Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume:13 Issue: 1, Jan 2014

The “Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)”, a new approach to ecological classification, was applied to 122 km of the southern intertidal zone of Qeshm Island located the Hormouz Strait - the Persian Gulf. Two components of this model, Surface Geology (SGC) and Biotic Cover (BCC) were used. Considering the extent and geomorphological alternations of the covered area, 12 sampling sites within 5 sub-regions were designated using by GPS. In total, 60 habitats (biotopes) with 47 codes were determined; this variety of biotopes is directly related to the diverse surface geology (substrate) of the covered area. Most of the biotopes and codes were recorded in the mid-eastern coastal zone, due to heterogeneity in substrate structure associated with numerous ecological niches in rocky shores. Crustacean species such as Eriphia smithi, Thalamita prymna, Molluscan species such as Clypeomorous bifisciatus, Cerithium caeruleum and echinoderm species such as Echinometra mathaei and Ophiactis sp. were characteristic of rocky shores, while Crustacea groups including Ocypode rotundata and Dotilla sp., and Umbonium vestiarium (Mollusca) were characteristic of sandy shores. Although the highest number of codes was recorded in Zeitun Park site (Eastern coast), it did not possess the expected specific species (such as Diadema setosum, Linckia multiflora and Ophiocoma scolopendrina), that were encountered in sites with similar surface geology. This could have been caused by tourist traffic at the Zeitun Park site.

The aim of the this study was to have a comparison between Zataria multiflora and Rosemarinus officinalis extractson quality of minced frozen silver carp preserved in cold storage temperature -18°C for six months. In this research, one control and three treatments of minced silver carp were prepared as Tr1 (+ Zataria), Tr2 (+Rosemary) and Tr3 (mixed with Rosemary and Zataria) all in normal packaging. After quick freezing of samples in the spiral freezer they were preserved in cold storage temperature -18°C for six months. In this period, the changes of Peroxide Value, Total Volatile Nitrogen, Tio Barbituric Acid and Free Fatty Acids in all treatments were measured based ona predetermined schedule. The results of this investigation showed a significant effect of anti-oxidant inall treatments (p<.05) and it was concluded that Rosemary containing anti-oxidants maintains the best quality after six months of cold storage and corruption indices are not exceeded. Analysis of Peroxide Value, Total Volatile Nitrogen, Tio Barbituric Acid and Free Fatty Acids in different treatments during six months of reservation in freezing under the temperature of -18°C showed that the obtained results to the end of the reservation period for all treatments has increased and treatment containing Rosemary, with Peroxide Value 6.83±0.35meq.1000g-1, Tio Barbituric Acid 2.1±0.1mgMAL.kg-1 and Total Volatile Nitrogen with 19.16±0.28mg.100g -1 had the best quality of preservation compared with other treatments during the preservation period. Therefore, based on these results and statistical analyses, the effect of anti-oxidant and time in all treatments is significant (p<.05) and the treatments containing Rosemary had the best quality preservation status in -18°C and did not surpass perishing criteria during this period.

The effects of salinity, temperature, and light conditions on production and development, longevity, survival and sex ratios of the cyclopoid copepod, A. dengizicus were determined. Seven different salinity levels (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 psu), four temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 °C), three different light intensities (33.3, 85.3, 162.1 μmol photons/ m2/ s) and light regimes (24:0, 0:24, and 12:12 h light:dark regime) were employed. The highest production was achieved under 20 psu salinity. The optimum temperature required for the maximum reproduction and shortest development time was 35 °C. The production was highest (p<.05) and development rate of A. dengizicus was shortest (p<.05) under the lowest light intensity (33.3 μmol photons/ m2/ s). Continuous light (24:0 h LD) showed positive effects on growth and production. Light regimes 24:0 h and 12:12 h LD yielded the highest total production and growth (p<.05), with highest (p<.05) survival percentage. This study demonstrated that A. dengizicus can tolerate wide range of environmental conditions and can be cultured for commercial live feed purposes as well as toxicity studies.

We report on results of a trawl survey to assess the abundance of Batoid fish resources in the Oman Sea. The catch per unit area CPUA as the main index was estimated. The objectives of this study were to determine the catch composition and distribution pattern of Batoid fishes in the study area and in different depth strata of the Oman Sea.A total of 82stations were randomly selected 2012. The comparison between 5 strata indicated that, the highest CPUA was found for strata E, Beris to Gowatr (2712.56 kg / nm2) and C, Gordim to Konarak (2079.17 kg / nm2) and the lowest one was found in stratum B, Darak to Tang (27.11 kg / nm2). Also the comparison of mean CPUA in different depth-layers revealed that the mean CPUA has a descending trend with increasing of depth, in which the CPUA values in depth layer 10-20 m were 101.38 times more than depth layer 50-100m.

In the present study, we identified free amino acid (FAA) contents and chemical composition in four populations of Salmo trutta macrostigma living in Mediterranean region of Turkey. In addition, taste impacts of FAAs were evaluated by taste active values. Moisture, protein, fat and ash content were found in the ranges of 75.49 - 79.59 %, 16.94 - 19.97 %, 1.58 - 3.75 % and, 1.39 - 1.56 %, respectively. While the significant difference (p<.05) were found among the different populations in moisture, protein and lipid content, no significant (p>.05) differences in ash content was determined. Thirteen FAAs were identified from the muscle tissue of S. trutta macrostigma by HPLC. The Glycine was found predominant as followed by methionine, proline, and glutamic acid. Also, the amount of non-essential free amino acids in S. trutta macrostigma muscle were significantly (p<.05) higher than the essential amino acids. Glutamic acid, methionin, glycine, aspartic acid and lysine were of high taste activity values (greater than one), they had strong taste impacts on the mountain trout meat flavour.

The brown seaweed Sargassum illicifolium is abundant along the Iranian coastline of the Oman Sea in which is rich in nutrients. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis which it can be used as a source of protein in shrimp diets. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, 2013, where 3g shrimp juvenile acclimation in a 5000L tank. They were then kept in plastic tank containing 300L sea water and 30 shrimp juveniles in which were fed daily (3% of biomass) in four equal portions with one of four different diets in four repetitions for a period of 45 days. All diets contained 33% crude protein (isoprotein) and 355 kcal 100 g−1 (isocaloric), with different percentages of Sargassum powder: Diet “A” 15%; Diet “B” 10%, Diet “C” 5%, and Diet “D” (Control) without seaweed. Final biomass values ranged from 120.89 to 128.66 g. L−1; weight gains in biomass ranged from 106.49 to 124.36 g L−1, and SGR ranged from 4.68 to 5.68% exhibited no significant differences between treatments(p>.05). Survival rate 95.2 to 97.0% was almost equal under the four experimental conditions (p>.05). Diets “A” and “B”, with a greater content of algae, exhibited better feed conversion (1.15:1 and 1.17:1) than diets “C” and “D” (1.30:1 and 1.33:1) (p<.05). The physicochemical variables of the water showed no significant variation and remained within the standards necessary for the wellbeing of the animals. If sufficient biomass of beached algae can be practically and economically collected, it can be used as a component in the making of shrimp feed.

In this study, quantitive characteristics and chemical composition of in roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) sperm were investigated. Sperm traits included sperm movement duration, percentage of motile spermatozoa, sperm density, spermatocrit and sperm volume. Some seminal plasma characteristics (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chloride) were investigated. In addition, some metabolites of seminal plasma (glucose, cholesterol and protein) were measured. The Na+ and K+ ions correlated negatively with spermatozoa motility (r = -0.0518, p<.05 and r =-0.3597, p<.01) respectively. Also, there were significant positive correlations between Ca2+ and Cl- ions with spermatozoa motility (r = 0.2945, p<.05 and r= 0.1379, p<.01), respectively. Mg+2 was positively correlated with glucose and protein (r = 0.046, p<.05 and r = 0.694, p<.05), respectively. On the other hand, a significant positive relationship was found between Na+ and K+ (r = 0.548, p<.01). These parameters can be used to evaluation of sperm quality and collecting information about developing procedures for artificial fertilization of roach.

Many shrimp farmers were suffering from White Spot Disease (WSD) onset in last decades. Oscillation of environmental factors could lead mortality in susceptible hosts. Our study was aimed to investigate the effect of different temperatures on juvenile Fenneropenaeus vannamei experimentally exposed to White Spot Virus (WSV). Five hundred and forty juveniles were distributed among 3 treatments in triplicates, 22, 25 and 30°C and experimentally WSV were injected in the shrimps. Our results showed mortality started at 36 h post inoculation (hpi) in the treatment at 25°C (T25), meanwhile the mean value of mortality percent at 54 hpi in T25 (71.10±17.35) showed the significant difference (p=.045) with T22 (3.33±3.33) and T30 (Not Observed, NO.). Our results suggest that in site selection, in primary stage of farm designing, water temperature at more than 29°C, should be considered as key environmental factor. This finding can lead us that why the White Spot Disease occurred with high mortality in some area when the days of shrimp culture were prolonged until mid autumn.

This study was carried out with the aim of examining the seasonal reproductive cycle of the female crayfish Astacus leptodactylus from Aras Dam Lake, Western-Azerbaijan, Iran. Gonadosomatic index (GSI), and oocyte size were measured in females sampled seasonally in June, August, November(2011), January(2012). Development of the oocytes was categorized according to the diameter and the presence/absence of yolk granules. The ovary development was accompanied by increasing levels gonadosomatic index and egg diameter. Ovarian development histologicaly related to the seasonal GSI. This index was low in June (0.61±0.05) when oocytes started developing and reached the highest value in November (13.53±0.25), when vitellogenic oocytes were abundant in the mature ovary. Our results highlight the relationship between the ovary development and the GSI and egg diameter in the crayfish A.leptodactylus during the reproductive cycle and held important implications for the management of aquatic species. Thus, investigation of female A. leptodactylus reproduction is highly significant for fisheries managers as well as environmentalists concerned with perpetuating crayfish stocks.

This report describes the histopathological features of an ossifying epulis, measuring 1.5 × 1 × 1 cm in length, width and height, respectively, on the lingual surface of the lower jaw of a 2.5 year-old parrot cichlid (Hoplarchus psittacus) from a commercial aquarium. The tumor had appeared in the oral cavity three months prior to its introduction to the laboratory for diagnosis. Grossly, the neoplastic mass was pale-tan with a shiny, smooth surface and coalescing areas of hemorrhage. Microscopically, the overlying epithelium was hyperplastic and extended deeply into the underlying stroma. The stroma consisted of well vascularized collagenous tissue and neoplastic fibroblasts associated with irregular cords and islands of mineral deposition as dentin-like materials confirmed by Masson''s trichrome and Goldner''s trichrome staining.

Petrochemical industries can potentially impact the environment due to their activities and products. This case study has considered adverse effects of petrochemical industries that are located inside the PETZONE with respect to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and total petroleum hydrocarbon in wastewater effluents. The average concentrations of ∑PAHs group I and II were lower than the guideline values, thus the effluents of the study area can be considered unpolluted. Also, the average concentration of TPH was lower than the guideline value at all almost stations exceptthe effluent outlets of the Razi and Imam Khomeini petrochemical (BI-PC) companies which are proximal to Khowr-e Musa Bay. Thus, they may have an adverse impact on the aquatic ecosystem of the Bay. Therefore, the concentration of TPH was monitored in the sediments of the Bay (around the PETZONE coastal area) which wasrelatively moderate compared in the study area. Also, the sum ofChronic Potency Ratioof PAHs in sediments showed that the chronic benchmark was not more than the guideline at all stations (it is exceeded when the sum exceeds 1.0) except in the vicinity of the Aromatic effluent outlet of BI-PC.Thus, the chronic benchmark at this station indicates that it has the potential to cause a chronic effect on sediment-residence organisms like crabs, clams and worms. Moreover, PAHs concentration level in this station approached the NOAA sediment quality guideline value (ERL) of 4000 (ng/g dry weight).

The influence of two types of resistant starches (RS2 and RS4) substituted at 10 and 20% in the batter formulation on the water retention capacity of the batter and on the texture, color, fat content and microstructure of the pre-fried and oven cooked breaded black pomfret fillets (Parastromateus niger) were studied. A significant (p<.05) increase of water retention capacity (3-7%) was found in all batters with RS as compared to the control, which was reflected in the moisture content of the breaded fillets. The addition of the resistant starches significantly (p<.05) decreased the fat content of the breaded fillets. Instrumental texture analysis showed that the presence of the RS in the batter also resulted in a significant increase in hardness and fracturability of the products. The L* and b* values of breading materials were increased in the samples containing 20% of RS.

Phytoplankton study has become more significant in the Caspian Sea due to the occurrence of ecological events such as algal blooms and the introduction of the invader species(Ctenophore, Mnemiopsis leidyi). A seasonal study was conducted to investigate the features of phytoplankton community one decade after this invasion in the Iranian coast of Caspian Sea during 2009-2010. According to the results, 195 species in eight phyla of phytoplanktons were identified. In spring, Bacillariophyta and Pyrrophyta were the dominant phyla with 40 and 29% of total abundance, respectively. In summer and winter the dominant phyla were made by Cyanophyta (92%) and Bacillariophyta (94%), respectively. The Bacillariophyta (57%) and Cyanophyta (28%) were the first and second dominant phyla in autumn. It seems that the ctenophore invasion into the Caspian Sea (due to the changes in nutrient levels and decline of phytoplankton grazers) and human’s destructive activities play an effective role on phytoplankton community during the period. These changes were mainly accompanied with appearance of new and harmful species (with the ability of severe bloom making) and consequently, displacement of native species in this semi-enclosed ecosystem.

The pathogenicity of a Nervous Necrosis Virus isolate obtained from naturally infected Golden grey mullet (Liza auratus) suffering serious mortalities in Iranian coastline water of the Caspian Sea was investigated for first time. An experimental infection has been performed using three groups, two experimental groups and one control group of Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) with mean weight 0.47±0.09 g, at temperature 25ºC. The infectious dosage (50 ml) with TCID50/ml= 10 4.25for 2 hours in group 1and 4 hours in group 2 developed the disease with immersion method. Clear clinical signs associated with significant mortality were observed since 15 dpi. Cumulative mortalities rose to 100% at 30 dpi. While in the control group no mortality was recorded. Virus was re-isolated on SSN-1 cell line that showing typical CPE developed after inoculation with tissues filtrate from dead fish. Histopathological examination of exposed fish, showed clear vacuolization in the granular layer of the retina and cerebellum. TEM micrographs revealed intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the retina of infected Guppy. IHC revealed the presence of viral antigens in the brain and retina. These results confirmed the pathogenicity of the NNV isolate obtained from Golden grey mullet suffering high mortality with regard to suggest that the same agent isolated from golden grey mullet is very likely the cause of the mortality observed in the same species.

The effect of vacuum packing on the shelf-life of sausages produced from Capoeta umbla were investigated during storage periods. For this purpose, microbial, chemical and sensory changes were analyzed throughout the storage time. The microbial flora of the sausages comprised mainly mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast and molds. Escherichia coli, Staphylcoccus aureus and coliforms were not detected in the sausage samples. Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) increased gradually with storage time while the concentration of moisture was not affected during the storage period. Application of vacuum-packing at 4±1°C extended the shelf-life of sausage samples by approximately 30 days.

This study was conducted to determine optimal ratios of dietary linolenic acid (18:3n-3, LnA) to linoleic acid (18:2n-6, LA) for Tor tambroides. Juveniles were fed three trial diets with different ratios of LnA/LA (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0) for 10 weeks. Another diet contained 100% palm oil, which was similar tothe diet with 0.0 LnA/LA ratio but different in total amounts of C18polyunsaturated fatty acid, was also used as a control. At the end of the experiment, no significant difference in growth performance was observed among treatments. The overall fatty acid composition in muscle of T. tambroides fed experimental diets was similar in terms of saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid. The muscle of fish fed diet with LnA/LA ratio of 0.0 contained significantly lower (p<.05) amount of overall n-3 PUFA than those fed the other diets. Intense accumulation of lipid in the liver parenchyma of all fish except for those fed control diet led to severe degeneration of hepatocytes indicating fatty liver. However, most of the hepatocytes of fish fed control diet were also swollen with nuclei migrated. T. tambroides fed diet with LnA/LA ratio of 0.0 showed degenerated enterocytes with an epithelium with disrupted edges. In conclusion, using vegetable oils contained high level of either LA or LnA in T. tambroides diet seemed to have no advantage over using palm oil contained high level of saturated fatty acid.

Some aspects of the reproductive biology of Hilsa Shad, Tenualosa ilisha from the Persian Gulf and rivers of Khouzestan Province of Iran were analyzed. A total of 485 fish were sampled by gillnet from landing center of Arvand (AR) and Bahmanshir (BR) rivers during period of April 2010 to September 2010. Reproductive characteristic of T.ilisha showed that sex ratio is M: F=1:2, in PG, AR and BR. This means that females predominate than males. Monthly variations in Gonadosomatic index (GSI) of both sexes were quite apparent. In PG, maximum values were recorded in April for male and female. In AR and BR, maximum values were recorded in June and May for male and female, respectively. Changes in GSI indices are considered as a proof that maturation season in AR and BR is started from March and spawning is started from April to July in AR and BR is started from March to August. The Length - Weight relationship was measured for PG as W= 1.459L2.687, AR and BR as W=2.189L3.166 and W=1.840L2.937, respectively.

Genetic diversity as an important marker of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems is considered a unique and powerful tool to evaluate biological communities. In order to evaluate the genetic diversity among golden mullet species (Liza aurata) in the southeast and southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea by D-Loop gene sequencing, a total of 23 fin specimens of golden mullet were collected from the Gilan (Anzali area) and Golestan (Gomishan area) provinces. Total DNA from the samples was extracted by ammonium acetate method and the quality and quantity of the extracted DNA were assessed by spectrophotometery and electrophoresis. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA and then DNA sequencing was carried out. D- loop region in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of golden mullet contained 900 base pairs (bp). Phylogenetic relationships among golden mullet were calculated by MEGA software version 5.05 and divergence time was estimated using Tahjima''s test. The results obtained from this study revealed that there were high genetic differences among two regions in the Gilan and Golestan provinces. Kimura 2-parameter was used for genetic distance analysis and the genetic distance recorded between Gilan and Golestan Provinces was calculated at 0.259. The high levels of FsT were observed between Gilan and Golestan Provinces which indicates that genetic differences exist among present populations (p≤.05). Based on the results obtained from the south Caspian Sea, probably two different populations of Liza aurata are living in the Gilan and Golestan Provinces.

Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianuus) is relatively inexpensive fish with low consumption in Fars Province, South of Iran. In this research which was done in 2011, minced fish sausages were produced from mince and surimi of this species and some physicochemical attributes of the products were investigated during 60 days of cold storage at 4 °C. According to the results, free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide and TBARS values of minced fish sausage were significantly higher than those for surimi sausage (p<.05). It was found that minced fish sausage significantly had (P<.05) more breaking and gel strength compared to the surimi sausage at each time of preservation. There were significant differences (P<.05) in L*, a* and whiteness colorimetric parameters of the sausages. Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated that the surface porosity increased during preservation. This study demonstrated that surimi sausage had better textural and chemical characteristics than minced fish sausage during cold storage.