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The Plio-Pleistocene Kazusa Group, situated in the middle and upper basin of the Tama River in Northwestern Tokyo, Japan is known to have yielded various vertebrates, including both terrestrial and marine mammals as well as chondrichthyan fishes. Recently, osteichthyan fish fossils have been discovered from this stratum. Notably, marine fish fossils have been discovered in the Oyabe, Hirayama, Komiya, Oyamada, and Renkoji formations of Kazusa Group. Of these formations, the Oyabe Formation has revealed Clupeiformes and the first East Asian fossils of the Plotosidae, while the Renkoji Formation has yielded Clupeiformes, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, and the second recorded occurrence of the Mugilidae in Japan. These recent discoveries suggest that the Kazusa Group in Northwestern Tokyo has the potential to be a significant stratum for the study of Quaternary marine fossil osteichthyan fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 is a teleost fish widely distributed in coastal waters that plays an important role in commercial fisheries. In the present study, the complete mitogenome of M. cephalus from the Yellow Sea, China, was sequenced using Illumina Novaseq sequencing. The mitogenome of the M. cephalus was 16,744 bases in length (GenBank accession No. ON262567) including 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and a D-loop control region. The overall base composition of the genome was 28.2% A, 29.5% C, 26.9% T, and 15.4% G. The analysis of genetic similarity and phylogenetic relationship of M. cephalus from different geographic regions of the world indicated that the species from the Yellow Sea was most similar to NWP1 which is one of the three cryptic species of M. cephalus in Northwestern Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three juvenile Atlantic tripletail Lobotes surinamensis caught opportunistically in Charleston Harbor (South Carolina, USA) and maintained in captivity for over three months displayed an altered swimming behavior. While no direct causation can be demonstrated herein, fish were infected in their brain by strigeid trematode larvae (metacercariae) of Cardiocephaloides medioconiger, which were identified via ITS2 and 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Histology showed nonencysted metacercariae within the brain ventricle between the optic tectum and tegmentum, causing distortion of tegmental parenchyma. Aggregates of mononuclear inflammatory cells were in the ventricle adjacent to metacercariae. Metacercarial infection by Cardiocephaloides medioconiger has been reported from the brain and eyes of only two other fish species from the northern US Atlantic coast: the grey mullet Mugil cephalus and silverside Menidia menidia, but this identification is problematic and needs molecular verification. Atlantic tripletail is a new report as a second intermediate host for C. medioconiger and South Carolina is a new locality. Cardiocephaloides species in general have a low host specificity and infection by C. medioconiger could propagate to other fishes and affect neighboring natural ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many members of the mullets (family Mugilidae) are very similar morphologically, hence the possibility of taxonomic misidentification. This study involved the use of skeleton structure to distinguish four species of mullets, including Cremugil crenilabis, Liza macrolepis, Moolgarda engelii, and Mugil cephalus, harvested from Aceh waters, Indonesia. The mullets samples were collected from 10 locations, and a total of 10 samples were taken randomly as representatives of each species. The skeletal sample was prepared using the dry method. The results showed the presence of 8 pairs of ribs in C. crenilabis and L. macrolepis, while M. engelii had 9, with 10 in M. cephalus. In addition, the origin of the haemal canal of C. crenilabis is at the 12th vertebrae, extends to the 23rd, while for the other three species it starts at the 10th and extends to the 23rd. In addition, C. crenilabis possesses 12 haemal canals, but the rest have 14. The haemal canal is present in the last precaudal vertebrae of all specimens, except C. crenilabis, whose epural bone in the caudal skeleton is small and located far from the preural, while a larger and distinctly attached form is observed in the rest. Furthermore, L. macrolepis possess a pair of diapophyses, which laterally extend in the 2nd vertebrae. This bone is absent in the three other species. The presence of diapophyses, the number of ribs and haemal canals and the location of the epural bone in the caudal skeleton, and the condition of frontal attachment to the sphenotic are the important characters in distinguishing the four investigated species of mullets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the fish taxon Mugiliformes, the larval development of Mugil cephalus has been studied most intensively, because it has the widest range of distribution among all mugilids and is of interest to aquaculture all over the world. Although numerous studies have dealt with larval rearing, growth and development, the osteological development of M. cephalus and mugiliforms in general has largely been neglected. Herein, we describe the skeletal development of mullets for the first time. Cleared and double-stained specimens of aquaculture-reared M. cephalus and wild-caught mugilid larvae were examined to describe the early development of the pectoral and pelvic girdle, the vertebral column and the caudal and median fins. The description of four embryonic and six larval developmental steps within the embryonic and larval period enables us to compare larval sizes of reared and wild-caught larvae. Ontogenetic fusions of ural centra 1 and 2 into a compound centrum, in addition to the fusion of two pterygiophores in the anal fin, have implications for the perception of the adult morphology. Moreover, comparison of mugilid development with that of other ovalentarian taxa shows that recent phylogenetic hypotheses need further morphological investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blast fishing is an illegal, ecologically destructive fishing method, fatal for many fish species at large scales. Blast fishing using dynamite is preferred by the fishers, especially small scale fisheries in Turkey, as it requires minimal effort but still results in higher catches. In the current study, demonstration of 20 controlled real-time blasting results involves species composition, size of fish, catch rates, catch composition, commercial/discard ratios, CPUE estimates and clinical observations of external and internal abnormality symptoms of fish species. Blasting trials were carried out with special permission in limited numbers because of its harmful effect. The collected data was tested using PRIMER v6 and diversity indices were also analysed. For the similarity between collected species cluster analysis was used to examine the stability of the results. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) was also applied for the assessment of fish species in the catch. A total of 1014 individuals (63.8 kg) were collected and 18 fish species belonging to seven families were examined. According to laboratory examinations, it was found that blasting caused different external and internal abnormality symptoms in the sampled fish species during the study. The fisherman we had a conversation with who lost his right hand due to the blast fishing. Some observed external and internal abnormality symptoms: Quantity of mucus (shiny skin) in Sand steenbras (a), haemorrhage and anal prolapse around the anus in European seabass (b); damage to internal organs, rib and vertebral column fractures and ascites with blood in European seabass (c) and Golden grey mullet (d). Percentage distribution of the species composition of blast fishing in number and biomass. [Display omitted] • First determination of internal and external abnormalities caused by blast fishing on fish species. • The findings and statements of this study are vital for IUU fishing in fisheries management in the eastern Mediterranean. • A message to IUU fishermen: The blast fishing harms the product that is tried to be sold and you are risking your life too. • Illuminating of blast fishing: Catch and cause abnormality symptoms of fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different groups parasitize the gills of fishes, and the organisms can interact in positive, negative, or neutral ways, depending on parasitic abundance, environmental conditions, and the availability of resources. Here, we studied the distribution of ectoparasites on the gills of the mullet Mugil curema in the Cabedelo port region (Brazil), asking if (1) the gill parasites of M. curema fix on specific host gill arches and/or (2) co-occur in the same gill arches within a host individual; (3) if the abundance of one parasite taxon affects the abundance of another on the same gill arches; and (4) considering distinct major groups, if parasites present patterns of co-occurrence on hosts and gill arches different from the expected at random. We used generalized linear models, generalized linear mixed models, and models with zero inflation to define the microhabitats (arches) with the highest abundances of parasites and null models to analyze the co-occurrences of gill parasite groups. Three taxa of Monogenea (Ligophorus brasiliensis Abdallah, Azevedo & Luque, 2009, Ligophorus sp. 1 and Ligophorus sp. 2) and six species of Copepoda were recorded (Bomolochus nitidus Wilson, 1911; Caligus praetextus Bere, 1936; Ergasilus atafonensis Amado & Rocha, 1997; Ergasilus bahiensis Amado & Rocha, 1997; Ergasilus caraguatatubensis Amado & Rocha, 1997 and Ergasilus lizae Krøyer, 1863). We found that, in general, the gill parasites were more abundant/prevalent on specific arches (I and II) of the hosts, shared such preferences and co-occurred on the gill arches. The presence of one taxon influenced the occurrence of another only in the arches I and II; as a result, the infracommunities were characterized as interactive in the gills of this host species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the first case of aberrant coloration, namely xanthochroism or xanthism, in the thinlip grey mullet, Chelon ramada (Teleostei: Mugilidae), was reported. The specimen was caught by a purse seiner in November 2019, in İzmir Bay, in the Aegean Sea, and was a female, with mature ovaries, which indicated that it had been in spawning migration or activity on the sampling date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The abundance of a monogenean parasite was compared between native and invasive host ranges. • The effects of host length, water temperature and month of the year on parasite abundance were evaluated. • Generalised additive models were applied to analyse abundance data of the monogenean parasite. • A warm climate mediated by host defence mechanisms decreased parasite abundance. • Parasite abundance increased with the fish length, low temperature and cold months. One of the most intriguing questions in invasive biology is how an introduced species changes its population parameters in a new environment. Translocation of free-living species commonly results in co-introduction of their parasites. The current study focuses on the abundance pattern of the monogenean parasite Ligophorus llewellyni of the pacific so-iuy mullet, Planiliza haematocheila , across the native and introduced distribution ranges. We evaluated parasite release by the so-iuy mullet by comparing abundance patterns of L. llewellyni under effects of the host length, water temperature and month of the year in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Azov. Generalised additive models applied to analysis of parasite abundance data showed that relationships between the mean number of L. llewellyni and the three tested independent variables were not linear. Our results suggest that the introduced host lost a large amount of parasite abundance due to the effect of warm climate in a new region, which is mediated by host defence mechanisms. The abundance of L. llewellyni rapidly rose in autumn, as fish activity and immune response decrease, reached the maximum in winter and began to fall in spring as a warm temperature facilitates the fish immune defence. The abundance of L. llewellyni showed an initial increase in response to fish growth and reached an asymptote. The response curves built for native and introduced regions reached an asymptote at different fish body lengths, reflecting the fish growth rate, which is higher in the introduced range of P. haematocheila. We found that the carried parasite species holds the same trend in relationships compared with its native area, between the mean number of monogeneans per host and independent variables increasing abundance with fish length, low temperature and cold months. Our results open new perspectives for future research on statistical modelling of parasite abundance across native and introduced distribution ranges in order to provide deeper insight into host-parasite interactions of invasive populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two specimens (109.5, 158.3 mm in standard length) of the half-fringelip mullet, Crenimugil heterocheilos (Bleeker, 1885) (Teleostei: Mugilidae), were collected from a river in northern Okinawa-jima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, southern Japan, on March 20, 2017 and March 22, 2018. These two specimens represent the first record of C. heterocheilos from Okinawa-jima Island and extends the known range of the species approximately 500 km north-eastward from its previously recorded northernmost range. The specimens collected from Okinawa-jima Island are considered to have been transported by the Kuroshio current in an early life stage (egg / larva) from a region to the southwest. Following a year of monthly underwater visual census surveys, C. heterocheilos was confirmed to overwinter in the river on Okinawa-jima Island. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grey mullets are remarkably characterized by their overall uniform external morphology. Identifying species as well as positioning the Mugiliformes in a phylogenetic context is rather difficult. Most recently they were placed in the newly erected Ovalentaria, but more detailed relationships to potential sister taxa were not resolved. Studying the internal morphology, especially the osteology, might provide new insights into the evolution of the Mugiliformes as well as help clarify their phylogenetic position within the Ovalentaria. A detailed osteology of the golden grey mullet Liza aurata is presented. The use of cleared and stained specimens allowed for a complete examination of bony and cartilaginous structures, and a 3D reconstruction from a μCT data set provided additional information on the positional relationships of the bones. Following this, the data obtained were compared with different mugilid species, particularly with the flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus. Several differences between these species could be identified, such as the position of the basisphenoid, the shape of the hyomandibular and the composition of the branchial arches. These characters might help in understanding the evolutionary changes happening within the mugiliforms and will provide the basis to study this taxon in detail, finally allowing the reconstruction of the body plan of grey mullets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasites are often key players in biological invasions since they can mediate the impact of host invasions or can themselves become invasive species. However, the nature and extent of parasite‐mediated invasions are often difficult to delineate. Here, we used individual‐based, weighted bipartite networks to study the roles (degrees of interactions of individuals in a modular network according to their within‐ and among‐module connections) played by native and invasive host individuals to their parasite communities. We studied two phylogenetically and ecologically close fish species, Mugil cephalus s.l. and Planiliza haematocheilus (Teleostei: Mugilidae). Planiliza haematocheilus is native to the Sea of Japan and invasive in the Sea of Azov whereas, M. cephalus s.l. is native to both seas. Based on the common evolutionary history that drives native host–parasite networks, we hypothesised that 1) native networks have higher modularity than invaded ones; and 2) invasive hosts in the invaded area play a peripheral role to structure parasite communities. We analysed the whole parasite community and subsets based on transmission strategy and host specificity of the parasite species to establish whether modularity and host roles are related to these features in the native and invaded areas. All networks were found to be modular. However, modularity tended to be higher in networks of the native area rather than those of the invaded area. Host individuals of both fish species played similar roles in the native area, whereas invasive hosts played a peripheral role in the networks of the invaded area. We propose that long‐term monitoring of the roles of invasive hosts in parasite communities can be a useful proxy for estimating the maturity of the establishment of the invasive hosts in an ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Myxinae represents the sister group to all other mugilids (Mugilidae) and comprises the two species Myxus elongatus and Neomyxus leuciscus. We present, for the first time, detailed descriptions of the body scales for both species. As typical for the family they have quadrilateral, square to rectangular shaped scales with radii and an approximately central focus. Their posterior margin, however, bears a more or less pronounced membranous outgrowth and cteni are absent from lateral body scales. In terms of their gross morphology, the scales of Myxus elongatus and Neomyxus leuciscus look very much alike, however, they can be distinguished by a more pronounced indentation on the anterior margin in Neomyxus leuciscus and a larger membranous outgrowth at the posterior margin in Myxus elongatus. Furthermore, geometric morphometry proved to be a valuable method to separate scales of both species. Therefore, body scales of mugilids can provide very helpful information for the identification of species in this otherwise challenging taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mullets are ecologic and commercially important fish species. Their ubiquitous nature allows them to play critical roles in freshwater and marine ecosystems but makes them more vulnerable to diseases and parasitic infection. In this study, a myxozoan survey was performed on three species of mullet captured from a northern Portuguese river. The results disclose a high biodiversity, specifically due to the hyperdiversification of Myxobolus. Thirteen new species of this genus are described based on microscopic and molecular procedures: 7 from the thinlip grey mullet Chelon ramada, 2 from the thicklip grey mullet Chelon labrosus, and 4 from the flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus. Myxobolus exiguus and Ellipsomyxa mugilis are further registered from their type host C. ramada, as well as six more myxospore morphotypes that possibly represent distinct Myxobolus species. Overall, the results obtained clearly show that the number of host-, site- and tissue-specific Myxobolus spp. is much higher than what would be expected in accordance to available literature. This higher biodiversity is therefore discussed as either being the result of the usage of poor discriminative criteria in previous studies, or as being a direct consequence of the biological and ecological traits of the parasite and of its vertebrate and invertebrate host communities. Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony analyses position the new species within a clade comprising all other Myxobolus spp. that infect mugiliform hosts, thus suggesting that this parasitic group has a monophyletic origin. Clustering of species in relation to the host genus is also revealed and strengthens the contention that the evolutionary history of mugiliform-infecting Myxobolus reflects that of its vertebrate hosts. In this view, the hyperdiversification of Myxobolus in mullet hosts is hypothesized to correlate with the processes of speciation that led to the ecological plasticity of mullets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wide variability in morphological features, geographical and host ranges of mullet acanthocephalan parasite Neoechinorhynchus agilis (Rudolphi, 1819), raises the question of taxonomic status of this species. Rudolphi's type and Yamaguti`s voucher specimens, as well as our own material from the WW Pacific and NE Atlantic region were used herein to provide comparative morphological analysis. Th e study revealed three different species of Neoechinorhynchus, N. (N.) agilis and N. (H.) personatus Tkach, Sarabeev et Shvetsova, sp. n. in the Atlantic and N. (H.) yamagutii Tkach, Sarabeev et Shvetsova, sp. n. in the Pacific. Strong morphological and morphometric differences were found between three described herein species from different hosts and regions. Th e dividing of N. agilis into three species, two of them are new, provides a basis for the further revision of host-geographical records of mullet acanthocephalan parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome of Moolgarda perusii, which is 16,781 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and a complete control region. The total base composition of the mitogenome is 28.7% T, 27.0% C, 28.5% A, and 15.9% G. Of the 13 PCGs, 11 PCGs start with an ATG codon. Eight PCGs use TAA/TAG/AGA as the termination codon, whereas five PCGs have incomplete stop codon TA/T. This study would be useful for further studying population genetics and understanding the phylogenetic relationship of the family Mugilidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A comprehensive mitochondrial phylogeny of the family Mugilidae (Durand et al., Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 64 (2012) 73–92 [1]) demonstrated the polyphyly or paraphyly of a proportion of the 20 genera in the family. Based on these results, here we propose a revised classification with 25 genera, including 15 genera currently recognized as valid (Agonostomus, Aldrichetta, Cestraeus, Chaenomugil, Chelon, Crenimugil, Ellochelon, Joturus, Mugil, Myxus, Neomyxus, Oedalechilus, Rhinomugil, Sicamugil and Trachystoma), 7 resurrected genera [Dajaus (for Agonostomus monticola), Gracilimugil (for Liza argentea), Minimugil (for Sicamugil cascasia), Osteomugil (for several species currently under Moolgarda and Valamugil, including M. cunnesius, M. engeli, M. perusii, and V. robustus), Planiliza (for Indo-Pacific Chelon spp., Indo-Pacific Liza spp., and Paramugil parmatus), Plicomugil (for Oedalechilus labiosus), and Squalomugil (for Rhinomugil nasutus)] and 3 new genera: Neochelon gen. nov. (for Liza falcipinnis), Parachelon gen. nov. (for L. grandisquamis) and Pseudomyxus gen. nov. (for Myxus capensis). Genus Chelon was shown to include exclusively Chelon spp. and Liza spp. from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and Liza spp. species endemic to eastern southern Africa. Genus Crenimugil should now include C. crenilabis, Moolgarda seheli and V. buchanani. Genus names Liza, Moolgarda, Paramugil, Valamugil and Xenomugil should be abandoned because they are no longer valid. Further genetic evidence is required to confirm or infirm the validity of the genus Paracrenimugil Senou 1988. The mitochondrial phylogeny of the 25 genera from the present revision is the following: [(Sicamugil, (Minimugil, Rhinomugil)); Trachystoma; ((Myxus, Neomyxus), (Cestraeus, Chaenomugil, (Agonostomus, Dajaus, Joturus), Mugil)); (Aldrichetta, Gracilimugil); Neochelon gen. nov.; (Pseudomyxus gen. nov., (Chelon, Oedalechilus, Planiliza, Parachelon gen. nov.)); ((Squalomugil, (Ellochelon, Plicomugil)), (Crenimugil, Osteomugil))]. Agonostomus monticola and several species with large distribution ranges (including Moolgarda seheli, Mugil cephalus and M. curema) consist of separate lineages whose geographic distribution suggests they are cryptic species, thus warranting further taxonomic work in the Mugilidae at the infra-generic level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Liza bandialensis Diouf 1991 is redescribed because previous descriptions have not been in well-distributed publications and have lacked sufficient detail or reference to voucher specimens. The description provided here is based on specimens from the Sine Saloum estuary, Senegal (West Africa), from where the species was originally described. The distinctness of the species is confirmed both by meristic and molecular criteria. L. bandialensis presents a unique combination of characters with a low number of scales in the longitudinal series (32–33), 10.5–12 transverse scale rows, and distinctly yellowish dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. The currently known distribution of L. bandialensis includes coastal waters of Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau. Finally, we provide a morphological identification key for the sixteen species of Mugilidae species occurring along the eastern central Atlantic coast of Africa. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The reproductive cycles of three mullet species from the Eastern Adriatic coast were described using several biological parameters (gonado-somatic index, oocyte diameter and sex ratio) to improve knowledge about their reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otolith microstructure was used to determine the age and evaluate the growth of juvenile white mullet (Mugil curema) during their residence in the coastal lagoon El Conchalito, B.C.S., Mexico, from May 1997 to May 1998. Juveniles were sampled monthly during the full and ebbing phases of the maximum high tide. The juveniles studied were between 16 and 42 mm standard length (SL) and from 22 to 109 days old. The Gompertz growth model appropriately described the relationship between age and SL (r² = 0.94). The average growth rate was 0.29 mm d-1 between 20 and 110 days of age, which was lower than the growth rate of the juveniles prior to entering the lagoon. This suggests that growth is faster along the coast than in the lagoon. The strategy of entering protected areas allows individuals to reach a size that maximizes escape from predators and, therefore, the probability of survival when reentering the coastal habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Branching patterns of the horizontal septum lateral line nerves (HSN) were studied in 123 teleostean species (including literature records) assigned to 96 families in 28 orders, primarily to indentify the group characterized by the presence of the dorsal longitudinal collector nerve (DLCN) for innervation of the trunk lateral line. In nonacanthomorphs, DLCN was absent, the trunk lateral line being mostly innervated by branches directly detached from HSN or those derived from the collector nerve running parallel to the former. In acanthomorphs, the dorsally arched trunk lateral line, typical of the group, was uniformly innervated by DLCN, indicating that presence of the latter was a synapomorphy of the group. Within the latter, DLCN was absent in Gasterosteiformes (Fistularia and Macroramphosus), Mugilidae, Atherinomorpha, Champsodontidae, Blenniidae, Callionymidae, Gobioidei, Istiophoridae, Gempylidae, Cynoglossidae, Ostraciidae, and Molidae. Monophyly of the Mugilidae plus Atherinomorpha was discussed based on the specialized innervation pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six experimental diets were designed containing two lipid levels (approximately 12% and 24%) and three protein levels (approximately 38%, 49% and 59%) with protein-to-energy ratios ranging from 19.72 to 29.83 mg protein kJ-1 gross energy. At both lipid levels, an increase in the protein content of the diet was achieved by decreasing the carbohydrate input. After 84 days of feeding to appetite, the fish (juvenile thick-lipped grey mullet, Chelon labrosus (Risso)) fed the high-oil diets of low and medium protein content were significantly larger than those fed low-lipid diets containing similar amounts of protein. The greatest weight gain and optimum apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) were recorded for the fish fed the diet with a P:E ratio of 19.72 mg protein kJ-1 gross energy. At both lipid levels, increasing dietary protein supplementation led to a decrease in voluntary feed consumption and ANPU. Whole-body lipid appeared to increase in response to a higher dietary oil component. At low levels of dietary lipid, the carcass protein content increased in response to elevated protein supply. This trend was less obvious at the higher level of lipid supplementation. Hepatic glycogen deposition was significantly lower amongst the fish fed the low-carbohydrate diets at both levels of supplemental oil, A significant increase in hepatosomatic index was also recorded which was not directly correlated with either dietary carbohydrate or protein:energy level. It can be concluded from the present experiment that the optimum protein-to-energy ratio for C. labrosus juveniles is in the order of 19.72 mg protein kJ-1 gross energy when fed the present diets containing 37.9% crude protein and 22.8% lipid. Additionally, for this species, lipid was seen as a more effective source of non-protein energy than a corn starch/dextrin mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Parasitic diseases represent a common issue in fish and, when histozoic forms are present, this elicits a chronic inflammatory reaction leading to granuloma formation. Despite the large knowledge of granuloma formation due to parasites in visceral organs, little is known about the development and the evolutive stages of granulomas in naturally infected fish. Mullets (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) are a widespread euryhaline fish species that harbor different parasites, thus representing a suitable model for the study of parasite-induced granulomas. Combining histopathology and immunohistochemical tools, we identified three developmental granuloma stages (pre-granuloma, intermediate, and late stage), that ranged from an intact parasite with mild signs of tissue reaction to the formation of a structured granuloma. The identified histological patterns could be reliable tools in the staging of the granulomatous response associated with histozoic parasites and are an attempt to broaden the knowledge of the inflammatory response in different host–parasite systems. Histozoic parasite–fish host interaction is a dynamic process that leads to the formation of a granuloma, a specific chronic inflammatory response with discernible histological features. Mullets (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae) represent a suitable model concerning the development of such lesions in the host–parasite interface. The present work aimed to identify granuloma developmental stages from the early to the late phase of the infection and to characterize the immune cells and non-inflammatory components of the granuloma in different stages. For this purpose, 239 mullets were collected from 4 Sardinian lagoons, and several organs were examined by combining histopathological, bacteriological, and immunohistochemical methods. Granulomas associated with trematode metacercariae and myxozoan parasites were classified into three developmental stages: (1) pre-granuloma stage, characterized by intact encysted parasite and with no or mild tissue reaction; (2) intermediate stage, with partially degenerated parasites, necrosis, and a moderate number of epithelioid cells (ECs); and (3) late stage, with a necrotic core and no detectable parasite with a high number of ECs and fibroblasts. The three-tier staging and the proposed morphological diagnosis make it conceivable that histopathology could be an essential tool to evaluate the granulomas associated with histozoic parasitic infection in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-finned mullet, Osteomugil perusii was caught along the eastern and western coasts of India. The finding of 12 specimens extends the current knowledge about the distribution of this mullet in the western Indo-Pacific to the Indian coast. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]