A Preliminary study of the defensive spines of some Malayan freshwater fishes

The defensive spines of fifteen Malayan freshwater fishes have been studied morphologically. The classification of spines has been slightly modified from the previous work of Fernando and Fernando (1960). They are divided into simple, denticle-bearing and venom-carrying. The simple spines are further sub-divided into single and multiple and the denticle-bearing into Bagriid and Clariid types. The latter agree morphologically with the venom-carrying spines of previously studied forms and may be a degenerate condition. Simple spines occur singly in the Cyprinidae where they are found at the anterior end of the dorsal fin. A spine of similar structure occurs in the catfish Glyptothorax. In the families Anabantidae, Cichlidae and Mastacenbelidae simple spines occur as a series. Denticle-bearing spines occur in the catfishes (Order-Nematognathi). Those having denticles on one face occur in the Bagridae, Siluridae, Sisoridae, and Akysidae. They are referred to as Bagriid type. In the other type denticles occur on the anterior and posterior faces of the spine. They are referred to as Clariid type. None of the Malayan species studied had venom-carrying spines and they are unlikely to be found in the freshwater species. The functioning of the defensive mechanism whose morphological bases are spines is discussed and the relation between the size and habitat on the effectiveness of the spines is mentioned. The evolution of defensive spines is discussed briefly.

Studies on the preparation of fish silage. 1. Effect of quality of raw material and type of acid

An experiment was undertaken in which silver bellies (Leiognathus splendens) of different quality were used to produce silages using different concentrations of hydrochloric acid and formic acid. The quality and storage life of the various preparations are reported. Silages which keep for at least 30 days can be produced from silver belly held for 3 or 12 hours at 28°C by: 1) reducing the pH by addition of hydrochloric acid; 2) adding 0.5% formic acid and reducing the pH to 3.5 with hydrochloric acid; or 3) adding 2.5% formic acid.

Molecular cloning, characterization and localization of chicken type II procollagen gene

Chicken type II procollagen (ccol2a1) has become as an important oral tolerance protein for effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. However, its molecular identity remains unclear. Here, we reported the full-length cDNA and nearly complete genomic DN

Functional characterization of the human-specific (type II) form of kallikrein 8, a gene involved in learning and memory

Kallikrein 8 (KLK8) is a serine protease functioning in the central nervous system, and essential in many aspects of neuronal activities. Sequence comparison and gene expression analysis among diverse primate species identified a human-specific splice for