Journal of the Persian Gulf (Marine Science)
Volume:4 Issue: 14, Winter 2013

This research was carried out to identify the different layers and cells of orange spotted grouper brain for further toxicological experiments and defects brought by xenobiotics during exposure periods.The anatomy and histology of the brain of orange spotted grouper was illustrated and compared to mammals and other fishes. The preserved structures of teleosts brain species were different as compared to other orders of teleosts and mammals. The anatomy and histology of the olfactory tract, olfactory lobe, cerebrum, optic lobe, cerebellum, diencephalon and medulla were visualized by the stereoscope and optic microscope using haematoxylin- eosin staining method. Different layers of various parts of the brain were depicted and compared to other species. The telencephalon of E.coioides was lobulated. The cerebrum consisted of a single layer unlike the six layered neocortex in mammals. The epiphysis was situated internally within the tectal ventricle. The cerebellum was the most prominent part in this fish, which might not be seen in other orders of teleosts. The cerebellum consisted of corpus cerebelli and valvula cerebelli. The ganglionic layer of cerebellum possessed eurydendroid cells which did not exist in mammals.

Effects of age at first capture (tc) and fishing (F) as well as natural mortalities (M) on yield and biomass-per-recruit of tiger tooth croacker, Otolithes ruber were evaluated in the northwest of the Persian Gulf using the Beverton-Holt model. The yield-per-recruit (Y/R) was 175 (g/r), which was less than maximum yield-per-recruit value (217 (g/r)) at fishing mortality of 1 year-1. Current F (FCUR) was estimated to be lower than the level that produced maximum potential yield-per-recruit (FMAX) at all scenarios of tc and M=0.50. Increases in yield from Fcur to Fmax ranged from 4.3% to 36.4%, depending on the level of M and tc used in the model. However, this relatively small gain in yield corresponded to an increase in F of 471.58%. The biomass-per-recruit (B/R) decreased rapidly with increasing values of F and the trend in all scenarios of tc was similar with minor differences. The B/R represented about 65% of the virgin biomass and current fishing mortality rate (Fcur) was less than the Fmax and it was near the F0.1, indicating that O. ruber was slightly under exploited. Fcur (0.44) in estimated population was well lower than the Fmax (1) and it was close to F0.1 (0.5).

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary vitamin C on growth performance, feed utilization and carcass biochemical composition of Barbus sharpeyi fingerling. Five diets containing (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg kg-1) of ascorbic acid were fed to benni fingerlings (6.96±0.3 g) in triplicate tanks and twice daily for a period of 56 days. The weight gain significantly increased (3.85 g) with enhanced feeding supplementation levels up to 1000 mg kg-1 diet, but no further increase was observed in the experimental treatments with feed supplementation levels, higher than 1000 mg kg-1. Feed conversion ratio was significantly higher (P<0.05) in fish fed with control diet. A general increase in protein efficiency ratio was observed with increase in dietary vitamin C levels. Survival rate (%) did not display any significant difference among the experimental treatments. The body protein content increased significantly with the increase in dietary ascorbic acids levels. Fish fed diets containing 1000 mgkg-1 vitamin C exhibited comparatively higher lipid content (P<0.05). Although, hepatosomatic index (HSI) did not display any significant difference among treatments, VSI of experimental fingerlings was significantly affected by various ascorbic acids levels in the fed diet. Supplementation of vitamin C at 1000 mg kg-1diet enhanced the growth performance and feed utilization of experimental fingerling of B. sharpeyi.

Content of mercury in hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton of blue crab T. prymna from Musa estuary and their relationship with size of the organism and season were determined. Mean concentration of mercury in hepatopancreas, muscle and exoskeleton were 1.23, 0.61 and 0.41 µg/g dw, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in mercury levels depending on the sex with greater mercury contents in female crabs. Mean concentrations of mercury in tissues of crab during summer and winter varied and it was greater in summer than winter (0.94 and 0.75 µg/g dw, respectively).

Nowadays, contamination of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems is one of the major world problems in developing and developed countries. Among various aquatics, shellfish species, especially bivalves can be used as bioindicator, because of purification system, potential bioavailability of impurities in environment as well as accumulation of some heavy metals in their body. Among bivalves, oysters are the most considered in research due to their nutrition importance. In this research, the concentrations of cadmium, nickel and lead were measured in rock oyster Saccostrea cucullata soft tissue (sizes from 2 to 7 cm) located in Laft Port using an ICP-OES instrument. Metal concentrations (µg/g DW for length class) of Cd, Pb and Ni were studied in S. cucullata to find the relationship with body size. The results of study revealed that smaller mussels in comparison to larger mussels showed higher concentrations of Ni and Pb. However, there was no significant difference between large and small oysters for Cd.According to EPA, FDA standards, the mean concentrations of Cd and Pb in the three categories of length were higher than the permissible limit and as such, its consumption could pose risk to humans and other organisms.

Wave height as well as water depth at the breaking point are two basic parameters which are necessary for studying coastal processes. In this study, the application of soft computing-based methods such as artificial neural network (ANN), fuzzy inference system (FIS), adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and semi-empirical models for prediction of these parameters are investigated. The data sets used in this study are published laboratory and field data obtained from wave breaking on plane and barred, impermeable slopes collected from 24 sources. The comparison of results reveals that, the ANN model is more accurate in predicting both breaking wave height and water depth at the breaking point compared to the other methods.

The European Union (EU) along with the Security Council (SC) has imposed sanctions on Iran over the controversies around Iranian nuclear program. A review of the literature on the implementation of international sanctions against I.R. Iran shows that with passing time and disagreement between negotiating parties, the toughening and broadening of scope and focus of sanction has taken place and general economic sanctions have given way to more targeted and comprehensive sanctions with broader coalitions and integrated cooperation amongst sanctioning parties. In this paper, implications of international sanctions, particularly those of EU on transportation and shipping related to the Iranian government in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea are discussed and potential impacts are identified. Chronological review of available and published documents on sanctions related to Iran’s right to explore its nuclear rights identified six characteristics which are discussed in detail. It is concluded, that impacts of sanctions, if not immediately, are manifested over time. Although, many aspects of sanctions affect shipping sector of Iran, whether designated sanction objectives are achieved, is questionable and results in case of shipping and transportation sectors of Iran is yet to be fully recognized and documented.