Study on impact of dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense on life activities of marine bivalves

The effects of a PSP producing dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense on marine bivalves at their several important life,stages: egg, D - shape larva, eyespot larva, juvenile and adult, were studied! The results show that the hitching survival, activity, filtration and! growth were adversely affected by the alga and the impact was significantly increased with the increase of algal density. The inhibitory effect on egg hatching was most significant, which the hatching rate was only 30% of the control when exposed to the alga at 100 cell/cm(3) after 36 h. Further experiments show that the algal culture, re-suspended cells and cell fragments had the inhibitory effect, while no such effect was from the cell-free medium, cell contents and standard STX. The results indicate that the alga could produce unknown toxins, rather than PSP, associated with the cell surface.

Observations on the spawning behavior of artificially matured Japanese eels Anguilla japonica in captivity

Spawning behavior of artificially matured Japanese eels Anguillo japonica in captivity was investigated using a DVD Video image system. Following a routine hormone treatment technique for this fish, female eels were artificially matured by weekly intramuscular injections of salmon pituitary extracts (SPE) at a dosage of 40 mg kg(-1) BW for a total of 7-11 doses to induce ovarian maturation, while male eels received weekly intramuscular injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at a dosage of 1000 IU kg(-1) BW for a total of 6-11 doses at 18 degrees C to induce testicular maturation in a separate aquarium. In this experiment, three pairs of such hormone-treated matured eels were acclimatized in seawater in 1.5 m(3) experimental aquaria with or without shelters at 20 degrees C for 24 h. Twenty four hours after the acclimatization terminated, the females received SPE injections to boost maturation and ovulation. Twenty four hours following these injections, the females received injections of HCG (1000 IU per fish, HCG injection) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (2 mg per fish) to induce ovulation, while males were given HCG injections (1000 IU per fish, HCG injection) to induce spermiation. Video taping started after the 24 h acclimatization terminated and last for a total of 96 h. Before the HCG injections, both sexes were inactive, staying on the bottom or in shelters if available. Following these HCG injections, they became active and frequently left the bottom swimming in the water column. During the 24 h following HCG injections, activity accounted for 67% and 45% of the total activity in no shelter treatment for females and males, respectively, in comparison with 77% and 78% in shelter treatment. Activity was significantly more pronounced during this phase than during other phases for each sex in either shelter treatment. Egg release and sperm ejection occurred in the water column around the time eels' activity reached peaks. Eels either returned into the shelters or stayed motionlessly on the bottom of the aquaria after egg release and sperm ejection. Eight out of nine (89%) females in no shelter treatment spontaneously released eggs with a total of 11 batches 14-18 h following HCG injections, in contrast with four out of nine (44%) females releasing eggs for 4 batches 16-20 h in shelter treatment. Males arrived at activity peaks 11-13 h following HCG injections in no shelter treatment, 2-4 h ahead of the females (14-16 h), in comparison with 8-11 h in shelter treatment with 5-6 h ahead of the females (14-17 h). Courtship behavior indicative of spawning such as pairing, chasing and touching bodies was not observed in the eels in this study. However, on many occasions, eels of both sexes (male-female or female-female) were found to "cruise together" in water column for a short time period or frequently come together prior to releasing eggs and ejecting sperm, suggesting the possibility of group mating in artificially matured Japanese eels. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Temperature influence on the spawning performance of artificially-matured Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, in captivity

We studied the influence of temperature on the spawning performance of artificially matured Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, in captivity. We used routine hormone injections to bring females and males to maturity in separate aquaria. We recorded the behavior of three pairs of such hormone-treated matured eels in an aquarium (2 replicates) at four temperatures: 14, 18, 22, and 27 degrees C, respectively. They became active and frequently left the bottom swimming in the water column, and spawning events occurred. Females released eggs in the water column around the activity peaks. Males preceded females in reaching activity peaks (presumably the timing of sperm ejection and egg release), possibly resulting in the low fertilization we observed in this experiment. Males and females returned back to the aquarium bottoms and became quiet after spawning. On several occasions, male-female or female-female pairs were observed to 'cruise together' in the water column for several to tens of seconds prior to egg releasing, but no courtship behavior indicative of spawning such as pairing and chasing was observed in the eels in our study. Our results suggest that 18-22 degrees C might be the thermal preference for spawning for Japanese eels, which approximates the temperature range of the 500 m deep water layer around the Mariana Islands seamount area, the presumed spawning site for the Japanese eel.

Effects of different diets on the reproduction and naupliar development of the copepod Acartia bifilosa

The influence of diatoms on the reproduction and naupliar development of Acartia bifilosa was investigated under laboratory conditions, comparing initial in situ values and laboratory-food treatments. Egg production by A. bifilosa was significantly reduced by one diatom diet (Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Pt) and by two non-diatom diets (Platymonas subordiformis: Ps and Nannochloropsis oculata: No). It was less affected by the other diatom diet (Skeletonema costatum: Sc) or by two mixed-food treatments (D-mix and DG-mix), composed of two diatoms (Pt, Sc) and four species (Pt, Sc, Ps and No), respectively. The negative effect of Pt was eliminated when adult copepods were offered mixed-food diets. There were no significant differences between the hatching success values observed in filtered seawater and in algal exudates, indicating that diatoms did not produce active dissolved toxic substances under the different food concentrations tested. The mortality rate of nauplii was higher with Pt than the other diets, suggesting that this diatom species had a negative effect on egg production, hatching success and naupliar survival simultaneously. Compared to other diets, No and Pt were not beneficial food sources for reproduction and for female and larval survival. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of rearing temperature and density on growth, survival and development of sea cucumber larvae, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

In laboratory conditions, effects of rearing temperature and stocking density were examined on hatching of fertilized egg and growth of auricularia larvae of Apostichopus japonicus respectively. Data series like larval length and density, metamorphic time, and survival rate of the larvae were recorded. Statistics showed that for A. japonicus, survival rate (from fertilized egg to late auricularia) decreased significantly with the increasing rearing temperature (P < 0.05). At different temperatures SGR was statistically significant as well (P < 0.05) from day 1, and maximal SGR was found on day 9 at 24A degrees C (159.26 +/- 3.28). This study clearly indicated that at low temperature (< 24A degrees C), metamorphic rate was remarkably higher than at higher temperature (> 26A degrees C). Hatching rate was significantly different between 0.2-5 ind./ml groups and 20-50 ind./ml groups. Rearing larvae at the higher density had the smaller maximal-length, whereas needed longer time to complete metamorphosis. This study suggested that 21A degrees C and 0.4 ind./ml can be used as the most suitable rearing temperature and stocking density for large -scale artificial breeding of A. japonicus's larvae.

Impacts of HAB species Heterosigma akashiwo on early development of the scallop Argopecten irradians Lamarck

The effects of Heterosigma akashiwo on the early development of Argopecten irradians Lamarck: eggs, D-shaped larvae, eye-spot larvae and juveniles, were investigated under laboratory conditions. Exposing fertilized eggs to various densities of H. akashiwo algal culture revealed that the development of the embryos to the gastrula was significantly slowed at densities of more than 1 X 10(4) cells/ml algal cells, and mostly was arrested when the embryos reached the trochophore larvae stage. At this stage, several trochophore larvae were adhered together by the algal cells, resulting in the inhibition of their swimming activity. Larvae had still not developed into D-shaped larvae after 30 h, and therefore did not finish the hatching process. The attachment and adherence of the algal cells to the larvae might be an important process in the mechanism of the impact on egg hatching success. The activity of the D-shaped larvae was significantly inhibited after 48 h exposure to H. akashiwo at a density of 15 X 10(4) cells/ml and after 96 h at 10 X 10(4) cells/ml. The survival rate of the eye-spot larvae was decreased significantly after 48 h exposure to the algal culture at densities of more than 1 X 10(4) cells/ml. However, all the juveniles could survive and their climbing and attachment activity were not affected after 1 and 5 h exposure to the algal culture at all the various algal cell densities tested from 5 to 20 X 10(4) cells/ml. The results indicated that susceptibility of embryos or larvae to the alga H. akashiwo differs depending on the developmental stage. The embryos and the eye-spot larvae of A. irradians are more sensitive stages to the toxicity of H. akashiwo. Observed effects of H. akashiwo exposure on early development of A. irradians serve to point out to the potential danger of this alga for scallop populations. The possible toxicological mechanisms of H. akashiwo on the scallop embryos and larvae are discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Feeding habits of Calanus sinicus (Crustacea : Copepoda) during spring and autumn in the Bohai Sea studied with the herbivore index

Pigment ingestion rate (PIR) and egg production rate (EPR) of the dominant copepod Calanus sinicus, as well as chlorophyll-a concentration and phytoplankton assemblages were measured in the Bohai Sea, North China in June 1997, October 1998 and May 1999. A herbivore index (H) was also calculated as the carbon specific ratio of PIR and EPR, in order to investigate its feeding habits in the spring and autumn phytoplankton bloom respectively. On average, chlorophyll-a concentration was relatively similar (1-1.34 mg m(-3)) in the three cruises, but PIR was quite different. It was 3.24 mu g C female(-1) d(-1) in October, equivalent to one half of the PIR for June and one third of the PIR for May. Average EPR was highest in May, and quite similar during the other two months. According to H values, herbivorous feeding contributed 100% of the egg production of C. sinicus in June, 82.5% in May, but only 47.8% in October. It is possible that omnivorous feeding of C. sinicus in October was induced by a prevalence of large-sized diatoms and sufficient non-phytoplankton food resources during the autumn bloom period.

Use of computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) to evaluate the quality of cryopreserved sperm in red seabream (Pagrus major)

In the present study, the quality of post-thaw sperm of red seabream Pagrus major frozen with 6-24% DMSO was investigated. The motility, average path velocity and fertilizing capacity of fresh and their corresponding post-thaw sperm were examined for evaluation of the post-thaw sperm motion characteristics and its association with fertilizing capacity. An analysis of sperm motility before and after cryopreservation has been performed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). For post-thaw sperm frozen with 12-21% DMSO, the percentages of motile sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed 10 s after activation. Moreover, the main motility pattern and swimming velocity of the motile post-thaw sperm were not significantly (P > 0.05) changed and the progressive linear motion was still the dominant pattern. However, the total motility of post-thaw sperm (72.3 +/- 6.3%) 30 s after activation was (P < 0.05) lower than the corresponding fresh sperm (82.7 +/- 7.2%). Additionally, the fertilizing capacity of post-thaw sperm was investigated with a standardized sperm to egg ratio 500:1. There is a linear regression relationship between the percentage of motile post-thaw sperm and fertilizing capability. These data demonstrate that 12-21% DMSO can provide good protection to the sperm during the freezing-thawing process. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An efficient methodology for cryopreservation of spermatozoa of red seabream, Pagrus major, with 2-mL cryovials

The aim of this study was to optimize the cryopreservation protocols for the sperm of red seabream, Pagrus major. The 2-mL cryovials and programmable freezer were employed for cryopreservation. Six extenders, six cryoprotectants in various concentrations ranging from 6 to 20% (v/v), four cooling rates, and three thawing temperatures were evaluated by postthaw sperm motility and fertility. The ratio of sperm to egg for postthaw sperm fertilization trials was experimentally standardized and was optimal at 500:1. The best motility of postthaw sperm (79.4 +/- 4.7% to 88.6 +/- 8.0%), fertilization rates (89.6 +/- 2.9 to 95.6 +/- 1.9%), and hatching rates (85.3 +/- 5.1% to 91.4 +/- 4.3%) were achieved when Cortland extender, dimethyl sulfoxide (15, 18, and 20%) or ethylene glycol (9, 12%) as cryoprotectants, 20 C/min as the cooling rate, and 40 C as the thawing temperature were employed. Moreover, the results on embryonic development were not significantly different between cryopreserved sperm and fresh sperm during incubation process. In conclusion, these methods of cryopreservation of red seabream sperm are suitable for routine aquaculture application and preservation of genetic resources.

Reproductive biology of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) in the qinghai-tibet plateau

There have been no detailed studies on reproductive biology of the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We conducted such investigations during the breeding seasons of 1999 and 2000 in Qinghai-Lake Bird Isle, China. Great Cormorants began to migrate to Qinghai-Lake for reproduction from the middle of March and left from early October at the end of reproduction. Nesting periods were from early April to mid June and took 50 days. Egg-laying occurred during the three weeks from the end of April to 20 May. Females typically laid an egg every 1-2 days until clutch completion. Mean clutch size in the study area over two years was 3.3 (SE +/- 0.13, N = 68, range 1-5) and most (66.18%) fell within the range 3-4 eggs. Length of eggs averaged 61.01 mm and breadth averaged 34.13 mm. Fresh egg weight averaged 57.34 g (SE +/- 0.36, range 46.0-73.7 g, N = 179). Hatching success was 48.7% and fledging success was 64.9% over two years. Decline of available fish resources in Qinghai-Lake might be one of main causes of lower reproductive success. The causes of chick loss were possibly high altitude, high winds and prolonged rain.

Protocol of capillary isoelectric focusing to separate extremely acidic and basic proteins

A new set-up was constructed for capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) involving a sampling capillary as a bypass fixed to the separation capillary. Sample solutions were subjected to a previously established pH gradient from the sample capillary. Besides performing conventional CIEF, the separation of ampholytic compounds with isoelectric points (p/s) beyond the pH gradient was carried out on this system. This method was termed as pH gradient driven electrophoresis (PGDE) and the basic mathematical expressions were derived to express the dynamic fundamentals. Proteins such as lysozyme, cytochrome C, and pepsin with p/s higher than 10 or below 3 were separated in a pH gradient provided by Pharmalyte (pH 3-10). Finally, this protocol convincingly exhibited its potential in the separation of a solution of chicken egg white.

Eggs, Jurisdiction and the Internet

Kohl, U. (2002). Eggs, Jurisdiction and the Internet', International and Comparative Law Quarterly, 51 (3), 556-582. RAE2008

Influencia del sexo en la transmisión vertical del nucleopoliedrovirus de Spodoptera exigua (SeMNPV-Al1)

El ciclo ecológico de los baculovirus comprende dos vías de transmisión: la horizontal que se produce entre congéneres y la vertical, que implica el paso de genomas virales de los parentales a la progenie. Recientemente se ha estudiado la efectiva transmisión vertical del Nucleopoliedrovirus de Spodoptera exigua (SeMNPV-Al1) en una población de su húesped de los invernaderos de Almería (España). La detección de progenie infectada de hembras sanas, sugiere la necesidad de determinar el papel que juegan ambos sexos en la transmisión del virus. En el presente trabajo se establecieron infecciones subletales para obtener adultos con infecciones encubiertas y utilizando un esquema de apareamientos entre adultos sanos e infectados se verificó que la transmisión del virus es posible vía paterna o materna. La vía materna parece más constante en su respuesta de acuerdo a la medición de la carga viral obtenida en la descendencia (qPCR). El tratamiento de desinfección de la puesta no afectó a la detección de ADN viral en la descendencia, lo que sugiere una transmisión transovo. La carga viral por insecto fue similar independientemente del sexo de los parentales y la descendencia masculina y femenina se vio afectada de igual manera por la infección.

The ecology of the song thrush, Turdus philomelos Br., in Ireland

Over the last 30 years, western European Song Thrush populations have declined with the steepest decline recorded on British farmland. Changes in agricultural practices have been implicated in these population declines. Ireland is an agriculturally dominated landscape but changes in agriculture here have occurred on a relatively slower rate and scale. Little is known about the ecology of the Song Thrush in Ireland, even though it is not classified as a species of conservation concern here. Some decline is thought to have occurred but the current breeding population appears to be stable and widespread. In light of these facts, this study investigated various aspects of Song Thrush ecology in relation to the Irish landscape from 2001-2003. The breeding season extended from mid March to late June, where mean clutch size was 4.1 and number of fledglings was 3.7. There were very few third broods. Daily nest survival rates were calculated for egg stage 0.9362, incubation stage 0.9505 and nestling stage 0.6909. Most nest failures were due to avian predation at both egg and chick stages. Most nests were located 1.3 -2.4m from the ground at trees, bushes or hedgerow. Clutch size was significantly higher on farmland than garden & parkland and woodland, and the number of fledglings was significantly lower in nests in trees than hedgerow and bush sites. Daily nest fail rates were significantly higher at tree sites and partly concealed nests. Nesting areas had significantly denser vertical vegetation than non-nesting areas. Mercury and the organochlorine HEOD were the most common contaminants in Song Thrush eggs and livers. However concentrations and occurrence were low and of no apparent biological or ecological concern. The presence of breeding Song Thrushes was influenced by mixed surrounding farmland, the absence of grass surrounding farmland, ditches especially wet ones, tall dense vegetation and trimmed boundaries. Song Thrush winter densities were predicted by ditches, with wet or dry, low thin vegetation and untrimmed boundaries. Winter densities were almost double that of the breeding season, probably due to the arrival and passage of migrating Song Thrushes through the country, especially in November. Changes in Irish agriculture did not differ significantly in areas of Song Thrush breeding population stability and apparent decline during 1970 1990. Even though the current breeding population heavily uses farmland, woodland, human and scrub habitats are more preferred. Nevertheless no farmland habitat was avoided, highlighting a positive relationship between breeding Song Thrushes and Irish agriculture. This appears to be in contrast with findings between breeding Song Thrushes and British agriculture. Theses findings are compared with other studies and possible influences by agricultural intensification, climate, latitude and insular syndrome are discussed. Implications for conservation measures are considered, especially for areas of decline. Even though Song Thrushes are currently widespread and stable here, future environmental consequences of longer-term changes in Irish agriculture and perhaps climate change remain to be seen.

A knowledge management system to optimise comfort throughout the building life-cycle

Comfort is, in essence, satisfaction with the environment, and with respect to the indoor environment it is primarily satisfaction with the thermal conditions and air quality. Improving comfort has social, health and economic benefits, and is more financially significant than any other building cost. Despite this, comfort is not strictly managed throughout the building lifecycle. This is mainly due to the lack of an appropriate system to adequately manage comfort knowledge through the construction process into operation. Previous proposals to improve knowledge management have not been successfully adopted by the construction industry. To address this, the BabySteps approach was devised. BabySteps is an approach, proposed by this research, which states that for an innovation to be adopted into the industry it must be implementable through a number of small changes. This research proposes that improving the management of comfort knowledge will improve comfort. ComMet is a new methodology proposed by this research that manages comfort knowledge. It enables comfort knowledge to be captured, stored and accessed throughout the building life-cycle and so allowing it to be re-used in future stages of the building project and in future projects. It does this using the following: Comfort Performances – These are simplified numerical representations of the comfort of the indoor environment. Comfort Performances quantify the comfort at each stage of the building life-cycle using standard comfort metrics. Comfort Ratings - These are a means of classifying the comfort conditions of the indoor environment according to an appropriate standard. Comfort Ratings are generated by comparing different Comfort Performances. Comfort Ratings provide additional information relating to the comfort conditions of the indoor environment, which is not readily determined from the individual Comfort Performances. Comfort History – This is a continuous descriptive record of the comfort throughout the project, with a focus on documenting the items and activities, proposed and implemented, which could potentially affect comfort. Each aspect of the Comfort History is linked to the relevant comfort entity it references. These three components create a comprehensive record of the comfort throughout the building lifecycle. They are then stored and made available in a common format in a central location which allows them to be re-used ad infinitum. The LCMS System was developed to implement the ComMet methodology. It uses current and emerging technologies to capture, store and allow easy access to comfort knowledge as specified by ComMet. LCMS is an IT system that is a combination of the following six components: Building Standards; Modelling & Simulation; Physical Measurement through the specially developed Egg-Whisk (Wireless Sensor) Network; Data Manipulation; Information Recording; Knowledge Storage and Access.Results from a test case application of the LCMS system - an existing office room at a research facility - highlighted that while some aspects of comfort were being maintained, the building’s environment was not in compliance with the acceptable levels as stipulated by the relevant building standards. The implementation of ComMet, through LCMS, demonstrates how comfort, typically only considered during early design, can be measured and managed appropriately through systematic application of the methodology as means of ensuring a healthy internal environment in the building.