) and 1 nematode (Capillaria spp.) were identified. Parasites were found in fish from 23 of the 26 farms with an overall prevalence of parasitism in 45.3% of fish. The variation in farm prevalence among different parasites was significant (p < 0.01). Fish infection rates with monogenean trematodes, protozoans, copepod crustaceans, digenean trematodes and nematodes were 28.3, 18.4, 4.8, 0.8 and 0.4%, respectively. In all, 50 out of 590 (50/590) guppies were infected with Tetrahymena, compared with 13/930 for all other species, which is a statistically significant result (p < 0.01). Similarly, 13/44 and 18/44 carp were infected with Argulus foliaceus and Lernaea cyprinacea, compared with 7/1476 and 15/1476, respectively, for all other species combined (p < 0.01). Capillaria spp. was found only in guppies (4/590) and angel fish (3/92) while Centrocestus spp. was found in goldfish (12/153) only.

Seven biomarkers in 204 spottail shiners Notropis hudsonius were examined for effects of pollution and parasites on fish health at localities along the St Lawrence River, Canada. The number of pigmented macrophage centres and pigmented macrophages in the spleen was significantly higher at polluted localities receiving urban and industrial effluents than at reference localities, indicating that they were good indicators of exposure to pollution in spottail shiners. Seven of the nine species of parasites found in 1þ year fish showed significant correlations with biomarkers. More parasites (18 species) but fewer correlations with biomarkers were observed in 2þ year fish, indicating that parasite effects were more pronounced in young spottail shiners. A significant negative relationship was observed between condition factor and Neoechinorhynchus rutili in 1þ year fish, suggesting its potential pathological significance in young spottail shiners. High abundance of Plagioporus sinitsini was associated with higher spleen macrophage counts and lower indices of condition at polluted localities. Furthermore, infection by P. sinitsini in polluted conditions appeared to have a greater negative effect on fish health than either stressor alone, providing further evidence that parasites should be considered when examining effects of pollution on fish health. # 2007 Crown Copyright

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to differentiate meat of Ceylon spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), Ceylon hog deer (A. porcius oryzus), Ceylon sambhur (Cervus unicolor unicolor) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntijak malabaricus) from meat of cattle, goat, buffalo, pig, dog and sheep. A set of primers was designed according to the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of C. elaphus canadensis and by PCR amplification about 450 bp band was observed for all four animal species and these primers were not cross reacted with DNA of other animal species tested in the study under the tested reaction conditions. A band of 649 bp size was observed for all animal species when DNA was amplified with the universal primers and that indicated the presence of mitochondrial DNA in the samples. Further, the results indicated that this technique was sensitive enough to differentiate rotten meat, at least 5 days after the killing of an animal. Under these PCR conditions, the DNA of bacteria, which is involved in decomposition of meat, was not amplified with both universal and specific primers. However, the method was not sensitive enough in differentiating cooked meat of these species. Slaughtering of these four wild animal species is banned, but the animals are being killed illegally. Lack of meat identification methods has been identified as one of the major constraints to implement legal procedures and conserve biodiversity in the country.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to differentiate buffalo meat from the meat of Ceylon spotted deer (Axis axis ceylonensis), Ceylon sambhur (Cervus unicolor unicolor), cattle (Bovine), goat (Caprine), pig (Porcine), and sheep (Ovine). A set of primers were designed according to the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of bubalus bubalis and by PCR amplification a band of approximately 242 bp band was observed with buffalo DNA. These primers did not cross-react with DNA of other animal species tested in the study under the specified reaction conditions. A band of 649 bp was observed for all animal species tested when DNA was amplified with the universal primers indicating the presence of mitochondrial DNA in the samples. The technique was sensitive enough to identify rotten (10 days post slaughter), dried and cooked buffalo meat. The absence of a cross reaction with human DNA using the buffalo specific primers eliminates possible false positive reactions.