Marine Science Center Research Articles

DNA BARCODING IN THE VALIDATION OF SCAD SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (GENUS: DECAPTERUS) IN AMBON

Limitations on the morphology-based identification system and the decreasing number of taxonomists have become a problem that requires a molecular approach toward the recognition and identification of species. DNA barcoding has been considered an efficient solution to solve a few of taxonomy’s problems. This research intended to identify several scads species which have been found in the waters surrounding Ambon morphologically and molecularly through DNA barcoding. Fish samples were collected from January to June 2018 at the Mardika fish market Ambon, and then brought to the Laboratory of the Maritime and Marine Science Centre of Excellence Pattimura University for further analysis. Based on morphological identification, six species of scad were discovered, being Decapterus macarellus, D. macarellus (suspected), D. macrosoma, D. macrosoma (suspected), D. russelli (suspected)and D. kurroides. Using DNA barcoding, only four species of scad were found, being D. macarellus, D. macrosoma, D. russelli and D. kurroides with identification percentage ranging from 99-100%. After validation, the species of scad which can be found in Ambon’s waters are D. macarellus, D. macrosoma, D. russelli and D. kurroides. DNA barcoding is a complementary alternative that can reinforce morphology-based identification quickly and accurately.

Effect of Different Feeds on Growth Rate and Survival of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Larvae

The present study was conducted to evaluate the growth and survival rates of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae fed different diets levels in laboratory Two-day-old larvae were transferred from the University of Basrah Marine Science Center hatchery to the Abi Al-Khaseeb district's experiment laboratory. The larvae were distributed into four treatments 450 larvae each treatment (150 larvae per replicate and three replicates per treatment) at a stock density of 3.33 larvae /L. The treatments were as follows: T1 was given boiling egg yolks; T2 was given a processed diet with 45% protein; T3 was given Redi-Lac milk powder; and T4 was given ground Artemia eggs. The experiment ran for 20 days, beginning on April 17, 2022.The results showed that larvae fed on diet containing ground Artemia eggs (T4) produced the highest final weight (39.667mg), followed by a diet containing 45% protein processed diet (T2), , Redi-Lac milk powder food (T3), and boiled egg yolks food (T1) produced the lowest final weight ( 27.333 and 24.667 mg, respectively) Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (P≤0.05) in the final weight, weight gain, daily growth rate, relative growth rate and specific growth rate between T4 and T1, but not between T4 and T2 and between T4 and T3. The survival rate showed a significant difference (P≤0.05) between T4 (0.71%) and other treatments. Our results suggest that ground Artemia eggs is the most suitable and optimal meal for common carp fish larvae.

A New Record of the Squid Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856 (Cephalopoda, Myopsida, Loliginidae) from the Coastal Waters of Iraq

The present study included the collection of 50 squids using trawls net from two sites in the coastal waters of Iraq, northwest Arabian Gulf. The first site located in Khor Abdullah and the second site located in Khor Al-Umaiya. The samples are part of the marine biology materials of the Basrah Pearling cruse carried by the Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, during the period from June 20th to July 4th 2012.Based on morphometric characters, and the recent taxonomic keys, it was verified that the squid species is Loligo forbesii Steenstrup, 1856 (Cephalopoda, Myopsida, Loliginidae). The species is a new record of the Iraqi marine waters and the northwest Arabian Gulf in general.

Effect of protein ratio on growth and survival of cultivated common carp larvae

The current experiment was conducted in the Fish Laboratory belonging to Aquaculture Unit, Agriculture College, Basrah University. At the beginning of feeding experiment average larvae weight was 0.031 g. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) larvae brought from Fish Hatchery of Marine Science Center. The experiment used to detect the protein ratio effects on growth and survival of common carp larvae. Three fish feed with protein ratio (T1 35, T2 40, T3 45)% and only fish meal of 55% protein (T4) were used to feeding 25 larvae in each aquarium to satiation six days a week. Twelve aquaria with dimensions of 60×40×30 cm were used for current experiment. Feeding experiment lasted for 54 days from 10th may to 3th July 2022. Results of current experiments revealed that the highest growth criteria were achieved by larvae fed on diet with protein ratio of 40% followed by larvae fed on diet with 45% protein ratio, while lowest growth criteria achieved by larvae fed on fish meal only. Highest survival rate (96.0%) was achieved by larvae fed on diet with 45% protein ratio and lowest survival rate (78.7%) was achieved by larvae fed on diet with 40% protein ratio. There were significant differences P≤0.05 between T2 with T3 and T4 in the survival rate, while there were no significant differences P≥0.05 between T1, T3 and T4.

A novel quality control method of time-series ocean wave observation data combining deep-learning prediction and statistical analysis

Quality control (QC) of marine data is a critical aspect in ensuring the usability of oceanic data. In this paper, we propose a novel QC method for time-series ocean wave data, which combines deep learning prediction and statistical analysis. Our method first realizes multi-element LSTM prediction of the time-series ocean wave observation data, capturing both temporal consistency and physical relationships between the multi-element inputs. Then, it applies peak detection on the regional mean difference ratio derived from the predicted and true values of the ocean wave data, and finally labels the anomalous data points based on peak detection results. We conducted experiments on the time-series wave data of four sites from the National Marine Science Center, China, and compared our proposed method with traditional QC method that is currently used for operational marine data quality control, as well as classic anomaly detection models including Isolation Forest and VAE-LSTM. The results show a significant improvement in the Precision, Recall, and F1 Score for erroneous samples using our proposed method. Our proposed method takes advantages of both deep learning and statistical analysis and considers physical correlation of multiple elements of marine data, effectively addressing the problem of erroneous discrimination of abnormal sea conditions in the traditional method, and providing valuable insights for the study of marine time-series observational data.

Possibility of cultivation gray mangroves Avaccinnia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. in the Iraqi coasts

A team from Marine Science Centre/ University of Basrah, in cooperation with some regional and local scientific institutions, attempted to cultivate the mangrove Avicennia marina in some Iraqi coastal areas, as part of an experiment that is the first of its kind in the country. A site was chosen to plant these trees in the tidal zone in the Khor Al-Zubair oil port. After six months of seedling growth in the greenhouse, the seedlings were transferred to the test site, and measurements of plant growth indicators were carried out for two years at the test site for the period from April 2019 to April 2021. The maximum height of the plants during the study period was 173.3 cm, while The indicators of vegetative growth and chlorophyll content increased significantly during the study period, which is close to the growth of trees in their natural habitats. The survival rates of seedlings were 44% after 24 months of planting. Most of the results were compared according to the Least Significant Difference test (L.S.D.). At a probability level of 0.05.

ABiLSTM Based Prediction Model for AUV Trajectory

On 25 July 2021, the AUV of the Marine Science and Technology Research Center was lost under the sea due to a fracture of the wire rope when it was performing a mission offshore of China. A model is presented in the paper for predicting the trajectory of a lost AUV based on ABiLSTM. To increase the precision of model prediction, the model incorporates the soft attention mechanism and is based on the bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) network. In comparison to LSTM, BiLSTM, and attention-LSTM models, experiments have demonstrated that the proposed model enhanced prediction accuracy in terms of longitude, latitude, and altitude by 0.009° E, 0.008° N, and 2 m using representative root mean squared error as an assessment indicator. The findings of the study can improve marine rescue efforts and aid in the search and recovery of AUVs that have crashed.

A Project to establish a shrimp farm in Basrah - Southern Iraq

Preparation of the shrimp breeding project began in 2018-2019. And the creation of suitable conditions for farming larvae of the white-legged shrimp, Penaeus vennami. The shrimp project is funded by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The shrimp project was designed by specialists at the Marine Science Centre (MSC). It aims to introduce P. vennami from neighboring Iranian shrimp farms and transfer experiences after reviewing all its details and sharing with them in similar environmental conditions. A contract was signed between MSC and an Iranian company in Abadan, which operates an integrated shrimp farm that includes a hatchery, ponds for breeding larvae, ponds for shrimp production, a plant for making pellets, and a factory for canning shrimp products, visits between both sides were conducted according to the signed contract, and a shrimp farm was designed in one of the mud ponds at the site of the University of Basra in Karmat Ali, with careful follow-up and under the supervision of specialists from both countries. So far, it is possible to start the project to be successful according to the considerations applied in shrimp farms from Iran. Two types of breeding systems were equipped, one of which is 3 fiberglass basins with dimensions of 2.5 m3, and the other system is a mud pond with dimensions of 2500 m2 with ideal specifications linked to a pond through four pipes covered on both sides with a 60-micron mesh. After passing through the mechanical filter made for the farm, a toilet was constructed with an area of 7 meters and a depth of 150 cm.

Keepers of the reef - Written by Dr Sharon Wismer, Illustrated by Alice Wong, Tilbury House Publishers, Thomaston, Maine, 2022. - Reviewed by Prue Francis, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Queenscliff Marine Science Centre, Queenscliff.

Keepers of the reef - Written by Dr Sharon Wismer, Illustrated by Alice Wong, Tilbury House Publishers, Thomaston, Maine, 2022. - Reviewed by Prue Francis, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Queenscliff Marine Science Centre, Queenscliff.

Morphometric and meristic characters of cultured and wild carp, Cyprinus carpio L., populations (southern Iraq)

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate morphological differences between cultured and wild common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. Wild specimens were collected from fishers operating in the waters of the Shatt al-Arab River, Basrah, Iraq, while cultured specimens were obtained from the Aquaculture Unit of the Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq. Significant changes were detected in all eight morphometric and three meristic characters measured and counted. Boxplots by habitat and variable showed high divergence between the populations. The meristic counts were also higher in the cultured population, and, ultimately, the two populations diverged.

A tale of two whales: applying digital imaging and 3D printing to cetacean research and education

Emerging technologies are changing how scientists and the public see and interact with cetacean specimens. As staff at a small, rural, marine science center, we employed LIDAR (light detection and ranging), x‐ray, computational tomography, and structured light scanning along with three‐dimensional (3D) printing to study and exhibit the remains of a 7.9‐m transient male killer whale (Orcinus orca) and a 22.4‐m female blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). In collaboration with larger institutions, we applied these technologies to bone replication, skeletal articulation, soft‐tissue anatomical studies, and digital modeling to create high‐quality specimen replicas. These techniques surpass traditional modeling and restoration methods, and advance specimen‐associated research and documentation. In addition, 3D technology supports education and public awareness through in‐person and online exhibits and demonstrations. The decreasing cost and increasing appeal of advanced imaging can be used to enhance community engagement and the accessibility of science.

ABIOTIC ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THREE SELECTED FISH FARMS IN BABYLON AND BASRAH PROVINCES, IRAQ.

The study is part of a comprehensive work to investigate impact of fish enemies on cultivated species. It has taken in consideration some vital abiotic characteristics necessary for cultivated fishes. Three fish farms were selected in two provinces, namely Al-Manahel fish farm (presently called Al-Belad) in Babylon province; Basrah University fish farm (Marine Science Center) and Al-Mutawaa fish farm situated south to city of Basrah. Water samples were monitored on monthly basis for the period from January to October 2002. Several parameters namely, temperature, pH, salinity, total alkalinity and total hardness were measured. The highest water temperature (31ºC) was recorded in July and August from Al-Mutawaa fish farm and the maximum pH value 8.0 was encountered during January from Basrah university fish farm and the lowest pH= 7.2 in May from the same farm. Results indicate a notable rise in salinity in Al-Mutawaa fish farm and the highest (6.0 g/L) encountered in June and the lowest (2.8 g/L) in March. The maximum concentration of total alkalinity (172 mg/L) was from Al-Mutawaa as well recorded in September. Values of total hardness were almost similar in Al- Manahel and Basrah university fish farms, but the latter revealed a bit higher value in May (581 mg/L), whereas Al-Mutawaa fish farm showed, by no means, the highest concentrations all the year round, but the maximum (880 mg/L) was detected in March.

Culture of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Val. in Fadak farm –Basrah / Iraq

32 thousands of juveniles of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella were reared in Fadak fish farm of about 15 g. They were transferred from fish culture station in Marine Science Center and spread equally in four ponds each of 8.5 donum. The culture density was 940 fish /donum in the period 15/ May to 15/ December 2007. Total fish weight for the nearest milligram was taken monthly. Fishes were fed daily with the green alfalfa as a main food item in a rate of 8-15% of the body weight and aquatic plants as Pharagmites australis and Ceratophyllum demersum. Results at the end of experiment show that the average of total weight for each fish in the four ponds reached 1153.79 ± 4.78 gm while the daily weight increase rate varied along the months of experiment from May until December, where it noticed starting from half of June until half August where it reached 1.5± 0.221 gm/day, 4.6 ± 0.712 gm/day and 7.6 ± 0.312 gm / day respectively then it starts to decrease during September until December Relative growth rates show a progressive during the first seven months. On the other hand he specific growth rate showed its highest rates during July (4.6 ± 0.081 %/day).

Artificial Propagation of Gattan (Barbus xanthopterus Heckel) in Basrah- Iraq

Gattan (Barbus xanthopterus Heckel) was artificially propagated in marine science center fish hatchery- University of Basrah, During Spring 2009. The brooders were collected from Al-Huwaizah Marsh (which were bring in to the hatchery directly) and Al-Therthar reservoir (which were reared in earthen ponds). The efforts to collect brooders from Al- Kut dam were failed, because of water shortage. The brooders ranged between 1500-6500 gr in weight and II-V year age. The gonads of Al- Huwaizah marsh brooders were in good maturity stage, The GSI was ranged between 3.66-11.03%, and in ripe maturity stage, while the brooder's gonads of Al-Therthar reservoir were in developing stage, with GSI ranged between 1.1-1.3 %, and this result was agreed with the previous studies. "Aquacalm" substance was used for sedation; it was found that the best concentration for the sedation of Gattan was 1 ppm. The best treatment for the induced spawning of Gattan was the Carp pituitary gland extract (CPG), with a dosage of 6 mg/ kg, in two injections, each with 3 mg/kg, with 12 h interval. Two fishes from Al- Therthar reservoir were responding to this treatment, with weight of 1750 and 1500g. 350 g of good quality eggs was obtained from the first fish. All the males give small quantity of milt the milt was added to the eggs without water for mixing. Then the eggs were covered with water for. Fertilization rate was 88%. The fertilized eggs washed with water only, from brooders rearing tank for 20min. Then incubated in Zoug jars with a rate off 70 g / jar, incubation temperature ranged between 22- 24°C. The hatching completed after 72 h, with 80 % hatching rate. The larvae start feeding after three days; it reached weight of 5.3 ± 0.80 during the first ten days. The larvae were reared in floating cages. The daily growth was 1.94 mg during the 21 days of rearing. During this period it reached a weight of 48 mg and 23 mm in length.

FISH FARMING ACTIVITY IN MAYSAN GOVERNORATES

A field survey had been done for 41 fish farms in the districts of Maysan governorate during 2008.The Results showed that the highest number of fish farms was at the centre of the city of Amarah and Alkahala(24.4%). The highest number of fish farms (16) was established during 2007.The total area of the fish farms is 1262.5donam (donam= 1/4 hectare). The largest water area was found in Almejar (853 donam= 67.5%) and the lowest area in Almaemona (13 donam= 2.44%.). The number of farms with area less than 10 donam were 26 farms (63.4%). The highest number recorded in Almaemona district (30.8%), while the farms less than 50 donam were 13 farms (31.7%). Only one farm more than 100 donam was found in the district of Almejar. The highest proportion of dyke pond farms was in the district of Almejar (16.66%). Three methods were used to fill the ponds were diesel pumps, electricity and runoff, with a proportion of 57.4%, 33.33%, 9.25% respectively. The pliers for the fingerlings were either the hatchery of Marine Sciences Centre(25%), Al Suwayrah Hatchery(51%), farmer ponds or the environment. Highest number of farmed fish was 1181100 fish of C.carpio (84.5% of the total number).

Survey of fish enemies from three fish farms in Iraq III. Impacts of predaceous water birds on cultivated fishes

The present investigation concerned with a thorough survey on the serious impact of the predaceous water birds from three selected fish farms in the country, namely Al- Manahel fish farm (presently called Al-Beilad) in Babylon province, Basrah University/ Marine Science Center fish farm and Al-Mutawaa fish farm. The latter two are situated in Basrah governorate. Samples were collected on monthly basis for the period from January to October 2002. Impacts of water birds on stocks of cultivated fish species and other faunal components was detected. Stomach of seven species of water birds, namely, herring gull (Larus argentatus), black headed gull (L. ridibundus), slender billed gull (L. genei), little gull (L. minutus), great white heron (Egretta alba ), little egret (E. garzetta) and cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) were examined to calculate food consumption. The study reveals that herring gull occupied first rank in Al–Manahel fish farm followed by cormorant which occupied first rank in Basrah University farm. Fishes formed 100% in food of cormorant, herring gull, black headed gull and slender billed gull. Shrimp was detected in food of little gull and little egret while frogs were consumed by great white heron and little egret. Cormorant occupied first rank in food menu for each birds followed by herring gull and slender billed gull.

Reproductive biology of Gattan females Barbus xanthopterus (Heckel, 1843) used for artificial breeding in Fish Hatchery of Marine Science Center

Some aspects of reproductive biology of Gattan Barbus xanthopterus females were studied from 15-30 March, 2009. These fishes were coughed from Huweiza Marsh, Southern Iraq and from Therthar Reservoir, Western Iraq, and used for artificial breeding in Marine Science Center Hatchery. Total lengths ranged between 550-806 mm, total weights ranged between 3100-7250 g, and their age ranged from 3-6 years. It had been found that all examined ovaries were in ripe stage that means females cached from Huweiza Marsh were ready for artificial breeding and possess suitable (3.64- 11.03) gonado somatic index (GSI), while females collected from Therthar Reservoir had low GSI (1.15-1.33). Average of eggs diameters was 1.56 mm for fish of 550 mm total length and 3400 g, while it was 2.09 mm for fish of 802 mm total length and 7005 g. However, generally there was positive relationship between total lengths and eggs diameters with no significant correlation (r = o.47, P<0.01). Absolute fecundity for Gattan was ranged between 1494191-518650 eggs, and relative fecundity was between 85.8-286.2 egg/g, while there was low positive relation between absolute fecundity and total fish weight with no significant correlation (r= 0.33, P<0.01).

Larval rearing of the white leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei and the first culture laboratory in Basrah, Iraq

In the study we cultured the shrimp P. vannamei (initial weight 0.0004 g) under laboratory conditions in marine science center and using three types of food. These were life food (Artemia nauplii), artificial died and mixed food (Artemia nauplii and artificial died). The highest average weight were achieved when feeding on the mixed feed (1.210 g), while, lower values achieved when fed on artificial diets 0.220 g. There are significant differences (P<0.05) between these three food types. A similar results were obtained for growth in terms of length, the highest average length of larvae after six weeks was achieved when fed on the mixed food (36.58 mm), comparing with these larvae fed on Artemia and artificial feed were 31.11 and 18.72 mm respectively, and there are difference significantly too (P < 0.05) between the three food types. The highest average weight increment was recorded during the sixth week with mixed food it was 0.55 g, compared with 0.23g and 0.12 g for Artemia and artificial diets respectively. The higher survival rates after sixth week were calculated for the three treatments, the high survival in larvae fed on Artemia it was 90.58 %, while, these fed on mixed food and artificial diet it was 85.62% and 73.24 % respectively.

Mass culture of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis under laboratory condition

In the present study the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was cultured under controlled laboratory conditions, in Marine Science Center, Dept. of Marine Biology, the temperature was 22 ºC. The rotifers feeding on two type of food, the first was baker's yeast and second the animal manure. General, used the animal manure was better than baker's yeast. The density of rotifers culture at 22 ºC which fed on animal manure was 145 ind /ml, while growth rate was 2.67 and doubling time was 0.25 day. While, the density, growth rate and doubling time of rotifers culture at 22 ºC which fed on beakers yeast were 75 ind./ml, 2.01 and 0.34 day respectively. The importance of this study to determined the ability to depending on animal manure as cheap resource and available to improve rotifer growth compared with baker's yeast. Additional, to suitable period determined to culture of rotifer for supply it to larvae of fish and crustacean.

Field study of fish farming status in Basrah Governorate

Field survey of Aquaculture farms in Basrah governorate was done during 2007. The study showed that there are 80 fish farm with total area of 773.5 donum, while it was 16 fish farm during 2003. 75 % of the fish farms were less than 25000 m² (10 donum). 53.9 % was excavated pond, 34.2% concentration by half ground pools and 11.8 % was dyke pond. About 87.5 % of it using pump while 12.5 % used tidal current for water supply. This study showed that 95 % of fishes source was from Marine Science Center Hatchery and the other were from natural environment. The poly culture was main type and composed 93.75 of fish farm, the rest fish farm used the monoculture type. The total number of farmed fish during 2007 was 514625 fish, common carp Cyprinus carpio was the main species (63.5 %) followed by grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (22.6 %), silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (10.8 %), Acanthopagrus latus (1.39 %), mugil sp. (0.33 %) and Barbus sharpeyi (0.13 %). Work men were 312 person 52.8 % have intermediate school, 23.9 % illiterate, 15.7 % primary, 4.2 % bachelor, 2.8 % Diploma and 0.35 % secondary school. Most of the aquaculture activity was concentrated in north Basrah especially in Al-Mudeina Shire and Al-Qurna Shir.