Silver Crucian Carp Carassius Auratus Research Articles

Сравнительная характеристика состояния внутренних органов серебряного карася (Carassius auratus gibelio) в возрастном аспекте

The histological results of the study of the organs of larvae and mature individuals of the silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch, 1782) caught in the reservoirs of the Volga River delta are presented. Analysis the internal organs state and tissues helps to identify physiological disorders and pathologies. Thanks to the histological method, it becomes possible to study the structure of the body at the cellular and tissue level, to determine the development of the pathological process and the degree of damage. For pathomorphological evaluation, the liver, gills, kidneys, spleen, intestines and pancreas were examined in silver crucian carp of different ages. It was established that representatives of this species of different ages had identical pathological changes in the organs, but the degree of their manifestation was different: there was a tendency to increase the intensity of the pathology with age. 4 types of major pathological changes associated with metabolic disorders, necrotic damage to cells and tissues, circulatory disorders of organs and signs of hyperplasia were found. Sexually mature individuals had a higher level of pathological manifestations. To a greater extent, the gills, which are in direct contact with the environment, were damaged. The liver of the studied fish also had significant damage. The most frequently reported liver pathology was lipoid degeneration (vacuolar degeneration). Kidneys, intestines and spleen were characterized by degenerative and necrotic disorders. In the spleen of adults, granulomatous inflammation was found, which indicates infectious diseases. The same types of morphological changes were found in larvae and mature individuals, which indicates the nonspecific nature of the identified pathologies, which, as a rule, are associated with the adaptation of the organism to the prevailing living conditions.

A Noninvasive Electrophysiological Investigation of Tactile Sensitivity in Cyprinid Fish (Cyprinidae)

Tactile reception in cyprinid fish (silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio and common carp Cyprinus carpio) was investigated by noninvasive recording of action potentials from the head skin in response to rhythmic tactile stimulation. Responses shaped as electric potentials following synchronously with changes in the pressure force on the skin were recorded using chloro-silver electrodes. It was shown that fish, like all terrestrial vertebrates, have phasic and tonic tactile receptors. Three main types of tactile responses were distinguished: (1) tonic responses as potential fluctuations repeating the dynamics of the tactile stimulus, (2) phasic responses as on-, off-, and on-off potentials, and (3) slow deflections from the resting potential. Compound responses comprising simultaneously different types of responses were also recorded. The response latency averaging 6.1 ms for tonic and 4.4 ms for phasic responses was clearly independent of the stimulus direction (switch-on, switch-off). The threshold level of tactile sensitivity in the perioral and gular head areas was 0.05–0.2 g/mm2. Tactile receptors on the silver crucian carp and common carp heads exhibited zonal distribution patterns, with sensory areas differing in their tactile sensitivity. Most sensitive areas were on the upper and lower lips, in the perilabial skin and the gular area on the ventral side of the head. Less sensitive areas were situated rostrally and ventrally to the eyeball. The areas situated dorsally and caudally to the eyeball proved to be insensitive to the applied tactile stimulation. In all sensory areas on the fish head, most intense responses were evoked by sliding tactile stimuli. The distribution specificity of tactile sensory areas meets their functional significance for fish feeding behavior.

Genetic Diversity in Populations of Silver Crucian Carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes), Depending on the Type of Reproduction and Reservoir Size

This paper presents data on the polymorphism of inter simple sequence repeats of DNA in the silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio in water bodies in the southern part of Western Siberia. The share of polymorphic ISSR-PCR bands in silver crucian carp populations from different lakes varied from 40 to 70%, and Nei’s gene diversity index varied from 0.16 to 0.25. The genetic diversity indices were lower in the populations that were largely represented by females than in bisexual ones. The highest levels of genetic polymorphism were revealed in populations with diploid–triploid complexes. The gene diversity index of the silver crucian carp population is positively correlated with the reservoir size (r = 0.90, p = 0.015; Rs = 0.74, p = 0.036).

ГЕНЕТИЧЕСКОЕ РАЗНООБРАЗИЕ ПОПУЛЯЦИЙ СЕРЕБРЯНОГО КАРАСЯ CARASSIUS AURATUS GIBELIO (CYPRINIDAE, CYPRINIFORMES) В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ТИПА РАЗМНОЖЕНИЯ И РАЗМЕРА ВОДОЁМА

The paper presents data on the polymorphism of the interior simple sequence repeats of DNA in the silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio from waterbodies in the Western Siberia. The proportion of the polymorphic ISSR-PCR bands in the silver crucian carp populations from different lakes varied from 40 to 70%, the rate of Nei’s gene diversity being 0.16 - 0.25. Genetic diversity indicators were lower in the populations primarily presented by females, as compared with bisexual ones. The highest levels of genetic polymorphism were revealed in the populations of diploid-triploid complexes. The gene diversity level of the silver crucian carp population positively correlates with the reservoir’s size (r = +0.90, p = 0.015; Rs = 0.74, p = 0.036).

Genetic characterization of the progeny of a pair of the tetraploid silver crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii

Silver crucian carp Carassius auratus langsdorfii comprises a diploid-polyploid complex in wild Japanese populations. Bisexually reproducing diploids are sympatrically distributed with gynogenetically developing triploids and tetraploids. Triploid and tetraploid males are very rare among Japanese silver crucian carp due to their gynogenetic reproduction. We examined the genetic characteristics of progeny that arose in a tank by natural spawning of a tetraploid silver crucian carp pair. The ploidy status of 120 samples randomly collected from these progeny was determined to be tetraploid by DNA content flow cytometry. DNA fingerprints from a random amplified polymorphic DNA assay indicated that almost all the progeny examined had genotypes identical to the maternal tetraploid female with no paternally derived fragments. Selected specimens’ cytogenetic analyses revealed that the progeny examined had tetraploid chromosome numbers, categorized into 40 metacentric, 80 submetacentric, and 80 subtelocentric or telocentric chromosomes, which were arranged into quartets and six supernumerary microchromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization signals were detected in four homologous chromosomes in all analyzed metaphases prepared from diploid goldfish specimens. Contrary, tetraploid silver crucian carp gave eight rDNA signals. These results suggest that gynogenetic development in eggs spawned by tetraploid females should be triggered by tetraploid males’ homospecific sperm.

Adaptive mechanisms of distribution and population dynamics of Carassius auratus gibelio in the Ponto-Caspian region (with reference to the Azov basin)

Historically, from the beginning of the 20th century until the beginning of the 21st century, an attempt was made to discern the major adaptive mechanisms that determine the distribution and population dynamics of the silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch, 1782) in the Ponto-Caspian region at various stages of freshwater and coastal marine ecosystem functioning with reference to the Azov basin (including introduction of Carassius auratus gibelio from the Amur basin into natural waterbodies of this region as well as rapid development of pond fish farming with introduction of Carassius auratus gibelio as an additional object of aquaculture). Until the middle of the 20th century, Carassius auratus gibelio was a secondary component of freshwater and lagoon ichthyocenoses of the Azov basin. Its populations were represented by the gynogenetic form. At present, owing to transformation of the genetic structure and domination of the bisexual form of Carassius auratus gibelio, the dependence controlling reproduction of the formerly prevalent unisexual-female form by direct connection with abundance and spawning dates of related cyprinid species disappeared. In 1980–1998, there was a quantitative outbreak and area expansion of Carassius auratus gibelio in the Azov basin owing to freshened waters of the Taganrog and Temryuk bays of the Sea of Azov. Owing to multiple spawning, a broad food spectrum, and high resistance to pollutants, Carassius auratus gibelio actively colonizes new biotopes vacated by former major components of ichthyocenoses of the Azov basin. At present, catches of Carassius auratus gibelio definitely belong to the top three semifreshwater fish of the Russian part of the Azov basin. In the years of the outbreak, Carassius auratus gibelio living in the Temryuk Bay makes, under favorable hydrological conditions, extensive spawning migrations via the Kerch Strait along the Black Sea coast of Taman Peninsula.

Fish species diversity in the lakes of Alma-Gol, Adji-Gol, and Ala-Gol, Golestan province, northern Iran

The study was conducted to explore fish species diversity and understand some ecological aspects of the lakes of Golestan province, which represent a group of the small and rather isolated water bodies, from September 2000 to August 2002. With respect to environmental properties, there were no significant differences among wetlands. The results revealed that non-indigenous fish species are found to be dominant in the lakes. Of ten sampled species, four, including sharp belly Hemiculter leucisculus, silver crucian carp Carassius auratus, top mouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, and mosquito fish Gambusia holbrooki, were non-indigenous. Observation of sharp belly and top mouth gudgeon represent actually the first record of these species in these lakes. Endemicism was highest in Adji-Gol (52.37% native) and much lower in Alma-Gol (10.20%) and Ala-Gol (20.43%). Species richness, diversity, and evenness were highest in Adji-Gol and lowest in Ala-Gol. Dominance of non-indigenous species could be explained by their wider ecological and physiological tolerance; therefore, if greater emphasis is not placed on the conservation of native fishes, these species could face continued declines or might be quietly lost in the lakes.

Inheritance of microsatellite DNA in bisexual gynogenesis complex of Fangzheng silver crucian carp, Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch)

Five gynogenetic progeny groups of silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio were produced and sex ratios (males:total progeny) of each of the progeny groups were analysed. About 110 males and 366 females were genotyped at 15 microsatellite loci for comparison with their parents to (1) verify the gynogenesis status of Fangzheng C. auratus gibelio, (2) detect the incorporation of paternal genetic material into the offspring and (3) study the possible association of genetic exchange at microsatellite loci with the existence of sex. The sex ratios in progenies of five groups were highly variable, but all had significant female bias. The sex ratio ranged from 0 to 0·37. Significant differences in the sex ratio within and between groups were also found. Microsatellite genotyping at 15 loci showed that 100 and 97% of the progeny shared the same genotype with the mother in four groups and in one group, respectively, confirming that gynogenesis is the general mechanism of reproduction in C. auratus gibelio. However, 0·63% of all offspring did show incorporation of paternal genetic material. No single loci tested were associated with the occurrence of male progeny, indicating unknown genetic mechanisms for sex determination in C. auratus gibelio.

Collation of data on the ploidy levels and mitochondrial DNA phylogenetic lineages in the silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio from Far Eastern and Central Asian populations

The distribution of the diploid and triploid forms and the correspondence between ploidy and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogenetic lineages of the silver crucian carp have been studied in Far Eastern water bodies and the Syr Darya River. Both diploid and triploid forms have been found in large river systems (the Amur, Suifun, Tumangan, and Syr Darya river basins). Only the diploid form has been detected in lakes of Bol'shoi Pelis Island (Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan), Sakhalin Island, and the Kamchatka River basin (the Kamchatka Peninsula). It has been confirmed that there are two mtDNA phylogroups in the silver crucian carp in the area studied. Both mtDNA phylogenetic lineages are present in the Suifun and Tumangan river basins. Only one mtDNA phylogroup (characteristic of the gynogenetic form) has been detected in two samples from the Amur River and in the Syr Darya population. The other mtDNA phylogroup is predominant in insular populations and in Kamchatka. The gynogenetic form carries only mtDNA phylogroup I, whereas both phylogroups have been found in diploid bisexual fish. The existence of only two mtDNA phylogroups substantially differing from each other indicates that the gynogenetic form has emerged from the diploid form only once and evolved independently for a long time after that. The absence of haplotypes transitional between the two mtDNA phylogroups suggests that the secondary contact between the gynogenetic and bisexual forms in continental populations occurred within recent historical time. The obtained data confirm that genetic (though asymmetric) exchange between the two forms is possible, which explains the high morphological and, probably, genetic similarity between them.

Population of silver crucian carp Carassius auratus (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) with “golden” individuals in the pond of the city of Volgograd

In the pond Gornaya Polyana of the city of Volgograd, the population of silver crucian carp Carassius auratus, some individuals of which have coloration similar to that of goldfish, were found. The studied “golden” individuals from this population morphologically do not differ from individuals of the same size from other populations of C. auratus that consist of typically colored individuals. Nevertheless, the total sample of C. auratus from Gornaya Polyana differs from samples of other populations of Volgograd oblast, besides the presence in it of “golden” individuals also, on average, in larger scales. The assumption is made that the population of C. auratus from Gornaya Polyana pond initially represented a naturalized goldfish. After mass dispersal of the Eurasian silver crucian carp C. auratus in the basin of the Lower Volga, hybridization between these two forms likely occurred. It is suggested that, over the territory of the former Soviet Union, several other populations of C. auratus that originated from the goldfish or have an admixture of its genes existed and exist.

Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Diploid and Triploid Forms of Silver Crucian Carp Carassius auratus gibelio

Variation of two mtDNA fragments amplified in polymerase chain reaction was compared by the RFLP method in a population of the sympatric bisexual (diploid) and gynogenetic (triploid) forms of silver crucian carp. The mtDNA haplotypes of all individuals differed in at least 2.5% of nucleotide substitutions and fall into two phylogroups. All gynogenetic individuals have haplotypes of a single phylogroup, whereas haplotypes of diploid fish belonged to both mtDNA phylogroups. This testifies to a possibility of transformation of gynogenetic individuals into a bisexual form, whereas the reverse process is either extremely rare or impossible.

Genetic analysis of offspring from intra‐ and interspecific crosses of Carassius auratus gibelio by chromosome and RAPD analysis

The ploidy of silver crucian carp Carassius auratus gibelio individuals, originating from nine natural habitats of Hungary, was estimated by erythrocyte nucleus area analysis. On the basis of DNA polymorphism, the genetic homogeneity or heterogeneity and the chromosome number of different offspring derived from the crossing of triploid and diploid populations and of two types of silver crucian carp females with other cyprinid males (Cyprinus carpio, Carassius carassius, Carassius auratus and Barbus conchonius) were determined. The results of chromosome and RAPD analysis demonstrated that diploid females could reproduce sexually with silver crucian carp and other cyprinid males and that the offspring of intra‐ and interspecific crosses contained the paternal DNA. Triploid females usually reproduced by gynogenesis and their offspring were clones, however, in very rare cases paternal genes were actually transmitted (i.e. paternal leakage) to the offspring and the progeny were triploid interspecific hybrids. RAPD analysis showed that while the paternal DNA appeared in the offspring, the maternal phenotype was strongly expressed.