The striped venus clam Chamelea gallina (SVE), plays an important role as an infaunal filter-feeder in the ecosystem, besides an important economic role in the Black Sea coasts of Turkey. It is caught using hydraulic dredge boats, then processed, and the final product (frozen meat) is exported to EU countries. SVE fishing requires a special licence and regulations. Also, SVE beds were closed to fisheries for the recovery of stocks for 2 years. In the study, SVE beds were investigated during the closed season over two years to assess stock density. Additionally, the number of macrobenthic species that share the same habitat as the SVE was determined. The sampling area was divided into five sub-areas and four strata by depth and then stratified random sampling was applied to collect data. In 2011, SVE stock sizes in the sub-areas were 11,723.58 ± 5167.262 tons (Cide), 35,082.94 ± 27,510.95 tons (İnebolu), 10,077.05 ± 4970.68 tons (Türkeli), 3304.36 ± 3215.1 tons (Ayancık) and 1431.3 ± 1703.5 tons (Sarıkum). In 2012, these estimated stocks were 13,820.41 ± 6977.86 tons, 34,841.94 ± 14,623.71 tons, 8148.27 ± 5006.74 tons, 3420.72 ± 3093.67 tons and 2023.74 ± 2832.63 tons, respectively. However, the estimated SVE total biomass did not change significantly during the period when the fields were closed (P > 0.05). The results indicate that length-weight relationship parameters varied of b from 2.9011–2.9072 in two years. Shell damage during fishing, environmental factors, food competition and consumption by the main predator all have a significant impact on stock densities, and changes occurring in these conditions should be considered in fisheries management.

The cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hem: Aphididae), is one of the most serious pests of canola worldwide. In this research, the effects of Pseudomonas putida, salicylic acid (SA), and integrated application of both inducers were studied on the resistance of canola to B. brassicae. In free-choice situation, the number of B. brassicae attracted on canola plants under treatments containing P. putida and SA was significantly lower compared to control plants. In the life table study, pre-adult survival, longevity, reproductive period, and fecundity of this aphid were lowest on plants treated with P. putida + SA. The net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of population increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) of B. brassicae decreased significantly in the following order: control (47.19 offspring, 0.293 and 1.340 day−1), P. putida (16.7 offspring, 0.238 and 1.269 day−1), SA (6.37 offspring, 0.163 and 1.178 day−1), and P. putida + SA (3.24 offspring, 0.112 and 1.119 day−1). Moreover, the beneficial effect of the integrated application of P. putida and SA on plant growth parameters was significantly evident in our study. The highest values of glucosinolates, total phenol, and flavonoids were recorded in P. putida + SA treatment. We concluded that canola plants treated with P. putida + SA are more resistant to the cabbage aphid. These findings demonstrated that SA integrated with P. putida on canola plants act effectively for reducing the population of B. brassicae and can be used in integrated management programs of this pest.

Age and growth parameters were estimated for the deep-sea cardinalfish (Epigonus crassicaudus) from sagittal otoliths collected between 2012 and 2015 onboard commercial fishing vessels from the South-east Pacific off Chile between 33°04′S and 41°46′S. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters (VBGP) were estimated from assumed annual otolith growth zone counts. The verification of the first annulus of sagittal otoliths was determined by examining in detail daily micro-increments. These data helped inform the interpretation of the annual growth zones from transverse otolith sections. The von Bertalanffy growth model estimated to length-at-age data were asymptotic length (L∞) of 34.1 cm fork length (FL), a growth coefficient (k) of 0.1 cm/year and a t-zero (t0) of −0.85. The maximum ages observed were 67 and 65 years for female and male fish, respectively.

Factors accounting for the differential response of five quackgrass biotypes to primisulfuron were compared. Previous field and greenhouse experiments had identified a biotype from Montpelier, OH, as being less susceptible to primisulfuron than biotypes from Amherst, MA; Mahnomen, MN; Fargo, ND; and State College, PA. Differences in shoot, root, and rhizome fresh weights and rhizome bud numbers did not account for the reduced susceptibility of the Montpelier, OH, biotype to primisulfuron. Spray retention was lower in biotypes from OH and MA compared to the others. Absorption of 14C following 14C-primisulfuron application was greater in the Amherst, MA, biotype compared to the others. Only 29% of absorbed 14C was present as primisulfuron in the Montpelier, OH, biotype versus 41 to 45% in the other biotypes 72 h after application. The amount of primisulfuron present in the Montpelier, OH, biotype 72 h after application was less than half the amount present in the other four biotypes due to reduced spray retention and faster metabolism. These factors combined explain lower susceptibility of the Montpelier, OH, biotype to primisulfuron.

Brown flatsedge (Cyperus fuscus) is widely distributed in Europe, Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Mediterranean region of Northern Africa. It was apparently introduced into North America in the late 1800s and has steadily moved southward and westward. Brown flatsedge is reported new to Arkansas and Mississippi herewith. Field observations from early spring until frost were made between 2003 and 2007 from populations present at three sites: Chicot County, Arkansas, and Pearl River and Washington counties, Mississippi. Under natural field conditions, brown flatsedge plants germinated from late March and early April until frost. Inflorescences were observed in mid-May and seed production continued until frost. In field populations, the average numbers of scales per spikelet, inflorescences per plant, and spikelets per inflorescence were 15, 28, and 33, respectively. Greenhouse experiments were established in 2008 at Stoneville, MS, to determine growth parameters and the reproductive potential of brown flatsedge. In greenhouse experiments, by 10 wk after emergence (WAE), brown flatsedge plants were 30.2 cm tall and 63.9 cm in diameter, and dry weights were 1.4, 1.0, 2.0, 0.5, and 1.9 g for roots, culms, leaves, bracts, and inflorescences, respectively. Brown flatsedge culms and inflorescences appeared 5 WAE, and by 9 WAE all plants were producing seed. Brown flatsedge could pose a threat to natural plant communities and rice agriculture in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas. Additional research is needed to determine seed longevity and ecological range potential, and to develop inexpensive and effective control methods.

Reproduction, diet and growth of silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis in the eastern Arabian Sea are described based on 473 specimens collected from the gillnet-cum-longline landings at the Cochin fisheries harbour during 2012–2014. The reproductive biology of 215 males and 258 females was examined while 113 stomachs were sampled to study the diet. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated using length-based models were asymptotic length (L ∞) = 309.80 cm, growth coefficient (K) = 0.10 year−1 and age at zero length (t 0) = −2.398 year. The sex ratio was significantly skewed to females. Seasonality in reproduction was not evident and in males, sexual maturity was attained at 201–223 cm total length (L T) with the size at maturity (L T50) occurring at 217.0 cm, whereas in females sexual maturity was attained at 224–231 cm L T and L T50 occurs at 226.5 cm. In total 114 embryos, in the length range of 12.2–65.1 cm were recovered from 15 pregnant females. Numbers of embryos in females were in the range of 3–13, averaging 7.6. Silky sharks of the eastern Arabian Sea feed primarily on swimming crab Charybdis smithii, with juveniles feeding principally on swimming crabs, while adults feed on actively swimming prey like squids and teleost fishes. This preliminary information on the reproduction, diet and growth should be useful to identify management strategies for silky sharks in the eastern Arabian Sea.

Length-weight relationship, growth parameters and mortality rates of Anadara granosa in the intertidal zone of Balik Pulau, Penang Island, West Coast of Malaysia were investigated based on monthly length-frequency data (December 2011 to November 2012). A total of 548 individuals ranging from 11.25 to 33.13 mm size were subjected to analysis. Logarithmic relationship between the length and weight was Log W = 2.328 Log L − 2.537 (R2 = 0.922) for combined sexes. From this equation it was clear that the exponent ‘b’ value for A. granosa showed a negative allometric growth (b < 3). A von Bertalanffy growth function with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 35.40 mm and a growth constant (K) of 1.1 year−1 was established from length frequency distributions. The t0(−0.140) was estimated by substituting the L∞and K in the Pauly's equation. The sizes attained by A. granosa were 10.13, 14.36, 17.89, 20.82, 23.56 and 25.29 mm at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months, respectively. The estimated growth performance index (Ø) was 3.13 while the estimated lifespan of the cockles was about 2.72 years at the study area. The estimated value of total mortality based on length-converted catch curve was Z = 3.02 year−1. The natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were 1.84 and 0.48 year−1, respectively. The exploitation level (E) of A. granosa was 0.20, which indicated slight fishing pressure on the stock.

Chub mackerel, Scomber colias, is widely distributed in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean including the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas. This medium-sized pelagic fish species occurs in deeper waters during the colder part of the year and schools are found in coastal waters during the warmer parts of the year, where they spawn and feed. Atlantic chub mackerel is one of the most important commercial fish throughout its habitat and as a consequence of its wide distribution and broad commercial exploitation, biological information on the growth and mortality is required for stock assessment and management. Despite the abundance and economic importance of S. colias in the Adriatic Sea, knowledge about its biology and population dynamics is still limited. Studies of the age, growth, mortality and exploitation rates of S. colias have not been undertaken previously in the Adriatic Sea. Therefore, the exploitation status of this species' stock in the Adriatic Sea is unknown. The purpose of this study was to provide information on the age, growth and length–weight relationship as well as estimates of mortality and exploitation rate in order to define the present state of the population in the Adriatic Sea.