828 results on '"AQUARIUMS"'
Search Results
2. Animal-visitor interactions in semi-contrived tourism settings: a study of 'Meet & Greets' in UK zoos.
- Author
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Doodson, Polly, Melfi, Vicky, Webber, Amanda D., and Dumbell, Lucy
- Subjects
ECOTOURISM ,ZOO animals ,TOURISM ,ZOOS ,AQUARIUMS - Abstract
Animal-visitor interactions are common in captive-wildlife tourism settings, but there is a lack of research exploring what is on offer. This study defines and examines 'Meet & Greet' animal experiences in UK zoos within the context of the wider wildlife tourism industry, considering the differences between semi-contrived and fully-contrived interactions. From quantitatively analysing the websites of members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the results show that Meet & Greets are frequently offered by zoos in the UK, but that these zoos do not always explicitly describe what the interaction involves. We propose that there is a need for more research on the impact of Meet & Greets, particularly looking at how zoos advertise these experiences and how they are perceived by potential participants, as there is a danger that accredited zoos could inadvertently be promoting the exploitation of animals for photo prop opportunities in other tourist settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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3. Early seedling development and survival of seagrasses Posidonia australis and P. sinuosa using different seed‐based restoration methods.
- Author
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Maulidiyah, Rizqi A., Cambridge, Marion L., Austin, Rachel, and Kendrick, Gary A.
- Subjects
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SEAGRASS restoration , *LEAF development , *ROOT development , *AQUARIUMS , *POSIDONIA , *PHRAGMITES - Abstract
Seagrass seed‐based restoration has been developed in several places worldwide, but disturbance at the vulnerable initial stages of seedling recruitment has proved to be a major bottleneck to successful restoration. A detailed investigation of seagrass seedling survival and growth at the earliest stages of seedling development is an important contribution to developing techniques to improve seedling establishment and survival. Here, we investigated the early seedling development of Posidonia australis and P. sinuosa as well as quantifying the variation in seedling survival and development under different seed‐based restoration methods. Early seedling development was documented in indoor aquaria during the first month after fruit dehiscence. In the second ex situ experiment, we determined the effects of three different restoration methods (surface sowing, seedling planting, and planting inside a hessian bag) on seedling survival and development over the first 2 months of life. In the first experiment, a primary root with the first root hairs developed after 7 days. After 1 month, roots were 20–60 mm in length, firmly establishing the seedling into the sediment. Compared to surface sowing, seedling planting and hessian bag restoration treatments did not significantly affect survival for P. australis but increased seedling mortality in P. sinuosa, although growth was greater (shoot and root lengths were approximately 50 and 40% longer, respectively). These aquarium‐scale experiments suggest that planting methods would enhance seedling establishment at larger scales in some species, promoting restoration of damaged seagrass habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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4. Utilization of Oligosaccharides from Banana Peel as Prebiotics on Feed Digestibility, Feed Consumption, Growth, and Survival Rate of the Milkfish (Chanos chanos).
- Author
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Mustari, Tuthy Tazkiah, Haryati, and Aslamyah, Siti
- Subjects
- *
BANANAS , *SURVIVAL rate , *DIETARY supplements , *FISH feeds , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
This study examined the potential utilization of banana peel waste as a source of prebiotic oligosaccharides to improve the biological performance of the milkfish (Chanos chanos). A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the effect of banana peel oligosaccharide supplementation on feed digestibility, feed consumption, growth, and survival rate. The milkfish specimens were fed diets supplemented with banana peel oligosaccharide extract at levels of 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, and 4% (initial weight 15± 5g/ ind) maintained at a density of 10 fish per aquaria, measuring 50 x 40 x 35cm³, totaling 15 units. This study was designed in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments and three replications. The experimental fish were fed with 5% of fish biomass per day for 50 days of rearing, with a frequency of feeding three times a day at 07:00, 12:00, and 17:00. The results showed that the oligosaccharide extract had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on digestibility (total, protein, fat, and energy) and growth (absolute length and relative length), while no effect was detected on the survival and feed consumption of the milkfish. The best dose varied depending on the parameters: 1% for fat digestibility (93.69 ± 0.76%), 2% for total digestibility (18.83 ± 0.19%), protein digestibility (92.58 ± 0.66%), energy digestibility (90.65 ± 1.23%), in addition to 3% for absolute length growth (11.04 ± 0.85cm) and relative length growth (8.29 ± 0.50%). In conclusion, the addition of banana peel oligosaccharide extract as a prebiotic improves the growth and nutritional performance of milkfish, with the best dose ranging from 2--3%, depending on the optimized parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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- View/download PDF
5. Environmental Identity and DEIA+ in Aquariums: Framing the Conversation.
- Author
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de la Hoz, Jenny F. and Khalil, Kathayoon A.
- Subjects
- *
GREEN behavior , *ENVIRONMENTAL protection , *MUSEUM visitors , *AQUARIUMS , *MOTIVATION (Psychology) - Abstract
What is the connection between environmental identity and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA+) work? The authors explore the intricate connection between these concepts and how aquaria are utilizing environmental identities to motivate pro-environmental behaviors in all museum visitors, including the identities of emerging museum audience. Using both literature and personal stories, the authors underscore how their diverse backgrounds and lived experiences were pivotal in the cultivation of their environmental identities, and how DEIA+ efforts bring more people and educators like them into the aquarium field. By centering diverse voices and stories, museums can create more inclusive experiences that resonate with broader audiences and thus expand their reach to more people with their messages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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6. Advancing Racial Equity with the Aquarium Conservation Partnership.
- Author
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Wegner, Jaclyn N. and Abraham Panni, Kera
- Subjects
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RACIAL inequality , *INSTITUTIONAL racism , *SOCIAL justice , *AQUARIUMS , *PEOPLE of color - Abstract
Historic and present-day systemic racism frequently excludes Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) from engaging in aquarium efforts toward conservation, research, advocacy, and education. But to realize the conservation missions of aquariums—creating a more equitable and sustainable world in which people and nature thrive—we need a diversity of perspectives and voices driving adaptive, lasting solutions. In this article, the co-authors describe how a diverse coalition of U.S. aquariums is working to integrate racial justice with their conservation initiatives and to transform their sector. They outline the formation of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership (ACP) Equity Work Group, progress toward an ACP Equity Commitment, and the restructuring of ACP governance. They describe how these efforts, like equity work across the broader cultural attractions sector, have been imperfect and uncertain; but they yield lessons that may provide reassurance, encouragement, and guidance to similar coalitions committed to racial equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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7. As the Neighborhood Changes So Do We: Changing with Community.
- Author
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Carlin-Morgan, Kerry
- Subjects
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NEIGHBORHOOD change , *TRUST , *AQUARIUMS , *HISPANIC Americans , *COMMUNITY change - Abstract
To truly fulfill their missions and make positive strides toward the conservation of our ocean, aquariums need to reach diverse audiences and reflect their local communities. Reaching audiences not adequately represented at our facilities takes work and time. It requires building relationships and trust. We need to understand which audiences are not represented and why, and work with them to make our aquariums more inclusive and welcoming. The Oregon Coast Aquarium's efforts to better engage our local Latino community are a work in progress. However, we have made some positive strides and our continuing work can help inform others of the inherent opportunities and struggles that are part of this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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8. Productive Tensions and Their Results.
- Author
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Williams, Jasmine
- Subjects
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ORGANIZATIONAL change , *PRODUCTIVE life span , *AQUARIUMS , *WOMEN of color , *BOATS & boating - Abstract
This article explores the tension – in both positive and negative senses – of an aquarium's internal and external equity work. The article parses out this tension, especially reflecting on where the equity work lives, where it gets messy, and who is doing the work. It centers on the tensions around positionality for a woman of color initially without, then later with, authority in a predominantly white organization by offering accounts of those tensions through her own lived experiences. Through her stories, the author considers questions such as: Who can rock the institutional boat without worrying about their job? What are the capacities really needed to balance internal and external equity efforts? Where are the lines between being a representative of a group and being tokenized? What is the emotional burden of having to justify your lived experience? The author discusses the direct results of these natural tensions and the impacts they have on historically excluded communities engaging with and working for cultural institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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9. Toward Belonging: Reflections in Practice.
- Author
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Lopez, Lisa Junkin
- Subjects
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SOCIAL justice , *AQUARIUMS , *OTHER (Philosophy) , *POSSIBILITY - Abstract
This article posits that advancing equity is necessary but not sufficient for creating a more just world: we need belonging. Using a lens of racial justice to define the concept of belonging, the author considers how to practice cultivating it within the context of an aquarium's community-based engagement. Through case studies framed by belonging tools developed by the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California at Berkeley, the article discusses possibilities for practicing belonging and acknowledges the vulnerability it entails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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10. Swimming ability of the Carybdea marsupialis (Cnidaria: Cubozoa: Carybdeidae): implications for its spatial distribution.
- Author
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Bordehore, C., Manchado‐Pérez, S., and Fonfría, E. S.
- Subjects
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OCEAN currents , *VIDEO recording , *SWIMMING , *MARINE plankton , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
Although usually considered part of the plankton, cubozoans are strong swimmers. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the active swimming ability of the box jellyfish Carybdea marsupialis on the spatial distribution of a well‐studied population in the NW Mediterranean where adults and juveniles do not overlap geographically. To accomplish this, we analyzed the swimming speed, effective velocity, effective displacement index (EDI), and proficiency of 27 individuals with diagonal bell widths (DBWs) ranging from 1.1 to 36 mm. The laboratory analysis utilized conventional video recordings and the video analysis tool Tracker. Mean swimming speed for small juveniles, medium juveniles and adults was 9.7 ± 0.8, 21.9 ± 2.3 and 43.1 ± 1.8 mm s−1 (mean ± se), respectively. Effective velocity was also proportional to size, ranging from 5.0 ± 0.7 to 38.8 ± 3.1 mm s−1 (mean ± se). The calculated EDI for each group was 0.51 ± 0.05, 0.84 ± 0.06 and 0.90 ± 0.05 (mean ± se), respectively. Proficiency showed an inverse trend, from 6.4 ± 0.6 s−1 for the small juveniles to 1.36 ± 0.05 for adults (mean ± se). Comparing the swimming speed results with the local currents obtained from drifting buoys analyzed in the area, adults would be able to swim strongly enough to overcome almost 70% of the currents, whereas the small juveniles would not reach 17%. This would allow larger individuals to select their habitat, while smaller individuals are left dependent on advection. Although experiments adding currents in aquaria would be necessary to confirm these theoretical results, the data obtained would be useful in improving the performance of bio‐mathematical models used to predict jellyfish blooms since, even though the sting of C. marsupialis is non‐fatal, it may produce systemic effects in sensitive swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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11. Life cycle and development of the marine leech Branchellion lobata (Hirudinea: Piscicolidae), from round stingrays, Urobatis halleri, from southern California.
- Author
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Lizarraga, Anahy, Appy, Ralph, and Goffredi, Shana K.
- Subjects
- *
LIFE cycles (Biology) , *LEECHES , *AQUARIUMS , *GAMMAPROTEOBACTERIA , *STINGRAYS - Abstract
During captivity, round stingrays, Urobatis halleri, became infected with the marine leech Branchellion lobata. When adult leeches were deprived of blood meal, they experienced a rapid decrease in body mass and did not survive beyond 25 days. If kept in aquaria with host rays, B. lobata fed frequently and soon produced cocoons, which were discovered adhered to sand grains. A single leech emerged from each cocoon (at ~ 21 days), and was either preserved for histology or molecular analysis, or monitored for development by introduction to new hosts in aquaria. Over a 74-day observation period, leeches grew from ~ 2 to 8 mm without becoming mature. Newly hatched leeches differed from adults in lacking branchiae and apparent pulsatile vesicles. The microbiome of the hatchlings was dominated by a specific, but undescribed, member of the gammaproteobacteria, also recovered previously from the adult leech microbiome. Raising B. lobata in captivity provided an opportunity to examine their reproductive strategy and early developmental process, adding to our limited knowledge of this common group of parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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12. Seaweeds as holobionts: Current state, challenges, and potential applications.
- Author
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Marzinelli, Ezequiel M., Thomas, Torsten, Vadillo Gonzalez, Sebastian, Egan, Suhelen, and Steinberg, Peter D.
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CARBON sequestration , *BIOLOGICAL products , *ECOSYSTEM services , *AQUARIUMS , *COASTS - Abstract
Seaweeds play a strong ecological and economical role along the world's coastlines, where they support industries (e.g., aquaculture, bioproducts) and essential ecosystem services (e.g., biodiversity, fisheries, carbon capture). Evidence from wild and cultured seaweeds suggests that microorganisms play crucial roles in their health and functioning, prompting the need for considering seaweeds and their microbiome as a coherent entity or "holobiont." Here we show that the number of studies investigating seaweed hosts and their microbiome have increased in the last two decades. This likely reflects the increase in the appreciation of the importance of microbiomes for eukaryotic hosts, improved molecular approaches used to characterize their interactions, and increasing interest in commercial use of seaweeds. However, although increasing, most studies of seaweed holobionts have focused on (i) a few seaweed species of ecological or commercial significance, (ii) interactions involving only bacteria, and (iii) descriptive rather than experimental approaches. The relatively few experimental studies have mostly focused on manipulating abiotic factors to examine responses of seaweeds and their microbiome. Of the few studies that directly manipulated microorganisms to investigate their effects on seaweeds, most were done in laboratory or aquaria. We emphasize the need to move beyond the descriptions of patterns to experimental approaches for understanding causation and mechanisms. We argue that such experimental approaches are necessary for a better understanding of seaweed holobionts, for management actions for wild and cultivated seaweeds, and to better integrate studies of seaweed holobionts with the broader fields of seaweed ecology and biology, which are strongly experimental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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13. The first finding of the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Greece calls for rapid measures.
- Author
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Karaouzas, Ioannis, Kapakos, Yiannis, Fytilis, Konstantinos, Leris, Ioannis, Kalaitzakis, Nektarios, Kouraklis, Petros, Perdikaris, Costas, and Kalogianni, Eleni
- Subjects
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CRAYFISH , *PROCAMBARUS clarkii , *SWAMPS , *BODIES of water , *PET industry , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
This contribution presents the first record of the invasive non-native red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) in Greece and the Balkans. The crayfish was found during a fish monitoring expedition in the lower reaches of the Vosvozis River, near the city of Komotini, Thrace (northeastern Greece). The finding of P. clarkii in Greece expands the southernmost geographical range of the species in the Balkans and calls for immediate actions in preventing its further expansion to other water bodies and towards strict control of aquarium trade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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14. SQnet: An Enhanced Multi-Objective Detection Algorithm in Subaquatic Environments.
- Author
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Zhu, Yutao, Shan, Bochen, Wang, Yinglong, and Yin, Hua
- Subjects
COMPUTATIONAL complexity ,AQUACULTURE ,AQUARIUMS ,FISHERIES ,ALGORITHMS - Abstract
With the development of smart aquaculture, the demand for accuracy for underwater target detection has increased. However, traditional target detection methods have proven to be inefficient and imprecise due to the complexity of underwater environments and the obfuscation of biological features against the underwater environmental background. To address these issues, we proposed a novel algorithm for underwater multi-target detection based on the YOLOv8 architecture, named SQnet. A Dynamic Snake Convolution Network (DSConvNet) module was introduced for tackling the overlap between target organisms and the underwater environmental background. To reduce computational complexity and parameter overhead while maintaining precision, we employed a lightweight context-guided semantic segmentation network (CGNet) model. Furthermore, the information loss and degradation issues arising from indirect interactions between non-adjacent layers were handled by integrating an Asymptotic Feature Pyramid Network (AFPN) model. Experimental results demonstrate that SQnet achieves an mAP@0.5 of 83.3% and 98.9% on the public datasets URPC2020, Aquarium, and the self-compiled dataset ZytLn, respectively. Additionally, its mAP@0.5–0.95 reaches 49.1%, 85.4%, and 84.6%, respectively, surpassing other classical algorithms such as YOLOv7-tiny, YOLOv5s, and YOLOv3-tiny. Compared to the original YOLOv8 model, SQnet boasts a PARM of 2.25 M and consistent GFLOPs of 6.4 G. This article presents a novel approach for the real-time monitoring of fish using mobile devices, paving the way for the further development of intelligent aquaculture in the domain of fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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15. Meine ABC-Liste -- Thema: die IGL.
- Author
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Krieger, Florian
- Subjects
- *
ENDANGERED species , *CLUB membership , *AQUARIUMS , *AQUARIUM fishes , *MENTORING , *FISH communities - Abstract
The article is about the ABC list of the International Community for Labyrinth Fish (IGL). It explains that an ABC list is a collection of terms on a specific topic. The author also mentions an aquarium podcast and talks about the importance of aquarium clubs. The article contains information about the diversity of aquaristics and the importance of biology and chemistry in this field. It also highlights the significance of Deggendorf as a venue for meetings in the aquarium scene. The text describes various topics related to the IGL, such as the importance of commitment and community in a club, the significance of friendships within the community, and the importance of the IGL website. The article also deals with various topics related to the aquarium club IGL, such as the possibility of writing contributions for the club's homepage and submitting pictures, the international networking of the club, and various speakers and events. It also addresses criticism of aquaristics and emphasizes the love for nature and fish as the central motivation of the club members. The article deals with various topics related to the IGL's club magazine "Der Makropode," such as the importance of the magazine as a tool for unification and the improvement of quality over time. It also emphasizes the need for aquarium clubs, as the internet does not always provide reliable information and dealers do not always accept privately bred fish. The article describes the benefits of membership in an aquarium club, such as the opportunity to find rare species, receive firsthand information, and exchange ideas with like-minded people. Clubs organize meetings, conferences, and events where expertise is shared and provide mentoring for beginners. The article also mentions the paradise fish and emphasizes the importance of quarantine for fish health. The article describes various aspects of the IGL aquarium club, such as the impact of the closure of a local group on other clubs, the importance of quarantine periods for fish, the challenges of regional groups, the self-confidence strengthened by membership in the IGL, the difficulties in organizing animal fairs, the importance of timing at meetings, and the significance of lectures for knowledge growth. The article deals with various aspects of the aquarium hobby, such as the importance of aquarists for science, the balanced gender distribution in aquaristics, and the importance of commitment to the preservation of different fish species and the aquarium community. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
16. First record of Croaking Gourami Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831) from West Bengal, India.
- Author
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Dutta, Sujal, Biswas, Bakul, and Guha, Bibhas
- Subjects
IDENTIFICATION of fishes ,NATIVE fishes ,AQUARIUMS ,MORPHOMETRICS ,SPECIES - Abstract
The Croaking Gourami Trichopsis vittata (Cuvier, 1831) is a native fish to southeastern Asia and Sundaland, with introduction reports from the USA, Philippines, and many other countries including India. In India, this species was first reported from Chembarampakkam Lake situated in Chennai during the year 2015. This study reports the presence of this fish for the first time in the Magra Beel, a wetland in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, in 2021, 2022, 2023. The laboratory evaluated the fish samples taken from the marsh to determine their fin ray counts and morphometric data. The results identified the species as T. vittata and supported previous research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Amphibious ethics and speculative immersions: laboratory aquariums as a site for developing a more inclusive animal geography.
- Author
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Greenhough, Beth, Roe, Emma, and Message, Reuben
- Subjects
- *
AQUARIUMS , *ANIMAL welfare , *IDENTIFICATION of animals , *GEOGRAPHY , *WATER quality , *LABORATORIES - Abstract
Human capacity to sense and respond to the suffering of non-human animals is key to animal care and welfare. Intuitively these modes of relating seem best suited to interactions between humans and warm-blooded mammals who share human-like facial features and characteristics. Animal geographers and those working in animal welfare have noted the challenges that humans face in learning to care about fishes, and how this leads to welfare guidelines and regulations which are poorly suited to aquatic species. This paper draws on interviews with laboratory aquarists and biomedical researchers to explore how they have learnt to sense and respond to the needs of fishes in the laboratory. We offer two key observations. Firstly, despite significant bodily differences, humans find ways to empathise with fishes. Secondly, whilst observations of bodies and behaviours predominate in laboratory mammal welfare assessments, when working with fishes water quality serves as an important proxy for species health. We conclude that the laboratory aquarium signifies methodological and conceptual limits in contemporary animal geographies. We further argue that these barriers should be understood as cultural, and – as we demonstrate – that there is consequently scope and capacity to reach beyond them by engaging in amphibious ethics and speculative immersions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. An artistic perspective on individual space–time flows.
- Author
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Stanczak, Aleksandra and Moore, Antoni B.
- Subjects
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RENAISSANCE , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *AQUARIUMS , *CUBES - Abstract
Cartographically, there are now many ways of depicting the spatiotemporal life of human individuals, from flow and animated maps to 3D space-time cubes. However, these scientifically led representations have limited expressive potential for the emotional and inner life of these individuals. Artistic visual forms have been identified as a resource to bring such qualitative communication to and alongside maps. In the 'Journey as a Flow' project we attempt to represent the geometry and motivation of everyday human motion in relation to various points in the environment and within an environment of other individual flows. We have produced various visual artwork sketches in order to understand the wide range of environmental flows of an individual as well as one's perception of them. We used the space-time cube (i.e. time-geographic aquarium) as a starting point, dictated by the need to create a functional tool in which space and time were both visible, as well as having potential as a 3D tangible object for physical exhibition. This forms the basis for analyses of displacement, interaction and perception. All the modifications of this established geospatial visualisation are inspirations and incorporations from art disciplines. The project outputs therefore include inspirations from cine-plastic art and Escher's perspective drawings, but the main part of it draws from the Italian renaissance concept of the image conceived as a framed window through which we look at the world. The idea of central perspective has also been used to portray spaces as a flow toward a specific destination. The overall set of representations depict a dynamic version of human lives, while the set of various metaphors deployed drive an artistic interpretation of how some people can perceive (their own / other) flows during their journey. A transformation has therefore occurred from a temporal flow would be conventionally spatial to one that assumes platial properties (i.e. an individually led geography of place). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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19. Comammox Nitrospira among dominant ammonia oxidizers within aquarium biofilter microbial communities.
- Author
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McKnight, Michelle M. and Neufeld, Josh D.
- Subjects
- *
AQUARIUMS , *AMMONIA-oxidizing bacteria , *BIOFILTERS , *MICROBIAL communities , *WATER chemistry - Abstract
Nitrification by aquarium biofilters transforms ammonia waste (NH3/NH4+) to less toxic nitrate (NO3-) via nitrite (NO2-). Prior to the discovery of complete ammoniaoxidizing ("comammox" or CMX) Nitrospira, previous research revealed that ammoniaoxidizing archaea (AOA) dominated over ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in freshwater aquarium biofilters. Here, we profiled aquarium biofilter microbial communities and quantified the abundance of all three known ammonia oxidizers using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR (qPCR), respectively. Biofilter and water samples were each collected from representative residential and commercial freshwater and saltwater aquaria. Distinct biofilter microbial communities were associated with freshwater and saltwater biofilters. Comammox Nitrospira amoA genes were detected in all 38 freshwater biofilter samples (average CMX amoA genes: 2.2 × 10³ ± 1.5 × 10³ copies/ng) and dominant in 30, whereas AOA were present in 35 freshwater biofilter samples (average AOA amoA genes: 1.1 × 10³ ± 2.7 × 10³ copies/ng) and only dominant in 7 of them. The AOB were at relatively low abundance within biofilters (average of 3.2 × 101 ± 1.1 × 10² copies of AOB amoA genes/ng of DNA), except for the aquarium with the highest ammonia concentration. For saltwater biofilters, AOA or AOB were different ially abundant, with no comammox Nitrospira detected. Additional sequencing of Nitrospira amoA genes revealed differential distributions, suggesting niche adaptation based on water chemistry (e.g., ammonia, carbonate hardness, and alkalinity). Network analysis of freshwater microbial communities demonstrated positive correlations between nitri fiers and heterotrophs, suggesting metabolic and ecological interactions within biofilters. These results demonstrate that comammox Nitrospira plays a previously overlooked, but important role in home aquarium biofilter nitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Aquarium setup for the long‐term housing of Pseudanodonta complanata (Bivalvia: Unionidae) towards captive breeding success.
- Author
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Rock, Sebastian L.
- Subjects
BIVALVES ,UNIONIDAE ,FISH breeding ,AQUARIUMS ,WILDLIFE reintroduction ,NATIVE species ,CRYSTAL filters - Abstract
This article discusses the decline of parasitic freshwater mussel populations and the need for conservation methods, particularly captive breeding, to reintroduce and protect these species. The focus is on the Depressed River Mussel (Pseudanodonta complanata), which is classified as vulnerable. The article presents a novel method for the long-term housing and husbandry of P. complanata, inspired by an outdoor mesocosm system used in Virginia, USA. The method involves creating a lake-like ecosystem with natural food sources for the mussels, reducing the reliance on nutrient-rich water or expensive custom food mixtures. The article also highlights the successful reproduction of P. complanata in captivity using this method and suggests further research to test its scalability and potential for juvenile mussel production. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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21. What Types of Animals Should Be in the Future Zoo? Thoughts from United States Residents and Zoo and Aquarium Staff.
- Author
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Powell, David M., Meyer, Theodore G., Dorsey, Candice, and Vernon, Rob
- Subjects
- *
ZOO animals , *ZOOS , *AQUARIUMS , *ANIMAL species , *MEGAFAUNA - Abstract
Humans are biased in their preferences for animals, and this may impact the composition of zoological collections. We assessed which kinds of animals the public and zoo professionals want to preserve in zoos for the future and analyzed these lists for previously identified biases and agreement across surveyed groups. We also characterized agreement among the surveyed groups on the roles of zoos and the composition of animal collections. We surveyed people who live in the United States, members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and AZA zoo and aquarium directors. There was agreement among surveyed groups on the roles of zoos, though some differences existed. Zoo professionals and the public generally agreed on the emphasis on various categories of animals for zoo collections, though some differences were noted. We found evidence of bias towards mammals, charismatic megafauna, and felids across all surveyed groups. Agreement was high between AZA members and directors and moderate between zoo professionals and the public. These results indicate that these groups are generally in agreement about the roles of zoos, how they should compose their animal collections, and what animal species, in particular, should be kept in zoos for the future, allowing zoos to compose their collections to maximize delivery on their mission goals as well as address the preferences of the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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22. A Novel Water Level Control System for Sustainable Aquarium Use.
- Author
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Kok, Chiang Liang, Ho, Chee Kit, Tanjodi, Nicholas, and Koh, Yit Yan
- Subjects
AQUARIUMS ,INTERNET of things ,DECISION making ,AQUATIC organisms - Abstract
The advent of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has paved the way for innovative solutions in various domains, including aquarium maintenance. An IoT-based automated water changing system emerges as a promising solution to ensure a clean and healthy environment for aquarium inhabitants, thereby alleviating basic chores, particularly for aquarium hobbyists. Conventional solutions often fall short in reliability and affordability, merely focusing on water replacement without addressing other crucial factors. In contrast, this novel system integrates cutting-edge features, leveraging wireless monitoring facilitated by Home Assistant and incorporating water seasoning capabilities. Unlike existing systems, which lack comprehensive monitoring, this solution monitors a plethora of water parameters including water height, pH levels, salinity, temperature, and dissolved solids. This holistic approach enables the system to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Utilizing the gathered data, the system employs advanced algorithms to determine requisite actions. For instance, upon detecting a lower water level, it triggers the water vault to replenish water, ensuring optimal water volume for aquatic life. Additionally, it regulates temperature through heating and cooling mechanisms, ensuring the maintenance of ideal conditions for aquatic organisms. Moreover, the system proactively addresses anomalies by generating indicator requests for parameters beyond its operational scope, thereby facilitating timely intervention by the user. By amalgamating state-of-the-art IoT technology with comprehensive water monitoring and proactive decision making capabilities, this automated water changing system represents a significant advancement in aquarium maintenance, promising enhanced efficiency, reliability, and ultimately, a healthier aquatic ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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23. Survey of the feeding management of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) in the EAZA ex‐situ programme.
- Author
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Steinecker‐Quast, Johanna, Osmann, Christine, and Liesegang, Annette
- Subjects
- *
FAT-soluble vitamins , *DIETARY supplements , *COMPOSITION of feeds , *AVOCADO , *AGRICULTURE , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
Feeding giant anteaters and tamanduas as insectivorous species provides a lot of challenges for zoological institutions. In the last decades an in‐house mixture, called 'Dortmund mixture', was the most common feed used in giant anteaters and tamanduas in many countries within the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ex‐situ Programme (EEP). Some nutritional problems occurred due to imbalances in the diets. The more recent nutritional recommendations for both species advise an adapted and balanced complete feed formulated for insectivorous species due to different problems arising with an in‐house mixed feed as Dortmund mixture. To objectify the present situation a questionnaire was designed and sent out to 78 institutions of the EEPs for giant anteater(s) and tamandua(s). The questionnaire was divided into different sections and asked for data on husbandry, health status, feeding, especially feed composition, feed supplementation and faecal consistency. It was completed by 45 institutions with data for 130 animals, 89 giant anteaters and 41 tamanduas. The data thus represent 54% and 59% of the EEP populations. For both species, a complete feed is mainly utilised. Especially institutions that have integrated anteaters and tamanduas into their facilities during the last 10 and 20 years, use a complete feed. Regarding the in‐house mixtures, there are distinct differences, both in composition and amount of each ingredient used. The evaluation of the feeds used for enrichment, for example, shows a clear species difference. While in tamanduas mainly insects are used for this purpose, in giant anteaters it is mainly fruits and avocado. In contrast to the past, many anteaters today are fed an adapted complete feed. Surprisingly, concerning feeding supplements the use of fat‐soluble vitamins and combined vitamin–mineral preparations is still common in both species. More effort needs to be put into enforcing current feeding recommendations, especially for the giant anteaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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- View/download PDF
24. Talking about "bioluminescence" and "puppies of the ocean": An anti‐deficit exploration of how families create and use digital artifacts for informal science learning during and after an aquarium visit.
- Author
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Kelly, Kimberly R., Maloles, Claudine, George, Natalie, Mokatish, Selah, and Neves, Savannah
- Subjects
- *
NONFORMAL education , *BIOLUMINESCENCE , *AQUARIUMS , *PUPPIES , *DIGITAL video , *DEFICIT irrigation - Abstract
Families commonly document their outings by capturing their experiences through digital photographs and videos. However, little is known about the ways in which families engage their personal mobile devices to document educational family outings and how they subsequently talk about the digital artifacts that captured their informal learning experiences. This paper presents new evidence on family digital artifact creation during an informal science institution (ISI) visit, the expected and actual uses of their digital artifacts after the visit, and family conversations reminiscing about the ISI visit with the digital artifacts. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed‐methods design, data on family digital artifact creation during an aquarium visit (N = 204) and digital artifact use after the visit (n = 67) were collected using parent surveys. Audio‐recorded parent‐child conversations with a subset of families (n = 25) document whether and how families use their digital artifacts to reminisce about the aquarium visit. Quantitative findings detail family digital technology practices during informal learning experiences, and qualitative findings suggest evidence of informal science learning in the everyday interactions of the families who elected to continue the study. The study indicates that family storytelling and digital technology practices may help to bridge informal science learning from ISI to home and frames family non‐participation within an anti‐deficit perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Proteomic Insights into Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa Proteins of Small-Spotted Catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula : Implications for Reproductive Conservation in Aquariums.
- Author
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Muñoz-Baquero, Marta, Lorenzo-Rebenaque, Laura, García-Domínguez, Ximo, Valdés-Hernández, Jesús, García-Párraga, Daniel, Marin, Clara, García-Vázquez, Francisco Alberto, and Marco-Jiménez, Francisco
- Subjects
- *
SEMINAL proteins , *PROTEOMICS , *AQUARIUMS , *SPERMATOZOA , *REPRODUCTION , *CARBON metabolism , *BIOLOGICAL fitness - Abstract
Simple Summary: This study introduces the first proteome database for shark semen, focusing on small-spotted catsharks. It explores seminal plasma and spermatozoa proteomic profiles, uncovering protein differences between wild and aquarium populations. Key findings include 305 seminal plasma and 535 spermatozoa proteins, with significant variations in spermatozoa proteins that could influence reproductive success. This work lays the groundwork for identifying fertility biomarkers in shark conservation efforts. In the ex situ conservation of chondrichthyan species, successful reproduction in aquaria is essential. However, these species often exhibit reduced reproductive success under human care. A key aspect is that conventional sperm analyses do not provide insights into the functional competence of sperm. However, proteomics analysis enables a better understanding of male physiology, gaining relevance as a powerful tool for discovering protein biomarkers related to fertility. The present work aims to build the first proteome database for shark semen and to investigate the proteomic profiles of seminal plasma and spermatozoa from small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) related to the underlying adaptations to both natural and aquarium environments, thereby identifying the reproductive impact in aquarium specimens. A total of 305 seminal plasma and 535 spermatozoa proteins were identified. Among these, 89 proteins (29.2% of the seminal plasma set) were common to both spermatozoa and seminal plasma. In the seminal plasma, only adenosylhomocysteinase protein showed differential abundance (DAP) between wild and aquarium animals. With respect to the spermatozoa proteins, a total of 107 DAPs were found between groups. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis highlighted the primary functional roles of these DAPs involved in oxidoreductase activity. Additionally, KEGG analysis indicated that these DAPs were primarily associated with metabolic pathways and carbon metabolism. In conclusion, we have successfully generated an initial proteome database for S. canicula seminal plasma and spermatozoa. Furthermore, we have identified protein variations, predominantly within spermatozoa, between aquarium and wild populations of S. canicula. These findings provide a foundation for future biomarker discovery in shark reproduction studies. However, additional research is required to determine whether these protein variations correlate with reproductive declines in captive sharks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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26. Review of neoplasia in fish at a large display aquarium, 2005–2021.
- Author
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Wright, Sarah E., Pawlik, Michael, Snyman, Heindrich N., and Haulena, Martin
- Subjects
MARINE fishes ,SALTWATER fishing ,AQUARIUMS ,BENIGN tumors ,AUTOPSY ,TUMORS - Abstract
Fish maintained in managed care may have longer lifespans as a result of advances in veterinary medicine and husbandry and reduced risk of predation. Neoplasia is of increasing interest in managed aquarium populations. However, few studies have systematically evaluated neoplasia in managed fish populations. Our objective in this retrospective study was to review and describe neoplasia diagnosed in fish at a large public display aquarium between 2005 and 2021. Any fish diagnosed with neoplasia on either antemortem or postmortem evaluation during the study period was included, and all medical records, biopsy, and autopsy reports were reviewed. Sixty-two fish met the inclusion criteria; 37 species were included in the study population, most of which were tropical freshwater fish (n = 34 fish). Thirty-two types of neoplasia were identified. Ten fish had benign neoplasms, and 53 fish had malignant neoplasms. The most common neoplasms were of epithelial and neuroectodermal origin. The most common site of tumor origin was the skin. Our data suggest that mesenchymal neoplasms may be more common in cold saltwater fish than in tropical freshwater and saltwater fish. Malignant neoplasms were most commonly diagnosed in the study population and should be a top differential when neoplasms are identified in fish managed under human care. Our study contributes to the overall knowledge of the health of aquarium fish and may aid clinicians in characterizing neoplasia that may be present in fish under human care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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27. An experimental study of benthic habitat selection in yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata).
- Author
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Braham, Melissa A., Welsh, Stuart A., and Smith, Dustin M.
- Subjects
AMERICAN eel ,HABITAT selection ,ECOLOGICAL niche ,AQUARIUMS ,EELS ,RIPARIAN areas - Abstract
In a laboratory experiment, we quantified microhabitat use of small yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata, n = 130, 224–338 mm TL) conditional on five benthic substrate types common to rivers within their geographic range. During nine, 4-day trials replicated with three aquaria, American eels were given a choice to burrow into five equally available benthic substrates: cobble (90–256 mm), gravel (4–16 mm), sand (0.125–1 mm), silt/clay (< 0.0625 mm), and leaf pack. Five American eels were used per aquarium for each trial, and individuals were used one time only. All eels were injected with PIT tags prior to the study, which allowed for determination of lengths and otolith-based ages of each individual following each trial. Leaf pack was selected with a significantly higher probability than other substrates (63 of 130 individuals). However, other substrates were also used (cobble, 21 of 130; silt/clay, 18 of 130; gravel, 16 of 130; and sand, 12 of 130). Length and age covariates were not associated with substrate selection. Selection of leaf pack habitat supports the importance of forested riparian zones and terrestrial organic material to yellow-phase American eels in riverine systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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28. Innovative inbuilt moving bed biofilm reactor for nitrogen removal applied in household aquarium.
- Author
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Xiaolin Zhou, Haicheng Liu, Xing Fan, Xinhao Xu, Yuan Gao, Xuejun Bi, Lihua Cheng, Shujuan Huang, Fangchao Zhao, and Tang Yang
- Subjects
MOVING bed reactors ,BIOFILMS ,AQUARIUMS ,NITRIFYING bacteria ,SUSPENDED sediments ,DENITRIFYING bacteria ,PEBBLE bed reactors - Abstract
An innovative inbuilt moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was created to protect fish from nitrogen in a household aquarium. During the 90 experimental days, the ammonia nitrogen (NH
4 +-N) concentration in the aquarium with the inbuilt MBBR was always below 0.5mg/L, which would not threaten the fish. Concurrently, nitrite and nitrate nitrogen concentrations were always below 0.05mg/L and 4.5mg/L, respectively. However, the blank contrast aquarium accumulated 1.985mg/L NH4 +-N on the 16th day, which caused the fish to die. The suspended biofilms could achieve the specific NH4 +-N removal rate of 45.43g/m³/d. Biofilms presented sparsely with filamentous structures and showed certain degrees of roughness. The bacterial communities of the suspended biofilms and the sediment were statistically different (p <0.05), reflected in denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria. In particular, the relative abundance of Nitrospira reached 1.4%, while the genus was barely found in sediments. The suspended biofilms showed potentials for nitrification function with the predicted sequence numbers of ammonia monooxygenase [1.14.99.39] and hydroxylamine dehydrogenase [EC:1.7.2.6] of 220 and 221, while the values of the sediment were only 5 and 1. This study created an efficient NH4 +-N removal inbuilt MBBR for household aquariums and explored its mechanism to afford a basis for its utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Considering the sustainability of Kampong Aquarium, North Jakarta, Indonesia: Towards a historical tourism destination.
- Author
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Ashadi, Nur'aini, R. D., Lissimia, F., Anisa, and Wahab, S. N. A.
- Subjects
- *
HERITAGE tourism , *TOURIST attractions , *AQUARIUMS , *PROVINCIAL governments , *SUSTAINABILITY - Abstract
The eviction in 2016 was a turning point for Kampong Aquarium, which previously was a dense and slum urban village, which has now become a pilot village as a result of the implementation of the Kampong Improvement Program (KIP) by the Jakarta Provincial Government. In particular, Governor Anies Baswedan wishes to make Kampong Aquarium one of the historical tourist destinations in North Jakarta. He hopes that Kampong Aquarium can become a historical tourism network node in the North Jakarta area. This study aims to map out how far the chances of success for Kampong Aquarium to become a historical tourism destination and the opportunities for the sustainability of Kampong Aquarium. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with historical and architectural approaches to achieve this goal. The results of this study indicate that Kampong Aquarium, in addition to having several potentials, also has many obstacles to being able to develop and be sustainable. This study is expected to add to the treasury of knowledge about the sustainability of an urban village as a result of the realization of the Kampong Improvement Program in Jakarta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
30. Government Marine Aquarium on the Marina promenade, Madras, established in 1909.
- Author
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Raman, Anantanarayanan
- Subjects
- *
AQUARIUMS , *WORLD War II , *PHENOTYPIC plasticity , *BIODIVERSITY - Abstract
In 1905-1906, Edgar Thurston (Superintendent, Madras Museum, 1885-1908) sowed the seeds for a marine aquarium in Madras, because of Madras's coastal proximity. This effort eventuated as the Madras Marine Aquarium (MMA) in 1909. Directed by the superintendents of Madras Museum during its initial days, the MMA was handed to the Department of Fisheries, Government of Madras, in 1919. Frederick Nicholson, James Hornell and B. Sundara Raj superintended the MMA in 1909-1918, 1918-1924 and 1924-1942 respectively. From 1919, a research thrust was envisaged. Consequently, reasonable research progressed at MMA utilizing the organisms held in captivity. With the World War II (1939-1945) threatening India, Madras especially, the MMA was shut down in 1942. It reopened in 1955 but more as a freshwater aquarium, disengaging from its original concept of a marine centre. This article clarifies the pioneering efforts made by Nicholson, Hornell and Sundara Raj in bringing organisms live from sea for the common person of Madras to see, enjoy their colours and forms, and learn from them. Efforts made by Nicholson, Hornell and Sundara Raj instilled a sense of what we today refer to as 'biological diversity' and 'phenotypic variation'. The MMA was the spark that ignited the fire of setting up similar educational-cum-scientific institutions elsewhere in India in later years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
31. The Dolphins: poetry in studying ethical tourism and sustainability.
- Author
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Choudhury, Koushiki
- Abstract
AbstractThis study explores the inclusion of poetry in the realm of consumer research in tourism, consumption, and sustainability, with a study of the poem “The Dolphins” by Carol Ann Duffy. It reflects on the analysis of poetry in advancing our understanding of tourism consumption, and deliberates that poetry could provide insight into complex, emotional, painful, and cruel consumption facets. The study crafts a reference point for the use of poetry as a data source and a methodological tool in tourism and sustainability research and highlights how poetry could help in advancing our understanding of ethical consumption and its confluence with animal welfare in tourism and raising ethical awareness and sensitivity. The study also reflects on the themes of expanding our consciousness as part of being better humans and tourists, and raising the social consciousness of organizations to work towards animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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32. "Standing on tiptoe": A novel foraging technique in the starfish Patiria pectinifera.
- Author
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HARUTO GUSHIKEN and SATOSHI WADA
- Subjects
- *
STARFISHES , *CRABS , *ECHINODERMATA , *AQUARIUMS , *INVERTEBRATES - Abstract
We describe a novel foraging technique of the blue bat star Patiria pectinifera that we call standing-ontiptoe behavior. We examined whether the starfish uses this technique to catch shore crab Gaetice depressus in laboratory experiments. Patiria pectinifera in an aquarium with live crabs showed standing-on-tiptoe behavior at a significantly higher frequency (20 out of 47 cases) than those with dead crabs (one out of 23 cases) or no crabs (one out of 23 cases). Nine out of the twenty starfish showing this behavior succeeded in catching and consuming the shore crabs. This behavior could be a tactic for foraging for agile prey, such as shore crabs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
33. Ticketing and Crowd Management System for Attraction Facilities: An Aquarium Case Study.
- Author
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Nakagawa, Yoshiaki, Abe, Yukari, and Isobe, Masami
- Subjects
AQUARIUMS ,TIME-based pricing ,PRICES ,TICKETS ,SCHOOL vacations - Abstract
In tourist facilities, managing ticket sales can reduce congestion imbalances. This study reports on the results of a pilot experiment conducted at Kaiyukan in Osaka, one of the largest aquariums in Japan. The experiment utilized pre-sale ticket data for controlling admission time intervals, smoothing the number of admissions through dynamic pricing, and predicting visitor numbers. The study reviewed the effectiveness of each of these approaches to alleviate congestion inside Kaiyukan. We then report on a method to predict the number of visitors from the pre-sale conditions of Kaiyukan admission tickets. It was found that setting entry times to 15-minute intervals was most operationally advantageous for the Kaiyukan. Moreover, the behavioral effects induced by variable pricing were more effective when prices were changed based on time slots rather than on a daily basis. Compared to the Holt–Winters' method, we were able to maintain stable prediction accuracy even during consecutive holidays and long school vacation seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Water properties and quality of the largest rice production region in Japan and their influence on the reproduction of zebrafish.
- Author
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Fujimura, Koji and Shima, Ayane
- Subjects
REPRODUCTION ,WATER quality ,ORGANIC water pollutants ,RICE quality ,DRINKING water ,AQUARIUMS ,BROOD stock assessment - Abstract
The health of freshwater aquarium fish and their breeding success depend critically on the quality of tap water. In general, tap water in Japan is potable, although the properties of tap water vary among regions in Japan. The city of Niigata is located in the largest rice production region of Japan. We have faced challenges concerning the reproduction of freshwater aquarium fish in Niigata. To determine whether water properties and quality affect the reproduction of aquarium fish in Niigata, we investigated the chemical properties of water and raised zebrafish in water from three different sources, namely tap water of Niigata in May, artificial freshwater (i.e., prepared via reverse osmosis), and natural spring water of Gosen, to document any effects on their sexual maturation and reproduction. We found that the tap water of Niigata was not stable throughout a year (median electrical conductivity = 147.1 μS/cm; SD = 25.6), with springtime lower than the first quartile. We also found that low concentrations of four pesticides in the tap water have been detected in May (max. concentration in 2020, bromobutide 2,000 ng/L, butachlor 600 ng/L, pyraclonil 200 ng/L, ipfencarbazone 20 ng/L). Moreover, rearing zebrafish in tap water negatively influenced both fish growth and reproduction: The sex ratio of adults was male biased (proportion of F0 male 70.8%); the average total length (30.5 mm) and weight (182 mg) of F0 males was decreased; the GSI of F0 females (9.7%) was decreased; the fecundity (the mating success 58.7%; the number of F1 eggs 63.1) of adults was reduced. Rearing in artificial freshwater could improve these outcomes (the sex ratio 55.7%; the total length of F0 males 31.8 mm; the weight of F0 males 211 mg; the GSI of F0 females 11.7%; the mating success 72.6%; the number of F1 eggs 99.0), whereas rearing in natural spring water from Gosen could improve the sex ratio (56.3%) and the weight of F0 males (200 mg), but not the others. Therefore, artificial freshwater made via reverse osmosis should be used for breeding freshwater aquarium fish in rice production region like Niigata. Finally, our results demonstrate that the reproduction of freshwater aquarium fish can serve as a bioindicator of low levels of organic pollutants in tap water and thus provide a basis for evaluating the safety of tap water for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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- View/download PDF
35. A Review of Two Decades of In Situ Conservation Powered by Public Aquaria.
- Author
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Correia, João, Kube, Nicole, Florisson, Lauren, Janse, Max, Zimmerman, Brian, Preininger, Doris, Nowaczek, Jonas, Weissenbacher, Anton, Batista, Hugo, and Jouk, Philippe
- Subjects
- *
AQUARIUMS , *LEGISLATIVE bodies - Abstract
The European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC) boasts a membership of 150 dedicated individuals, standing as a vital cornerstone within the European public aquarium community. Since 2004, the EUAC Conservation Fund has granted over a quarter of a million euros to approximately 50 conservation projects spanning the globe. These initiatives, diverse in nature and scale, have yielded tangible impacts on local populations and their focal species. This paper delves into the outcomes of these conservation endeavors and proposes enhancements to ensure that the funding is unequivocally channeled towards conservation efforts. One resounding observation gleaned from the array of projects spotlighted in this study is the profound community engagement that emerges, irrespective of the final project outcomes. These endeavors serve as a catalyst for local communities, shedding light on subjects that would otherwise remain shrouded in obscurity. Furthermore, the EUAC-backed projects illuminate the expansive reach of public aquarium initiatives, transcending the confines of acrylic tank walls and institutional boundaries to resonate globally, heightening local awareness about the imperative to safeguard biodiversity. These findings underscore a prospective trajectory for both the EUAC and the public aquaria it comprises: an intensified advocacy and collaboration with legislative bodies to fortify in situ conservation measures. In essence, it is imperative that the public comprehends the pivotal role played by aquaria in preserving a multitude of species and acknowledges that their visits directly contribute to funding projects aimed at safeguarding species within their natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. A Comparative Multi-Zoo Survey Investigating the Housing and Husbandry of Callimico goeldii.
- Author
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Bartlett, Amanda, Brereton, James Edward, and Freeman, Marianne Sarah
- Subjects
- *
AGRICULTURE , *WILDLIFE conservation , *HOUSING , *AQUARIUMS , *KNOWLEDGE management - Abstract
Callimico (Callimico goeldii) are members of the callitrichid family, and a species of conservation concern managed within the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) ex situ program. They benefit from extensive 'Best Practice' guidelines developed by the Callitrichid Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), but there are gaps in species-specific knowledge and captive management research. A survey was created to understand and evaluate current housing and husbandry within EAZA collections holding callimico. The questionnaire allowed collation of details including enclosure size along with prevalence of mixed species exhibits, use of UV-B lighting, enclosure complexity and enrichment routines. Responding collections represented 44% of the current callimico holders, with the results allowing comparative analysis of current practice against the guidelines and considering previous research. Significant positive differences were discovered between minimum recommended enclosure dimensions, including total enclosure volume, 32 m3 (p < 0.001, median = 100) and height, 2.5 m (p < 0.001, median = 3) versus EAZA's minimum recommended dimensions. Encouragingly, no significant difference in complexity was found between on and off exhibit housing, but the results suggest that being housed in a mixed species exhibit offers a more complex environment for callimico (W = 405.5, p < 0.005). The responses revealed overall good practice, although a disparity was noted in the provision of UV-B lighting and the prevalence of enrichment. Observational research focusing on spatial use, preference and behavior is recommended to complement husbandry guidelines. Reference of the survey findings to welfare indicators could determine the effect of current housing and husbandry on callimico welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Mating roles, copulation duration and reproductive output in the hermaphroditic freshwater snail Planorbella trivolvis.
- Author
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Norton, Cynthia G
- Subjects
- *
FRESHWATER snails , *GAMETES , *INTERSEX people , *SPERMATOZOA , *AQUARIUMS , *SNAILS - Abstract
Hermaphrodites exhibit a wide variety of reproductive strategies, yet empirical studies lag behind theories about their evolution. Planorbella trivolvis , a simultaneous hermaphrodite capable of reciprocal copulation and rare self-fertilization, provides a unique model system for studying reproduction. This study assessed sex roles during mating, demonstrating that mating is primarily reciprocal, and investigated the relationship between physical coupling and reproductive output for single copulation events. Snails were isolated before sexual maturity and placed in 10-l aquaria in size-matched groups. Upon copulation, pairs were removed to small cups until they separated; they were then kept isolated and eggs counted until egg production ceased. The frequency of reciprocal copulation (both members of a pair produced egg masses following copulation) was 95% (35/37 productive matings), higher than previously reported. The duration of egg production ranged from 19 to 197 days (mean ± SE = 110.13 ± 6.3 days) with a sharp drop in production of egg masses and eggs per mass occurring between 15 and 20 weeks postmating, consistent with previous estimates of sperm storage. There was no relationship between mating duration and total egg production (a biomarker of sperm availability) or the duration of egg production (a marker of sperm longevity). Further investigation is needed to directly estimate sperm transfer and tease apart the duration of reciprocal physical contact from gamete and accessory protein transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. Gonadal neoplasia in Chinese gold barbs (Barbodes semifasciolatus) from a home aquarium.
- Author
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Stilwell, Justin M., Camus, Alvin C., and Stilwell, Natalie K.
- Subjects
- *
TUMORS , *GONADS , *IMMUNOGLOBULINS , *AQUARIUMS , *GOLD , *FISH farming , *FISH spawning - Abstract
This article provides a detailed analysis of gonadal neoplasia in Chinese gold barbs kept in home aquariums. The study examines the clinical, pathologic, and immunohistochemical characteristics of multiple gonadal neoplasms found in male and female gold barbs. The neoplasms identified include seminomas in males and fibrosarcoma in a female, as well as various other types of tumors in both sexes. The article also discusses the potential genetic and environmental factors that may contribute to the development of these neoplasms. This research emphasizes the need for further investigation into fish pathology and aquatic animal health in relation to neoplastic diseases. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Influence of Spirulina sp. and citric acid dietary supplements on the growth performance and immune parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio).
- Author
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Sabetmand, Hossein, Langarudi, Hamid Faghani, Zamini, Abbasali, and Tizkar, Babak
- Subjects
- *
CARP , *CITRIC acid , *SPIRULINA , *IMMUNOGLOBULIN M , *DIETARY supplements , *AQUARIUMS , *DIGESTIVE enzymes - Abstract
This study explores the effects of supplementing the diets of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with Spirulina sp. and citric acid (CA) on growth performance and immune parameters. Various experimental diets were formulated, including a control group, diets with 20g/kg Spirulina, 30g/kg Spirulina, 0.5g/kg citric acid, 1.0g/kg citric acid, and four mixed combinations of Spirulina and citric acid. Initially, common carp weighing 15.3 ± 1.9g were fed these diets for eight weeks in 40-L aquaria with three replicates. Growth performance and immune indices, specifically lysozyme, IgM, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were assessed. The results demonstrated that the Spirulina/citric acid mixture significantly improved growth performance and immune indices compared to individual Spirulina and citric acid treatments and the control group (P< 0.05). The growth indices indicated increased dietary efficiency with the higher inclusion of the mixture, with the 30g Spirulina sp. + 1.0g citric acid and 30g Spirulina sp. + 0.5g citric acid treatments exhibiting the highest growth performance and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 30g/kg Spirulina combined with 0.5g/kg citric acid was found to promote growth and positively influence the immune parameters in common carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Zebrafish Housing: The Recirculating and Cost-effective Open Design Aquaria System.
- Author
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Raduan, Siti Zaleha, Ahmed, Qamar Uddin, Rusmili, Muhamad Rusdi Ahmad, Sabere, Awis Sukarne Mohmad, Haris, Muhammad Salahuddin, Shaikh, Mohd. Farooq, Sulaiman, Wan Azizi Wan, Zukifli, Nor Asyikin, and Mahmood, Muhammad Hamdi
- Subjects
- *
BRACHYDANIO , *AQUARIUMS , *RESEARCH personnel , *BUDGET , *HOUSING , *ANIMAL models in research - Abstract
The zebrafish's ease of care and high reproductive rate have made them a popular animal model. It is routinely kept and maintained in commercial aquariums. However, the expense of a particular system was prohibitive for researchers with limited budgets or who worked in universities without zebrafish-rearing facilities. Thus, a simple custom-made aquaria system was developed. The recirculating opendesign aquaria system was cost-effective and may frequently be improved. This study has developed a distinctive aquaria system that can tackle the issues related to expanding research based on zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
41. A meta‐analysis of the effect of visiting zoos and aquariums on visitors’ conservation knowledge, beliefs, and behavior.
- Author
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McNally, Xavier, Webb, Thomas L., Smith, Charlotte, Moss, Andrew, and Gibson‐Miller, Jilly
- Abstract
Zoos and aquariums are well placed to connect visitors with the issues facing biodiversity globally and many deliver interventions that seek to influence visitors’ beliefs and behaviors with respect to conservation. However, despite primary studies evaluating the effect of such interventions, the overall effect of engaging with zoos and the factors that influence this effect remain unclear. We conducted a systematic review to investigate the effect of zoo‐led interventions on knowledge, beliefs (attitudes, intentions, self‐efficacy, and social norms), and behavior among zoo visitors. These outcomes were identified using the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical lens. We identified and described the nature of zoo‐led interventions in 56 studies and used the behavior change technique (BCT) taxonomy to identify 6 specific BCTs used in interventions to date. Multilevel meta‐analyses revealed a small to medium positive effect of engaging with zoo‐led interventions on outcomes (
d + = 0.40, 95% confidence interval = 0.28–0.51). Specifically, visitors were more knowledgeable about conservation issues, held more favorable attitudes toward conservation, and reported being more likely to act for the benefit of biodiversity. No evidence of publication bias was present. Effect sizes were, however, heterogeneous and subgroup analyses revealed that the nature of the intervention or type of outcome did not explain this variance. Larger effects were, however, found in studies conducted at a single institution relative to research at multiple institutions and studies that used within‐participant designs relative to between‐participant designs. Taken together, these findings demonstrate how behavior change frameworks can be used to describe zoo‐led interventions and supports the assertion that zoos and aquariums can promote changes in beliefs and behaviors that may help protect biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. A Review of the Industrial Importance, Common Bacterial Diseases, and Zoonotic Risks of Freshwater Aquarium Fish.
- Author
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Duman, Muhammed, Satıcıoğlu, Izzet Burçin, and Janda, J. Michael
- Subjects
- *
AQUARIUM fishes , *AQUARIUMS , *FRESHWATER fishes , *BACTERIAL diseases , *MARINE fishes - Abstract
Background: The ever-increasing popularity of home aquariums, most often involving freshwater varieties, has exploded in recent years partially due to the Coronavirus pandemic and related to stay-at-home public health precautions for social distancing. With this ever-increasing popularity of aquariums as a hobby, and whether this involves freshwater or marine fish species, a number of important economic, ecological, and public health issues arise for both fish and hobbyists alike. Materials and Methods: This review highlights the history and genesis of aquariums as both a hobby and an important economic factor (industrial, commercial) for many countries on a global basis. Types of aquarium fish are described, and culture conditions leading to homeostasis in aquatic environments are detailed. When these conditions are not met and aquatic systems are out of balance, the disease can result due to stressed fish. Results: Major bacterial diseases associated with freshwater aquarium fish are reviewed, as are potential human infections related to the care and maintenance of home aquaria. Conclusion: Besides, scientific information was also combined with the false facts of hobbyists who tried to identify and treat diseases during an outbreak in the aquarium. Finally, unresolved issues and important misconceptions regarding the field are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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43. Application of a One Welfare‐Based Ecosystem Model to assess wild collection for public aquariums.
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Fischer, Brittany, Pempek, Jessica A., Flint, Jaylene, Wittum, Thomas, and Flint, Mark
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AQUARIUMS ,ENVIRONMENTAL indicators ,ECOSYSTEMS ,ANIMAL welfare ,WILDLIFE conservation ,MARINE ecology ,WEIGHING instruments - Abstract
1. Public aquariums are organizations that offer their visitors an opportunity to engage with, gain knowledge of, and contribute to the conservation of species and ecosystems. Unfortunately, the ways many aquariums maintain their populations include primarily sourcing marine species from the wild. This creates the potential for negative impacts to stressed aquatic environments and a need for a holistic approach to quantify the impacts of aquarium population management. 2. The objective of this study was to implement a developed One Welfare‐Based Ecosystem Model to predict impacts of aquarium population management on humans, animals, and the environment. Ecosystem indicators were selected and grouped into physical–chemical, biological, and socio‐economic categories. Data included measurements of environmental and animal indicators at field sites frequently visited by aquariums to collect animals from, aquarium visitor surveys, and publicly available data. Model development included comparing field data to reference information and then adding weightings based on indicator significance and alpha‐testing of the model. 3. At model completion, each institution was allocated a One Welfare status. Confidence ratings of measured indicators and reference data occurred for each field site to determine the appropriateness of use of the model for each aquarium. 4. Findings included a positive One Welfare status, with collaborating institutions scoring in the good and excellent categories (81.92/100 and 92.51/100). Confidence ratings showed positive results (62/100 and 78/100) for model applicability for the field sites studied as well as future use by other institutions assessing similar parameters. 5. To maintain their recognition as leaders in conservation, public aquariums must objectively assess their direct and indirect influence on marine ecosystems moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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- View/download PDF
44. Betta macrostoma - Einrichtung des Aquariums, Rückschläge und erste Erfolge.
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Folly, Jan
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- *
AQUARIUMS , *OSMOSIS , *TWIGS , *PATIENCE , *SAND - Abstract
The article describes the setup of an aquarium for Betta macrostoma, also known as Brunei Beauty. The author uses a 350-liter aquarium with a 3D structure background and a river sand mixture as substrate. The tank is filled with peat-filtered osmosis water and decorated with branches, twigs, rocks, leaves, and moss. The author also describes their experiences with breeding Betta macrostoma and emphasizes the patience required for successful rearing of the fry. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
45. Trade of skulls as novelty and aquarium objects are an additional threat to porcupines.
- Author
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Chavez, Jessica, Kuntayuni, and Nijman, Vincent
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PORCUPINES ,AQUARIUMS ,INTERNATIONAL tourism ,AQUARIUM fishes ,PRICES - Abstract
Copyright of Journal of Threatened Taxa is the property of Wildlife Information Liaison Development and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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- 2024
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46. Observations on the courtship behaviour of Deocata Pipefish Microphis deocata (Hamilton, 1822) (Actinopterygii: Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) in an aquarium.
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Saikia, Anu, Nath, Jayanta Kumar, and Sarma, Dandadhar
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COURTSHIP ,WILDLIFE conservation ,ACTINOPTERYGII ,SPAWNING ,AQUARIUMS ,ORNAMENTAL fishes ,EGGS - Abstract
The Deocata Pipefish Microphis deocata, is the sole freshwater syngnathid found in the Himalayan range. This species is categorised as 'Near Threatened' by the IUCN Red List and is also listed as a Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This species is highly sought after in the ornamental fish trade due to its attractive colouration and uniqueness. The courtship behaviour of M. deocata consists of three distinct phases (initial courtship, spawning, and swaying) characterized by substantial behavioural alterations. M. deocata is a species where the action of females is more visible for commencing courting and strengthening at later phases. The females exhibit skin fold ornamentation to signal their readiness to spawn mature eggs. The first courtship phase is characterised by female quivering along with head pointing by both sexes and often tail entangling. As a sign of embracing the male often overlies upon the female. In the second phase, the female transfers her eggs onto the male incubating ventral surface with an upside-down body posture. During the final phase, the male forms his body into a contracting wave and lastly settles down in the bottom of the tank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Effects of Background Color on Growth, Stress, Biochemical, Hematological, and Immunological Responses, and Expression of Growth-Related Genes in Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus).
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Dopeikar, Hakimeh, Khoshkholgh, Majidreza, Ghasemi, Seyed Ahmad, and Morshedi, Vahid
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- *
WEIGHT gain , *LEUCOCYTES , *FISH farming , *GENE expression , *AQUARIUMS , *LYSOZYMES , *SOMATOTROPIN , *INSULIN - Abstract
The aim of the current study was to assess the impacts of tank color on the growth, stress, biochemical, hematological, and immunological responses, and expression of growth-related genes in juvenile Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus). Therefore, a total of 120 fish (9.14 ± 0.34 g) were distributed into 12 aquariums (60 × 50 × 35 cm) and divided into four treatments (aquariums with blue, white, yellow, and red colors) in three replicates (10 fish per aquarium). The fish were daily hand-fed ad libitum in three meals at 7:00, 12:00, and 17:00 hr for 56 days. Results showed that Oscar fish cultured in the red aquariums had higher final weight and weight gain and lower feed conversion ratio. Plasma cortisol, glucose, and lactate values of fish were significantly higher, and the amount of white blood cells was lower in the blue aquariums compared to other tank colors. Plasma triglyceride values were significantly higher in the white and yellow groups than the blue aquariums. Moreover, fish cultured in yellow and red aquariums had significantly higher melatonin levels than the blue aquariums. Plasma cholesterol, total protein, albumin, complement 3, and total immunoglobulin values were highest in Oscar fish cultured in the red aquariums. Also, lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activities and complement 4 values of fish cultured in yellow and red aquariums were meaningfully higher compared to blue and white groups. Growth hormone relative gene expression levels were meaningfully higher in Oscar fish cultured in white, yellow, and red aquariums than the blue aquariums. Furthermore, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) relative gene expression levels were significantly higher in fish cultured in yellow and red aquariums compared to those cultured in blue and white tank colors. Thus, the most suitable tank color for rearing juvenile A. ocellatus is red, while blue tank color is unsuitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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48. A decision framework to integrate in-situ and ex-situ management for species in the European Union.
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Staerk, Johanna, Colchero, Fernando, Kenney, Melissa A., Wilson, Kerrie A., Foden, Wendy B., Carr, Jamie A., Pereboom, Zjef, Bland, Lucie, Flesness, Nate, Martin, Tara, Maiorano, Luigi, Fa, Julia E., Possingham, Hugh P., and Conde, Dalia A.
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POPULATION viability analysis ,HABITAT conservation ,ENDANGERED species ,SPECIES ,WILDLIFE conservation ,PROTECTED areas ,AQUARIUMS - Abstract
Zoos and aquaria in the European Union (EU) can play a crucial role in the conservation of EU species, as they currently hold nearly half (49%) of EU terrestrial vertebrates. In this study, we analyzed the species composition and population sizes of EU zoos and developed a framework to prioritize recommendations for additional ex-situ and in-situ interventions for 277 at-risk EU species. Our results showed that EU zoos currently hold 39% of threatened EU species, 27% of EU endemic species, 62% of EU species vulnerable to climate change, 20% of EU species listed by the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), 25% of Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) EU species, while only 5% are subject to ex-situ conservation. Using our framework, we found that additional captive breeding was recommended for 60-61%% of species while expanding protected areas was recommended for only 2-22%, as 217 out of 277 species already met habitat protection targets. Both interventions were recommended for up to 20% of species, while the remaining 18% required no interventions because captive populations and habitat protection fully met targets. Our flexible framework can support more effective integrated conservation planning decisions for EU species and help identify target species for further in-depth assessment by the IUCN Ex-situ guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Dietary evaluation of cinnamaldehyde supplementation with different protein energy levels and ratios in Pacific whitleg Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.
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Hendriana, Andri, Setiawati, Mia, Jusadi, Dedi, Suprayudi, M. Agus, Ekasari, Julie, and Wahjuningrum, Dinamella
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- *
WHITELEG shrimp , *CARBOHYDRATE metabolism , *GLUCOKINASE , *SHRIMPS , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and carbohydrate metabolism of Pacific whiteleg shrimp after feeding with different cinnamaldehyde concentrations and protein-energy ratios. The study used a completely randomized design with six treatments in triplicates. The treatments were S003213; treatment S053213; treatment S052814; treatment S102814; treatment S052815; and treatment S102815. The study was conducted for 56 days in a 76 L volume aquarium using shrimps with 1.38 ± 0.01 g at 200 individuals/m³ . The results showed that the S053213 treatment was significantly different (P<0.05) compared to other treatments for the specific growth rate (SGR). Hexokinase (hk) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck) produced by the S053213 treatment were significantly different (P<0.05) from the S003213 treatment. The S052815 and S102815 treatments produced higher protein retention (PR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to other treatments (P<0.05) and also produced the same final average weight (FW) as the S003213 treatment. This research shows that vannamei fed by 0.10% supplementation dose of cinnamaldehyde with a decreased feed protein up to 28% and C/P ratio 14 and 15 are able to utilize feed as well as protein 32% without cinnamaldehyde. The addition of cinnamaldehyde with a higher C/P ratio requires a higher dose of cinnamaldehyde than the optimal dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Vom Drachen zum Krokodil - Ein illustriertes Feuilleton - Anmerkungen zu frühen Krokodilen in einigen nicht englischsprachigen Teilen Europas (Teil II).
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HONEGGER, RENÉ E.
- Subjects
- *
CROCODILES , *SEVENTEENTH century , *ALLIGATORS , *NINETEENTH century , *AQUARIUMS - Abstract
The article describes the presentation of crocodiles in churches and museums in various parts of Europe. Various legends and stories are told about these crocodiles, which were considered symbols of evil and chaos. In Spain, there are stuffed crocodiles in churches in Madrid, Rioseco, Salamanca, Sevilla, Utrera, and Toledo. In Valencia, there is the "Dragó del Patriarca," a crocodile that allegedly terrorized the residents and was killed by a Jewish vagabond. In Italy and France, there are also crocodiles in churches. In Germany, crocodiles can be found in Brno and on Forchtenstein Castle. Some of the stuffed crocodiles are in poor condition due to environmental influences and wear. The text describes the history of keeping crocodiles in Europe, especially in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is mentioned that crocodile meat was used as food and aphrodisiac in various cultures. Various showmen and menageries presented live crocodiles in Europe from the 17th to the 19th century. Information is also provided about the keeping of crocodiles in zoos and aquariums, such as the Vienna Zoo Schönbrunn and the Aquarium Unter den Linden in Berlin. The text also mentions the use of crocodiles in art and the threat to crocodile populations due to the trade in stuffed animals. Various books and articles about crocodiles and alligators are cited, but no specific information is given about their biology or diseases. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2024
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