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Diplonychus indicus, a tropical, skilled predatory water bug with a global distribution, has been studied for its predatory performance. In this study, a detailed account and a thorough assessment on the population dynamics, reproductive fecundity, and the various factors, viz., effect of space size, temperature, food deprivation, aquatic vegetation, competition, and prey density influencing the predatory performance of D. indicus have been portrayed. Over the course of a year, the population dynamics of D. indicus was observed in a permanent pond located in the Kanyakumari region of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Except for temperature, D. indicus nymphs and adults, had a positive correlation with abiotic (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and rainfall) and biotic (Culex larvae) parameters. With regard to reproductive fecundity, on an average, 20 female individuals of D. indicus produced 1062 eggs, with a maximum hatching percentage of 88.3 at water temperatures of 25–26 °C, and an incubation period of 9.0 ± 0.35 days. The stadial duration of nymphs was 77.68 days, with the Ist stage being the shortest (5.2 ± 0.32 days) and the Vth stage the longest (34.22 ± 4.12). The IVth stage followed by the Vth stage had the highest rates of survival from egg to adult. The predatory performance of D. indicus nymphs evaluated based on the following factors, viz., space size, temperature, starvation, vegetation, competition, and prey density, are as follows. Maximum number of prey (Culex larvae) predated (411.20 ± 8.76) was in circular experimental glass container of 1 L volume space size; at a temperature of 25 °C (11.20 ± 0.30); after 24 h of starvation (558.26 ± 2.56); in 2.0 g density of aquatic vegetation (388.16 ± 2.32); with six competitors (2484.60 ± 8.10); and at 80 prey density (28.52 ± 1.02). The current study provides a critical insight into these variables that are crucial in the predatory performance of their prey, and are successful parameters in establishing a specific predator-prey interaction. This is a useful parameter for figuring out a specific predator-prey interaction in the wild. All the above mentioned factors will affect how well D. indicus performs as a predator in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a unique adaptation observed in the larvae of the Taiwanese tree frog Kurixalus eiffingeri. The larvae, which live in small water pools on plants, do not seem to defecate until metamorphosis. This behavior is hypothesized to be a sanitation strategy to avoid ammonia contamination in their closed aquatic environment. The study demonstrates reduced ammonia excretion and increased ammonia tolerance in K. eiffingeri larvae compared to other pond-living frog larvae. The findings highlight the close relationship between an organism's habitat and its mode of nitrogen excretion. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACT Hatching dynamics is key to population structure of annual fishes in temporary wetlands. Given the risk of false starts due to unpredictable hydroperiods, annual fish may employ risk‐spreading strategies in their hatching patterns consistent with bet hedging (such as the partial hatching of their egg bank and variable number of hatching cues) after being exposed to floods. However, the extent to which annual fish resort to bet hedging (as well as their potential drivers) over a wet–dry cycle is poorly understood. We assessed the hatching patterns of a South American killifish (Matilebias cyaneus; Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) collected at different hydrological phases of a temporary wetland to test for variation in bet hedging over a wet–dry cycle. We incubated wild eggs of M. cyaneus obtained from male–female pairings separately reared in tanks originating in the ‘early‐wet’, ‘drying’ and ‘late‐wet’ phases of a temporary wetland and examined hatching patterns across a sequence of hydration trials under common‐garden conditions. We found variation in (i) the number of hatched and unhatched eggs and (ii) the number of hatched eggs across hydration trials among clutches from each phase (while controlling for parentage). Our results show that M. cyaneus variably commit to bet‐hedging hatching strategies over a wet–dry cycle, and suggest that the environmental conditions at specific periods of the year and the parental age at which eggs are produced drive annual fish hatching patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the successful breeding of Marginated Tortoises (Testudo marginata) in human care, specifically focusing on the F₄ generation. The author describes their breeding program, which began in 1984 with a female tortoise named Tm1 and a male tortoise that had been in the population since 1973. Through selective breeding and incubation techniques, the author was able to produce female tortoises in subsequent generations. The article also mentions the housing and care of the tortoises, as well as the occurrence of a carapace anomaly in some individuals. The author concludes that it is possible to maintain stable populations of Marginated Tortoises in captivity without the need for extensive technical equipment. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: The physiological mechanism of action of low or high combinations of lysine and cysteine in ovo feeding combinations needs to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the influence of high or low combinations of lysine and cysteine on the growth, thermotolerance, haematochemical, and antioxidant parameters of heat-stressed broiler embryos. Research Method: A total of 2000 broiler hatching eggs were exposed to a relative humidity of 55% and temperature of 39.0ºC for 6 hours daily from day 10 until day 18. On day 18, 1500 eggs having living embryos were taken at random into 6 treatments containing 250 eggs per treatment with 5 replicates of 50 eggs viz: eggs without in-ovo injection (UIJ), eggs treated with in-ovo injection of 0.5mL distilled water (DWT), 2mg lysine (LYS), 3.4mg cysteine (CYS), 3.4mg cysteine+2mg lysine (CLHD) or 1.7mg cysteine+1mg lysine (CLLD). Findings: The blood total protein of CLLD birds was higher (P<0.05) compared to the others at the starter phase. The ALT of CLHD and CLLD birds were lower (P<0.05) than other treatments at the finisher phase. The malondialdehyde of DWT and UIJ broilers was higher than the other treatments at the starter and finisher phases. Research Limitation: This study was carried out in a hot season. More studies are needed under different seasons of the year using in ovo amino acids. Originality/Value: It can be concluded that in-ovo injection of lysine-cysteine positively altered the growth rate, and biochemical and antioxidant indices of broilers. The low combination of the amino acids had a more sustained effect at the market age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the relationship between blood-feeding and mating is important in effectively managing the most well-adapted vector insect, Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus). Although extensive studies have investigated the behavioural aspects of Aedes such as blood-feeding, mating, and their relationship, several knowledge gaps still exist. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to determine the possibility of successful mating by unfed, engorged, and partially to fully gravid (up to 5 days after blood-feeding with fully developed eggs) female Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and production of viable eggs. Methods: Mating of sexually mature adult Aedes aegypti was allowed in three different ways. In control 1, the females were allowed to mate before taking blood meal, and in control 2, the females were not at all allowed to mate. In the experiment, the females were separated into six categories, viz. D-0 to D-5. In D-0, the females were allowed to mate immediately after the bloodmeal and, in D-1, the females were allowed to mate on the first day of blood feeding, likewise, the females of D-2, D-3, D-4 and D-5 were allowed to mate on 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day of blood feeding. Ovitrap was uniformly kept on the 4th day of blood feeding for the cages D-0 to D-3 for 1 h and then removed and for the cages D-4, and D-5, the ovitrap was kept on 4th and 5th day of blood feeding for 1h immediately after mating. The total number of eggs and the total number of hatching were counted. In the subsequent days, the entire experiment was replicated two times with different cohorts of mosquitoes, and the mean value of three experiments was used to draw Excel bars with 5% error bars and also for the statistical analysis. Results: It was found that mating just before oviposition was sufficient to produce 1581 eggs (70% compared with control) and fertilize 1369 eggs (85% compared with total eggs laid), which is far higher than the 676 non-hatching (unfertilized) eggs (30%) laid by unmated females. Although mating is not essential for producing eggs, our study shows that even brief exposure to the semen and seminal fluids greatly enhances the oviposition and hatching efficiency, even if the mating occurs just before oviposition. However, those females mating before blood-feeding and those mating after blood-feeding produced 2266 and 2128 eggs, with hatching rates of 96.78% and 95.54%, respectively. Hence, the retention time of seminal fluid in the female seems to influence the number of eggs laid and the number of eggs hatched. Conclusions: In general, mating is possible in Ae. aegypti even minutes before oviposition and is sufficient to produce a greater number of viable eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As reproduction phenologies shift with climate change, populations can experience intraspecific priority effects, wherein early hatching cohorts experience an advantage over late-hatching cohorts, resulting in altered demography. Our study objective was to identify how variation in egg hatching phenology alters intraspecific interactions in small-mouthed salamanders, Ambystoma texanum. We addressed two research questions: (Q1) How are demographic responses altered by variation in the temporal duration of hatching between cohorts, and (Q2) How does the seasonality of hatching delays affect demographic responses? We manipulated hatching phenologies of A. texanum eggs and reared larvae in outdoor mesocosms to metamorphosis. For Q1, hatching delay exhibited non-linear relationships with survival and body size, with the greatest asynchrony in cohort additions resulting in the highest mortality and largest body sizes. For Q2, hatching delay effects were stronger (i.e., survival was lower and body sizes larger) when they occurred later in the season, potentially due to temperature differences that larvae experienced. Overall, our results demonstrate that changes in intraspecific interactions due to phenological shifts can be context-dependent, depending on the strength (i.e., temporal duration) and seasonality of such processes. Identifying context-dependencies of phenological shifts will be critical for predicting changes in organismal demographics with climatic shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hatcheries, where eggs from multiple breeder farms are incubated and hatched before being sent to different broiler farms, represent a nexus point in the commercial production of broilers in the United States. Considering all downstream microbial quality and safety aspects of broiler production (live production, processing, consumer use) can be potentially affected by the hatchery, a better understanding of microbial ecology within commercial hatcheries is essential. Therefore, a commercial broiler hatchery was biomapped using 16S rRNA amplicon-based microbiome analyses of four sample type categories (Air, Egg, Water, Facility) across five different places in the pre-hatch, hatch, and post-hatch areas. While distinct microbiota were found for each sample type category and hatchery area, microbial community analyses revealed that Egg microbiota trended towards clustering with the facility-related samples when moving from the prehatch to post-hatch areas, highlighting the potential effect of the hatchery environment in shaping the pre-harvest broiler-related microbiota. Prevalence analyses revealed 20 ASVs (Core20) present in the core microbiota of all sample types and areas, with each ASV possessing a unique distribution throughout the hatchery. Interestingly, three Enterobacteriaceae ASVs were in the Core20, including Salmonella. Subsequent analyses showed that Salmonella, while a minor prehatch and hatch Core20ASV, dominated the Enterobacteriaceae niche and total microbiota in the chick pad feces in the post-hatch area of the hatchery, and the presence of this Salmonella ASV in the post-hatch feces was associated with swabs of breakroom tables. These findings highlight the complexity of commercial hatchery microbiota, including identifying chick pad feces and breakroom tables as potentially important sampling or disinfection targets for hatchery managers to focus their Salmonella mitigation efforts to reduce loads entering live production farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Cricket farming requires high proportions of nymph hatching and a shorter period from incubation to hatching to increase productivity and lower production costs, resulting in optimized conditions and productivity. Two-spotted (Gryllus bimaculatus) and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets are two important cricket types in domesticated and industrial production. When the eggs of the two cricket types were subjected to a low to high incubation temperature (23–33 °C) with a constant relative humidity (RH) of 70%, the two-spotted crickets exhibited faster hatching (emergence) than the house crickets. Additionally, the onset of hatching decreased with higher incubation temperatures for both types of crickets. Afterward, RH levels varied during egg incubation. It was found that an optimum incubation temperature of 31 °C and 70% RH produced a hatching rate of about 80% and 6 days for the start of hatching for two-spotted crickets, while an optimum incubation temperature of 30 °C and 65–75% RH provided a daily peak hatching rate of about 66% and 12 days for the start of hatching for house crickets. Further studies are required to better clarify the conditions that may influence hatchability and productivity. This study aimed to determine the influence and optimal conditions of incubation temperature and relative humidity (RH) on the egg hatchability patterns of two-spotted (Gryllus bimaculatus) and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets. Experiment I involved 100 cricket eggs per hatching box for each species, with six replications for each controlled incubation temperature of 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33 °C at 70% RH. Experiment II used all the same procedures as Experiment I, except for incubation temperatures of 29, 30, 31, and 32 °C tested with varied RH levels of 65%, 70%, and 75%. In Experiment I, two-spotted crickets (9.47 ± 1.99 days) exhibited faster hatching than house crickets (13.70 ± 2.78 days). Additionally, the onset of hatching decreased with higher incubation temperatures for both types of crickets. In Experiment II, an incubation temperature of 31 °C and 70% RH resulted in a hatching rate of 79.75% for two-spotted crickets, with hatching beginning in 6 days. For house cricket eggs, the optimal conditions of 30 °C and 65–75% RH led to a peak daily hatching rate of 62.00–65.50% and hatching onset in 12 days. Thus, this study established the optimal incubation temperature and RH for egg hatching of two-spotted and house crickets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offspring provisioning can act as a proxy of resource acquisition and vary with parental sex and age. Age-related variation can arise from individual experience and senescence, but also from selective disappearance of poor-quality parents. Distinguishing between these processes and quantifying their effect on the resource acquisition and fate of individual chicks requires longitudinal monitoring of known-age individuals, which is still rare. In our longitudinal study, we observed offspring provisioning of common terns, Sterna hirundo , across a 6-year period and analysed provisioning behaviour from both a parental and offspring perspective. Using repeated measures of provisioning of individual parents, our analyses showed that provisioning did not increase with age, but that parents that were observed at older ages provisioned more, suggesting selective disappearance of parents that provisioned less. Parental provisioning was higher in males than females and increased with brood size in both sexes. For offspring, energetic acquisition declined with hatching order and increased with age. Acquisition from the mother increased faster with chick age than that from the father, and mothers distributed their provisioning more evenly across chicks of different hatching order. Parental age, however, did not affect the energetic acquisition of the offspring. The early energetic acquisition rate of chicks predicted their fledging success, but not fledging mass. When decomposing effects on energetic provisioning and acquisition rate into effects on feeding rate, prey energetic density and prey size, we found that all arose from variation in feeding rate. Overall, these results therefore show that both parents and offspring vary in quality, which is reflected in their feeding rate. • Resource acquisition levels can reflect parental and/or offspring quality. • We studied offspring provisioning in common terns across 6 years. • We found selective disappearance with age of parents that provisioned at low levels. • For offspring, energetic acquisition rate predicted fledging success. • Both parents and offspring vary in quality, which is reflected in their feeding rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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BACKGROUND: Ticks, which are obligate blood‐feeding parasites, transmit a wide range of pathogens during their hematophagic process. Certain enzymes and macromolecules play a crucial role in inhibition of several tick physiological processes, including digestion and reproduction. In the present study, genes encoding type 2 cystatin were cloned and characterized from Haemaphysalis doenitzi, and the potential role of cystatin in tick control was further assessed. RESULTS: Two cystatin genes, HDcyst‐1 and HDcyst‐2, were successfully cloned from the tick H. doenitzi. Their open reading frames are 390 and 426 base pairs, and the number of coding amino acids are 129 and 141, respectively. In the midgut, salivary glands, Malpighian tubules and ovaries of ticks, the relative expression of HDcyst‐1 was higher in the midgut and Malpighian tubules, and HDcyst‐2 was higher in the salivary glands of H. doenitzi, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and low‐temperature stress elevated cystatin expression in ticks. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay showed that both rHDcyst‐1 and rHDcyst‐2 protein vaccines increased antibody levels in immunized rabbits. A vaccination trial in rabbits infected with H. doenitzi showed that both recombinant cystatin proteins significantly reduced tick engorgement weights and egg mass weight, in particular, rHDcyst‐1 significantly prolonged tick engorgement time by 1 day and reduced egg hatching rates by 16.9%. In total, rHDcyst‐1 and rHDcyst‐2 protein vaccinations provided 64.1% and 51.8% protection to adult female ticks, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first report on the immunological characterization of the cystatin protein and sequencing of the cystatin gene in H. doenitzi. Cystatin proteins are promising antigens that have the potential to be used as vaccines for infestation of H. doenitzi control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the incubation characteristics of hatching eggs from one of the widely distributed hybrid combinations of classic broilers globally and to trace the dynamics of their changes depending on the age of the parental flock. The study covered a 12-year period - between 2011 to 2023. The share of quality chicks hatched ranged from 76.8% to 91.6%, with average values of 84.1-84.3%, while the share of culled chickens was within the normal range (0.4 to 1.7%). The proportion of culled eggs during candling on the 7th day varied between 4.3% and 14.7%, with average values of 7.64-8.24%. With the increase in the age of the parental flock, there was a stable tendency to increase the share of culled eggs at the first test egg cull, particularly due to the increase of the share of infertile eggs. The age of the parental flock determined more than 38% of the manifestation of the egg fertility trait and about 45% of that of quality chicks. Its influence on total embryonic mortality was significantly weaker (R2= 0.1456). The study of the relationship between the traits "share of quality chicks" and "share of infertile eggs" showed that in the examined dataset, the correlation between them was moderate, negative (r= -0.472±0.100 at P<0.001), with a linear character (L= 0.046±0.062). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Seabirds like penguins and petrels, living in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, often feed hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away from the islands where they breed. They therefore adapted to endure prolonged fasting during egg incubation, enabling their partner to undertake foraging trips that can last up to two weeks. Aside from accumulating and consuming fat reserves, it is unclear whether seabirds have developed further adaptations to extended fasting periods. This lack of knowledge is in part due to their remote nesting location and their extreme sensitivity to manipulation. To overcome this lack of knowledge, we developed a non-invasive device to record the heart rate (HR) of burrow-nesting blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea) during egg incubation. For that, we encapsulated a small-size logger in a dummy egg to record electrocardiograms (ECGs) through the featherless incubation patch of the birds. Results The blue petrels’ HR (208 ± 15 beats per min [bpm]; n = 6) that we recorded during egg incubation was slower than the HR predicted by two different allometric functions regressing HR against body mass (242 and 250 bpm). Blue petrels’ HR also presented cyclical variation correlated to respiration, resembling the physiological Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) described in humans and other species, and that is mainly modulated by the vagal nerve. Moreover, the basal HR of incubating blue petrels increased about every minute during egg movements that presumably reflect egg turning, important for embryo survival and development. During these events, blue petrels’ HR increased up to a maximum of 296 ± 27 bpm for 18 ± 2 s (n = 6). We estimated that those egg movements increased energy expenditure (EE) by 8.4 ± 1.3%, which is approximately 10 times less than the energy increase induced by the disturbance linked with the removal of the dummy egg at the end of the experiment. Interestingly, we noticed that the beginning of HR increase preceded egg movements by 4.3 ± 0.9 s (n = 6), as if birds needed to gradually increase their metabolism to achieve the following action. As well, blue petrels needed 9.1 ± 1.3 s (n = 6) to recover basal levels of HR after the end of egg movements. Conclusion We recorded for the first time ECGs, HR and RSA in blue petrels in a completely non-invasive way. This allowed us to observe (1) slow basal HR during egg incubation, which could save energy for prolonged fasting and (2) temporal HR increase, possibly necessary to reposition the egg for proper embryonic development.

Background: Seabirds like penguins and petrels, living in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, often feed hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away from the islands where they breed. They therefore adapted to endure prolonged fasting during egg incubation, enabling their partner to undertake foraging trips that can last up to two weeks. Aside from accumulating and consuming fat reserves, it is unclear whether seabirds have developed further adaptations to extended fasting periods. This lack of knowledge is in part due to their remote nesting location and their extreme sensitivity to manipulation. To overcome this lack of knowledge, we developed a non-invasive device to record the heart rate (HR) of burrow-nesting blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea) during egg incubation. For that, we encapsulated a small-size logger in a dummy egg to record electrocardiograms (ECGs) through the featherless incubation patch of the birds. Results: The blue petrels' HR (208 ± 15 beats per min [bpm]; n = 6) that we recorded during egg incubation was slower than the HR predicted by two different allometric functions regressing HR against body mass (242 and 250 bpm). Blue petrels' HR also presented cyclical variation correlated to respiration, resembling the physiological Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (RSA) described in humans and other species, and that is mainly modulated by the vagal nerve. Moreover, the basal HR of incubating blue petrels increased about every minute during egg movements that presumably reflect egg turning, important for embryo survival and development. During these events, blue petrels' HR increased up to a maximum of 296 ± 27 bpm for 18 ± 2 s (n = 6). We estimated that those egg movements increased energy expenditure (EE) by 8.4 ± 1.3%, which is approximately 10 times less than the energy increase induced by the disturbance linked with the removal of the dummy egg at the end of the experiment. Interestingly, we noticed that the beginning of HR increase preceded egg movements by 4.3 ± 0.9 s (n = 6), as if birds needed to gradually increase their metabolism to achieve the following action. As well, blue petrels needed 9.1 ± 1.3 s (n = 6) to recover basal levels of HR after the end of egg movements. Conclusion: We recorded for the first time ECGs, HR and RSA in blue petrels in a completely non-invasive way. This allowed us to observe (1) slow basal HR during egg incubation, which could save energy for prolonged fasting and (2) temporal HR increase, possibly necessary to reposition the egg for proper embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sharks belong to the class Chondrichthyes in the phylum Chordata. They are widely distributed in tropical, temperate, and polar oceans worldwide. As the top predator in the marine food chain, sharks have late sexual maturity and a long reproductive cycle. In recent years, due to the threat of illegal fishing and overfishing, their numbers have fallen sharply, and 23 species of sharks have been listed in protected lists, which poses a direct threat to the balance of marine ecosystems. In order to explore ways to increase the number of sharks by improving their reproductive performance under artificial breeding conditions, we used the striped bamboo shark (Chilosophy plagiosum) as an experimental animal, which has been listed as a near-threatened species in the Red List of Endangered Species of the World Conservation Union and legally bred in Chimelong Ocean Kingdom of Zhuhai, China. The results of the breeding experiment showed that feeding sharks a nutritional fortifier in the breeding season can improve the spawning quantity and egg quality of the striped bamboo shark, which provides new ideas and strategies for improving the protection and utilization level of shark resources, and has important economic, ecological, and social benefits. To explore a method of improving the reproductive performance of the striped bamboo shark, three groups (D0, D1, and D2) of mature individuals were fed squid with (D1 and D2) or without (D0) a nutritional fortifier during the breeding seasons of 2022 and 2023. Compared with the D0 group, the D1 and D2 groups had an increase of 20.90% and 31.34% in total eggs, increases of 32.73% and 41.82% in the proportion of lecithal eggs, and a total 119.07% increase in hatching rate, respectively, in 2022. In 2023, the corresponding increase was 17.12% and 9.91% in total eggs, 19.63% and 12.15% in the proportion of lecithal eggs, 43.37% and 43.94% in fertilization rate, 23.94% and 22.22% in hatchability rate, and 66.70% and 8.70% in the survival rate of fry. Moreover, the levels of serum estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, albumin, and total antioxidant capacity and the levels of ARA, EPA, DHA, n-3 PUFA, and n-6 PUFA in both serum and lecithal eggs significantly increased, while the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were the opposite (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that feeding the sharks with a nutritional fortifier can increase spawn production and the quality of eggs, regulate the production of sex steroids, and improve the nutrition of eggs and the health of broodstocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current rise of new innovative tools for mosquito control, such as the release of transgenic mosquitoes carrying a dominant lethal gene and Wolbachia-based strategies, necessitates a massive production of mosquitoes in the insectary. However, currently laboratory rearing depends on vertebrate blood for egg production and maintenance. This practice raises ethical concerns, incurs logistical and cost limitations, and entails potential risk associated with pathogen transmission and blood storage. Consequently, an artificial blood-free diet emerges as a desirable alternative to address these challenges. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a previously formulated artificial blood-free diet (herein referred to as BLOODless) on Anopheles gambiae (An. gambiae s.s.; IFAKARA) gonotrophic parameters and fitness compared with bovine blood. Methods: The study was a laboratory-based comparative evaluation of the fitness, fecundity and fertility of An. gambiae s.s. (IFAKARA) reared on BLOODless versus vertebrate blood from founder generation (F0) to eighth generation (F8). A total of 1000 female mosquitoes were randomly selected from F0, of which 500 mosquitoes were fed with bovine blood (control group) and the other 500 mosquitoes were fed with BLOODless diet (experimental group). The feeding success, number of eggs per female, hatching rate and pupation rate were examined post-feeding. Longevity and wing length were determined as fitness parameters for adult male and female mosquitoes for both populations. Results: While blood-fed and BLOODless-fed mosquitoes showed similar feeding success, 92.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 89.7–94.9] versus 93.6% (95% CI 90.6–96.6), respectively, significant differences emerged in their reproductive parameters. The mean number of eggs laid per female was significantly higher for blood-fed mosquitoes (P < 0.001) whereas BLOODless-fed mosquitoes had significantly lower hatching rates [odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95% CI 0.14–0.22, P < 0.001]. Wing length and longevity were similar between both groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of the BLOODless diet as a viable and ethical alternative to vertebrate blood feeding for rearing An. gambiae s.s. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and ethical studies aimed at combating malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the larval development stage of the penguin tetra fish (Thayeria boehlkei), a popular species in the freshwater aquarium fish industry, was investigated. For this purpose, penguin tetra larvae were morphologically observed from time to hatching until they reached the juvenile stage. Throughout the larval development phase, samples were randomly taken daily and captured on a camera using a stereomicroscope. Larval development stages were categorized into four periods: (I) Yolk-sac larva, (II) Pre-flexion larva, (III) Flexion larva, and (IV) Post-flexion larva. Larvae were fed with Artemia nauplii until they reached the juvenile stage for the entire research. Morphological changes, including the state of the yolk sac from hatching, mouth opening, changes in body shape and color, and fin formation processes, were recorded daily. According to the findings, the mouth opened on the 5th day, and external feeding also started on the 5th and 6th days. At the same time, free swimming movements were observed in the larvae, and it was determined that the yolk sacs were consumed. The flexion larva stage occurred on the 15- 16th days. The larval development process of the penguin tetra fish was completed within 25 days after hatching. After this stage, the juveniles became morphologically identical to their parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) belong to aspartic protease family and are synthesized by trophoblast cells of ruminant placenta and secreted into maternal blood and milk. These biomarkers very closely associated to pregnancy have demonstrated their efficiency and reliability in detection of vital embryos or pregnancy loss. In order to measure the concentration of PAGs in bovine serum, a direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) system was developed and validated. The radioiodinated bPAG tracer was prepared by chloramine-T direct method and the solid phase was used in RIA/PAGs as a separation system. The optimization tests allowed to set the assays procedure as working buffers, time and temperature of the assays incubation. Assay sensitivity was 0.63 ng/mL, the intra and inter-assay CVs were 7.7% and 5.3% respectively and the accuracy of the assays was expressed by a good parallelism and recovery tests. The serums bPAG values determinated by this developed system were consistent with the reproduction status and pregnancy stages of cows. The developed RIA/PAG system can provide the laboratory with an efficient method for the accurate detection of pregnancy, which could offer veterinarians and farmers an important tool for the reproductive management in dairy herds. Moreover, this diagnostic tool can also be developed for other livestock species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is the freshwater shrimp species of greatest economic interest, and its reproduction has been studied for commercial purposes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different salinities (0, 6, and 12 mg L-1) on the embryogenesis of this species. The females were observed daily according to their reproductive behavior. Upon the first sign of spawning, when their eggs were attached to the abdomen, they were collected for egg collection and transferred to the incubators at the respectively tested salinities. The eggs were collected every five days for up to 23 days, separated according to their stage of development, histologically processed, and stained for visualization of structural changes during embryogenesis using an optical microscope. From the egg's histological images at different embryonic development stages, the egg hatching time was evaluated, the changes that occurred in the eggs during embryogenesis, the total area of the eggs, the vacuole area, and the ratio between the vacuole area and the total area of the eggs. Differences were observed in hatching time, egg size, and vacuole area and area ratio. The 6 g L-1 of salinity treatment was statistically different from the other in all parameters analyzed. Therefore, it was concluded that 6 g L-1of salinity positively influenced embryogenesis, as it presented hatches from the 15th day of embryogenesis, demonstrating that there was a greater speed of migration of vitellogenin for the formation of the embryo, accelerating embryogenesis and hatching of M. rosenbergii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lapwing are among those ground nesting bird species that suffered strong population declines following agricultural intensification in many parts of Europe. The key problem appears to be a low breeding success which, depending on the situation, may be due to predation of eggs and chicks, starvation of chicks especially during dry conditions, agricultural activities leading to direct killings, and suboptimal breeding habitat. Here, we report on a population of 40–60 lapwing breeding pairs in an intensively cultivated arable landscape in central Switzerland, where protection from farming activities, implementation of special lapwing habitat and nest fencing to exclude terrestrial predators (mainly red fox) started in 2005 and is still ongoing. Chicks were ringed and families subsequently observed every 2–3 days. Hatching success for fenced nests built before May was high. Low hatching success was observed in unfenced nests due to high predation rates and in late nests due to abandonment by the female when the vegetation was growing too tall (e.g. maize). Regularly, chicks disappeared during the night shortly after hatching. Most likely many of them first left the fence and were predated outside. Our observations from a fenced field with wet soils and puddles suggest that lapwing may produce sufficient offspring if predation can be reduced and if large enough areas with suitable habitat are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seasonally breeding animals, the costs and benefits of territorial aggression should vary over time; however, little work thus far has directly examined the scope and adaptive value of individual-level plasticity in aggression across breeding stages. We explore these issues using the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), a single-brooded bird species in which females compete for limited nesting sites. We measured aggressiveness in nearly 100 females within 3 different stages: (1) shortly after territory-establishment, (2) during incubation, and (3) while caring for young chicks. Based on the timing, direction, and magnitude of behavioral changes between stages, we used k-means clustering to categorize each female's behavior into a "plasticity type." We then tested whether plasticity type and stage-specific aggression varied with key performance metrics. About 40% of females decreased aggressiveness across consecutive breeding stages to some degree, consistent with population-level patterns. 33% of females exhibited comparatively little plasticity, with moderate to low levels of aggression in all stages. Finally, 27% of females displayed steep decreases and then increases in aggression between stages; females exhibiting this pattern had significantly lower body mass while parenting, they tended to hatch fewer eggs, and they had the lowest observed overwinter survival rates. Other patterns of among-stage changes in aggressiveness were not associated with performance. These results reveal substantial among-individual variation in behavioral plasticity, which may reflect diverse solutions to trade-offs between current reproduction and future survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme temperature events, such as heat waves, can have lasting effects on the behavior, physiology, and reproductive success of organisms. Here, we examine the impact of short-term exposure to a simulated heat wave on condition, parental care, and reproductive success in a population of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), a small fish with exclusive paternal care, currently experiencing regular heat waves. Males were either exposed to a simulated heat wave (23 °C) for 5 d or held at an ideal temperature (18 °C). Following this 5-d treatment, all males were transferred to 18 °C, where they completed a full parenting cycle. Offspring were raised at 18 °C. We found that while mass and body condition were unaffected in males exposed to a heat wave, cortisol responses were dampened across the nesting cycle compared to control males. In addition, heat wave males had longer latency for eggs to hatch, lower hatching success, and showed lower levels of parental care behavior compared to control males. Offspring of heat wave males had lower body condition, affecting swimming performance. Altogether, our results highlight the long-term impact that even short-term events can have on reproductive success, parental behavior, and subsequent generations, providing insight into population responses to rapid environmental change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chick performance and hatchability are adversely affected by microbial contamination of hatching eggs. Egg disinfection is therefore crucial to limiting bacterial numbers and optimizing production. The present study was applied to detect the effect of hatching eggs spraying (nest and floor) with two commercial disinfectants: A (H2O2, peracetic and acetic acid) and B (glutraldehyde and Benzalkonium chloride) on hatching parameters and eggshell microbial counts. Hatching eggs were collected from broiler breeder flocks at different ages (37, 47 and 57 weeks). The obtained results indicated that both disinfectants reduced the levels of bacteria in similar ways, but there were no significant differences between them. Concerning the hatching parameters; hatchability percentages (total and true) were lower than standard in both nest and floor eggs, and higher hatchability percentages were found in eggs sanitized with disinfectant A. However, the lowest values were reported in eggs of 57 weeks old breeders with both disinfectants. Conclusively, disinfectants A and B reduced the microbial load of hatching eggs of different ages, and some hatchability parameters were affected with flock age and the used disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The sperm sexing using an albumin column requires an incubation process at a certain temperature for sperm to move through the albumin layer. It is thought that the incubation time can influence the quality of the semen resulting from post-thawing sexing. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of incubation time on the quality of sexed sperm post-thawing and to find out the optimum incubation time that provide the best sperm quality. Methods: This research was carried out in a completely randomized design, using three incubation times (T1= 45 minutes, T2= 60 minutes, T3= 75 minutes) with six replications. The parameters consisted of motility, abnormality and acrosome integrity of sexed sperm in the upper and bottom fractions. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (Anova) and continued with the Duncan test. Results: The results showed that the incubation time had a significant effect on motility, intact acrosome cap and recovery rate, but had no significant effect on abnormality of post thawed sexed sperm. For both the upper and bottom fraction, incubation times of 45 and 60 minutes produced the best motility and recovery rate compared to 75 minutes, but the best intact acrosome cap was obtained from an incubation time of 45 minutes. Conclusions: Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the length of incubation time influences the quality of post thawed ram sexed sperm, and 45 minutes is the optimal incubation time to provide the best quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mud crabs are common edible crustaceans, which are fished along the coasts of India. Scylla tranquebarica (Fabricius 1798), commonly called green crab is one of the most economically important portunid crab in India. The study was carried out to determine the sex ratio, maturation and spawning, gonadosomatic index, fecundity and egg diameter. Sex ratio of 1 female to 1.3 male gave good results. Size at first maturity was observed at 11 cm carapace width (CW) in males and 10 cm (CW) in females. The highest GSI values in males (6.17) and females (5.12) were observed in the month of October. The maximum number of eggs produced by the females was up to 5 million. The egg diameter was recorded in the range of 0.69 to 0.76 mm. The incubation period was 11-13 days. The hatching success average percentage was recorded as 80%. For the incubation and larval rearing of mud crab, Scylla tranquibarica, the optimum requirement of water temperature and salinity were recorded as 28°C and 30 ppt, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust understanding of the mechanisms driving demographic change in wild animal populations is fundamental to the delivery of effective conservation interventions. Demographic change can be driven by variation in adult survival, recruitment of juveniles into the breeding population or breeding productivity – the number of fledglings produced per breeding pair. Across Europe, low breeding productivity in wader populations has been a significant driver of population decline, increasing the importance of gathering accurate data on breeding productivity. Monitoring wader breeding productivity is challenging because finding nests can be time‐consuming and requires experienced fieldworkers; wader chicks are nidifugous and difficult to count due to their cryptic behaviour; and waders often have high re‐laying rates following nest failure, meaning that hatching or fledging can be highly asynchronous. This paper reviews approaches to estimating breeding productivity where fieldworkers either record the agitation or alarm‐calling behaviour of adults with dependent young, make direct observations of broods on survey visits, or both. Using a systematic literature search (restricted to Europe where most of these studies have taken place) we identified 38 peer‐reviewed papers which used this approach. The productivity metrics produced can be divided into the following categories: (i) 'Hatching Success' (HS), (ii) 'Fledging Success' (FS) and (iii) 'Young Fledged Per Pair' (YFP), from the coarsest to the most precise. The first two metrics are most often used when direct observations of broods are not possible due to the behaviour of broods or vegetation structure; YFP is preferred if brood counts are possible. Design of an appropriate metric depends on (i) whether accurate brood counts are possible; (ii) whether adults exhibit diagnostic agitation behaviour when young are present; (iii) whether individual breeding territories are separable; (iv) whether re‐nesting rates are assumed to be high; and (v) the availability of experienced surveyors (particularly where behavioural observations are required). Globally there are many wader species for which the methods described here could provide valuable information and we hope this review encourages further development or adoption of these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: While North American fishes are often overlooked by the ornamental fish industry, there is growing interest in fishes native to the southeastern USA, a hot spot for fish diversity. The Metallic Shiner Pteronotropis metallicus, a small‐bodied leuciscid native to Florida and Georgia, is sometimes available in the ornamental fish trade through wild collection and limited captive production. This species exhibits a distinctive color pattern straddling the lateral line: a dorsal pink to red line, fading to a black to blue stripe. This group of minnows is largely unknown to ornamental aquaculture and lacks defined culture protocols. Our objective was to develop culture protocols for the Metallic Shiner. Methods: Following collection of wild broodstock, we used routine culture methods to experimentally determine substrate preference, egg incubation, egg disinfection, larval feeding, and larval development. Result: Metallic Shiner spawning was more successful on yarn mops compared with other media, with average output of >50 embryos per tank per day. Hatching success was similar for static incubators (24%) and upwelling incubators (20%) and was also similar among egg disinfection treatments (iodine, hydrogen peroxide, and formalin). Larval feeding regimes altered survival, with Otohime A1 exhibiting higher survival (44%) over 14 days posthatch (dph) and better growth than other feeding regimes. During the developmental trial with water temperature at a relatively constant 25°C, length increased from 5 mm notochord length (4 dph) to 8.7 mm standard length (45 dph), with significant milestones occurring at 4 dph (swim bladder inflation), 16 dph (flexion), and 23 dph (hypural plate formation). Conclusion: These data provide basic culture information for the Metallic Shiner while also providing a place of reference to begin investigating culture protocols for related species, including species of conservation concern. Impact statementThese data provide basic culture protocols to establish commercial production for the Metallic Shiner, an overlooked species native to North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Oogenesis is a complex pathway necessary for proper female reproduction in insects. Ovary‐serine protease (Osp) is a homologous gene of serine protease Nudel (SpNudel) and plays an essential role in the oogenesis and ovary development of Drosophila melanogaster. However, the function of Osp is not determined in Plutella xylostella, a highly destructive pest of cruciferous crops. RESULTS: The PxOsp gene comprises a 5883‐bp open‐reading frame that encodes a protein consisting of 1994 amino acids, which contain four conserved domains. PxOsp exhibited a high relative expression in adult females with a specific expression in the ovary. Through the utilization of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, homozygous mutants of PxOsp were generated. These homozygous mutant females produced fewer eggs (average of 56 eggs/female) than wild‐type (WT) females (average of 97 eggs/female) when crossed with WT males, and these eggs failed to hatch. Conversely, mutant males produced normal progeny when crossed with WT females. The ovarioles in homozygous mutant females were significantly shorter (5.02 mm in length) and contained fewer eggs (average of 3 eggs/ovariole) than WT ovarioles (8.09 mm in length with an average of 8 eggs/ovariole). Moreover, eggs laid by homozygous mutant females were fragile, with irregular shapes, and were unable to maintain structural integrity due to eggshell ruptures. However, no significant differences were observed between WT and mutant individuals regarding developmental duration, pupal weight, and mating behavior. CONCLUSION: Our study suggesteds that PxOsp plays a vital role in female reproduction, particularly in ovary and egg development. Disrupting PxOsp results in recessive female sterility while leaving the male reproductive capability unaffected. This report represents the first study of a haplosufficient gene responsible for female fertility in lepidopteran insects. Additionally, these findings emphasize PxOsp as a potential target for genetically‐based pest management of P. xylostella. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco 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.)

Having been successfully bred in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems, oval squids of the Sepioteuthis lessoniana species complex are emerging as promising candidates for research and industry. Nevertheless, information about pathogens and diseases that may affect squid aquaculture remains sparse. In this study, we identify new parasitic copepod species that causes squid mortality and decreases squid hatching rates, and we also offer a solution to eliminate the pathogen during incubation of squid eggs. The newly discovered copepod Ikanecator primus gen. et sp. nov. was identified on oval squid eggs for the first time using both morphological and molecular diagnostic markers. In the genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome, we identified multiple genes for enzymes involved in cephalopod eggshell degradation in genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome. Furthermore, we conducted experiments to assess efficacy of peracetic acid in inhibiting the I. primus gen. et sp. nov. both in vitro and in vivo using immersion treatment. We established that a 2-min exposure to a concentration of 250 μl/L of peracetic acid containing product (PAA-product; 35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L H2O2) inhibited the development of nauplii in vitro. All parasites exposed to a concentration of 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L H2O2) were eliminated within two minutes. On top of this, the immersion treatment with 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L H2O2) improved survival of squid embryos and increased size of squid hatchlings compared with control and the immersion treatment with 125 μl/L of PAA-product (17.5 mg/L PAA and 7.5 mg/L H2O2) and the immersion treatment with 250 μl/L of PAA-product (35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L H2O2). These findings suggest that PAA holds a great potential as inhibitor and controller of parasitic copepod infections and for overall health management in cephalopod culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sponge-associated bacteria play important roles in the physiology of their host, whose recruitment processes are crucial to maintain symbiotic associations. However, the acquisition of bacterial communities within freshwater sponges is still under explored. Spongilla lacustris is a model sponge widely distributed in European rivers and lakes, producing dormant cysts (named gemmules) for their asexual reproduction, before winter. Through an in vitro experiment, this study aims to describe the dynamics of bacterial communities and their transmission modes following the hatching of these gemmules. Results: An overall change of bacterial β-diversity was observed through the ontology of the juvenile sponges. These temporal differences were potentially linked, first to the osculum acquisition and the development of a canal system, and then, the increasing colonization of the Chlorella-like photosymbionts. Gemmules hatching with a sterilized surface were found to have a more dispersed and less diverse microbiome, revealing the importance of gemmule epibacteria for the whole holobiont stability. These epibacteria were suggested to be vertically transmitted from the maternal tissues to the gemmule surface. Vertical transmission through the incorporation of bacterial communities inside of the gemmule, was also found as a dominant transmission mode, especially with the nitrogen fixers Terasakiellaceae. Finally, we showed that almost no ASVs were shared between the free-living community and the juveniles, suggesting that horizontal recruitment is unlikely to happen during the first stages of development. However, the free-living bacteria filtered are probably used as a source of nutrients, allowing an enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria already present within its microbiome. Conclusions: This study brings new insight for a better understanding of the microbiome acquisition during the first stages of freshwater sponge development. We showed the importance of epibacterial communities on gemmules for the whole holobiont stability, and demonstrated the near absence of recruitment of free-living bacteria during the first stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to contribute to guinea fowl farming productivity. Thus, a socio-economic and technical survey was conducted in Far-North Cameroon and 500 eggs were randomly collected for hatchability assessment. Additionaly, 90 eggs were collected from three localities for physico-chemical analysis. Guinea fowls are raised in free range and 53.3 % of farmers have traditional shelters and no sanitary measures are taken. Farmers have traditional know-how in terms of egg selection techniques for brooding and the management of guinea fowl. They are mostly sold at the market and prices of one living guinea fowl vary between 3 and 5 USD. Major constraints consist in financial needs and lack of appropriate rearing practices. Physico-chemical characteristics showed that weight and edible mater proportions were not affected by locality. Haugh unit of eggs from Bipain (71.04±3.88%) were lower than those from Guidiguis (81.01±7.40%) and Chaochai (84.30±5.83%) and the reverse was observed for lipid and protein contents. Effective hatching rate was 28.96% respectively with an embryonic mortality rate of 42.2% for all eggs. This work shows that guinea fowl farming remains poorly developed and the artificial incubation performances remain low, hence the need for better ways to increase productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This work focuses on the diet and feeding ecology of the South Polar Skua, a large gull-like seabird that breeds around Antarctica and winters in the Indian Ocean and Northern Hemisphere. This study presents information from the Haswell Islands off the Antarctic coast in the Davis Sea, where skuas breed near colonies of other seabird species. The composition of the diet of South Polar Skuas included animal (vertebrate and invertebrate organisms), plant, mineral, and anthropogenic components. The diet during the pre-breeding and breeding periods was based on eggs and chicks found in Emperor and Adélie penguin colonies. During the post-breeding period, skuas have been observed feeding at sea. In general, they obtained food by scavenging, but they could also prey on the eggs and chicks of Adélie Penguins and other seabirds. In recent decades, kitchen waste became an additional food resource that supported the skua population. It was found that South Polar Skuas did not influence the breeding success of Emperor Penguins but could potentially influence the breeding success of Adélie Penguins and other seabirds. The diet and feeding behavior of South Polar Skuas (Stercorarius maccormicki) are well studied within the species' breeding range but are poorly understood on the Haswell Islands. The aim of this study was to determine how South Polar Skuas use available resources during the pre-breeding and breeding periods at the Haswell Archipelago (66°31′ S, 93°01′ E, Davis Sea, Southern Ocean) under conditions of prolonged human activity. I studied pellets, spontaneous regurgitation, and stomach contents of feathered birds to study the diet of skuas and used direct observations of their feeding behavior. South Polar Skuas at the Haswell Islands fed primarily on the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony and on terrestrial resources in the Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) and fulmarine petrel colonies. The dominant prey of skuas were breeding Antarctic penguins. Emperor Penguins and Adélie Penguins make up the bulk of the skuas' diet in the pre-breeding and breeding periods. Surface feeding at sea was observed in the post-breeding period. In recent decades, kitchen waste supported the skua population. Scavenging (placenta and feces of Weddell seals [Leptonychotes weddellii], frozen eggs, chicks and adults of breeding bird species, kitchen refuse) is the dominant strategy for obtaining food. Adélie Penguin eggs and chicks were the main food items of the South Polar Skuas in the Haswell Archipelago. Skua predation could potentially influence the breeding success of Adélie Penguins and fulmarine petrels, but the extent of the impact is unknown. The impact of the South Polar Skua on Emperor Penguins is negligible because skuas feed mainly on frozen chicks and eggs of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a pervasive and highly polyphagous insect pest. As S. littoralis has developed resistance to major classes of conventional insecticides and the use of these insecticides has caused negative impacts on the ecosystems, it is necessary to search for eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable agents to control. This can be achieved by identifying the preferred host plant. The present study aimed at evaluating the impacts of four host plants– castor bean, tomato, potato, and cucumber on the various life-history traits and nutritional indices of S. littoralis. The concentrations of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous in the tested host plants were quantified. Newly hatched larvae were divided into four groups. Each group was fed only on one type of the four tested host plants until pre-pupal stage. Then, the life-history traits and nutritional indices were determined. Larvae fed on castor bean showed the highest adult emergence, weight of full-grown larvae, number of eggs per female, and egg-hatch percent, food consumption, relative growth rate, and food utilization efficiencies. Whereas, larvae fed on cucumber showed the lowest egg-hatch percent, food consumption, relative growth rate, and food utilization efficiencies. There was a positive correlation between nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations in the tested host plants and larval weight, with the highest concentrations in castor bean. Castor bean was the most preferred host plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collected larvae of the Patch-nosed Salamander, Urspelerpes brucei, and analyzed size-frequency distributions throughout a 12-mo cycle to determine the length of the larval period and size at metamorphosis. The hatchling-size class entered the population across a wide time window, from early winter to late summer, and at a minimal size of 6-mm snout–girdle length (SGL). Examination of both pooled total sample and the samples across six seasonal periods strongly show that the typical larval period is approximately 24 mo, with metamorphosis occurring during late summer to early fall at 18–19 mm SGL. Because oviposition and hatching are extended across several months, it is possible that some animals metamorphose up to 30 mo after hatching. Larval growth in Urspelerpes is 0.5 mm/mo, which is comparable—and even slower—to the slow larval growth seen in all other stream-dwelling plethodontid larvae. Our samples of recently metamorphosed animals and mature adults indicate that males are sexually mature at metamorphosis. This is more difficult to know for females, and we suggest that females may be a mixed group that contains individuals that mature at metamorphosis and individuals that delay maturation for an additional 12 mo. There is no difference in either sex between body size at metamorphosis and at sexual maturation. As in other species in the Spelerpini, the timing of metamorphosis and the timing of sexual maturation appear to be able to evolve independently, with the remarkable result that the early sexual maturation in Urspelerpes results in a tiny adult size despite having a multiyear larval period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinalysis of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) poses a challenge due to its rapid metabolism, resulting in little to no LSD detectable in urine. Instead, its primary metabolite, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, is predominantly detected. In this study, we observed several urine profiles with iso-LSD detected together with 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD. Iso-LSD is derived from illicit preparation of LSD as a major contaminant, and it was detected at higher abundance than LSD and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in certain urine samples. Therefore, the metabolism of iso-LSD and its potential as a viable urinary biomarker for confirming LSD consumption is of interest. For metabolism studies, LSD and iso-LSD were incubated in human liver microsomes (HLMs) at 0 min, 60 min and 120 min to characterize their metabolites using LC–QTOF-MS. For urinary analysis, 500 µL of urine samples underwent enzymatic hydrolysis and clean-up using supported-liquid extraction (SLE) prior to analysis by LC–QTOF-MS. From HLM incubation study of LSD, the metabolites detected were dihydroxy-LSD, 2-oxo-LSD, N -desmethyl-LSD (nor-LSD) and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD with LSD levels decreasing significantly throughout all time points, consistent with the existing literatures. For HLM study of iso-LSD, metabolites eluting at retention times after the corresponding metabolites of LSD were detected, with iso-LSD levels showing only a slight decrease throughout all time points, due to a slower metabolism of iso-LSD compared to LSD. These findings corroborate with the urinalysis of 24 authentic urine samples, where iso-LSD with 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD was detected in the absence of LSD. Based on our findings, iso-LSD is commonly detected in urine (18 out of 24 samples) sometimes with traces of possible 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-iso-LSD. The slower metabolism and high detection rate in urine make iso-LSD a viable urinary biomarker for confirming LSD consumption, especially in the absence of LSD and/or 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Simple Summary: Artificial incubation is essential in the development of poultry production, since it represents the beginning of the production process and the key point in avoiding problems in post-hatching chicks. Humidity and air temperature during the incubation period are essential elements for good embryonic development. Lighting is one of the main environmental elements in control of several physiological and behavioral processes of birds; therefore, it allows the establishment of rhythmicity, the synchronization of several indispensable functions of their body and the stimulation of secretion of several hormones related to growth, maturation and reproduction of birds. LED lamps can produce lights that change color, intensity and distribution, providing an environment closer to the natural one for birds, as it ensures better expression of their behavior. The use of artificial lighting during the incubation phase is a tool that has been studied with the aim of increasing the production rates and hatchability. Using this, this study aims to investigate the effects of the luminous incidence of white and red monochromatic light on the production and metabolism of broiler chicks subjected to low temperatures. A total of 315 eggs of Ross 708 heavy breeders were used. The eggs were distributed randomly, with 35 eggs per tray, totaling 105 eggs per incubator. The treatments were the following: incubation without the use of light; the use of white monochromatic light; and the use of red monochromatic light. The lamps used were of the LED type. The samples were distributed in the factorial completely randomized experimental design with position effect on the tray. Candling, egg weighing, calculating the probability of survival and egg weight loss were performed. Temperatures were recorded using a thermographic camera. At birth, three chicks per tray were euthanized for evaluation: weight with and without yolk residue, gastrointestinal tract biometry, and blood and liver biochemistry. Analyses were performed using the R computational program. It was observed that there was a significant effect of the treatments on the levels of calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, amylase, glucose, urea and glutamate pyruvate transaminase on the biochemical profile of the blood and on the thermographic temperatures of the eggs; the experiment was kept at low temperatures resulting in thermal stress, with an average temperature of 34.5 °C. Therefore, the use of red and white monochromatic light in the artificial incubation process for brown-colored eggs is not recommended, because in the post-hatching phase, it promoted the metabolism dysregulation on the blood biochemical profile to control the differentiation in the wavelength of traditional incubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the survival and growth of intergeneric (Acispenser ruthenus × Huso huso L.) sterbel hybrids obtained by fertilizing sterlet eggs with cryopreserved beluga semen. The rate of embryonic development did not differ between sterbel hybrids (experimental groups) and sterlets (control groups), and the hatching period was identical in all groups. The survival rate of hybrid larvae was higher in the experimental groups than in the control groups. Body weight and body length measurements revealed that sterbel hybrids grew at a faster rate than the control group sterlets. The hybrid origin of sterbels produced with the use of cryopreserved beluga semen was confirmed in a genetic analysis based on species-specific DNA fragments. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the growth of sterbel hybrids derived from cryopreserved semen. The research findings indicate that this type of intergeneric hybridization delivers satisfactory results and can be applied in sturgeon aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In birds, morphological structures of floor of the mouth cavity play a vital role in food intake, nutrition and ingestion that forms the basis for clinical pathology and pharmacology. Hence, complete anatomical knowledge on the mouth cavity, floor in particular, is essential. In order to clarify certain morphological aspects of development of floor of mouth cavity, here, we studied the timing of the development of the tongue in the mouth cavity of Chabro chicks. Chick embryos were procured from the 5th to 21st days of incubation. Results revealed that the tongue occupied the cranial 2/3rd part of the floor of the mouth cavity and a laryngeal mound was situated caudal to the tongue. The tongue was triangular in shape and was differentiated into tip, body, and root on the 10th day of incubation. All the biometrical parameters increased with the advancement of incubation. The length of the tongue increased about 8.5 times from 6 to 21 days of incubation. Between the 10th to 21st day of incubation, the ratio between the length and width of the tip increased from 1.02 to 1.86 and the body and root decreased from 0.88 to 0.77 and 1.23 to 0.9, respectively. The conical papillae of the tongue developed on the papillary crest from the 12th day onwards and caudally directed pointed cornified papillae on the mound from the 16th day of incubation. These papillae were fully developed by the 21st day of incubation and arranged in primary and small secondary rows. The tongue was completely developed before hatching and ready to collect food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs of dumbo catfish are known to stick to the substrate due to the presence of a mucus layer, which causes suboptimal oxygen supply and low hatching percentage. This indicates that the mucus layer must be lowered while eliminating the need for a substrate during hatching. One of the natural ingredients that can be used for this purpose is papaya leaf, which contains the proteolytic enzyme papain. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effect of papaya leaf solution on the percentage of live embryos after soaking, hatching percentage, hatching time, survival rate, and abnormality percentage of dumbo catfish larvae. This research was carried out at the Basic Fisheries Laboratory, Aquaculture Study Program, Fisheries Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University in August-October 2022. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used, which consisted of four treatments and three repetitions. The treatment given was the soaking of eggs in papaya leaf solution with different concentrations of (P0/control), 2 g/0.96 L (P1), 4 g/0.96 L (P2), and 6 g/0.96 L (P3). The results showed that P2 was the best treatment with 100% live embryos after soaking, 94.06% hatching percentage, 20.24 hours hatching time, 92.78% survival rate, and 0.93% abnormality percentage. Based on these results, the soaking of dumbo catfish eggs in papaya leaf solution could increase the hatching percentage and survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University for Agricultural Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) 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.)

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection 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.)

Copyright of Arab Journal of Plant Protection is the property of Arab Society for Plant Protection 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.)

The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf extracts and the evaluation of their effect on the biology of the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus, were carried out. The efficiency of the nanocomposite and M. oleifera extract was used to determine the mortality of the insects, egg production, and egg hatching. In this experiment, 10 insects, including 5 males and 5 females, were placed on 10 g of cowpea seeds and treated with three concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2%) of the nanoproduct and Moringa leaf extract. Due to the nanocomposite, 80% mortality was recorded compared to no mortality in controls after 7-day post-treatment at a 2% treatment level. The fecundity was reduced to 27.77% compared to 42.33% in controls, and egg hatching was only 9.82% compared to 90.99% in controls. The Moringa extract application incurred significantly similar mortality at the three concentrations, ranging between 43 and 50%. However, fecundity decreased to 8.44%. The results suggest that the Moringa plant leaf extract significantly impacted eggs’ fecundity and fertility more than the nanoproduct; however, the nanocomposite was more toxic. The nanoparticle-based product for transferring candidate extract to the target site was significantly better (high toxicity) than M. oleifera extract alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternanthera philoxeroides (Amaranthaceae), commonly known as alligator weed, is a globally invasive and detrimental perennial weed. Agasicles hygrophila serves as an important biocontrol agent for alligator weeds. However, during mid-summer, when temperatures increase, A. hygrophila populations experience a significant decline, leading to ineffective weed control. This study has examined the impact of periodic heat events on the reproduction and survival of A. hygrophila females and males using various mating combinations and durations of temperature treatments. The results demonstrated significant effects on all of the studied parameters across mating combinations when compared with the control. Under the same temperature combination, the fecundity and survival rates of females, as well as the egg-hatching rate, decreased significantly with increasing repeated heat exposure. Furthermore, the egg-hatching rate varied significantly among different temperatures and time-interval combinations. In addition, the females displayed greater sensitivity to heat stress than males in terms of fecundity. These findings enhance our understanding of A. hygrophila population dynamics during summer and provide insights into the release of biocontrol agents in diverse regions with varying climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pond slider (Trachemys scripta) is a major invasive species in freshwater habitats across the world. For decades, the main cause of individuals' occurrences in the wild was the illegal release of pet animals. Recently, as an important component of their management, there has been an increasing focus on their ability to successfully reproduce in the invaded regions. In Romania, the species is reported as widespread in urban wetland environments within major cities, but information about its nesting and potential breeding remains scarce or anecdotal. We surveyed a large population of pond sliders in an artificial urban wetland site in Constanţa, SE Romania, and described their nesting ecology and reproductive output. Although eggs from several nests failed to hatch or were predated, potentially limiting their reproductive success, sliders were found to breed successfully at this site, with 18.6% viable hatchlings recorded. Our study could serve as a baseline for additional targeted surveys and to inform decision-making for successfully managing this invasive species. Although the importation, trading, and breeding of this species are prohibited by EU legislation, active and effective management is now required to address the successful reproduction and further potential spread of T. scripta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]