Estimation of micro-flora associated with different stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

The bacterial flora occurring in muscle, haemolymph, hepatopancreas and gill of brood, juveniles, water, eggs, larvae and rearing water were estimated by selective plate count technique for Entrobacteriaceae, Streptococaceae and Vibrionaceae members. The total viable bacterial count was estimated by total plate count technique on nutrient agar. The total viable counts of bacteria were lowest in water from 6.10x10² CFU/mL) and highest in egg (6.06x10super(8) CFU/g). In brood the total counts were varying from 1.62x10² CFU/g in muscle to 2.20x10super(5) CFU/g in gills. In juveniles, the total plate counts were varying from 2.8x10super(4) CFU/g in muscles to 3.67x10 super(8) CFU/g in hepatopancreas. Selective plate counts show that Enterobacteriaceae members dominate in egg and gills of brood and hepatopancreas of juveniles. Vibrios were found to be dominant in water and larvae of rearing tank. Haemolymph of brood was sterile and did not contain any bacteria while muscle of juvenile was having very low count of total viable bacteria.

Some biochemical constituents and the calorific values of different regions of the body musculature of pond murrel Channa punctatus Bloch

A study of the distribution of some chemical constituents in the musculature of Channa punctatus Bloch showed it to be fairly heterogeneous. The increase in the levels of protein, fat, ash, total carbohydrates, glycogen, RNA, DNA and cholesterol towards the posterior region of the fillet was the result of increase in the number of cells per unit weight of the sample and in the concentration of myocommata. The distribution of water in the musculature was inversely related to that of the fat. The concentration of protein appeared to be associated with the RNA level. The posterior region of the fillet exhibited more calorific value than the anterior region.

Statistics and modelling of turbulent kinetic energy transport in different regimes of premixed combustion

The statistical behaviour of turbulent kinetic energy transport in turbulent premixed flames is analysed using data from three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) of freely propagating turbulent premixed flames under decaying turbulence. For flames within the corrugated flamelets regime, it is observed that turbulent kinetic energy is generated within the flame brush. By contrast, for flames within the thin reaction zones regime it has been found that the turbulent kinetic energy decays monotonically through the flame brush. Similar trends are observed also for the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy. Within the corrugated flamelets regime, it is demonstrated that the effects of the mean pressure gradient and pressure dilatation within the flame are sufficient to overcome the effects of viscous dissipation and are responsible for the observed augmentation of turbulent kinetic energy in the flame brush. In the thin reaction zones regime, the effects of the mean pressure gradient and pressure dilatation terms are relatively much weaker than those of viscous dissipation, resulting in a monotonic decay of turbulent kinetic energy across the flame brush. The modelling of the various unclosed terms of the turbulent kinetic energy transport equation has been analysed in detail. The predictions of existing models are compared with corresponding quantities extracted from DNS data. Based on this a-priori DNS assessment, either appropriate models are identified or new models are proposed where necessary. It is shown that the turbulent flux of turbulent kinetic energy exhibits counter-gradient (gradient) transport wherever the turbulent scalar flux is counter-gradient (gradient) in nature. A new model has been proposed for the turbulent flux of turbulent kinetic energy, and is found to capture the qualitative and quantitative behaviour obtained from DNS data for both the corrugated flamelets and thin reaction zones regimes without the need to adjust any of the model constants. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Determination of threshold current densities for different reactions of fishes using a pantostat

The threshold current densities required for first reaction, galvanotaxis and galvanonarcosis of fish depended upon species, length of the body, conductivity of water, nature of current and frequency of impulses. The threshold values and their ratios decreased with increase in length of fish. With rise in conductivity of water in the ratio of 1:4:13, these values increased in the ratio 1: 2:5. Impulse D. C was superior to continuous D. C and the threshold values of current densities for different reactions of fish decreased with rise in impulse frequency reaching minimum at an impulse frequency of 48/sec. Among Salmo irideus, ldus melanotus and Cyprinus carpio, the first one was affected earlier and required minimum current densities to exhibit the reactions, while the last one showed similar reactions only at higher current densities.

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN THE CHINESE PANGOLIN (MANIS-PENTADACTYLA) - INFERRED FROM RESTRICTION ENZYME ANALYSIS OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNAS

Two different forms of Chinese pangolins can be recognized according to the color of their scales, i.e., brown and dusky. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) purified from the livers of seven dusky and six brown Chinese pangolins from the same locality, using cleavage patterns from 19 restriction enzymes. From the 19 6-bp recognition enzymes used, 51-56 sites were observed. By combining the cleavage patterns for each enzyme, the 13 samples were classified into four restriction types: two in dusky and two in brown Chinese pangolins. The estimated number of nucleotide substitutions per site in dusky and brown types is 0.002, and that between dusky and brown types is 0.012. Divergence between brown and dusky forms began 0.6 Myr ago, provided the mean rate of sequence divergence is 0.02 per Myr in mtDNA. Our results suggest that there is considerable divergence in Chinese pangolins, and brown and dusky Chinese pangolins may be quite different forms or, at least, belong to different maternal groups.

DIFFERENT RATES OF MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA SEQUENCE EVOLUTION IN KIRK DIK-DIK (MADOQUA-KIRKII) POPULATIONS

We have investigated evolutionary rates of the mitochondrial genome among individuals of Madoqua kirkii using the relative rate test. Our results demonstrate that individuals of two chromosome races, East African cytotype A and Southwest African cytotype D, evolve about 2.3 times faster than East African cytotype B. Cytogenetic changes, DNA repair efficiency, mutagens, and more likely, hitherto unrecognized factors will account for the rate difference we have observed. Our results suggest additional caution when using molecular clocks in the estimation of divergence time, even within lineages of closely related taxa. Rate heterogeneity in microevolutionary timescales represents a potentially important aspect of basic evolutionary processes and may provide additional insights into factors which affect genome evolution. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Strikingly different penetrance of LHON in two Chinese families with primary mutation G11778A is independent of mtDNA haplogroup background and secondary mutation G13708A

The penetrance of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in families with primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is very complex. Matrilineal and nuclear genetic background, as well as environmental factors, have been reported to be involved in d

Change in quality of different variety of fish during long distance transportation

A study was conducted to investigate the quality of iced fish of different species during long distance transportation. Total bacterial counts showed different species to show different quality deterioration under similar handling conditions.

Minimum dissolved oxygen tolerance of four different sizes of milkfish

Four size groups of milkfish were tested, 4-18 g, 20-34 g, 35-95 g and 200-300 g. A number of fish from each group were placed separately in identical 1.2 m2 wooden tanks containing seawater filled up to 30 cm depth. The aggregate weight of fish per size group was approximately 1 kg. The fish were held for 72 h, fed with lab-lab and provided with continuous aeration to allow recovery from stress during transport and handling. After the recovery period, aeration was stopped and 200 g of the fine rice bran was spread over the water in each tank creating a film of bran particles on the water surface. This was designed to speed up depletion of dissolved oxygen considering the combined effects of the screening-off of sunlight, the reduction of air-water interface and the breakdown of the bran particles. It is probable that stress on milkfish in brackishwater ponds could start when oxygen level drops to about 1.4 ppm. A further decrease to 0.04 ppm could produce a total kill of all specimens above 4 grams with marketable size and bigger size fish dying first.

Comparative feature on design, construction and installation of three different model of low cost solar tunnel dryers

The study was conducted in collaboration with the ECFC project of the FAO (BGD/97/017) in Cox's Bazar to develop a low cost solar tunnel dryer for the production of high quality marine dried fish. The study areas were Kutubdiapara, Maheshkhali and Shahparirdip under Cox's Bazar district. Three different models of low cost solar dryer were constructed with locally available materials such as bamboo, wood, bamboo mat, hemp, canvas, wire, nails, rope, tin, polythene and net. Size of the dryers were: 20x4x3 ft ; 30x3x3 ft and 65x3x3 ft with the costs of Tk. 3060, 3530, 9600 for dryer 1, 2 and 3, respectively having different models. The drying capacities were 50, 150, 500 kg for dryer 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The average temperature range inside the dryers were 29-43°C, 34-51°C and 37-57°C for dryer 1, 2 and 3 respectively as recorded at 8:30h to 16:30h. The relative humidity were in the ranges of 22-42%, 27-39% and 24-41 % in dryer 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The fish samples used were Bombay duck, Silver Jew fish and Ribbon fish. The total drying time was in the range of 30-42, 28-38 and 24-34 hours to reach the moisture content of 12.3-14.5, 11.8-14.3, and 11.6-14.1% in dryer 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Among these three fish samples the drying was faster in Silver Jew fish followed by Bombay duck and Ribbon fish in all the three dryer.

Effects of different types of feeds on growth and production of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon at Bagerhat region, Bangladesh

An experiment was carried out in farmers' gher (shrimp farm) at Bagerhat sadar upazilla, Bagerhat to ascertain the effects of three different types of feeds on the production and economics of brackishwater shrimp, Penaeus monodon for a period of 120 days. There were three treatments such as T1 (BFRI dough feed containing of 30% fish meal, 10% protein conc., 10% soya meal, 15% mustard oil cake, 18% rice bran, 5% maize, 10% wheat flour, 1% oyster shell powder and 1% vitamin premix), T2 (Commercial diet Saudi-Bangla grower) and T3 (Saudi-Bangla special feed). Each treatment had two replicates and the stocking of shrimp in each gher was 3 nos/m². Water quality parameters did not differ significantly among the treatments except water depth. Average production and net return of shrimp in different treatments varied from 404.0 to 509.0 kg/ha and Tk. 56,493.99-Tk. 84,209.60, respectively. T2 showed significantly (p<0.05) the highest production and economic return. The result of the study implied that T2 is more suitable and economically viable than that of other treatments for shrimp farming.

Suitability of commercially available Bacillus probiotics on growth, survival and production of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fab.)

Different forms of Bacillus probiotics was assessed in the earthen ponds on tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) culture. The experiment was designed with three different treatments depending on the mode of application (T1=oral probiotics; T2=spreading probiotics and T3=oral+ spreading probiotics). The shrimp was cultured for 120 days with the stocking density of 6-PL/m².Oral probiotics in the respective ponds were supplied with feeds. Whereas, spreading probiotics was applied to the pond water during pond preparation at 30, 60 and 90 days of culture period. Results of the experiment revealed that, all forms of Bacillus probiotic had effective role to keep the culture environment friendly in terms of mineralization of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus content in bottom sediment; holding of water transparency in a congenial state, increasing the density of planktonic biomass and boosting the THB-Vibrio ratio in water and sediment with insignificance (p>0.05) difference between different treatments. Whilst, spreading form of Bacillus pro biotic showed higher weight gain (27.58±1.18g), survival rate (70.75±8.54%) and production (1167.66±109.62 kg/ha) and expected lower FCR (1.81 ±0.06) values with significant difference (p<0.01) with others methods of application, indicated its superiority in tiger shrimp culture.

Chemical forms of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in sediments of the northern part of the Red Sea, Egypt

Total concentrations and chemical forms of heavy metals in sediment samples from the Gulf of Suez and the northern part of the Red Sea, collected during January 2003, were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Maximum concentrations of 49.56, 65.42, 33.52 and 3.52 µg/g were recorded for total Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd respectively at Adabiya location. These may reflect the high contribution of land-based activities in the northern part of the Gulf. Also, high percentages of heavy metals were found in the residual fraction (Cu=78.61, Zn=77.10 and Pb=66.80%) while a high percentage of Cd was found in the carbonate fraction (45.82%). However, few or negligible percentages were recorded in the exchangeable fractions (Cu=0.51, Zn=1.57 and Pb=1.74%). Concentration of Cd in the exchangeable fraction was too low to be detected.

Effects of different levels of energy and protein sources on the growth performance, feeding, survival rate and the chemical body composition of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The present study was carried out in order to establish an economical effective diet for the pacific white shrimp in the southern part conditions of Iran. With the consideration of three dietary energy levels (E1=262, E2=312, E3=362 kcal 100 g-1 diet) and six ratios of fish meal (FM) to soybean meal (SBM) [(P1=100%FM+0%SBM, P2=80%FM+20%SBM, P3=60%FM+40%SBM, P4=40%FM+60%SBM, P5=20%FM+80%SBM, P6=0%FM+100%SBM)], 18 experimental diets (with 36% crude protein) were prepared. Completely randomized design was used to assign 54 polyethylene 300 litre round tanks provided by aeration and flow through water system and was stocked by 19 juvenile as 3 replicates to each treatment. Shrimps average weight was about 0.77 grams at the start. After 56 days culture period, maximum growth and nutritional performances were observed in the P6E1 treatment (containing 100% soybean meal and 262 kcal 100 g-1 diet) and P5E1 treatment (containing 80% soybean meal and 262 kcal 100 g-1 diet). Also the highest survival rate of the shrimps was observed in the P1E1, P1E2, P3E3 and P5E3 treatments. Additionally interactive effect of different protein ratios and energy levels had significant difference on body protein, fat, fiber and ash contents (P<0.05). Results of the present study suggest the possibility replacement of at least 80% of dietary fish meal by soybean meal in the diet of pacific white shrimp in the conditions of southern part of Iran.