Candida albicans

Genotypes of Candida spp. isolated from exhalation of 20 dolphins, 11 water samples from captive pools, and 24 oral cavities of staff members in an aquarium using a combination of multiple drug resistance 1 gene (MDR1) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 5.8s-ITS 2 regions of ribosomal RNA gene (ITS rDNA) sequences were studied. The holding ratios of the dolphins, captive pools, and staff members were 70, 90, and 29%, respectively. Isolated pathogenic yeast species common to the dolphins and environments were Candida albicans and C. tropicalis. Identical genotypes in both Candida spp. based on the combination of MDR1 and ITSrDNA were found in some dolphins, between a dolphin and a staff, among dolphins and environments, and among environments. The results indicated the diffusion and exchange of pathogenic yeasts at the aquarium among dolphins and environments. The isolates at the aquarium showed higher rates of resistance to azole antifungals compared to reference isolates

Movements and Population Structure of Humpback Whales in the North Pacific

Despite the extensive use of photographic identification methods to investigate humpback whales in the North Pacific, few quantitative analyses have been conducted. We report on a comprehensive analysis of interchange in the North Pacific among three wintering regions (Mexico, Hawaii, and Japan) each with two to three subareas, and feeding areas that extended from southern California to the Aleutian Islands. Of the 6,413 identification photographs of humpback whales obtained by 16 independent research groups between 1990 and 1993 and examined for this study, 3,650 photographs were determined to be of suitable quality. A total of 1,241 matches was found by two independent matching teams, identifying 2,712 unique whales in the sample (seen one to five times). Site fidelity was greatest at feeding areas where there was a high rate of resightings in the same area in different years and a low rate of interchange among different areas. Migrations between winter regions and feeding areas did not follow a simple pattern, although highest match rates were found for whales that moved between Hawaii and southeastern Alaska, and between mainland and Baja Mexico and California. Interchange among subareas of the three primary wintering regions was extensive for Hawaii, variable (depending on subareas) for Mexico, and low for Japan and reflected the relative distances among subareas. Interchange among these primary wintering regions was rare. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of the migratory structure of humpback whales in the entire North Pacific basin

Embryonic learning of chemical cues via the parents' host in anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris)

The species-specific host-recognition system of anemonefish was examined experimentally, with a particular focus on the function of imprinting using naive Amphiprion ocellaris juveniles. Anemonefish parents lay their eggs very close to their host anemone so the eggs are almost always touched by the host's body or tentacles. Here, we demonstrate the embryonic and immediate post-hatching learning of chemical cues via the parents' host in A. ocellaris through a host-exchange experiment with egg batches during hatching. The memory obtained from such imprinting operates at the time when juveniles first search for their hosts. Unexpectedly, innate recognition was found to exist not only in the symbiotic host species but also weakly in two non-partner species. Innate recognition alone is not sufficient. Imprinting via the parents' host complements innate recognition, leading to rigid species-specific host recognition. Imprinting by the parents' single host provides a sufficient cue for reaching the two host species. Furthermore, when combined with imprinting, innate recognition of non-partners serves to supplement the recognition of those species, leading to substitute partnerships that are only observed in some localities. Potential functions of imprinting in the host-recognition system are discussed. The “spare recognition hypothesis” and the necessity of clear distinctions between symbiotic and substitute species are also proposed here

Assessment Of Cell Kinetics In The Tissues Of Brownbanded Bamboosharks (Chiloscyllium Punctatum) By Using Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) And Anti-Brdu Monoclonal Antibody

Abstract: The 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling method has been used to assess the quantity of proliferative potential in organs and tissues in various mammals. For application of this method in fish, it was necessary to determine conditions that optimize the detection of the BrdU epitope. In the present investigation, we investigated the localization of proliferative cells as well as various conditions for detection of S-phase cells in the tissues of adult brownbanded bamboosharks by means of the BrdU immunohistochemical method. Our results demonstrated that BrdU-positive cells were satisfactorily demonstrated in the tissues of brownbanded bamboosharks treated with BrdU at a dose of 6 mg/kg or higher. However, there was no difference in BrdU reactivity between routes of administration, including intravenous, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injections. BrdU-incorporated cells were detected both in formalin-fixed and 70% ethanol-fixed tissues with enzymatic treatment and acid hydrolysis in the shark tissues, while formalin-and ethanol-fixed brownbanded bambooshark tissues that did not undergo the enzymatic procedure showed no BrdU reactive cells. Importantly, samples were quickly fixed in heated formalin solution and treated with 5N HCL and 0.01% Nagarase at 37 C for 30 seconds to one minute. In conclusion, the BrdU labeling method was useful in a cell kinetic study detecting S-shaped cells in sharks, as in other mammals