Remigiusz Panicz

Koi herpes virus: do acipenserid restitution programs pose a threat to carp farms in the disease-free zones?

In 2003 and subsequent years, a substantial number of Polish fish farms experienced mass mortality of carp (Cyprinus carpio)—their major culture species. Clinical signs have led to the assumption that these heavy losses may have been caused by infection with the koi herpes virus (KHV), which was first isolated and diagnosed in carps from the Rybacka Stacja Doświadczalna (the Fisheries Research Station) of the Agricultural University in Szczecin (Sadowski and Kempter 2004, Bergmann et al. 2006). In the wake of this finding, many research centres in Poland have initiated projects focusing on KHV, in its different aspects, and attempted to develop diagnostic tests for carp cultures (Kempter et al. 2008a). According to the State Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy (Panstwowy Instytut Weterynaryjny – Panstwowy Instytut Badawczy), this problem is not only related to the carp market and the stocking material turnover. The research projects carried out at the Pulawy institute focuses mainly on the other species, suspected of being a vector for KHV. This assumption is based on the fact that the clinical signs have hitherto not been observed in any other species except Cyprinus carpio (common carp and koi). Many research facilities, such as the the ACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2009) 39 (2): 119–126 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2009.39.2.06

Genetic and structural characterization of the growth hormone gene and protein from tench, Tinca tinca

The analysis of the tench growth hormone gene structure revealed a comparable organization of coding and non-coding regions than other from cyprinid species. Based on the performed mRNA and amino acid sequence alignments, gh tench is related to Asian than to European representatives of Cyprinidae family. Second aim of the work was to characterize and predict protein structure of the tench growth hormone. Tinca tinca GH share many common features with human GH molecule. The Tench GH protein binds to the growth hormone receptor (GHR) using two regions I and II that are situated at opposite sites of molecule. Binding site I is placed in the central part of T. tinca GH and H 189 amino acid in the middle region of the IV helix is crucial for GH–GHR interactions.

Genetic identifiability of selected populations of Indian mackerel, Rastrelliger kanagurta (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Scombridae)—Celfish Project—Part 1

Genetic identification of food ingredients is an important method that enables the traceability and confirmation of authenticity of fish products. With regard to common cases where valuable fish species are replaced by lowvalue equivalents it is necessary to provide reliable methods which will precisely identify fish species that are valuable for economy. Such methods help to eliminate counterfeit products from the market but also provide tools that might be used by governmental units which control food safety, including custom services. Population identification by molecular methods also provides inforACTA ICHTHYOLOGICA ET PISCATORIA (2014) 44 (2): 145–152 DOI: 10.3750/AIP2014.44.2.08

Genetic structure of the whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) population inhabiting the Miedwie Lake, Poland, based on partial ND-1 and ITS-1 gene sequences

The aim of this study was to characterize whitefish and peled populations in Miedwie Lake by means of the genetic analysis of ND-1 (NADH dehydrogenase 1) gene and the ITS-1 (internal transcribed spacer 1) region in order to distinguish native forms from whitefish/peled hybrids. In the analysis, archival specimens of Coregonus lavaretus maraena from the Berlin Museum für Naturkunde were used. Genetic analysis performed with the aid of MEGA 4.0 software explicitly indicated that samples from Miedwie Lake belonged entirely to a native (rapidly growing) form of whitefish. Furthermore, the conducted research has also provided crucial information for a C. lavaretus management program for Miedwie Lake.

Development of the method for identification of selected populations of torpedo scad, Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758), using microsatellite DNA analyses. CELFISH project – Part 4

Catch and consumption of torpedo scad (Megalaspis cordyla) over the western Indian Ocean, but also the western Pacific from Japan to Australia is constantly increasing. Taking into account the degree of exploitation and missing information on the population structure of torpedo scad stocks it is crucial to provide population data. The analysis included individuals obtained in 2012 and 2013 from local markets in Madagascar, Tanzania, Vietnam and Cambodia and after successful DNA extraction fragment of the nuclear rhodopsin gene (RH1) and 9 microsatellite regions (SSRs) were amplified and analysed. Based on the obtained results it was found that there was no 100% overlap between the compared RH1 sequences and those from GenBank. In the case of the studied SSRs, the results allowed the initial characterisation and assessment of the genetic diversity of populations. Moreover, population assignment test distinguished the studied populations into two geographically distant subpopulations.

Microsatellite DNA-based genetic traceability of two populations of splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens (Actinopterygii: Beryciformes: Berycidae)—Project CELFISH—Part 2

Background. The study is a contribution to Project CELFISH which involves genetic identifi cation of populations of fi sh species presenting a particular economic importance or having a potential to be used in the so-called commercial substitutions. The EU fi sh trade has been showing a distinct trend of more and more fi sh species previously unknown to consumers being placed on the market. Molecular assays have become the only way with which to verify the reliability of exporters. This paper is aimed at pinpointing genetic markers with which to label and differentiate between two populations of splendid alfonsino, Beryx splendens Lowe, 1834, a species highly attractive to consumers in Asia and Oceania due to the meat taste and low fat content. Material and methods. DNA was isolated from fragments of fi ns collected at local markets in Japan (MJ) (n = 10) and New Zealand (MNZ) (n = 18). The rhodopsin gene (RH1) fragment and 16 microsatellite DNA fragments (SSR) were analysed in all the individuals. The sequences obtained were processed using the BioEdit and BLAST software, whereas SSR data were processed with the GeAlEX analysis package. Results. The BioEdit software-aided comparison of MJ and MNZ nucleotide sequences of the rhodopsin gene fragments were identical and showed 100% agreement with the alfonsino sequence deposited under access number DQ197832. The preliminary analysis of SSR markers showed all the loci analysed in both populations to be polymorphic, and when randomly selected specimens were assigned to the original populations. The affi nity test correctly identifi ed the provenance of all those specimens. Conclusion. The results obtained constitute a tool for molecular differentiation between alfonsino populations collected in the FAO 81 (New Zealand) and FAO 71 (Japan) areas for the purpose of catch quota control and for checking the agreement between the label declaration and the actual product.