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Knowledge of the ecology, spatial distribution and conservation status of fish populations is achieved by fishery‐dependent techniques, and by more recently developed non‐invasive fishery‐independent techniques. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a fishery‐independent method that provides remote sensing of soniferous species, populations, communities and ecosystems by recording soundscapes and their components.A case study is presented to demonstrate how PAM can contribute to a dynamic understanding of fish distribution, ecological preferences and conservation status. This case study refers to the cusk‐eel Ophidion rochei (Ophidiiformes), a nocturnal, behaviourally cryptic, soniferous fish species, described as uncommon and rare in the scientific literature, and listed as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List.A systematized literature review was carried out using Ophidion+rochei as the search term, and by grouping records into two main categories: (i) traditional techniques (including all fishery‐dependent techniques and underwater visual census); and (ii) PAM.This review highlights how PAM has provided new sightings of O. rochei at a rate three times higher than all other monitoring techniques combined. In contrast with the knowledge achieved to date by fishery‐dependent techniques, the reported acoustic mass phenomena indicate that this species can be very abundant. Ophidion rochei was found to inhabit a wide range of depths and ecosystems, at least throughout the Mediterranean basin.This paper supports the urgency and the importance of relying on the integration of different fishery‐independent techniques for multidisciplinary monitoring, in line with the Goal 14 requirements of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2006, an ophidiiform larva with an ovoid body, elongate anterior dorsal-fin ray, and long trailing fleshy filament has been identified as Pycnocraspedum squamipinne. Similarly, the larvae of the ophidiid genus Luciobrotula have been tentatively identified since 1988, with posteriorly displaced dorsal fins and bulging or exterilium guts. However, neither of these larval forms morphologically agree with their adult counterparts. Recently, blackwater divers captured and photographed specimens of larval Luciobrotula and Pycnocraspedum off the coast of Hawaiʻi and Florida, making them available for both morphological and molecular sampling. After examining these larvae and analyzing DNA barcode sequences, as well as a newly captured and sequenced adult of Pycnocraspedum phyllosoma, we revise the previously identified "Pycnocraspedum" larvae to species of Luciobrotula. We describe the larvae of Luciobrotula bartschi and Luciobrotula corethromycter for the first time, highlighting an extraordinary loss of multiple anterior dorsal-fin elements in their ontogeny. We also generate the first DNA sequences for L. corethromycter and P. phyllosoma, adding to the depauperate number of sequences available for ophidiiforms. For the previously identified "Luciobrotula" larvae, neither morphological nor molecular characters provide definitive identification other than recovering them among the Bythitidae. We provide new morphological observations, revised descriptions, and generate a phylogeny of ophidiiform fishes based on COI to place these larvae in a phylogenetic context, prompting further investigation into the relationships of the Ophidiiformes using additional genetic markers. Our study emphasizes the importance of blackwater diving to improving our understanding of marine larval fishes and the need for additional molecular sampling of the diverse order of brotulas, cusk-eels, pearlfishes, and their allies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A historic collection of fossil otoliths from V.J. Procházka from the lower Badenian of Moravia, Czech Republic, was recently recovered at the Moravian Museum in Brno. Likely with the intent to publish, Procházka labeled the specimens with original identifications; unfortunately, however, publication never occurred. Procházka’s type-material of his earlier publications, notably that from 1893, remains unrecovered and must be considered lost. Several of the species he described in 1893 are problematic because of his less-than-optimal descriptions and documentation. However, with this newly recovered material containing his original identifications, it is now possible to select a neotype for one of those problematic species, Otolithus (Berycidarum) kokeni = Diaphus kokeni, as well as resolve another: Otolithus (Berycidarum) splendidus. Most of the recovered otoliths originated from the deep-water environment of Borač. Although the locality has been well-studied for otoliths, the recovered collection of Procházka has yielded seven species not previously recorded from the Badenian of the Central Paratethys. One species is described as new: Nezumia prikryli n. sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology is the property of Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie (SFI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the banded cusk-eel, Raneya brasilensis (Kaup, 1856), was obtained using next-generation sequencing approaches. The genome sequence was 16,881 bp and exhibited a novel gene order for a vertebrate. Specifically, the WANCY and the nd6 – D-loop regions were re-ordered, supporting the hypothesis that these two regions are hotspots for gene rearrangements in Actinopterygii. Phylogenetic reconstructions confirmed that R. brasiliensis is nested within Ophidiiformes. Mitochondrial genomes are required from additional ophidiins to determine whether the gene rearrangements that we observed are specific to the genus Raneya or to the subfamily Ophidiinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports the occurrence of the bearded brotula, Brotula barbata, in four different localities off southern Brazil. These records extend the species' known distribution limit southwards, beyond Rio de Janeiro, to the state of Rio Grande do Sul (30° 50′ S). Morphometric and meristic data for the specimens reported herein are provided and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of Neobythites multistriatus Nielsen & Quéro, 1991 which hitherto has not been recorded from the Andaman Sea is reported here. Three specimens measuring 175 mm, 153 mm and 136 mm (total length) were collected from Andaman Sea (13°10′903″N, 93°08′162″E) from a depth range of 320-410 m. The results of the comparison of meristic and morphometric characters with the holotype and paratypes of the species are presented. N. multistriatus is closely related to N. fasciatus in terms of two opercular spines and several vertical bars on the body ending as ocelli or dark blotches on the dorsal and anal fins, versus posterior to the line. The occurrence of this little-known benthopelagic fish in Andaman waters for the first time further adds to and strengthens the rich deep-sea ichthyofaunal biodiversity of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India, which is hitherto not fully known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the second record but also the first substantiated record of cusk-eel Ophidion barbatum (Linnaeus, 1758) from the northern coast of Tunisia, 168 mm in total length and weighing 18.3 g. The specimen is described including morphometric measurements and counts. Differences from its close relative species O. rochei (Linnaeus, 1758) are pointed out that confirm the occurrence of O barbatum in the Tunisian waters. This finding constitutes the northernmost extension range of the species in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the identification and characterization of tenacibaculum dicentrarchi isolated from Chilean red conger eel. Topics discussed include clinical signs of disease in Genypterus chilensis (G. chilensis), bacterial isolation, and histological analyses of G. chilensis lesions.

Detailed observations in the deep sea can reveal previously unknown behaviour, species interactions and fine-scale habitat heterogeneity. Here, the first in situ images of the black coral Schizopathes sp. (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) in the deep western Indian Ocean have been obtained from remotely operated vehicle video footage and time-lapse photography. In these images, there appears to be an association with the cusk eel Bassozetus (Family: Ophidiidae). In the primary observation, chance encounters revealed the fish interacted with the anitpatharian on multiple occasions over several days. Subsequent time-lapse camera footage showed the fish remained almost exclusively underneath the antipatharian for the duration of a 30-h deployment. Excursions from the cover of the antipatharian were for less than 2 min. The primary observation is supported by two similar encounters in the same region. Observed reduction in the tail-beat frequency of the fish under the antipatharian suggests reduced energy requirements for the ophidiid in this position. The observations demonstrate the role that even individual coral colonies play as a source of three-dimensional structure, providing habitat heterogeneity in the deep sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two specimens of Spottobrotula mahodadi Cohen and Nielsen, 1978 (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), collected from the Andaman Sea, northeastern Indian Ocean, represent the second record of the species, previously known only from the holotype, also from the Andaman Sea. The fresh coloration of S. mahodadi is described for the first time. In addition, a single specimen of Hapalogenys bengalensis Mohapatra, Ray, and Kumar, 2013 (Perciformes: Hapalogenyidae) previously known only from its type locality off West Bengal, India (northern Bay of Bengal), was collected from the Andaman Sea and represents the first record of the species for that region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology is the property of Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie (SFI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study analyzed the diet composition, ontogenetic shifts and dietary overlap of Brotula clarkae in relation to stage of maturity and sex. Samples were collected from the trawling fishery along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica (2011-2012) at depths ranging from 41.4 to 168.3 m; however, over 80% of the sampled fish were obtained at depths between 50 and 75 m. Size ranged from 14.4 to 98.4 cm total length. Of the 323 analyzed stomachs, 44.3% were from males, 86% were from immature individuals, and 49.8% had at least one prey item. According to the prey-specific index of relative importance ( PSIRI), decapod shrimps were the most important prey (57.6% PSIRI i) followed by teleosts (28.2% PSIRI i), stomatopods (10.8% PSIRI i), and crabs (3.3% PSIRI i). Male and female B. clarkae exhibited a high dietary overlap ( C H = 0.94). Immature B. clarkae consumed primarily shrimps and crabs (71.5% of stomachs from immature specimens contained shrimps, which accounted for over 66.0% PSIRI i); mature individuals consumed a large proportion of teleosts and stomatopods, which together contributed to over 91.0% PSIRI i. Both immature and mature B. clarkae overlapped spatially with the commercial trawling fishery grounds along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. However, juveniles feed predominantly on shrimps, suggesting that immature B. clarkae may be subjected to high fishing pressure as by-catch, making them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Re-examination of two deep-sea ophidiid species, Bassozetus compressus (Günther ) and Bassozetus elongatus Smith and Radcliffe in Radcliffe , based on specimens from the West Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, disclosed no morphologically significant differences amongst those from the West Pacific, including the lectotype of B. compressus and holotype of B. elongatus. Two characters considered to distinguish between the species [pelvic-fin length to standard length (SL) ratio and position of a small process on the sagittal otolith] were found to be invalid, leading to the conclusion that B. compressus is a senior synonym of B. elongatus. The remaining specimens from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, previously reported as B. compressus or B. elongatus, represented one or more as-yet undescribed species. A detailed redescription of B. compressus is provided on the basis of the West Pacific specimens, the species being distinguishable from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 118-127; pectoral-fin rays 22-26; oblique scales ca. 18-20; vertebrae 11-13 + 54-58 = 66-69; distance between base of pelvic fin to origin of anal fin 15.8-20.5 % SL; eye diameter 2.0-2.7 times in snout length; a median basibranchial tooth patch; anterior margin of sagittal otolith with a small process, dorsal margin smooth. Two specimens of B. compressus, collected from off Uotsurijima Island, Senkaku Islands and Kumejima Island, Okinawa Islands, represent the first record of this species from Japanese waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the sound production mechanisms of male and female Ophidion rochei (Ophidiidae) differ significantly, temperature affects them in the same manner. In both sexes, temperature correlated negatively with pulse period and positively with sound frequencies but had no, or weak effects on other sound characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicometra Odhner, 1902 (Digenea: Opecoelidae) is one of the largest genera within Plagioporinae Manter, 1947. All 34 nominal species possess a single polar filament on the egg, a unique, conspicuous helical uterus, and they parasitize the intestinal tract of 75 families, 172 genera, and 296 species of mostly marine piscine hosts from shallow to deep waters and from equatorial to polar latitudes. This study describes a new species of Helicometra from the cusk-eel Luciobrotula corethromycter Cohen, 1964 (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) collected from 1,280 m depth in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, and it represents the first report of a parasite from the genus Luciobrotula Smith and Radcliffe in Radcliffe, 1913. A key is presented for Helicometra, all species of which are placed into one of four groups based on oral sucker shape, cirrus-sac length, and vitelline follicle distribution. Analyses and conclusions are given for trends observed in zoogeography, life history, and host families (definitive and intermediate) of Helicometra as well as the presence of this parasite in the deep sea and in Ophidiidae Rafinesque, 1810. A prospective life cycle for the new species includes a gastropod as first intermediate host, a caridean shrimp as second intermediate host, and an ophidiid cusk-eel as a definitive host. We provide a comprehensive historical faunal review of all species of Helicometra with information presented on taxonomic status (synonymies, validity of species), definitive and intermediate hosts, infection sites, geographic localities, and museum accession numbers for deposited specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocotyle bathyhelminthos n. sp. (Opecoelidae: Plagioporinae) is described from the cusk-eel, Luciobrotula corethromycter Cohen, 1964 (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), collected at depths of 622-1,280 m in the northern Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea off Colombia. The new species is distinguished by possessing a combination of the following features: an elongate oval body shape, a sucker width ratio of 1:1.4-1.9, deeply lobed and irregularly-shaped testes, a cirrus-sac that extends just in to the hindbody, a trilobed ovary and vitellarium that extend to the ventral sucker level. Several unique features in P. bathyhelminthos n. sp. were not present in all, or almost all, recognized species of Podocotyle including a conspicuous deep cleft at the posterior end of the worm, a small transverse ridge on the ventral surface immediately anterior to the ventral sucker, uterine loops extending ventral to the caeca and, at times, lateral to the caeca, a thick-walled metraterm extending 1/3 to 1/2 the length of the cirrus-sac and P. bathyhelminthos n. sp. parasitizes a deep water piscine host. Podocotyle etheostomae Aliff, 1973 is declared a nomen nudum. A brief discussion of Podocotyle Dujardin, 1845 in deep waters is presented, and a gastropod, caridean shrimp and cusk-eel are hypothesized as hosts in the life cycle of P. bathyhelminthos n. sp. in the deep sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Crustaceana is the property of Brill Academic Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cusk-eels and brotulas of British Columbia have been poorly studied, and until now, there were published records of only Spectrunculus grandis and Brosmophycis marginata from our waters. However, a single specimen of S. crassus has been identified from among the few S. grandis from British Columbia held at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Furthermore, increased sampling effort from deep-water surveys, shrimp surveys, and the commercial fishery revealed 5 additional cusk-eel species and 1 brotula offshore of British Columbia. Two specimens of Chilara taylori were collected from the southern Strait of Georgia at depths of 78 to 109 m. A single specimen of Acanthonus armatus was taken from near Triangle Island at 1778 m and is the 1st record for the eastern North Pacific Ocean. One specimen of Cherublemma emmelas was found at 1097 m in Kyuquot Canyon, west of Vancouver Island; 4 specimens of Bassozetus zenkevitchi were collected from depths of 1909 to 2125 m west of Vancouver and Graham islands; and a specimen of Cataetyx rubrirostris from 2000 m and a Porogadus promelas from 1967 m were taken in Queen Charlotte Sound, east of the Tuzo Wilson Seamounts. Because of increased sampling effort from 1999 to 2007, we now understand the number of cusk-eels and brotulas in British Columbia to be 9 species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, three of the seven described species of Sirembo Bleeker, 1858 and both species of Spottobrotula Cohen & Nielsen, 1978 are considered valid. The present revision is based on 73 specimens of Sirembo known from the Red Sea to Japan and southwards to off northwestern Australia and northern New South Wales and 19 specimens of Spottobrotula known from the Persian Gulf to the Mozambique Channel and from the Andaman Sea. The main characters separating the two genera are the number of long rakers on the anterior gill arch and the form of the sagittal otolith. Based on this distinction Spottobrotula amaculata Cohen & Nielsen, 1982 is transferred to Sirembo. While newly caught specimens can easily be identified by their colour pattern, preserved material requires identification based on meristic and morphometric characters. Three new species are herein described, Sirembo wami, Spottobrotula mossambica and Spottobrotula persica, while Sirembo jerdoni is reported for the first time from Vietnam. These and all other species of the two genera can be identified by combining number of long gill rakers, number of pseudobranchial filaments, number of pectoral fin rays, number and size of scales between dorsal fin origin and lateral line, and prepelvic and pelvic fin length in per cent of SL. The distinction from other genera is discussed. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5C523099-D826-495E-B880-98B99B1D1714 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otolith stable-oxygen-isotope composition and microstructure were analysed in order to investigate the vertical habitat shift of deep-sea cusk eels (Ophidiiformes). Otolith δ18O profiles suggested that both viviparous blind cusk eels and oviparous cusk eels experienced a pelagic larval stage and then settled to the deep-sea floor over a vertical distance that ranged among individuals from 200 to >1000 m. This result shows that the larvae of viviparous Barathronus maculatus undertake an ontogenetic vertical migration after a period of larval drift that may facilitate their wide distribution on the sea floor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on morphology of rare species Lamprogrammus niger (Ophidiidae) first caught in the central part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge are presented. The studied specimen slightly differs from fish of the given species from the Indian Ocean and the continental slope of western Africa. Generalized data on distribution of L. niger in the World oceans are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sirembo imberbis was determined by the bioinformatic assembly of the next generation sequencing (NGS) reads. Total length of the mitogenome was 16,717 bp, which harbors the conserved 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 ribosomal RNAs (12S and 16S), 22 tRNAs, and two non-coding region (the control region and the origin of light-strand replication). Among 13 protein-coding genes, unusual start codon (GTG) was exclusively identified in COX1, while the incomplete stop codons (TA- or T–) were detected in COX2, COX3, ND2, ND3, ND4 and CytB. As a result of phylogenetic tree, S. imberbis formed a cluster of the family Ophidiidae together with Bassozetus zenkevitchi and Lamprogrammus niger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which described the new species of Aporocotyle (A) and the specimen of A. ymakara from the country of Argentina. Between 2007 and 2010 from two zones of the Argentinean shelf, a total of 52 specimens of Genypterus blacodes were collected. A. mariachristinae is distinguished from the other species because of its unusual asymmetric arrangement of posterior caeca. Partial 28S recombinant DNA sequence was obtained from A. argentinensis for molecular comparison. The most used morphological traits to differentiate species of the genus Aprocotyle are cited.

Background: Many Ophidiidae are active in dark environments and display complex sonic apparatus morphologies. However, sound recordings are scarce and little is known about acoustic communication in this family. This paper focuses on Ophidion rochei which is known to display an important sexual dimorphism in swimbladder and anterior skeleton. The aims of this study were to compare the sound producing morphology, and the resulting sounds in juveniles, females and males of O. rochei. Results: Males, females, and juveniles possessed different morphotypes. Females and juveniles contrasted with males because they possessed dramatic differences in morphology of their sonic muscles, swimbladder, supraoccipital crest, and first vertebrae and associated ribs. Further, they lacked the 'rocker bone' typically found in males. Sounds from each morphotype were highly divergent. Males generally produced non harmonic, multiple-pulsed sounds that lasted for several seconds (3.5 ± 1.3 s) with a pulse period of ca. 100 ms. Juvenile and female sounds were recorded for the first time in ophidiids. Female sounds were harmonic, had shorter pulse period (±3.7 ms), and never exceeded a few dozen milliseconds (18 ± 11 ms). Moreover, unlike male sounds, female sounds did not have alternating long and short pulse periods. Juvenile sounds were weaker but appear to be similar to female sounds. Conclusions: Although it is not possible to distinguish externally male from female in O. rochei, they show a sonic apparatus and sounds that are dramatically different. This difference is likely due to their nocturnal habits that may have favored the evolution of internal secondary sexual characters that help to distinguish males from females and that could facilitate mate choice by females. Moreover, the comparison of different morphotypes in this study shows that these morphological differences result from a peramorphosis that takes place during the development of the gonads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bathyal genus Penopus (Ophidiidae) is revised based on 23 specimens. One specimen from the Ryukyu Trench represents a new species, Penopus japonicus. The remaining 22 specimens were found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and neither 28 meristic and morphometric characters nor several morphological characters show any differences between the two populations. This supports Séret (), who considered Penopus macdonaldi Goode and Bean a junior synonym of Penopus microphthalmus (Vaillant ). The new Japanese species can be separated from the Atlantic species by having fewer rays in the dorsal (117 vs. 135-158) and anal (89 vs. 106-122) fins, the squamation of the head restricted to the middle part of the preopercle versus the squamation covering the dorsum, preopercle and the opercle in part, a distinct spine behind the posterior nostril versus the spine hardly visible and 9 spines on the hind margin of the preopercle versus 4-7 spines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bathyal genus Bassogigas (Teleostei: Ophidiidae) is revised based on 25 specimens, 18 from the west Atlantic Ocean and seven from the Indo-west Pacific Ocean. One specimen, from off Guam, west Pacific Ocean, represents a new species, Walker's cusk eel Bassogigas walkeri. The other 24 specimens all belong to the type species, Gills cusk eel Bassogigas gillii. A comparison between the Atlantic and the Indo-west Pacific Ocean specimens of B. gillii showed no differences in meristic and morphometric characters, but in two of the Indo-west Pacific Ocean specimens the sagittal otolith varied somewhat from the remaining specimens. The two Bassogigas species differ in the length of the lateral line, the number of scales in the midline of the body, the form of the median basibranchial tooth patches and in the thickness of the otolith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomical structures of the sound-producing organ in Ophidion rochei males present an important panel of highly derived characters: three pairs of putatively slow sonic muscles; a neural arch that pivots; a rocker bone at the front pole of the swimbladder; a stretchable swimbladder fenestra; a swimbladder plate; and an internal cone that terminates in a pair of membranes in the caudal swimbladder. Male courtship calls are produced nocturnally and consist of trains of 10 to 40 pulses that increase in amplitude and decrease in rate before exhibiting alternating periods of Ca. 84 and 111 ms. Each pulse includes an unusual waveform with two parts. Pulse part 1 is a single cycle followed by a longer duration pulse part that exhibits gradual damping. Sounds and morphology suggest two hypotheses on the sound-producing mechanism. The 'pulley' hypothesis would require an alternate contraction of the ventral and dorsal muscles to form the two parts of each pulse. The 'bow' hypothesis involves a release mechanism with the sustained contraction of the dorsal muscle during all of the call, and the rapid contraction/relaxation of the ventral muscle to form each pulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Underwater sound and video observations were made at noon, sunset, and midnight in sand, gravel, and boulder habitat in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Maine, USA in October 2001 using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Seventeen species of fish and squid were observed with clear habitat and time differences. Observations of feeding behavior, disturbance behavior, and both interspecific and intraspecific interactions provided numerous opportunities for potential sound production; however, sounds were recorded only during a single dive. Although high noise levels generated by the ROV and support ship may have masked some sounds, we conclude that fish sound production in the Gulf of Maine during the fall is uncommon. The recorded fish sounds are tentatively attributed to the cusk Brosme brosme. Cusk sounds consisted variously of isolated thumps, widely spaced thump trains, drumrolls, and their combinations. Frequency peaks were observed at 188, 539, and 1195 Hz. Use of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as a passive acoustic observation platform was problematic due to high ROV self-noise and the ROV’s inability to maintain a fixed position on the bottom without thruster power. Some fishes were clearly also disturbed by ROV noise, indicating a potential ROV sampling bias. Based on our observations, we suggest that new instruments incorporating both optic and passive acoustic technologies are needed to provide better tools for in situ behavioral studies of cusk and other fishes [Current Zoology 56 (1): 90–99 2010]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chile has promoted the diversification of aquaculture and red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis) is one of the prioritized species. However, many aspects of the biology of the species are unknown or have little information available. These include intestinal microbiota, an element that may play an important role in the nutrition and defense of cultured animals for meat production. This study compares the microbiota composition of the intestinal contents of wild and aquaculture fish to explore the microbial communities present and their potential contribution to the host. DNA was extracted from the intestinal content samples and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Ion Torrent platform. After the examination of the sequences, strong differences were found in the composition at the level of phylum, being Firmicutes and Tenericutes the most abundant in aquaculture and wild condition, respectively. At the genus level, the Vagococcus (54%) and Mycoplasma (97%) were the most prevalent in the microbial community of aquaculture and wild condition, respectively. The evaluation of predicted metabolic pathways in these metagenomes showed that in wild condition there is an important presence of lipid metabolism belonging to the unsaturated fatty acid synthesis. In the aquaculture condition, the metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides were relevant. To our knowledge, this is the first study to characterize and compare the intestinal microbiota of red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis) of wild and aquaculture origin using high-throughput sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the seasonal variations in the development of the sexually dimorphic sets of sonic muscles in the fawn cusk-eel Lepophidium profundorum, or Ophidiidae. The muscles are the species' sound-producing system. The study found that both male and female both gained weight during the summer, the ventral and dorsal muscles in female lose weight, indicating that sound production is of less importance in females and that its muscle mass could be used to support egg growth.

The systematics of the abyssal giant cusk-eel genus Spectrunculus was revised, based on the examination of 55 specimens recently collected from the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge and 32 specimens from earlier collections in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The conclusion of Nielsen and Hureau that only one sexually dimorphic species, S. grandis, exists, is rejected. The examination of meristics, external and internal morphometric characters, and body coloration allows the distinction between two species, requiring the resurrection of S. crassus. The major diagnostic characters are: number of dorsal-fin rays (135-148 in S. grandis vs. 121-139 in S. crassus), anal-fin rays (101-112 vs. 91-102), total vertebrae (77-88 vs. 71-78), otolith ostium depth in percentage of sulcus length (19-29% vs. 30-40%), and maximum standard length (<130 cm vs. <60 cm). In the North Atlantic S. crassus is most often darker than S. grandis, but because many exceptions exist, coloration proved an unreliable diagnostic character. The results are discussed with respect to evolution and ecology of two abundant sister species co-occurring in the lower bathyal and abyssal zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe use of parasite body size (i.e. body mass) is a promising proxy to improve the study of patterns in parasite infracommunities, which are usually analysed using only numerical descriptors. This study deals with the importance and effect of the presence of a large endoparasite species, the cestode Anonchocephalus chilensisin a marine fish species, Genypterus maculatus, on the structure of the parasite infracommunities. Numerical and volumetric measures of aggregated properties of parasite infracommunities were compared and their correlation examined. The highly dominant presence of A. chilensisby volume causes a dramatic change in the patterns observed, including a smaller total volume of the remaining species when this volumetrically dominant species is present. However, C-scores and V-ratios, both indices based on null models of species occurrence, do not support the idea of communities structured by interspecific competition. Analyses reveal that numerical and volumetric community descriptors are complementary ways to search for patterns and to reveal processes within these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the presence of four species of marine herbivorous fishes in northeastern New Zealand which includes the Aplodactylus etheridgii (Aplodactylidae) and Girella cyanea (Girellidae), Kyphosus bigibbus (Kyphosidae), and the Australasian herbivore A. arctidens. It determines the significance of the availability of adequate ecological resources such as habitat and food and the demographic and life history parameters. It concludes that all four fish species obtain their algal diet from the intertidal and upper subtidal.

The article examines whether observer presence affects commercial fishers' fish bycatch reports in the ling (Genypterus blacodes) bottom longline (BLL) fishery in New Zealand through the implications of observer presence on reporting of particular bycatch species and on the weight of spiny dogfish reported. The data that were given reveals that misreporting of bycatch is common and can introduce significant errors into total catch estimation that can have serious implications for fishery sustainability.

During austral summer and winter of 2003, three specimens of Aphyonus gelatinosus and one specimen of Barathronus bicolor (Ophidiiformes: Aphyonidae) were trawled off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??Three exterilium larvae (18.2?mm notochord length to 113.3?mm standard length) of an ophidiid,Lamprogrammus shcherbachevi, from the western North Pacific are described. The specimens had a highly specialized morph with a remarkably elongate trailing gut and ventral coracoid process, and many elongate anterior dorsal fin rays, as occur in other exterilium larvae, but were characterized by unique melanophore patterns (a cluster of melanophores on the back of the stalked pectoral fin base, a row of clusters midlaterally on the trunk and caudal region, and further clusters on the trailing gut). Although the largest specimen (113.3?mm standard length, much larger than the previously recorded maximum size of exterilium larvae) retained typical features of the exterilium stage, the ventral coracoid process was significantly reduced in size compared with that of a smaller specimen (37.8?mm standard length). Comparison of the largest specimen with an adult suggests that the anterior dorsal fin rays would disappear during the transformation stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of ophidiid larva referred to the Neobythitinae is described on the basis of one specimen (22.5 mm in standard length: SL) found in the “Dana” flatfish larval collection from New Guinean waters. It is characterized by a very high body (ca. 48% SL), with a single elongate first dorsal-fin ray and protruding abdominal cavity with a long fleshy appendage at its posteroventral end. Generic and specific affinities of the larva are discussed. It is supposed that the larva belongs to one of the Pycnocraspedum species, probably to P. squamipinne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the testicular structure and spermatogenesis of Ophidion barbatum are studied and the reproductive strategy of this species is analysed. The species has a rare type of spermatogenesis, called semicystic, in which the cyst ruptures in a stage prior to the spermatozoon stage. The most peculiar feature of the spermatozoon is its elongated shape, not typical of an oviparous species. Taking into account our results, the type of ovary and the spawning method, this species shows specialized characteristics which are fairly uncommon among oviparous species. The analysis of other biological aspects of the species, such as the capacity of the males to produce sounds, the low population density, the habit of individual members of burying themselves and the crepuscular habits, combined with our observations concerning their reproductive strategies, lead us to suggest a unique mating behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of exterilium larvae referable to Leptobrotula (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae) is described on the basis of two specimens (20.7+?mm and ca. 35.4?mm?SL) collected from the tropical Indo-Pacific. They are characterized, in particular, by several elongated anterior dorsal fin rays supported by the large dorsal pterygiophores and the exterilium gut bearing filamentous appendages along the ventral border. It is suggested from larval evidence that Leptobrotula forms a distinct lineage with Brotulotaenia and Lamprogrammus, which may be placed in an expanded Brotulonaeniinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of the "Dana" collection of larval fishes yielded 36 exterilium larvae and 17 rubaniform larvae, referable to the Ophidiidae. Both larval types reach large sizes before transformation and are characterized by an exterilium gut, although it is less strongly expressed in rubaniform larvae. Both have early-forming, elongate, descending processes of the coracoid that serve to support the trailing intestines. Both have a greatly reduced pelvic girdle attached to a stalklike cartilaginous structure, resulting in a pelvic fin origin well posterior to the cleithral symphysis, a position that is without precedent in the family Ophidiidae. Both of these larval types also strongly display an anterior to posterior developmental sequence, lose the pelvic fin rays at transformation, and have extraordinarily elongate proximal radials supporting their dorsal and anal fins and modified proximal radials supporting the anterior dorsal fin rays. After examination of these larvae and reference to 5 previously described exterilium larvae and 1 previously described rubaniform larva, we conclude that they belong to Lamprogrammus (three species) and Brotulotaenia (four species), respectively. The most recent classification of the Ophidiidae places Brotulotaenia in the monotypic subfamily Brotulotaeniinae, and Lamprogrammus in the subfamily Neobythitinae along with 37 other genera. The latter subfamily is an unwieldy assemblage for which monophyly has never been established. Ontogenetic evidence suggests a closer relationship between Brotulotaenia and Lamprogrammus, and the most economical reorganization of the ophidiids would involve incorporating the latter genus into the Brotulotaeniinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cybium: International Journal of Ichthyology is the property of Societe Francaise d'Ichtyologie (SFI) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The occurrence of the dracunculoid nematode Philometra chilensis Moravec, Chávez et Oliva, 2011 (Philometridae) infecting the ovary of the red cusk-eel, Genypterus chilensis (Guichenot), off the Pacific coast of northern Chile is reported. A sample of 266 fish specimens (total body length 34-96 cm) revealed the nematode overall prevalence (April 2007) of this parasite to be 18.5% and the mean intensity of infection 17.9 (SD = 30.8). All infected fish were mature females. The present results suggest that infection by the nematode shows seasonality and coincides with specific reproductive stages of the red cusk-eel, a partial spawner, and as a result the infection can affect the reproductive success of the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]