage-gated sodium channels and are responsible for ciguatera, the most common fish-borne food poisoning in humans. This study characterizes the global transcriptional response of mouse liver to a symptomatic dose (0.26 ng/g) of the highly potent Pacific ciguatoxin-1 (P-CTX-1). At 1 h post-exposure 2.4% of features on a 44K whole genome array were differentially expressed (p ≤ 0.0001), increasing to 5.2% at 4 h and decreasing to 1.4% by 24 h post-CTX exposure. Data were filtered (|fold change| ≥ 1.5 and p ≤ 0.0001 in at least one time point) and a trend set of 1550 genes were used for further analysis. Early gene expression was likely influenced prominently by an acute 4°C decline in core body temperature by 1 h, which resolved by 8 h following exposure. An initial downregulation of 32 different solute carriers, many involved in sodium transport, was observed. Differential gene expression in pathways involving eicosanoid biosynthesis and cholesterol homeostasis was also noted. Cytochrome P450s (Cyps) were of particular interest due to their role in xenobiotic metabolism. Twenty-seven genes, mostly members of Cyp2 and Cyp4 families, showed significant changes in expression. Many Cyps underwent an initial downregulation at 1 h but were quickly and strongly upregulated at 4 and 24 h post-exposure. In addition to Cyps, increases in several glutathione S-transferases were observed, an indication that both phase I and phase II metabolic reactions are involved in the hepatic response to CTX in mice.

Development of an electric shrimp trawl 1. Reaction of shrimps to low volt direct current

Preliminary attempts were made to assess the effect of direct current on shrimps and to see whether the shrimp could be guided in large numbers into the fishing net by using a current of appropriate voltage without scattering them away as it happens at present. This communication is the first in the series of studies and primarily deals with laboratory equipment and experimental procedures followed.

On the reaction of marine fishes in interrupted A.C. of 50 Hz

The reactions of marine fishes in interrupted A. C. off uniform electrical field and constant current density have been studied in order to determine the optimum effective periods of shock: for narcosis and fixation. Higher effective periods were required with gradual decrease in potential difference between head and tail, which in turn depended on the length of fish and its position in electrical field. The body voltage of fish varied directly with the length and inversely with the rise of angle between their body axis and field lines. The fish subjected to higher effective period took longer time for recovery from narcosis. The effect of impulse current was manifested by increased rate of gill movements in Platax tefora, Haetodon ollaris, Crysophus burda, Siganus vermiculatus and Scolopsis leucotaenia, and lowered rate of movements in others when subjected to different effective periods inspective of length.

Reaction of fishes to the underwater A.C. field

A comparative study on the effect of A.C. field on Puntius ticto, Heteropneustis fossilis and Tilapta mossambica was carried out using a slowly rising field intensity. Well defined reactions appeared in the species of fish with slight specific variations, depending on their orientation in the electrical field, on reaching the field intensity to specific value. These reactions can be distinguished as first reaction, when the fish perceive the surrounding field, jerky swimming when parallel to the current lines (longitudinal oscillotaxis), the static position finally adopted by the fish sooner or latter depending on the potential gradient (transverse oscillotaxis), and a state of muscular rigidity (tetanus). After switching off the current, a hypnotic condition prevailed in the treated fishes before returning to their normal swimming condition. The orientation of fish body in the field had an important bearing on the behaviour reactions and current thresholds necessary for those reactions. Initial reaction, jerky swimming between electrodes and hypnosis after stoppage of current appeared in fishes earlier when the fish body was in parallel to the current lines, whereas fishes responded to transverse oscillotaxis quickly when perpendicular to current lines.

Optomotor reaction of milkfish larvae and juveniles

The development of the optomotor reaction (OMR) in milkfish (Chanos chanos), from the larval, through the metamorphic, to the juvenile stage was observed. The period from the appearance of the pelvic fins until the complete disappearance of the finfold was named ”metamorphic stage”. While the larvae showed strong rheotactic responses, their OMR was somewhat weak. It was clear that the OMR underwent a big change through the metamorphic stage, and became strong and almost perfect in the juveniles.