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This study tested the oxygen consumption rates (OCR), energy, and thermal coefficient of juvenile Lutjanus malabaricus (60 fish, size: 4.53 ± 1.14 g) at four temperatures of 22, 26, 30 and 34 °C. During 30 days of experimental period 5 fish tank−1 were reared at four temperatures with three replicates in intermittent flow respirometers in a recirculatory system under laboratory conditions. As expected, oxygen consumption rates increased significantly (P

The effects of temperatures (22, 26, 30 and 34 °C) and diets (commercial pellet and shrimp) on the growth properties and gastric emptying time (GET) of the tiger grouper × giant grouper (TGGG) hybrid were analyzed over a 30 day experimental period under controlled laboratory conditions. Food consumption (FC), food conversion rate (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR) and GET were significantly influenced by temperature and diet type. The highest mean SGR (1.00% BM day−1, p 0.05) were observed between any of the groups at 22 and 34 °C fed on either the shrimp or the pellet diet. The lowest statistically significant (p

In this study we aimed to analyze the effects of water temperature and diet on the length-weight relationship and condition of juvenile Malabar blood snapper Lutjanus malabaricus over a 30-d experimental period. The experiment was conducted in the laboratory using a flow-through-sea-water system. The fish were subjected to four different temperatures (22, 26, 30, and 34 °C) and two diets (commercial pellet and natural shrimp). Fish were fed twice daily. L. malabaricus exhibited negative allometric growth (b3) at 30 °C fed with shrimp diet, which indicated that fish weight increases faster than their length. The rest of the temperatures represented negative allometric growth (b

Temperature- and prey-specific gastrointestinal evacuation times and gastrointestinal emptying rates were estimated for Lutjanus malabaricus under laboratory condition by using X-radiography and serial slaughtering techniques. Fish were collected from Pulau Ketam, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia and subjected to four different experimental temperatures (22 °C, 26 °C, 30 °C and 34 °C) and two different types of feeding (pellet diet or shrimp (Acetes sp.)). The results of X-radiography and serial slaughtering showed that the initial voidance of faecal matter began 4–8 h after feeding at all temperatures. The fastest gut emptying time and rates were seen in the 30 °C group fed with shrimp diet (16 h), where the proportion of meal remaining in the stomach decreased from 100% to less than 8% after 12 h of starvation. A significant delay in gut emptying was observed in the 22 °C group fed with formulated pellet diet (28 h). The best performance was observed at 30 °C group fed with shrimp diet. L. malabaricus fish mass (W, g) was also incorporated into a modified square root model, which fitted the wet mass gut evacuation data obtained by the serial slaughtering method regardless of temperature and prey type (adjusted r2 > 0.99). The results of this study suggested that L. malabaricus should be cultured in 30 °C and fed with shrimp diet to optimize its commercial production and condition.

The sampling programme was conducted to determine the diversity and abundance in fish assemblages from June 2011 to July 2012 using gill and trawl nets and traps. A total of 13,132 individuals of fishes comprising 116 species and 50 families were recorded. Family Siganidae had the highest family abundance recorded with 43.0%. Siganus javus was determined as the most abundant species with a percentage value of 38.8%. Ninety species were caught and considered to be commercially valuable. Four species were recorded as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, which were Hippocampus spinosissimus, Hippocampus trimaculatus , Himantura uarnak, and Pegasus laternarius; while Himantura walga, Favonigobius melanobranchus, Favonigobius rechei. Epinephelus coioides , and Epinephelus diachanthus were listed as near threatened. Overall values of diversity, richness and evenness indices were found to be 2.60, 12.12 and 0.55, respectively. Estimates from these indices were an indication of high fish species composition, richness, and evenness in the population of fishes in Setiu wetlands. It is recommended that government should gazette the Setiu Wetlands as a state park in Terengganu for future planning.

This study describes the parasites and pathological condition of infected organ of the green mussel Perna viridis from Merambong Shoal, Western Johor Straits, Malaysia. Samples were collected randomly in November and December 2013. Histopathology techniques using Masson’s Trichrome staining protocol were performed and the thin sections were observed under light microscope. Result showed that gonad was the most infected organ followed by the digestive tubule, adductor muscle, intestine and mantle tissue. The parasites (apicomplexa) such as spore-like Nematopsis, macrogamont-like coccidian, mature oocyst-like coccidian, unidentified coccidian and protozoan were found in the adductor muscle, gonad and mantle. Meanwhile, the pathological conditions were found in all infected organs except the gill, such as particular melanin deposits in cytoplasm, Rickettsia-like or Chlamydiae organism and bacteria-like inclusions. Haemocytic infiltrations were found in the surrounding connective tissues of all infected organ...

The newly developed hybrid grouper: tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) × giant grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) (TG×GG), has a high resistance towards different environmental condition (eg. in euryhaline environment) due to its genetic improvement. This study aims to investigate the effects of different salinities (10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 ppt) on the gastric emptying time (GET) of the TG×GG hybrid grouper juveniles. The fish were fed with commercial pellet over a 30 days experimental period under controlled laboratory conditions. The GET was determined by X-radiographic method, using barium sulfate (BaSO4) as an inert food marker. The X-radiography images showed that the shortest GET (12 h) was observed in the 15 ppt group, whereas the longest GET (18 h) in 30 ppt group. The results suggests to culture TG×GG hybrid grouper juveniles in 15 ppt with commercial pellet diet as this salinity proliferates faster digestion process which may contribute faster growth rate of this important fish species. Overall, these findings would be useful for the betterment of TG×GG hybrid grouper aquaculture which will eventually boost up the production of this newly developed hybrid grouper species.

Aims: A study was conducted to investigate the status of agrochemicals used and its impact on aquatic biodiversity in the Chalan beel, the largest beel of Bangladesh. Original Research Article Sayeed et al.; AJEA, 6(5): 267-289, 2015; Article no.AJEA.2015.086 268 Duration of Study: A period of six months from January to June 2009. Methodology: The study was based on questionnaire survey. A semi structured and structured questionnaires were developed, pretested and adapted prior to the survey proper. Results: The abundance of several fish species showed decreasing trend from 1982 to 2009. The average total annual fish production of the beel was 12017.57 MT having average fish production of 281.86 kg ha -1 during the study period. Crop farmers applied 2.76 kg pesticide ha -1 crop -1 and average annual chemical fertilizers practiced was more than 125000 MT. A total of 108 and 143 large to minor scale fish mass mortality incidences were recorded with estimated fish damage of 2117 and 2980 kg respectively during the study period. Conclusion: It is the obligation of concerned GOs, NGOs and the people of Bangladesh to control the gear efficiency in the Chalan beel, stop the illegal usage of harmful pesticides and provide alternative livelihood options to the resource-poor fishers of the beel along with other measures for sustainability of the Chalan beel a major fish reservoir of the country.

The stomach contents of Omobranchus sp. (family Blenniidae) larvae were investigated in a seagrass-mangrove based ecosystem in Johor Strait, Malaysia from October 2007 to September 2008. Specimens of larval fish were collected through subsurface towing of a Bongo net from five different stations. The stomach sacs of 267 Omobranchus sp. larvae were separated and observed, which comprised of 24 significant food stuffs belonging to 6 main groups viz. phytoplankton (62.45%), zooplankton (18.24%), algae (5.56%), plant-like particles (5.75%), debris (4.22%) and unidentified particles (2.03%). In situ water parameters were also measured throughout the sampling cruises. There was a strong and significant positive correlation between stomach phytoplankton and salinity (r = 0.658, p0.05).? Canonical correlation analysis indicated a weak relationship (29.8%) between stomach contents and physico-chemical parameters. Only salinity appeared to be the controlling factor for the stomach contents of Omobranchus sp. larvae in the investigated area. Based on the stomach content analysis, it could be concluded that Omobranchus sp. were mainly herbivorous during the larval stages. ?

The tropical conch, Laevistrombus canarium (Linnaeus, 1758) and Canarium urceus (Linneaus, 1758) are ecologically and economically important shellfish species in Malaysia and neighboring region. Their populations, however are currently declining and this histopathological study investigates the aspect of parasitism and diseases that may affect their well-being. Conch samples were randomly collected from their natural habitat and histological sections (4–5 µm) of various organs and tissues were examined under light microscope. This was followed by ultrastructure analysis on infected tissues using transmission electron microscope (TEM). Based on the histological analysis, large numbers of gamonts, sporocysts and trophozoites of Apicomplexa-like parasites were observed in the vacuolated cells and pyramidal crypt cells of the digestive tubules, and in the digestive ducts. Furthermore, coccidian and oocysts-like Pseudoklossia sp. stages were also observed in the cells of the kidney. Apart from that, spores with cyst-like structure were observed in the digestive gland and kidney. Although the parasites were present in most of the organs analyzed, there was no obvious symptom, inflammatory response or mortality incurred on both species, which implies the possibility of a non-virulent relationship like commensalisms or mutualism. However, more investigations, including molecular studies, are needed to confirm the parasite identification and dynamics, and to further evaluate the nature of relationship between Apicomplexa parasites and their host.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a devastating, infectious virus affecting farming tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). In efforts to limit trans-boundary movement of this pathogen and reduce the economic and socioeconomic impact of disease in shrimp culture, there is considerable scope for more effective use of DNA-based methods of pathogen detection. To assess the prevalence of the WSSV, broods, nauplii and post-larvae (PL) samples were collected from nine shrimp hatcheries located in the southeast and southwest regions of Bangladesh during the period from February 2008 to May 2014 and subjected to screening for WSSV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The prevalence of WSSV during the 7-year period ranged from 48.15 to 62.99 %, 12.88 to 31.55 % and 4.03 to 8.89 % in broodstocks, nauplii and post-larvae, respectively. Out of a total of 5489 brood samples analyzed during the 7 years, 2,977 were found to be PCR positive for WSSV giving an overall prevalence of 54.24 %. The overall rates of PCR positive were 19.52 % for nauplii and 6.25 % for PL. The rates of infection in the nauplii and PL were much less than that observed in the broodstocks as the nauplii and PL samples were collected from broods found to be negative for WSSV by PCR. A follow-up study showed successful culture in about 87 % of the shrimp farms stocked with the PL that were PCR negative for WSSV. This study confirmed that PCR is an effective diagnostic tool for the screening of broodstocks before being used for spawning in the hatchery, to prevent vertical transmission of WSSV from parents to larvae. However, to avail the advantage of PCR screening for a risk-free crop, sources of potential horizontal contaminations should also be controlled.

X-radiography can be used to estimate gastric emptying time, which is valuable in calculating food consumption and growth rates in fishes. The movement of food through the alimentary tract (gastric motility) of banded archerfish, Toxotes jaculatrix (Pallas, 1767), was observed in the laboratory under natural conditions of temperature (27 °C) and salinity (28) using X-radiography, with barium sulphate (BaSO4) as an inert food marker. Nutrient absorption along the alimentary tract (expressed as relative percentage absorption gradient) was calculated using the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) based on ash contents of adjacent samples. We found that initial voiding of fecal matter began 6-12 hrs after feeding commenced, and that alimentary tracts were completely emptied within 96 hrs. Considerable proportions of all macronutrients were absorbed in the short region (anterior intestine/pyloric caeca), but active absorption continued along the longer middle and posterior intestinal segments. The macro- nutrient in wild-fed T. jaculatrix differed (51% protein, 63% lipid, 20% carbohydrate, and 40% energy) from that of laboratory-fed fish (75% protein, 96% lipid, 50% carbohydrate, and 87% energy), due to the fact that the proximate contents of macronutriet in the wild-fed fish were unknown, while the diet of the laboratory-fed fish was initially known. Gut passage times in T. jaculatrix was longer than those reported in various temperate carnivorous fishes, which is surprising given the higher temperatures in the tropics, however, all previous studies were performed on cultured fish fed commercial pellets and therefore direct comparisons are not possible. Slow gut passage may depend on the types of food ingested (e.g., high chitinous mealworm) that correlated to lower food consumption. Our results generally indicated that T. jaculatrix is opportunistic feeders regardless of the macronutrient content of the prey.

Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) in the ocean are predicted to affect vital physiological functions and possibly reduce growth of marine fish. Yet, studies on the impacts on marine fish with the increasing CO2 is still limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the elevated CO2 effect on the growth and welfare (condition factor, blood parameters, stress analysis, gill histology) of newly developed commercially important marine fish, tiger grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) × giant grouper (E. lanceolatus) hybrid or TGGG. TGGG juveniles were exposed for 120 days in a laboratory condition of CO2 groups: 390 μatm (control-current CO2), 610 μatm (moderate) and 1010 μatm (high) consistent with projections for CO2 concentrations in the ocean over the next 50–100 years. The experiments were done in triplicate (20 fish/tank; N = 180, total length = 20.0 ± 0.5 cm, weight = 94.0 ± 3.0 g). Results showed that the lowest specific growth rate (SGR) (0.65 ± 0.05% day−1) and condition factor (1.12 ± 0.01) were observed in high CO2. Unfavourable blood haematological and biochemical parameters were observed in high CO2 group. The highest stress level measured by glucose (102 ± 8 mg dL−1) and cortisol concentration (1.0 ± 0.1 ng mL−1) were also observed in the high CO2. Gill lesions were histologically observed in high CO2 treatment. The results suggested that high CO2 negatively affected the growth and welfare of TGGG. Outputs of this study would offers a simple tool to evaluate the potential risk of elevated CO2 to an important commercial marine grouper.

Trace metals (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) concentrations in muscles, livers and gills of three important marine fishes, Torpedo Scad (Megalaspis cordyla), Sea Catfish (Arius thalassinus) and Belangeri Croaker (Johnius belangeri) were studied using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The samples were collected from Mersing the eastern coastal waters of Peninsular Malaysia. The estimated ranges of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb concentrations in the muscles, livers and gills of the three fish species were 1.51-3.48, 17.54-28.34, 0.02-0.12 and 0.12-0.15; 15.8-26.0, 80.58-365.1, 2.32-6.14 and 0.57-1.54; 3.04-5.51, 61.63-259.3, 0.03-0.12 and 0.14-2.03 μg g-1 dry weight, respectively. Metal concentrations in the edible parts of the fish were assessed for human consumption according to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) and Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI). Generally, levels of metal in muscles were lower than those in livers and gills. Zinc concentration was found to be the highest among the tested metals in all three species. The estimated weekly and daily intakes for the studied metals were far below the PTWI and PTDI limits. Present study reveals that consumption of these fishes from the study area does not pose a risk to human health.

Larval stage of marine fishes, habitat characteristics, nursery and feeding ecology has been discussed in this review. Identification of fish larvae is difficult and that is why limited research is available on biology of fish larvae in the Indo-Pacific coastal region. Estuaries play a vital role in energy transfer between a river and a sea, which is especially important for many commercial coastal fishes whose larvae and juveniles are dependent on the estuary as a nursery and feeding grounds. Many coral reef fish species use mangrove and seagrass beds as nursery habitats. Diet composition of the family Clupeidae were made up of seven major categories to include phytoplankton, plant-like matter, debris, fragment of copepod, algae and unidentified food items. The most predominant food item in the gut of clupeids was phytoplankton (82.53%).

Morphometnc data of six dominant families of fish larvae were examined to observe the degree of similarity among the six families. The experiment was conducted in the seagrass-mangrove ecosystems of Gelang Patah, Johor Strait, Peninsular Malaysia. Samples of fish larvae were collected by using bongo net through 30 min subsurface tow. The six dominant families (Terapontidae, Gobndae, Sillaginidae, Nemipteridae, Blenniidae and Leiognathidae) were selected for the morphometric analysis using one-way ANOVA by SPSS and PRIMER 5 software for cluster analysis. All the morphometric characters, total length, standard length, body depth, snout length, head length, eye diameter and pre anal length of the six dominant families of the order Perciformes were found to be significantly different (p

Matsunuma, Mizuki, Mazlan, Abd Ghaffar, Arshad, Aziz, Seah, Ying Giat, K., Siti Tafzilmeriam S. A., Ramasamy, Azwarina Azmi, Babaran, Ricard P., Fukui, Yoshino, Motomura, Hiroyuki (2016): Distribution Range Extensions of Parapercis bicoloripes and P. diplospilus (Perciformes: Pinguipedidae) in the South China Sea and the Adjacent Waters, with Notes on Ontogenetic Changes in P. bicoloripes. Species Diversity 21: 187-196, DOI: 10.12782/sd.21.2.187

Reproductive biology of the introduced sailfin cat fish Pterygoplichthys pardalis in the Langat River of peninsular Malaysia was studied. Fish samples were collected monthly from Langat River during March 2003 - June 2004. The sex ratio observed for P. pardalis was female-biased with 1: 2. Gonadal maturity stage is achieved at 12.5 cm standard length (SL) for males and 13.0 cm SL for females. This species appeared to have continuous spawning that peaked when water levels were high between September and January. Egg sizes were found to reach as large as 3.3 mm in dia in the ovary; suggesting that they spawn in batches. Fecundity varied from 1297 to 18791 numbers per brood, proportional to individual size. Data obtained from this study indicate that the introduced sailfin cat fish has successfully colonised in Langat River in Malaysia.

Strombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 is an important gastropod species within the study area and was traditionally collected for food by the locals. The objective of the present study is to assess the incidence of imposex and its severity in this species. Adult conchs were sampled during their main reproductive period, from October 2005 to January 2006, at Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor Straits, Malaysia. A total of 32.81% of adult females showed imposex characteristics, with varying degrees of severity though. The relative penis size (RPS) index ranged from 1.74 to 33.29 (mean = 13.40 ± 2.27, n = 21), while the relative penis length (RPL) index ranged from 6.28 to 55.19 (mean = 25.83 ± 3.33, n = 21). The use of vas deferens sequence (VDS) index was however cannot be applied as the presence of egg groove obscured any vas deferens development in affected females. Sequence of imposex (male penis) development in female conch, from merely a small stump to an advance male penis homologous was therefore carefully analyzed and described, and an alternative imposex classification scheme was proposed. S. canarium can be a good indicator for monitoring of organotin pollution within the study area. However, more studies are needed in order to further develop and test its validity and application, such as its correlation with levels of pollutant within the tissues and the environment, as well as its application on other Strombus species.

Strombus canarium is a commercially important gastropod that has great potential for advancement into aquaculture. In this study, the metamorphosis response of Strombus canarium larvae to various metamorphosis cues associated with conch nursery habitat and to KCl and GABA, were tested. Bioassays were run as static, no choice experiment and adopting a continuous exposure approach. Strombus canarium larvae showed strong metamorphosis responses when sediment (i.e., conch nursery habitat sediment/SD-NU) and detrital substrata (i.e., Thalassia detritus leachate/T-LC) from their nursery habitat were used (p

The age, growth, mortality and population structure of Strombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 were examined in the Johor Straits, Malaysia from January to December 2005. A total of 2088 conchs were sampled where females were more abundant than males with monthly sex ratio of 1.72±0.17 (N = 12). The estimated growth parameter showed higher asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) in females (L∞ = 70.20 mm, K = 1.50 year-1) compared with the males (L∞ = 69.30 mm, K = 1.20 year-1). This resulted in better overall growth performance of females (φ’ = 3.81) compared with the males (φ’ = 3.48). The growth pattern of females and males showed positive allometric nature of growth (b>3, p

Several series of trawl surveys were carried out in the waters of Perhentian Islands using commercial trawlers. 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences were used to infer the phylogenetic relationships among nine morphospecies of leiognathids. The results showed that the genus Leiognathus is paraphyletic, whereas Gazza secutor , Photoplagios , Photopectoralis and Nuchequula are monophyletic. The molecular phylogenetic posions of the leiognathids studied were identical with morphological delineation, except for Photoplagios stercorarius . Branch of P. stercorarius was placed between Photoplagios spp. clade and clade of Secutor and Gazza . P. stercorarius was more affiliated to genus Photoplagios morphologically however have slight different features of light organ system compared with others three Photoplagios sp. caught in this study. It is probable that two distinct subclades occur in genus Photoplagios . Leiognathus equulus formed the base of the other leiognathids. Leiognathus splendens and Leiognathus jonesi formed a sister taxa to Photopectoralis species. Gazza formed a sister taxa to Secutor and Nuchequula formed a sister taxa to the group of trifurcation but toth with low bootstrap support. This study has shown that 16S mitochondrial rDNA is a good marker for phylogenetic analysis of the Leiognathidae.

The study was conducted at the Merambong Shoal, Johor Straits, Malaysia. Strombus canarium was the most abundant herbivorous mollusc within the study site, highly prized as seafood and contributes to the economics of the locals. Ontogenetic development of sex characters and sexual maturity were determined via logistic curve analysis, using shell-length and/or lip thickness as predictors. The minimum shell-length at which sex characters appeared was at 30 mm in males and 32 mm in females and both sexes can definitely be determined at more than 41 mm shell-length. The SX50 (probability of individuals can be sexed is 0.5) was at 38.33+0.41 mm for male and at 37.15+0.31 mm for female. The SL„ (length at which the probability of individuals are matured is 0.5) was at 54.14+0.86 mm shell-lengths for males and at 58.51+1.02 nun shell-lengths for females. The LIP„ (lip thickness at which the probability of individuals are matured is 0.5) values on the other hand was about 0.69+0.0003 and 0.80+0.014 mm for males and females respectively. The findings indicate that sexual dimorphisms occurred at very early stage in S. canarium life history

Key to species of Larimichthys 1 a Scales all cycloid; 2 nd anal spine longer than eye diameter; gas bladder appendage with dorsal and ventral limbs, rather short without long branches; anal fin soft rays 7; vertebrae 25................................................................................................ Larimichthys pamoides (northwestern Australia and southern New Guinea) 1 b Scales mostly ctenoid on body, cycloid below pectoral fin and on head........................................... 2 2 a Snout length greater than eye diameter; gill raker at the angle of first gill arch shorter than gill filament; 2 nd anal spine equal or slightly shorter than eye diameter; gas bladder appendage with two equally short limbs without elongated branches; dorsal fin soft rays 29-32; outer gill rakers of first arch 22���25; vertebrae 24.............................................................................................. Larimichthys terengganui sp. nov. (east coast of Peninsular Malaysia) 2 b Snout length less than eye diameter; gill raker at the angle of first gill arch longer than gill filament, gas bladder appendage with elongated branches on ventral limb.................................................................... 3 3 a Caudal peduncle length 3 times or more of its depth; 2 nd anal spine equal or slightly longer than eye diameter; scales small 8��� 10 transverse rows between dorsal origin and lateral line; ventral limb of gas bladder appendage with two equally elongated branches; vertebrae 25.................................... Larimichthys crocea (Fig. 5) (Yellow and East China Seas) 3 b Caudal peduncle length less than 2.5 times of its depth; 2 nd anal spine shorter than eye diameter; scales moderately large 5���8 transverse rows between dorsal origin and lateral line; ventral limb of gas bladder appendage with elongated anterior branch and a short posterior branch; vertebrae 28.................. Larimichthys polyactis (Fig. 6) (Yellow and East China Seas), Published as part of Seah, Ying Giat, Hanafi, Norhafiz, Mazlan, Abd Ghaffar & Chao, Ning Labbish, 2015, A new species of Larimichthys from Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), pp. 271-280 in Zootaxa 3956 (2) on pages 279-280, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3956.2.7, http://zenodo.org/record/231999

Seah, Ying Giat, Hanafi, Norhafiz, Mazlan, Abd Ghaffar, Chao, Ning Labbish (2015): A new species of Larimichthys from Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perciformes: Sciaenidae). Zootaxa 3956 (2): 271-280, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3956.2.7

Larimichthys terengganui sp. nov. (Figs. 1���4, Table 1) Larimichthys crocea (non Richardson, 1846): Matsunuma et al., 2011: 140. Holotype. NMMB-P 21523, 1 (161mm SL), fish landing port at Pulau Kambing, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, collected by Norhafiz Hanafi in March 2014. Paratypes. KAUM-I. 16977, 1 (200 mm SL), Kuala Terengganu, identified as Larimichthys crocea (photo on p. 140 in Matsunuma et al., (2011). NMMB-P 21723, 1 (166 mm SL), collected with holotype NMMB-P 21523, fish landing port at Pulau Kambing, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, collected by Norhafiz Hanafi in March 2014, (gas bladder and right side otolith extracted for illustration). NMMB-P 21542, 2 (151 & 155 mm SL), fish landing port at Pulau Kambing, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, collected by Norhafiz Hanafi, March 2014. NMMB-P 21524, 1 (161 mm SL), one of three from UMTF 0 5798, off Terengganu (Matsunuma et al. 2011). UMTF 0 5949, 0 5950, 2 (171 & 178 mm SL), two of three from UMTF 0 5798, off Terengganu (Matsunuma et al., 2011). UMTF 05951- 0 5956, 6 (153���173 mm SL), fish landing port at Pulau Kambing, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, collected by Norhafiz Hanafi, March 2014. Diagnosis. A species of Larimichthys with an equally short pair of ventral and dorsal limbs at the lateral ends of gas bladder appendage; gill raker length about �� the eye diameter, shorter than gill filament at the angle of first gill arch; snout length greater than eye diameter; 2 nd anal spine equal or slightly shorter than eye diameter; outer gill rakers of first arch 22���25. Inner gill rakers of first arch 17���19. Vertebrae 11 + 13 = 24. Second dorsal fin soft rays 29���32. Description. Counts and measurements of the type specimens are shown in Table 1. The following data are provided for the holotype, followed by the size range and mean for the 13 paratypes. Holotype Paratypes (n = 13) ......continued on the next page Holotype Paratypes (n = 13) Dorsal fin with IX spines on the anterior (spinous) portion and I spine and 29���32 soft rays on the posterior portion. Anal fin with II spines and 8 or 9 soft rays. Pectoral fin with 16���17 soft rays. Outer gill rakers of 1 st arch 7��� 9 + 15���17 = 22���25. Inner gill rakers of 1 st arch 5���6 + 12���14 = 17���19. Preopercular margin weakly indented no sharp spines. Lateral line pore scales 49���54. Circumpeduncular scales 18���20. Vertebrae 11 + 13 = 24. Gas bladder with 26 pairs of lateral appendages, including a couple of long branched appendages extended to the base of anal fin (Fig. 2). A pair of equally short ventral limbs at the lateral ends of gas bladder appendage, which are not extend lateral-ventrally to lower half of the body wall (Fig. 3). Sagitta (Fig. 4) kidney-shaped with a shallow tadpole-shaped sulcus mark on its inner surface, ostium (head) rounded, a shallowly grooved, cauda, and a conspicuous marginal groove dorsally; outer surface more elevated at posterior half. Body fusiform, elongated with a moderately large head, about 3 times in standard length (SL). Head cavernous but moderately firm. Snout 4.1���4.6 in head length, its tip with three upper and five marginal pores; rostral fold slightly indented below the marginal pores. Eye moderately large, oval shaped, horizontal diameter 4.4���5.9 in head length. Interorbital region broad, 3.3 ���4.0 in head length. Preopercular margin weakly indented without sharp spines or serration. Mouth large oblique, terminal, maxillary 1.8���2.1 in head length, the lower jaw slightly projecting, the mouth gape forming an angle of about 45 degrees. Tip of upper lip on horizontal passing near ventral margin of orbit. End of maxillary on vertical line passes near posterior margin of eye. Underside of lower jaw with 6 pores, the median pair set on tip of lower jaw. Teeth narrow set in ridges, upper jaw with an outer row of clearly enlarged, conical teeth bordered medially by a narrow row of smaller teeth. Lower jaw with a row of enlarged sharp teeth, several larger teeth clustered at the tip of lower jaw. Gill rakers, moderately long and slender, the longest one at the angle about �� the eye diameter, shorter than gill filament at the angle of arch. Anal fin truncate, the second spine short and fairly stout, 4.5���6.1 in head length. Caudal fin rhomboidal, about ⅔ of head length. Tip of pectoral fin vertically passed beyond the tip of pelvic fin but short of vent. Pelvic tip not filamentous, its distance to vent is greater than that of vent to anal fin origin. Scales moderately large, thin and ctenoid on posterior half of body behind the tip of pectoral fin tip, ctenii on scales becoming reduced anteriorly, below first portion of dorsal fin and between pectoral and pelvic fins. Transverse scale between dorsal fin origin and lateral line 6���7. Dorsolateral scales above lateral line ctenoid. Head squamation completely cycloid, scales becoming reduced and embedded on the snout and suborbital region. Soft dorsal and anal covered with small cycloid scales from base to distal margin. Pectoral, pelvic and caudal fins, with small cycloid scales at bases, naked distally. Lateral line pored scales smooth anteriorly, but with a small field of ctenii posteriorly. Pored lateral line scales usually with a single dorsal and ventral branch, occasionally more arborescent. Photophore perforated scales are also found on the belly, which are more prominent above anal fin base and extended to lower portion of caudal peduncle. Color in alcohol. Ground color brownish darker dorsally and fading to whitish pale ventrally. Snout, top of head, nape, dorsum and sides above level of pectoral fin base profusely dusted with very small brown chromatophores, becoming larger and more widely dispersed ventrally, and disappearing from ventral body surface. Tip of snout with a darkish blotch, upper lip with a dark margin dorsally, lower lip with a dark margin, roof of mouth pale, becoming dusky posteriorly to dark lining in upper part of inner opercula chamber, appearing as a dark triangle externally. Eye with dark upper and lower margin, suborbital pale with scattered silvery tint. Spinous dorsal with dark tip, distal margin of soft dorsal dusky; pectoral fin axil with a black blotch. Pelvic and anal fin pale to yellowish. Caudal lightly and evenly dusted. Belly with photophores along scale rows, 4���5 prominent rows above anal base to lower part of caudal peduncle. Peritoneum variably sprinkled with large, stellate, chromatophores, especially in anterior portion of the body cavity. Distribution. All know specimens of the species were collected from South China Sea around Kuala Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The species may be endemic to the area. Etymology. Named after the locality of the new species, Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Comparisons. Larimichthys terengganui can be distinguished from other species of the genus by having gas bladder appendages at ventral limb with a pair of equally short branches; both branches are elongate in L. crocea and only one is elongated anteriorly in L. polyactis. Although L. pamoides (specimens not examined) has a pair of short limbs (Trewavas, 1977, Fig. 60), but other characters are distinct from L. terengganui (Trewavas, 1977, p. 542), and as reported from northwestern Australia and southern New Guinea, appears to have a distribution separate from that of Larimichthys terengganui. Furthermore, L. pamoides is entirely covered in cycloid scales, unlike the other species which are mostly covered with ctenoid scales, with cycloid scales only on head and below pectoral fins. The new species has the least number of vertebrae (24), compared to the other species, 25 in L. crocea and L. pamoides, and 28 in L. polyactis. Larimichthys terengganui has fewer dorsal soft rays (29���32 vs. 31���36 in other Larimichthys). Furthermore, the second anal spine in L. terengganui is equal or slightly shorter than eye diameter, but shorter in L. polyactis, longer in L. pamoides and equal or slightly longer in L. crocea. Larimichthys terengganui can be distinguished from L. crocea and L. polyactis by having a gill raker shorter than gill filament at the angle of first gill arch, and a relatively elongated anterior part of fish (head length 30.6���34.2 % SL; snout to pectoral fin insertion 30.5��� 32.2 % SL; snout to pelvic fin insertion 33.0��� 35.9 % SL). External morphology of L. terengganui is most similar to that of L. crocea, with a snout length greater than eye diameter, whereas in L. crocea the snout is shorter than eye diameter. Larimichthys terengganui has fewer gill rakers on the first arch than Larimichthys crocea (22���25 vs. 26��� 28), and has fewer scales above lateral line than Larimichthys crocea (7���8 vs. 8���10). Diagnostic characters of the four species of Larimichthys are presented in Table 2. * Data from Trewavas (1977), for holotype of species. Remarks. The species was first reported in Matsunuma et al. (2011: 140) as a new record of Larimichthys crocea in east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Three specimens were kept at the UMT fish collection. In March 2014, Mr Norhafiz Hanafi collected additional specimens and which were subsequently identified as a new species described herein., Published as part of Seah, Ying Giat, Hanafi, Norhafiz, Mazlan, Abd Ghaffar & Chao, Ning Labbish, 2015, A new species of Larimichthys from Terengganu, east coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Perciformes: Sciaenidae), pp. 271-280 in Zootaxa 3956 (2) on pages 272-279, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3956.2.7, http://zenodo.org/record/231999, {"references":["Matsunuma, M., Motomura, H., Matsuura, K., Shazili, N. A. M. & Ambak, M. A. (Eds.) (2011) Fishes of Terengganu - east coast of Malay Peninsula, Malaysia. National Museum of Nature and Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Kagoshima University Museum, Kagoshima, ix + 251 pp.","Trewavas, E. (1977) The sciaenid fishes (croakers or drums) of the Indo-West-Pacific. Transactions of the Zoological Society London, 33, 253 - 541, pls. 1 - 14."]}

Water temperature can influence the metabolic rate of ectothermal animal such as, fish. This study aims to investigate the gastric emptying time (GET) of malabar blood snapper (L. malabaricus) at different temperature (22, 26, 30, 34°C) fed with commercial diet pellet. The gastric emptying times at different temperatures were determined X-radiographically, using barium sulfate (BaSO4) as a contrast medium food marker. The food marker and X-radiography showed that initial voidance of fecal matter began 4-8 h after feeding at all temperature. The fastest GET (18 h) was obsereved at 30°C, whereas the longest (28 h) GET was seen at 22°C. GET was increased with increasing temperature up to 30°C whereas decreased at extreme (34°C) and stress temperature (22°C). The findings of this study suggest to culture L. malabaricus at 26-30°C with commercial diet pellet as this temperature ranges escalate the faster digestion process which may contribute faster growth rate of this commercially important fish species. Overall, the data obtained from this study may have important consequences for optimization of commercial production of malabar blood snapper.

Laevistrombus canarium Linnaeus, 1758 is one of the important edible sea snail within the western Johor Straits, Malaysia. In this study, the impact of temperature on oxygen consumption (MO2) of L. canarium based on their ontogenetic changes (juvenile and adult) was measured in the laboratory condition at 22.0, 26.0, 30.0 and 34.0°C. Measurement of MO2 were taken every 1 s for 60 min on 4.20 – 34.00 g dog conch using respirometry chamber. All experiments were carried out in static conditions in five replicates with one snail per chambers. The results of oxygen consumption showed that juvenile dog conch respired at the rate of 0.163 ml h−1 and adult respired at the rate of 0.119 ml h−1. Consequently, the oxygen consumption in juvenile and adult dog conch was expressed as a total energy spends. The results indicates that total energy spend for oxygen consumed (ml h−1) of L. canarium at different temperature regimes (22.0 to 34.0°C) slightly increased over time period (0.63 ± 0.12 to 3.24 ± 0.05 J h−1) respectively. This finding of the present study suggested L. canarium is well adapted for life in high temperature environment.

Information on the feeding mechanism and diet of halfbeak fish species in harsh estuarine environment ecosystem is still lacking. The present study investigates the fine structure of pharyngeal jaw apparatus and diets of halfbeak fish Zenarchopterus buffonis. A total of 84 halfbeak fish samples have been collected from the coastal water of Peninsular Malaysia using fishing rod. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the micrographs of fine microstructure of the pharyngeal teeth. The fundamental anatomy of pharyngeal jaw apparatus displayed that the upper pharyngeal jaw (third pharyngobranchials) displays larger size of hook-like or tricuspid teeth which was analogous to tricuspid morphology. The lower pharyngeal jaw (fifth ceratobranchial) bears mainly conical teeth and appears triangular shape with two, short projections. The estimated TROPH values (1 − 3.2±0.55) denoted that halfbeak fish were omnivores in nature. The findings of this study was found to be useful as a baseline information for a better representation of the trophic flows associated with large medium and small surface water fishes.

The Boddart's goggle-eyed mudskipper, Boleophthalmus boddarti (Perciformes, Gobiidae) is an amphibious fish, inhabiting brackish waters of estuaries and builds burrows in soft mud along the intertidal zone. In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of B. boddarti was firstly determined. The circle genome (16,727 bp) comprises 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 1 control region. The overall base composition of B. boddarti is 29.1% for C, 28.9% for A, 25.9% for T, and 16.0% for G, with a slight A + T bias of 54.8%. The termination-associated sequence, conserved sequence block domains, and a 131-bp tandem repeat were found in the control region. It has the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement.

Knowledge of fish gastric emptying time is a necessary component for understanding the fish feeding rates, energy budgets and commercial production of fishes in aquaculture. The hybrid grouper Epinephelus spp. is getting popular as a culture species in Malaysia for their faster growth rate compared to commonly cultured grouper species (giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatus and tiger grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus). There are data suggests that elevated sea water temperature affects gastric emptying time (GET) of fishes. Hence, this study aims to study the GET of hybrid grouper at different temperature (22, 26, 30, 34°C) in laboratory condition with commercial diet pellet. The gastric emptying times (GETs) at different temperatures were determined X-radiographically, using barium sulfate (BaSO4) as a contrast medium food marker. The food marker and X-radiography showed that initial voidance of fecal matter began 4-6 h after feeding at all temperature. The fastest GET (13 h) was obsereved in the 30°C gro...

Macrobenthos are very useful organisms for monitoring marine environmental and widely use in marine ecology research. They are able to monitor the difference phase in the recovery stage of disturbed sites by appear different species macrobenthos after the cessation of the impact. Univariate and multivariate methods were use to study the macrobenthos community within Sungai Pulai estuary, Johor, Malaysia. Five sub-samples were taken at each sampling sites by using 10 cm diameter corer. Crustaceans were the most abundant at Tanjung Adang (St. 1) and the station of non-seagrass area (St. 2) while polychaetes were the most abundant at Merambong Shoal (St. 3). Higher density of macrobenthos was found at St.3 followed by St. 1 and St. 2. The commonly used population indices such as diversity, richness, evenness and dominance were employed to determine the differences in diversity and abundance of macrobenthos. The diversity, richness and evenness index values showed slight increment from Station 1 to Station 3, while the dominance index decreasing trend from Station 1 to Station 3. A total 21 polychaete families were collected in Sungai Pulai estuary, which was dominated by the Spionidae, Capitellidae and Glyceridae. Cluster (Bray-Curtis similarities) analyses revealed that the Tanjung Adang and Merambong Shoal population were clearly separated from the station non-seagrass. For the time being factors that influence the pattern of distribution of the macrobenthos cannot be determined and subjected to further studies.

The present study was conducted to investigate the food consumption pattern and gastric emptying time using x-radiography technique in scats fish, Scatophagus argus feeding to satiation in laboratory conditions. Prior to feeding experiment, fish of various sizes were examined their stomach volume, using freshly prepared stomachs ligatured at the tips of the burret, where the maximum amount of distilled water collected in the stomach were measured (ml). Stomach volume is correlated with maximum food intake (S{sub max}) and it can estimate the maximum stomach distension by allometric model i.e volume=0.0000089W{sup 2.93}. Gastric emptying time was estimated using a qualitative X-radiography technique, where the fish of various sizes were fed to satiation at different time since feeding. All the experimental fish was feed into satiation using radio-opaque barium sulphate (BaSO{sub 4}) paste injected in the wet shrimp in proportion to the body weight. The BaSO{sub 4} was found suitable to track the movement of feed/prey in the stomach over time and gastric emptying time of scats fish can be estimated. The results of qualitative X-Radiography observation of gastric motility, showed the fish (200 gm) that fed to maximum satiation meal (circa 11 gm) completely emptied their stomach within 30 - 36more » hrs. The results of the present study will provide the first baseline information on the stomach volume, gastric emptying of scats fish in captivity.« less

This study describes the apicomplexa as well as other parasites infecting organs/tissues of the hard clam Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus, from Merambong Shoal, Western Johor Straits, Malaysia. Samples were collected randomly by hand picking, in November and December 2013. Histological techniques were performed, stained using Masson's Trichrome protocol and observed under light microscope. The results showed that gonad and gill were the most infected organs followed by digestive gland, intestine and adductor muscle. No pathology condition was observed in the mantle. Histophatological examination showed that the gregarine, Nematopsis, unidentified coccidian and Perkinsus were found in the gill and gonad, and also in the numerous hemocytes. Other pathological conditions such as bacteria-like inclusion and intracellular bacteria were also observed in the same organs. Further investigations are needed particularly on other molluscs present at the study area. Understanding the morphology and pathology of parasites ...

The volutid, Cymbiola nobilis Lightfoot, 1786, is a gastropods molluscs that inhabit deep seas and traditionally harvested by locals for food and hence fetch a high market value. The objective is to study the development of volutid and larval production as an effort to restore depleted natural population of this species. Egg masses used in this study was collected while still underneath spawning females, and embryonic and post-hatching larval development was observed in the laboratory. The larvae were reared in 50 × 100 cm aquarium with 0.22 μm filtered seawater medium at a salinity of 30 ± 1 PSU. Fecundity was estimated at 29 eggs/egg mass (n=10). The juvenile hatching was exactly the same as the adult. Base on this study the morphological features of Cymbiola nobilis can be assigned to eight different development stages beginning from egg described in this paper. The metamorphosis stage were took place in the egg and it is about 7 days before become pre-hatching juvenile. They showed a short period of metamorphic competence and morphological changes also described.

Fiddler crab burrows increase oxygen dispersion in anoxic mangrove sediment and promote iron reduction and nitrification process over sulfate reduction in subsurface sediment. Therefore it is expected to accelerate decomposition rate under oxic and suboxic conditions. In this study the effect of environmental parameters on the local distribution of U. forcipata and subsequently the effect of crab burrows on sediment characteristics were investigated. Our result indicated that U. forcipata prefers to live in the open mudflats under the shade of mangrove trees. The most important factors determining their presence were sediment texture, porosity, organic content, water content, carbon content and temperature. Measurement of redox potential and iron pools clearly indicated a distinct oxidized layer around burrows although sediment porosity, organic and water content did not differ significantly between burrowed and non-burrowed mudflats and even among the burrow profiles. This result implies the oxidation created by burrowing activity of U .forcipata was not efficient to change physical properties of mangrove sediments.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are members of the small non-coding RNAs, which are principally known for their functions as post-transcriptional regulators of target genes. Regulation by miRNAs is triggered by the translational repression or degradation of their complementary target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The growing number of reported miRNAs and the estimate that hundreds or thousands of genes are regulated by them suggest a magnificent gene regulatory network in which these molecules are embedded. Indeed, recent reports have suggested critical roles for miRNAs in various biological functions, such as cell differentiation, development, oncogenesis, and the immune responses, which are mediated by systems-wide changes in gene expression profiles. Therefore, it is essential to analyze this complex regulatory network at the transcriptome and proteome levels, which should be possible with approaches that include both high-throughput experiments and computational methodologies. Here, we introduce several systems-level approaches that have been applied to miRNA research, and discuss their potential to reveal miRNA-guided gene regulatory systems and their impacts on biological functions.

To illustrate vascular modification accompanying transition from aquatic to amphibious life in gobies, we investigated the respiratory vasculatures of the gills and the bucco-opercular cavities in one of the most terrestrially-adapted mudskippers, Periophthalmodon schlosseri, using the corrosion casting technique. The vascular system of Pn. schlosseri retains the typical fish configuration with a serial connection of the gills and the systemic circuits, suggesting a lack of separation of O(2)-poor systemic venous blood and O(2)-rich effluent blood from the air-breathing surfaces. The gills appear to play a limited role in gas exchange, as evidenced from the sparsely-spaced short filaments and the modification of secondary lamellar vasculature into five to eight parallel channels that are larger than red blood cell size, unlike the extensive sinusoidal system seen in purely water-breathing fishes. In contrast, the epithelia of the bucco-opercular chamber, branchial arches, and leading edge of the filaments are extensively laden with capillaries having a short (

This study was conducted to analyze variation in Strombus canarium larvae development, growth and survivals when cultured during wet (main reproductive period) and dry seasons. Larvae were reared at 200 larvae L(-1) in filtered seawater (0.22 microm) and fed with Isochrysis galbana at 1000 cells mL(-1) ad libitum. The culture environment was maintained at 29 +/- 1 degrees C, salinity of 30 +/- 1 PSU and photoperiod of 12:12 light dark cycle. Growth of the larvae was described on a length-at-age basis using the modified Gompertz regression. There was high correlation in shell length-at-age relationship for both wet season (R2 = 0.99) and dry season (R2 = 0.98) culture experiments. The maximal growth rate (M) and survival rate (S) were higher for larvae cultured during wet season (M = 62.44 microm day(-1), S = 14.36-2.31%), compared with dry season (M = 43.05 microm day(-1), S = 5 +/- 1.15%). The maximal attainable larval size (a) was however lower during wet season (950.19 +/- 66.93 microm shell length) compared with dry season (1343.05 +/- 586.51 microm shell length), which might be due to significantly low larvae density in the latter. Further studies are needed to investigate variation in bio-chemical composition of the egg mass, which was suggested as the main reason for the differences.

A study on elemental composition in the otolith of giant mudskipper, Periophthalmodon schlosseri, was done from June to October 2003. Specimens were obtained from the mangrove areas of Kuala Selangor, Sepang and Melaka in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 70 sagitta otoliths were analyzed to detect variation of Sr, Ba and Mg, replacing the natural chemical composition of the otolith, which is the calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The average ratio of Sr:Ca was 0.11 x 10(-4), Ba:Ca was 5.7 x 10(-3) and Mg:Ca was 0.2 x 10(-3). Strong correlation (R > 0.8) between fish body size and otolith weight ofmudskipper (p < 0.01) also found during this study.