Annulus Formation Research Articles

Use of Fin Rays and Fin Spines in Nonlethal Age Estimation of Florida Bass

Abstract Nonlethal age-estimation methods for Florida Bass Micropterus salmoides using fin rays and spines would enhance trophy-bass research, management, and conservation. Nonlethal removal of fin structures would also expand opportunities for collecting age-related information, specifically during small-population projects as well as tournaments and citizen-science programs, for which sacrificing fish is not an option. We assessed the bias of age estimates derived from Florida Bass anal-, pelvic-, dorsal-, and pectoral-fin rays and anal-, pelvic-, and dorsal-fin spines by comparing them to age estimates derived from otoliths (i.e., sagittae), which are the standard for ageing Florida Bass. We evaluated the precision of age estimates by calculating the absolute difference between replicate reads of each ageing structure for each reader. Linear-mixed effects model selection indicated that precision was most affected by age, structure, and the age*structure interaction, in which the effect of age varied by structure. Age estimates from otoliths were the most precise whereas pelvic spines were the least precise among all structures examined. Bias was similar across all fin structures, but the effect of age on bias varied by reader. Marginal increment analysis indicated that annulus formation was completed from November to March in Florida Bass dorsal spines, 5 months earlier than in Florida Bass otoliths. Our results suggest that nonlethally removed fin structures, especially dorsal spines, have potential for use in estimating age, growth rates, mortality, and age structure of bass populations, which could be particularly beneficial where bass can reach unusual trophy sizes.

OsSRF8 interacts with OsINP1 and OsDAF1 to regulate pollen aperture formation in rice.

In higher plants, mature male gametophytes have distinct apertures. After pollination, pollen grains germinate, and a pollen tube grows from the aperture to deliver sperm cells to the embryo sac, completing fertilization. In rice, the pollen aperture has a single-pore structure with a collar-like annulus and a plug-like operculum. A crucial step in aperture development is the formation of aperture plasma membrane protrusion (APMP) at the distal polar region of the microspore during the late tetrad stage. Previous studies identified OsINP1 and OsDAF1 as essential regulators of APMP and pollen aperture formation in rice, but their precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We demonstrate that the Poaceae-specific OsSRF8 gene, encoding a STRUBBELIG-receptor family 8 protein, is essential for pollen aperture formation in Oryza sativa. Mutants lacking functional OsSRF8 exhibit defects in APMP and pollen aperture formation, like loss-of-function OsINP1 mutants. OsSRF8 is specifically expressed during early anther development and initially diffusely distributed in the microsporocytes. At the tetrad stage, OsSRF8 is recruited by OsINP1 to the pre-aperture region through direct protein-protein interaction, promoting APMP formation. The OsSRF8-OsINP1 complex then recruits OsDAF1 to the APMP site to co-regulate annulus formation. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms controlling pollen aperture formation in cereal species.

Patterns of Linear Growth and Annulus Formation on Scales of Pacific Herring in the Peter the Great Bay

Patterns of Linear Growth and Annulus Formation on Scales of Pacific Herring in the Peter the Great Bay

Age and Growth of Shotted Halibut, Eopsetta grigorjewi (Herzenstein, 1890), in the West Sea of Korea

To investigate the age and growth characteristics of shotted halibut, Eopsetta grigorjewi, in the West Sea of Korea, the samples were collected using gill nets throughout 2019. A total of 861 specimens (693 females and 168 males) were analyzed. The BW-TL relations were BW = 0.0034TL3.3278 (R2 = 0.8716) for females and BW = 0.0031TL3.3359 (R2 = 0.8860) for males. This analysis revealed that males exhibited a larger growth rate than females (p < 0.05). Notably, the anterior and posterior sections of the otolith displayed an elongated oval shape, exceeding the radius of the dorsal and ventral regions. By examining the correlation between radii in four directions and total length, the highest correlation was observed between the total length (TL) and the ventral radius (R). The evaluation of the relationship between the fish total length and the otolith ventral radiusresulted in an equation of TL = 14.657R + 9.1601 (R2 =0.7081) for females and TL = 15.037R + 5.0265 (R2 = 0.6992) for males (p < 0.05). The formation of annuli occurred annually, consistently in January each year, as discerned through monthly changes in marginal index (MI) values. The von Bertalanffy growth equations from the relationship between the otolith annuli radius and the total length were Lt = 83.6 (1 − exp−0.046(t+4.70)) in females (n = 693, p < 0.05) and Lt = 56.8 (1 − exp−0.078(t+2.16)) in males (n = 168, p < 0.05).

Patterns of linear growth and formation of annulus on scales of pacific herring in Peter the Great Bay

The data on linear growth and the scale annuli forming are generalized for pacific herring in Peter the Great Bay. The growth zone on scales begins in April-May, whereas the annuli of slow growth are formed from October to January. The phenological season of active somatic growth also starts in April-May for herring in this area, the largest gains of the body length are detected in late summer — early autumn, and the active growth ends by NovemberDecember. Size diversity for young fish depends on starting conditions of growth in the first year of life and the timing of puberty. The diversity increases for adults because of the growth accelerating for the fish dwelling in local favorable environments with longer growing season.

Validation and Comparison of Age Estimates for Smallmouth Buffalo in Oklahoma Based on Otoliths, Pectoral Fin Rays, and Opercula

AbstractWith an increased interest in nongame fishes such as buffalofishes (Catostomidae, Ictiobus), there is a need for better foundational data on their life history. Bigmouth Buffalo I. cyprinellus, for example, have been found to live for more than a century. Age estimates for other sucker species have similarly suggested long life spans, but validation studies as reference points are often lacking. We conducted a 3‐year study on Smallmouth Buffalo I. bubalus in Oklahoma to validate annual increments on three hard part structures (otoliths [lapilli], pectoral fin rays, and opercula) typically used for age estimation. We marked wild fish with oxytetracycline (OTC) injection and stocked those fish into a hatchery pond to create a population of fish with known times since marking. Furthermore, reproduction in the pond allowed us to validate annulus formation in young fish. We analyzed 117 fish and found that otoliths were more reliable, precise, and accurate than the other two structures for detecting OTC marks and counting annuli. Age estimates, from 1 to 61 years, were greatest when otoliths were used, with 99% of estimates corresponding to known time since marking or known age. Otoliths appear to be the only reliable structure for accurately estimating the age of Smallmouth Buffalo within 1 year of actual age, and their use indicates that this species can live for more than six decades in Oklahoma.

A Thermodynamic Nonequilibrium Model for Preferential Infiltration and Refreezing of Melt in Snow

AbstractThe transport of meltwater through porous snow is a fundamental process in hydrology that remains poorly understood but essential for more robust predictions of how the cryosphere will respond under climate change. Here, we propose a continuum model that resolves the nonlinear coupling of preferential melt flow and the nonequilibrium thermodynamics of ice‐melt phase change at the Darcy scale. We assume that the commonly observed unstable melt infiltration is due to the gravity fingering instability and capture it using the modified Richards equation, which is extended with a higher‐order term in saturation. Our model accounts for changes in porosity and the thermal budget of the snowpack caused by melt refreezing at the continuum scale, based on a mechanistic estimate of the ice‐water phase change kinetics formulated at the pore scale. We validate the model in 1D against field data and laboratory experiments of infiltration in snow and find generally good agreement. Compared to existing theory of stable melt infiltration, our 2D simulation results show that preferential infiltration delivers melt faster to deeper depths, and as a result, changes in porosity and temperature can occur at deeper parts of the snow. The simulations also capture the formation of vertical low porosity annulus known as ice pipes, which have been observed in the field but lack mechanistic understanding to date. Our results demonstrate how melt refreezing and unstable infiltration reshape the porosity structure of snow and impacts thermal and mass transport in highly nonlinear ways that are not captured by simpler models.

Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in SEPTIN4 (C17ORF47), encoding a conserved annulus protein, cause thin midpiece spermatozoa and male infertility in humans.

Asthenoteratozoospermia is the primary cause of infertility in humans. However, the genetic etiology remains largely unknown for those suffering from severe asthenoteratozoospermia caused by thin midpiece defects. In this study, we identified two biallelic loss-of-function variants of SEPTIN4 (previously SEPT4) (Patient 1: c.A721T, p.R241* and Patient 2: c.C205T, p.R69*) in two unrelated individuals from two consanguineous Chinese families. SEPT4 is a conserved annulus protein that is critical for male fertility and the structural integrity of the sperm midpiece in mice. SEPT4 mutations disrupted the formation of SEPT-based annulus and localization of SEPTIN subunits in sperms from patients. The ultrastructural analysis demonstrated striking thin midpiece spermatozoa defects owing to annulus loss and disorganized mitochondrial sheath. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analyses of the mitochondrial sheath proteins TOMM20 and HSP60 further indicated that the distribution and abundance of mitochondria were impaired in men harboring biallelic SEPT4 variants. Additionally, we found that the precise localization of SLC26A8, a testis-specific anion transporter that colocalizes with SEPT4 at the sperm annulus, was missing without SEPT4. Moreover, the patient achieved a good pregnancy outcome following intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Overall, our study demonstrated for the first time that SEPT4 variants that induced thin midpiece spermatozoa defects were directly associated with human asthenoteratozoospermia.

Timing of Increment Formation in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Otoliths

Controversies remain regarding the periodicity, or seasonality, of otolith growth band formation, which directly influences a correct age determination of Atlantic bluefin tuna using this structure. The aim of this work was to apply marginal increment analysis and marginal edge analysis to determine the timing of band deposition. The index of completion was analyzed using general additive models to evaluate the importance of variables, such as month, age/size, and reader. Results indicate that the opaque band formation begins in June and is completed by the end of November. From the end of the year to the beginning of the following year, there is minimal marginal edge growth as the translucent band begins to form. The translucent zone then reaches a maximum development in May. The results obtained in this study provide evidence that the annulus formation in the otoliths of Atlantic bluefin tuna are completed later in the calendar year than previously thought. This would mean it is necessary to delay the date of the current July 1st adjustment criterion to November 30.

Androglobin, a chimeric mammalian globin, is required for male fertility.

Spermatogenesis is a highly specialized differentiation process driven by a dynamic gene expression program and ending with the production of mature spermatozoa. Whereas hundreds of genes are known to be essential for male germline proliferation and differentiation, the contribution of several genes remains uncharacterized. The predominant expression of the latest globin family member, androglobin (Adgb), in mammalian testis tissue prompted us to assess its physiological function in spermatogenesis. Adgb knockout mice display male infertility, reduced testis weight, impaired maturation of elongating spermatids, abnormal sperm shape, and ultrastructural defects in microtubule and mitochondrial organization. Epididymal sperm from Adgb knockout animals display multiple flagellar malformations including coiled, bifid or shortened flagella, and erratic acrosomal development. Following immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we could identify septin 10 (Sept10) as interactor of Adgb. The Sept10-Adgb interaction was confirmed both in vivo using testis lysates and in vitro by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Furthermore, the absence of Adgb leads to mislocalization of Sept10 in sperm, indicating defective manchette and sperm annulus formation. Finally, in vitro data suggest that Adgb contributes to Sept10 proteolysis in a calmodulin-dependent manner. Collectively, our results provide evidence that Adgb is essential for murine spermatogenesis and further suggest that Adgb is required for sperm head shaping via the manchette and proper flagellum formation.

Ferrofluid annulus in crossed magnetic fields.

We study the dynamics and pattern formation of a ferrofluid annulus enveloped by two nonmagnetic fluids in a Hele-Shaw cell, subjected to an in-plane crossed magnetic field configuration involving the combination of radial and azimuthal magnetic fields. A perturbative, second-order mode-coupling analysis is employed to investigate how the ferrofluid annulus responds to variations in the relative strength of the radial and azimuthal magnetic field components, as well as in the thickness of magnetic fluid ring. By tuning the magnetic field components and the annulus' thickness, we have found the development of several stationary annular shapes, presenting polygon-shaped structures typically having skewed, peaked fingers. Such fingered structures may vary their skewness, sharpness, and number and arise on the inner, outer, or even both boundaries of the annulus. In addition to controlling the morphologies of the ferrofluid annuli, the external field can be used to put the annulus into a rotational motion, with an angular velocity having prescribed magnitude, and direction. Our second-order theory is utilized to obtain a correction to the linear stability analysis prediction of such angular velocity, usually resulting in a decreased weakly nonlinear value as compared with the magnitude predicted by purely linear theory. These theoretical results suggest the use of magnetic-field-controlled ferrofluid annuli in Hele-Shaw cells as a potential laboratory for microscale applications related to the manipulation of shape-programmable magnetic fluid objects and tunable fluidic-mixing devices in confined environments.

An Evaluation of Goldeye Life History Characteristics in Two Kansas Reservoirs

AbstractGoldeye Hiodon alosoides are native through much of Canada and the Mississippi River drainage in the United States. Life history characteristics have been described for several commercially important populations in northern portions of their range, but there is a paucity of information available for more southernly populations. Milford and Lovewell Reservoirs are in the Kansas River basin and harbor the only two lentic Goldeye populations in Kansas. Further, anecdotal observations suggest declining population abundance. We sought to examine temporal trends in relative abundance and describe current size structure, body condition, and population dynamics of these two remnant populations. Both populations had decreasing relative abundance over the previous 24-y period, although decreases in the Lovewell population were most profound. In Milford Reservoir, the median total length of sampled Goldeye was 268 mm (minimum = 235 mm; maximum = 431 mm). The estimated maximum observed age for Goldeye was 8; however, age-1 Goldeye were the most abundant year-class that we collected, accounting for 80% of sampled fish. We fit a von Bertalanffy growth model to back-calculated length at annulus formation with parameter estimates of L∞ = 402 mm, K = 0.93, and t0 = 0.29. We collected two individuals at Lovewell Reservoir; therefore, no analyses were conducted. Overall, this study provides cursory knowledge of two remnant Goldeye populations in Kansas. These results can be applied to promote better understanding of their ecological role in these reservoirs and other midwestern impoundments with remnant populations.

Anisotropic damage model of wellbore cement sheath for underground salt cavern gas storage

Underground salt cavern gas storages have high injection-production efficiency and fast gas injection-delivery switching speed, which has a significant advantage in peak shaving of gas supply. As the weak part of the gas storage wellbore, the cement sheath requires stability analysis. The main motivation for this paper is to propose a model that can characterize the anisotropic damage and use it for cement sheath failure analysis. First, an anisotropic damage evolution model is established based on the principle of thermodynamic irreversibility, and a numerical solution method is given for this model. Then, the model has been verified from three parts: the damage differences in tension and compression and the strengthening effect of confining pressure were verified by mechanical tests; the relationship between anisotropic damage and micro-cracks initiation was verified by test deformation results; a two-stage loading and unloading test was performed to verify the mechanism of anisotropic damage, and the prediction error of cement strength was less than 5%. Based on a user-defined function in the finite element software, the model was developed into a constitutive equation and embedded in the numerical calculation. Finally, the anisotropic damage model is applied to analyze the failure of the cement sheath and to predict the formation of the micro annulus and radial cracks in the wellbore of a gas storage salt cavern. Compared with isotropic damage, the prediction accuracy of the anisotropic damage model for the micro annulus and radial cracks is improved by 50%.

Otolith chemistry indicates age and region of settlement of immature shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Shortspine thornyhead Sebastolobus alascanus are widely distributed along the eastern Pacific coast and are assessed as a demographically homogeneous stock off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington. The validity of this assumption has been questioned because data suggest complex ontogenetic movements. Otolith microchemistry applied to immature fish was used to determine the age of settlement and the population structure of S. alascanus. Samples were collected from 2011-2013 from bottom trawl surveys in 5 areas along the coasts of (1) Washington, (2) northern Oregon, (3) southern Oregon and northern California, (4) central California and (5) southern California. The Ba:Ca ratio, measured from the primordium to the margin of otoliths, corresponds to the pelagic and benthic phases of immature fish. This ratio decreased steadily before the formation of the first annulus and increased thereafter. Water masses along the bathymetric gradient mostly correlated with the distribution of otolith trace element (Mg:Ca, Ba:Ca) and stable isotope (δ18O and δ13C) ratios on the continental shelf. These results indicate that the population of immature fish belongs to 2 distinct groups, distributed north and south of Cape Mendocino. Accordingly, the performance of a k-nearest-neighbor classifier was highest when structured based on these 2 regions, with 94 and 69% cross-validated classification accuracy, respectively into the northern and southern groups. These results confirm that S. alascanus settle after nearly 1 yr of pelagic life and show that otolith chemistry can be used to test critical hypotheses regarding the migration and population structure of this species.

Date of marine annulus formation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and implications for retrospective growth analyses using scales.

Fish scales have increasingly been used to quantify annual and seasonal growth trends and in efforts to relate growth to environmental conditions. Understanding the timing of formation of an annulus (a group of narrowly spaced circuli) is critical when assessing the influence of marine ecosystem conditions on seasonal growth patterns of Atlantic salmon, yet the literature does not provide consistent answers regarding the timing or drivers of marine annulus formation. This study demonstrates a novel method for estimating stock-specific annulus formation timing based on marked individuals with known emigration and return/recovery dates. An equation was applied to estimate the date of annulus completion for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) using known dates, number of circuli after the most recent annulus and marine circulus deposition rate. Five marine circulus deposition rate scenarios were tested, some of which accounted for individual, seasonal and age-related variability and others which use previously published marine circulus deposition rates. Based on these results, an argument is presented to reconsider the practice of assigning annulus formation dates to winter solstice in favour of dates estimated by a scenario that accounts for individual, seasonal and age-related variation in circulus deposition. This scenario suggests that annulus formation occurs between mid-February and late March. In this case, the annulus would be formed during the coldest part of the year in the primary overwintering area for North American Atlantic salmon.

Age, growth and mortality of the yellowmouth barracuda Sphyraena viridensis (Sphyraenidae) from eastern coasts of Algeria

AbstractAge and growth of the yellowmouth barracuda Sphyraena viridensis (Cuvier, 1829) was examined in 698 individuals (184 < TL (mm) < 1210; 25 < TW (g) < 7125), sampled monthly from commercial catches in eastern coasts of Algeria between January 2007 and January 2008. Marginal increment analysis of 159 sectioned sagittal otoliths combined with information derived from length–frequency distribution showed that annulus formation occurs between June and August. Maximum observed age of males and females is 14 and 13 years respectively. Back calculations of total length-at-age were used to fit the data to the Bertalanffy growth model: TL = 1113(1 – e−0.165(t+2.251)) in males and TL = 958.3 (1 – e−0.247(t+1.422)) in females. The coefficient of allometry of the length weight relationship is 3.02 and 2.99 in males and females, respectively. Growth performance index Ø = 3.33. Natural mortality (M) was estimated as 0.45 year−1, fishing mortality (F) was 0.06 year−1and the exploitation rate (E) was 0.11.

Age and growth analysis of the fish Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede) from River Nayar, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand

The ability to age fish accurately is essential in understanding the dynamics of fish population. Age and growth determination in Mastacembelus armatus was assessed by the scale method which was verified by the length-frequency distribution method. The scales were small, elongated and the focus was shifted slightly uppish from the centre. The fish length and scale radius relationship was found linear (Scale radius = 6.974 + 0.452 Fish length; r = 0.9746) and authenticated the age analysis. Back calculation method was used to find out the size of fish at annulus formation, which confirmed four age rings in M. armatus at the size of 14.07±0.92, 26.05±4.99, 37.96± 2.59 and 48.48±6.06 cm respectively. First two age rings were observed in the fish length group 30-40 cm, the third ring was observed in 40-50 cm and the fourth ring in 50-60 cm length group. The finding was dully validated by length-frequency distribution method. The growth annual increment (h) of M. armatus shows that the length increment was 14.07, 13.32, 11.91 and 10.52 cm during 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year respectively. It shows that the fish grows continuously during its entire life period. The average growth (? h) was observed as 12.12 cm. annually. The assessment of age and growth rate of fish is a prerequisite to generate the information on recruitment, longevity and fluctuations in fishery caused by various year classes which is an important tool for rational exploitation of fish stock.

DIFFERENTIAL WEATHERING OF DIAGENETIC CONCRETIONS AND THE FORMATION OF NEOPROTEROZOIC ANNULATED DISCOIDAL STRUCTURES

ABSTRACTAnnulated discoidal structures are common in many Neoproterozoic and particularly Ediacaran successions. Their interpretations, especially their biogenicity, are often contentious. Some of them (e.g., Aspidella and related forms) are demonstrably biological structures and may represent holdfasts of frondose Ediacara-type organisms. Others may represent fluid escape structures or tool marks produced by the rotation of tethered organisms. Here we show that differential chemical weathering of diagenetic dolomite concretions can also produce annulated discoidal structures that could be mistaken as Ediacara-type discoidal fossils. Using transmitted-light and cathodoluminescence microscopy in conjunction with Raman and energy dispersive spectroscopy, we analyzed dolomitized discoidal concretions embedded in a phosphorite matrix from the Ediacaran Miaohe Member of South China. Our observations reveal that pervasive and displacive syn-compactional dolomitization of the concretions and differential compaction of surrounding sediment led to the formation of biconvex or upward-convex primary laminae within the concretions. When exposed along parting surfaces and/or bedding planes, disparities in the weatherability of the warped primary laminae within the concretions resulted in the formation of circular annuli that mimic Neoproterozoic discoidal structures, some of which have been contentiously interpreted as discoidal fossils. These findings emphasize the importance of thin-section petrographic observations in the study of discoidal dubiofossils in order to assess their origin as diagenetic concretions or as discoidal macrofossils.

Rice pollen aperture formation is regulated by the interplay between OsINP1 and OsDAF1.

The aperture on the pollen surface provides an exit for the emerging pollen tube. Apertures exhibit huge morphological variation across plant species-grasses, including rice, possess a complex aperture consisting of an annulus and an operculum-but little is known about how this species-specific cell-surface pattern forms. Here, we report a lectin receptor-like kinase in Oryza sativa, OsDAF1, which is essential for annulus formation and thus for fertility. OsDAF1 is evenly distributed in early microsporocytes but localizes to the distal pre-aperture site at the tetrad stage. We further reveal that the rice orthologue of a key aperture factor in Arabidopsis, OsINP1, has conserved and diversified roles in rice aperture formation. Disruption of OsINP1 prevents formation of the aperture, precluding pollen-tube germination. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that OsINP1 is required for polarization of OsDAF1 via direct protein interaction, suggesting that OsINP1 has an additional role in the formation of annulus that is absent in Arabidopsis. Our study reveals the importance of the aperture for rice grain yield and reveals mechanisms controlling pollen aperture development in cereal species.

Validation of Annulus Formation in Golden Shiner Otoliths

Abstract Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas is found in many lakes and ponds across the southeastern United States. Though it is a common species, otolith age validation methods have not been published. The objective of this study was to confirm annulus formation in lapillar otoliths of Golden Shiners collected monthly from September 2015 through August 2016 in Lake Jackson, Florida (Leon County). We collected at least 12 individuals each month of similar length (168–249 mm; presumably of the same cohort) to document annulus formation throughout the year. We sacrificed a total of 177 individuals from the 2013 year class, and we used their lapillar otoliths for marginal incremental analysis to calculate an index of completion and validate annulus formation. The monthly index of completion was highest from January through March and lowest in May and June, indicating that annuli were deposited once per year and confirming that lapillar otoliths are a valid age estimation structure for Golden Shiners.