Black Moor Research Articles

Retina of Fantail and Black Moor Strains of the Goldfish (Carassius auratus) with Their Molecular Identification

Retina of Fantail and Black Moor Strains of the Goldfish (Carassius auratus) with Their Molecular Identification

Comparative study on the gamete quality, artificial propagation and larval development of common goldfish, shubunkin, black moor, and oranda variants of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Due to the origin and diversity of goldfish, it is a suitable model organism to investigate the effect of artificial selection on reproduction and larval development. In the present study, four, well-known variants of goldfish (common goldfish, shubunkin, black moor, oranda) with considerable phenotypical differences were compared within the framework of gamete quality assessment, propagation trial, larvae rearing and morphology assessment. In our first experiment, sperm concentration, sperm volume per fish (sperm volume) and volume of sperm per kg of body weight of males did not differ significantly between the variants. Concerning the measured Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system parameters, shubunkin and oranda had significantly higher progressive motility (pMOT, %) than black moor. Tendencies in female gamete production were observed in the second experiment, despite not all cases displaying significant differences. For pseudo-gonadosomatic index (PGSI, %), higher values were recorded for the globular-bodied goldfish, while the contrary was seen for the number of eggs per gram. Out of the four variants, a significantly higher fertilization rate was determined for oranda, while a significantly lower hatch rate was calculated for black moor. In the third experiment, a significant difference in the body length of freshly hatched larvae was observed between common goldfish and shubunkin during larvae rearing. However, at 3 days post-hatching (dph), shubunkin and oranda had a significant difference in this parameter. At 10 dph, common goldfish and shubunkin had significantly lower body weights than black moor and oranda. Moreover, developmental variances between common goldfish and black moor were observed in larvae morphology. At the end of larvae rearing, a significantly higher survival rate was recorded for common goldfish than for shubunkin and oranda. Even though not all parameters show considerable differences between the variants, black moor is far behind the others in terms of hatching rate and morphological abnormalities.Thousands of years of artificial selection have had a noticeable mark on the reproductive capacity and larval development of goldfish variants studied. Our results may contribute to further research on the impact of artificial selection on reproductive biology.

The Moor and the fair lady- An analysis of Othello, Shakespeare’s play through the lens of marginalisation

William Shakespeare’s play Othello features the life of Othello, a black Moor, a Muslim, who although is the most trusted man of the King of Venice, struggles to fit in with the prominent White, Christian medieval framework of Venice. He indirectly subscribes to the prevailing morality and thinks himself inferior to the rich, white European Christians. He tries to be like them, imbibing their values and their codes, but still struggles with his different color and has an inferiority complex. This ultimately leads to his downfall and it results in him killing his beloved wife, Desdemona and it ultimately led to his suicide.

Comparison of sperm motility and density in four different goldfish (Carassius auratus) types

Different goldfish types play an important role both in ornamental fish farming and science. Considering its historical background, the goldfish is a suitable model animal for the study of artificial selection as well as for developmental biological studies. Sperm motility and cell density is an important parameter in determining sperm quality. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of different goldfish types on the sperm quality. Several sperm motility parameters (progressive motility (pMOT, %), straight line velocity (VSL, μm s-1), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm s-1), linearity (LIN, %), amplitude lateral Head Displacement (ALH, μm), Beat Cross Frequency (BCF, Hz)) of four different goldfish types (Common goldfish-“wild type” N=5, Shubunkin N=4, Black Moor N=4, Oranda N=5) was compared during 60 hours (at 12-hour intervals) at refrigerated storage (4 °C). The variability of sperm density was also investigated in all types. A similar cell concentration was determined in the four goldfish variants (Common goldfish 2.01*1010 ± 3.46*109; Shubunkin 1.71*1010 ± 3.25*109; Black Moor 1.66*1010 ± 3.02*109; Oranda 1.56*1010 ± 5.83*109). Statistically significant difference between the 4 goldfish types in the motility parameters and cell density was not noted. However, a decreasing tendency in Black Moor sperm motility parameters (pMOT, VCL and VSL) was observable, as well as a reduced spermatozoa density in Oranda was also recorded. Our results can contribute to the improvement of the common hatchery propagation of goldfish. Future studies can add more evidence of the possible effects of artificial selection on the reproduction in different goldfish types.

Ornamental fishes in Khulna City, Bangladesh: culture practices and commercial aspects

An investigation was carried out to provide an initial assessment of aquarium fish trade from December 2018 to May 2019 in Khulna city, Khulna of Bangladesh. A total 12 shops were established in this district where 46 aquarium fish species were found of which 12 species were bred for fry production. In the study area, some ornamental fishes such as Gold fish, Black moor, Comet, Red parrot, Tiger barb, Angel fish, Black molly, Guppy, koi carp, Rosy barb, Silver shark, Rainbow shark, Tiger shark, Sucker mouth catfish, Blue gourami, Pearl gourami, Golden gourami, White molly, Pearl scale gold fish, Silver dollar, LT sucker fish were very common. Besides Glass catfish, Siamese fighting fish, calico, Swordtail, Oscar, Widow tetra, Neon tetra, Balloon molly, Moon tail balloon molly, Alligator gar were common and Tangerrine swordtail, Arowana, Flower horn, Red tail black shark, platy, cardinal tetra, Discuss fish, Rummy nose, Bolivian ram, Balloon ram, Bosemoni rainbow, Red tail catfish, Bichir, Mono angel, Knife fish were the rare fish of the Khulna city. All aquarium fish species were brought from catabon area of Dhaka city that were mainly imported from the international markets like India, Singapore, Thailand, etc. Importers/wholesalers and breeders marketed them to retailers, local breeders, shopkeepers, etc. and finally, the shopkeepers sold them to the aquaria owners. The most profitable large aquarium fishes were Gold fish which made a profit of (100±20 tk/pair), Black moor (150±20 tk/pair), Red parrot (250±50 tk/pair), angelfish (100±10 tk/pair), Pearl gourami (300±50 tk/pair), Guppy (400±50 tk/pair), Siamese Fighting Fish (300±50 tk /piece), Tiger Shark (40±10 tk/pair), Sucker mouth catfish (50±5 tk/pair) to the retailers. During this survey, it was found that the breeders used cement tank, glass aquaria, plastic tank and even plastic jar as culture tanks. They bred aquarium fish all over the year. In the present study the market is mainly domestic. There is a good domestic market which is increasing day by day. Except winter, average annual income was recorded 13,140,000 Tk from the 12 aquarium shops. However, when temperature dropped during winter, sale became reduced; sometimes no selling was also observed during this time.
 Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2019, 4 (3), 142-153

Chilled and post‐thaw storage of sperm in different goldfish types

The effective storage time of sperm after stripping (for 48hr in 6-hr intervals) and after thawing (for 6hr in 2-hr intervals) in Black moor, Oranda and Calico goldfish types was investigated. Variations in sperm density were also measured in all lines. The efficiency of a sperm cryopreservation method formerly developed for common carp was recorded in all three goldfish lines. Motility parameters ((pMOT, %), curvilinear velocity (VCL, μm/s) and straightness (STR, %)) of Black moor sperm did not decrease significantly during 48hr of storage. A significant reduction in the Oranda type compared to the fresh control was observed in pMOT after 42 (23±2%) and VCL after 36 (94±12μm/s) hours (pMOT 84±5%, VCL 150±11μm/s). In the Calico type, pMOT decreased significantly already after 18 (42±26%) and VCL after 6 (105±8μm/s) hours (fresh: pMOT 92±5%, VCL 151±6μm/s). A high pMOT immediately following thawing was measured in Oranda (46±12%) and Calico (55±15%) types, whereas a reduced pMOT was recorded in Black moor (24±19%). In Calico, pMOT showed a significant reduction after 6hr (19±11%) in comparison with the initial value, with no changes observed in VCL and STR. None of the parameters changed in the Black moor and Oranda types. Evidence was found that different goldfish lines have different sperm quality and characteristics. Further studies can investigate the possible effects of chilled and post-thaw storage on the fertilizing capacity of sperm in the Black moor, Oranda and Calico goldfish types.

The Barbarous Moor in Peele’s Alcazar (1594)

The article investigates the sixteenth century Elizabethan view of race and its influence on person’s innate characterwithin the context of The Battle of Alcazar. The interest of Elizabethan audience in Moorish matter is remarkable indrama. The Elizabethans consider the Africa as the domain of war, conquest, fratricide, lust and treachery. TheMoors are often portrayed as violent villains that violate human morality. George Peele has overturned the raciststereotypes of his days in presenting Muly Mahamet, as Machiavellian politician, in the play. Peele’scharacterization of this Moorish Other embodies negative traits shared by the society at large, such as violenceevilness, and treachery. Certainly, Muly Mahamet’s depiction is the patchwork of Peele uniting his audience’s viewsand his own literary license to generate the complex villain of Barbary. He represents the first black Moor of anydramatic significance. Peele shows the villain Muly Mahamet as cruel and treacherous, and his evil is accompanyingdirectly with the blackness of his skin. The representation of the immorality of the Moor puts into the European superiority.

The Effect of Adathoda vasica Extract on the Haematology and Protein Content of Black Moor- Carassius auratus

The Effect of Adathoda vasica Extract on the Haematology and Protein Content of Black Moor- Carassius auratus

“The devil looks ten times worse with a white face”: Colours in Richard Brome’s The English Moor

This paper purposes to investigate the multiple meanings of the black and white opposition which lies at the basis of the plot of Richard Brome’s The English Moor. This binary can be seen as a contrast between Englishness and otherness as the oxymoronic title may suggest. In the play, the usurer Quicksands dresses up his own wife Millicent and other women as Moorish servants using black-face make-up. The way in which Brome uses black face as a theatrical device to vehicle a cultural ideology about otherness is new in terms of sexual politics, gender, cosmetics and race.The dualism which emerges in the plot is reflected in the use of space that I perceive as an opposition between the space of ‘white Englishness’ and that of ‘black otherness’: one of the locations chosen as a setting by Brome, the famous tavern of the Devil and St. Dunstan, contributes to reinforce the dichotomy that constitutes the play owing to its double reference to the devil, often associated with black, and to a saint. Moreover, the only scene set in the Devil Tavern occupies a strategic position in the middle of the play as a sort of watershed which divides white from black (after this scene Millicent and the other women wear black make-up) and recalls many issues developed in the previous scene such as Millicent’s transformation into a black Moor, the idea of otherness and a secret hidden in Quicksands’s past.What complicates the issue is that Brome does not in fact stage real otherness but uses the theatrical device of the disguise and of the black-white opposition to reproduce the prejudices of his contemporaries related to otherness.

The Study of Appropriate Strategy in Order to Avoid Economic losses Caused by the ICHthyophthirius Parasite on Ornamental Goldfish Species

This study aimed to provide the Appropriate Strategy in order to Avoid Economic losses Caused by the ICHthyophthirius Parasite on Ornamental Goldfish Species in the city of Shiraz in the four cardinal directions. In this study Pearl scale, Calico, Black Moor, Red Cap and Lionhead species, were examined and the prevalence of parasites in different conditions such as different temperatures, different turbidity, algal growth, feeding rate and etc. were reviewed. The main result is that management is the most important factor in this disease. The most resistant and most sensitive species are Calico and Pearl scale, respectively. In the absence of management prevalence is associated with increasing temperature and reaches its peak at 27 ° temperature. The proper management reduces the disease at high temperatures. Increased water turbidity, the amount of aeration, algal growth, water replacement rates are very important factors that make fish more susceptible to ICH disease. The results show that water temperature should be high for better and faster treatment of the disease and fish parasites more quickly reach the stage tomite. Goldfish lives at low temperatures, so it is better water temperature gradually raised from fish early life until goldfish reaches maturity to help fish adapt to high temperatures. This not only provides better management of ICH disease but also against other diseases and the disease can be treated quickly.

The Modes of Love in Othello

According to the transpersonal psychologist Ken Wilber, an effort to recover the fusion state with the Source or Great Mother by the separate self, Ego, was launched following human beings’ fall from grace in Eden. He asserts the drive to become an integral Whole is called Eros and is satisfied through the unifying effort of love between men and women. In attempting to recover its lost integrity Ego always fails as it is constantly deceived by its bottomless desire for accumulating possessions and seeking approval and sympathy. The characteristics of Ego always focus on identifying Ego with the body, possessions, titles, sex, etc. and thus prevent true unification with the Whole. In Othello Iago plays the role of Satan in Eden. Just as Satan tempts Adam and Eve, encourages them to doubt the Word of God, and eventually coerces them into breaking their connection with the Divine, so does Iago engender suspicion and jealousy in Othello which degrades and eventually destroys his relationship with divine Desdemona. In choosing Othello, a black Moor, Desdemona shows her love to be akin to the Divine Maternal love as she is capable of embracing even Othello’s racial background which many Elizabethans would have considered highly undesirable. Unfortunately because of his Ego, Othello is turned against her by the fabricated story about her dishonesty and comes to despise and destroy her despite her pure love. Through the love story of Othello, a black man, and Desdemona, a white woman, Shakespeare awakens the reader to the universal love between men and women and how it is but a pseudo-wish for becoming Whole, a yearning to be satisfied but ultimately suffering from insatiable want. Shakespeare shows that without the death of the separate self, Ego, it is impossible to accomplish true unification with each other.

EFFECT ON MARKETABILITY OF ORNAMENTAL FISHES DUE TO PARASITIC INFECTION

Present study was carried out to reveal the prevalent and unforeseen parasitic infection in commercially available ornamental fishes which may credit to their marketable value. Seven different species of ornamental fishes namely Carassius auratus (Gold Fish and Black Moor Gold), Cyprinus carpio (Koi Carp), Poecilia reticulate (Guppy), Rasbora daniconius (Slender Rasbora), Puntius conchonicus (Rosy Barbs), Trichogaster lasius (Brass gold) were screened for the occurrence of infection. Cyprinus carpio showed maximum infection caused by Argulus (Crustacean: Branchiuran) intensity=8-12 per fish. Argulus was observed as a primary infection which was followed by bacterial infection (dropsy) as secondary infection. While minimum infection was caused by Lernaea in Carassius auratus (intensity=1 per fish).

Hugo, Goethe, and Patrick White: Sources for <em>The Eye of the Storm</em> and <em>The Vivisector</em>

1) Les Travailleurs de la MerThe French novel that suggests itself in connection with The Eye of Storm would naturally be La Chatreuse de Parme, but there are also several points of narrative that reveal debt to Hugo's Les Travailleurs de la Mer (1866). The first relates to of Odilon Redon, which itself seems to have derived from Hugo's account of King of Auxcriniers: Imagine spectral fish with face of human being. To get rid of him he must be exorcized or fished (Hugo 1:21). We first encounter skiapod when Elizabeth Hunter returns to Kudjerie to nurse her dying husband:She quickly turned pages to escape her unwilling fascination by reaching end of book; when she became spellbound by artist's image of what he called skiapod: not her own actual face, but spiritual semblance which will sometimes float out of looking-glass of unconscious. Unlike most of other monsters in book, this half-fish halfwoman appeared neither allied to, nor threatened by, death: too elusive in weaving through waters, her expression practically effaced mystery; or was it one of dishonesty, of cunning? (White, Eye 194)Redon's name for his image is something of misnomer since skiapods of mythology are monopodal humanoids that use their large single feet as sunshades, whereas his aquatic invention is footless, skull-like face tipping body of something resembling black moor goldfish. However, it's possible he read pous (foot) simply as metonym for locomotion, allowing all fish to qualify as monopods, and shadowy ones, like creature in hand, as skiapods. Nothing in artist's image fixes gender: Elizabeth herself makes it female, turning it into her shamanistic psychopomp in process. Her duality as mystic and hard-edged society woman registers in ambiguous phrase a practically effaced mystery. On one hand, Redon's artistic practice has made face (facies) out (ex) of mystery-given it tangible form, in other words-but has, in process, all but obliterated it (effacer), since mysteries are by definition ineffable. This brings us back to Hugo: Imagine spectral fish with face of human being. To get rid of him he must be exorcized or fished up. The metier that Elizabeth attributes to skiapod-the deep waters that are the looking-glass of unconscious-are also inhabited by other monsters spawned by daylight actions of superego. This has marked resemblance to Hugo's meditation on same phenomenon:Some phantom creation ascends or descends to walk beside us in dim twilight: some existence altogether different from our own, composed partly of ourselves, partly of something else, quits his fellows and returns again, after presenting himself for moment to our inward sight; and sleeper, not wholly slumbering, nor yet entirely conscious, beholds around him strange manifestations of life, strange vegetations-pale spectres, terrible or smiling, dismal phantoms, uncouth masks, unknown faces, hydra-headed monsters, undefined shapes, reflections of moonlight where there is no moon, vague fragments of monstrous forms, things which come and go in troubled atmosphere of sleep, floating forms of darkness, all those mysteries to which men give name of dreams, and which are, in truth, only approach of invisible realities. Dreams are aquarium of night. (Hugo 1: 40)Related to this are crucial nights in Elizabeth Hunter's existence as an invalid, nights when her false diurnal identities are sloughed, setting timed history in abeyance, and opening up an avenue to transcendence. White stresses liminal nature of this world, emblematized by an intermediate light that effaces temporal divisions: Thus placed they were exquisitely united. According to light it was neither night nor day. They inhabited world of trust, to which their bodies and minds were no more than entrance gates (White, Eye 11). …

Comparison of Retinal Degeneration in the Normal Goldfish and the Megalophthalmic Black Moor Goldfish after Optic Nerve Transection and Lens Extraction

A comparison in retinal degeneration was studied in the normal goldfish and the megalophthalmic goldfish after optic nerve transection or lens extraction by the TUNEL (Terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) technique. A significant number of TUNEL positive cells appeared in both cases 7 days after injury, with a more prominent result in the megalophthalmic eye. Lens extraction, had less apoptotic cell death in the experimental retinas.

Chemical Characterization of a New Carbohydrate Metabolite in the Vitreous of Black Moor Goldfish by Liquid Chromatography‐Electrospray Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Our recent report has described the occurrence of a remarkably high amount of an unknown compound with light absorption maximum at 290 nm in the aqueous humor of Black Moor goldfish. The absorption maximum is shifted to 270 nm in 0.01% trifluroacetic acid. The concentration of this compound was very low in the eye of common goldfish and was absent in ocular fluids or serum of mammalian species. This compound was isolated by chromatography on a carbohydrate column eluted by 10 mM ammonium phosphate followed by chromatography on a Delta PAK C18 column eluted by acetonitrile–water–trifluoroacetic acid. The ion size of the unknown compound determined by electrospray for protonated and deprotonated ions are m/z 205 and 203, respectively. The protonated ion was fragmented to m/z 187, 169, 157 and 141 as the cone voltage increased. The data from mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicate the chemical structure of a carbohydrate with 7 carbons containing a lactone ring.

Chromatographic identification of a biochemical alteration in the aqueous humour of megalophthalmic Black Moor goldfish

Purpose: To observe if any biochemical abnormalities exist between the eye of megalophthalmic and non-megalophthalmic goldfish by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Method: Aqueous humour and sera from megalophthalmic and non-megalophthalmic goldfish were subjected to HPLC and monitored by photodiode array detection (Waters, MA, USA). Results: An unusual accumulation of a compound with a UV absorption maximum at 290 nm was observed in the aqueous humour of megalophthalmic eye. This compound was also present in the sera of both normal goldfish and one of its megalophthalmic mutant. However, it was significantly elevated in the aqueous humour of the megalophthalmic eye only. This compound concentration was very high in the eye of small fish and its concentration increased only slightly with the expansion of the eye in larger fish. Conclusions: The presence of this compound in the serum and aqueous humour indicates a specific systemic metabolic variation in Black Moor goldfish not seen other animal species we had studied (humans, bovine, chick, rabbits and rats). The marked elevation of this compound in the megalophthalmic eye indicates a possible association of this compound with the metabolic variation accounting for the expansion of the eye in megalophthalmic goldfish.

Effect of thyroid hormones on morphogenesis and growth of larvae and fry of telescopic-eye black goldfish, Carassius auratus

Three-day-old larvae of telescopic-eye black moor goldfish, Carassius auratus, were treated with different concentrations of Eltroxin (L-thyroxine-sodium, T 4) by immersion (0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.10 ppm). The hormone treatment significantly accelerated the differentiation and growth of all the fins. The number of dorsal and anal fin rays was significantly higher in hormone-treated groups than in controls after 15 days of treatment. The highest dose of 0.10 ppm T 4 resulted in abnormalities especially in the vertebral column and pectoral fins. At the end of 25 days when the experiment was terminated, the eyes were still not telescopic and the body not yet black in any of the treatments, but the larvae exposed to 0.02 ppm and 0.05 ppm were significantly larger than controls. In another experiment, 30-day-old fry were treated with T 4 (0.02, 0.05 and 0.10 ppm) and triiodothyronine (T 3; 0.01 and 0.02 ppm). The hormone treatments accelerated scale formation: after 5 days the body was completely covered with scales, whereas in controls only a few scales were found. After 40 days of treatment, the number of black fish was greater after hormone treatment compared to controls. The number of melanophores on the scales was significantly greater after exposure to 0.10 ppm T 4 and 0.02 ppm T 3 than in controls. T 4 and T 3 treatments also accelerated the telescoping of eyes (exophthalmia). Among the different treatments used, only 0.05 ppm and 0.10 ppm T 4 and 0.01 ppm T 3 significantly accelerated the growth of fry over controls.

Role of the lens and vitreous humor in the refractive properties of the eyes of three strains of goldfish

Certain strains of goldfish are characterized by large bulging eyes which have been shown to be extremely myopic. Such myopia has been hypothesized to have its origin in enlargement of the posterior chamber of the eye. The focal length of the lens was found to be similar for paraxial and marginal lens zones in common, Chinese Black Moor and Celestial goldfish, thus providing indirect support of that hypothesis. Freeze-sectioning study of intraocular dimensions shows that the axial length of the vitreous chamber of the common goldfish eye is about 37% of total axial length. In contrast, it becomes more than 70% of axial length in Chinese Black Moors and Celestials. An examination of vitreous protein concentration indicates that ocular enlargement in Chinese Black Moors and in Celestials is related to an increase in vitreous quantity, and is accompanied by vitreous dilution. The fact that similar findings are reported in the case of experimental myopia in chicks, suggests the existence of a fundamental mechanism of refractive development for the vertebrate eye.

Neuronal cell proliferation and ocular enlargement in Black Moor goldfish.

The mechanisms that control cell proliferation in the developing nervous system are not well understood. In larval and adult goldfish addition of new retinal neurons continues as the eye grows, but the factors that modulate the rate of cell proliferation are unknown. The eyes of Black Moors grow excessively during postembryonic life, probably as a direct result of abnormally elevated intraocular pressure. Ocular growth must be partly autonomous in Black Moors because in some individuals the two eyes are very different in size. To determine whether cell proliferation and neuronal cell number in the retina were correlated with size of the eye, we counted dividing neuronal progenitor cells (rod precursors) and mature retinal neurons (ganglion cells) in the retinas of ocularly asymmetric fish. Rod precursors, which are scattered across the retina in the outer nuclear layer, were labeled with 3H-thymidine and counted on histological sections processed for autoradiography. Ganglion cells were counted in retinal whole mounts. We found that the total population of dividing rod precursors and the total number of ganglion cells were systematically greater in the large eye compared to the small eye of individual fish. We conclude that control of the rate of neuronal proliferation in the teleost retina is intrinsic to the eye and is probably regulated by the same factors that control ocular growth.

Purification of Black Moor goldfish melanophores and responses to epinephrine.

Two key modifications of the previously reported method for isolation of goldfish xanthophores allowed the isolation and establishment of primary cultures of terminally differentiated melanophores from the Black Moor goldfish (Carassius auratus). First, pretreatment with 10(-4) M epinephrine causing aggregation of the melanosomes and collapse of the dendrites, prevents damage to the melanophores during tissue dissociation and melanophore isolation. Second, maintenance of these cells in culture was successful only when the culture medium was supplemented with fish serum. The purified melanophores attached, flattened, and were maintained in culture for up to 3 mo. Although the morphology of the cultured melanophores is less dendritic than their in vivo counterparts, the melanophores translocate melanosomes in a normal manner except that they exhibit enhanced sensitivity to epinephrine. This epinephrine-induced pigment aggregation, as well as the redispersion of pigment after the removal of epinephrine, can occur in the presence of ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid and absence of Ca2+.