Phylogeny of fireflies (Coleoptera : Lampyridae) inferred from mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA, with references to morphological and ethological traits

We sequenced partial mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) of 18 firefly species from Southwest of China. Combined with homologous sequences previously reported, phylogenetic trees including Japanese, Korean and Chinese species were reconstructed by

Identification and association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in calpain3 (CAPN3) gene with carcass traits in chickens

Background: The aim of this study is to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of chicken Calpain3 (CAPN3) gene and to analyze the potential association between CAPN3 gene polymorphisms and carcass traits in chickens. We screened CAPN3 single nucleo

Variation in Reproductive Traits between Populations of Neosalanx taihuensis above and below the Three-Gorges Dam

Reproductive characteristics of the spring spawning stock of Neosalanx taihuensis varied significantly between the populations in the Three-Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and in the Tian-e-zhou Oxbow (TEO, below the dam). Larger body size, higher condition, higher fecundity, and larger oocyte diameter of the spawning stock in the TGR indicated faster individual growth and higher reproductive investment of the TGR population than the TEO population. With higher population abundance associated with higher reproductive investment of N. taihuensis in the TGR than in the TEO population, we suggest that reproductive investment is an important factor regulating resource fluctuation of N. taihuensis populations.

The reproductive traits of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario L.) from the Yadong River, Tibet

Some key aspects of the reproductive strategy of the brown trout (Salmo trutta fario L.) in the Yadong River, Tibet, including spawning season, age at sexual maturity, fecundity and egg size, have been studied. The majority of the samples were less than 215 mm and age ranged from 1 to 4 in both sexes, indicating that the majority of the fish were younger and the pressure by overfishing was high. The spawning periodicity was determined to be between the end of October and January, mainly in November and December. The ratio of male to female brown trout population (1.29:1 with P > 0.05) suggested no sex significant differences, although males were significantly more abundant than females in October (P < 0.0001) on monthly basis. Age and size of males and females at maturity was different and males matured earlier than females. Fecundity was markedly correlated with their body weight (P < 0.001, r = 0.9255), standard length (P < 0.01, r = 0.8879), and gonad weight (P < 0.001, r = 0.9366). The mean size of mature eggs in the spawning season was: 4.0 +/- 0.45 mm and tended to increase along with the female spawners size (P < 0.001, r = 0.9641). Further researches about the brown trout population in the Yadong River should be conducted on issues such as artificial reproduction, culture, conservation, management, and restocking.

Metabolism traits of 'all-fish' growth hormone transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Transgenic animals with improved qualities have the potential to upset the ecological balance of a natural environment. We investigated metabolic rates of 'all-fish' growth hormone (GH) transgenic common carp under routine conditions and during starvation periods to determine whether energy stores in transgenic fish would deplete faster than controls during natural periods of starvation. Before the oxygen uptake was measured, the mean daily feed intake of transgenic carp was 2.12 times greater than control fish during 4 days of feeding. The average oxygen uptake of GH transgenic fish was 1.32 times greater than control fish within 96 h of starvation, but was not significantly different from controls between 96 and 144 h of starvation. At the same time, GH transgenic fish did not deplete energy reserves at a faster rate than did the controls, as the carcass energy contents of the two groups following a 60-d starvation period were not significantly different. Consequently, we suggest that increased routine oxygen uptake in GH transgenic common carp over that of control fish may be mainly due to the effects of feeding, and not to an increase in basal metabolism. GH transgenic fish are similar to controls in the regulation of metabolism to normally distribute energy reserves during starvation. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.