Young Specimens Research Articles

Comparing life-history traits in two contiguous stocks of the deep-water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (H. Lucas, 1846) (Crustacea: Decapoda) in the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Most Mediterranean fish and crustaceans’ stocks are overexploited, but they could increase if fishing intensity would be reduced for only a few years. Today exploited stocks are constituted of young and small fish that are mostly caught before they can reproduce. This paper, which is based on long-term data (1994–2010) obtained from experimental bottom trawl surveys, contributes to the Parapenaeus longirostris exploitation control in South Tyrrhenian Sea (SW Mediterranean; GSA 10). Stock dynamics parameters of rose shrimp were investigated and compared in two different locations along the North coasts of Sicily (South of GSA 10) characterized by different fishing patterns. A huge inter-annual biomass and density fluctuations of the investigated rose shrimp were recorded, although no significant trends over time were observed, in both sectors. It is worth highlighting that the mean year fishing indices (mean KW of the trawl fleet, as capacity index, and number of days at sea per month, as activity index), contrary to what is reported in literature, were significantly higher in the western part of the area, where the stock is surprisingly mainly composed of young specimens. The fishing / total mortality ratio F/Z showed an overfishing status of rose shrimp in the two sectors, but at a lower degree than the rose shrimp of the whole GSA 10. The present paper support two stocks conjecture for the rose shrimp. The different biological structures in the two studied sectors are mainly influenced by interactions among the typical high plasticity of the life history species in the Mediterranean Sea and several typologies and activities (including the illegal aspects) of fishing fleets harbored in the E and W sectors.

Morphology and postnatal ontogeny of the cranial endocast and paranasal sinuses of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the largest living rodent.

Recent studies have analyzed and described the endocranial cavities of caviomorph rodents. However, no study has documented the changes in the morphology and relative size of such cavities during ontogeny. Expecting to contribute to the discussion of the endocranial spaces of extinct caviomorphs, we aimed to characterize the cranial endocast morphology and paranasal sinuses of the largest living rodent, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, by focusing on its ontogenetic growth patterns. We analyzed 12 specimens of different ontogenetic stages and provided a comparison with other cavioids. Our study demonstrates that the adult cranial endocast of H. hydrochaeris is characterized by olfactory bulbs with an irregular shape, showing an elongated olfactory tract without a clear circular fissure, a marked temporal region that makes the endocast with rhombus outline, and gyrencephaly. Some of these traits change as the brain grows. The cranial pneumatization is present in the frontal and lacrimal bones. We identified two recesses (frontal and lacrimal) and one sinus (frontal). These pneumatic cavities increase their volume as the cranium grows, covering the cranial region of the cranial endocast. The encephalization quotient was calculated for each specimen, demonstrating that it decreases as the individual grows, being much higher in younger specimens than in adults. Our results show that the ontogenetic stage can be a confounding factor when it comes to the general patterns of encephalization of extinct rodents, reinforcing the need for paleobiologists to take the age of the specimens into account in future studies on this subject to avoid age-related biases.

Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of Primary and Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma: A Single Institution Retrospective Study of 705 Cases.

Although pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is benign, it may recur and prompt further treatment with radiotherapy (RT). This study investigated the prognostic features of primary and recurrent PAs. A total of 705 PAs (613 primary and 92 recurrent) were analyzed. The following parameters: age, site and size, status of resection, histologic features, and clinical management were documented and correlated with recurrence-free survival. For primary PAs: The mean patient age was 50 years (female/male: 2/1), the median size was 2.1 cm (range: 0.5 to 9.0 cm), and the most common location was the parotid (92%). Tumors showed the following: complete encapsulation (25%), involvement of the surrounding salivary gland/fat (74%), hypercellularity (26%), ≥10 pseudopods (15%), squamous metaplasia (43%), mitoses (49%), intravascular tumor deposit (n=1), close proximity to nerves (n=2), positive margin (15%), and suboptimal resection (2%). The recurrence rate was 3.4% and malignant transformation was <1%. On univariate analysis, age below 30, mitosis ≥3/10 HPFs, squamous metaplasia, hypercellularity, and suboptimal resection correlated with recurrence-free survival. On multivariate analysis, only age below 30, mitosis ≥3/10 HPF and suboptimal resection predicted recurrence. For recurrent PAs: The resected primary PAs were fragmented in 58%. Forty-eight percent of patients had subsequent recurrences, mostly within 10 years, and 1 patient developed a subsequent malignant transformation. Forty-two percent of patients received RT. On univariate analysis, only RT was associated with better outcome (P=0.033). Young age, high mitoses, and specimen integrity predicted recurrence in primary PA. Recurrent PAs are difficult to eradicate, and 48% of these recurred for the second time, mostly within 10 years.

Assessing two hundred years of taxonomic doubt with the rediscovery and taxonomic establishment of the Amazonian armored catfish Hypostomus pantherinus Kner 1854 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Hypostomus pantherinus was described by Kner in 1854 based on a single young specimen collected by Natterer with a type-locality just asserted as Guapor. No robust scientific paper focusing the distribution, taxonomy and ecology of this species has been published since the description. Here, based on the analysis of the holotype, recently collected material, and on an extensive searching on ichthyological fish collections, H. pantherinus Kner 1854 is redescribed and its geographical distribution is established to be in the rio Itez-Guapor and the mouth of its Bolivian and Brazilian tributaries. Hypostomus pantherinus is distinguished from congeners mainly by villiform teeth, conspicuous black, sharp and widely spaced spots on head, and dark blotches on trunk and fins, keels along lateral series of plates, sharp crests on supraoccipital and on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, less than 25 spots on compound pterotic-supracleithrum, one blotch per interradial membrane along each row on dorsal fin, and by usually attaining about 160 mm SL in size.

Junk food: Interspecific and intraspecific distinctions in marine debris ingestion by marine turtles

The pervasiveness of marine debris is now considered one of the most persistent changes in marine environments. This study reports marine debris ingested by green sea turtles Chelonia mydas and loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta that stranded along the eastern coast of the Sharjah Emirate in the United Arab Emirates. We observed that both green and loggerhead sea turtles frequently ingest (Frequency of Occurrence: 75.0% and 57.1% respectively) high quantities of marine debris, particularly plastics. The results suggest that green sea turtles are more likely to ingest soft items such as threads and sheets while loggerheads are more likely to ingest hard items. When considering the quantity, frequency and nature of ingested marine debris as well as the physiology of specific species and age classes, green sea turtles, particularly younger specimens, ingest the greatest amount of marine debris.

Oral Microbiome and Gingival Gene Expression of Inflammatory Biomolecules With Aging and Periodontitis.

Although data describe the presence and increase of inflammatory mediators in the local environment in periodontitis vs. health in humans, details regarding how these responses evolve in the transition from health to disease, changes during disease progression, and features of a resolved lesion remain unknown. This study used a nonhuman primate model of ligature-induced periodontitis in young, adolescent, adult, and aged animals to document features of inflammatory response affected by age. Rhesus monkeys had ligatures tied and provided gingival tissue biopsy specimens at baseline, 0.5, 1, and 3 months of disease and at 5 months of the study, which was 2 months post-ligature removal for clinically resolved tissues. The transcriptome was assessed using microarrays for chemokine (n = 41), cytokine (n = 45), chemokine receptor (n = 21), cytokine receptor (n = 37), and lipid mediator (n = 31) genes. Limited differences were noted in healthy tissues for chemokine expression with age; however, chemokine receptor genes were decreased in young but elevated in aged samples. IL1A, IL36A, and IL36G cytokines were decreased in the younger groups, with IL36A elevated in aged animals. IL10RA/IL10RB cytokine receptors were altered with age. Striking variation in the lipid mediator genes in health was observed with nearly 60% of these genes altered with age. A specific repertoire of chemokine and chemokine receptor genes was affected by the disease process, predominated by changes during disease initiation. Cytokine/cytokine receptor genes were also elevated with disease initiation, albeit IL36B, IL36G, and IL36RN were all significantly decreased throughout disease and resolution. Significant changes were observed in similar lipid mediator genes with disease and resolution across the age groups. Examination of the microbiome links to the inflammatory genes demonstrated that specific microbes, including Fusobacterium, P. gingivalis, F. alocis, Pasteurellaceae, and Prevotella are most frequently significantly correlated. These correlations were generally positive in older animals and negative in younger specimens. Gene expression and microbiome patterns from baseline were distinctly different from disease and resolution. These results demonstrate patterns of inflammatory gene expression throughout the phases of the induction of a periodontal disease lesion. The patterns show a very different relationship to specific members of the oral microbiome in younger compared with older animals.

Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Wild and Farmed Cervids in Poland.

Background: The role of cervids in the circulation of A. phagocytophilum has not yet been clearly determined; however, several species of wild and farm cervids may be a natural reservoir of this bacteria. Methods: Spleen and liver tissue samples were taken from 207 wild (red deer, roe deer, fallow deer and moose) and farmed cervids (red deer and fallow deer) from five geographical areas. These were tested for the A. phagocytophilum 16S rDNA partial gene by nested PCR. Results: Anaplasma spp. were detected in 91 of 207 examined cervids (prevalence 43.9%). Three different variants of 16S rDNA partial gene were reported, one for the first time. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was more often detected in young specimens than in adults and more often in the spleen than in the liver. Conclusions: Cervids from the four sites across Poland were found to be major natural reservoirs of various strains of A. phagocytophilum. This is the first study to use spleen and liver as biological material to detect A. phagocytophilum in moose in Poland.

The growth and population dynamics ofOctopus insularistargeted by a pot longline fishery in north-eastern Brazil

AbstractThe population dynamics of the stout reef octopus,Octopus insularisfished with longlines of pots in mid-shelf waters of north-eastern Brazil was studied based on fishermen's logbooks and onboard monthly fishing trips from September 2009 to August 2010. Specimens marked with oxytetracycline kept in tanks for up to 21 days provided evidence of the daily deposition of growth increments in the lateral wall of the upper beaks. Sampled specimens weighed 50–1280 g and had 43–172 daily growth increments. Compared with congeneric species from higher latitudes,O. insularisgrows faster and has a shorter longevity in the north-eastern Brazil tropical environment. Total catches and catch-per-unit effort were substantially higher in the dry season, with less wind and cooler temperatures. The presence of larger specimens was seasonal, correlated with the chlorophyll-a levels recorded six months earlier. The year-round presence of mature females and males, spawned females, and egg masses attached to the pots, were considered evidence of migration of small and young specimens from coastal areas towards the 20–40 m depth range for reproduction. Annual landings attained ~200 tonnes (2005–2010). Although recent landing statistics are missing, fishermen interviewed in 2021 claimed that the fishery was still profitable. It is suggested that, despite the lack of management, the fast growth, year-round reproduction and limited market for this relatively small octopus, prevented the fishery from collapse and reinforces the current view of the high resilience of cephalopod fisheries.

Trochlear Development in Children From 1 Month to 10 Years of Age: A Descriptive Study Utilizing Analysis by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background:Understanding the morphology of cartilage/bony maturation in preadolescents may help explain adult trochlear variation.Purpose:To study trochlear morphology during maturation in children and infants using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Twenty-four pediatric cadaveric knees (10 male and 14 female knees; age, 1 month to 10 years) were included. High-resolution imaging of the distal femoral secondary ossification center was performed using 7-T or 9.4-T MRI scanners. Three-dimensional MRI scans were produced, and images were reformatted; 3 slices in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes images were analyzed, with coronal and sagittal imaging used for image orientation. Biometric analysis included lateral and medial trochlear height (TH); cartilaginous sulcus angle (CSA); osseous sulcus angle (OSA); trochlear depth; and trochlear facet (TF) length symmetry. Sex comparisons were considered when ≥1 specimen from both sexes of the same age was available; these included 11 knees spanning 4 age groups (ages 1, 3, 4, and 7 years).Results:The analysis of trochlear morphology showed a lateral TH greater than the medial TH at all ages. The thickest cartilage was found on the lateral TF in the younger specimens. Regarding the development of osseous and cartilaginous trochlear contour, a cartilaginous sulcus was present in the 3-month-old specimen and continued to deepen up to the age of 4 years. The shape of the osseous center evolved from round (1 month) to oval (9 months) to rectangular (2 years); no distinct bony trochlear sulcus was present, although a well-formed cartilaginous sulcus was present. The first evidence of formation of a bony sulcus was at 4 years. By the age of 7 to 8 years, the bony contour of the adult distal femur resembled its cartilaginous contour. Female samples had a shallower CSA and OSA than did the male ones in all samples that had a defined OSA.Conclusion:Female trochlear grooves tended to be shallower (flatter). The lateral trochlea was higher (TH) and wider (TF length) during growth than was the medial trochlea in both sexes; furthermore, the development of the osseous sulcus shape lagged behind the development of the cartilaginous sulcus shape in the authors’ study population.Clinical Relevance:Bony anatomy of the trochlear groove did not match the cartilaginous anatomy in preadolescent children, suggesting that caution should be used when interpreting bony anatomy in this age group.

Qualitative and Quantitative Anatomy of the Human Quadriceps Tendon in Young Cadaveric Specimens.

Background:A detailed understanding of the anatomy of the quadriceps tendon (QT) is clinically relevant, owing to its increased use as a graft in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Purpose:To qualitatively and quantitatively describe the anatomy of the QT in younger adult specimens.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:A total of 18 nonpaired cadaveric knees with a mean age of 30.1 years (range, 18-38 years) were utilized for this study. A 3-dimensional coordinate measuring system was used to assess the structural relationships between the different layers of the QT and their attachments to the patella, and QT thickness was measured medially, centrally, and laterally at 2-cm intervals from the patellar eminence line (PEL; defined as a straight line between the medial and lateral patellar eminences) and proximally.Results:In all specimens, 3 distinct layers formed the QT. The first (superficial) layer was formed by the rectus femoris, which was fused to the second layer with an unclearly defined direct attachment to the patella. The median length of the QT was 86.9 mm (range, 68.4-98.9 mm). The second (middle) layer consisted of the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis and was found to have fibers running in an oblique direction that attached on the patella. A “fuse point,” where the proximal part of the rectus femoris started to merge to the second layer, was identified at a median of 48.7 mm (range, 27.9-62.6 mm) from the PEL. The third (deep) layer consisted of the vastus intermedius. The median thickness of the graft centrally at 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mm from the PEL was 8.5, 7.2, 7.5, 6.5, and 5.4 mm, respectively.Conclusion:Overall, 3 different layers of the QT were consistently found in all specimens. The first layer was fused with the second layer, and the direction of the fibers of the second layer or the vastus medialis and vastus lateralis was oblique. The median length of the QT was 86.9 mm, and the thickness of the tendon diminished proximally.Clinical Relevance:This study allows for a better understanding of QT anatomy when harvesting the tendon as a graft for ligamentous reconstruction.

Inducing bark inclusions in branch junctions of aspen (Populus tremula L.) by bracing them with horticultural wire

ABSTRACT Branch junctions are typically strengthened by the production of dense wood with a tortuous grain pattern in their axils (axillary wood). The strong association found between natural braces in trees and bark-included branch junctions set below them suggests there may be a causal relationship: that if a branch junction receives little mechanical stimulation due to being naturally braced, little or no axillary wood will be formed and bark is occluded instead. To investigate this relationship, sixty branch junctions in young specimens of aspen (Populus tremula L.) were braced with horticultural wire and their development contrasted with sixty “controls” where no bracing was applied. After three years, 95% of the braced branch junctions exhibited included bark, whereas only one control junction developed included bark and that was found to be natural braced. This is the first recorded instance where bark-included junctions have been knowingly created by artificial means. The results point to a causal relationship between natural bracing and the formation of bark-included junctions, which has implications for tree management. This study also provides evidence that axillary wood should be categorised as a reaction wood, as its formation requires specific mechanical stimulation, and due to its distinct anatomical and mechanical properties.

Effect of burrowing cymothoid parasitism on loricariids.

Cymothoids belong to the order Isopoda and are ectoparasites of fishes, and their main parasitism strategies are by penetrating, burrowing, and lodging in the abdominal cavity of the hosts. Due to this complex parasitism strategy, they are considered highly host-specific parasites. We investigated the effects of parasitism of the burrowing cymothoid Artystone sp. on the loricarids Hisonotus chromodontus and Curculionichthys luteofrenatus in the Selma stream, a tributary of the Teles Pires river, Southern Amazon. The hypothesis under study is that parasitism causes negative effects on the feeding, reproduction, and length-weight relationship of the hosts. The presence of alternative hosts was also investigated. The parasitic interaction of Artystone sp. with Curculionichthys luteofrenatus and Hisonotus chromodontus was monitored for one year with standardized monthly collections, and was found to be highly specific when there were no other parasitized fish species. Parasitic castration caused by Artystone sp. occurred in Curculionichthys luteofrenatus and Hisonotus chromodontus hosts, and there was a higher prevalence of infestation in females. The weight-length relationship was lower in parasitized Hisonotus chromodontus hosts, indicating a negative effect on somatic increment, although all hosts had fully replete stomachs and gastrointestinal tracts. The greatest standard-length values for both species were observed in the parasitized hosts. The presence of parasitized young specimens with undifferentiated sex and immature males and females suggests that the parasitic interaction in both species starts at a young age.

Powered flight in hatchling pterosaurs: evidence from wing form and bone strength

Competing views exist on the behaviour and lifestyle of pterosaurs during the earliest phases of life. A ‘flap-early’ model proposes that hatchlings were capable of independent life and flapping flight, a ‘fly-late’ model posits that juveniles were not flight capable until 50% of adult size, and a ‘glide-early’ model requires that young juveniles were flight-capable but only able to glide. We test these models by quantifying the flight abilities of very young juvenile pterosaurs via analysis of wing bone strength, wing loading, wingspan and wing aspect ratios, primarily using data from embryonic and hatchling specimens of Pterodaustro guinazui and Sinopterus dongi. We argue that a young Sinopterus specimen has been mischaracterised as a distinct taxon. The humeri of pterosaur juveniles are similar in bending strength to those of adults and able to withstand launch and flight; wing size and wing aspect ratios of young juveniles are also in keeping with powered flight. We therefore reject the ‘fly-late’ and ‘glide-early’ models. We further show that young juveniles were excellent gliders, albeit not reliant on specialist gliding. The wing forms of very young juveniles differ significantly from larger individuals, meaning that variation in speed, manoeuvrability, take-off angle and so on was present across a species as it matured. Juveniles appear to have been adapted for flight in cluttered environments, in contrast to larger, older individuals. We propose on the basis of these conclusions that pterosaur species occupied distinct niches across ontogeny.

Recent Occurrence of Shortfin Mako Shark, Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 (Chondrichthyes: Lamnidae), from the North-Eastern Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

A young individual of Isurus oxyrinchus was caught by a commercial longline off Dana Island (Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean Sea) at a depth of 72 m on May 18th 2020. Morphometric measurements of the specimen were recorded and its photographs were taken. The examined specimen is now being preserved in the Museum of Systematics at Faculty of Fisheries of Mersin University, under the reference number MEUFC-20-11-132. This occurrence of a young female specimen reported in this study is adding a new location (Mersin Bay) from the Mediterranean's Turkish waters.

Evidence for cultivation and selection of azuki (Vigna angularis var. angularis) in prehistoric Taiwan sheds new light on its domestication history

Grain legumes of the Vigna genus are important crops in Asia, although their origins and history of domestication and cultivation are less known than that of rice and millet. Azuki (V. angularis var. angularis) is widely cultivated and consumed across East Asia, especially in China, Korea and Japan, which are considered independent centres of azuki domestication. This study presents the first directly dated archaeobotanical record of V. angularis from Taiwan recovered from prehistoric cultural layers at the Sanbaopi 5 archaeological site (23°07′03″N, 120°15′32″E, 3 m above sea level) located in the Tainan Science Park, south-western Taiwan. The archaeological dataset is compared with charred modern reference material and records from other prehistoric sites in East Asia and then discussed in context of cultivation and domestication. The obtained results suggest that V. angularis was used in the study area between the first half of the 1st millennium BCE (Wushantou phase) and 6th century CE (Niaosong phase) and that it was an important part of the diet of local populations. The younger specimens appear on average larger than the older ones. It is possibly that during this period the pulse underwent selection for size increase so that at least the specimens dating to the 6th century CE may be addressed as azuki (V. angularis var. angularis), the domesticated form of V. angularis var. nipponensis. This indicates that prehistoric Taiwan may have been an independent centre of azuki cultivation/domestication in addition to the previously suggested regions. However, compared to evidence for azuki domestication in Japan, Korea and China, which dates to between ca. 4000 and 1000 BCE, the larger pulses from Taiwan appear quite late (about 4500–1500 years later). An alternative scenario to regional domestication is that azuki was introduced to the island by immigrating farmers or through exchange across the Taiwan Strait.

Seasonal investigation of fallow deer cellular cementum from Mediterranean ecosystems and its implications for reliable cementochronology applications

We aim to extend our understanding of the seasonal formation of cellular cementum, and its functional relationships in fallow deer (Dama dama) from Mediterranean ecosystems, in order to achieve reliable cementochronology applications. We provide a specific reference for fallow deer in a specific ecosystem, as needed for forensic, paleontological and wildlife ecology research. A semi-quantitative rating of the last outermost increment deposited in the cellular cementum interradicular pad of the lower first molar (M1), together with the knowledge of the animal's date of death, provided the methodological basis of this study. We also analyzed the occurrence of each cementum state by season, as well as the influence of the photoperiod and seasonal diet quality variations, using indices such as cell wall digestibility (CWD), protein (N), and carbohydrate (C). In adults more than 4 years old we detected a significant seasonal cementum growth pattern in spring-summer, whereas the formation of rest lines took place mainly from October to February. All of our findings show a photoperiod control of cementum seasonal growth patterns, linked to the organism's annual growth cycle, whereas N and C probably do not influence seasonal deposition patterns. The deposition of the cementum begins to stop when the photoperiod begins to decrease, i.e. when the days begin to be shorter, which in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain takes place in the autumn and winter months. At this time, the amount of dry matter in food consumed increases, and voluntary food intake decreases. The amount of dietary protein and carbohydrate seems to influence the amount of cementum deposited each year, rather than the seasonal deposition pattern, at least in adults. No significant seasonal pattern was found for the younger fallow deer. Until this seasonal pattern is clarified, young specimens should be excluded from cementochronology applications, such as season-at-death estimations. Studies on the quantitative thickness of cementum increments should also be performed in order to confirm cementochronology as a useful tool for studying climatic variations and their biological impacts.

Year-round population dynamics of Limacina spp. early stages in a high-Arctic fjord (Adventfjorden, Svalbard)

The thecosome pteropods Limacina helicina and L. retroversa are important contributors to the zooplankton community in high-latitude environments but little is known about their distribution and life cycle under polar conditions. We collected the early life stages (< 1 mm) of the thecosome population in 2012 and 2013 at a bi-weekly to monthly resolution in fjord highly influenced by Arctic waters as well as Atlantic inflows (Adventfjorden, Svalbard, 78°N), together with environmental parameters. L. retroversa only occurred episodically, in association with the inflow of Atlantic water, with low numbers and random size distributions. This suggests that this boreal species does not fulfill its life cycle in Adventfjorden. In contrast, young specimens of L. helicina were present during the entire study. Veligers hatched in late summer/autumn and measured 0.14 mm on average. They grew with rates of 0.0006 mm day−1 over the 10–11 months of development. Only thereafter, growth accelerated by one order of magnitude and maximal rates were reached in autumn (0.0077 mm day−1). Our results indicate that L. helicina reaches a size of 1 mm after approximately 1.5 years in Adventfjorden. We therefore suggest that L. helicina overwinters the first year as a small juvenile and that it needs at least 2 years to reach an adult size of 5 mm in Adventfjorden. This reveals an complex and delicate aspect of the life-cycle of L. helicina and further research is needed to determine if it makes the population especially vulnerable towards climate changes.

Gravel Quarries Could Affect Vimba Bream (Vimba vimba Linnaeus 1758) Populations from Someș River, Romania

The European stocks of vimba bream (Vimba vimba) are presently declining, having a "vulnerable" status in some countries. In Romania, there is a lack of scientific studies regarding the species. In order to supplement existing information about this species, specimens of vimba bream were collected from the middle sector of Someș River (Transylvania). Age, length and weight were recorded from 4 sampling points, near gravel quarries. The results show that only young specimens were found. The highest total length value was 22.77 cm, while the highest weight recorded was 121.08 g. Most vimba bream were captured in the first location, where less anthropogenic pressure exists. The populations are in decline in this region because of gravel quarries, among other factors.

The Anatomic Features of Müller's Muscle: A Histology Study in Chinese.

Background:The purpose of this article is to clarify the character of Müller’s muscle in Chinese specimens.Methods:Ten upper eyelids of 10 formalin-fixed Chinese cadavers (9 elderly people, from 68 to 86 years of age; 1 male child, 10 years old) were examined. Full-thickness sagittal sections of the central part of the upper eyelids were microscopically examined using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, and anti–smooth muscle actin antibodies staining.Result:In 9 elderly specimens, Müller’s muscle inserted onto tarsus via fibers, and the smooth muscle components decreased gradually and even faded away from the originated inferior branch of levator palpebrae superioris muscle to the upper margin of tarsus, although, in 1 child specimen, Müller’s muscle inserted directly onto tarsus rather than connective fibrous structure, and smooth muscle components did not decrease obviously. Both in elderly and young specimens, the aponeurotic structure that originated from Müller’s muscle extended to the tarsal plate.Conclusion:This study suggests that Müller’s muscle inserts onto the tarsus via fibrous tissue or smooth muscle, and also indicates that the smooth components of Müller’s muscle may decrease gradually in elderly people.

Agricultural populations of Festuca pratensis (Poaceae) on the coal mining spoils in the forest-steppe of the Kuznetsk Basin, Russia

The study of meadow fescue agropopulations was conducted in the agricultural phytocoenoses, established on the leveled coal mining spoils in the forest-steppe zone of the Kuznetsk Basin mining region in Russia. In agrophytocoenoses the fescue is not a dominant species, as in the natural meadows of herbs and fescue, which occupied the area prior to spoiling. However, the presence of the meadow fescue in the newly established plant communities resulted in increasing their biological diversity and improving the forage quality. The species was shown to sustain in agricultural communities on the coal mining spoils for more than 25 years, whereas when sown on the zonal soils it maintains it presence for 4-6 years. The ontogenetic groups of the plant in all communities were found to be dominated by virginile, young and mid-aged generative specimen. By the 25th year of agricultural phytocoenoses development the vitality of the agropopulations decreased on the coal mining spoils, composed of both Quaternary and Permian sediments. The study showed for the first time that meadow fescue is a species with good potential to restore vegetation cover in the areas disturbed by the open coal mining.