Chronic and catastrophic influences of the environment on the population dynamics of the common fishes [abstract]

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): Seasonal, interannual, decadal and centennial influences on population dynamics have been described for several species. It now seems possible to interpret environmental changes that initiate population change ...

China, India, and the Environment

This work was supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2007CB411600), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30621092, 30623007), and Bureau of Science and Technology of Yunnan Province.

Shrimp culture and the environment

The paper discusses the impacts of shrimp culture to the environment in some countries in Asia. Specifically, it highlights the land requirements suitable for shrimp farming and the impacts of shrimp culture on mangroves. The positive effects of mangroves such as its filtering capacity and as a protective buffer are also discussed.

Implications of changes in trophic diversity and food webs on fisheries and the environment

Most of the earth's ecosystems are experiencing slight to catastrophic losses of biodiversity, caused by habitat destruction, alien species introduction, climate change and pollution (Wilcove et al., 1998). These human effects have led to the extinction of native fish species, the collapse of their populations and the loss of ecological integrity and ecosystem functioning (Ogutu-Ohwayo & Hecky, 1991; Witte et al. , 1992a; Mills et al., 1994; Vitousek et al., 1996). Food webs are macro-descriptors of community feeding interactions that can be used to map the flow of materials and nutrients in ecosystems (Jepsen & Winemiller, 2002). Comparative food web studies have been used to address theoretical questions such as 'does greater trophic connectivity increase stability?' (Cohen et al., 1990), and 'does the number of trophic levels increase with productivity?' (Briand & Cohen, 1987). Answers to such questions have obvious applications for natural resources management. From a multi-species fisheries standpoint, there is a need to understand consumer-resource dynamics within complex trophic networks.

Generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against the flounder Paralichthys olivaceus rhabdovirus

Two MAbs (3C7 and 3C9) against flounder Paralichthys olivaceus rhabdovirus (PORV) were generated with hybridoma cell fusion technology and characterized by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, isotype test, Western blot and immunodot analysis and immunofluorescence assay. Isotyping tests demonstrated that both of the two MAbs belonged to IgM subclass. Western blot analysis showed the MAbs reacted with 42, 30, and 22 kDa viral proteins, which were localized within the cytoplasm of PORV-infected grass carp ovary (GCO) cells analyzed by indirect immunofluorescences tests. The MAb 3C7 was also selected at random for detecting virus antigens in the inoculated grass carp tissues by immunohistochemistry assay. Flow cytometry tests showed that at the 36 h postinfection (0.25 PFU/cell), the 23% PORV-infected GCO cells could be distinguished from the uninfected cells with the MAb 3C7. Such MAbs could be useful for diagnosis and potential treatment of viral infection. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Humoral immune responses of the grouper Eninephelus akaara against the microsporidium Glugea epinephelusis

The humoral immune responses of grouper Epinephelus akaara to a natural infection with Glugea epinephelusis was studied by ELISA utilizing intact mature spores as the coated antigen. Results showed that a specific humoral immune response was elicited, but the intensity of infection (in terms of the number of cysts) was not related to the antibody level in naturally infected hosts. The differences in the antigenicity of intact mature spores and soluble spore proteins derived from cracked mature spores were also analyzed. Results suggested that similar antigen epitopes existed between the 2 groups. Additionally, antigen component patterns and the distribution of antigen with immunogenicity were investigated by using the western blot and the immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFAT). The new parasitic microsporidium has specific polypeptide patterns comparable to the reported fish microsporidians. The main antigenic substances are concentrated on the surface of spores, and are mostly located on the anterior and posterior end of the spore bodies. Most surface components of the G. epinephelusis spores are soluble, The potential role of the surface components in initiating infection was also discussed.