Topography of the Internal Organs of the Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Lesueur, 1819 (Actinopterygii: Ictaluridae)

Abstract The problem of invasive species of fish is a major issue, both internationally and nationally. The presence of invasive species is often associated with acclimatization of new species of fish, activities correlated with the absence of effective control and quarantine programs. In other words, when new desired species are imported, other accompanying species are also brought in often in the form of embryonated eggs or juveniles.The brown bullhead, which we have studied, is also an invasive species of fish in Stejeris Lake, Cluj County. This species is of interest, both scientifically and economically. From the scientific point of view, brown bullhead has a high capacity of resistance to environmental changes, unfavourably conditions, which ensures a perpetuation of the species in almost every aquatic environment. Even though it is recognized that the economic impact of this invasive species is significant, not much information is available at present, and neither is there much data about the topography of its internal organs, which is being studied in this paper.Â

In Vitro Qualitative Assessment of Tolerance to Simulated Gastric Juice, Bile, Fructose, Glucose and Lactose for Different Probiotic Bacteria

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts, with the main site of action at the intestinal level. In order to have a maximal effect, probiotic bacteria have to prove a high tolerance for the conditions present in the upper gastro-intestinal tract. The aim of the present study was to assess, from a qualitative point of view, the tolerance of different probiotic bacterial strains and combinations to simulated gastric juice, bile, fructose, lactose and glucose. Also, the influence of food on the bacterial growth after artificial digestion was analyzed. A bacteriologic assessment was realized for three different commercial probiotic products (Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus licheniformis + Pediococcus acidilactici; Enterococcus faecium; Bacillus subtilis + B. licheniformis + B.coagulans + B.indicus + B. clausii), simulating different conditions (artificial digestion method in the absence/presence of food, presence of bile, fructose, glucose, lactose). The obtained results suggested that the tolerance to simulated gastric juice is higher if the food is present in the moment of digestion, regardless of the probiotic bacterial strain or combination. Also, the tolerance to bile was different from one combination to another. The influence of fructose, lactose and glucose are not remarkable from a qualitative point of view. Moreover, the growth of different probiotic bacterial strains is influenced by the simulated gastro-intestinal conditions, sporulated bacteria presenting a slightly higher tolerance compared with non-sporulated strains

The External Conformation and Several Morphological Traits of the Digestive Apparatus in Danube Salmon, Hucho hucho Linnaeus 1758 (Actinopterygii: Salmonidae), Reared in Captivity

The basic science is the starting point for applied research. For these reasons, in the present study we have proposed to address some aspects of external conformation and morphology of the digestive apparatus in Danube salmon. This species is less studied from the anatomical point of view, given its status of  rare and strictly protected species. For the restoration of natural stocks, captive breeding and breeding lots are the most effective methods. Inherently, however, captive growth implies appropriate anatomical and physiological knowledge. The present study addresses problems related to anatomical structure and internal topography, sequentially analyzing the segments of the digestive apparatus in the cranial-caudal direction: oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pilorian appendix, middle intestine, rectum and adjacent glands, represented by the liver

New MTCYB Haplotypes in Romanian Buffalo

 The Romanian Buffalo Breed (RBB), established in 1987, originated from local river buffalo populations highly adapted to the low-input breeding condition. Cross-breeding with Asian breeds was recently used for genetic improvement in milk production. In the last 25 years the species has dramatically decreased. Over 90% of livestock has been sold and never replaced. The population is now mainly maintained in subsistence farms. This study aims to assess the genetic diversity within the remaining population and to verify links with improved breeds supposedly introgressed in RBB. To assess the genetic diversity of RBB and ascertain possible phylogenetic relations with other buffalo breeds, we sequenced the entire cytochrome B gene (MTCYB) in a sample population. Blood samples were collected from randomly selected 52 unrelated individuals from various locations in Transylvania. A DNA fragment containing the entire MTCYB gene (1140bp) was amplified by PCR directly from whole blood (1μl). The amplicons were sequenced using two pairs of primers. The sequences were subsequently used for genetic diversity assessments. Analysis of the sequences led to the identification of five novel MTCYB haplotypes, uploaded in GenBank with the following accession numbers: JQ241279; JQ241280; JQ241281; JQ241282; JQ241283. In the sample population, the most frequently identified haplotypes were haplotype 2 (EF409940.1) and haplotype 3 (EF409941.1), previously reported in other buffalo populations, mainly from Asia, confirming the Asiatic origins of RBB. Sequence comparisons have revealed that RBB is mainly related with Indian breeds. Despite the numerical decline of RBB, through correct breeding schemes the breed maintained a good level of genetic diversity. Our analysis confirms RBB’s Asiatic origins. Presence of new haplotypes may also reflect that this population is isolated from a geographical and reproductive point of view

Particularities of Dentition in Some Rare Salmonid Species: Danube Salmon (Hucho hucho) and Black Sea Trout (Salmo trutta labrax)

The purpose of this paper was to morphate-anatomically study the dentition of the Danube salmon (Hucho hucho) and Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta labrax) and its topographical distribution in the oral cavity. On the mandible there are between 40 and 50 teeth, with an average of 46 teeth. There are 9 to 16 teeth on the tongue, with an average of 12.6. In the dorsal part of the mouth, on the outside of the upper jaw their number is between 65 and 72 teeth, with an average of 69.6 teeth. On the medial line of the upper jaw, there are between 37 and 46, with an average of 40.1 teeth. The Black Sea trout have teeth similar in shape, conical and sharpened at the tip. The teeth are prehensile, oriented aborally, on all segments of the mouth, less on the withers, where the alternating sides are oriented medio-laterally. There are 28 teeth on the jaw and 10 teeth on the surface of the tongue. In the upper part of the mouth there are 33 teeth on the upper jaw line, 33 teeth on the upper jaw line 24, and 13 teeth on the vertebra, the total number being of 108 teeth. Morphological characters, mood and teeth orientation clearly reflect the predatory character of salmonids. Of the two studied species, the largest number of teeth is found in Danube salmon, in terms of total number, and each segment of the oral cavity. In Danube salmon we also find that it has no teeth on the vomer, compared to Black Sea trout species, where we emphasiz the presence of teeth

Reproductive Indices of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Females from a Trout Farm

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) breeding females have been studied from the standpoint of phenotypic characteristics and breeding indices for establishing future protocols of selection and improvement. The relative fecundation (RF) has been determined to a medium value of 335.88 ± 17.723 g and a variability coefficient of 52.77%. The high value of the variability coefficient is due to the fact that this is the first breeding generation of trout nursery and has not been submitted to any selection and improvement activities up to the present. From the breeding performance standpoint, the medium value of the number of eggs (TNE) obtained has been of 8127.44 ± 478.532, the medium egg weight (EW) has been of 0.06 ± 0.001g, the medium diameter of one egg (ED) = 4.16 ± 0.029 mm and the medium volume of one egg (EV) has been of 65.63 ± 1.223 mm3. The following breeding indices have also been calculated: gonadosomatic report (GR), Behning fertilizing coefficient (BFC) and the Williams absolute fecundity indices (WAFI). The outcome results have been the following: GR = 14.82 ± 0.587; BFC = 16.82 ± 0.563; WAFI = 5.77 ± 0.333. The values of the correlations point out the necessity of breeding selection work in order to improve the breeding performances

Conformation Features of Three-Year Old Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Breeding Stock from a Trout Farm

Prior knowledge about correlation coefficients between major somatic characteristics can be used to guidebreeding programmes in aquaculture. The purpose of our research was to characterize the Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) breeders from a phenotypical standpoint and to test the existence of correlations that canbe used in future research studies. Somatic and gravimetric measurements have been performed on 3-year oldfemales and males, obtained and raised in a regional fishery. Significant difference (646.11 g; p0.05). The outcome values reflect a higher interdependence between some studied characteristics in males, ascompared to females, as indicated by Pearson’s correlation coefficients and open the direction in which the realselection can be done

Some Investigations on Incidence and Infestation Level in Cyprinid Postodiplostomosis

In our study, we sampled 82 fish specimens as follows: 62 rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus), 8 roach (Rutilus rutilus) and 12 silver bream (Blicca bjoerkna). The sampling was done in Å¢aga Mare Lake, Cluj County. The investigations took into account the incidence and infestation levels of fish with Posthodiplostomum cuticola metacercaria. The study results show an incidence of parasitosis of 80.60% for rudd, 75.00% for roach and 25.05% for silver bream. Regarding the intensity of infestation (low, medium and high), low levels of infestation are predominant (rudd - 72%; roach 83.30%; silver bream - 66.60%). The preferred body area for metacercaria (in descending order) are as follows: for rudd - 90.00% on the body, 86.00 on the fins and caudal peduncle, and 28.80% on the head; for roach - 50.00% on the body, 66.00% on the fins and caudal peduncle, and 33.00% on the head; for silver bream - 100.00% on the body, 33.00% on the fins and caudal peduncle, and 33.00% on the head.Histopathological sections were taken from musculocutaneous tissue extracted from the dorsal area of fish which was parasitized with cystic metacercariae. The central points of metacercaria is surrounded by a connective structure in the form of a capsule, in which melanocyte-like cells are predominant. Intracytoplasmically, they show a brown-blackish granular pigment which masks the cell nucleus. Perifocally, the inflammatory cell infiltrate is discreet with few mononuclear heterophile cells.Â

First Record of the Pontian Monkey Goby Neogobius fluviatilis (Pallas, 1814) in the Someș River, Transylvania - Romania

In our research paper we recorded for the first time the presence of the Monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) in Someș river, located in the North-Western Transylvania region. The first specimen was caught in 2013 between the villages Lemniu and Letca (Sălaj County). This is the reason why we decided to make futher investigation, thus in 2014 we have organized scientific researches and field trips in four different sites on the Someș river: Cetan and Valea Groșilor (Cluj County), respectivelly Letca and Cuciulat (Sălaj County). We managed to catch 105 specimens, which were taken for further investigations. The species was identified by dichotomous keys and morphological characters. Based on our field observation, considering the biology of this species, we conclude that Neogobius fluviatilis area is in continuous expasion

Meristic and Morphometric Characteristics of Spirlin, Alburnoides bipunctatus Bloch 1782 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) of the Letca Area - Someș River

AbstractSpirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus) is an important element of the trophic chain of aquatic ecosystems in Romania’s hilly areas. To assess the conservation status of this species, 21 specimens were taken from the Letca area, Sălaj County. The specimens caught were weighed and analysed from the meristic (8 determinations) and morphometric (36 determinations) points of view. The obtained results reflect the homogeneity of the fish population in terms of morphology (their coefficients of variation showing lower values). This study will continue in the future with the analyses of the spirlin populations from several sectors of the Someș River and its tributaries