Interspecies comparison of selected pollution biomarkers in dreissenid spp. inhabiting pristine and moderately polluted sites

Stress biomarkers, which can outline impacts of contaminants in aquatic biota at the biochemical level, are increasingly used as early warning tools in environmental monitoring. Reliable biomarker based assessment schemes, however, request appropriate knowledge of baseline levels of selected endpoints, and the potential influence of a range of natural influencing factors (both abiotic and biotic) as well. In this study, we examined the interspecies variability of various biomarkers (metallothioneins (MT), ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA strand breaks (DNA_sb), vitellogenin-like proteins (Vtg)) in Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis inhabiting either pristine- or moderately impacted sites of Lake Balaton (Hungary). Levels of all biomarkers considered revealed low interspecies variability in the two dreissenid species at all sampling sites, with consistently higher (but statistically insignificant) values in Dreissena polymorpha. Levels of all biomarkers varied within the two investigated seasons, with significant influence of the reproduction cycle particularly on the levels of metallothioneins and vitellogenin-like proteins. Each biomarker considered was elevated by October, with significantly higher values in the mussels inhabiting harbours. Insignificant spatial and temporal variability in the general health indicators (condition index, total protein content) of dreissenids was observed, which, in parallel with evident rise in biomarker levels, apparently suggest that the anthropogenic impacts in harbours affect mussel fitness yet at sub organismal level. Our data might serve useful basis for future environmental monitoring surveys, especially in habitats where the progressive replacement of Dreissena polymorpha by Dreissena bugensis is taking place, as the interspecies variability in susceptibility to chemical stress of the two species is well comparable.

Impact of environmental and genetic factors on the scale shape of zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822): a geometric morphometric study

Intraspecific morphological variability may reflect either genetic divergence among groups of individuals or response of individuals to environmental circumstances within the frame of phenotypic plasticity. Several studies were able to discriminate wild fish populations based on their scale shape. Here we examine whether the variations in the scale shape in fish populations could be related to genetic or environmental factors, or to both of them. In the first experiment, two inbred lines of zebrafish, Danio rerio (Hamilton 1822) reared under identical environmental conditions were compared. Secondly, to find out what effect environmental factors might have, offsprings were divided into two groups and reared on different diets for 12 weeks. Potential recovery of scales from an environmental effect was also assessed. Experimental groups could successfully be distinguished according to the shape of scales in both experiments, and the results showed that both genetic and environmental factors may notably influence scale shape. It was concluded that scale shape analysis might be used as an explanatory tool to detect potential variability of environmental influences impacting genetically homogeneous groups of fish. However, due to its sensitivity to environmental heterogeneity, the applicability of this technique in identifying intraspecific stock membership of fish could be limited.

Within-lake distribution patterns of fish assemblages: the relative roles of spatial, temporal and random environmental factors in assessing fish assemblages using gillnets in a large and shallow temperate lake

In this study, the relative role of spatio-temporal factors and associated environmental variables (water transparency and temperature) were quantified in relation to gillnet samples of fishes in a large and shallow lake (Lake Balaton, Hungary). Most of the variance (56·1%) in the relative abundance data (%) was related to the vertical segregation of fishes. This gradient substantially affected the catch per unit effort (CPUE) by number of the dominant species, the surface-oriented bleak Alburnus alburnus and the benthic common bream Abramis brama. It also influenced total CPUE, mean fish mass and species richness and diversity. At the lake level, horizontal habitat heterogeneity (i.e. littoral v. offshore) accounted for only 8·3% of the total variance in relative abundance data, but was important in structuring the CPUE of the ruffe Gymnocephalus cernua and the pikeperch Sander lucioperca. The longitudinal environmental gradient (i.e. lake basin), year and season of sampling, water transparency and temperature had significant effects on relative abundance only at the habitat level, but were also important components of variability of CPUE in some species at the lake level. As sampling schemes need to consider the main gradients in fish assemblage distributions, the use of surface and pelagic gillnets should be more intensively incorporated in the study and monitoring of fish assemblages in shallow lakes and lake habitats.

A note on the special fillet fatty acid composition of the dwarf carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in thermal Lake Hévíz, Hungary

Fatty acid (FA) composition of the fillet and the intestinal content of dwarf common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) living in Lake Hévíz was determined in wintertime collected samples and results were compared to widespread literature data on carp. Fillet FA profile of the thermally adapted (28 °C) Hévíz dwarf carps differed from profiles originated from divergent culture and feeding conditions in the overall level of saturation. Fillet myristic acid proportions largely exceeded all literature data in spite of poor dietary supply. Fillet fatty acid results indicate the effects of thermal adaptation (high saturation level) and the correlative effects of feed components rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with special respect to docosahexaenoic acid. With the application of discriminant factor analysis the Hévíz sample was accurately differentiated from the literature data on carp fillet fatty acid profile, mostly based on C14:0, C18:1 n9, C18:2 n6, C20:1 n9 and C20:4 n6 FAs. In summary, fillet FA profile suggested thermal adaptation, location specificity and the ingestion of algal and bacterial material.

In vivo tracking of maturation in male European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), by computed tomography

The present study aimed in vivo tracking of maturation of male eel by computed tomography (CT). Additionally, individually monitored testes sizes were correlated with the conventionally used external maturity indicators (i.e. eye and nose indexes) in order to test and improve their usefulness at individual level. Testes could be clearly identified with the CT from the end of the third week of hCG administration routinely used to induce maturation in fish. The volume of testes increased exponentially during hormone treatment, and by the end of the sixth week of maturation procedure all males produced motilable spermatozoa. Present results prove that testes size can noninvasively be monitored with CT from maturity level where testes size rich 3000 mm3 volume. Eye and nose indexes are in close correlation with testes volume and thus can also be effectively used to monitor maturity level of male eel, but preferably only at stock level. However, due to their high individual variability, these indexes can be applied only with caution at individual level and should be supplemented with other noninvasive techniques such as CT.

Size-dependent prey selection in piscivorous pikeperch Sander lucioperca and Volga pikeperch Sander volgensis shaped by bimodal prey size distribution

Prey size and species selection of pikeperch Sander lucioperca and Volga pikeperch Sander volgensis were investigated in relation to predator size in the shallow Lake Balaton, Hungary. Although their gape sizes were similar, S. lucioperca shifted to piscivory earlier and consumed fewer, but larger, prey than S. volgensis. Prey species preference of the two piscivores also differed. A bimodal prey size distribution resulted in a reclining sigmoid curve for the life span predator size to prey size relationship with inflexion points between 266 and 284 mm predator standard length (L(S) ) in S. lucioperca. In S. volgensis, as well as in S. lucioperca L(S) ≤ 350 mm, prey size increased monotonically with predator L(S) , following a power trend for all prey size variables. Prey depth to predator L(S) relationship varied significantly with prey species and prey number in both piscivores, and prey depth tended to be smaller in predators consuming more than one prey. Both predator species characteristically selected less active, benthic prey fishes in spite of their spiny fin rays, and small- and mid-sized predators selected for small prey. Relatively large prey were also eaten, however, especially by the smallest and largest S. lucioperca.

Feeding guilds and food resource partitioning in a lake fish assemblage: an ontogenetic approach

Ontogenetic diet patterns and trophic guild structure of a 15 species temperate lake fish assemblage were analysed over wide size intervals (up to seven orders of magnitude in body mass), representing practically the whole life span in most species. A two-step objective clustering technique supplemented with other multivariate statistical tools proved that size-related diet changes clearly played an important role in structuring trophic organization of fishes inhabiting Lake Balaton. As many as 13 out of the 15 fish species showed marked size-related dietary changes with two to four ontogenetic feeding stages. At the assemblage level, 11 trophic guilds were separated. Guild membership was size-dependent in 11 fish species that participated in two to four trophic guilds during their life span. The most complex trophic ontogeny was observed in roach Rutilus rutilus and asp Aspius aspius with four guild memberships. This study showed that trophic status of fishes may be very size-sensitive and thus a universal classification of fish species to general trophic guilds, such as 'planktivore', 'benthivore', 'piscivore' or 'herbivore', should be applied very carefully even in environmental monitoring and fisheries management applications, unless it is supported by relevant results of life span diet analyses.

Relation between growth and the heavy metal concentration in organs of bream Abramis brama L. populating Lake Balaton

The effect of growth and physical condition on the level of heavy metals accumulated in the organs of common bream (Abramis brama L.) populating Lake Balaton was investigated on samples collected in October 1999 and May 2000 from two well-separable sites regarding their trophic state and pollution impact (western and eastern basins). The average metal concentrations in the organs of fish varied in the following ranges: Cd, 0.39-1.98; Cu, 1.73-57.3; Hg, 0.02-0.13; Pb, 0.39-3.15; and Zn, 12.7-159.3 microg/g dry weight. The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were detected in the gill and liver of fish, whereas the highest Hg concentrations were measured in the muscle. The maximum metal concentrations in the muscle of bream were on average below the maximum permissible levels for human consumption. Significant positive correlation was found among the heavy metal load of bream and their instantaneous growth rate; hardly any connection was observed related to the physical condition of samples. The relatively low metal concentrations of the ambient water and their poor correlation with the heavy metal load of bream, indicates that for the mature stages of this fish species the metal uptake from food is predominant, and thus the heavy metal load of fish reflect more the pollution state of the sediment and its biota, rather than that of the ambient water.

Metal pollution as health indicator of lake ecosystems

As part of a long-term monitoring study of the anthropogenic pollution of the Lake of Balaton (Hungary) the concentrations of toxic metals (Cd2+, Hg2+, Pb2+), as well as of bioelements (Cu2+ and Zn2+) were measured in the muscle, gill and liver of bream (Abramis brama L.) collected in the open water during the autumn of 1999, The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were detected in the gill and liver of fish, whereas the highest Hg concentrations were measured in the muscle. The maximum metal concentrations measured in the muscle of bream were generally below maximum permissible levels for human consumption established by the Hungarian Food Directorate. Depending on the sampling site, significantly higher Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations (p < 0.05) were detected in the muscle of fish samples collected from the Western basin, while no significant differences were observed for Cu and Zn. In the muscle and gill an increasing trend of heavy metal (Cd and Cu) load characterizes the individuals of the 2-4 calendar age group (p < 0.05), while for the older specimens the concentration of these elements decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Positive relationships on the whole age scale were found for Cd in the liver, for Pb in the gill, and for Hg both in the muscle and the liver of fish.

Feeding strategy and growth of cyprinids in the littoral zone of Lake Balaton

The growth, diet and feeding strategy of five phytophil or phytolithophil species of Cyprinidae from the littoral habitats of Lake Balaton were investigated by examining their scales and foregut contents. The relationships between the total anterior radii of scales and the standard lengths were represented best by a power function for white bream Blicca bjoerkna, and linear functions for common bream Abramis brama, roach Rutilus rutilus and wild goldfish Carassius auratus gibelio, respectively. The backcalculated mean lengths for the first age groups of common bream, white bream and roach did not differ statistically from those obtained by direct observation on 0 group fish in late November 1995. Compared to other waters, common bream grows slowly, wild goldfish and roach rapidly, while the growth rate of white bream can be considered of medium speed in Lake Balaton. Common bream showed a generalized feeding pattern, consuming mainly chironomid larvae, detritus and Corophium curvispinun. Roach showed a clear shift between specialization for Dreissena and algae. Despite the dense population of D. polymorpha in the lake, the significance of the herbivorous adaptation of roach has not yet been made clear. Wild goldfish consumed mainly detritus but, in the open water region, it shifted to zooplankton. White bream preyed chiefly on D. polymorpha, but showed a mixed feeding pattern and utilized most of the available food resources. Carp had the most specialized feeding strategy and preyed mainly on D. polymorpha. According to the discriminant analysis, the five cyprinids exhibited significant food resource partitioning.