Articles tagged with Ichthyology
The world's growing demand for seafood may be met through aquaculture, but it will need significant advancements in biotechnology. Biotech is already improving aquaculture productivity, efficiency, and profitability, but more work is needed to bring fish production on par with other livestock.
A new study by Stanford University researchers finds that global aquaculture production has more than doubled in the past 15 years, but it also adds to the world's supply of fish. However, the growing demand for carnivorous species like salmon and shrimp threatens the sustainability of ocean fisheries.
The study found that aquaculture is contributing to the depletion of fish populations worldwide through inefficient practices and habitat destruction. The authors recommend promoting ecologically sound management and sustainable production methods to reduce the pressure on wild fisheries.
Researchers at Cornell University found that larger lakes have longer food chains than smaller ones, contrary to previous assumptions about energy availability. The study suggests that the size of an ecosystem, not energy levels, constrains food-chain length.
John J. Ney received the 1999 Outstanding Achievement Award from the American Fisheries Society for his long-term research on reservoir fish communities and their trophic relationships. His work has significantly impacted fisheries productivity, particularly in manmade waterbodies.
A Purdue University researcher has developed a soy-based feed for farm-raised fish, reducing phosphorus and nitrogen excretion and minimizing pollution. This alternative feed is expected to meet growing demand in the aquaculture industry, which is struggling with declining wild fish populations.
Researchers have confirmed a new, genetically distinct species of Pfiesteria that thrives in waters with high levels of nitrogen, posing risks to fish and potentially human health. The discovery brings the total number of toxic Pfiesteria species to two, shedding light on their life cycles and behaviors.
A new population of non-native Asian swamp eels has been found in south Florida, near the eastern border of Everglades National Park. The eels' genetic differences from previously discovered populations suggest a separate introduction and raise concerns about their potential to disrupt native species and food webs.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that brain neurochemicals, not gender, play a crucial role in shaping social behavior in fish. The study found that isotocin and vasotocin, equivalent to oxytocin and vasopressin in mammals, modulate electrical output of the brain establishing social behaviors typical of females.
A study by Purdue University researchers found that transgenic fish can threaten native populations due to their larger size, which gives them a mating advantage. The
A groundbreaking study published in Nature reveals that many coral reef fish spend their life cycle close to home, rather than drifting in the open ocean. This finding has significant implications for marine conservation and fisheries management, as it challenges the prevailing view of larval dispersal.
Biologists warn that genetically modified fish carrying the human growth hormone gene could turn Darwinian evolution upside down and lead to population decline. A single transgenic individual can cause a population to dwindle and eventually become extinct due to the rapid spread of the 'Trojan gene'.
A new Greek study suggests that high consumption of olive oil and cooked vegetables may protect against rheumatoid arthritis. The study found a lower risk of developing RA among those who ate the highest amount of cooked vegetables, with a 75% lesser risk compared to those in the lowest category.
A daily fish meal as part of a weight-loss diet lowers cholesterol levels, benefits glucose metabolism, and promotes successful weight loss in overweight middle-aged men and women with hypertension. The study found that a low-fat diet combined with fish consumption improved patients' glucose tolerance and reduced abdominal fat.
Researchers aim to uncover principles of coordinated group motion and apply them to designing autonomous underwater or airborne robots. They will create a database recording fish school movements and test robotic versions of biological models.
A University at Buffalo study found no association between DDE-contaminated sport fish and shorter lactation periods. Women who ate Lake Ontario fish had lower DDE levels in their breast milk, contradicting initial expectations.
A new DNA vaccine has been developed to protect North American salmon and trout farms from a major disease, with successful trials showing 90% reduction in mortality. The vaccine works by introducing DNA containing the gene for one of the viral proteins, which is then taken up by cells and produces the protein to prime the immune system.
A recent study found that mosquito fish preferentially eat tadpoles over mosquito larvae, leading to the decline of various frog and newt species. This ecological disaster may be linked to the widespread introduction of these fish as a form of biological control in the early 20th century.
Researchers found that displaying aquariums in nursing homes reduced disruptive behaviors and improved eating habits among Alzheimer's patients. The tanks of brightly colored fish appeared to calm patients, increasing food consumption by up to 21 percent and decreasing behavioral issues such as wandering and aggression.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory study the impact of shear force on fish, finding effects include tearing of gill covers and loss of scales. The findings could help engineers tailor turbine design for specific waterways and reduce mortality rates among fish.
A recent UB study found that women eating Lake Ontario fish have higher levels of PCBs and pesticides in their breast milk than non-fish-eaters. The study, conducted on lactating women in the New York State Angler Cohort, shows a decline in toxicant concentrations with increasing number of children and time spent breastfeeding.
A UB Study found no correlation between male consumption of Lake Ontario fish contaminated with PCBs and pesticides, and delayed conception in women. The study analyzed data from 785 women who had conceived between 1991-93, but did not find a significant link to conception delay, despite concerns about potential reproductive effects.
A new 400-million-year-old primitive shark relative from Bolivia named Pucapampella has been discovered, contradicting the belief that chondrichthyans are primitive due to their jaw characteristics. The fossil suggests that modern shark jaws are an advanced characteristic than the jaws of bony fish.
Researchers analyze patterns in animal aggregations, such as schooling fish and flocking birds, to understand how they behave in trying conditions. This knowledge can inform predictions about group behavior under various scenarios, including the impact of climate change on fish populations.
Researchers developed a multibeam sonar tool and interactive software to study fish behavior near dams. The tools allow for detailed analysis of fish movement, enabling scientists to understand why fish exert more effort to pass through bypasses.
This book provides a thorough understanding of marine fish culture, including commercial production statistics, water treatment, rearing units, and nutrition for various species. With over 4,000 references, it is an essential resource for researchers, educators, and aquaculture professionals.
A large Danish study found moderate wine consumption protects against coronary heart disease. Red wine's high antioxidant content is linked to a healthier diet, including more fruit, vegetables, and fish consumed by wine drinkers compared to beer or spirits consumers.
A new report reveals that shrimp and salmon aquaculture may be depleting fisheries, disrupting coastal ecosystems, and polluting the ocean due to unsustainable practices. Improved practices, such as reducing fish feed requirements and minimizing pollution, are needed to make these industries more sustainable.
Researchers have cloned a gene that causes zebrafish to develop a disease similar to congenital sideroblastic anemia (CSA) in humans. The sauternes mutation reveals a new mechanism behind the disease, potentially illuminating relevance for studying CSA in fish.
Despite high levels of mercury found in the Seychelles, a nine-year study found that frequent consumption of commercially sold fish carries no ill effects from low levels of mercury. The study suggests that current regulations in the US are sufficient to safeguard frequent fish eaters against mercury exposure.
A new satellite tagging technology has resolved the mysteries of tuna migration, revealing that bluefin tuna can move up to 1,670 nautical miles in 90 days. The tags, deployed in 1996 and 1997, have high survivorship rates and provide valuable information for managing giant bluefin tuna populations.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered that the auditory portion of the midbrain uses acoustic qualities to isolate one signal as potentially interesting, similar to the cocktail party effect. This ability helps female midshipman fish locate the hum of interest among multiple signals.
Researchers found a small association between eating Lake Ontario fish and shortened menstrual cycles, with an average reduction of 1.1 days. The study also reported a statistically insignificant delay in the time it took women to become pregnant.
A team of marine scientists has discovered a massive influx of hydroids, tiny predators that eat most daily production of small crustaceans relied on by fish larvae. The hydroids' presence threatens the survival of already vulnerable cod and haddock populations.
Research suggests that a stable fish diet can significantly lower lipoprotein (a) levels, a blood fat linked to increased heart attack risk. The study found a 40% median Lp(a) difference between groups, with fish-eaters having lower levels of the 'bad' cholesterol.
Preliminary tests indicate that years of consuming PCB- and DDE-contaminated fish have had no negative effects on fine motor skills. A comprehensive study is ongoing to examine the effects of environmental contaminants on older people.
Darrel Snyder's expertise helps state and federal agencies monitor and bolster populations of threatened species by identifying days-old fish. He has confirmed spawning sites for endangered razorback sucker and Colorado squawfish, providing crucial clues for their survival.
Researchers have traced the genetic origin of the antifreeze protein found in Antarctic fish, which plays a crucial role in their survival. The discovery sheds light on the process of adaptive molecular evolution and its impact on the ecology of the Antarctic Ocean.
A fishwheel harvesting method could benefit both fishermen's incomes and native salmon populations. The traditional method was banned in the 1920s due to large harvests and political conflicts, but is now being reconsidered as a potential solution to ecological and management problems.
A 30-year follow-up study found that men who ate about 35 grams of fish per day had a significantly lower risk of dying from a heart attack than those who did not eat fish. The findings held true after accounting for various demographic and health factors, supporting the view that eating fish protects against heart attacks.
Dr. Bob Reinert recommends states adopt a single set of guidelines to minimize exposure to contaminants in fish. Effective guidelines can help anglers filter out unwanted chemicals from their catch.
A new net design reduces bycatch of juvenile pollock in the US fishery by up to 75%. Researchers have found that modifying mid-water trawls to use single top-panels of mesh allows small pollock to escape, while retaining market-sized fish. This simple and effective technique could greatly enhance the survival and health of the resource.
Two USGS studies investigate endocrine disruption in carp, finding significant differences in sex steroid hormones and vitellogenin across regions. Pesticide concentrations were also detected in higher levels in certain waterways, raising concerns about the impact of environmental contaminants on fish populations.
Scientists are releasing 15,000 fingerlings into northeast Georgia's Broad River as part of a reintroduction effort for the robust redhorse, a fish thought extinct until survivors were discovered in 1991. The fingerlings have been artificially bred from surviving members and will be released at seven sites to help the species flourish.
Recent dinoflagellate blooms in the Chesapeake Bay have caused significant fish kills, with some species known to be highly toxic. The phantom dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, has been identified as a potential threat to both human and aquatic health.
A Cornell anthropologist studies Japanese expectations for imported seafood, finding that external appearance is crucial in determining the 'perfect' tuna. American fishermen must learn about cultural differences and standards to compete with Asian buyers and meet Japan's high standards for seafood quality.