Effect of Different Feeds on Growth and Survival of the Sergestid Shrimp Acetes vulgaris Hansen, 1919 (Decapoda: Sergestidae)

The sergestid shrimp Acetes vulgaris has long been an important fishery species in estuaries and coastal waters along the Pang-Rad River, Rayong province, Thailand. In nature, this shrimp feeds on a wide range of food items, such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, algae, plant matter, debris, sand, and mud. The objective of this study was to compare different feeds on growth and survival of A. vulgaris reared in fiberglass tanks containing 70 m3 of seawater salinity 25 ppt over a period of 70 days. Individual shrimps were fed with four different types of feeds i.e., newly hatched Artemia (Ar), rotifer (Ro), newly hatched Artemia + rotifer (ArRo) and shrimp larvae commercial feed (SF). Results suggested that specific growth rates (both for body weight and body length) of shrimps reared with SF were not significantly different with treatment feed with Ar, ArRo and Ro (p ≥ 0.05). The survival rate of A. vulgaris did not vary significantly (p ≥ 0.05) among the Ar, Ro and ArRo treatments. However, the highest survival rate of shrimp (81.78% ± 3.08%) was observed in SF treatment and the percentage of survival rate was significantly different with treatment feed with Ar, Ro and ArRo (p ≤ 0.05). The findings reflected the ability of Acetes shrimps to consume diverse food types including both live feed and pelleted feed. Insights obtained from this research suggested that artificial feed can be as efficient as live feeds. This new knowledge is a needed addition to a currently lacking knowledge base for aquaculture of this Acetes species.

The aflatoxin B1 isolating potential of two lactic acid bacteria

Objective:To determine lactic acid bacteria's capability to enhance the process of binding and isolating aflatoxin B1 and to utilize such lactic acid bacteria as a food supplement or probiotic products for preventing absorption of aflatoxin Bl in human and animal bodies.Methods:In the present research,the bacteria were isolated from five different sources.For surveying the capability of the bacteria in isolating aflatoxin Bl,ELISA method was implemented,and for identifying the resultant strains through 16S rRNA sequencing method,universal primers were applied.Results:Among the strains which were isolated,two strains of Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus beveris exhibited the capability of absorbing and isolating aflatoxin Bl by respectively absorbing and discharging 17.4%and 34.7%of the aforementioned toxin existing in the experiment solution.Conclusions:Strains of Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus beveris were isolated from human feces and local milk samples,respectively.And both strains has the ability to isolate or bind with aflatoxin Bl.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis in sheep and goat in west highland pasture of Iran

Objective:To determine the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale(A.marginale) and Anaplasma ovis from sheep and goat in different highland pasture in west of Iran.Methods:From July 2015 to October 2015,370 blood samples of sheep and goat were collected from different regions in Hamedan province,Iran.The DNA extracted from blood and subsequently,16 S r RNA and MSP4 genes were analyzed by nested-PCR,semi nested-PCR and RFLP methods.Results:In the PCR assessment,overall 27.5%(102/370) of sheep and goat were positive for Anaplasma ovis and A.marginale infection,which was lower than reports from tropical and subtropical regions of Iran.Statistical analysis(the Chi-square test) did not show any significant relation between infection and variables such as location,tick infestation age and sex(P > 0.05).No significant correlation between the altitude and the Anaplasma species infection was found(Mann–Whitney test:P > 0.05).However,Anaplasma infection in goat significantly is more than the sheep(P = 0.008).Conclusions:The ecological changes affect the frequency and distribution of Anaplasma species.Furthermore,our results indicate that sheep as potential reservoirs of A.marginale.

Leptopsylla algira costai(Siphonaptera:Leptopsyllidae):New host and new geographical record

Objective:To access the emerging ectoparasites associated with shrews in Hamedan Province of Iran.Methods:We have captured bicoloured white-toothed shrews[Crocidura leucodon(C.leucodon)]using the live traps in April 2014.Ectoparasites collected by brushing the skins were removed and preserved in 70%ethanol containing 5%glycerin,and subsequently they were sent to the parasitology laboratory and processed.The fleas isolated from infested specimen were cleared in 10%aqueous potassium hydroxide,dehydrated in ethanol,cleared in xylene,mounted in Canada balsam and identified using reliable keys.Results:In general,eight fleas(one male,seven females)were collected from C.leucodon in Hamedan Province,Western Iran.The fleas were identified as Leptopsylla algira costai Smit,1955.Conclusions:Fleas are medically important because they transmit a wide variety of diseases to their hosts.In addition,this aricle reports Leptopsylla algira costai for the first time in new host(C.leucodon)and new geographical region(Iran).