Diatom biostratigraphy of sediments from ODP Leg 170 sites

The following data paper summarizes diatom biostratigraphic data from sediments drilled in the Costa Rica accretionary wedge during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 170. Quaternary through lower Miocene diatom zones characteristic of the equatorial Pacific region are recognized in the reference section, Site 1039, which was drilled on the downgoing Cocos plate. At Sites 1040-1043, where the recovered silty clay units are primarily wedge and apron sediments that overlie the underthrust sections, diatoms are generally low in abundance, and complete zonation of the cores was not possible above the décollement surface.

Construction of bacterial artificial chromosome libraries and their application in developing PCR-based markers closely linked to a major locus conditioning bruchid resistance in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries have been widely used in different aspects of genome research. In this paper we report the construction of the first mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) BAC libraries. These BAC clones were obtained from two ligations and represent an estimated 3.5 genome equivalents. This correlated well with the screening of nine random single-copy restriction fragment length polymorphism probes, which detected on average three BACs each. These mungbean clones were successfully used in the development of two PCR-based markers linked closely with a major locus conditioning bruchid (Callosobruchus chinesis) resistance. These markers will be invaluable in facilitating the introgression of bruchid resistance into breeding programmes as well as the further characterisation of the resistance locus.

Physical oceanography, sea-bed photographs and videos of benthos from the Weddell Sea taken with remote operated vehicle CHEROKEE during POLARSTERN cruise ANT-XXIII/8

The marine ecosystem on the eastern shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula was surveyed 5 and 12 years after the climate-induced collapse of the Larsen A and B ice shelves. An impoverished benthic fauna was discovered, that included deep-sea species presumed to be remnants from ice-covered conditions. The current structure of various ecosystem components appears to result from extremely different response rates to the change from an oligotrophic sub-ice-shelf ecosystem to a productive shelf ecosystem. Meiobenthic communities remained impoverished only inside the embayments. On local scales, macro- and mega-epibenthic diversity was generally low, with pioneer species and typical Antarctic megabenthic shelf species interspersed. Antarctic Minke whales and seals utilised the Larsen A/B area to feed on presumably newly established krill and pelagic fish biomass. Ecosystem impacts also extended well beyond the zone of ice-shelf collapse, with areas of high benthic disturbance resulting from scour by icebergs discharged from the Larsen embayments.

Parasites of endemic and introduced fishes of Zaianderud River of the Esfahan

In this research, 9 species of local and introduced fishes of the Zayandehroud River in Esfahan province (in the Sarmatian region belonging to the large paleoarctic fauna) in 6 seasons (winter 2003, spring, summer, autumn and winter 2004 and summer 2005) were parasitologically studied. The local fishes included alburnoides bipunctatus, Alburnus maculatus, Aphanius vladykovi, Capoeta aculeata & Capoeta damascina & the introduced fishes included Aristichthys nobilis, Carassius auratus, Ctenopharyngodon idella and Cyprinus carpio. Upon being hunted, the fishes were transferred alive to Esfahan Aquatics Breeding Center and physiologically studied after the determination of their species and genus by identification keys Berg (30), Coad (31), Saadati (51), Abdoli (20) and Holchic (38). 32 species of parasites were totally identified as follows: 6 Protozoan species including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, 5 Trichodina species, 2 Myxobolus species including Myxobolus cristatus & Myxobolus saidovi, 16 monogenea species including Dactylogyrus alatus. D. anchorutus, D. baueri, D. chalcalburni, D. chramuli, D. extensus, D. gracilis, D. lamellatus, D. lenkorani and D. pukher, 4 Dactylogyrus spp. 2 Gyrodactylus species, 1 species of Digenea, Diplostomum spthaceum, 4 species of Cestoda including Bothriocephallus gowkongensis, khawia armeniaca, Ligulaintestinalis. Caryophyllaeus sp. 1 Acanthocephala: Acanthocephalo rhynchoides cholodkowsky, 2 species of the crustaceans including the mature & copepodian stages of Lernaea cyprinacea & 1 sp of the genus Lamproglena. Out of all the 166 pcs of the fishes hunted in this research, 127 fishes (76.5%) were infected, and 39 fishes (23.50%) were not infected. In the fishes studied, having 14 of 32 species of the parasites identified, Capoeta aculeata displayed the most variety of infection, and having only 1 sp of the parasites. Aristichthys nobilis displayed the least variety of infection. The new findings of the research will follow: Myxobolus saidovi sp is reported for the 1st time from Iran's fresh water fishes, Alburnus maculatus and Capoeta aculeata are new hosts for M. saidovi and M. cristatus, respectively. Regarding monogenea Capoeta damascina & C. aculeata were reported as the new hosts for parasite D. pukher. The presence of D. pukher the infection of Capoeta aculeata with D. chramuli, D. lenkorani and D. gracilis in the Zayandehroud river were the 1st report. Regarding the Cestodea, Bothriocephalus gowkongensis was reported to be hosted by Aphanius Vladykovi for the 1St time in Iran.

Lagoa mirim: caracterização da pesca artesanal e composição da captura

Os ambientes aquáticos continentais da metade sul do RS são caracterizados por uma ampla planície costeira, onde destaca-se a Lagoa Mirim, com uma área total binacional (Brasil e Uruguai) de 3.750 Km². Nesta região, a pesca é uma importante atividade sócio-econômica, porém, a economia da região baseia-se no cultivo do arroz e na criação de gado. A proposta deste trabalho foi realizar um diagnóstico preliminar desta atividade na L. Mirim. A metodologia foi baseada na aplicação de formulários aos pescadores artesanais (perfil sócio-econômico e características da pesca) e na identificação das espécies que compunham a captura proveniente do desembarque pesqueiro no entorno da L. Mirim (Jaguarão, Santa Isabel e Santa Vitória do PalmarPorto e Curral Alto). Os dados de captura total de pescado foram provenientes de fontes independentes e complementares. O estudo sugere um perfil do pescador artesanal composto por 71% de indivíduos de sexo masculino, entre 20 e 65 anos de idade que costumam ficar de uma semana a quinze dias embarcados. A maioria (71%) dos pescadores artesanais entrevistados possui somente ensino fundamental e seus familiares geralmente estão envolvidos na atividade pesqueira. Foram identificados 28 locais de pesca e as principais espécies capturadas pela pesca artesanal foram: traíra Hoplias malabaricus, jundiá Rhandia aff. quelen, pintado Pimelodus maculatus, peixerei Odontesthes spp, viola-cascuda Loricariichthys anus e tambico Oligosarcus spp. A traíra foi a espécie mais representativa em peso (> 40%). Estas espécies apresentaram flutuações na composição das capturas ao longo do ano; os menores valores foram registrados entre julho e setembro (meses frios), exceto para o peixe-rei. A análise dos dados também aponta uma variação interanual dos valores totais de pescado e alguns fatores que podem estar associados à diminuição da captura são os prolongados períodos de seca na região, o uso da água na orizicultura e a falta de fiscalização da atividade pesqueira. Estudos baseados em estimativas de pescarias e conhecimento sobre a biologia das espécies capturadas podem fornecer subsídios para o correto manejo dos recursos pesqueiros, para tanto, são necessárias pesquisas que investiguem aspectos do uso sustentado das espécies de importância econômica na região e os possíveis efeitos da atividade pesqueira sobre a estrutura e a biodiversidade do ecossistema. Assim, para garantir a sustentabilidade da Lagoa Mirim, faz-se necessário envolver os pescadores artesanais e suas estratégias de pesca, em função de seus conhecimentos ecológicos, nas pesquisas que integram a elaboração das políticas públicas.

Summary study of gill ectoparasite infections and their histopathologic effects in four species of freshwater ornamental fishes

Ornamental fish are more expensive in comparison with the other fish. It especially highlights in non-breeding fish (in imported one for importation costs). But of course, with entering the new and unhealthy fishes to aquarium or ponds, they may transmit a pathogen to others (interfere with Iran ornamental fish parasitic fauna). In this study (Dec. 2008- Sep. 2009), 400 fish gill arch from 4 species of ornamental fish (within focus on imported fish); namely, i.e. Goldfish (Carassius auratus), platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus), Dwarf gourami (Colisa lalia) and Catfish (Hypostomus plecostomus) were inspected for gill ectoparasites and then pathologic effects (but in high- affected gill). In this study, seven protozoan and ten metazoan species, indeed seventeen parasite species were identified. Protozan parasites consist of: Trichodina spp. and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis were found in four fish species; Ichthyobodo necatrix (Costia necator/C. necatrix) and Cryptobia branchialis, were respectively found in Dwarf gourami and goldfish. The highest prevalence belongs to Ichthyophthirius (47%) in platyfish. Metazoan parasites consist of: Ancyrocephalus sp. (Dwarf gourami), Ancylodiscoides spp. (catfish and platyfish), Dactylogyrus vastator, D. baueri, D. formosus (only in goldfish) and Gyrodactylus spp. (in four fish species). The highest prevalence was related to Dactylogyrus vastator(82%) in goldfish. Histological effects in case with high prevalence of parasite were also observed, e.g., hypertrophy, Lamellar hyperplasia and fusion. In high-parasitized gill, there is dysfunction of gill.

Étude morphologique comparative du sang de quelques poissons marins: la phagocytose des substance inertes

Morphological studies on fish blood have been undertaken by many authors. The species used for the present study are: Arius thalassimus, Diploprion bifasciatum, Epinephelus maculatus, Lutjanus chrysotaenia, Lutjanus sanguineus, Scolopsis dubiosus, Plectorhynchus lineatus, Pomacanthus semicirculatus, Platax orbicularis, Amphiprion polylepis, Pseudoscarus nuchipunctatus, Seriola nigrofasciata, Pseudorhombus neglectus, Cynoglossus bilineatus, Acanthurus strigosus, Balistes stellatus.