Ecological change in Lough Erne: influence of catchment changes and species invasions

Lough Erne in Northern Ireland has been the subject of much research over the last 30 years by, amongst others, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). In this article, the authors provide a summary of a workshop held on the 16–17th October 2003 in Enniskillen, on the shores of Lough Erne, which gave an opportunity to step back and take a holistic look at the Erne lakes. Ecological change has been driven by many factors, including land use changes and species invasions. The workshop consisted of five sessions which are summarised in this article: Session 1 – Invasive species, nutrients, phytoplankton and macrophytes; Session 2 – Zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish; Session 3 – An ecosystem approach – relating the previous sessions; Session 4 – How does Lough Erne fit into lake classifications? Implications of the Water Framework Directive; Session 5 – Using new techniques to examine food webs and species invasions. Identifying a future research programme for Lough Erne.

The influence of blue-green algae on development of the zooplankton. [Translation of: Byull.mosk.Obshch.Ispyt.Prir.(Biol.) 67, 128-131, 1962]

Many have observed the reduction of the quantity of zooplankton in the presence of water blooms. It is known that in seas zooplankton as it were avoids places of accumulation of blue-green algae. By observations on one of the tributaries of the Rybinsk reservoir - the River Shumorovka - the authors tried by simultaneous collections to trace the changes in numbers, not only of zoo- and phytoplankton but also of bacteria. The plankton was collected by quantitative nets with suitable numbers of gauze and bacteria were taken account of by the method of direct calculation on membrane filters. It can be seen that the development of blue-green algae appears as an important factor, determining not only the intensity but also the direction of the process of production of zooplankton.

Observations on the influence of external factors on the duration of the embryonic development and on the molting rhythm of Cyclops vicinus. [Translation from: Oecologia 7, 342-355, 1971.]

Investigations on the control of the embryonic and post-embryonic development of arthropods have formed an intensively studied field of zoological research for a long time, Here in especially favourable cases the causal chain from the operation of external factors on the influence of physiological mechanisms, eg. of the hormone variety, is known right through to its primary influences. A comparative approach to the relevant questions was in the main only made in the case of the insects. For crustacea , investigations are available almost exclusively only for the malacostraca. This study examines the influence of the factors of temperature and photoperiod on the entire development of Cyclops vicinus. Tests were made on whether the light-darkness change serves as a regulator for a possible existing molting rhythm - a question which for the entire arthropods has been settled only very rarely. The basic material for the cultures that were examined originates from Lake Constance.

The vertical distribution of zooplankton in the Goggausee (the influence of algae and Chaoborus flavicans) [Translation from: Carinthia II 166/186 373-385, 1976]

The Goggausee, a small, shallow, meromictic lake(700m long, 150m wide, max. depth=12m, mean depth=6m), was the site of a week long study (19-26 May 1974) of the limnology department of the University of Vienna. The study comprised pollen analysis and palaeolimnological studies on the one hand, as well as a stock- taking of physiochemical factors, primary production, bacteria, zooplankton, zoo benthos and fish on the other. This paper studies the zooplankton of the lake. The Goggausee is a meromictic lake, with its anoxic deep water, that restricts the vertical distribution of most zooplankton. The aim of the study was to pursue the vertical distribution of the rotifers and Crustacea. Density of individuals, biomass, percentages of zooplankton together and crustaceans and rotifers as groups. Special consideration is given to the the Dipteran Chaoborus flavicans.

The influence of constant temperature on the embryonic growth of Asellus aquaticus L. (Crustacea) [Translation from: Vestsi Akademii Navuk Belorusskoi SSR, Seriya Biyal. 1979(1) 128-130]

It is known that an adequately large amount of work has been devoted to investigations on the influence of temperature on the growth period of aquatic invertebrates. However, the action of the given factors on the basic biological characteristics of embryonic growth in crustaceans is virtually unknown. An experimental study of the effectiveness of the transformation of matter and energy during the period of embryogenesis in the isopod Asellus aquaticus L. under different constant temperatures was carried out. Specimens were collected in the quarry lakes of the Kurasovshchin zone (city-Minsk). The authors developed a quantitative analysis of the basic energetic properties of animals during one of the physiological stages at different constant temperatures, which allows one to determine the temperature range in which the expenditure of energy, at a given instance during embryonic growth, is minimised. For A. aquaticus this range is represented by the limits 10-22°C, during which the least expenditure of energy is observed between 14.5 and 18.8°C.

Influence of carbon tetrachloride on the liver of tadpoles of brown frog (Rana temporaria) [Translation from: Trudy leningt.sanit.-gig.med.Inst. 82, 32-36, 1967]

Comparative studies of the structure and regeneration of tissues in different vertebrates make it possible to get ideas from the evolution and regeneration potential of tissues. In this study are considered the reactive changes in the liver of larvae of the amphibian Rana temporaria to CC14 of different concentrations. Tadpoles of different sizes and different growth were placed once each day every day in a vessel with a determined solution of CC14 in water. The liver of tadpoles has a distinctive structure. It is distinguished by structure not only from the liver of higher vertebrates, but also from the liver of the adult frogs. The liver of the latter has an insignificant amount of fat and a whole series of other characters not typical of the liver of the tadpole. Placing the tadpoles in a solution of CCl4 with a concentration of 0.1% did not produce in the liver noticeable morphological changes. The author concludes that the absence of degenerative changes in the liver tadpoles, in spite of a high percentage of death of the experimental animals, tells of the well-known resistance of their liver to the influence of CC14.

Influence of aniline on Daphnia magna Straus [Translation from: Trudy Saratov.Otdeleniya GosNIORKh 13 102-104, 1975]

Experiments were carried out by the method of direct effect of the tested substance on increase of biomass (1,2). Daphnia magna was cultured under laboratory conditions.The author concludes that concentrations of aniline from 5000 to 0.1 mg/1 appear acutely lethal. The disturbance of feeding, reproduction, the disorganization of the nervous system, speak of the toxicity of the substance.

Influence of starvation on selected temperatures in the young of bream, roach and perch [Translation from: Informatsionnyi Byulleten Biologiya Vnutrennikh Vod No.50, 45-47, 1981]

Works devoted to the influence of starvation on temperature selection by fishes are few and their conclusions are contradictory. This study determined the influence of brief, up to 14 days, starvation on temperature selection by young fishes. The experiments were carried out in August-September 1976 on fingerling bream (Abramis brama L.), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) and perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) with body lengths of 3-5 cm and weight 0.5-1.2 g. The young fish were caught in the littoral by seine-nets or small drag-nets. Immediately after catching the fish they were put in acclimatization boxes. The period of acclimatization did not exceed 2 days for bream and roach at a temperature of 20 °C and 6 days for perch at 17 °C. Before the start of the experiment and for the first 10 days of the experiment the fish were fed with oligochaetes, earthworms and daphnia, after that feeding discontinued. At the end of a 10-14 day period the giving of food was resumed. The study concludes that the experiments have shown that in the summer season the factor of starvation significantly changes the reaction to the gradient of temperature in young cyprihids - roach and bream.

Description of sampling stations, methods of benthic sampling and biological water quality assessment; with some consideration of the influence of sample variation on the assessment values obtained

The first bilateral study of methods of biological sampling and biological methods of water quality assessment took place during June 1977 on selected sampling sites in the catchment of the River Trent (UK). The study was arranged in accordance with the protocol established by the joint working group responsible for the Anglo-Soviet Environmental Agreement. The main purpose of the bilateral study in Nottingham was for some of the methods of sampling and biological assessment used by UK biologists to be demonstrated to their Soviet counterparts and for the Soviet biologists to have the opportunity to test these methods at first hand in order to judge the potential of any of these methods for use within the Soviet Union. This paper is concerned with the nine river stations in the Trent catchment.

Polyculture of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, de Man with carps: effects of prawn stocking density

Effects of three stocking densities, viz., 35, 50 and 65/decimal (1 decimal = 40.48 m2) of juvenile freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) on prawn and fish production were tested in a polycuture system with silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), catla (Catla catla), Grass carp (Ctenophmyngodon idella) and silver barb (Barbodes gonionotus). The fish stocking density was 19/decimal with the species combination of silver carp-10, catlac-6, grass carp-1 and silver barb-2. In a 8-month culture period, the prawn yield 423 ± 144 kg/ha was significantly lower (P< 0.5) with the prawn stocking density of 35/decimal than that of 548 ± 178 kg/ha and 662 ± 243 kg/ha with 50 and 65/decimal respectively. The fish production (1844-1891 kg/ha) did not differ significantly (p <0.05) among the three treatments indicating that prawn stocking densities had no influence on fish yield. The lower mean harvest weight (62 g) and survival rate (67 g) and higher yield (2.67 kg/decimal) with the highest stocking rate of prawn reveals that as density was increased, prawn survival and individual weight at harvest decreased but total yield increased.

Improved handling and preservation of freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii for producing safe and wholesome products

Studies were undertaken to evaluate the quality changes in freshwater giant prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii during various storage conditions of handling and preservation and producing safe and quality products. The samples kept in ice immediately after catch with head-on and head-less condition were found to be acceptable for 6 days and 7 days, respectively. Delaying of icing considerably shortened the shelf-life. The pH value increased from 6.36 to 8.0 after 10 days in ice. The initial average TVB-N value of sample increased from below 10 mg/100 g to 25 mg/100 g with the lapse of storage period. The Ca++ ATPase activity in presence of 0.1M KCl slightly decreased at the end of 10 days of ice storage. Immediately after harvest, initial aerobic plate count (APC) was 2.88x10^6 CFU/g which gradually increased to 1.12x10^8 CFU/g after 6 days in ice storage and showed early signs of spoilage. Initial bacterial genera in the prawn iced at 0 hours were comprised of Coryneform (22.21 %), Bacillus (7.40%), Micrococcus (11.11 %), Achromobacter (48.14%), Flavobacterium/Cytophaga (7.40%), Pseudomonas (3.70%) and Aeromonas (3.70%). During ice storage Coryneforms and Bacillus were always dominating along with less prominent ones - Micrococcus, Achromobacter and Flavobacterium. Studies were conducted on the stability of myofibrillar protein of M. rosenbergii under different storage and pH conditions. The influence of a wide range of pH on the remaining Ca++ ATPase activity of M. rosenbergii muscle myofibrils after storage at -20°C for 2 days, at 0°C for 2 days and at 35°C for 30 minutes demonstrated that ATPase activities were lower in acidic and alkaline pH regions and the activity remained relatively high. Mg++ ATPase activities both in presence and absence of Ca++ remained high at neutral pH compared to those of acidic and alkaline region. The solubility of myofibrillar protein decreased gradually both in acidic and alkaline pH regions. The study also examined the bacteriological quality of freshly harvested M. rosenbergii, pond sediment and pond water from four commercial freshwater prawn farms at Fulpur and Tarakanda upazilas in the district of Mymensingh. The study included aerobic plate count (APC), total coliform count, detection, isolation and identification of suspected public health hazard bacteria and their seasonal variation, salt tolerance test, antibiotic sensitivity test of the isolates and washing effect of chlorinated water on the bacterial load in the prawn samples. APC in sediment soil and water of the farm and gill and hepatopancreas of freshly harvested prawns varied considerably among the farms and between summer and winter season. The range of coliform count in water, gill and hepatopancreas ranged between 6 - 2.8x10^2 CFU/ml, 1.2x10^2 - 3.32x10^2 CFU/g and 1.43x10^2 - 3.89 x10^3 CFU/g, respectively. No coliform was detected in pond sediment sample. Suspected health hazard bacteria isolated and identified from pond sediment, water, gill and hepatopancreas included Streptococcus, Bacillus, Escherichia coli, Klebsialla, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Aeromonas. Bacillus, Salmonella and Staphyloccus [sic], and were found to be highly salt tolerant and capable of growing at 10% NaCl. The antibiotic discs with different concentration of antibiotics were used for the sensitivity test. The organisms were found to be most sensitive against Tetracyclin and Gentamycin.

The preservation of some Indian freshwater fish

Quality changes in Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mrigala and Tilapia mossambica were studied during storage in ice and at ambient temperature (29-32°C). After 10h at ambient temperature L. rohita and T. mossambica were completely spoiled, while C. mrigala became unacceptable within 11h. Organoleptic examination, total volatile base nitrogen and total bacterial counts showed that L. rohita (0.5 kg and above) and C. mrigala (0.5 kg and above) were acceptable up to 7 to 8 days of storage in ice in popular container (Bamboo basket) lined with palmyrah mat) at ambient temperature while T. mossambica (30-40 g) was acceptable up to 6 days. Influence of size of fish on shelf life in ice studied with reference to L. rohita showed that fishes below 500 g were acceptable up to 6 days of storage in ice in popular container at ambient temperature while those above 1000 g size were acceptable up to 8 days. Provision of an alkathene lining to the popular container extended the storage life of L. rohita from 6 days to 8 days. Pre-chilled and iced L. rohita had a longer shel flife (9 days) than merely iced sample (7 days).

Influence of dew on biomass and photosystem II activity of cyanobacterial crusts in the Hopq Desert, northwest China

Dew is an important water source for desert organisms in semiarid and arid regions. Both field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the possible roles of dew in growth of biomass and photosynthetic activity within cyanobacterial crust. The cyanobacteria, Microcoleus vaginatus Gom. and Scytonema javanicum (Kutz.) Born et Flah., were begun with stock cultures and sequential mass cultivations, and then the field experiment was performed by inoculating the inocula onto shifting sand for forming cyanobacterial crust during late summer and autumn of 2007 in Hopq Desert, northwest China. Measurements of dew amount and Chlorophyll a content were carried out in order to evaluate the changes in crust biomass following dew. Also, we determined the activity of photosystem II(PSII) within the crust in the laboratory by simulating the desiccation/rehydration process due to dew. Results showed that the average daily dew amount as measured by the cloth-plate method (CPM) was 0.154 mm during fifty-three days and that the crust biomass fluctuated from initial inoculation of 4.3 mu g Chlorophyll a cm(-2) sand to 5.8-7.3 mu g Chlorophyll a cm(-2) crust when dew acted as the sole water source, and reached a peak value of approximately 8.2 mu g Chlorophyll a cm(-2) crust owing to rainfalls. It indicated that there was a highly significant correlation between dew amounts and crust moistures (r = 0.897 or r = 0.882, all P < 0.0001), but not a significant correlation between dew and the biomass (r = 0.246 or r = 0.257, all P > 0.05), and thus concluded that dew might only play a relatively limited role in regulating the crust biomass. Correspondingly, we found that rains significantly facilitated biomass increase of the cyanobacterial crust. Results from the simulative experiment upon rehydration showed that approximately 80% of PSII activity could be achieved within about 50 min after rehydration in the dark and at 5 degrees C, and only about 20% of the activity was light-temperature dependent. This might mean that dew was crucial for cyanobacterial crust to rapidly activate photosynthetic activity during desiccation and rehydration despite low temperatures and weak light before dawn. It also showed in this study that the cyanobacterial crusts could receive and retain more dew than sand, which depended on microclimatic characteristics and soil properties of the crusts. It may be necessary for us to fully understanding the influence of dew on regulating the growth and activity of cyanobacterial crust, and to soundly evaluate the crust's potential application in fighting desertification because of the available water due to dew. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Influence of Potamogeton crispus growth on nutrients in the sediment and water of Lake Tangxunhu

An incubation experiment was performed on Potamogeton crispus (P. crispus) using sediment collected from Lake Tangxunhu in the center of China, in order to determine the effects of plant growth on Fe, Si, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, P, and Ca concentrations in the sediments and overlying waters. After 3 months of incubation, Ca, Mg, and Si concentrations in the water column were significantly lower, and P and Cu concentrations were significantly higher than in unplanted controls. The effect of P. crispus growth on sediment pore waters and water-extractable elements varied. Concentrations of Ca, Mg, Si, Fe, Cu, and Zn were significantly higher, and P was significantly lower, than in pore waters of the control. Water-extracted concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Si in the sediments were lower, and P was higher, than in the control. Presence of P. crispus generally enhanced concentration gradients of elements between pore waters and overlying waters but not for P. The growth of P. crispus was associated with an increase in water pH and formation of root plaques, resulting in complex effects on the sediment nutritional status.

Influence of selected Indian immunostimulant herbs against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon with reference to haematological, biochemical and immunological changes

Immunostimulants are the substances, which enhance the non-specific defence mechanism and provide resistance against the invading pathogenic micro-organism. In order to increase the immunity of shrimps against the WSSV, the methanolic extracts of five different herbal medicinal plants like Cyanodon dactylon, Aegle marmelos, Tinospora cordifolia, Picrorhiza kurooa and Eclipta alba were selected and mixed thoroughly in equal proportion. The mixed extract was supplemented with various concentrations viz. 100 (A), 200 (B), 400 (C), and 800 (D) mg kg(-1) through artificial diets individually. The prepared diets (A-D) were fed individually to WSSV free healthy shrimp Penaeus monodon with an average weight of 8.0 +/- 0.5 g for 25 days. Control diet (E), devoid of herbal extract was also fed to shrimps simultaneously. After 25 days of feeding experiment, the shrimps were challenged with WSSV, which were isolated and propagated from the infected crustaceans. The shrimps succumbed to death within 7 days when fed on no herbal immunostimulant diet (E). Among the different concentrations of herbal immunostimulant supplemented diets, the shrimps fed on diet D (800 mg kg(-1)) significantly (P < 0.0001) had more survival (74%) and reduction in the viral load. Also the better performance of haematological, biochemical and immunological parameters was found in the immunostimulant incorporated diets fed shrimps. The present work revealed that the application of herbal immunostimulants will be effective against shrimp viral pathogenesis and they can be recommended for shrimp culture. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.