Length-weight relationships and relative conditions of two sciaenids Otolithes cuvieri Trewavas and Johnius elongatus Mohan from the Karachi coast

Estimates of length-weight relationship in Otolithes cuvieri justify separate equations for males (log W =-5.0100+3.1365 log L) and females (log W =-5.2000+3.1006 log L). Relative condition factor "Kn" was found to be 0.877-1.946 in males and 0.879-1.328 in females. High "Kn" values during March to September at 180-220 mm TL in either sexes are indicative of the maturation of gonads. Separate equations for length-weight relationship are also justified for males (log W = -5.1126 + 3.0690 log L) and females (log W = -5.6400 + 3.3070 log L) of Johnius elongatus . "Kn" values were found to be 0.924-1.894 for males and 0.894-1.087 for females. High "Kn" values during January-May and August-September at 130 mm TL onward are indicative of gonadal maturation.

Length-weight studies of Epinephelus chlorostigma and E. areolatus from Arabian Gulf

Regression coefficient value (b) of the length-weight relation of Epinephelus chlorostigma was registered as 2.6383, which is significantly (p<0.01) less than the hypothetical value (3). This coefficient of E. areolatus was registered as 2.9500, a value close to 3. The correlation coefficients (r) were registered as 0.9725 and 0.9837 for E. chlorostigma and E. areolatus, respectively, which show a good relationship between the two parameters.

Scale structure, age and growth in the freshwater carp, Labeo calbasu (Pisces/Cyprinidae) from Harike wetland, India

Age structure and growth profile based on the scale studies of 468 specimens ranging from 17-62 cm total length of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton) from Harike wetland (30°13'N, 75°12'E), Punjab, India have been described, the present study showed better growth in terms of two important growth parameters namely index of species average size and population weight-growth intensity. Two distinct phases in its life history have been described that indicates the optimum exploitation of this species from this water body. Harvestable size is found to be fish of 34 cm total length. The detailed structural elaboration of scale (normal, regenerated, lateral line) has also been done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Studies on fecundity of Puntius sarana (Ham.) in relation to total length, total weight and ovary weight

A total of 43 mature female of Puntius sarana (Ham.) ranging from 204 mm to 320 mm in length and 102 to 482 g in weight were used for present studies. The relationship between fecundity with respect to total length (TL), total weight (TW) and ovary weight (OW) was found to be linear. The coefficient of co-relation 'r' of the above relationships was found to be 0.5947, 0.5761 and 0.9837 respectively. All these values are highly significant (P=0.01) indicating a close relationship between these parameters. However, as indicated by value of 'r' (0.9837), the fecundity is more closely related to ovary weight and hence the ovary weight may be a better index of fecundity than the total length or weight.

Studies on fecundity of Rita pavimentata (Gunther) in relation to total length, total weight and ovary weight

A total of thirty eight ripe ovaries from the specimens of Rita pavimentata, measuring 230 to 355 mm in total length (TL) and 250 to 750 g in total weight (TW), were selected to study the fecundity. The relationship between fecundity 'and total length (TL), total weight (TW) and ovary weight (OW) was found to be linear. The coefficient of co-relation 'r' of the above relationship was found to be 0.92, 0.94 and 0.96 respectively. All these values are highly significant (P=0.01) indicating a close relationship between compared parameters. However, as indicated by value of 'r' (0.96), the fecundity is more closely related to ovary weight and hence the ovary weight may be a better index of fecundity than the total body length or weight.

A preliminary study for establishing Perna viridis (Mollusca:Bivalvia) as a biological monitor for pollution in Karachi coastal water

Adverse effects of toxic substances on the environmental quality have become a subject of concern in recent years. Toxicity of heavy metals has never been in dispute and therefore their presence in our natural environment is undesirable. This study was undertaken to establish the capability of Perna viridis as a monitor for pollution in the Manora channel. Accumulation of Zinc, Copper, Iron and Manganese by marine mussels, sampled from Manora channel, was determined. Metal load varied markedly between individuals from the same populatin. This variability was partly accounted for systematic relationship between metal load and body weight and age. The distribution of metal between the major organs was considered, but the analysis of separate organs showed no advantage for their use as a biological monitor. comparison between Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc concentration in ambient sea water and in the mussel showed no clear correspondence. The results suggest that the mussel is capable of acting as a biological monitor, although may not be a good short term monitor of Iron, Manganese, Zinc and Copper. It may have potential as a long term and site comparison monitor for metals, once inherent variability is taken into account

Kilka population dynamics in the south of the Caspian Sea

Populations of kilka in the Caspian Sea have important role in the food chain. This study was conducted to determine population parameters of three species of kilka in the south of the Caspian Sea, during 2006-2007. Mean length was 102.4±9.7 mm for common kilka, 117.8±6.9 mm for anchovy and 119.5±10.9 mm for bigeye. The relationship between length and weight indicated the negative allometric growth in the all three species. Mean age for common kilka, anchovy and bigeye were 3.6, 4.6 and 4.6 years, respectively. Sex ratio (M:F) were 0.52:1 for anchovy, 0.60:1 for common kilka and 1.60:1 for bigeye. The value of growth coefficient (K) was the highest (0.321) for the common kilka, (0.267) for the bigeye, and the lowest for the anchovy kilka (0.245). Total mortality estimated from the descending of the catch curve using the age structure, Z=1.280 yr-1 for common kilka, Z=1.067 yr-1 for anchovy, and Z=1.015 yr-1 for bigeye. Natural mortality (M) were estimated using Pauly formula as M=0.622, M=0.537 and M=0.503 per year for common kilka, bigeye and anchovy, respectively. Value of fishing mortality (F) were estimated from Z and M, as F=0.658 for common kilka, F=0.564 for anchovy and F=0.478 for bigeye. The exploitation rate (E) were estimated E=0.514 for common kilka, E=0.528 for anchovy and E= 0.471 for bigeye. The estimate of MCY (Maximum Constant Yield) was calculated using the more reliable time series of commercial catch data from 2001-2007, which resulted in an estimate of MCY for the kilka fishery of 14100 tonnes.

Mercury bioaccumulation in pike (Esox lucius) food chain from Anzali Lagoon, Iran

A number of wide-ranging monitoring studies have been performed in order to estimate the degree of mercury (Hg) contamination in freshwater ecosystems. Knowledge regarding contamination of different levels of the food chain is necessary for estimation of total pollutant input fluxes and subsequent partitioning among different phases in the aquatic system. The growing international concern about this environmental data is closely related to the strongly developing ecological risk assessment activities. In addition,freshwater monitoring outputs hold a key position in the estimation of the Hg dose consumed by the human population as it is highly dependent on fish consumption. So monitoring of Hg in the tissue of edible fish is extremely important because of contaminated fish has caused serious neurological damage to new born babies and adults. Mercury tends to accumulate in fish tissue, particularly, in the form of methyl mercury, which is about 10 times more toxic than inorganic mercury. The Anzali lagoon is one of the biggest wetland of Guilan province, which joins to the Caspian sea. Many Chemical and industrial factories plus agricultural runoffs and urban and rural sewages are major polluting sources of the Anzali wetland. Since many of those polluting sources drain their wastes directly or indirectly into the Anzali wetland and their sewages may be polluted with Hg, this study was conducted to find out the bioaccumulation of Hg bioaccumulation in pike (Esox lucius) food chain from Anzali lagoon, Iran. Sampling were carried out from July 2004 to July 2005, in addition 318 speciments of 9 fish species were collected. T-Hg was measured by LECO AMA 254 Advanced Mercury Analyzer (USA) according to ASTM standard No D-6722. Each sample was analyzed 3 times. Accuracy of T-Hg analysis was checked by running three samples of Standard Reference Materials; SRM 1633b, SRM 2711 & Sra 2709. Detection limit was 0.001 mg/kg in dry weight. The Accuracy degree of analyzor equipment with RSD<%0.05 (N=7) was between %95.5 and %105. In overal eigth fish species were distingushed in the gut content of 87 speciments of pike with age 1-5 year and maximum length 550mm. The max. and min. concentration of T-Hg in dorsal muscle of pjke was 0.2ppm in one year and 1.2ppm in five year class. The mean of T-Hg significantly increased with age and length increased (P<0.05).Mercury accumulation pattern in pike was as well as muscle > liver > spleen (P<0.05). THg content in female was higher than male(P<0.05). In contrast the mean of THg concentration in dorsal muscle of eigth fish species as prey was 0.282, 0.261, 0.328, 0.254, 0.256, 0.286, 0.322 and 0.241 ppm for Carassius auratus gibelio, Hemiculter leucisculus, Blicca bjoerkna transcaucasica, Chalcalburnus mossulensis, Rhodeus sericeus amarus, Gambusia holbrooki, Alburnus charusini hohenackeri & Scardinius Erythrophthalmus respectively.Liner regresion indicated that high degree of relationship between age of pike and Uptak/Intake ratio (R2=%99.12) and indicated that the mercury bioaccumulation in the pike dorsal muscle increased with age increased. BFA was >1 and and indicating the mercury biomagnification in the pike food chain. Trophy level of pike in the Anzali lagoon was estimated as well as 3.5 and 4 . It is generally agreed that Hg concentration in carnivorous fish are higher than in noncarnivorous species.

Indian squid, Uroteuthis duvauceli, is an important commercial marine fauna in the coastal waters of Oman Sea

About 3600 specimens were collected by bottom trawl at 15 sampling stations. 24 biometric characters were measured for each specimens at the laboratory.. Microscopic cross – sections of statolith were used for age determination. Sex determination and fecundity were determined. Population dynamics parameters as well as stock as stock assessment including cohort analysis were estimated using FISAT software. The findings showed that Dorsal Mantle Length (DML) and Body weight (BW) of the Indian squid were 133.9 ± 0.78 mm and 99.61 ± 0.95 g respectively. Strong correlation was found between these 2 variables (R2 = 0.90). The maximum age was 5 years. Relationship between DML and age was highly significantly of p ≤ 0.05. Overall sex ratio (M: F = 0.52) was significantly different from the expected 1:1 ratio (p ≤ 0.05). The ovary weight and nidamental glands weight were 7.72 ± 0.0006 g and 3.07 ± 0.0003g respectively. Absolute and relative fecundity of the Indian squid were found to be 122733 ± 30.87 and 2348 ± 0.4 respectively. GSI were 14.35 in April and 8.63 in July. This squid is therefore a spring spawner. The infinite dorsal mantle length were 258.62 mm for females, 194.72 mm for males and 252.02 for both sexes respectively. For population growth and mortality parameters; K (0.65 per year for both sexes, 0.85 per year for males, 0.65 per year for females); t0 (0.24year for both sexes, 0.22 year in females, 0.26 year in male); φ` (2.30 in both sexes, 2.47 for males, 2.37 for females); Z (1.17 per year for both sexes, 1.10 per year in females, 1.39 per year, in males); M (0.70 per year for both sexes, 0.90 for males, 0.67 for females); F(0.27 per year for both sexes, 0.27 per year in males, 0.195 per year in females). Exploitation coefficient were 0.51 per year for both sexes, 0.57 per year males and 0.51 per year females respectively. The results indicates that since the Indian squid is a short live aquatic organism, therefore, the exploitation coefficient could be raised to 0.7 per year. The analysis showed that total biomass and MSY were 10103.5 ton and 2576.4 ton respectively. These findings are the first study of its sort about the Indian squid in the coastal waters of Oman Sea as well as North-West of Indian Ocean.

Reproductive physiology of ribbon fish (Trichiurus lepturus)

The ribbon fishes ‘of the family Trichiuridac are represented as one of the most important food resources in Indian ocean. High density of the dominant species of ribbon fish (Trichiurus lepturus) in Oman sea and the 'Tillable catch in last yeas (more than 7000 tones per year) makes a trust area for studing their population biolog and stock assessment. As our knowledge on reproductive biology of this species has an important role on their fisheries management, as well as conservation of this stock from decline or over fishing, this research was held to determine some aspects of reproductive physiology of ribbon fish and the effects of environmental factors in gonadal cycle. The goals of the present thesis is to determine some aspects of reproductive physiology such as gonadosomatic index (GSI) , hepatosomatic index (HSI), condition factor (Ko, fecundity, sex ratio, size at first maturity, size at maturity (LM5O) and their relative hormonal & biochemical fluctuations. In this regards annual variation of sex hormones ic. estradiol 17-B, progestron, cortisol, testostrone and gonadotropins FSH (GTH-I) , LH (GTH-ll)I were measured ; gonadal histological studies were done by light & electron micrography. The research was carried out from April 1995 to January 19% in Ras Nleidani in the north part of Oman sea, and the environmental factors such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, rainfall and pH were measured. The effects of these parameters on reproductive cycle and hormonal fluctuationswere discussed by using correlation and principle component analysis (PCA). Female Ribbon fish reproductive strategy shows the same paterns of nonguarder marine teleosts. T. lepturus has more than one spawning season (existance of egges in different size in each month) and therfore it must have asynchronous ovaries and belong to continious spawners. GSI and HSI are good evidences for this type of reproductive patern. The testis of the lobular type , which is typical of most teleosts , is composed of numerous lobules which are separated from each other by a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue. GSI fluctuations revealed prolong- spawning time in males. There is significant increase in 17-13 estradiol. progestrone , cortisol and gonadotropins with maturity and prespawning period of female T lepturus. Plasma concentration of E2 and GTH II incresaed along with water temperature increasing (3300).. Spawning was observed from Nov. 1995 to Apr. 1996 in this species. Progestrone increased significantly with increasing rainfall in this season (P<0.01). Plasma cortisol levels increased with maturation and vitelpgenesis and also with the peak of spawning. From lenght-weight frequency and size distribution in each age groups and also minimum size at first maturity (52a cm) it would he concluded that T. lepturus must be matured at 2 years of age. Serum cholestrol and triglicerides significantly increased when maturation occured in this species. The relationship between alkaline phosphatase activity and hormonal fluctuations with maturity and vitelogenesis were discussed. Proximate compostion (muscle) shows significant variation with spawning period and maturity. Absolute individual fecundity (17420-159150) increased with body length and weight. Ultrastructural observations show dramatic variation in cell membrane (0ocyte membrane), yolk vesicles and, nucleolus dispersal in relation to maturity stages. fluctuations of gonadal hormones were discused in relation with vitelogenesis. Testosterone increased in males from Nov: to Mar. due to environmental impacts and spawning time. Sex ratio in different depth (10-40 m ,80-110 m) shows significnt differences in this ratio for two depths. In 10-40 m depth female shows dominant abundance to male in each months that may be due to their reproductive migration behaviour. The effects of temperature photoperiod and rainfall to maturity and spawning were discussed. According to -pawning period of T. leptunts in our sampling area it could be suggested that ribbon fish fi,theries must be restricted in the peak of spawning seasons (Feb. to Mar.) and in the spawning grounds (under 40 m depths). Other suggestions for population conservation have been mentioned.

Age and Growth of an Endemic Tibetan Fish, Schizothorax o'connori, in the Yarlung Tsangpo River

We investigated the age and growth of Schizothorax o'connori in the Yarlung Tsangpo River by examination of annuli from otoliths. The von Bertalanffy model was the most acceptable statistical growth model. Its parameters were as follows: SL infinity = 492.4 mm, K = 0.1133, t(0) = -0.5432 year and W-infinity = 1748.9 g for females; SL infinity = 449.0 mm, K = 0.1260, t(0) = -0.4746 year and W-infinity = 1287.0 g for males. Theoretical longevity was 25.9 years for the female and 23.3 years for the male. Moreover, females had larger asymptotic length and weight compared with males.

Age and growth of an endemic cyprinid fish, Spinibarbus yunnanensis, from Lake Fuxian, China

Age and growth of Spinibarbus yunnanensis Tsu in Lake Fuxian were investigated by examination of annuli from scales, dorsal fin spines, and otoliths. Sectioned otoliths exhibited the clearest and the most regular annuli. The formation of false annuli, which regularly arose on scales and dorsal fin spines during the juvenile stage, may be caused by a change in diet during development. The parameters for the von Bertalanffy growth curve were: K = 0.105, L-infinity = 950 mm, t(0) = -0.22 year for both sexes. W-infinity, calculated from the relationship W-infinity = aL(infinity)(b), was 10,352 g.

Age, growth, and reproduction of the bitterling (Paracheilognathus imberbis) in a shallow Chinese Lake

Age, growth, and reproduction of the bitterling, Paracheilognathus imberbis (Gunther), in Niushan Lake were studied between 1998 and 1999. Annuli on the scales were clear and could be used as valid indicators of age. The population of the fish comprised only one age group. The growth rate of males was markedly greater than that of females. The fish were multiple spawners, reaching maturity in the second year. Minimum size for males at maturity was 32.9 mm in total length and 0.30 g in weight; for females, the minima were 41.0 mm and 0.73 g. During the breeding season, both sexes exhibited secondary sex characteristics, and the ratio of males to females was 1: 1.04 (n = 104). The size of mature eggs averaged 3.12 mm in length by 1.03 mm. in width. Fecundity per female for one age group ranged from 38 to 189 eggs, with an average of 93 eggs (n = 80).

Quantitative structure-property relationship study on reductive dehalogenation of selected halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment slurries

In this study, by the use of partial least squares (PLS) method and 26 quantum chemical descriptors computed by PM3 Hamiltonian, a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model was developed for reductive dehalogenation rate constants of 13 halogenated aliphatic compounds in sediment slurry under anaerobic conditions. The model can be used to explain the dehalogenation mechanism. Halogenated aliphatic compounds with great energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (E-lumo), total energy (TE), electronic energy (EE), the smallest bond order of the carbon-halogen bonds (BO) and the most positive net atomic charges on an atom of the molecule (q(+)) values tend to be reductively dehalogenated slow, whereas halogenated aliphatic compounds with high values of molecular weight (Mw), average molecular polarizability (a) and core-core repulsion energy (CCR) values tend to be reductively dehalogenated fastest. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

Effects of pressure and molecular weight on the miscibility of polystyrene and cyclohexane

With the aid of Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory (SLLFT), the phase diagrams were calculated for the system cyclohexane (CH)/polystyrene (PS) with different molecular weights at different pressures. The experimental data is in reasonable agreement with SLLFT calculations. The total Gibbs interaction energy, g*(12) for different molecular weights PS at different pressures was expressed, by means of a universal relationship, as g(12)* =f(12)* + (P - P-0) nu*(12) demixing curves were then calculated at fixed (near critical) compositions of CH and PS systems for different molecular weights. The pressures of optimum miscibility obtained from the Gibbs interaction energy are close to those measured by Wolf and coworkers. Furthermore, a reasonable explanation was given for the earlier observation of Saeki et al., i.e., the phase separation temperatures of the present system increase with the increase of pressure for the low molecular weight of the polymer whereas they decrease for the higher molecular weight polymers. The effects of molecular weight, pressure, temperature and composition on the Flory Huggins interaction parameter can be described by a general equation resulting from fitting the interaction parameters by means of Sanchez-Lacombe lattice fluid theory.