人工鱼礁对中小型浮游动物昼夜变化的影响

浮游动物有明显的昼夜垂直移动现象,这种生态习性会导致摄食浮游动物的某些鱼类昼夜垂直移动。为分析人工鱼礁对中小型浮游动物昼夜变化的影响,于2018年11月在防城港人工鱼礁区及附近海域进行了1个昼夜的中小型浮游动物采样,获取了14份样品。结果显示:(1)礁区和非礁区浮游动物种类组成相似度高、更替率低,且主要优势种相同,属于同一生态类型;(2)在人工鱼礁流场效应的作用下,礁区浮游动物的数量和多样性高于非礁区;(3)非礁区浮游动物数量的昼夜变化明显,呈明显的正弦曲线,以16:00数量最高,8:00最低,其垂直运动规律明显,可分为4:00～20:00的运动期和20:00～次日4:00的稳定期;(4)在礁体上方流速较快的水平层的阻隔作用下,礁区浮游动物数量始终处于波动状态,没有明显的昼夜垂直变化规律,在礁区上层保持较高的数量,可提升集鱼效果、促进生产力转换;(5)聚类分析和排序表明,礁区浮游动物为一个群落类型。而非礁区中小型浮游动物可分2个群落类型,一个是白天随浮游植物而上浮的以植食性种类为主要特征种的群落类型,另一个是晚上植食性种类下沉后以肉食性种类为主要特征种的群落类型。     

海州湾人工鱼礁养护资源效果初探

20 0 3年 7月至 2 0 0 3年 12月在连云港海州湾投放了第一批人工鱼礁 ,2 5 0个单体大礁 ,75 0个小礁体 ,30只船礁 ,共计 135 30m3 (空方 )。为了探讨海州湾人工鱼礁投放后鱼礁区的渔业资源养护情况 ,对该海区进行 6个航次的调查 ,投礁前调查 3次 ,投礁后调查 3次。调查结果表明 :人工鱼礁投放后鱼礁区生物多样性指数和丰度均有所增加 ;鱼礁区CPUE比投礁前增加 1倍左右 ,其中鱼类的CPUE增加最多。鱼礁区比对照区相对应时期的CPUE要高许多 ;优势资源种类也有一定的变化。     

荣成俚岛人工鱼礁建设项目Ⅱ．人工鱼礁养护生物资源效果的评价

于2006年6月和2007年6月在荣成俚岛开展人工鱼礁投放前海域本底调查和投放后效果调查，分析比较了鱼礁区游泳动物、大型底栖动物的种类组成、生物多样性、种类丰度、CPUE和海藻等在人工鱼礁投放前后的变化。调查结果表明：人工鱼礁投放后，游泳动物和大型底栖动物种类总数、种类多样性指数和丰度均有所增加，分别是投礁前的1．78倍和1．32倍、1．47倍和1．22倍、1．68倍和1．62倍。游泳动物CPUE比投礁前增加1．39倍左右，其中鱼类的CPUE增加最多，尤其是大泷六线鱼和许氏平鲇等岩礁性鱼类，分别是投礁前的2．18倍和5．67倍。大型底栖动物种类有所增加，但CPUE略有减少。礁体上附着生长了马尾藻和海带等藻类。综合分析认为，人工鱼礁对游泳动物和大型底栖动物聚集和养护效果显著，鱼礁的投放也有利于海藻的附着、生长和藻场的恢复。     

威海寻山人工鱼礁海域底栖生物群落组成与结构

2009年4月30日对威海寻山人工鱼礁投放海域5个礁区及1个对照区底栖生物群落进行对比调查。共鉴定出底栖生物31种(礁区31种,非礁区1种),隶属于4门24科,软体、环节、节肢动物门为优势类群,其中软体动物门14科20种,占总种数的64.51%。多种生态学指数计算底栖生物群落的特征值,发现礁区与非礁区在底栖生物群落组成和结构差异显著,礁区物种多样性更为丰富,群落结构更趋复杂,建礁效果明显:建礁后礁区底栖生物量呈明显上升趋势,礁区平均生物量(95.4 g/m~2)明显高于非礁区(1.78 g/m~2),是后者的53.60倍;非礁区多毛类数量较多,礁区生物平均丰度与非礁区基本持平。礁区Margalef物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener物种多样度指数分别为4.34和5.34。McNaughton物种优势度指数显示礁区杂色蛤、凸壳肌蛤、双带核螺等贝类为丰度优势种。Jaceard种类相似性指数仅0.032(0.5),底栖生物区域性分布较为明显,两区域物种相似度较小。     

辽宁海域大泷六线鱼的生物学特征、资源丰度时空分布及与环境因子的关系

为了给大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)在辽宁海域增殖放流的开展提供科学依据, 本研究根据春季(2020 年 5 月)、夏季(2019 年 6 月、7 月和 2020 年 8 月)和秋季(2019 年 9 月和 2020 年 10 月)共计 6 个航次的底拖网调查, 研究了辽宁海域大泷六线鱼的资源丰度及生物学特征变化, 并基于广义加性模型(GAM)分析了资源丰度的时空分布与环境因子的关系。结果表明, 大泷六线鱼资源丰度的季节变化表现为夏秋季高于春季, 资源丰度在不同站位的差异较大, 空间异质性较高。大泷六线鱼的体长、体重在 5 月至 10 月均表现为逐月增大, 肥满度也表现为夏季较春、秋季高, 且体长、体重和肥满度均具有月份间的显著差异。资源丰度的时空分布表明大泷六线鱼具有对岩礁底、砂底这两种底质生境类型和较低水温的偏好性, 黄海北部海域的资源丰度高于辽东湾海域。GAM 模型显示水深、盐度、水温、底质类型、月份和年份是影响大泷六线鱼资源丰度分布的因素, 大泷六线鱼的资源丰度与水深在 55 m 内具有显著的正相关性, 资源丰度高值区分布在底层盐度低于 31.5 和底层水温区间为 12~22.5 ℃的环境条件下, GAM 的分析结果与大泷六线鱼的生态习性相符。本研究通过上述分析初步建议具有较多岩礁、砂底质生境类型和较低水温的黄海北部海域可作为辽宁海域大泷六线鱼的适宜放流区域, 水温升高至 12 ℃以上的 5—6 月可作为适宜放流时间, 选择以上放流地点和时间, 可对放流群体的成活率及品质提供较好的保障。     

三横山人工鱼礁区鱼类和大型无脊椎动物诱集效果初探

为了解人工鱼礁投放对鱼类和大型无脊椎动物(简称FM,以下同)的诱集效果,分别于2007年5、9月和2009年3、5、7月对上三横山人工鱼礁B区与泥底区进行了拖网本底和跟踪调查,并于2009年1-8月对下三横山人工鱼礁A区与鳗头山岩礁和泥底区进行了刺网调查。采用CPUE、Margalef种类丰富度d、经济种类数变化、Whilm多样性指数H′′等反映FM的资源状况。结果显示,(1)鱼礁A区和岩礁区在CPUE、种类丰富度、经济种和多样性上均无明显差异(P>0.05),而两者各指标与泥底区皆存在显著差异(P<0.05);(2)鱼礁B区,投礁后CPUE和经济种类数都明显高于投礁前也大于同期对照区,差异显著(P<0.05);礁区平均丰富度水平高出同期对照区31.1%(P<0.05);多样性水平相对投礁前和对照区都有一定提高,但尚无显著差异(0.05相似文献   

人工鱼礁区不同底质对底栖游泳生物群落特征的影响

为探究人工鱼礁投放后的不同底质对底栖游泳生物群落结构特征的影响,实验以海区中央投放的构件礁划分半径为20、400和600 m 3个样带,采用地笼与摄像相结合的方法,分别于2017年6月和8月、2018年6月 (2次)、2019年6月和7月在小竹山岛人工鱼礁区进行了6个航次的调查。应用相对重要性指数 (IRI)、主坐标分析 (PCoA)和单因素方差分析等分析群落时空组成变化,利用广义加性模型 (GAM)研究环境因子对单位捕捞努力量 (CPUE)和多样性指数的影响。IRI和PCoA测定结果显示,地笼主要捕获日本蟳、海燕、大泷六线鱼、许氏平鲥及其他梭形鱼类;摄像主要捕获海燕等棘皮类、葛氏长臂虾、纹缟虾虎鱼、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、钟馗虾虎鱼及矛尾刺虾虎鱼。单因素方差分析显示,两种采样方法在200和400 m样带的CPUE均较高,与600 m样带有显著差异,但年份间无显著差异。GAM模型显示,CPUE随投礁年份和底质类型的复杂度增加而增加,与构件礁及石块礁底质呈正相关,且受盐度及温度影响。多样性指数在样带、年际间无显著差异,GAM模型显示,其在地笼渔获物的多样性指数显著高于摄像,并受盐度、透明度影响,但与底质类型无关。本研究揭示了不同底质对底栖游泳生物的影响,证明了地笼与摄像结合调查方法的互补性,为多种鱼礁底质的管理提供参考依据。     

山海关海洋牧场人工鱼礁区重要经济品种养护效果的初步研究

采用地笼网与流刺网对山海关海洋牧场人工鱼礁区进行了春秋两个航次的渔业资源调查。调查结果表明:人工鱼礁区的重要经济品种为许氏平鮋、大泷六线鱼、矛尾刺鰕虎鱼,春季礁区内许氏平鮋、大泷六线鱼、矛尾刺鰕虎鱼的单位捕捞努力量分别是对照区的8.12倍、3.29倍和1.96倍,秋季礁区内是对照区的3.04倍、3.96倍和1.59倍。礁区内的尾均体质量普遍比对照区要大,春季礁区内的许氏平鮋较对照区高出60.92%,大泷六线鱼高出5.83%,矛尾刺鰕虎鱼高出33.33%,秋季礁区内的许氏平鮋较对照区高36.72%,黑鲷高出36.72%,大泷六线鱼高出5.27%。调查结果显示,人工鱼礁区重要经济资源已得到有效养护,增殖效果明显。     

海洋牧场营造设施对浮游动物群落的影响——以象山港为例

选择象山港海域人工鱼礁、海带(Laminaria japonica)与熊本牡蛎(Crassostrea sikamea)浮筏式养殖区等为研究区域, 通过分析其与对照区浮游动物群落及栖息环境差异, 探究典型海洋牧场营造设施对浮游动物群落的影响方式。结果表明, 人工鱼礁、海带与熊本牡蛎浮筏式养殖区和对照区浮游动物群落结构差异显著, 不同海洋牧场营造设施对浮游动物群落的影响方式各异。与对照区相比, 人工鱼礁区浮游动物多样性指数较低, 但总丰度较高, 优势种腹针胸刺水蚤(Centropages abdominalis)丰度为对照区的 3.28倍, 斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)和黑棘鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegelii)等渔业资源种类的鱼卵和仔稚鱼在人工鱼礁区密集分布, 人工鱼礁显现出良好的渔业资源增殖养护功效。海带养殖区无机氮和活性磷酸盐浓度较对照区显著降低, 叶绿素 a 浓度明显增高, 浮游动物总丰度和多样性指数与对照区差异不显著, 钩虾(Gammaridae sp.)和麦秆虫(Caprellidae sp.)等端足类较为集聚, 鱼类浮游生物分布较少。熊本牡蛎养殖区无机氮和活性磷酸盐浓度高于对照区, 浮游动物总丰度较对照区有所降低, 但麦秆虫和黑棘鲷鱼卵与仔稚鱼丰度明显高于对照区。     

渤海莱州湾芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区浮游动物群落结构特征及其与环境因子的关系

浮游动物作为鱼类等游泳动物重要的饵料来源, 在海洋生态系统的食物网中占据重要地位。为探究渤海莱州湾芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区浮游动物群落结构特征, 于 2018 年 3 月(春季)、7 月(夏季)、10 月(秋季)和 12 月(冬季)在芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区进行了 4 个航次的调查。对该海域浮游动物的种类、生物量、多样性指数及与环境因子的关系等方面进行了分析。结果表明, 4 个航次鱼礁区共鉴定出浮游动物 6 大类 34 种, 其中, 节肢动物 18 种、腔肠动物 3 种、 脊索动物 1 种、浮游幼虫 8 种、毛颚动物和其他海洋昆虫各 2 种, 主要优势种有 17 种, 存在一定的季节变化。对照区共鉴定出浮游动物 4 大类 28 种, 其中节肢动物 17 种、腔肠动物 1 种、浮游幼虫 8 种、毛颚动物 2 种, 主要优势种有 17 种, 存在一定的季节变化。鱼礁区和对照区浮游动物种类组成和优势种组成均高度相似, 群落结构无显著性差异。非参数多维尺度分析和聚类分析表明, 浮游动物群落组成存在明显的季节差异, 但区域间无显著差异。 环境因子在不同季节间存在显著差异(P<0.01), 但在鱼礁区和对照区间无显著差异。典范对应分析(CCA)结果表明, 芙蓉岛人工鱼礁区浮游动物群落结构受环境因子的影响, 影响浮游动物群落结构的主要环境因子依次为: SiO₃-Si、 溶解氧(DO)、透明度、温度、可溶无机氮(DIN)、叶绿素、盐度和 pH。本研究可为人工鱼礁建设、管理和渔业资源养护等提供参考依据。     

不同比例复合益生菌对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫及抗氨氮能力的影响

对从凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)肠道中分离出的鲍鱼希瓦氏菌(Shewanella haliotis)、蜡样芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus)和双壳气单胞菌(Aeromonas bivalvium)3株有益菌株,利用正交设计得到9种复合比例,通过饲料中添加上述9种比例混合的菌体(菌数总量为109 cfu/g)饲喂凡纳滨对虾,经过28 d养殖实验,评价其对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫指标的影响。随后,利用氯化铵调节水体氨氮浓度至26.67 mg/L,经过16 d的氨氮毒性实验,研究不同比例复合益生菌对凡纳滨对虾抗氨氮能力的影响。研究结果表明,9个复合益生菌实验组的增重率和特定生长率均显著高于对照组(P0.05),并且以3株菌菌数6︰1︰3比例效果较好;不同配比的复合益生菌能够显著提高酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力(P0.05),并表现出了不同的影响效果,其中,3株菌菌数(菌数总量为109 cfu/g,下同)2︰3︰3、4︰2︰3及6︰1︰3比例对ACP活力具有显著促进作用(P0.05),3株菌菌数4:2︰3和6︰1︰3比例对ALP活力具有显著促进作用(P0.05);3株菌菌数2︰1︰1比例对T-SOD活力具有显著促进作用(P0.05);各比例的复合菌对溶菌酶活力的影响不显著(P0.05);氨氮浓度26.67 mg/L条件下,不同比例复合菌组对虾累计存活率显著高于对照组(P0.05),其中以3株菌菌数4︰3︰1和6︰3︰2比例组累计存活率较高,即抗氨氮效果较好。     

Influence of the antibacterial herbs, Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia on the survival, growth and bacterial load of Penaeus monodon post larvae

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemicals in shrimp hatcheries has led to biomagnification and that in turn could lead to rejection of a whole consignment. The application of the bioencapsulation technique as a tool for curative treatment in shrimp larvae was investigated. Herbs having antibacterial properties such as Solanum trilobatum, Andrographis paniculata and Psoralea corylifolia (methanolic extracts) were bioencapsulated in Artemia and fed to Penaeus monodon post larvae PL 1–25. The post larvae were reared in a medium inoculated with pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio sp. Post larvae reared in the non-inoculated water and fed with non-enriched Artemia exhibited 90% survival, highest specific growth rate (12.43%) and reduced bacterial load. P. monodon reared in the bacterial inoculated water and fed with the non-enriched Artemia exhibited the lowest survival (10–30%), specific growth rate (8.42–9.1%) and increased bacterial load (2.86 × 10³ to 3.76 × 10⁵ cfu/g). The methanolic extracts of the herbs helped to increase survival and specific growth rate and reduced bacterial load in the P. monodon culture system. Among the three herbal extracts, P. corylifolia enriched Artemia fed post larvae showed the tendency to higher survival (>50%), growth rate (11.5 averaged) and low bacterial load (1.12 × 10⁵ cfu/g). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Movement of the fluvial form of masu salmon, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus masou masou</Emphasis>, in a mountain stream in Kyushu,Japan

Using mark-recapture methods, the movements of the fluvial form of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou masou) in a mountain stream on the island of Kyushu, Japan, were studied. Most (78%) of the masu salmon were recaptured in the pool in which they had been originally caught and tagged. Of those that moved between pools, the proportion of individuals that moved during the breeding period was not significantly higher than the proportion that moved during the non-breeding period. However, during the breeding period, a higher proportion of larger salmon moved than did smaller fish. The proportion of mobile large males during breeding period was higher than that for small males. Also, it was found that a few individuals showed long-range movement in the autumn. As a long-term movement, 78 individual fish (65%) that were recaptured more than three times showed high sedentary tendencies. Sixteen individual mobile fish (13%) moved and returned to the original pool. Fluvial form of masu salmon in Kyushu show a high sedentary nature; however, large mature males seem to actively move in search of female during breeding period.     

Cloning, expression, and characterization of a novel anti-HIV lectin from the cultured cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria agardhii

OAA, the potent anti-HIV protein from Oscillatoria agardhii NIES-204 belongs to a new lectin family, shows strict binding specificity for high-mannose N-glycans, and has an extremely high association constant in the picomolar range for recombinant gp120, an envelope protein of HIV. In this study we have cloned the gene encoding OAA from the genomic DNA of the cyanobacterium, and efficiently expressed the recombinant lectin (rOAA) in Escherichia coli. The rOAA expressed as a His-tagged fusion protein was recovered in a soluble form and purified in high yield (48 mg/1 l-culture) by metal chelate chromatography. The fusion protein was cleaved with factor Xa, and the resulting rOAA was isolated in a final yield of 14.8 mg/1 l-culture by reversed-phase HPLC. Both the N-terminal sequence and the molecular mass of rOAA were found to be identical with those of OAA. The rOAA was fully functional with the same properties as OAA, as evidenced by hemagglutination activity, hapten-inhibition test, and binding specificity for high-mannose-type N-glycans. This rOAA should be applicable as a specific probe for high-mannose N-glycans and should contribute to elucidation of the molecular basis of its strict carbohydrate-binding specificity and potent anti-HIV activity.     

Mortality of scallop spat in cultivation, infested with tube dwellingbristle worms, Polydora sp.

Between 1995 and 1997, a traditional Norwegian oyster poll with an attachednursery was used for the production of scallop (Pecten maximus) spat.During summer 1997, four batches of 2 mm scallop spat were placed in thenursery. In June, hydroids (Obelia) caused problems with fouling andaccumulation of sediment in the nursery. Thereafter, the scallop spat wereheavily infested with tube dwelling polychaets (Polydora sp.). Thepolychaets were both introduced with poll water and reproduced inside thenursery. Infested spat suffered high mortalities. Although the spat could have been affected by the hydroids, as well as shortage of food, Polydorainfestations were considered the main cause of the mortalities. Dead andinfested spat were continuously sorted out and discarded, but the infestationproblems persisted. As a result, the scallop spat did not represent anycommercial value for the company, and in September, the nursery wasemptied. In total, approximately one million spat – representing onethird of Norway's intensive scallop spat production in 1997, was lost.     

Parasites, pathological conditions and mortality in QX-resistant and wild-caught Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea glomerata

Differences in the survival of QX-resistant fifth generation (QXR₅) and wild-caught (Wild-Caught) Sydney rock oysters were assessed over the QX-disease risk period in the Pimpama River, SE Queensland. Cumulative mortality of Wild-Caught oysters (31.7%) was significantly greater than QXR₅ oysters (0.0%) over the 118 days of the experiment. PCR and histological results showed that Wild-Caught oyster did not die from QX disease. Histology revealed oysters were infected with disseminating hemocytic neoplasia, a Steinhausia-like infection, a Rickettsia-like organism infecting epithelial cells of the gill, digenean flukes encysted in the gonadal tissue and a gill response to an unknown toxin. The cause of mortality is attributed to disseminating hemocytic neoplasia.     

Enrichment of Artemia nauplii in PUFA, phospholipids, and water-soluble nutrients using liposomes

Different liposome formulations, includingseveral combinations of membrane composition,type of vesicle (multilamellar and largeunilamellar vesicles), preparation method, andvehiculated nutrient, have been assayed asbioencapsulation products to enrich Artemia nauplii with nutrients for feeding fish larvae.The stability of the liposome preparationsunder conditions of use as enrichment producthas been tested using water soluble fluorescentmarkers as leakage indicators. The content ofthe fatty acids and lipid classesbioencapsulated in Artemia nauplii withliposomes has been analyzed by gas and thinlayer chromatography, respectively, andcompared with other enrichment products. Theeffect of the liposome enriched Artemianauplii used as food for fish larvae has beenevaluated in sea bass cultures. Liposomes withhigh content in polyunsaturated fatty acidsleak out more than 50% of their aqueous phasein less than 2 hours, unless they arestabilized with cholesterol and formed as largeunilamellar vesicles. Such vesicles hold70% of the encapsulated material for 8 hours.Liposome enriched nauplii in this study reflectthe influence of the enrichment products,however, they are far from the commercialemulsion (Super Selco) in terms ofdocosahexaenoic acid content, except for thenauplii enriched with liposomes made of purekrill phospholipid extract by the method ofdetergent solubilization. The liposome enrichednauplii show a higher amount of polar lipids incontrast to the feed enriched with emulsions.The larvae fed liposome enriched nauplii haveonly a slightly lower docosahexaenoic acidcontent than those fed emulsion enrichednauplii. The results obtained confirm thesuitable potential use of liposomes as foodsupplement in larviculture. Problems andadvantages are discussed.     

鳢流行性溃疡综合征病原分离鉴定与病理形态学观察

为寻找冬春季鳢(Channa maculata)烂身病的病原,应用组织压片、组织切片、扫描电镜技术、HE常规染色法和Grocott六胺银染色法、霉菌分离纯化及ITS的序列分析等对冬春季患疑似溃疡综合征的烂身病鳢进行了病原学与病理学研究。病变组织压片观察到大量直径10～20μm,分枝较少、纤细菌丝。扫描电镜观察到肌肉组织中延伸出大量的纤细的丝状真菌。患病鳢皮肤和肌肉表现为变性、坏死与炎性细胞浸润,溃疡灶肌肉内可见大量的慢性肉芽肿结节和炎性细胞浸润。结节基本结构由类上皮细胞和多核巨细胞、炎性细胞、霉菌菌丝(横断面呈圆形,斜断或纵断呈丝状)组成,霉菌位于结节中央。Grocott六胺银染色观察到结节中有大量棕色菌体。无菌分离培养可观察到典型丝状霉菌;霉菌在灭菌池塘水20℃过夜, 12 h后可观察原代孢子群形成,真菌ITS序列分析表明其与侵袭丝囊菌(Aphanomyces invadans)同源性为100%。侵袭丝囊霉菌(A. invadans)是杂交鳢溃疡综合症病的主要病原,为鱼类流行病学调查和疾病防治的深入研究奠定基础。     

Feeding of scleractinian coral, Galaxea fascicularis, on Artemia salina nauplii in captivity

Satisfying nutrient requirement of corals is still a major constraint for maintaining corals in marine aquariums. Corals are polytrophic in nature. Heterotrophic feeding on zooplankton is one of the corals’ strategies to overcome nutrient deficiency. Artemia salina nauplii are commonly used as biocarriers for many fish larvae in aquaculture and can also serve as a biocarrier for coral in aquariums, provided coral acceptability, optimal feeding rate, and digestibility of the nauplii are well understood. Feeding rate and digestibility of coral fed on A. salina nauplii at 100, 2,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 10,000 ind. l⁻¹ under light and dark conditions was assessed in this study. The maximum feeding rates of Galaxea fascicularis under light and dark conditions was 113.6 ind. polyp⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 76.9 ind. polyp⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. The daily feeding rates of G. fascicularis varies and depends on nauplii density. Light plays an important role in coral feeding. Nevertheless, the quantity of A. salina nauplii consumed by the coral under light and dark conditions was not significantly different (P > 0.05). A. salina nauplii are well accepted by G. fascicularis. Complete nauplii digestion was observed after 180 min. Digestibility of A. salina nauplii by G. fascicularis was positively correlated with digestion time.     

Comparison of age estimates from scale, opercular bone, otolith, vertebrae and dorsal fin ray in Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Catla catla (Hamilton) and Channa marulius (Hamilton)

The present study was undertaken with a view to compare the precision and reliability of the age readings obtained from different bony structures of some important freshwater teleosts viz., Labeo rohita (Hamilton), Catla catla (Hamilton) and Channa marulius (Hamilton). Standard procedures were followed to prepare and study the age structures. In L. rohita and C. marulius percent agreement between reader's age estimates was highest for scales, i.e. 96.3% and 90.5%, respectively and in C. catla percent agreement was highest (93.3%) for opercular bone. When scale ages were compared with other alternative structures viz., otoliths, opercular bone, vertebral centra and dorsal fin rays, percent agreement was found highest between scale and opercular bone age estimates (77.8%) in L. rohita and between scale and otoliths (94.8%) in C. marulius. In case of C. catla highest percent agreement was found between opercular bone and scale age estimates. In L. rohita each of the ageing structure showed significant (P < 0.05) underestimation of age in comparison to scales. In C. catla mean age estimates from opercular bone were comparable (P > 0.05) to the values obtained from all other structures except dorsal fin rays. In C. marulius mean age estimates from scales were comparable (P > 0.05) to those from all other structures except from dorsal fin rays. Results indicated scales to be the most suitable structure for ageing L. rohita and C. marulius and opercular bone for C. catla. However, in C. catla also scales may be used as a non-destructive method of age estimation with satisfactory results.