Intraspecific variability in reproductive patterns in the temperate hermaphrodite fish, Labrus bergylta

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Villegas-Ríos ◽  
Alexandre Alonso-Fernández ◽  
Rosario Domínguez-Petit ◽  
Fran Saborido-Rey

For many fish populations reproductive patterns remain unknown, which often results in inadequate management strategies. Timing and intraspecific variability in the main reproductive traits of ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta) were investigated based on microscopic analysis of gonads sampled from NW Spain in 2009–2012. This species displays two main body colour patterns, plain and spotted, which coexist in sympatry. Females spawned from January to April whereas spawning capable males were present almost year-round. Length at 50% maturity did not differ between colour patterns and was above the minimum catch size. Plain individuals attained the length and age at 50% sex change earlier than spotted individuals, which might be explained by differences in growth patterns, mortality rates or by an evolutionary genetic divergence between populations. Individuals with gonads infected by encysted trematode metacercariae were associated with an earlier timing of sex change, which represents one of the few examples of a possible parasitic influence on the sex allocation of its host. Our findings provide a framework for scientific-based management of this hermaphrodite fish.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saadia Ghafoor

Background:: Prelabor rupture of membrane (PROM) refers to the breakage of fetal membranes before the onset of labor, resulting in the leakage of amniotic fluid. PROM affects approximately 3% and 8% of preterm and term pregnancies. Because of associated high maternal and perinatal mortality, correct and timely diagnosis together with effective management is highly recommended to prevent adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. Objective:: To provide an overview of the novel concepts in the understanding of PROM including etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, complications, assessment, diagnostic modalities, and contemporary management strategies for PROM at preterm and term. Methodology:: This narrative literature review was conducted through a literature search using the Cochrane library and electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, Crossref, Google Scholar, Wiley online library, ScienceDirect with specific search terms in scientific publications published from March 1980 to March 2020. Main Body:: Preterm PROM has the potential to cause prenatal morbidity and mortality. It is imperative to monitor the signs and symptoms of an impending infection due to the risk of infectious morbidity with PROM at preterm and preterm. PROM at preterm and term requires prompt diagnosis followed by an appropriate management strategy. Conclusion:: The correct and timely diagnosis of PROM is essential for efficacious management. Furthermore, it can reduce avoidable emergent health care visits and related costs in a clinical setting subjected to pregnancy with suspected PROM. Further studies are needed to fill the gaps in identifying better diagnostic predictive tools in high- risk pregnancies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hesham Salah El Din Taha ◽  
Hala Mahfouz Badran ◽  
Hossam Kandil ◽  
Nabil Farag ◽  
Abbas Oraby ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Numerous epidemiological investigations and randomized clinical studies have determined that dyslipidemia is a major contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Consequently, the management of serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels has become a central objective in the effort to prevent cardiovascular events. Main body Many guidelines were issued by different organizations and societies to define patient risk and establish important recommendations for management strategies. Newer cholesterol-lowering agents (non-statin drugs) are described, and their use is directed primarily to secondary prevention in patients at very high risk of new ASCVD. Conclusion The present guidance summarizes the current methods for risk estimation and outlines the most recent data on lipid management in a simple user-friendly format, to improve physician awareness and help implement guidelines in the daily practice.


Author(s):  
Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad

Abstract Background Potato represents Egypt’s largest vegetable export crop. Many plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are globally inflicting damage to potato plants. In Egypt, their economic significance considerably varies according to PPN distribution, population levels, and pathogenicity. Main body This review article highlights the biology, ecology, and economic value of the PPN control viewpoint. The integration of biological control agents (BCAs), as sound and safe potato production practice, with other phytosanitary measures to manage PPNs is presented for sustainable agriculture. A few cases of BCA integration with such other options as synergistic/additive PPN management measures to upgrade crop yields are reviewed. Yet, various attributes of BCAs should better be grasped so that they can fit in at the emerging and/or existing integrated management strategies of potato pests. Conclusion A few inexpensive biocontrol products, for PPNs control on potato, versus their corresponding costly chemical nematicides are gathered and listed for consideration. Hence, raising awareness of farmers for making these biologicals familiar and easy to use will promote their wider application while offering safe and increased potato yield.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riyan Al Islam Reshad ◽  
Sumaiya Hafiz Riana ◽  
Mohammad Al-baruni Chowdhury ◽  
Abu Tayab Moin ◽  
Faruque Miah ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The recent pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has been causing intense stress among the global population. In the case of hospitalized and ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients with comorbidities, it has been observed that a major portion of them are diabetic. Therefore, researchers had indicated a link between diabetes mellitus (DM) and COVID-19. Furthermore, DM is a potential risk factor for the severity of COVID-19 cases. Thus, in this study, the correlation existing between diabetic patients and COVID-19 was summarized. Main body of the abstract Diabetic patients have a weaker immune system, less viral clearance rate, malfunctions of metabolic activity due to their high blood glucose level, and other associated problems. This does not increase the susceptibility for the patients to be infected with COVID-19. However, the severity of COVID-19 can worsen due to the comorbidity of DM. Short conclusion Proper management, appropriate use of drugs that do not increase the ACE2 expression, lowering blood glucose level, decreasing the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle could be effective.


Author(s):  
M.M. Meshram ◽  
Mridula Rajesh ◽  
K.M. Rajesh ◽  
N.K. Suyan

Background: The success or failure of spawning in any population affects the fishery. Hence, studies on spawning, maturation, fecundity and length at first maturity become essential in drafting management strategies. The detailed information on reproductive traits of Sphyraena obtusata will be helpful in sustainable management and conservation in the study area. Methods: Three hundred and fifty five specimens of S. obtusata were collected fortnightly from Mangaluru and Malpe fishing harbors during August 2019 to March 2020. Maturity of gonads was examined by macroscopic and histological investigations. Spawning periodicity was worked out based on maturity stages and seasonal gonadosomatic index. Gravimetric method of analysis was employed to evaluate the fecundity from randomly collected samples of gravid females. Result: Overall sex ratio revealed that the population had significantly higher (p less than 0.05, X2 test) proportion of females than males. The length at 50% maturity (Lm50) for females and males was estimated at 21.1 and 21.5 cm respectively. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) and the availability of matured individuals for both the sexes in various percentage indicated a prolonged breeding period from October to March with peaks in November and December. The absolute fecundity varied from 91,942 eggs (20.0 cm TL) to 1,34,445 eggs (27.0 cm TL) with an average of 1,12,878 ± 2,984 hydrated oocytes per female.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3823-3834 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Weiden ◽  
Y N Osheim ◽  
A L Beyer ◽  
L H Van der Ploeg

The genome of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei contains a set of about 100 minichromosomes of about 50 to 150 kb in size. The small size of these chromosomes, their involvement in antigenic variation, and their mitotic stability make them ideal candidates for a structural analysis of protozoan chromosomes and their telomeres. We show that a subset of the minichromosomes is composed predominantly of simple-sequence DNA, with over 90% of the length of the minichromosome consisting of a tandem array of 177-bp repeats, indicating that these molecules have limited protein-coding capacity. Proceeding from the tip of the telomere to a chromosome internal position, a subset of the minichromosomes contained the GGGTTA telomere repeat, a 29-bp telomere-derived repeat, a region containing 74-bp G + C-rich direct repeats separated by approximately 155 bp of A + T-rich DNA that has a bent character, and 50 to 150 kb of the 177-bp repeat. Several of the minichromosome-derived telomeres did not encode protein-coding genes, indicating that the repertoire of telomeric variant cell surface glycoprotein genes is restricted to some telomeres only. The telomere organization in trypanosomes shares striking similarities to the organization of telomeres and subtelomeres in humans, yeasts, and plasmodia. An electron microscopic analysis of the minichromosomes showed that they are linear molecules without abnormal structures in the main body of the chromosome. The structure of replicating molecules indicated that minichromosomes probably have a single bidirectional origin of replication located in the body of the chromosome. We propose a model for the structure of the trypanosome minichromosomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emerson Ventura ◽  
Allysson Winick-Silva ◽  
Renata A. Shinozaki-Mendes

ABSTRACT Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) is the most important species for aquaculture native to South America. This study evaluates the phenotypic plasticity of females of Macrobrachium amazonicum with respect to the gonadal development, and determines the spawning type. Our study consisted of macro and microscopic analysis of the reproductive tract. Ovaries exhibited the following reproductive cells in developmental sequence: oogonia (OO) - mean diameter and standard deviation of 25.4 ± 6.5 μm; previtellogenic oocyte (PVO) - 61.7 ± 10.7 μm, vitellogenic oocyte (VO) - 113.9 ± 24.5 μm; and mature oocyte (MO) - 308.7 ± 56.3 μm. Ovaries increased in volume due to vitellogenesis and changing of basophilic to acidophilic composition. Follicular cells, atresic oocytes and postovulatory follicles were also analyzed. By combining macro and microscopic analysis, the ovaries of M. amazonicum were classified into six stages: Immature, In maturation, Mature, Spawned in maturation, Spawned and Resting. The ovarian development of M. amazonicum followed a standard pattern even among different populations. Considering our results and the evidence in literature, we conclude that spawning for this species is parceled or multiple, that is, synchronous in more than two groups (clutches of oocytes). Such observations provide basis for further studies addressing sustainable management strategies for species conservation and contribute to elucidate the biology of their specimens.


2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Kowalenko

Willamette red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) plants were sampled monthly to determine the accumulation and distribution of copper (Cu), boron (B), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) over the growing seasons of four different years. The soil (Marble Hill series) was typical of that commonly used for commercial raspberry production in the area. No micronutrients were applied. The micronutrients generally accumulated as the season progressed in a manner similar to the accumulation of dry matter. Maximum accumulation of micronutrients in the aboveground portion of the plants did not necessarily occur at the end of the growing season because of different growth patterns of the floricanes and primocanes. The ripe berries, which would be removed by harvesting, contained a significant proportion of the total accumulation of micronutrients: Cu (18–26%), Zn (15–25%), B (3–16%), Fe (5–8%) and Mn (4–7%). However, concentrations of the micronutrients in the various parts of the plant varied considerably from month to month and year to year. There was no obvious relationship between weather conditions and the variations in micronutrient concentrations. Extreme variations within and between growing seasons suggest concentrations of micronutrients in leaves cannot readily be used to develop tissue-analysis-based fertility recommendations. Floricane stem micronutrient concentrations were more stable but the relationship between these concentrations and the overall nutrient status of the plants needs to be determined before they can be used for diagnostic purposes. Before accumulation and distribution patterns of micronutrients in raspberry can be used as a basis for development of fertilizer management strategies, additional measurements from other locations are needed. The results from this study should serve as guidelines for developing sampling procedures and their practical applications. Key words: Copper, boron, zinc, manganese, iron, Rubus idaeus L.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Vieira ◽  
Cristina Nabais ◽  
Filipe Campelo

Tree rings are valuable proxies of past climate that allow inferring past growth responses to climate variability and extreme events, which is only possible considering that the relationship between tree growth and environmental conditions is linear and stable over time. However, in the last decades, divergent growth patterns have been observed in trees from the same forest stand, while unprecedented growth convergence was observed between trees from distant locations. Here, we use a new approach that considers convergent and divergent event years in two populations of Pinus pinaster Aiton in an altitudinal and oceanic-continental gradient to investigate what is triggering divergence and convergence in tree growth. The two study sites are Tocha (TCH), a plantation on sand dunes at low altitude near the ocean, and Serra da Estrela (SdE), a mountain plantation located at 1,100 m altitude, 100 km away from the ocean. The analysis of the climatic conditions in convergent growth years revealed that positive convergent growth was related to above average precipitation in previous winter and that negative convergent growth was related to below average precipitation during the growing season. Divergent growth revealed a temperature signal with warmer temperatures in spring promoting growth in SdE and growth reduction in TCH. Convergent growth was associated with a regional climatic signal, reinforcing the importance of precipitation in the Mediterranean region, and divergent growth to site conditions, revealing local adaptation. The information gathered in this study gives valuable insights on the response of P. pinaster to extreme climatic events, allowing for more adjusted management strategies of Mediterranean pine forests.


2020 ◽  
pp. 526-554
Author(s):  
Günter Vogt ◽  
Rickey D. Cothran ◽  
Mika M. J. Tan ◽  
Martin Thiel

Crustacean reproductive traits are highly diverse, and this chapter illustrates some of the most extreme cases, placing them in the context of the more typical crustaceans. It highlights, for example, the male and female records of size and age, the “hottest” and “coolest” reproducers, the longest penises, the largest sperm and eggs, the smallest and largest brood sizes, the longest mate guarding, the most massive sexually selected weapons, the flashiest courtship, the most fathers per brood, the longest incubation of broods, the smallest and largest larvae, the longest larval duration, the longest dormancy of eggs, and the oldest fossil evidence of penis, sperm, brood care, and larvae. Using these illustrious case studies, this chapter briefly examines the adaptive advantages of these extremes and discusses why few species have evolved unusual reproductive traits. Crustaceans indeed appear to hold animal records with respect to relative penis length, aflagellate sperm length, dormant egg viability and fossil ages of penis, giant sperm, and brood care. These captivating examples may be of applied importance in terms of restoring human-altered ecosystems (resurrection ecology using egg banks) and in management strategies of important fisheries.


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