Thesis (MPhil (Animal Sciences. Aquaculture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In recent years there has been a renewed interest in the commercial culture of African Sharptooth Catfish. Its robust characteristics and its air breathing capabilities makes the African catfish a good candidate for culture in intensive recirculating systems. In light of the size variation in offspring spawned from undomesticated fish, that may eventually increase cannibalism, suitable methods for the quantification of some production performance parameters such as growth and health measurements need to be established for application in intensive catfish culture. In fish the condition factor (CF) reflects information on the physiological state of the fish in relation to its welfare. This factor is expressed as Fulton’s condition index, or the K-factor. African Sharptooth Catfish fry with average weight of 1.9g ± 0.7867 and average length of 59.375mm ±8.812 were equally allocated into ten 1000L-recirculating tanks. The fish were fed a commercial feed to apparent saturation at a frequency of 5 times per day. Sixteen fish were sampled out of each treatment. Weight (g) and length (mm) of each fish were recorded every seven days over a trial period of 175 days from which Fulton’s condition index K was calculated. Results were analysed for significant differences using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s pair wise comparison test for the various parameters. Growth parameters (a = -5.083, b = 3.004, R2 = 99.4%) derived from the logarithmic relationship between body weight (W) and standard length (L) indicated an isometric growth through the duration of the trail. No significant differences (P>0.05) in condition factors between treatments were found at the beginning of the trail. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found at the end of the trail for weight between ponds and condition factor between treatments. No significant difference (P> 0.05) between length and treatments were found at the end of the trial. Mean condition factor was 0.856 ± 0.187. By using this information on condition factor for African catfish a K-factor calculation chart for African catfish could be calculated, to be used as a practical measurement tool to measure performance goals on catfish farms.

Compostos butílicos de estanho (BTs) estão na lista dos contaminantes impactantes relacionados ao ambiente marinho. Sua ampla distribuição associada à elevada toxicidade faz com que o monitoramento desses compostos no ambiente costeiro seja de fundamental importância. A ocorrência de BTs foi verificada em sedimentos superficiais, material particulado em suspensão e nos tecidos (fígado e brânquias) de três espécies de bagres estuarinos: Cathorops spixii, Aspistor luniscutis e Genidens genidens; amostrados em 8 estuários da região sul e sudeste brasileira. As análises foram realizadas através de GC-PFPD, seguindo padrões de controle de qualidade analítico e onde foi constatada a ocorrência de efeito matriz sobre o sistema analítico a partir da quantificação das amostras de tecido. Dentre os estuários amostrados, verificou-se um maior impacto dos BTs sobre os sistemas estuarinos de Paranaguá e Itajaí, em decorrência da presença destes compostos em todos os compartimentos ambientais analisados. As três espécies investigadas puderam ser consideradas como biomonitoras da presença de BTs no ambiente, uma vez que são passíveis de assimilação destes compostos, mesmo em organismos amostrados em regiões distantes de potencias fontes de entrada. Os efeitos sobre a fisiologia de C. spixii amostrado em Paranaguá também foi investigada a partir do uso de biomarcadores no fígado desses organismos, constatando um impacto associado à presença destes contaminantes no sistema. / Butyltin compounds (BTs) are in the list of related contaminants striking marine environment. Their widespread distribution associated with high toxicity causes the monitoring of fundamental importance. The occurrence of BTs were checked through superficial sediments, suspended particulate matter and tissues (liver and gill) analysis on three estuarine catfishes: Cathorops spixii, Aspistor luniscutis e Genidens genidens; sampled in eight estuaries from Brazilian south and southeast coast. Analysis were carried by GC-PFPD, following quality control procedures, where was verified the presence of matrix effect over the system from tissues quantification. Among estuaries, the major impact was found in Paranaguá-PR and Itajaí-SC, due the presence of these compounds in all investigated compartments. These three catfish species have shown good biomonitors of BTs presence once were liable of uptake, even in groups sampled far from potential BTs sources. The effects over C. spixii physiology were also checked in Paranaguá from the use of biomarkers on liver of these organisms, noting the impact related with the presence of these compounds on the system.

Orientador: Elizabeth Romagosa / Coorientador: George Shigueki Yasui / Banca: José Augusto Senhorini / Banca: Gisele Cristiane de Melo Dias / Banca: Paulo Sergio Monzani / Banca: Sergio Ricardo Batlouni / Resumo: Nos últimos anos, Pimelodus maculatus vem sendo utilizado como espécie modelo para o desenvolvimento de técnicas de biotecnologia em Siluriformes. Neste estudo foram abordados aspectos da micromanipulação de embriões e obtenção de espermatozoides de P. maculatus. Assim, o objetivo do artigo 1 foi identificar e rastrear a rota migratória das Células Germinativa Primordiais (PGCs) em P. maculatus. Inicialmente, foram testadas soluções para incubação de embriões decorionados, e a solução de Characin apresentou resultados satisfatórios. Para identificar as PGCs, os embriões decorionados foram microinjetados com mRNA 3'UTR GFP-nos1, e o desenvolvimento foi monitorado em estereomicroscópio de fluorescência. Inicialmente, as PGCs foram visualizadas no estágio 6-10 somitos na região medial do embrião. Posteriormente, as PGCs migraram gradativamente na direção anteroposterior e, no estágio 20-24 somitos, localizaram-se próximo à extremidade posterior da região de extensão do vitelo. Nas larvas recém-eclodidas, as PGCs foram encontradas nas cristas genitais. No artigo 2, foi estabelecida uma metodologia não letal para obtenção de espermatozoides de P. maculatus, e também descritos aspectos da morfologia dos espermatozoides e da histologia dos testículos. No experimento 1, avaliamos os parâmetros espermáticos de amostras obtidas de peixes submetidos a diferentes protocolos de indução: 1) Solução Fisiológica Salina (controle), 2) Extrato Bruto de Hipófise de Carpa (CCPE) 10 mg kg-1 e 3) ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 83-89)

Thesis--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 22-27).

Submitted by Mariana Ribeiro Thereza null (marianarthereza@gmail.com) on 2018-04-05T18:51:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Mariana final.pdf: 4940976 bytes, checksum: f4817dcbf57f64549bb4f78f0ab75cb5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Elza Mitiko Sato null (elzasato@ibilce.unesp.br) on 2018-04-05T19:09:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 thereza_mr_me_sjrp.pdf: 4954499 bytes, checksum: 330789302dc504e47f10756efd9c34e7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-05T19:09:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 thereza_mr_me_sjrp.pdf: 4954499 bytes, checksum: 330789302dc504e47f10756efd9c34e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-03-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A bacia do rio Grande pertence a porção mais estudada com relação a ictiofauna da drenagem do rio Paraná, a bacia do Alto rio Paraná. Entretanto, isso não significa que a bacia foi amostrada e inventariada em sua totalidade. Além disso, nenhuma das pesquisas apresenta ferramentas adequadas para a identificação das espécies. Os Siluriformes, uma das seis ordens que compõem a ictiofauna da bacia do rio Grande, apresentam grande representatividade dentro da bacia, com cerca de 30% (podendo chegar a 35%) das espécies de peixes. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi a elaboração de um guia de identificação composto por chave de identificação, diagnoses e registro fotográficos das espécies de Siluriformes da bacia do rio Grande. Foram listadas 86 espécies válidas, um novo gênero e duas novas espécies para a bacia. As espécies pertencem à onze famílias, sendo Loricariidae a mais diversa, com 41% da riqueza de espécies. O material revisado de Siluriformes da bacia do rio Grande da coleção do Departamento de Zoologia de Botânica da UNESP de São José do Rio Preto foi amostrado principalmente nas drenagens do estado de São Paulo e em menor proporção nas drenagens de Minas Gerais. A curva de acumulação de espécies apresentou crescimento exponencial, indicando que apesar de extensivamente estudada, é possível que a bacia do rio Grande ainda apresente novas espécies a serem encontradas e descritas pela ciência. / The Grande River basin belongs to Alto Paraná River, which is the most studied portion of Paraná River basin regarding the icthyofauna. However, this does not indicates that the basin was fully sampled or inventoried. In addition, the researchers do not contain tools to identify the species. The Siluriformes, one of the six orders that is found in the Grande River basin, shows great representativeness with more than 30% (it may reach 35%) of the total of fish species. Our aim was to elaborate an identification guide composed by one identification key, diagnosis and photographic records of each Siluriformes species from the Grande River basin. We found 86 valid species, one new genera and two new species. The species belong to 11 families, whereas Loricariidae was the most diverse one with 41% of the total species richness. The revised material of Siluriformes from the Grande River basin of the fish collection of the Department of Zoology and Botany was mainly from the São Paulo State drainage and few records from Minas Gerais State drainages. The accumulation curve showed an exponential pattern, indicating that despite extensively studied, it is possible that Grande River basin still has new species to be found and described by science.

Compostos butílicos de estanho (BTs) estão na lista dos contaminantes impactantes relacionados ao ambiente marinho. Sua ampla distribuição associada à elevada toxicidade faz com que o monitoramento desses compostos no ambiente costeiro seja de fundamental importância. A ocorrência de BTs foi verificada em sedimentos superficiais, material particulado em suspensão e nos tecidos (fígado e brânquias) de três espécies de bagres estuarinos: Cathorops spixii, Aspistor luniscutis e Genidens genidens; amostrados em 8 estuários da região sul e sudeste brasileira. As análises foram realizadas através de GC-PFPD, seguindo padrões de controle de qualidade analítico e onde foi constatada a ocorrência de efeito matriz sobre o sistema analítico a partir da quantificação das amostras de tecido. Dentre os estuários amostrados, verificou-se um maior impacto dos BTs sobre os sistemas estuarinos de Paranaguá e Itajaí, em decorrência da presença destes compostos em todos os compartimentos ambientais analisados. As três espécies investigadas puderam ser consideradas como biomonitoras da presença de BTs no ambiente, uma vez que são passíveis de assimilação destes compostos, mesmo em organismos amostrados em regiões distantes de potencias fontes de entrada. Os efeitos sobre a fisiologia de C. spixii amostrado em Paranaguá também foi investigada a partir do uso de biomarcadores no fígado desses organismos, constatando um impacto associado à presença destes contaminantes no sistema. / Butyltin compounds (BTs) are in the list of related contaminants striking marine environment. Their widespread distribution associated with high toxicity causes the monitoring of fundamental importance. The occurrence of BTs were checked through superficial sediments, suspended particulate matter and tissues (liver and gill) analysis on three estuarine catfishes: Cathorops spixii, Aspistor luniscutis e Genidens genidens; sampled in eight estuaries from Brazilian south and southeast coast. Analysis were carried by GC-PFPD, following quality control procedures, where was verified the presence of matrix effect over the system from tissues quantification. Among estuaries, the major impact was found in Paranaguá-PR and Itajaí-SC, due the presence of these compounds in all investigated compartments. These three catfish species have shown good biomonitors of BTs presence once were liable of uptake, even in groups sampled far from potential BTs sources. The effects over C. spixii physiology were also checked in Paranaguá from the use of biomarkers on liver of these organisms, noting the impact related with the presence of these compounds on the system.

Aspects of the biology of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) were studied in a clear coastal lake (Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu.). Catfish reach maturity towards the end of the first year (total length 200-250mm) and breed in summer. Gonadal maturation is cyclical, and most fishes are ripe between September. and January e ach year. Maturation stages and fecundity are described. Twenty-two catfish spawning runs were witnessed. There were no large aggregations of catfish before the Summer rains, as reported in some impoundments and rivers, but catfish accumulated on the shallow terrace immediately before a spawning run. Spawning usually took place in flooded marginal areas after heavy rain on dark calm nights. Peak activity occurred between 20h00 and 02h30. Pre-nuptial aggression, courtship and mating are described and illustrated in detail for the first time from field observations. Gonadal products are released while in amplexus and fertilized externally. The eggs have an adhesive disc for attachment to plants, and develop rapidly. Early development and feeding are described. The growth rate of catfish was determined using rings on the pectoral spines, and validated using recent techniques. C.gariepinus in Lake Sibaya grow rapidly and remain in good condition to a length of 500mm, but larger catfish have a poor growth rate and condition, and few exceed 650mm. The modal length and weight of the Sibaya population is intermediate between that of other populations but the number and condition of larger catfish in Lake Sibaya is lower. Other studies on C.gariepinus growth are reviewed. Very high and low first year increments obtained previously may be due to methodological errors, but catfish do appear to have variable growth rates. The size reached by C.gariepinus is reviewed. Catfish are equipped morphologically and behaviourally to feed on a wide variety of·prey in different situations, but they usually feed at night on exposed, active benthic organisms. Social hunting facilitates the capture of prey which is too fast or manoevrable for a single predator. Food preferences are scored by three different methods and presented for the total catfish population and for different length groups, seasons, and habitats. Juveniles feed more often and on a greater variety of prey, and their condition is better than that of adults. The proportions of several food items in the diet changed at different lake levels as marginal areas became inundated. In particular, increasing lake levels resulted in a change in relative density of three cichlid prey in the shallow water feeding area of catfish. This situation provided the opportunity to study the effect of changing cichlid density on predation by catfish. The world literature on factors influencing the predator-prey relationship in fish is reviewed and several key factors are identified. The interaction of fish predators and prey in Africa, and particularly Lake Sibaya, is examined in detail, and prey density, modified by accessibility, is found to be an important factor. The effect of cichlid prey density on catfish predation was therefore investigated using field collections and experimental observations. Catfish prey on the cichlid species with greatest relative abundance, with some deviations which can be explained in terms of accessibility. The experimental results also describe feeding periodicity, imitative hunting and the effect of water depth , day-night light intensity changes and predator number on predation efficiency on cichlids. Catfish predation is discussed in terms of recent predation theory, and it is concluded that their ability to switch from one prey to another as prey availability (= density+ accessibility) changes , is an an important aspect of their success as predators. Catfish predate more efficiently on invertebrates, but feed largely on fishes after the first year. This preference for fish prey is probably related to food quality, as fishes contributed over 75% of the energy content of all ingested food, as well as abundant protein and the correct amino acid balance. Finally, I conclude that the role of C.gariepinus as a predator on S.mossambicus is three-fold: (a) to enhance species' fitness by removing enfeebled individuals i.e. to act as a 'cleanser' (b) to restrict the distribution of prey under certain conditions i.e. act as a 'restricter' (c) to dampen fluctuations in cichlid abundance i.e. act as a 'regulator'. The relative importance of these roles may alter at different lake levels in Lake Sibaya in response to changes in the vulnerability of fish prey.

The Rietvlei Dam near Pretoria, South Africa, provides drinking water for the city and for the wild life in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, and is also used for recreational fishing. The dam is part of the Sesmyl Spruit system, which has a history of pollution, the major sources of which are industrial, agricultural and sewage from informal human settlements upstream of the reserve. With a large wetland separating the upstream Marais Dam and the Rietvlei Dam, the system has a high conservation priority status because of the high number of bird species that breed and roost in the various habitats. As part of a big aquatic health project in the Zoology Department, Rand Afrikaans University, aimed at finding suitable biomarkers for water quality monitoring in the system, this study was done to identify the major internal helminth parasites of the sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, that can be used in fish health assessment studies, and to determine their prevalence and intensity in the Rietvlei Dam. Fish were collected during one sampling survey and examined for endoparasites, also noting any ectoparasites that are recorded in routine fish health studies. Five species of helminths were identified: the adult cestodes, Polyonchobothrium clarias (intestine and stomach), Proteocephalus glanduliger (anterior intestine), the adult nematode Procamallanus laevionchus (stomach), larvae of the nematode Contracaecum sp. and many trematode metacercariae encysted in the muscles, of which only Ornithodiplostomum sp. was successfully excysted and identified. This trematode is recorded in South Africa for the first time, but could not be specifically identified because the reproductive system was still immature. Examination of piscivorous birds in the area or experimental infection of young birds are the only means by which the adult trematodes can be obtained. The adult cestodes and nematodes had specialised structures for attachment to the stomach and/or intestinal mucosa, adaptations associated with pathological effects in the host. Polyonchobothrium clarias had a crown of 26-30 hooks on its rostellum, and this number differs from those of specimens described from catfish in other African countries. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the rostellum of the P. clarias specimens from Rietvlei Dam was different from that of specimens from other localities in South Africa. Proteocephalus glanduliger in C. gariepinus from Rietvlei Dam differed in strobila size and size of glandular organ from specimens described by Janicki (Egypt) and Mashego (South Africa), the present specimens being much longer but with smaller glandular organs. Procamallanus laevionchus is a common parasite of catfish from many African countries, including South Africa, and scanning electron microscopy showed some form of transverse markings and presence of papillae-like structures at the posterior end of female specimens, an observation which was not described in previous studies. Larval Contracaecum are also common in C. gariepinus and other fish species, and adults have been identified in several species of fish-eating birds from South Africa. The sample size of fish collected in this survey was too low for a full health assessment index (HAI) study to be undertaken. Polyonchobothrium clarias and Contracaecum, however, were highly prevalent in the host species, and Contracaecum and Ornithodiplostomum occurred at high intensity (up to 44 and 140 respectively). Endoparasites of C. gariepinus can therefore be used in the fish HAI as a bioindicator of water quality. Only two ectoparasitic species were found on C. gariepinus: Argulus japonicus (skin and fins) and Lamproglena clariae (gills). Most water quality variables from the dam were within the target limits recommended by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, but the levels of inorganic nitrogen (nitrate and ammonia) and phosphorus (orthophosphate) exceeded the limit. If uncontrolled, these may lead to eutrophication of the dam. With the parasite species and diversity known, it is recommended that fish health assessments should be conducted along pollution gradients in the system to determine whether it can be incorporated into the suite of biomarkers for water quality monitoring of the Sesmyl Spruit system. / Prof. A. Avent-Oldewage

M.Sc. / A lot of research in ecotoxicology is currently focused on identifying and developing suitable biomarkers for use in assessing the health of aquatic systems. Thus this study was done as part of a major project aimed at identifying and selecting suitable biomarkers to use in the Rietvlei System, South Africa. This study focused on the response of Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) to contaminants using three biomarkers: population genetic structure, DNA damage and metallothioneins (MT¡¦s). The main objectives of the study were to assess the potential of these biomarkers in C. gariepinus and to provide baseline data on the Rietvlei System. Eighteen enzyme loci (creatine kinase (Ck), esterase (Est), phosphoglucomutase (Pgm), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3pdh-1 and -2), glucose-6-phosphatase isomerase (Gpi-A and -B), L-lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh-A and B), malate dehydrogenase (sMdh-1, -2 and -3), malate dehydrogenase (NADP+) (Mdhp), phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (Pgdh), isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP+) (Idh); superoxide dismutase (Sod), and peptidase: substrate (leucyl tryrosine) (Pep-S1 and -2)) were screened for by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. An agarose gel electrophoretic method was used for DNA damage determination and a spectrophotometric method for metallothionein. The Rietvlei System population (RSP) showed higher genetic variability as shown by the average number of alleles per locus (A), proportion of polymorphic loci (P) and expected average heterozygosity (HE) than the reference populations. Statistically significant deviations (p < 0.05) from Hardy-Weinberg proportions associated with heterozygote deficiencies occurred at Gpi-B, Idh, Pgdh, Ldh-A and Pep-S1 for RSP. These deviations could have been a result of small sample size. There was high genetic differentiation between RSP and the reference populations with FST values of 0.450 and 0.480 between RSP and wild population (WP) and RSP and Northern Cape population (NCP) respectively. A mean base-pair length of 6770.9 „b 10.68 (SE) bp was recorded in the Marais Dam population (MDP) that of 6327.2 „b 17.69 (SE) bp was recorded in the Rietvlei Dam population (RDP). The MDP had a higher proportion of DNA fragments with low base-pair lengths than RP indicating a higher level of DNA damage. The level of DNA damage in the MP was higher than in the RDP. The mean MT¡¦s content was 3.63 „b 0.643 (SE) nmol g-1 wet weight in the MDP and 4.35 „b 0.580 (SE) nmol g-1 wet weight in the RDP. There was no significant (p = 0.40) difference in the levels of MT¡¦s between the two dams. It was concluded that there were significant differences in genetic diversity between RSP and the other populations in unpolluted sites; hence genetic diversity in C. gariepinus has potential as biomarker of pollution. However, further research is recommended to investigate possible contributing factors to differences in genetic diversity such as inter-sex males, geographical isolation and differences in sample sizes used. DNA damage is also a potential biomarker provided due care is taken in interpreting average base-pair length data to consider differences in each DNA size class. It seems further research is required before conclusions are made about use of MT¡¦s as biomarker in this population. The levels of MT¡¦s in other uncontaminated systems will be useful to determine whether the levels recorded in this study are background levels or responses to contamination. / Prof. F.H. van der Bank