Outbreak of mortality among cage-reared cobia (Rachycentron canadum) associated with parasitism / Surto de mortalidade em bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) criado em tanque-rede associado ao parasitismo

This study reports a disease outbreak among juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum) farmed in cages in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, caused by the dinoflagellate Amyloodinium ocellatum and the monogenean Neobenedenia melleni. Two thousand five hundred fish were stocked at 0.4 kg/m3 in a set of 12 m3 tanks, in autumn (mean weight 15.0 ± 7.3 g) and in winter (mean weight 43.0 ± 5.6 g). Freshwater baths were administered as a routine treatment, as the symptoms were detected followed by two collection samples. Firstly in May 2011 (n = 5) and secondly in September 2011 (n = 10). In the first sample, the prevalence of N. melleni on the body surface was 100% and the mean intensity was 42.0 ± 1.7, while in the second sample the prevalence was 60% with a mean intensity 3.0 ± 0.2 and mean abundance 1.8 ± 0.4. Amyloodinium ocellatum was only found in the second sample, at a prevalence 100% and mean intensity 46.8 ± 3.4. The cause of fish mortality was possibly associated with a decrease in fish resistance after the first contact with monogenean parasites, allied with respiratory difficulty caused by the presence of A. ocellatum in the gills.

Este estudo relata a mortalidade em massa de juvenis de bijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) criados em tanques-rede no estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, causada pelo dinoflagelado Amyloodinium ocellatum e o monogenea Neobenedenia melleni. Dois mil e quinhentos peixes estavam estocados à densidade de 0,4 kg/m3 em tanques-rede de 12 m3, no período do outono (15,0 ± 7,3 g; peso médio ± DP) e inverno (peso médio de 43,0 ± 5,6 g). Banhos de água doce foram realizados rotineiramente à medida que os sintomas eram detectados, quando então, foram efetuadas duas colheitas, sendo a primeira em maio de 2011 (n = 5) e a segunda em setembro de 2011 (n = 10). Na primeira colheita, a prevalência de N. melleni foi de 100% e a intensidade média de 42,0 ± 1,7, e na segunda, a prevalência foi de 60% e intensidade média de 3,0 ± 0,2 e abundância média de 1,8 + 0,4. Na segunda colheita, observou-se a presença de A. ocellatum (prevalência de 100%, intensidade média de 46,8 ± 3,4). Possivelmente, a causa da mortalidade estava relacionada à redução na resistência dos peixes após o primeiro contato com o parasito monogenea, juntamente com a dificuldade respiratória causada pelo dinoflagelado nas brânquias.

Centrocestus formosanus (Opisthorchiida: Heterophyidae) como causa de muerte de alevines de tilapia gris Oreochromis niloticus (Perciforme: Cichlidae) en el Pacífico seco de Costa Rica

Centrocestus formosanus (Opisthorchiida: Heterophyidae) as a cause of death in gray tilapia fry Oreochromis niloticus (Perciforme: Cichlidae) in the dry Pacific of Costa Rica. Centrocestus formosanus is a zoonotic trematode from Asia and has been mainly associated as cause of death of cultured fish. To identify pathogen trematode species in tilapia fry (Oreochromis niloticus) and to determine mollusks hosting these parasites, freshwater mollusks were collected from tilapia cultured ponds and experimental infections were carried out with tilapia fries and different mollusk species. A total of 907 freshwater mollusks were obtained from tilapia ponds and were identified to species level, four gastropods and one bivalve were determined: Melania tuberculata, Melanoides turricula, Pomacea flagellata, Haitia cubensis and Anodontiles luteola. For the first time, the presence of M. turricula and H. cubensis are reported in Costa Rica. Seven morphotypes of cercariae (Xifiodiocercaria, Equinostoma, Oftalmocercaria, Parapleurolofocercus, Cistocerca, Furcocercaria and Leptocercaria) parasitizing all five species of mollusks were found, all of distome type. Experimental exposure of tilapia fry to M. tuberculata demonstrated that the parapleurolofocercus morphotype found in the mollusk is in accordance with the finding of C. formosanus in tilapia fry. An abundance and mean intensity of 1018-1027 digeneans per gill in each exposed fish was determined. Centrocestus formosanus is reported for the first time in Costa Rica, for which the primary and secondary intermediate hosts were also determined. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (4): 1453-1465. Epub 2010 December 01.

Centrocestus formosanus es un parásito trematodo zoonótico originario de Asia asociado con muertes de peces principalmente de cultivo. 907 moluscos provenientes de estanques sembrados con tilapias, seleccionados uno por provincia fueron identificados al nivel taxonómico especifico. Se identificaron cuatro gastrópodos y un bivalvo: M. tuberculata, M. turricula, P. flagellata, H. cubensis y A. luteola. Se reporta, por primera vez, la presencia de dos especies de moluscos en Costa Rica. Se identificaron siete morfotipos de cercarias parasitando las cinco especies de moluscos encontradas. En la segunda exposición experimental se demostró que el morfotipo parapleurolofocercus encontrado en M. tuberculata concuerda con el hallazgo de C. formosanus en alevines de tilapia, después del examen clínico, anatomopatológico y parasitológico realizado a los alevines expuestos. Las metacercarias fueron extraídas del quiste utilizando microagujas y micropinzas lavadas en solución salina fisiológica (0.65%), fijadas en formol caliente al 4% y después esquematizadas con una cámara clara adaptada a un microscopio fotónico, estimándose una abundancia e intensidad media de 1018-1027 digeneos por branquia en cada pez parasitado, determinándose así el hospedador intermediario primario y secundario del parásito. En el presente trabajo se reporta por primera vez Centrocestus formosanus en Costa Rica.

Isolation and identification of betanodavirus causing mass mortalities in golden grey mullet [Liza auratus] in the Caspian Sea

Outbreaks causing mass mortalities have been observed in the golden grey mullet [Liza auratus] population in southern coastal area of the Caspian Sea since 2002. The clinical signs include neurological abnormalities, such as erratic swimming behavior, spiral swimming, belly-up at rest and over inflation of the swim bladder. Three hundred and twelve samples of moribund fish with sizes that ranged from 15-26 cm showing abdominal enlargement were collected from 2006-2008. No pathogenic bacteria and parasite were found. The observed histopathological changes in 29 fish were necrosis and vacuolation of the brain, optic nerve and retina. Cytopathological effects of nodavirus characterized by vacuolation were observed in the SSN-1 cell line at 25°C, 5 d after inoculation with the filtered supernatant of the brain and eye of four affected fish. The recovered virus from cell line exhibited 10[4] TCID[50] per mL when titrated. Indirect immunoflorescent antibody test showed nodavirus antigens in the retina and positive-CPE SSN-1 cells. Also, a RT-PCR product of approximately 289 bp was amplified from the brain and retina of the 23 samples, including the SSN-1 positive samples. This is the first report of the isolation and characterization of nodavirus from golden grey mullet from the Caspian Sea and, therefore, possible infections in other valuable species of the Caspian Sea warrant further studies

Resposta fisiológica à infestação experimental com ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet, 1876) em alevinos de jundiá (Rhamdia quelen quoy e gaimard, 1824) previamente alimentados com diferentes fontes lipídicas / Physiological response of experimental challenge of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet, 1876) in jundiá (Rhamdia quelen quoy and gaimard, 1824) fingerlings rather fed with different lipid sources

Um fator limitante nas primeiras fases do cultivo do jundiá (Rhamdia quelen Quoy e Gaimard, 1824) é a presença da ictioftiríase. Os ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (PUFAs) presentes na dieta possuem uma potente atividade imuno-moduladora, e esta atividade depende da espécie analisada e da quantidade/qualidade dos PUFAs da dieta. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a resposta fisiológica de alevinos de jundiá, alimentados com diferentes fontes de ácidos graxos, quando parasitados pelo protozoário Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet, 1876). Alevinos de jundiá (7,6±0,8g) alimentados durante sete semanas com cinco dietas contendo diferentes fontes lipídicas: óleos de peixe, linhaça e milho foram expostos ao protozoário. No quinto dia a presença da doença foi detectada. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas e sobrevivência e graus de infestação foram estimados. As diferentes dietas afetaram a sobrevivência dos alevinos, sendo que alevinos que consumiram dietas com óleo de peixe apresentaram uma maior sobrevivência. O hematócrito e o grau de infestação não apresentaram diferença estatística significativa entre os tratamentos, entretanto a contagem diferencial dos leucócitos registrou diferença. Os resultados mostraram pela primeira vez no jundiá que, diferentes fontes lipídicas produzem respostas fisiológicas diversas, podendo representar uma alternativa ao tratamento da doença. Novos estudos deverão ser realizados no sentido de aprofundar o conhecimento aqui gerado.

A limiting factor in the early stage of the jundiá (Rhamdia quelen Quoy; Gaimard, 1824) culture is the presence of diseases such as ichthyophthiriasis or "Ich". Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a potent immunomodulatory activity; and this activity depend of the fish species, quantity/quality of the dietary PUFAS. The aim of this study was evaluate the physiologic response ofjundiá, rather fed diets with different sources of fatty acids when challenge to Ich disease. Fingerlings ofjundiá (7.6±0.8g) were fed during seven weeks with five diets with a different lipid source: fish, linseed and corn oils. Then, the fish were challenged with the Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Fouquet, 1876). On the 5th day, the presence of the disease was detected. Survival rate, blood samples and infection grade were recorded. Diets affect the survival rate of fingerlings, thus fish fed with diet with fish oil showed a higher survival. Hematocrit and infestation grade no recorder differences among treatment. The differential analysis of white blood cells shows difference. The results point out, at first time injundiá, that dietary lipids caused diversity physiologic response, this may be represent an opportunity for the disease treatment. New studies must be carrying out to deep knowledge found.

Main diseases of pejerrey (Odontesthes bonariensis) in central Argentina

Argentina's central region includes an important area covered by shallow pampean lakes and dams. In these environments, fishing of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis Valenciennes, 1835 (Pisces, Atherinopsidae), the most important fresh-water fish of the country, is a relevant social activity and also a considerable economic resource. The main diseases found in this species were studied from 1992 to 2003 in the provinces of Córdoba, La Rioja and Santa Fe (30º and 35º S, 61º and 67º W). Most cases were registered in high temperature months. Lernaea sp and Aeromonas hydrophila were the etiological agents most frequently found. The trophic characteristics of the aquatic environments enhanced disease processes and caused massive death of O. bonariensis, due to complex hydrochemical interactions.

A região central de Argentina possui uma importante superfície coberta por represas e lagunas pampianas. Nestes ambientes, a pesca do peixe-rei Odontesthes bonariensis Valenciennes, 1835 (Pisces, Atherinopsidae), peixe de água doce mais importante do país, é uma atividade social relevante e de significado valor econômico. Estudaram-se as principais enfermidades que afetaram esta espécie de peixe no período de 1992-2003, nas províncias de Córdoba, La Rioja e Santa Fe (30 e 35ºS, 61 e 67ºW). A maior quantidade de casos foi registrada nos meses de temperaturas elevadas. Lernaea sp e Aeromonas hydrophila foram os agentes etiológicos mais importantes. As características tróficas particulares dos ambientes aquáticos estudados foram importantes por potenciarem alguns casos, mas em outros a causa da mortandade dos peixes esteve relacionada a complexas interações hidroquímicas.

Optimum fishing strategies for Isostichopusfuscus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the Gulf Of California, Mexico

The Isostichopus fuscus fishery in Mexico was heavily exploited until 1994, when it was closed due to overfishing. However, no information existed on the status of the populations. The fishery was evaluated through an age structured simulation model, and according to our analysis of the stock, the fishery can be feasible and sustainable as long as fishing mortality and age of first catch are optimized. In order to evaluate exploitation strategies, several scenarios were simulated considering different combinations of fishing intensities and ages of first catch. Input data for the model included population parameters, commercial catch and costs and benefits of the fishing operations. Yield production was strongly influenced by the fishing pressure and by the age of first capture. When the first one increased, significant decreases in yield and profits occurred. The best exploitation strategy was these parameters: fishing mortality level F = 0.15, age at first capture t(c) = 4 years, and yielding of approximately 430 tons. However, since the species reproduces for the first time at 5 years, extracting younger specimens would collapse the population. The critical value of fishing mortality was detected at Fc = 0.25. If exceeded, the population tends to exhaustion and the fishery is no longer profitable. In conclusion, I. fuscus fishery is highly vulnerable to overfishing and age of catch. It must be taken into account that the management policies should be considered as pilot and used on a regional basis. Continuous monitoring of the stock, control of the number of fishing licenses and extracting only specimens 5 yeasr-old and older (around 20 cm and >400 g), will allow the populations to recover from fishing activities