[Community structure of planktonic rotifers in the Pearl River Delta].

Four ecological investigations were carried out on planktonic rotifers in Pearl River Delta in 2012. The community structure, including spatial and temporal patterns of species composition, dominant species, biomass and biodiversity, was investigated. The correlation between the community structure of rotifers and the environmental factors was discussed. Moreover, the aggregation structures of rotifers were analyzed. A total of 53 rotifer species were found. Dominant species changed markedly with season and space. Polyarthra trigla had higher dominance. In terms of seasonal changes, the density and biomass were higher in dry season than in wet season, while the biodiversity and evenness indices were vice versa. The biomass and biodiversity of rotifers showed highly significant differences among seasons. In terms of spatial distribution, the average density and the average biomass showed an increase from the southwest to the northeast. The highest density and biomass were recorded in Shiqiao. The biodiversity and evenness indices had an opposite spatial distribution, with the highest values being recorded in Qingqi. The rotifer density was significantly different among the investigated sites, while the biomass and biodiversity were not significantly different. Correlation analysis demonstrated a highly significant positive correlation between rotifer density and biomass, as well as between biodiversity and evenness indices, and a highly negative correlation between biodiversity and biomass. The biodiversity and evenness indices both decreased markedly with the increase of biomass. Principal component analysis indicated that the rotifer density was closely correlated with environment factors, such as water temperature, pH, dissolved oxy- gen, chlorophyll a content, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen, in different seasons. Aggregation analysis based on rotifer density revealed five aggregation structures in the investigated sites, indicating significant differences in water quality among the investigated sites.

Prevention of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infestation in goldfish (Carassius auratus) by potassium ferrate(VI) treatment.

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is an important freshwater teleost pathogen that often leads to significant economic losses to the aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of potassium ferrate(VI) to I. multifiliis theront and the concentration needed to prevent I. multifiliis infestation in goldfish, Carassius auratus. Five hundred theronts were exposed to concentrations of potassium ferrate(VI) in each well of a 96-well microtiter plate and observed for 4h to determine the acute toxicity. Results showed that the exposure of I. multifiliis theronts to potassium ferrate(VI) at concentrations of 4.80mg/L or more resulted in 100% mortality by 4h; the LC(50) value was estimated to be 1.71mg/L. Aqueous static renewal 96-h bioassays were carried out to determine the acute toxicity of potassium ferrate(VI) to goldfish. The LC(50) value for potassium ferrate(VI) in goldfish was 42.51mg/L. Goldfish were exposed to 4000 theronts/fish in aerated tap water (a dose previously shown to result in consistent infestation) and treated with a single dose of potassium ferrate(VI) after 30min contact with theronts. Infection level and prevalence were recorded everyday after exposure. The results revealed that potassium ferrate(VI) at the 4.80mg/L or more concentrations can significantly reduce not only the number of trophonts on the fin of goldfish on day 3 (P<0.05), but also the prevalence of ichthyophthiriasis (P<0.05). Potassium ferrate(VI) at a concentration of 4.80mg/L was considered to be the lowest effective dose to prevent infestation of I. multifiliis in goldfish.