CONDITION of Hoplias aff. malabaricus (BLOCH, 1794) IN TWO COASTAL STREAMS of ITANHAEM RIVER BASIN, BRAZIL

The main purpose of this research was to measure the condition of the fish species Hoplias aff. malabaricus collected in Aguapeu River (black waters) and Branco River (white waters), which belong to Itanhaem River basin, a coastal watershed in São Paulo state, Brazil. Individuals of Hoplias aff. malabaricus were sampled by using gill nets, monthly from March 2001 to February 2002. The Condition Factor was obtained through the length-weight relationship, assuming that the higher the mass for a given length, the better the condition of the fish. The Condition Factor was compared among fishes from both rivers, resulting that Branco River individuals have significantly lower condition. Limnological aspects were studied from May 2001 to November 2002 and some show significant differences between Aguapeu River and Branco River. These were salinity, do and total organic N, which the higher values being observed in Branco River propably due to estuarine waters influence. However, the lower condition of the Branco River fishes should also be an effect of a disturbance due to the sand mining in this river, since this activity cause important alterations to the environment, affecting the whole biota, included aquatic macrophytes, invertebrates and fishes.

Characterization of invasive fish species in a river transposition region: evolutionary chromosome studies in the genus Hoplias (Characiformes, Erythrinidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetic population structure of red snappers (Lutjanus malabaricus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 and Lutjanus erythropterus Bloch, 1790) in central and eastern Indonesia and northern Australia

The genetic population structure of red snapper Lutjanus malabaricus and Lutjanus erythropterus in eastern Indonesia and northern Australia was investigated by allozyme electrophoresis and sequence variation in the control region of mtDNA. Samples were collected from eight sites in Indonesia and four sites in northern Australia for both species. A total of 13 allozyme loci were scored. More variable loci were observed in L. malabaricus than in L. erythropterus. Sequence variation in the control region (left domain) of the mitochondrial genome was assessed by RFLP and direct sequencing. MtDNA haplotype diversity was high (L. erythropterus, 0.95 and L. malabaricus, 0.97), as was intraspecific sequence divergence, (L. erythropterus, 0.0-12.5% and L. malabaricus, 0.0-9.5%). The pattern of mtDNA haplotype frequencies grouped both species into two broad fisheries stocks with a genetic boundary either between Kupang and Sape (L. malabaricus) or between Kupang and Australian Timor Sea (L. erythropertus). The allozyme analyses revealed similar boundaries for L. erythropterus. Seven allozymes stocks compared to two mtDNA stocks of L. malabaricus including Ambon, which was not sampled with mtDNA, however, were reported. Possible reasons for differences in discrimination between the methods include: i) increased power of multiple allozyme loci over the single mtDNA locus, ii) insufficient gene sampling in the mtDNA control region and iii) relative evolutionary dynamics of nuclear (allozyme loci) and mitochondrial DNA in these taxa. Allozyme and haplotype data did not distinguish separate stocks among the four Australian locations nor the central Indonesian (Bali and Sape locations) for both L. malabaricus and L. erythropterus.

Physiological Factors Influencing Toughness in Cooked Saddletail Snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus)

Saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) is a commercially significant tropical species in Australia and has been the subject of consumer complaints of extreme toughness in cooked fillets. Textural and biochemical analyses including collagen and hydroxylysyl pyridinoline (PYD) cross-links concentrations were conducted on 101 commercially harvested Saddletail snapper to identify causes of toughness. Fish age was found to account for 75.6% of observed variation in cooked muscle texture (work done) of Saddletail snapper. A significant linear relationship (P < 0.001) between PYD content and cooked muscle texture was also identified accounting for 50.3% of observed variation. The concentration ratio of PYD to total collagen (TC) ranged from 0.04 to 0.38 mol PYD per mol of TC. Fish size was also found to be a poor indicator of fish age and therefore a poor indicator of the potential risk of toughness of the cooked muscle.

A novel method for the age estimation of Saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus) using Fourier Transform-near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was investigated as a potential rapid method of estimating fish age from whole otoliths of Saddletail snapper (Lutjanus malabaricus). Whole otoliths from 209 Saddletail snapper were extracted and the NIR spectral characteristics were acquired over a spectral range of 800–2780 nm. Partial least-squares models (PLS) were developed from the diffuse reflectance spectra and reference-validated age estimates (based on traditional sectioned otolith increments) to predict age for independent otolith samples. Predictive models developed for a specific season and geographical location performed poorly against a different season and geographical location. However, overall PLS regression statistics for predicting a combined population incorporating both geographic location and season variables were: coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.94, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 1.54 for age estimation, indicating that Saddletail age could be predicted within 1.5 increment counts. This level of accuracy suggests the method warrants further development for Saddletail snapper and may have potential for other fish species. A rapid method of fish age estimation could have the potential to reduce greatly both costs of time and materials in the assessment and management of commercial fisheries.

Improving Profitability to Industry Through the Identification and Management of 'tough' Fish Syndrome in Tropical Saddletail Snapper (Lutjanus Malabaricus)

OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine whether incomplete rigor mortis resolution and 'cold shock' play a role in development of tough fish syndrome (TFS) in tropical Saddletail snapper. 2. To identify links between TFS and specific physiological factors in tropical Saddletail snapper. 3. Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders and assist with implementation of any changes to fishing or handling practices required.

Characterization of Major Zinc Containing Myonecrotic and Procoagulant Metalloprotease `Malabarin' from Non Lethal Trimeresurus malabaricus Snake Venom with Thrombin Like Activity: Its Neutralization by Chelating Agents

A major myonecrotic zinc containing metalloprotease `malabarin' with thrombin like activity was purified by the combination of gel permeation and anion exchange chromatography from T. malabaricus snake venom. MALDI-TOF analysis of malabarin indicated a molecular mass of 45.76 kDa and its N-terminal sequence was found to be Ile-Ile-Leu-Pro(Leu)-Ile-Gly-Val-Ile-Leu(Glu)-Thr-Thr. Atomic absorption spectral analysis of malabarin raveled the association of zinc metal ion. Malabarin is not lethal when injected i.p. or i.m. but causes extensive hemorrhage and degradation of muscle tissue within 24 hours. Sections of muscle tissue under light microscope revealed hemorrhage and congestion of blood vessel during initial stage followed by extensive muscle fiber necrosis with elevated levels of serum creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Malabarin also exhibited strong procoagulant action and its procoagulant action is due to thrombin like activity; it hydrolyzes fibrinogen to form fibrin clot. The enzyme preferentially hydrolyzes A alpha followed by B beta subunits of fibrinogen from the N-terminal region and the released products were identified as fibrinopeptide A and fibrinopeptide B by MALDI. The myonecrotic, fibrinogenolytic and subsequent procoagulant activities of malabarin was neutralized by specific metalloprotease inhibitors such as EDTA, EGTA and 1, 10-phenanthroline but not by PMSF a specific serine protease inhibitor. Since there is no antivenom available to neutralize local toxicity caused by T. malabaricus snakebite, EDTA chelation therapy may have more clinical relevance over conventional treatment.

Artisanal fisheries in urban reservoirs: a case study from Brazil (Billings Reservoir, São Paulo Metropolitan Region)

Billings Reservoir is an urban reservoir located in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. Tt supports 101 active artisanal fishermen. To describe this fishery, landings were recorded daily between February 1996 and January 1997 at Colonia (23 degrees 50' 57 S; 46 degrees 40' 02 W). In every landing, a data collector recorded catch, effort, fishing gears and fishing grounds. A total of 147 593 kg of fish were recorded in 3515 fishing trips. The exotic Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), was the main species exploited (81.4% of the annual catches). Five other species were also targeted: the characid Astyanax eigenmaniorum (Cope) (13.0% of the annual catches); the erythrinid Hoplias aff malabaricus (Block) (2.1%); the exotic cyprinid Cyprinus carpio L. (Campos & Fernandez-Yepez) (2.4%); the curimatid Cyphocharax modestus L. (1.1%); and the pimelodid Rhamdia sp. (0.1%). Two main groups of fishermen were discriminated using Principal Components Analysis; these were associated with the type of fishing gear and fishing strategies, i.e. those who exploited Nile tilapia with cast nets and beating gill nets, and those who exploited other species with set gill nets. Management and maintenance of this fishery should consider the positive top-down effects that Nile tilapia could have in controlling eutrophication and also the social benefits.

Tolerance to the air exposition test of Hoplias lacerdae larvae and juvenile during its initial development

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Larvicultura de trairão (Hoplias lacerdae) em água doce e água salinizada

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de desenvolver técnicas de manejo durante a larvicultura de trairão, realizando cultivos em água doce ou ligeiramente salinizada, utilizando náuplios de Artemia como alimento vivo. No início da alimentação exógena, oito dias após a eclosão, as larvas foram contadas e estocadas em 12 recipientes com volume útil de 1,5 L cada, dotados de sistema de aeração, numa densidade de 10 larvas/L, distribuídos dentro de três tanques de 130 L, contendo água com temperatura controlada (29,5ºC). Os tanques foram totalmente cobertos com lona plástica preta, mantendo o ambiente interno escuro, e descobertos somente para os manejos diários. As larvas foram submetidas a três tratamentos: cultivo em água doce; em água a 2 de salinidade; e em água a 4 de salinidade. Cada tratamento teve quatro repetições. A alimentação foi fornecida nas proporções diárias de 300 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do primeiro ao quinto dia, de 600 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do sexto ao décimo dia e de 900 náuplios de Artemia/larva, do décimo primeiro ao décimo quinto dia, divididos em três refeições. Ao final do experimento, foram avaliadas a sobrevivência, o crescimento (comprimento e peso), a taxa de crescimento específico e a taxa de resistência ao estresse. Após 15 dias de tratamento, não foram verificadas diferenças significativas entre os resultados das variáveis analisadas. As condições de cultivo mostraram-se eficientes, possibilitando altas taxas de sobrevivência (valores médios superiores a 91,6%), sendo a Artemia um alimento atrativo. Os níveis de salinidade utilizados não afetaram o desenvolvimento das larvas e alevinos.

Diferentes densidades de estocagem na produção de alevinos de trairão (Hoplias cf. lacerdae)

Alevinos de trairão (Hoplias cf. lacerdae), com peso e comprimento total médios de 12,52 g e 10,5 cm, respectivamente, previamente condicionados ao aceite de dietas artificiais, foram distribuídos em seis tanques de alvenaria (5m²) nas densidades de: 1 e 4 alevinos/m². Os peixes dos diferentes tratamentos foram alimentados ad libitum nos horários de 8 e 14 h com ração comercial extrusada contendo 42% de proteína bruta. A cada trinta dias realizou-se a troca do volume total de água de todos os tanques. Ao final do experimento (120 dias) foi avaliado o desempenho produtivo dos peixes, por meio da taxa de sobrevivência, conversão alimentar, ganhos em comprimento e em peso diário. Foram observadas taxas médias de sobrevivência de 86,7 e 96,7% para as densidades de 1 e 4 peixes/m², respectivamente. A conversão alimentar foi de 1,6 e 1,2; o ganho em peso diário e em comprimento de 0,70 e 0,38 g e 8,01 e 7,27 cm, respectivamente. Estes valores não diferiram entre si. Com os resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que as densidades de estocagem de 1 e 4 peixes/m² podem ser utilizadas no cultivo de alevinos de trairão sem que haja comprometimento no seu desempenho produtivo.

Freqüência alimentar na larvicultura do trairão (Hoplias lacerdae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Níveis de arraçoamento para juvenis de trairão (Hoplias lacerdae)

Com esta pesquisa buscou-se avaliar diferentes níveis de arraçoamento, em porcentagem de peso corporal (PC), para juvenis de trairão em início do período de engorda. Peixes com comprimento de 15,0 ± 1,0 cm e peso de 38,5 ± 8,2 g foram distribuídos em seis aquários com 250 litros de água cada, em densidade de cinco juvenis/aquário. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualisado com três tratamentos (níveis de arraçoamento diário: 2, 4 e 6% PC) e duas repetições. Os juvenis foram alimentados com ração comercial extrusada (42% PB), às 8 e 13 h. Ao final de 45 dias, avaliaram-se a sobrevivência, a conversão alimentar aparente e os ganhos em biomassa, peso diário e comprimento. Não houve diferença para sobrevivência e ganhos em biomassa, peso diário e comprimento. Houve diferença para a conversão alimentar aparente em função do manejo adotado. Os melhores resultados de desempenho foram encontrados nos peixes alimentados com níveis de 2 e 4% PC de ração por dia. Conclui-se que a melhor taxa de arraçoamento para juvenis de trairão é de 4% PC.