<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Unrevealing food and feeding habits of fishes is the centre of research in aquatic biology, ecology, conservation biology and fisheries. The current practice in feeding ecology of fish accredits it as descriptive ecology, relying primarily on the information of their diet, directly through gut analysis or indirectly by computing some diet based indices. Such methods often mislead in the understanding of the true feeding behaviour of organisms need for more reliable and functional approach. The main objective of feeding ecology is to evaluate feeding behaviour of fish. Recent developments in tools and techniques of analytical research is an opportunity to take up more reliable details by formulating affordable methodical design for recording, modulating and designing suitable approaches for better explanation of the feeding biology in fish.</abstract>

Food and Feeding of Fishes. What Do We Need to Know?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Water is indispensably important for sustenance of life. Wetlands serve as potential reservoirs of water which also harbour coveted bioresources, which sustain animal life. Fish is a potential bioresource for nutrition and offer work places for people. The Asian continent has innumerable wetlands with the Indian sub-continent portraying myriads of wetlands of different kinds, including perennial wetlands (locally called “Beel” or “Taal”), seasonal floodplain wetlands (“Haor”) and river-formed oxbow wetlands (“Anua”). In addition to playing a pivotal role in providing nutrition and work places to the people, wetlands also play a significant role in flood management, in regulating biogeochemical cycles, and above all, perhaps, in the rehabilitation of the innumerable fish stocks.</abstract>

Wetlands and their Fish Diversity in Assam (India)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Nusa Penida comprises a group of islands in the south-east of Bali. This archipelago contains a high level of marine biodiversity and has significant tourism potential. In addition, Nusa Penida has aquaculture and fishing areas, which continue to be developed. Efforts towards conservation and sustainable use by means of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide an important solution to counteract increasing pressure on natural resources due to economic activities. Zoning system arrangements to protect marine biodiversity, as well as sustainable economic activities, form the highest priority in the management of the Nusa Penida MPA. The paper provides an overview of the coastal ecosystem of Nusa Penida and the potential for sustainable utilization of natural resources, as well as demonstrates the socioeconomic condition of the Nusa Penida community. Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) in 2009 for the marine ecosystems in the waters of Nusa Penida serves as baseline data to provide inputs for defining the MPA, including a zoning system and a management plan. The ecological survey revealed 1,419 ha of coral reef with 296 species, 230 ha of mangrove with 13 species, and 108 ha of seagrass beds with 8 species. The assessment of fish biodiversity revealed 296 species of fish, including five that are new to science. Nusa Penida’s waters are home to marine megafauna such as sea turtles, sharks and cetaceans, also unique and charismatic fish such as ocean sunfish (Mola mola) and manta rays (Manta birostris), that occur predictably annually. Marine tourism, seaweed farming and capture fisheries are the main economic activities for the income of the coastal community. Nusa Penida is visited by more than 200,000 tourists each year. The tourists dive in 20 dive-spots arround the waters. There are 308 ha of seaweed farming that produce more than 50 tons per month. About 850 local fishermen depend for their livelihood on the fishing grounds around the waters of Nusa Penida for their livelihood. In total, some 46,000 residents depend on the marine biodiversity of the archipelago for their livelihood. Destructive fishing and over-fishing are serious threats to the reef ecosystem within the Nusa Penida MPA, as well as to the sustainable fisheries. The lack of a clear zoning system and its attendant regulation of uses for Nusa Penida’s coastal area and marine resources mean potential conflicts between marine tourism, seaweed farming and the fisheries. The establishment of the MPA with a management plan is imperative to regulate the sustainable use of marine resources.</abstract>

Directorate of Marine and Aquatic Species Conservation, Ministry of Marine Affair and Fisheries

Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area (Mpa) Bali - Indonesia: Why Need to be Protected?

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> This study was carried out to investigate the abundance, distribution, diversity and condition factor of Mormyrids in Oyan Dam lake, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. The fish were sampled from the catches of the fishermen in Oyan Dam lake, which used gillnets of 30-80 mm laterally stretched mesh size. The fish were sampled monthly between February and September 2011, at two different sites (Imala and Ibaro). The results revealed that a total number of 100 fishes of six species belonging to the family Mormyridae were collected. Numerically, catches were dominated by Mormyrus rume (34%), Hyperopisus bebe (30%) and Petrocephalus bane (24%). Together, these species comprised 88% of all collected individuals. Marcusenius ihuysi was rare and least in number representing 1% of the fish caught. The results showed that only four species were recorded in the dry season, namely Mormyrus rume, Hyperopisus bebe, Petrocephalus bane and Mormyrus deliciosus while five species were recorded in the wet season particularly in September. Mormyrus deliciosus, was not recorded in the wet season. In terms of body weight, the highest mean value was recorded for Mormyrus deliciosus (435.71 ± 95.71), followed by Mormyrus rume (143.82 ± 5.55) and Hyperopisus bebe (123.5 ± 5.26) while Petrocephalus bane was the least one (95.00 ± 8.56). The results also showed that the condition factor during the wet season (4.18) was higher than the condition factor of the dry season (3.51). Simpson’s index was used to determine the species richness, while Shannon-Wiener’s Index was used to evaluate species diversity; species evenness was equally evaluated using Pielou’s Index. The indices of diversity included (d) = 0.31 and 0.23, H = 1.18 and 1.53 and E = 0.851 and 0.853 respectively for the two sites at Oyan Dam lake. The estimates from these indices indicated a low fish species composition and richness, also unevenness in the population of Mormyrids in Oyan Dam lake. Therefore, it will be advisable to regulate the activities of fishers in the water body to allow future increase in the abundance of this species.</abstract>

Preliminary Observations on the Family Mormyridae in Oyan Dam Lake (Nigeria)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Semi aquatic Heteroptera species from some mountainous tributaries of the Vişeu River were collected and their relations with habitat variables were investigated. Only two species, Gerris lacustris and Gerris costae were found, either one or both species, in almost half of the investigated sampling stations. Correlation analysis between samplings and habitat conditions showed that Gerris lacustris prefers small deep ponds or river banks with steep slopes and is easily adaptable to habitat changes, while Gerris costae is mostly found in large marshes with low, stagnant water and high amounts of vegetation. Both species are relatively tolerant to human impact in their habitat, Gerris lacustris more so. The two species are negatively correlated to each other, as an expression of competition between them. Principal Component Analysis resulted in two dominant factors explaining almost 60% of the habitat variation, and their graphic representation proved the observed correlations.</abstract>

Gerris Lacustris (Linaeus 1758) and Gerris Costae (Herrich-Schäffer 1850) Species - Habitat Relations on Mountainous Tributaries of Vişeu River (Maramureş, Romania)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>ABSTRACT</title> Mangroves are dynamic and unique inter-tidal ecosystems, common in tropical and subtropical coastal environments. They are among the world’s most productive ecosystems and are important in protecting coasts from erosion by fierce tides, in promoting the diversity of marine organisms and fisheries by contributing a quantity of food and providing favourable habitats for animals. These economic uses of mangroves indicate that they play an important role in the lives and economies in the coastal regions of different countries. Mangrove forests are under immense threat worldwide due to their multiple economic uses and alterations of freshwater inflows by various upstream activities in catchment areas. Mangrove plants with unique adaptations play a crucial role in sustaining life in mangrove forests. Their reproductive biology is central to understanding the structural and functional components of mangrove forests. The success of sexual reproduction and subsequent population expansion in mangrove plants is linked to flowering timings, pollinators and tidal currents. Viviparous and cryptoviviparous plants are true mangroves while non-viviparous ones are mangrove associates. The dispersal propagule is seedling in viviparous and non-viviparous plants while it is seed in nonviviparous plants. In this study, viviparous and crypto-viviparous species were included for study. These species are self-compatible, self-pollinating and also cross-pollinating; such a breeding system is a requirement for the success of sexual reproduction and subsequent build up and expansion of population. They are entomophilous in the study region. The viviparous plants include Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and B. cylindrica. The non-viviparous plants include Avicennia alba, A. marina, A. officinalis, Aegiceras corniculatum and Aegialitis rotundifolia. Sexual reproduction and regeneration events are annual in these plants and are dependent on local insects, tidal currents and nutrient content in estuarine environment. In recent times, erratic and insufficient rainfall together with industrial pollutants released into rivers is causing negative effects on the growth, development and regeneration of mangrove flora. In effect, there is a gradual decrease in mangrove cover. Added to this is continuous exploitation of mangrove plants for fuel wood, creation of shelters for cattle and changes for industrial establishments and aquaculture development in estuarine regions. As a consequence, the existing mangrove cover is struggling to survive and also not in a position to support local needs and provide livelihood opportunities through fishery resources. Further, reduced mangrove cover is showing catastrophic effects on fishing communities who live along the shore line during the period of cyclonic surges and tsunami events.</abstract>

Reproductive Ecology of Mangrove Flora: Conservation and Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Using the Shannon-Weaver index (H’), the link between the physical and chemical components of the biological component in the Bosnia River was examined. The results showed that pH and H’ had a strong link (rs = 0.59), while total nitrogen and H’ had a poor relationship (rs = 0.44), and COD-Cr had a weak relationship (rs = 0.34). KPK-Cr (I water class) had the lowest parameter concentrations, whereas electrical conductivity (IV-V water class) showed the highest. The values of the biological elements range from a poor 0.267 to a high state of 2.26.
</abstract>

Correlation Between Water Quality and the Diversity Index of the Bosna River in the Zenica Region (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Pesticides are widely used to protect crops from pests, ensure food security, and increase agricultural productivity. However, the application of these chemicals can lead to unintended adverse effects on non-target aquatic organisms. This scientific manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the acute and chronic effects of pesticides on aquatic non-target organisms, focusing on their behavior, physiology, reproductive success, and populations dynamics. Understanding these effects is critical to developing effective strategies to minimize the ecological risks associated with pesticide use.
</abstract>

Acute and Chronic Effects of Pesticides on Non-Target Aquatic Organisms

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
Belčišta wetland is the largest wetland habitat in R. of North Macedonia, located 20 km distance from Ohrid Lake and it is a relict remnant of the ancient Desaret Lake, which existed in this area since the Pliocene. This region hosts an endemic freshwater species of the Balcan Penninsula, <italic>Pelasgus minutus</italic>, which is threatened by habitat loss.
There are intentions of artificial introduction of salmonid fishes in Belčišta wetland to develop the recreative fishery and tourism in this area. Introduction and spread of salmonids is a great risk factor to the survival of the ohrid minnows <italic>(Pelasgus minutus</italic>).
</abstract>

Fish Population in the Belčišta Wetland – Risk Assessment, Prevention and Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
In this study, we report the findings regarding the toxicity of surface waters collected in March 2023 from five sampling stations in the Zaghen restoration area, located within the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Romania. The assessment of acute toxicity was conducted using two microbiotests: the Thamnotoxkit F and the Daphtoxkit FTM magna. Even if the acute toxicity effects are less than 50% and do not allow the calculation of a toxicity score for the water samples, the experiments show a different vulnerability of the two zooplanktonic species to the presence of heavy metals in the water with mortality being higher in <italic>Thamnocephalus platyurus</italic> (20%) than in <italic>Daphnia magna</italic> (15%).
</abstract>

Toxicity Screening of Surface Waters in Zaghen Restoration Area with Toxkit Microbiotests

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The purpose of this investigation was to identify the presence of parasite infections and cystic formation in <italic>Scomber japonicus</italic>, <italic>Scomber scombrus</italic>, and <italic>Thunnus thynnus</italic>. <italic>Euryphorus brachypterus </italic>and <italic>Clavellisa scombri </italic>were identified from <italic>Thunnus thynnus </italic>and <italic>Scomber scombrus</italic>, respectively. <italic>Anisakis pegreffii</italic> was identified from <italic>Scomber japonicus </italic>and <italic>Scomber scombrus </italic>by using molecular methods. Additionally, <italic>Anisakis typical </italic>was determined from <italic>Scomber japonicus</italic>.
</abstract>

Investigation of Some Fish Species of Scombridae Family in Terms of Parasites

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
The studied area is the single largest fishery in Bangladesh. The present work was conducted at two points of the Padma River (Sureshwar and Tarabunia) from July 2019 to June 2021 to monitor the efficiency of the 5th Hilsa sanctuary. Proportion of spent rate, length frequency, larvae and Jatka abundance, CPUE of larvae, the length-weight relationship of Jatka, plankton composition, and physico-chemical parameters of water were assessed and found adequate in the Hilsa sanctuary.
</abstract>

Assessment of the Efficiency of 5th (20 KM) Hilsa Shad (<italic>Tenualosa Ilisha</italic>) Sanctuary of the Padma River (Bangladesh) for Sustainable Policy Formulation and Conservation Management

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>An important fisheries sector of the Danube, the “Iron Gates” area, was studied by famous naturalists along the history like Marsigli, Haeckel, Kner, Antipa and Bănărescu. After more than half a century after the last main publication in this area, the “Iron Gates” Danube sector suffered significant human impact, and an assessment of the fish fauna was needed. The paper summarizes the trend of fish species along the XIX to XXIst centuries, and reveals the appearance of new species. The study includes data from about 65 fish species, belonging to: Acipenseridae, Polyodontidae, Clupeidae, Salmonidae, Esocidae, Cyprinidae, Cobitidae, Siluridae, Ictaluridae, Anguillidae, Lotidae, Gasterosteidae, Syngnathidae, Centrarchidae, Percidae, Gobiidae, Odontobutidae, and Cottidae. The major hidrotechnical works along with pollution, overexploitation and poachery, induced major changes in the ichthyofauna structure.</abstract>

Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, Belgrade, RS-11000,

“Porţile de Fier/Iron Gates” Gorges Area (Danube) Fish Fauna

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Of the 37 species of the European Union concern eight are already present and two present a future potential risk for Romania. This paper brings updated information regarding these species in Romania. The presence of eight invasive alien species of concern to the European Union have already been recorded in Romania: two plant species <italic>Cabomba caroliniana</italic> and <italic>Heracleum sosnowskyi</italic>, two crustaceans <italic>Orconectes limosus</italic> and <italic>Eriocheir sinensis</italic>, two fish species <italic>Pseudorasbora parva</italic> and <italic>Perccottus glenii</italic>, one reptile <italic>Trachemys scripta</italic> and one mammal <italic>Myocastor coypus</italic>. Other two species of Union concern (<italic>Lithobates catesbeianus</italic> and <italic>Procyon lotor</italic>) may soon become invaders in Romania. We emphasize the urgent need to assess their current distribution and impact or potential to establish and possible impact at national level.</abstract>

Alien Species of EU Concern in Romania

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Herbicides are used to control weeds and are usually targeted to sites that are specific to plants. Butachlor is an herbicide of the acetanilide class, which is widely used in agricultural fields. At the present study, lethal concentration (LC50) of butachlor was calculated for <italic>Rutilus rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>Sander lucioperca</italic> with a mean weight of 4 ± 1 g (mean ± SD). Our results indicated that LC50 96 h butachlor for <italic>R. rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>S. lucioperca</italic> were 0.342 and 0.760 ppm respectively. These findings suggest that butachlor is moderately toxic and moderately irritating for these two species. Clinical symptoms included irregular protrusion of the eyes and irregular swimming.</abstract>

Acute Toxicity of Butachlor to <italic>Rutilus rutilus caspicus</italic> and <italic>Sander lucioperca</italic> in Vivo Condition

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Heavy metals can threaten ecosystem health and of food security. The purpose of percent study was evaluating the sensitivity of grass carp (<italic>Ctenopharyngodon idella</italic>) and Big head carp (<italic>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</italic>) exposed to cadmium Chloride. To this end, fishes were exposed different concentrations of cadmium in range of cadmium chloride (0, 0.2, 1, 2, 6, 10 and 15 ml/l). The mortality of treatments was calculated at intervals of 24, 48, 72, 96 hours. Analysis of the data showed the 96 h LC50 of cadmium chloride for grass carp was 4.164 ml/l and for Big head carp was 5.590 ml/l. The results of this study showed that Cadmium is highly toxic for freshwater species.</abstract>

Toxicity Effects of Cadmium in Grass Carp (<italic>Ctenopharyngodon idella</italic>) and Big Head Carp (<italic>Hypophthalmichthys nobilis</italic>)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, are the most important toxic compounds of aquatic habitats. Heavy metals enter the aquatic environments via natural and anthropogenic pathways while the only source of pesticides is the anthropogenic usage of different types of pesticides including fungicide, insecticide and herbicide. Fish larvae and fingerlings are the most vulnerable life stages of fish which could be severely affected by pesticides as non-target organisms as well as by heavy metal pollution. The most important tissues affected by these pollutants are the gill, kidney and liver. Histopathological alterations of these vital organs could affect the survival rate, biological activities, osmoregulation, reproduction, buoyancy, etc., which finally could lead to failures in stock recruitment and population changes.</abstract>

Effects of Environmental Pollution on Fish: A Short Review

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Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research

The Journal of „Lucian Blaga“ University of Sibiu

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  Founded 1999, is an international scientific publication, edited in Sibiu,...

 Publishing House and Owner: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania  Founded 1999, is an international...

Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research

The Journal of „Lucian Blaga“ University of Sibiu

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