Uptake and elimination kinetics of triphenyltin hydroxide by two fish species

The uptake from water and the elimination of carbon‐14 radiolabelled triphenyltin hydroxide ([¹⁴C]TPTH) was studied in two fish species: guppy (Poecilia reticulata) and rainbow trout larvae (Salmo gairdneri). During all the experiments no steady state in fish was found. TPTH was rapidly taken up, while elimination was very slow. Uptake and elimination rate constants (k ₁ and k ₂, respectively), and a bioconcentration factor were estimated, assuming first order kinetics.

During eight days of exposure of guppy to TPTH an uptake rate constant k ₁ of 70±7L/kg.d and an elimination rate constant k ₂ of 0.005 ±0.029d ^‐1 was found. This resulted in a biconcentration factor of at least 2.1 × 10³L/kg (wet weight). Comparable results were obtained during a 30 days exposure experiment with guppy: k ₁ was 41±2L/kg.d, k ₂ 0.014 + 0.002d^‐1, and the bioconcentration factor was estimated to be 2.9 × 10³ L/kg (wet weight).

Four days exposure of rainbow trout larvae resulted in a it, of 22+ 2 L/kg.d, and a k ₂ of 0.031 ±0.007d^‐1. Using these k, and k ₂ values it was estimated that the biconcentration factor exceeds 650 L/kg (wet weight).     

Sulfur isotopic variations in soft tissues of five benthic animals from the reductive,tidal-flat sediments in northern Kyushu,Japan

The sulfur nutrition of five benthic animals living in or on reductive, tidal-flat sediments has been studied by using the sulfur isotopic signatures of their soft tissues. The mean '³⁴S values (+6.1‰ to +13.8‰, relative to the Cañyon Diablo troilite reference) of these animals' tissues are lower than those of many common marine animals, which have values close to those of seawater sulfate-sulfur (+21‰). This indicates that these animals use a ³⁴S-depleted sulfur source, which may be derived from bacterial sulfide in the sediments (less than -20‰). The animals that inhabit such sediments are adapted to an anoxic environment, where toxic hydrogen sulfide prevails. Due to the sulfide-rich habitat, benthic animals are expected to assimilate hydrogen sulfide directly during detoxification, or to prefer a diet which has a low '³⁴S signature. Variations in '³⁴S values of the sampled molluscs were fairly small, whereas migratory shrimp and fish tended to have larger variations, implying that migratory animals feed on diverse prey, while the molluscs feed on a common food, or their assimilative capacity for sulfide-sulfur does not vary among individuals. A gastropod inhabiting the surface of the reductive sediment showed a distinctively low '³⁴S value (+5.8‰ to +6.4‰), indicating that the animal fed on detritus from reeds and halophytes with low '³⁴S values (-19.1‰ to -2.1‰). This study suggests that some benthic animals incorporate sulfide-sulfur for their nutrition and that sulfur isotope composition can be a useful indicator in the analysis of the food habitat of animals.     

Population biology and antipredator defenses of the shallow-water Antarctic nudibranch Tritoniella belli

The circumpolar nudibranch Tritoniella belli Eliot occurs in abundance in shallow-water benthic communities of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Density estimates based on belt transects averaged collectively 0.46 individuals m⁻² at three study sites between depths of 6 and 30 m in November 1996. At two of the sites, population densities increased linearly between 18 and 30 m depth (up to 0.7 and 1.15 individuals m⁻² at 30 m depth). Individuals at all sites were rare or absent at depths shallower than 12 m. Size frequencies of individuals at the sites were similar, and a pooled analysis revealed a unimodal distribution skewed highly towards juvenile size classes. This suggests both recent recruitment and constant rates of mortality across size classes. The relationship between foot length and wet weight best fits an exponential growth equation, indicative of an allometric growth pattern. Distribution of T. belli in the field suggests that it is a habitat and diet generalist. Potential invertebrate predators include sea anemones and seastars, both of which co-occur in abundance in McMurdo Sound. Laboratory experiments indicate that the sea anemone Isotealia antarctica can capture and ingest T. belli. However, 70% of T. belli that are captured escape from the tentacles or, following ingestion, are rejected from the gastrovascular cavity. The seastars Odontaster validus, Perknaster fuscus, and Acodontaster conspicuus, avoid contact with T. belli, but if forced into contact with mantle tissues, retract their tube-feet. Mucus secreted from the mantle tissues, coated on to the tips of glass rods, and presented to seastar tube-feet, causes significantly longer tube-foot retraction times than control rods. Moreover, pieces of freeze-dried krill coated with mantle mucus are consumed significantly less often than untreated control pieces of krill by a benthic scavenging fish (Pseudotrematomas bernacchi). Employing seastar tube-foot retractions as a bioassay, we found the bioactive compound(s) are soluble in ethyl acetate, indicating they are lipophilic or moderately hydrophilic in nature. Chemical defenses in the mucus of T. belli probably contribute to its high abundance in Antarctic benthic communities. Received: 6 October 1997 / Accepted: 24 March 1998     

Domoic acid in benthic flatfish on the continental shelf of Monterey Bay,California, USA

Within Monterey Bay, California, USA, the food web transfer of domoic acid (DA), a neurotoxin produced by diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, has led to major mortality events of marine mammals and birds. Less visible, and less well known, is whether invertebrates and fish associated with the benthos are also affected by blooms of DA-producing Pseudo-nitzschia spp. This study examines the presence of DA in benthic flatfish offshore of Davenport, California, (37°0′36″N, 122°13′12″W) and within Monterey Bay, California (36°45′0″N, 122°1′48″W), including species that feed primarily in the sediment (benthic-feeding) and species that feed primarily in the water column (benthopelagic-feeding). Flatfish caught between 10 December 2002 and 17 November 2003 at depths of 30–180 m had concentrations of DA in the viscera ranging from 3 to 26 μg DA g⁻¹ of viscera. Although the DA values reported are relatively low, benthic-feeding flatfish were frequently contaminated with DA, especially as compared with the frequency of contamination of flatfish species that feed in the water column. Furthermore, on days in which both benthic-feeding and benthopelagic-feeding flatfish were collected, the former had significantly higher concentrations of DA in the viscera. Curlfin turbot, Pleuronicthys decurrens, the flatfish with both the highest level and frequency of DA contamination, are reported to feed exclusively on polychaetes, suggesting that these invertebrates may be an important vector of the toxin in benthic communities and may pose a risk to other benthic-feeding organisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Vision in the rufus snake eel,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Ophichthus rufus</Emphasis>: adaptive mechanisms for a burrowing life-style

A unique retinal topography was found in the rufus snake eel, Ophichthus rufus, a burrowing fish that shows a preference for nocturnal habits. The cells in the ganglion-cell layer formed a high-density semicircular band that covered the dorso-rostral, temporal and ventro-rostral areas of the retina. Three regions of high acuity were identified in the ventro-temporal, ventro-rostral and dorsal regions of the retina. This is the first time that multiple specialisations have been found in a benthic deep-water fish. The ventro-temporal and ventro-rostral visual axes were found at 48° and 54° from the retinal centre, subtending the dorsal field of view, while the dorsal axis was at 66°, subtending the ventral field of view. These characteristics may represent an adaptation to identify the mouth of the muddy burrows in which this species hides or where it looks for food. O. rufus has a duplex retina with numerous slender rod photoreceptors arranged in banks of four layers. This morphology is typical of deep-sea teleosts with a high visual sensitivity, which is useful in a dim-light environment. A few tiny cones were also present, probably enhancing acuity during the eel's daily activity. The retina of O. rufus also possessed a well developed vascularisation, possibly to overcome the hypoxic conditions that may be found in the burrow. The characteristics of the retina of the rufus snake eel indicate singular visual capabilities that are discussed in relation to the burrowing life-style and to what is known of feeding habits of this fish.     

Metabolic properties of Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, from different climatic zones. II. Enzyme characteristics and activities

Activities and characteristics of two metabolic key enzymes, citrate synthase (CS) and pyruvate kinase (PK), were studied in the Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, with respect to adaptive properties under different thermal conditions. Krill were sampled during late winter/spring and summer from the constantly warm Ligurian Sea (12-13°C below the thermocline), the colder but also comparatively constant Clyde Sea (7-8°C), and the variable Kattegat (2-16°C). Both enzymes showed distinct tissue- and organ-specific activities, which were highest in the pleopods - the principal locomotive organs. The fourth and fifth abdominal segments, however, were used for routine investigation due to lowest variability. Specific activity of CS and PK did not differ between seasons in krill from the Kattegat or the Clyde Sea. In the Ligurian Sea, in contrast, specific CS activities were significantly lower during summer. Analysis of individual data illustrated a decrease of CS activity with size and an increase of PK activity with size. Taking these allometric effects into account, as emphasized by calculating the ratio between both enzymes, variation of CS and PK activities turned out to be solely dependent on body size, which differed between locations and seasons. Ligurian krill from the summer, however, were unique in that they showed a lower CS/PK ratio than would be predicted by the scaling effect. Thermal characteristics of each enzyme were similar between locations and seasons. During the winter, in Kattegat and Clyde Sea krill, K_m values (Michaelis-Menten constant) of CS towards acetyl-coenzyme A exhibited an almost constant level over the experimental temperature range of 4-16°C. During summer, however, K_m values were lower at 8°C in the Clyde Sea and at 12°C in the Kattegat. In Ligurian krill from the summer, K_m values were consistently lower than those of winter krill over the entire experimental temperature range. In conclusion, Kattegat and Clyde Sea krill show only minor adaptations to their respective thermal environments in terms of CS and PK characteristics. Ligurian krill, in contrast, exhibited decreased specific CS activity during summer, which might be compensated by elevated enzyme-substrate affinity as indicated by lower K_m values. Since temperature was constant during both seasons, this effect cannot be explained as a reaction to thermal conditions. Consequently, oligotrophic conditions in the Ligurian Sea during summer may entail a reduction in the somatic performance of krill, which is reflected by lower CS activity.     

Linking predator and prey behaviour: contrasts between Antarctic fur seals and macaroni penguins at South Georgia

Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and macaroni penguins Eudyptes chrysolophus are the two main land-based krill Euphausia superba consumers in the northern Scotia Sea. Using a combination of concurrent at-sea (predator observations, net hauls and multi-frequency acoustics), and land-based (animal tracking and diet analysis) techniques, we examined variability in the foraging ecology of these sympatric top predators during the austral summer and autumn of 2004. Krill availability derived from acoustic surveys was low during summer, increasing in autumn. During the breeding season, krill occurred in 80% of fur seal diet samples, with fish remains in 37% of samples. Penguin diets contained the highest proportion of fish in over 20 years of routine monitoring (46% by mass; particularly the myctophid Electrona antarctica), with krill (33%) and amphipods (Themisto gaudichaudii; 21%) also occurring. When constrained by the need to return and feed their offspring both predator species foraged to the northwest of South Georgia, consistent with an area of high macrozooplankton biomass, but fur seals were apparently more successful at exploiting krill. When unconstrained by chick-rearing (during March) penguins foraged close to the Shag Rocks shelf-break, probably exploiting the high daytime biomass of fish in this area. Penguins and seals are able to respond differently to periods of reduced krill abundance (in terms of variability in diet and foraging behaviour), without detriment to the breeding success of either species. This highlights the importance of myctophid fish as an alternative trophic pathway for land-based predators in the Scotia Sea ecosystem.     

Comparison of sample digestion procedures for the determination of trace elements in antarctic krill by GF‐AAS

Two independent digestion procedures for Antarctic krill samples were compared. Dry ashing (DA) and microwave (MW) acid‐assisted digestion were tested for decomposing the samples to determine essential (Cu, Fe, Cr) and toxic elements (Cd, Pb) by graphite furnace‐atomic absorption spectrometry (GF‐AAS). A mixture of HNO₃ and H₂O₂ as digesting agent was used in the microwave procedure. For the dry ashing digestion, the organic matter was oxidated at 480°C in an open system. Both digestion methods were compared in terms of accuracy and applied to the analysis of a certified reference material: MURST‐ISS‐A2 (Antarctic krill).

The detection limits for the five elements analysed ranged from 3 to 150 ng g^‐1. Both digestion procedures are suitable for the decomposition of krill samples. However, dry ashing is not recommended to determine Pb and Cd because losses can occur.     

Schooling behavior of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in laboratory aquaria: Reactions to chemical and visual stimuli

Antarctic krill,Euphausia superba, often exhibit abnormal behavior in laboratory aquaria, usually hovering in a stationary position, unresponsive to most external stimuli. In the austral summer of 1985–1986 at Palmer Station on Anvers Island, Antarctica, we provided laboratory conditions which inducedE. superba to school in large aquaria. Captive krill swam horizontally and exhibited the full spectrum of behaviors normally displayed while schooling at sea. Schooling krill avoided visually contrasting stimuli, with avoidance distances correlated with stimulus size. Schools responded in qualitatively different ways to presentations of food, chemical compounds, and abrupt increases in light intensity. We describe the conditions necessary for aquarium schooling and discuss the importance of an appropriate social environment for displays of escape, avoidance, and feeding behaviors and of positional preference within the school.     

Kinetics of acetyl CoA: Arylamine N‐acetyltransferase from rapid and slow acetylator fish tissues

N‐acetyltransferase (NAT) activity was determined in 100 fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) livers using 2‐aminofluorene and p‐aminobenzoic acid as substrates. Overall, the liver NAT activity of the 50 females was higher than the liver NAT activity of the 50 males. The activities (mean ± SD) of NAT from kidney, blood, intestine, and liver of males was 0.42 ± 0.11, 0.12 ± 0.03, 0.12 ± 0.08, and 1.56 ± 0.54 nmol/min/mg protein for the acetylation of 2‐aminofluorene and 0.36 ± 0.09, 0.09 ± 0.01, 0.11 ± 0.04, and 0.46 ± 0.15 nmol/min/mg protein for the acetylation of p‐aminobenzoic acid. In kidney, blood, intestine, and liver from female fish, the activities obtained were 1.60 ± 0.12, 0.35 ± 0.07, 0.15 ± 0.09, and 1.89 ± 0.50 nmol/min/mg protein for 2‐aminofluorene and 0.95 ± 0.11, 0.27 ± 0.03, 0.13 ± 0.09, and 0.57 ± 0.12nmol/min/mg protein for p‐aminobenzoic acid. Kinetic constants for arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in kidney, blood, intestine, and liver from fish with rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylator activity were determined. Apparent K _m and V _max values for 2‐aminofluorene were 5.5 and 7‐fold higher for liver than for the other tissues. Apparent K _m and V _max values for p‐aminobenzoic acid were 3.5 and 4.7‐fold higher for liver than for the other tissues. Based on the 2‐aminofluorene NAT activity of liver, there appears to be a polymorphism in NAT activity with 16 rapid, 28 intermediate, and 56 slow acetylators among the 100 fish assayed. This is the first demonstration of acetyl CoA: arylamine N‐acetyltransferase activity in fresh water fish and could lead to the development of a fish model for monitoring the effect of pollution of water environments on native species.     

Metabolic properties of Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica, from different climatic zones. I. Respiration and excretion

Adaptive processes linked to overall metabolism were studied in terms of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion in each of three self-contained krill populations along a climatic gradient. In the Danish Kattegat, krill were exposed to temperatures which ranged from 4°C to 16°C between seasons and a vertical temperature gradient of up to 10°C during summer. In the Scottish Clyde Sea, water temperatures varied less between seasons and the vertical temperature gradient in summer was only 3°C. Temperatures in the Ligurian Sea, off Nice, were relatively constant around 12-13°C throughout the year, with a thin surface layer (20-30 m) of warm water developing during summer. The trophic conditions were rich in the Kattegat and, particularly, in the Clyde, but comparatively poor in the Ligurian Sea. Oxygen consumption increased exponentially with increasing experimental temperature, which ranged from 4°C to 16°C. Overall respiration rates were between 19.9 and 89.9 µmol O₂ g^-1 dry wt h^-1. Krill from the Kattegat, the Clyde Sea, and the Ligurian Sea all exhibited approximately the same level of oxygen consumption (30-35 µmol O₂ g^-1 dry wt h^-1) when incubated at the ambient temperatures found in their respective environments (9°C, 5°C, and 12°C). This indicates that krill adjust their overall metabolic rates to the prevailing thermal conditions. The exception to this were the respiration rates of Ligurian krill from winter/spring, which were about twice as high as the rates from summer krill despite the fact that the thermal conditions were the same. This effect appears to result from enhanced somatic activity during a short period of increased food availability and reproduction. Accordingly, krill appears to be capable of adapting to both changing thermal and trophic conditions, especially when nutrition is a limiting factor in physiological processes.     

Diets of the demersal fishes on the shelf off Iwate,northern Japan

Diets of demersal fishes were determined on the shelf (ca. 130 m deep) off Iwate, Japan. Samples were taken in three different types of habitat, an artificial reef (AR) site, a natural reef (NR) site, and sandymud bottom (SB) site, from May 1987 to September 1991, mostly every two months. A total of 67 prey items were recognized in the stomachs of 45 predator fish species. The most important preys were the pelagic fishes Sardinops melanostictus and Engraulis japonicus, which comprised 37% wet wt of the overall stomach contents. The percentage of pelagic fishes was highest at AR site, where fish density was highest. The dominant ten species could be divided into five feeding types. The pelagic fish feeders Physiculus maximowiczi and Gadus macrocephalus fed mainly on S. melanostictus. The dietary breadth of P. maximowiczi was wide, while that of Gadus macrocephalus was narrow. The pelagic crustacean feeder Theragra chalcogramma mostly consumed Themisto japonica and euphausiids and showed the least dietary overlap with other fishes. Benthic fish feeders were Hemitripterus villosus and Liparis tanakai. The benthic crustacean feeders Alcichthys alcicornis and Hexagrammos otakii consumed benthic crustaceans as well as pelagic and benthic fishes and showed the largest dietary breadth. The benthic invertebrate feeders Gymnocanthus intermedius, Dexistes rikuzenius and Tanakius kitaharai fed mainly on polychaetes and benthic crustaceans. But Gymnocanthus intermedius consumed a significant proportion of pelagic fishes. Ontogenetic dietary shift was recognized for these fishes. Pelagic fishes were consumed more intensively by larger individuals, especially true of A. alcicornis, Theragra chalcogramma and Gadus macrocephalus. Predominancy of the two most adundant species, P. maximowiczi and A. alcicornis, may be supported by their wide dietary breadth and the significant proportion of pelagic fish in their diets. Interspecific dietary overlap was low in most cases suggesting that food resources were well partitioned, although some high overlap was observed among the pelagic fish feeders, A. alcicornis, and Gymnocanthus intermedius, and among the benthic invertebrate feeders. Interspecific competition seemed more likely in the benthic invertebrate feeders than in the pelagic fish feeders partly because of superabundance of the pelagic prey S. melanostictus.     

Influence of temperature and pH on the effects of zinc and copper on proteolytic activities of the intestinal mucosa of planktivorous and benthophagous fishes and their potential preys

Influences of temperature (0 and 20°C) and pH (3.0, 5.0, and 7.4) on the effect of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on proteolytic activities of intestinal mucosa in planktivorous (blue bream, bleak), bentophagous (bream, roach) fishes and their potential preys (pond snail Limnaea stagnalis, planorbid Planorbarius purpura, dreissena Dreissena polymorpha, midge larvae Chironomus sp., water flea Daphnia longispina and total zooplankton) are revealed in this article. Cu decreases the caseinolytic and hemoglobinolytic activities in both fish and their preys more than Zn at temperature 20°C and pH 7.4. Low temperature intensifies the negative effect of the metals on the protease activity in fish (in the case of Zn 5–10 times, in the case of Cu 5–30 times). In fish prey species, the negative effect of the metals on the proteinase activity may be more significant. The influence of pH on Zn and Cu effects is less pronounced than that of low temperature. Maximum reduction of enzyme activities is observed for the combined action of low temperature and pH as well as of the studied metals.     

Multivariate analysis of the bentho-demersal ichthyofauna along soft bottoms of the Eastern Atlantic: comparison between unvegetated substrates,seagrass meadows and sandy bottoms beneath sea-cage fish farms

By means of multivariate techniques, we studied: (1) the differences in the structure of bentho-demersal, non-cryptic, fish assemblages associated with unvegetated sandy substrates, vegetated meadows constituted by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the bottoms under the influence of sea-cage fish farms; as well as (2) the persistence of these patterns with regard to different scales of spatial variability, across three islands of the Canarian Archipelago (Central East Atlantic). Our sampling strategy (involving three islands, with five locations per island, and two sites within each location) detected significant changes in the composition and structure of the fish assemblages between the three habitats. Fish assemblages associated with the unvegetated and vegetated bottoms were similar among the surveyed islands. In contrast, we observed a significant inter-island variability in the fish populations associated with the sea-cage fish farms. The presence of the sea-cage fish farms increased the overall fish abundance (184.8±49.8 ind 100 m⁻²) as compared to both the vegetated (38.8±9.7 ind 100 m⁻²) and unvegetated habitats (1.1±0.4 ind 100 m⁻²). Differences within and between the habitats were found to be associated with the relative abundance of a few fish species. The most abundant species were Xyrichthys novacula in the unvegetated bottoms and Diplodus annularis, Spondyliosoma cantharus and Mullus surmuletus on the seagrass meadows. Finally, we recorded an increase in the abundance of Heteroconger longissimus, Trachinus draco and Pagellus acarne in the bottoms beneath the sea-cage fish farms. These species, in addition to a group of large benthic chondrichthyes, were responsible for the differences between islands in the composition and structure of the demersal ichthyofauna beneath the sea-cage fish farms.     

Interception and dispersal of artificial food falls by scavenging fishes in the abyssal Northeast Atlantic: early-season observations prior to annual deposition of phytodetritus

The hypothesis that the behaviour of deep-sea scavenging fishes is influenced by seasonal input of organic matter from the ocean surface was investigated by observing responses to baits placed on the sea floor at 4800 m depth in the NE Atlantic (48°50′N; 16°30′W) during spring (April 1994). Data from the present study are compared with those from previous studies of the same location made in summer 1989. The first fishes to arrive at baits were the grenadier Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus and the eel Histiobranchus bathybius, after delays of 28 and 29 min, respectively; these results are not significantly different from those of summer 1989. Similarly, other indices of activity (staying time and swimming speed) showed no evidence of differences between years/seasons. However, the rate of radial dispersal of bait (0.009 m s⁻¹) by C. (N.) armatus was much slower than in all previous studies. A change in the size distribution of C. (N.) armatus to smaller individuals in spring 1994 was also evident. It is suggested that the fish on the abyssal plain may not comprise a steady-state population and that major episodic or seasonal migrations may occur. Received: 18 October 1996 / Accepted: 20 December 1996     

Heavy-metal adsorption by non-living biomass

The adsorption of some heavy metals onto the walls of harvested, washed, and dried non-living biomass cells of different Pseudomonas strains was studied at optimum experimental conditions using a simplified single component system. The Langmuir adsorption model was found to be a suitable approach to describe the system via multi-step processes. Isotherms measured at 30.0°C and pH 5.5 with [M]_total?=?10–100 mM for tight, reversible Cr⁶⁺(aq), Ni²⁺(aq), Cu²⁺(aq) and Cd²⁺(aq) binding by the cell walls of the investigated biomass fit the Langmuir model and give the pH-independent stoichiometric site capacities ν _i and equilibrium constants K _i for metal binding at specific biomass sites i?=?A, B, C, and D. Tight binding sites A, B, and D of the non-living biomass are occupied by Cr^VI, sites A and C by Ni^II, sites A and D by Cd^II, and only site B by Cu^II. It is concluded that ν _i is a stoichiometric parameter that is independent of the magnitude of K _i for binding site i and that the studied heavy metals selectively and tightly bind at different biomass sites.     

A convenient and eco-friendly way to synthesize Pt(II) and Pd(II) porphyrins in ionic liquids by microwave activation

Due to the slow rate of incorporation of inert-metal ions into free-base porphyrins compared to other transition metals, several methods have been proposed to accelerate the rate of metalation. However, these methods have disadvantages such as low yields, difficulties of purification of final products, and environmental effects. To avoid those disadvantages, we reacted Pt(II) and Pd(II) salts with H₂(TPP), H₂(TMPyP)⁴⁺, and their β-pyrrole derivatives, H₂(Br₈TPP) and H₂(Br₈TMPyP)⁴⁺, in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]⁺Br⁻) under microwave irradiation. The combination of microwave heating and ionic liquids provides efficient thermal energy transfer among the porphyrins and metal salts. In addition, ionic liquids stabilize charged species as well as their intermediates, due to their high dipole moment and high boiling point. This not only shortens the reaction time but also gives high yields of products at relatively low temperatures, of about 100°C compared to conventional synthesis methods: 150°C for DMF, 190°C for DMSO. Here, we demonstrate that Pt(II)/Pt(II) metalloporphyrins are synthesized at high rates, e.g. 6–30 min for 100% metalation, with high yields of 79–93% in [bmim]⁺Br⁻ by microwave activation.     

Photographic and acoustic tracking observations of the behaviour of the grenadier Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus the eel Synaphobranchus bathybius,and other abyssal demersal fish in the North Atlantic Ocean

Using an autonomous free-fall vehicle (AU-DOS), observations were made of demersal fish attracted to baits and baited acoustic transmitters at two stations in the North Atlantic Ocean. A comparison was made between Station PAP (48°50N; 16°30W), 4800 m deep on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain which is relatively eutrophic, and Station MAP (31°N; 20°W), 4900 m deep on the Madeira Abyssal Plain, which is oligotrophic. Experiments were conducted during summer, in 1989 and 1990. Four species of fish were observed at Station MAP, the grenadier, Coryphaenoides (Nematonurus) armatus, the eel, Synaphobranchus bathybius, and the ophidiids Spectrunculus grandis, and Barathrites sp. At Station PAP, C. (N.) armatus and H. (S.) bathybius were attracted to bait on all deployments and only two other individuals of different species, probably ophidiids, were seen. The mean first grenadier arrival time was 30 and 138 min at Stations PAP and MAP, respectively. Mean first eel arrival time was 29 and 151 min at Stations PAP and MAP, respectively. Estimated population densities of fish were 167 grenadiers km^-2 and 180 synaphobranchid eels km^-2 at Station PAP and 8 grenadiers km^-2 and 7 eels km^-2 at Station MAP. Only the grenadier C. (N.) armatus definitely ingested transmitters, and this species dominated fish activity around the baits. Mean time of departure of grenadiers with transmitters in their stomachs across an acoustic horizon at 1000 m range was 371 and 488 min at Stations PAP and MAP, respectively. Grenadiers had a longer mean staying time at the food source at the more oligotrophic Station MAP (364 min) than at Station PAP (141 min). This corresponds with predictions of optimal foraging theory.     

Acclimation of Solea senegalensis to different ambient temperatures: implications for thyroidal status and osmoregulation

We have investigated the regulation of thyroidal status and osmoregulatory capacities in juveniles from the teleost Solea senegalensis acclimated to different ambient temperatures. Juveniles, raised in seawater at 19°C, were acclimated for 3 weeks to temperatures of 12, 19 and 26°C. Since our preliminary observations showed that at 12°C feed intake was suppressed, our experimental design controlled for this factor. The concentration of branchial Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase, estimated by measurements of enzyme activity at the optimum temperature of this enzyme (37°C), did not change. In contrast, an increase in Na⁺,K⁺-ATPase activity (measured at 37°C), was observed in the kidney of 12°C-acclimated fish. In fish acclimated to 12°C, the hepatosomatic index had increased, which correlated with increased plasma levels of triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids. Plasma cortisol levels did not differ significantly between the experimental groups. In liver and gills, the amount of iodothyronine deiodinases that exhibit thyroid hormone outer ring deiodination was up-regulated only when fish did not feed. When assayed at the acclimation temperature, kidney deiodinase activities were similar, indicating a temperature-compensation strategy. 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3) tissue concentrations in gills and kidney did not differ significantly between experimental groups. However, at 12°C, lower T3 tissue levels were measured in plasma and liver. We conclude that S. senegalensis adjusts its osmoregulatory system to compensate for the effects of temperature on electrolyte transport capacity. The organ-specific changes in thyroid hormone metabolism at different temperatures indicate the involvement of thyroid hormones in temperature acclimation.     

Distribution patterns of mesopelagic fishes with special reference to Vinciguerria lucetia Garman 1899 (Phosichthyidae: Pisces) in the Humboldt Current Region off Peru

The horizontal and vertical distributions of adult mesopelagic fishes are described from acoustic and trawl surveys over the full-depth of 500 m at 169 stations on a longitudinal transect crossing the Humboldt Current (03°45′S, 81°76′W and 18°23′S, 71°13′W) at 50–200 nautical miles off Peru during austral spring (October–November) of 2001, 2002 and 2003. A total of 2,952 kg of fishes was collected, which included 13 families, 23 genera and 28 species. The mesopelagic community is dominated by the families Phosichthyidae (Vinciguerria lucetia), Myctophidae (Diogenichthys laternatus and Lampanyctus idostigma) and Bathylagidae (Leuroglossus urotranus), accounting for 60.4, 12.8 and 3.7%, respectively, of the total catch. Based on horizontal distribution patterns these species were categorized into three groups, i.e. northern-central upwelling front group (L. urotranus, Nemichthys fronto and Scopelarchoides nicholsi), Southern upwelling front group (Hygophum reinhardti, Myctophum nitidulum, Paralepis sp and Scopeloberyx sp.) and pan-Humboldt Current group (V. lucetia, D. laternatus, L. (Nannobrachium) idostigma, L. omostigma, M. aurolaternatum, Triphoturus oculeus, Bathylagus (Melanolagus) berycoides, Leuroglossus stilbius, Argyropelecus affinis, Sternoptyx obscura, Melamphaes sp., Stomias sp. and Scopelosaurus sp.). Nighttime vertical distribution was characterized by a single abundance peak in the upper 50 m. Daytime patterns showed three peaks of abundance: an upper peak, in the upper 100 m, a midwater peak between 200 and 400 m, coinciding with an oxygen minimum zone, and a deeper peak between 400 and 500 m. V. lucetia was dominant in the upper and midwater peaks while myctophids, other planctivorous and piscivorous fishes were distributed in the midwater. Acoustic back-scattered energy (S _a) was ubiquitous in the region. Maximum S _a was mainly located between 11° and 18°S during day and night. V. lucetia is a significant component of the sound-scattering layers in the Humboldt Current Region off Peru.