published_or_final_version / abstract / Zoology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Biological Sciences / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

M.Sc. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

by Choy Ka-Fai. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-125). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.I / 論文摘要 --- p.II / ABSTRACT --- p.III / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.VI / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- PURIFICATION OF GRASS CARP ALDH FROM MITOCHONDRIA --- p.18 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- PURIFICATION & CHARACTERIZATION OF GRASS CARP ALDH --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- CONCLUSION --- p.104 / REFERENCES --- p.107

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

In this thesis, the efficiency of orally applied praziquantel (PQ) in two concentrations (Pramik 1 and Pramik 2) and mebendazole (MB) were tested on metacercaria of eye flukes (Diplostomum spathaceum, Rudolphi, 1819) in the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella, Valenciennes, 1844). Naturally infected fish (average fish weight was 1.6 g and standard deviation was 0.1) were divided into four groups, for each tested group (Pramik 1, Pramik 2 and MB) belonged two aquariums of 100 liters each with 25 fish and for a control group belonged three aquariums of 100 liters each with 25 fish. The fish in the individual groups were fed with medicated feed containing praziquantel (Pramik 1 - 2.5 g PQ. kg-1 of feed, Pramik 2 - 1.25 g PQ. kg-1 of feed) and medicated feed mixture KP1 enriched with mebendazole (2.5 g MB. kg-1 of feed). The control group was fed with KP1 without drug addition. During the test the parasitological examinations of the ophthalmic lens were performed. The prevalence and intensity of infection were recorded. In the group of fish fed with medicated mixture containing MB, no statistically significant differences of the intensity of the infection indicating the MB potential in the fight against this fish infection were reported during the test. In the case of tested groups of fish fed with medicated feed mixture containing PQ (Pramik 1, Pramik 2), a statistically significant difference in the intensity of the infection was proved compared with the control group already after the first examination (estimated dose of consumed PQ. kg-1 of weight of fish = 500 and 250 mg). Near complete elimination of the eye flukes occurred in the group fed with feed mixture Pramik 1 after the expected consumption of 900 mg PQ. kg-1 of weight of fish. Statistically significant differences in the intensity of the infection in PQ treated fish groups compared to control groups indicate the usability of medicated feed containing PQ in the fight against fish diplostomosis.

Ph.D. (Zoology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Sc. (Zoology) / Ari investigation was made into the biological control of the submerged aquatic weeds Potamogeton pectinatus, Lagarosiphon major and L. muscoides in the Florida Lake, Transvaal using the Chinese grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (Val.) as biological control agent. The physical, chemical (including selected heavy metals), faunal and bacteriological conditions were also investigated over a period of one year. The total standing crop of P.pectinatusand Lagarosiphon spp, were reduced from an initial 0,193 kg m" 2 (wet mass) in March 1990 to 0,0338kg m-2 (wet mass) in March 1991. Reductions in the densities of the macrophytes coincided with a corresponding increase in chIorophyll-a values in the water columm of the lake. Abnormally high concentrations of the heavy metals copper, manganese, iron, nickel chromium, zinc and lead were found to occur in the lake sediments, aquatic macrophytes, ftlamentous algae, macroinvertebrate fauna as well as in organs and tissues of the perch Perea fluviatilis. These metals could be related to gold mining activities which occurred in the vicinity of the lake some years ago. Faecal bacterial counts of the water in the lake point towards the possible contamination of the lake water with domestic sewage. Ari analysis of the faeces of the numerically dominant birds which occur at the lake i.e. the coot Fulica aistata and the egyptian goose Alopochen aegyptiacus suggest that the main cause of faecal contamination of the lake's water possibly originates from these and other water birds frequenting the lake. By using the results on the physical-chemical conditions in the lake, conditions which presently prevail can be summarized as being largely that of a mesotrophic impoundment with strong tendencies towards eutrophic conditions. Secondary effects of the grass carp on the lake ecosystem was the progressive decline of weed eating birds and a slight increase in the numbers of piscivorous birds, both of which could be linked to the drastic reduction in the standing crop of the submerged weeds in the Lake. The present survey confirms the value of the Chinese grass carp as biological control agent in the management of excessive growths of submerged aquatic weeds in lakes and reservoirs in South Africa...

Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a species of concern in areas they have invaded, such the Laurentian Great Lakes, due to their potential to substantially reduce aquatic macrophyte coverage. Efforts to control Grass Carp in the Great Lakes have primarily been focused on two tributaries to the western basin of Lake Erie (i.e., Sandusky and Maumee rivers, Ohio) where reproduction has been documented, although other Great Lakes tributaries are known to have thermal and hydrological regimes suitable for Grass Carp spawning. Knowledge of sources contributing to the expanding population of invasive Grass Carp in the Great Lakes is key to allocating control efforts aimed at curbing further introductions, reducing natural recruitment, and limiting potential for further range expansion. A recent study demonstrated that otolith microchemistry is an effective tool for identifying the natal environment of Grass Carp in the Great Lakes. Increased captures of Grass Carp in Lake Erie and Lake Michigan indicates an ongoing need to determine which tributaries are supporting Grass Carp recruitment. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to use otolith stable oxygen isotope (δ18O) analysis to determine whether diploid and unknown ploidy Grass Carp collected from the Great Lakes during 2019-2022 were wild or of aquaculture origin, analyze Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca ratios of water samples collected from known and potential Grass Carp spawning tributaries to assess persistence of differences in water chemistry among tributaries observed in prior studies, use otolith core trace element ratios (Sr:Ca and Br:Ca) to infer natal rivers of wild Grass Carp, and estimate how many groups of aquaculture-origin Grass Carp (both diploid and triploid individuals) with distinct otolith chemistry profiles were present among fish collected during 2019-2022. Water Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca for Great Lakes tributaries were consistent with data from prior studies. Diploid and unknown ploidy Grass Carp (21%) were identified as aquaculture origin fish based on otolith core δ18O. Multiple clusters and broad ranges of otolith core Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca among aquaculture-source Grass Carp suggest multiple sources of introduced/escaped fish in the Lake Erie basin. Tributaries to the western basin of Lake Erie were identified as the primary sources of wild Grass Carp, although there was some evidence of recruitment from central or eastern basin tributaries to Lake Erie. There was no evidence of Grass Carp reproduction in the Lake Michigan basin; the one wild fish caught in the Lake Michigan basin had otolith core Sr:Ca consistent with origin in a western basin tributary of Lake Erie. Thus, efforts to control natural recruitment of Grass Carp should remain focused on tributaries to the western basin of Lake Erie, especially where reproduction has been documented. However, the relatively high percentage of aquaculture-source Grass Carp (including some fertile, diploid fish) captured during multi-agency response efforts indicates that curtailing natural recruitment, further introductions, and spread of Grass Carp is necessary for successful population control.