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This paper is the third part of the "Ichthyofauna of the Fresh and Brackish Waters of Russia and Adjacent Areas: Annotated List with Taxonomic Comments," which we started in 2022, based on a critical analysis of scientific publications of the last 200 years, and on the data of the authors' research. This current paper includes all currently known fishes of 8 orders from Siluriformes to Syngnathiformes of Russia and adjacent waters, represented by 18 families, 43 genera and 159 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the second part of the "Ichthyofauna of the Fresh and Brackish Waters of Russia and Adjacent Areas: Annotated List with Taxonomic Comments", which we started in 2022 based on a critical analysis of scientific publications of the last 200 years, and on the data of the author's research. The current paper includes all currently known fishes of the order Cypriniformes of Russia and adjacent waters, represented by three suborders Catostomoidei, Cobitoidei and Cyprinoidei, comprising ten families, 64 genera and 177 species. The most specious families were the Leuciscidae (59 species/33.3% of all species), Gobionidae (35/19.8%) and Xenocyprididae (23/13.0%), which together represent just over 66% the total cypriniform species. Fourteen of the studied species (24.7% of all cyprinids in Russia) are introduced species, 21 species (11.9%) are endemic; 32 species (18.1%) are recorded from Russia for the first time. In relation to the habitat, 131 species live and breed exclusively in fresh waters, 31 species are of freshwater origin, but can also tolerate slightly brackish waters, ten species are represented by anadromous forms (all with residential populations), and three species are amphidromic, capable of live and reproduce both in brackish water and in freshwater. According to the IUCN criteria, the majority of fish are classified as Least Concern (135 species/76.3%), but two species, Cobitis taurica and Gobio tauricus, are Critically Endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete annotated list of fresh and brackish waters ichthyofauna of the Russian Federation and adjacent areas, based on a critical analysis of scientific publications of the last 200 years, and on the data of the authors' research, is the aim of this study. The taxonomic composition of the freshwater and brackish water fish fauna of Russia remains insufficiently studied. This may result incorrect data on the true number of fish species of this category, not only for the waters of Russia, but also in the modern system of the world ichthyofauna as a whole, and also does not give a complete idea of the range, degree of endemism, abundance, conservation status, commercial value, and others important aspects. Until the present study, according to various sources, the Russian freshwater and brackish water ichthyofauna was estimated to amount from 351 to 486 species, respectively. However, based on our ongoing research, these numbers are too low and need to be revised. The total species number in all categories should include at least 800 species also including the introduced non-native species, as well as species not yet recorded from Russian waters, but suggested to be found in the future. In this first part of our updated checklist, we provide a basic historical review of ichthyological research in Russia, together with the first 77 species belonging to three classes (Petromyzonti, Elasmobranchii and Actinopteri), ten orders (Petromyzontiformes, Lamniformes, Carcharhiniformes, Squaliformes, Rajiformes, Myliobatiformes, Acipenseriformes, Elopiformes, Anguilliformes and Clupeiformes), nineteen families (Petromyzontidae, Alopiidae, Lamnidae, Triakidae, Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Somniosidae, Squalidae, Rajidae, Arhynchobatidae, Dasyatidae, Acipenseridae, Polyodontidae, Megalopidae, Anguillidae, Muraenesocidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae and Pristigasteridae) and 38 genera. For each species, the following details are presented: scientific and English common names, taxonomic position with comments and synonyms (if necessary), conservation status, world distribution, zoogeographic characteristics, distribution in Russian waters and adjacent areas, abundance, and commercial value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Laguna de Tamiahua is ecologically and economically important as a nursery area that favours the recruitment of species that sustain traditional fisheries. It has been studied previously, though not throughout its whole area, and considering the variety of habitats that sustain these fisheries, as well as an increase in population growth that impacts the system. The objectives of this study were to present an updated list of fish species, data on special status, new records, commercial importance, dominance, density, ecotic position, and the spatial and temporal distribution of species in the lagoon, together with a comparison of Tamiahua with 14 other Gulf of Mexico lagoons. Materials and methods. Fish were collected in August and December 1996 with a Renfro beam net and an otter trawl from different habitats throughout the lagoon. The species were identified, classified in relation to special status, new records, commercial importance, density, dominance, ecotic position, and spatial distribution patterns. Results. The 45 species collected by the authors plus an additional 125 species previously reported provided an updated list of 170 species. Families with the highest number of species were Sciaenidae (16 spp.) and Gobiidae (12 spp.). Poecilia latipunctata Meek, 1904 is endemic to Mexico and in danger of extinction and Hippocampus zosterae Jordan et Gilbert, 1882 is under special protection. New records are Ariopsis assimilis (Günther, 1864), Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836, Symphurus civitatium Ginsburg, 1951, and Aluterus schoepfii (Walbaum, 1792). Commercially important species are Lutjanus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758), Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758), Bairdiella chrysoura (Lacepède, 1802), Cynoscion arenarius Ginsburg, 1930, Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier, 1830), Cynoscion nothus (Holbrook, 1848), and Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum, 1792). The highest densities were recorded for Eucinostomus melanopterus (Bleeker, 1863), Eucinostomus gula (Quoy et Gaimard, 1824), Syngnathus scovelli (Evermann et Kendall, 1896), Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Cathorops aguadulce (Meek, 1904). The dominant species were Cathorops melanopus (Günther, 1864), Citharichthys spilopterus Günther, 1862, and E. gula. Conclusion. The majority of the fishes collected in the Laguna de Tamiahua favoured seagrass beds along ‘costa mar’, the islands Juan A. Ramírez and del Idolo, and areas near the northern and southern inlets. Of the 170 fish species, 10 were present in the 15 compared lagoons, five were recorded only in Tamiahua, and the other species were present in 2 to 14 lagoons. The lagoons most similar to Tamiahua regarding the composition of ichthyofauna were Tampamachoco, Términos, Alvarado, and Madre. This study contributed to the knowledge on a lagoon that sustains local and regional fisheries on which local communities depend.

Finfish aquaculture is one of the quickly developing food industries in the world. But, the major drawbacks of this industry are the frequent outbreak of infectious diseases due to elevated stress in an intensive culture system. Antibiotics are extensively used to combat these diseases. Prophylactic administrations of antibiotics in aquaculture lead to the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens which indirectly cause a risk to health of human. Therefore, hard rules and regulations have been established in various countries to minimize or ban the application of antibiotics in finfish aquaculture. Recently probiotics have garnered significant attraction as an alternative measure for disease prevention in aquaculture. Probiotics increase health status, disease resistance, growth performance and feed utilization through improving hosts microbial balance. This review presents the summary and discussion of the results of the effects of probiotic administration in the culture of commercially important finfish. Besides, the current study attempts to explore the gap in present scientific information as well as suggests concerns that worth further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteolytic enzymes catalyze hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins and one of the most widely used industrial enzymes. Proteases are found in a wide diversity of sources such as plants, animals and microorganisms but plant sources are preferred for the production of proteases due to various economic advantages. This review displays an overview on proteases chiefly from sources of plants but microbial and animal proteases are also discussed briefly. Plant proteases have potential for applications in different industries including dairy, bakery, beverages and pharmaceutical. They act as an important industrial enzyme occupying about 60% of total enzyme market. Plant proteases assume an imperative part in various ventures, above all in the food preparing and medical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Laguna de Tamiahua is ecologically and economically important as a nursery area that favours the recruitment of species that sustain traditional fisheries. It has been studied previously, though not throughout its whole area, and considering the variety of habitats that sustain these fisheries, as well as an increase in population growth that impacts the system. The objectives of this study were to present an updated list of fish species, data on special status, new records, commercial importance, dominance, density, ecotic position, and the spatial and temporal distribution of species in the lagoon, together with a comparison of Tamiahua with 14 other Gulf of Mexico lagoons. Materials and methods. Fish were collected in August and December 1996 with a Renfro beam net and an otter trawl from different habitats throughout the lagoon. The species were identified, classified in relation to special status, new records, commercial importance, density, dominance, ecotic position, and spatial distribution patterns. Results. The 45 species collected by the authors plus an additional 125 species previously reported provided an updated list of 170 species. Families with the highest number of species were Sciaenidae (16 spp.) and Gobiidae (12 spp.). Poecilia latipunctata Meek, 1904 is endemic to Mexico and in danger of extinction and Hippocampus zosterae Jordan et Gilbert, 1882 is under special protection. New records are Ariopsis assimilis (Günther, 1864), Mugil liza Valenciennes, 1836, Symphurus civitatium Ginsburg, 1951, and Aluterus schoepfii (Walbaum, 1792). Commercially important species are Lutjanus griseus (Linnaeus, 1758), Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus, 1758), Bairdiella chrysoura (Lacepède, 1802), Cynoscion arenarius Ginsburg, 1930, Cynoscion nebulosus (Cuvier, 1830), Cynoscion nothus (Holbrook, 1848), and Archosargus probatocephalus (Walbaum, 1792). The highest densities were recorded for Eucinostomus melanopterus (Bleeker, 1863), Eucinostomus gula (Quoy et Gaimard, 1824), Syngnathus scovelli (Evermann et Kendall, 1896), Achirus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Cathorops aguadulce (Meek, 1904). The dominant species were Cathorops melanopus (Günther, 1864), Citharichthys spilopterus Günther, 1862, and E. gula. Conclusions. The majority of the fishes collected in the Laguna de Tamiahua favoured seagrass beds along 'costa mar', the islands Juan A. Ramírez and del Idolo, and areas near the northern and southern inlets. Of the 170 fish species, 10 were present in the 15 compared lagoons, five were recorded only in Tamiahua, and the other species were present in 2 to 14 lagoons. The lagoons most similar to Tamiahua regarding the composition of ichthyofauna were Tampamachoco, Términos, Alvarado, and Madre. This study contributed to the knowledge on a lagoon that sustains local and regional fisheries on which local communities depend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The second, final part of the work contains a continuation of the annotated list of fish species found in the marine and brackish waters of Aniva Bay (southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk, southern part of Sakhalin Island): 137 species belonging to three orders (Perciformes, Pleuronectiformes, Tetraodontiformes), 31 family, and 124 genera. The general characteristics of ichthyofauna and a review of the commercial fishery of the bay fish, as well as the final systematic essay, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on a critical analysis of literature data for the past 200 years and the results of our own multiyear studies, an annotated list of marine, brackish-water, and anadromous (migratory) fish found in Aniva Bay (southern part of the Sea of Okhotsk, southern part of Sakhalin Island) is given: 274 species (against 164 previously mentioned) in three classes, 22 orders, 67 families, 161 genera. For a number of species, information is provided on collection specimens that confirm their presence within the studied water area. For each species, Latin and English names, taxonomic remarks, information on conservation status, ecology, abundance and commercial importance are given. The first part provides brief information about the history of the study and geographical and climatic-oceanographic characteristics of the bay as well as the first 137 species of the annotated list, represented by 83 genera, 35 families, and 19 orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laetiporus sulphureus is a sulphur yellow coloured polyporous mushroom and popularly known as "chicken of the woods". Over the generations, this cosmopolitan macrofungus has become an integral part of tribal cuisines particularly for its taste. Besides, it has equal importance in folk medicine being widely used for treatment of pyretic diseases, coughs, gastric cancer and rheumatism. Thus, the species is considered as a natural reservoir of both nourishment as well as drug therapy and consequently it has become increasingly popular in scientific world. Nutritional sciences recently have witnessed it as a sustainable food supply to growing population due to enrichment of carbohydrate (trehalose> mannitol> fructose), protein (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine), minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper), vitamins (B, D, E), polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid) and fibre. Conversely, the mushroom has also been regarded as an abundant source of chemical compounds including phenolics, triterpenes, polysaccharides with wide range of biological activities such as antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antitumor and immunomodulation effects. Therefore, a complete summary of the research progress on this fungus is necessary for further studies and commercial exploitation. In this context, the present review attempts to congregate current knowledge on nutritional value, myco-chemistry and therapeutic potential of this culturally important species. However, investigation on bioavailability, quality control, toxicology data and clinical assessment are highly recommended for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The final part of the work provides the completion of the annotated taxonomic list of fish species found in freshwater and coastal brackish waters of Sakhalin Island, which includes 46 species belonging to 25 genera, nine families (Pholidae, Trichodontidae, Ammodytidae, Odontobutidae, Gobiidae, Paralichthyidae, Pleuronectidae, Monacanthidae, Tetraodontidae), and three orders (Perciformes, Pleuronectiformes, Tetraodontiformes). The comments on the ichthyofauna of fresh and brackish waters of Sakhalin are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third part of the work provides a continuation of the annotated list of fish species found in freshwater and coastal brackish waters of Sakhalin Island: 60 species belonging to 42 genera, 21 families (Gadidae, Lotidae, Scomberesocidae, Belonidae, Hemiramphidae, Hypoptychidae, Gasterosteidae, Syngnathidae, Sebastidae, Hexagrammidae, Cottidae, Hemitripteridae, Agonidae, Liparidae, Percichthyidae, Lateolabracidae, Carangidae, Mugilidae, Zoarcidae, Stichaeidae, Cryptacanthodidae) and six orders (Gadiformes, Beloniformes, Gasterosteiformes, Syngnathiformes, Scorpaeniformes, Perciformes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Punica granatum L. (Wild) is an important fruit-yielding species of the world and a source of income for people, particularly in the Hindukush-Himalayas of Pakistan. Considering its ecological and commercial importance, an attempt was made to provide a primary assessment of its compositional pattern with relation to environmental variables for ecologically unexplored Punica granatum forests located in a subtropical dry temperate zone using multivariate techniques. The vegetation data were collected from 40 Punica granatum forest stands along with the associated environmental data (12 variables) at different locations. Classification of the stands was carried out using Ward's agglomerative cluster analysis. In total, 20 tree species belonging to 13 families of 19 genera with 78 understories were surveyed. Finally, nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination with associated Monte Carlo permutation tests was performed to explore the patterns of variation in vegetation distribution explained by the environmental variables. Four community types were identified in different altitudinal and microclimatic thickets that significantly varied in species composition. The soil physical properties, i.e. sand and clay, forming an amalgam with chemical properties, i.e. N+1 and K+1 concentrations, were the most influential variables responsible for distribution of Punica granatum and associated species and compositional variation in the subtropical dry temperate areas of Pakistan. The present study will help in the understanding of conservation and management of this ecologically and commercially important species and will provide baseline information for other forests species growing in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second part of the work is a continuation of the annotated list of fish species found in fresh-water and coastal brackish waters of Sakhalin Island: 58 species belonging to five orders (Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Esociformes, Osmeriformes, Salmoniformes), nine families (Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Nemacheilidae, Bagridae, Siluridae, Esocidae, Osmeridae, Salangidae, Salmonidae) and 37 genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a critical analysis of Russian and foreign publications for the last 200 years and on the results of the authors' research, a complete annotated list of both typical freshwater ichthyofauna of Sakhalin Island, with the inclusion of the species occurring in lagoons of the island, and marine species that can be found in brackish and freshened coastal waters is presented for the first time. The list includes 175 species in three classes, 18 orders, 44 families, 19 subfamilies, and 114 genera. For each type, taxonomic comments are given, synonymy and conservation status, distribution within the island and rangewide, abundance and commercial value are clarified. Latin and English names are given. As is also a complete bibliography on the first descriptions and synonyms are provided. The first part presents the basic information about the history of the study, geographical and climatic-oceanographic characteristics of Sakhalin Island, and the first 11 species of the annotated list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Seed oils have been used for centuries by rural communities as food, medicine, for cosmetic applications and as fuel. Recently there has been a renewed interest in these non-timber forest products (NTFPs) specifically for use in cosmetic formulations. The cosmetic industry remains under immense consumer pressure to produce innovative products for this lucrative industry. Like the pharmaceutical industry, the wellness industry turns to nature for guidance, inspiration and as a source of novel compounds to produce new consumer products. Furthermore, discerning consumers of cosmetic products are nowadays informing themselves of the validity of scientific claims made on various products. The seed oils extracted from several plant species are popularly included as ingredients in cosmetic products due to their high fatty acid composition. The information on African seed oils is scattered in literature and often published in obscure and dated manuscripts. With an emphasis on (but not restricted to) cosmetic applications the botanical aspects, uses, physico-chemical properties and oil composition as well as biological activity of six commercially important species are coherently united and reviewed in this paper and include; Adansonia digitata (baobab), Citrullus lanatus (Kalahari melon), Schinziophyton rautanenii (manketti/mungongo), Sclerocarya birrea (marula), Trichilia emetica (mafura butter) and Ximenia americana (sour plum). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A commercially important coral-reef fish, the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus, settles into seagrass beds at the end of its pelagic larval phase, but the mechanism for locating these beds is unknown. To investigate this mechanism we first used a wide-choice, ex situ setup to examine the ability of captivity-reared naïve L. nebulosus settlers to select their first benthic habitat by reference to chemical cues. Second, we examined the morphology and ultrastructure of the nasal olfactory organ in settling L. nebulosus juveniles. We obtained the first evidence of a tropical seagrass-settling coral reef fish that can use chemical environmental cues in selecting its first benthic habitat at ranges up to at least 2 m. The L. nebulosus settlers exhibited a well developed pair of nasal olfactory organs, positioned in nares on the dorsal side of the head. These organs were elliptical radial rosettes, one in each of the olfactory chambers, and each comprised 12 lamellae, six on each side of a midline raphe, which were totally covered with sensory and non-sensory cilia, except for the margins. This type of cilia distribution is thought to indicate an acute sense of smell. The olfactory epithelium contained mature and immature ciliated receptor neurons bearing three to five cilia, and a second type of receptor neuron bearing six to eight microvilli. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]