Year:2005 | Volume:18 | Issue:3 (68 IN ANIMAL AND FISHERIES SCIENCES) |Papers Count:17

Caspian sea macrobenthos was surveyed during 4 periods from Autumn 1994 until Summer 1995. The study area was south west of Caspian sea in Guilan province at four depths 10, 20, 50, 100 meter and 9 transect. The macrobenthos organisms were sorted and identified then was drawn the biomass distribution map. The fishing area were divided in seven regions for 1991-92 and 1994-95 years .The results showed that invertebrate biomass was varied from 1.57 to 65.78 with mean±Se 13.97±1.6 g/m2. In this study the 100 meter depth had the lowest abundant and biomass while the 10 meter depth had the highest abundant and 20, 50 meter had the highest biomass. There was seen the most and less biomass in Winter and Spring respectively. The observation number and biomass were high for Corophidae and Tubificidae that biomass was higher than 1 g/m2 . Although the frequency of Cardidae and Scorbiculidae were low they had the most biomass in this study. In generally the biomass were the most at out flowing of Anzali wetland and Sefidrud river and a small surface from the Astara-Hashtpar regions and was not seen a distinct difference with study of Mirzajani in year of 1991-92. The results showed that there was not any significant difference in fish catch values to base on capture per unit effort (CPUE) for seven regions. The fish catch values was varied from 88 to 459 kg/cpue for 1991-92 and was 31 to 418 kg/cpue for 1994-95. In general perspective the comparison of macro invertebrate biomass distribution maps with fish catch data showed a positive relation in many regions however it was not in other regions. The survey of fish catch data in 2000-01 showed the correction of this results where the Anzali region had the most fish catch values with a significant difference with Astara-Hashtpar and east of Guilan province regions.

For determination of nutritive value and protein digestibility of artemia meal by in vitro and in vivo methods, artemia biomass were harvested from three regions including Urmia Lake, earth ponds in border of Urmia Lake and Ghom Salt Lake. The samples were dried at 50-60°c and homogenized before experiment. Chemical analysis of three samples of artemia meal and one sample of fish meal were performed for nutrients by standard procedure (AOAC 1995). In another experiment protein apparent digestibility of samples evaluated using pepsin digestibility method. Results from this experiment showed that there is significant difference between Urmia Lake artemia treatment and other treatments. The highest digestibility percent belong to Ghom Salt Lake artemia (%92.74) and the lowest digestibility percent belong to Urmia Lake sample (%90.47). Apparent and true digestibility of artemia meal and fish meal (from Peru) were evaluated in vivo using 109 male broiler chicks (308 Ross strain). Ileum samples were collected from the scarified birds. Results obtained from this experiment were compared with the data obtained from pepsin digestibility test. In this experiment also there was significant difference between Urmia Lake, sartemia treatment and other treatments (p<0.05). The highest percent of apparent and true protein digestibility belong to fish meal (%88.02, %92.12 respectively). It was concluded that artemia meal can be used as a feedstuff in poultry diets because it has high level of protein and high protein digestibility.

To be accomplished a review, on the mix culture between shrimp (Penaeus indicus) and sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) from July to end of September 2003, in order to determine of effects of symbiosis to each others (growth of Lenght and weight). In this research, nine fiberglass tanks were selected in 20.06.2004. The bottom of the tanks was covered with shrimp farm soiel (10cm). All of the tanks aerated by an air-blower One sea cucumber per one squire meter was stocked in the first 3 tanks (Treatment 1) .and 2 Sea cucumbers per one square meter were stocked in the second 3 tanks (Treatment 2). The third 3 tanks were selected as control. All of the tanks were stocked about 15 shrimps per one square meter. This research period was about 80 days. Physico-chemical factors including weight, total length, temperature, pH, Do and... were measured. These factors were comparing among these treatments. In the end of this investigation a positive synergism was seen between 2 sea animals.

This experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of Phragmatis australis which grow in Khuzestan wetland. Chemical composition and digestibility of samples were measured by in vitro and in vivo method. Samples were taken randomly from Hoveizeh, Shadegan and Elhaea wetlands with one month interval and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter were determined using rumen fluid from buffalo. For in vivo experiment three castrated buffaloes were used. The animals were fed adlibitum. The mean values for crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, NFE, Organic matter, Ash, Calcium, Phosphorus were: 10.5, 1.17,32.62,42.96, 13.2, 86.8, 0.47 and 0.36 respectively and the values for digestibility of in vivo experiment for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract, total digestible nutrient, and digestible energy were: 41-36, 43.68, 49.4, 33.63, 51.45, 38.43, 39.5 and 1.89 Mcal/kg respectively. The values of digestibility for in vitro experiment for dry matter in 3 periods of time in Hoveyzeh marsh was 40.53, 33.84 and 29.27% respectively and in Shadegan marsh it was 31.05, 35.07 and 20.7% and at last to Alhaea was 37.62, 32.56 and 33.47% respectively. The digestibility of organic matter in Hoveyzeh, Shadegan and alhaea marsh for 3 periods of time were 42.89,32.59,30.28% and 32.32, 35.23, 19.29 and 42.7,33.28, 34.99 percent respectively.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of urea molasses block (UMB) on the feed intake and performance of lactating buffaloes. Eight lactating buffaloes were allocated into four treatments in a 4x4 latin square experiment with 28 days change over periods. Treatments (diets) were: Traditional feeds and feeding system undertaken by local livestock holders (T1), The standard ration NRC (1989) based on dairy cattle recommendation (T2), Ration with 20 percent below standard (T3) and Ration with 30 percent below standard (T4) respectively. Animals accessed free choice to UMB, during the periods when they were received T3 and T4 The UMB was prepared by a mixture of molasses, urea, sugarcane pith, calcium carbonate, salt and bone meal in a proportions of 50, 10, 20, 10, 5 and 5 percent (DM basis) respectively. Daily dry matter intake, UMB intake, milk yeild and components were recorded and body weight change was measured for every period. The average 4% FCM were 11.98, 12.57, 12.03 and 11.44 kg per day for T1, T2, T3 and T4 which were significantly (p<0.05) varied among the treatments. However, the milk compositions were not affected by the treatments. The dry matter intake and daily feed cost were significantly (p<0.05) varied among the treatments. It was the lowest for T4 with 12.9 kg of intake and 6355 rials of daily feed cost and 568.4 rials per kg of milk yield. The daily consumption of UMB in T3 and T4 were 1.47±0.14 and 1.41±0.11 kg respectively but, feed restriction (20 and 30 percent) in T3 and T4 decreased the body weight of the animals. It can be concluded that UMB, with the above formula, could be used as a supplement for lactating buffaloes in an amount of 10 percent of the total diet.

To study mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) fauna and ecology in Guilan province (the Caspian Sea littoral, north of Iran), investigations were carried out during April to December 2000. The whole set of 2478 adult specimens from 64 habitats and 6656 larvae from 127 larval breeding places were collected. Six species of the genus Culex were identified as follow:1. Cx. mimeticus 2. Cx.pipiens 3. Cx. theileri 4.Cx. tritaeniorhynchus 5.Cx. hortensis 6.Cx. territans The species Cx.pipiens, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. mimeticus with 47.19%, 30.99% and 10.29%, at larval stage, and 58.18% , 28.42% and 11.71% ,at adult stage, showed the most abundance and distribution in Guilan province respectively. Ecology of two species Cx.pipiens and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, which transmit many diseases, needs more investigations.

Amirkelayeh wetland is important and international lagoon of Iran, that is setteled in Gilan province and north of Lahijan. This lagoon is live 15 species, that pike (Esox lucius) is the most abundant among of Lagoon fishes. In 2001, in order to determining of diet of Esox lucius of Lahijan Amirkelayeh lagoon, 156 Picke were catch by Gillnet, Common haul science, Costnet, Dipnet and Electroshock and studied after biometery, age determination and necropsy. Obtained results say that Amirkelayeh Pieke eat a wide range of foods (9 foods). The highest frequency percentage was related to Tench (Tinea tinea) (%24) and Proterorhinus marmoratus (%16) and lowest frequency percentage was related to Syngnathus abaster, Carassius auratus gibelio and Gammarus (each with %4) and Esox lueius, pleochoptera, frog and water beetle each with %8 frequency percentage were in the middle places.This fishes in age groups of 1+- 6+ had average total length of 44.8cm (15.6- 63cm), average weight of 717.9gr (24 - 1700gr), average relative length gut of 0.69 (0.19- 0.97), average of Index fullness of 91/8 (0.7- 422) and average fullton, scondition factor of 723/5 (388/8- 1097/3). According to obtained results, we can say that Esox lueius of this lagoon is carnivores, discovers and cannibalism. Mean while, all of the foods were recognized in the stomach that express the palatability of these foods, and had external selection according to prey size and use of vision and olfactory. Also, diet of Esox lueius was changed in order to season, age and sex.

To reduce the carcass fat through crossbreeding, the ewes of Zandi (Z) breeds (fat tailed) mated with Zel (ZL) rams as a tailed breed. The pure and crossbred lambs were fattened for 114 days and 24 lambs slaughtered for measurement of carcass traits. Finish weight and average daily gain during fattening of zel lambs were higher than zandi lambs and Fcr of zellambs were lower than zandi lambs but these difference were not significance (p>0.05). The percentage of Iean meat and bone of zel* zandi lambs were higher than zandi lambs. The difference of bone percentage was significant (p<0.05). The percentage of subcutaneous, intermuscular and visceral fat of zandi lambs were lower and fat-tail was higher than zel* zandi lambs (p<0.001). The percentage of carcass fat (i.e subcutaneous, intermuscular and fat-tail) and ether extract in zel* zandi lambs were 33.0, 35.1 and in zandi lambs were 37.0 and 38.7 respectively (p<0.05). The percentage of total fat (carcass plus visceral fat) in crossbred zel*zandi and zandi lambs were 48.1 and 46.3 respectively (p>0.05).

For improving natural potential resources of Caspian frisii kutum in southern Caspian sea (Iran); production of larger advanced fry in controlled condition are essential and this can not be achieved unless we have knowledge of nutritional requirements of advanced fry especially the protein levels. Until now there is not relevant information regarding nutritional requirements of Caspianfrisii kutum; hence an experiment of 8 weeks duration was conducted on advanced fry in order to evaluate the protein levels. Three protein levels of 25%, 30% and 35% with isocaloric digestable energy of 3400 kcal/kg diet were formulated. One - hundred and eighty advanced fry (2g±0.6) were randomly distributed between nine fiberglass tanks of 400L capacity. Nutritional responses in term of WG and RGR were improved with increase of protein levels from 25% to 35% (p<0.05) without indicating optimum beyond: to FCR and PER were not significant of treatments one and two (p>0.05); however, they were significant with treatment three (p<0.05). Fish carcass composition were significant and improved only at treatment three (p<0.05) which indicating that body protein/increasing while fat decreasing and showed flesh quality improving.

The cashmere characteristics were assessed in Raini kids offered various levels of metabolisable energy (ME) and metabolisable protein (MP). A total of seventy five male kids (initial live weight of 17.5±2.1 Kg) were used according to a 5 x 5 factorial design defined by five levels of ME (11.10, 10.37, 9 .65, 8.92 and 8.20 MJ/Kg DM) and five levels of MP (9.90, 9.07, 8.28, 7.58 and 6.65, DM basis). All the diets were formulated according to AFRC (1998). To determine the quantity and quality of the fiber, the animals were sheared at the beginning and at the end of the trial. The energy level 11.1 MJ/Kg DM had significantly (p <0.01) increased the cashmere daily growth in comparison with other energy levels. The average cashmere growth for different energy levels was 5.27, 4.30, 4.09, 4.01 and 4.10 g/day respectively. The dietary MP level of 6.65% has decreased significantly (p <0.05) the daily growth rate of cashmere in comparison to other levels. Neither the energy nor the protein levels have affected the length, diameter and percent of cashmere yield of the kids.

Growth and maturation of rabbit fishes (Siganus javus, S. sutor) in concrete tanks were compared in Hormozgan province. Juveniles of fishes were captured by used of gillnet, traps and hooks from Bandr-e- Kong, Bandar-e- Hassineh and rocky coastals of Bandar-e- Lengeh. Fishes were transferred to aquaculture department and stocked in 6m3 concrete tanks at a density of 15ind/m3.They were fed with commercial shrimp pellet and crabs meat at a rate of 3-5 percent of their body weight. Some physicochemical factors such as temperature and dissolved oxygen were measured each five days. Growth of fishes was measured by monthly biometery. In order to survey of maturation, 50-10 fishes were autopsyed each month from March to September. Results revealed that Siganus sutor grows faster than S.javus and mature in cultivation tanks. There was significant difference between the growth of S. sutor and S.javus. The body weight of S.javus reaches from 117.3 H 40.37 to 181.3±33g whereas S. sutor grew from 127.6±21.52 to 292.4±62.04 g in about 8 months.

Bream (Abramis brama orientalis) is one of the most commercial valuable fish species of the Caspian sea. Total catch of this species was 17 tons in 2000 -2001 fishing season, which constitute 0.10 % of the all commercial catch of fish species in Iranian coastal water. The mean fork length, weight and age of this species was 21.7±3.3 cm, 191±99.9 gr and 2.72±0.91 year (X±S.D) respectively. Length - Weight relationship was expressed as W = 0.2312 L 2.90 (R 2= 83.34 %, r = 0.91, N=160). Length growth parameters of bream based on Von Bertalanffys can be written as: Lt = 45 [ 1 -exp -0125(t+2.768)] The instantaneous rate of total (Z) , Natural (M) and fishing (F) mortality coefficients were 0.92 year -1, 0.28 year -1 and 0.64 year -1 respectively .The exploitation ratio (E) was calculated as 0.7 . Based on cohort analysis, the biomass of this species was calculated as 46.362 tones and according of this amount of biomass, the MSY was estimated as 14.99 tones which is less than the catch of this species.

This experiment was conducted to study the variations in chemical composition during the growth stage and characteristics of reed forage ensilage. Sampling of reed forage during the growth stage was done every 2 weeks for 3 months for investigation of variation in chemical composition. Results were analyzed in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 5 replications. The determined chemical composition of samples was CP, DM, OM, Ash, NDF, ADF, Hemicelluloses, IVDMD and IVOMD. Means of CP, IVDMD and IVOMD were decreased (from 16.56, 42.10 and 39.95 to 10.31, 28.68 and 27.83 percent respectively) and means of NDF and ADF were increased (from 63.34 and 35.12 to 77.76 and 41.64 percent respectively) with advancing growth period (p< 0.05). from Hoveize marsh 200 kg of reed forage harvested and choppered (1-3 cm length) and laboratory reed forage silage were prepared with 4 levels of molasses (0, 5, 10 and 15%) and 2 levels of inoculants, containing 1x1010CFUg-1 Lactobacillus plantarum (0 and 2.5 ppm) in 5 replication. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement (2x4x5=40). Adding 15 percent molasses decreased pH (from 4.62 to 4.16), ADF (from 37.10% to 30.34%), cellulose (from29.16% to 22.49%) and increased CP (from 10.21% to 10.98%) and IVDMD (from 27.58% to 36.76%) (p< 0.05). Bacteria inoculation did not have any significant effect on improving silage quality. Based on this results harvesting date for reed forage proposed to be between the first to middle of the month of may, and adding Lactobacillus plantarum silage was not effective, but adding 15%molasses proposed for silage preparing and improved its quality.

Intersex animal have disturbance in genital tract because of different abnormalities in reproductive organ and the sexuality is unknown. Intersex is a hermaphrodite form that is classified to true and pseudo hermaphrodite. A true hermaphrodite has one or both gonads containing ovarian and testicular tissue (ovotestis) or has one male and one female gonad. In this survey 721 genital tracts of female goats were collected during 12 months, from October (2001) to October (2002) in Ahwaz abattoir. A total of 0.97% genital tracts of female goats showed intersex, that male pseudo hermaphrodites confined with macroscopic and microscopic examination.