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Despite years of collecting anecdotal and scientific information of cetaceans around Puerto Rico, the false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), was never reported. Here, we report the first stranding and sighting event to take place in Puerto Rico in January, and March 2013, respectively. Both events took place along the south coast of Puerto Rico. During the sighting, cooperative prey sharing tactics were observed when two animals appeared to attack a common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus).

To better understand and characterize the distribution of the dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus in the Pacific Ocean off Peru, we analyzed spatio-temporal catch per unit effort (CPUE) data from the artisanal longline dolphinfish fishery and oceanographic variables measured from October–March during 2010–2017. A Delta-GAM approach determined that high dolphinfish CPUE occurred during the period from November–January between 9-11°S at an average of 190 nautical miles (nm) from the coast. From February–March, the highest CPUE was located along the coast up to 115 nm offshore between 12-13°S, which suggested that dolphinfish migrate to the southeast during austral summer. However, there was no evidence of a reverse migration towards the northwest, although this result must be corroborated with data taken outside of the dolphinfish fishing season (October–April) in future studies. According to the environmental variables, dolphinfish preferred to stay in waters with sea surface temperatures (SST) that ranged from 22-24 °C, low chlorophyll-a concentrations (CHL

The present study aims to identify areas and fishing effort and fishing resources captured by the artisanal handline fleet allocated in the Pituba neighborhood Salvador, Bahia - Brazil. Data were collected during the year of 2009 and 560 fish landings were monitored. A total of 96 species were recorded, being those of greater frequency of occurrence (> 15%) the Guaguanche (Sphyraena guachancho), Lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris), King mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), Blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus), Little tunny (Euthynus alleteratus), Caribbean sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus) and Common dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus). The fishing dynamics is seasonal marked by between rainy season (march to august) and dry seasons (september to march). Importantly, the fishing area used by the fishing community is the same for more than a century, being quantified the use of 42 subareas, being highlighted the Lama (35.2%) among the most visited mainly in the rainy season.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:42:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Trophic relationships of large pelagic predators can determine the structure and dynamics of oceanic food webs. The feeding habits and trophic ecology of five large pelagic fish (Acanthocybium solandri, Coryphaena hippurus, Elagatis bipinnulata, Thunnus albacares and Thunnus atlanticus) in the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago were evaluated to determine whether there is a trophic-niche overlap or resource partitioning among them. Eighty prey items found in 1528 stomachs were identified and grouped into Cephalopoda, Cnidaria, Crustacea, Gastropoda, Teleostei and Tunicata. Exocoetidae and Scombridae were the main prey in the diet of Acanthocybium solandri. In C. hippurus, Cheilopogon cyanopterus and Exocoetus volitans were the most important prey items, whereas C. cyanopterus was the main prey for T. albacares. Thunnus atlanticus consumed a great proportion of invertebrate species, with shrimps of Sergestidae family being particularly important. The gastropod Cavolinia sp. was the most important prey for E. bipinnulata. The five species had a high trophic specialisation and a high trophic level (>4.4), whereas most dietary overlaps were consistently low. The most important factor for diet dissimilarity was the consumption of Exocoetidade. All species were classified as top predators with varied diets, indicating their structural and functional importance in the food web of the Archipelago. Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n Fundación Colombiana Para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas SQUALUS, Calle 10a 72-35 Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios e Nécton Marinho Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP/CLP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios e Nécton Marinho Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP/CLP, Praça Infante Dom Henrique, s/n

O peixe-voador, Hirundichthys affinis, apresenta enorme importância socioeconômica, constituindo fonte de alimento e renda para comunidades pesqueiras em Caiçara do Norte, no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. A produção de H. affinis é responsável por 41,9% da produção pesqueira local, representado o principal recurso pesqueiro desse município. Dados analisados da produção do peixe-voador nos anos de 1993 a 2010 indicaram que sua produção apresentou variações, impactando a produção pesqueira total de Caiçara do Norte. A produção de H. affinis em Caiçara do Norte ao longo de 17 anos em geral foi crescente. O número de embarcações pesqueiras não esta relacionado com as variações da produção do peixe-voador, H. affinis. As variações da produção de H. affinis estão possivelmente relacionadas com os fatores ambientais. Observou-se que não teve relação entre a produção de presa H. affinis e do predador peixe dourado, Coryphaena hippurus durante o período verificado. Essas informações subsidiam o manejo sustentável da espécie uma vez que este recurso pesqueiro isoladamente contribui com 38% da produção pesqueira do Rio Grande do Norte . Palavras-chave: pesca artesanal, recursos pesqueiros, peixe-voador, águas costerias. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18561/2179-5746/biotaamazonia.v3n2p23-32

Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is used by many coastal countries. Sustaining harvest of this resource will require cooperation among fishing countries in each region, and determining population structure is paramount to ensuring effective management. Examining life-history parameters (such as growth rate) is a useful and relatively inexpensive method for identifying possible stock units, which can be subsequently confirmed by other methods. The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, we examine the two-stock assumption for Taiwanese dolphinfish and the reliability of estimated growth curves based on seasonally-stratified growth performance indices. The von Bertalanffy growth functions (VBGF) were firstly estimated from 2005 to 2009 length frequency sample data of eastern and southern coasts of Taiwan. New growth performance indices were then calculated from the log-transformed parameters of the VBGF and examined by a simultaneous confidence region (SCR) under the assumption of bivariate normal distribution. Second, we summarize VBGF parameter estimates from all regions worldwide and based on the growth parameters and performance indices, review the possible stock structures and the reliability of growth estimations for dolphinfish. The results support a single-stock hypothesis for dolphinfish in the Kuroshio Current off Taiwan with new estimated VBGF parameters of L∞ = 149.4 cm and K = 0.72 year−1. Some potentially biased estimates of dolphinfish growth parameters are identified in the worldwide VBGF dataset and are suggested for further investigations. Excluding these estimates, the results indicate at least a five-stock structure in the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans.

The seasonal distribution and abundance of larval fishes in the central and southern surface waters of the East Sea were investigated seasonally during 2011 and 2012. During the study period, the larvae of 39 species belonging to 26 families were collected. The most abundant species were Engraulisjaponicus, which accounted for 97.5% of the total number of individuals collected. Scomber japonicus, Clupea pallasii, Chromis notatus, Cottidae sp., and Coryphaena hippurus accounted for 1.7% of the total. The number of species, number of individuals, and species diversity indices fluctuated with the season. The peak number of species and individuals occurred in September and May, respectively. The larvae of the main species displayed a distinct spatial distribution and seasonal occurrence patterns. E. japonicus and C. notatus widely distributed throughout the study area. During summer and autumn, S. japonicus and C. hippurus were abundant in southern and offshore regions. C. pallasii occurred only in the southern region during winter. The seasonal occurrence and patterns of distribution of the larvae of main species seems were correlated with surface water temperature.

Since 2004, governments and non-governmental organizations, together with the fishing communities from nine countries, from Mexico to Peru, have implemented joint efforts to reduce incidental mortality of sea turtles in artisanal longline fisheries of the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO). These countries are involved in a Regional Sea Turtle Bycatch Program to achieve this goal. Circle hooks have been proposed as a way to mitigate incidental mortality of sea turtles. Thus, we analyze the performance of circle hooks in relation to J-style and tuna hooks on the hooking rates of target and non-target species in the artisanal surface longline fisheries of three of the participating countries with the largest sample sizes (Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica). These fisheries target mahi-mahi, Coryphaena hippurus, or a combination of tunas, billfishes and sharks (TBS), and use different techniques and gear configurations to catch their targets. For the TBS fishery we presented the results of comparisons between tuna hooks and 16/0 circle hooks from Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica, and between tuna hooks and 18/0 circle hooks in Costa Rica. For the mahi-mahi fishery, we analyzed the performance of 14/0 and 15/0 circle hooks in Ecuadorian vessels and 16/0 circle hooks in Costa Rican vessels vs. the traditional J-style hooks. A total of 730,362 hooks were observed in 3126 sets. Hooking rates for target and non-target species were not consistent for all fisheries and countries analyzed. However, circle hooks reduced sea turtle hooking rates in most of the comparisons.

Summary The aim of the study was to identify the diet composition, feeding preferences, size and sex related diet changes, and to calculate the consumption rates of common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, in the eastern Arabian Sea. Fish were caught using longline gear during the years 2006–2009. Stomachs of 238 specimens with fork lengths ranging from 324 to 1250 mm were analysed; 72 (30.25%) of the stomachs were empty. Epipelagic finfishes were the predominant prey followed by cephalopods and crustaceans. Occurrence of items such as sargassum, sea fans, corals, plastics and pieces of wood in the stomachs indicate an opportunistic and voracious feeding nature. Flyingfishes (family Exocoetidae), especially Exocoetus monocirrhus (%IRI 16.92), dominated the diet. Unidentified filefishes (family Monacanthidae), Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis, Euthynnus affinis, Cheilopogon furcatus and Cubiceps pauciradiatus were other important food items. The diet varied between sexes and different size classes. Juveniles and adults (size classes 115 cm) fed preferentially on cephalopods. Food consumption rate was higher in females (6.37% BW day−1) compared to males (4.04% BW day−1), and increased with their increase in size up to 75–95 cm length classes, thereafter decreasing. The daily meal and daily ration was 332.63 g day−1 and 5.25% BW day−1, respectively, and average annual food consumption was 121.41 kg.

Fishery, diet composition and reproductive biology of the dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758) landed along Karnataka Coast during 2013-15 were studied. The estimated average landing of the species in India during the study period was 7975 t of which Karnataka contributed 2.73% (218 t). The fish is mainly exploited by gillnet and also by troll lines operated from trawlers. A few stray specimens were also landed by purse seines. The fork length (FL) was in the range of 32-128 cm and fishes in the length range (FL) of 55-90 cm dominated the catch, contributing 79.8% of the total landings. The most dominant prey item, in terms of occurrence (70.57%) and weight (83.18%) were finfishes followed by cephalopods (19.62% by occurrence and 13.66% by weight) and crustaceans (7.01% occurrence and 1.32% by weight). The index of relative importance (IRI ) values were 85.3, 13.39 and 0.68% respectively for fish, cephalopods and crustaceans respectively. Sex ratio (1:2.05) indicated dominance of females in the fishery. Presence of mature and spent specimens throughout the year suggests that the species spawns all through the year. Peak spawning period was from June to September. This coincided with gradual increase in gonadosomatic index (GSI) values ahead of May which reached a peak during August-September.

Parasitic copepods, especially sea lice (Caligidae) are causing economic problems in both aquaculture and to wild fishes around the world, but their study in at least some of the southeastern Asian countries, is still scanty. Here we provide new information on the distribution of 11 known species of parasitic copepods collected from 11 marine fish hosts from Iloilo, central part of the Philippines. Two species of the genus Anuretes Heller, 1865 and nine species of the genus Caligus Muller, 1785 were found to infest these hosts, i.e. Anuretes branchialis Rangnekar, 1953 from Platax orbicularis (Forsskal, 1775); A. plectorhynchi Yamaguti, 1936 from P. orbicularis and Plectorhinchus pictus (Tortonese, 1936); Caligus absens Ho, Lin et Chen, 2000 from Priacanthus macracanthus Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829; C. asymmetricus Kabata, 1965 and C. coryphaenae (Steenstrup & Lutken, 1861) from Auxis thazard (Lacepede, 1800); C. bonito Wilson, 1905 from Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758; C. cordyla Pillai, 1963 from Megalaspis cordyla (Linnaeus, 1758); C. cornutus Heegaard, 1962 from Sphyraena jello Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1829; C. epinepheli Yamaguti, 1936 from Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacepede, 1801; C. kanagurta Pillai, 1961 from Decapterus kurroides Bleeker, 1855, D. macarellus (Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1833) and C. hippurus; and C. rotundigenitalis Yu, 1933 from Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus, 1766). Attachment sites included the gill filaments and the body surface. Prevalence and mean intensity of caligids are provided in addition to an update on the checklist of caligids of the Philippines. Although reports on caligids in the Philippines are few, the published records indicate that sea lice are widely distributed throughout the archipelago.

The timing and location of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident within the Gulf of Mexico resulted in crude oil exposure of many commercially and ecologically important fish species, such as mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), during the sensitive early life stages. Previous research has shown that oil exposure during the embryonic stage of predatory pelagic fish reduces cardiac function - a particularly important trait for fast-swimming predators with high aerobic demands. However, it is unclear whether reductions in cardiac function translate to impacts on oxygen consumption in these developing embryos and larvae. A 24-channel optical-fluorescence oxygen-sensing system for high-throughput respiration measurements was used to investigate the effects of oil exposure, temperature and developmental stage on oxygen consumption rates in embryonic and larval mahi-mahi. Oil-exposed developing mahi-mahi displayed increased oxygen consumption, despite clear cardiac deformities and bradycardia, confirming oxygen uptake and delivery from a source other than the circulatory system. In addition to metabolic rate measurements, nitrogenous waste excretion was measured to test the hypothesis that increased energy demand was fueled by protein catabolism. This is the first study to our knowledge that demonstrates increased energy demand and energy depletion in oil-exposed developing mahi-mahi.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in the accidental release of millions barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Photoinduced toxicity following coexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one mechanism by which polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from oil spills may exert toxicity. Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), an important fishery resource, have positively buoyant, transparent eggs. These characteristics may result in mahi-mahi embryos being at particular risk from photoinduced toxicity. The goal of this study was to determine whether exposure to ultraviolet radiation as natural sunlight enhances the toxicity of crude oil to embryonic mahi-mahi. Mahi-mahi embryos were exposed to several dilutions of water accommodated fractions (WAF) from slick oil collected during the 2010 spill and gradations of natural sunlight in a fully factorial design. Here, we report that coexposure to natural sunlight and WAF significantly reduced percent hatch in mahi-mahi embryos. Effect concentrations of PAH in WAF were within the range of surface PAH concentrations reported in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon spill. These data suggest that laboratory toxicity tests that do not include UV may underestimate the toxicity of oil spills to early lifestage fish species.

Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), large pelagic predators and important fishery targets, frequently associate with floating debris or manmade fish aggregating devices (FADs). We tagged 8 dolphinfish with pressure-sensitive ultrasonic transmitters and actively tracked individuals continuously for up to 40 h to elucidate the vertical movement patterns and differences between FADassociated (FAD-A) and FAD-unassociated (FAD-U) fish. Four additional fish were equipped with acoustic transmitters and passively monitored for several days with receivers attached to FADs. When not associated with FADs, dolphinfish used the upper 75-100 m of the water column during the day and made descents up to 160 m during the night. In contrast, FAD-A fish generally stayed within the upper 10 m of the water column and tended to make deeper excursions during the day rather than at night. Water temperature data from expendable bathythermo-graphs deployed during active tracking showed that fish only descended to depths where temperatures were

En Venezuela, el nororiente es la región pesquera más importante del país por la abundancia de sardina (Sardinella aurita) y otros recursos marinos cuya captura anual en conjunto supera las 300.000 tm. Sus aguas son fértiles por la existencia de una surgencia de aguas subsuperficiales y otros factores como la influencia de los grandes ríos suramericanos (especialmente el río Orinoco), las lagunas costeras y la presencia de islas. En la isla de Margarita se han estudiado las posibilidades del cultivo de unas 16 especies de peces marinos, pero hasta ahora solamente la paguara Chaetodipterus faber (Ephippidae) y el pámpano Trachinotus goodei (Carangidae) tienen las mejores posibilidades para su producción intensiva. Ambas especies alcanzan peso comercial (300-400 g) en menos de un año de cultivo, desarrollan las gónadas y desovan en confinamiento. En la paguara se ha logrado la reproducción controlada y el levante de juveniles, pero se debe optimizar el engorde. T. goodei es la especie de pámpano más resistente a las enfermedades y con relativo buen crecimiento. Se discuten las posibilidades reales del cultivo de ambas especies y limitantes que deben superarse. El éxito radica en utilizar un alimento seco apropiado para el engorde en instalaciones flotantes. También se aconseja cultivar especies de pargos Lutjanus en jaulas flotantes y masificar el levante de juveniles, así como iniciar experiencias con el dorado Coryphaena hippurus (Coryphaenidae) porque en el área se capturan adultos durante todo el año, lo cual facilitaría las actividades relacionadas con su reproducción y levante de juveniles. The northeast coast of Venezuela is the most important fishing region in the country, the sardines (Sardinella aurita) and other species abound in its waters, the annual catch exceeds 300.000 mt. Several factors account for this fertility: an upwelling of subsurface waters, the influence of great South American rivers (notably the Orinoco river), the coastal lagoons, and the presence of numerous islands. In the island of Margarita, the possibilities of cultivating 16 species of marine fishes have been studied, but so far only two species, the spadefish Chaetodipterus faber (Ephippidae) and the permit Trachinotus goodei (Carangidae) show any potential of intensive production. Both species reach their commercial weight (300 - 400 g) in less than one year, show gonadal maturity and spawn in confinement. For C. faber controlled reproduction and the raising of brood have been achieved but fattening should still be optimized. Trachinotus goodei is a very disease resistant species and grows relatively fast. In this paper we discuss the realistic possibilities of cultivation for both species, and the problems that must be solved. Success depends upon the use of adequate dry feed in floating cages in this installations. Experiments with snappers, Lutjanus, and dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (Coryphaenidae), are recommended, because adults of these species are caught in this area all year round, which should facilitate all activities related with reproduction and the raising of juveniles.

The growth and reproductive characteristics of dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus collected in the waters off western Kyushu from May 2008 to April 2011 were determined based on scale and otolith readings and gonad histological examinations, respectively. Based on annual increments in scales and daily increments in sagittal otoliths, the von Bertalanffy growth curves in male and females were determined as $$ FL_{t} = 1049[1 - \exp \{ - 0.835(t + 6.975 \times 10^{ - 14} )\} ] $$ and $$ FL_{t} = 938[1 - \exp \{ - 1.029(t + 6.975 \times 10^{ - 14} )\} ] $$ , respectively, where FL t is the mean fork length (mm) at age t. The spawning period was found to last from June to August for dolphinfish, based on an examination of the monthly changes in the gonadosomatic index and histological observations. Therefore, based on the relationship between the fork length and the developmental stage of the testes or ovaries, male and female dolphinfish were found to reach sexual maturity by the following spawning season after hatching in the northern East China Sea.

Bull rays (Pteromylaeus bovinus) and Dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus and Coryphaena equiselis) were collected in Olhao (south of Portugal). These animals hosted multiple parasites, namely Caligus spp., and underwent a variety of treatments to remove them. Of all treatments tested, hydrogen peroxide showed the best results, although only concentrations above 100 ppm were effective in parasite removal. These high concentrations, however, proved to be highly toxic for the fish and led to the loss of some animals, especially those which had been handled before treatment. A total of 14 Bull rays were transported to Bolougne-Sur-Mer (France) by road and some animals were lost, which was attributed to excessive time in transit (>45 hr). In another transport, three Bull rays and 10 Dolphinfishes were moved to Stralsund (Germany) by road and air. The mechanical wounds suffered by one of the Bull rays during transport led to its death and, consequently, a deterioration of water quality in the tank containing two other conspecifics. This deterioration of water quality resulted in problems for the other two Bull rays, and one perished approximately 48 hr after arrival. The authors concluded that Dolphinfish can be transported with a low bioload for at least 27 hr, and Bull rays should not undergo transports longer than 35 hr. Special attention must be taken to injured animals, since this can lead to a decrease in water quality and consequently affect other animals in the same transport tank. Zoo Biol. 32:222–229, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The variability of mesoscale circulation structures in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was examined using satellite altimeter data collected between 1992 and 2008, and linkages between ocean circulation and the spatial distribution of larval fish were assessed. The abundance and dis- tribution of the larvae of 5 pelagic fish taxa (Auxis spp., Euthynnus alleteratus, Thunnus thynnus, other Thunnus spp., and Coryphaena spp.) were estimated from surveys conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service each spring between 1993 and 2007. We observed a tendency for higher northward extension of the Loop Current (LC) during spring each year, with maximum northern penetration in summer, although the exact location of the LC varied from year to year. Generally, higher total larval abundances occurred during years of high northward penetration in a region that was crossed by the LC during its excursions. However, the interannual variability of the LC was not mirrored in a general increase or decrease of larval fish densities in the water masses out of the LC front. Further, the results show that larvae of T. thynnus and Auxis spp. were more abundant within the boundaries of anticyclonic features (usually between 148 to 158 cm of sea surface height) and within GOM common waters, defined as the background waters in between the boundaries of mesoscale features. Our findings suggest that the position and strength of anticyclone mesoscale features in the GOM define a favorable spawning habitat for the species examined.

To evaluate the economic effects of bag limit and minimum size regulations, it is important to understand how anglers’ valuation of catch varies. Using a sportfishing demand model, we estimated angler willingness to pay (WTP) for groupers Epinephelus spp. and Mycteroperca spp., red snapper Lutjanus campechanus, dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus, and king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla by using data from a choice experiment survey with questions about fishing trips in the southeast USA. Beyond differentiating by species and the number of fish caught (second through sixth), our catch disposition model separately estimated angler WTP for one additional fish caught and kept, caught and released due to a minimum size limit, and caught and released due to a bag limit. Angler valuations of groupers, red snapper, and king mackerel were similar and more than five times the angler valuation of dolphinfish. For all species, the angler valuation decreased with each successive fish. For red snapper and groupers...

The present study tested the effects of using large 16/0 circle hooks on catch rates in three pelagic longline fisheries in the south pacific ocean. large (16/0) circle hooks were tested against a variety of smaller hooks already in use by longline vessels in american samoa, cook islands, and new caledonia. The majority of these fleets use a mix of hook sizes, including circle hooks that are smaller than a 16/0 circle hook. Vessels alternated hooks throughout every set, maintaining a 1:1 ratio of 16/0 circle hooks to their existing hooks. information on catch by hook size, fish lengths, and condition at gear retrieval was collected. in total, 4912 fishes of 33 species were observed on 145,982 hooks from 67 sets. in the cook islands fishery, there was no significant difference in catch by hook type for two main target species, but there was an increase in catchability for swordfish, Xiphias gladius (linnaeus, 1758). in the new caledonia fishery, there was no significant difference in catch by hook size for any species. in the american samoa fishery, 16/0 circle hooks did not significantly affect the catch of albacore, Thunnus alalunga (bonnaterre, 1788), but did significantly reduce the catch of skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (linnaeus, 1758), dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus (linnaeus, 1758), and wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri (cuvier, 1832). for all locations, catch rates on 16/0 circle hooks were nominally lower, but not always significant for smaller pelagic species.

Estimates of the parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth equation for dolphinfish obtained from 42 studies conducted by different laboratories in different parts of the world, using different aging methods, were assembled for this study. The results formed two distinct negatively correlated lines on a ln(L∞) and ln(K) plot, and aging material was identified as the major cause for the systematic bias. Additionally, growth patterns differ among regions.

Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus Linnaeus, 1758, reproductive biology is well known, but this study, which examined gonad histology, substantially increases estimates of dolphinfish spawning fraction and annual egg production. Ovaries were collected from 621 females in three Florida regions: the Keys, Cape Canaveral, and the Panhandle. Maturation and spawning were evident in all three regions. Median size at maturity, 419 mm fork length (FL; 16.5 in, ?3 mo), was not regionally specific around Florida. Recruitment of primary oocytes to vitellogenesis occurred asynchronously throughout the spawning season, and mature oocytes developed group-synchronously as batches. Thus, an indeterminate method was required to estimate egg production. Once mature, females spawned 70-180 d yr-1. Some females spawned in all months of the year, but spawning fraction was highest in winter and spring. Batch fecundity (BF) ranged from 20,000 to 620,000 eggs and was significantly related to FL: BF = 0.000005 × FL3.62. An egg production model estimated a range from 15 to 174 million eggs yr-1, two orders of magnitude higher than the previous estimate (0.24-3.0 million eggs yr-1) in the Florida Straits. This new, higher estimate arises because our large sample size of gonad histology permitted estimation of spawning fraction throughout the year. Spawning early and often should make C. hippurus resilient to overfishing, but other data gaps�particularly regarding bycatch mortality�confound our ability to evaluate the effectiveness of size regulations in the fishery.

Larvae, identified as post-oncomiracidia of the suborder Gastrocotylinea (Monogenoidea), were collected from formalin-fixed gills excised from six species of marine fishes captured from the Gulf of Mexico off Mississippi and Florida: common dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus and pompano dolphinfish, Coryphaena equiselis (both Perciformes, Coryphaenidae); gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus (Perciformes, Lutjanidae); greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili (Perciformes, Carangidae); and Atlantic flyingfish, Cheilopogon melanurus and sailfin flyingfish, Parexocoetus hillianus (both Beloniformes and Exocoetidae). Based on a combination of diagnostic morphological features, the specimens were divided into two basic forms, each of which was further subdivided into two morphotypes. No gastrocotylinean post-oncomiracidium had been reported previously from these hosts. Of the six host species, only C. hippurus serves as a host (unconfirmed) for the adult of a gastrocotylinean species, suggesting that the recorded fishes from the Gulf of Mexico comprise dead-end hosts acting as decoys for the oncomiracidia. These comparatively non-susceptible "decoy hosts" apparently dilute the susceptible fish-host population and by intercepting infective larvae (oncomiracidia) decrease the abundance of parasites on their typical hosts.

An incident of foodborne poisoning causing illness in 53 victims due to ingestion of fish fillets occurred in January, 2009, in Kaohsiung city, southern Taiwan. The two suspected fish samples contained 11.3 and 37.7 mg/100 g of histamine, which is greater than the 5.0 mg/100 g allowable limit suggested by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Given the allergy-like symptoms of the victims and the high histamine content in the suspected fish samples, this foodborne poisoning was strongly suspected to be caused by histamine intoxication. Five histamine-producing bacterial strains capable of producing 1.23 to 36.48 ppm of histamine in trypticase soy broth (TSB) supplemented with 1.0% L-histidine (TSBH) were identified as Bacillus subtilis (four strains) and Enterobacter aerogenes (one strain) by 16S rDNA sequencing with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Moreover, the fish species of suspected samples were identified as mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) by using PCR direct sequence analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Based on the finding that high contents of histamine (>30 mg/100 g) were detected in the suspected mahi-mahi samples, we speculate the temperature abuse of the fillets before cooking contributed to the presence of high histamine levels in mahi-mahi fillets and resulted in foodborne poisoning. Although histamine-producing strains, Bacillus subtilis and Enterobacter aerogenes, were isolated from suspected fish samples, they might not be the main contributors to histamine accumulation because of low histamine production. These results re-emphasize proper handling temperature for seafoods and offer an important awareness that Coryphaena hippurus fillets could become a hazardous food item in causing histamine poisoning even though no quality deficiency was observed on the fillets.

Although a wide variety of compounds are deposited during the smoking process, much more attention has been given to phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, even though phenols have an important role to play as food antioxidants, some PAHs have cytotoxic and mutagenic effects. In the present work, two fish species differing in composition (dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus)) were salted and cold-smoked. Two different smoking treatments were selected in order to compare phenol content and muscle antioxidant activity employing the ferric reducing power (FRAP) method. Both smoking treatments increased fish lipid oxidation stability compared with the salted muscle. The characterization of the volatile components of the headspace of the more intensely processed smoked products was carried out by SPME/GC/MS, which revealed the presence of typical phenol and carbonyl derivatives, as well as some oxidation products and PAHs of low molecular weight. PAH composition was further investigated by extracting and identifying the PAHs by GC/MS. Neither benzo(a)pyerene nor other high molecular weight PAHs were detected, naphthalene and its derivatives being the most abundant compounds in the smoked products. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

The resting metabolic rates (R(R)) of western North Atlantic Ocean sciaenids, such as Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus, spot Leiostomus xanthurus and kingfishes Menticirrhus spp., as well as the active metabolic rates (R(A)) of M. undulatus and L. xanthurus were investigated to facilitate inter and intraspecific comparisons of their energetic ecology. The R(R) of M. undulatus and L. xanthurus were typical for fishes with similar lifestyles. The R(R) of Menticirrhus spp. were elevated relative to those of M. undulatus and L. xanthurus, but below those of high-energy-demand species such as tunas Thunnus spp. and dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus. Repeated-measures non-linear mixed-effects models were applied to account for within-individual autocorrelation and corrected for non-constant variance typical of noisy R(A) data sets. Repeated-measures models incorporating autoregressive first-order [AR(1)] and autoregressive moving average (ARMA) covariances provided significantly superior fits, more precise parameter estimates (i.e. reduced s.e.) and y-intercept estimates that more closely approximated measured R(R) for M. undulatus and L. xanthurus than standard least-squares regression procedures.

Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) is a resilient pelagic species that could provide long-term highly productive fisheries. Using FAO data we document enormous increases (746%) in reported global mahi-mahi landings since 1950. Detailed mahi-mahi fisheries records are limited, but an observer program monitoring Costa Rica’s Pacific mahi-mahi pelagic longline fleet between 1999 and 2008 (n = 217 sets) provided a rare opportunity to quantify bycatch in these fisheries. Several sea turtles and sharks of global conservation concern were caught incidentally: olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea; n = 1348, mean = 9.05 per 1000 hooks), silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis; n = 402, mean = 2.96 per 1000 hooks), thresher sharks (Alopias sp.; n = 158, mean = 1.12 per 1000 hooks), green turtle (Chelonia mydas; n = 49, mean = 0.35 per 1000 hooks), and three other threatened sharks in small numbers. Pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea; a ray of low conservation concern) was also a common bycatch (n = 625, mean = 4.77 per 1000 hooks). Generalized linear models (GLMs) of catch rates showed increases in olive ridley turtles and decreases in mahi-mahi and silky sharks over the decade examined. The high hooking survival rates of olive ridley and green turtles in observed sets (95% and 96% respectively) suggest that widespread training of the fleet in careful gear removal and turtle release methods could be one effective bycatch mitigation strategy for these species. GLMs also provide evidence that closing the fishery during peak olive ridley nesting times (at least near nesting beaches), in combination with reduced gear soak times, could help minimize the fishery’s impacts on threatened bycatch species while still maintaining a productive fishery.

Aspects of the reproductive biology of dolphinfish ( Coryphaena hippurus ) in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico, were analysed. A total of 7371 fish were obtained from catches of artisanal fisheries during the period of December 2004–2007. The reproductive activity was assessed using gonad histology, oocyte development, maximum whole oocyte size, maturity, and gonadosomatic index. The sex ratio (males:females) was 1:1, except in April–May (1:1.5, P P 100 cm FL). The estimated size-at-50%-maturity for females was 48.38 ± 0.84 cm, whereas for males it was 50.57 ± 2.16 cm. The batch fecundity for female fish between 49 and 129 cm FL was 45,022–1,930,245 hydrated oocytes per female. The average interval between spawns was 2.0 days. The size distribution of oocytes, with at least two groups of oocytes in the ovaries, suggests that C. hippurus is a multiple spawner with an extended spawning season in the study area. The results suggest a pre-spawning migration and evidence of two main spawning events occurring in May–July and November–January as well as intense utilisation of the coastal zone of the Gulf of Tehuantepec as an area for reproduction, with aggregation behaviour during spawning.

Environmental changes influence foraging behavior for most animals. Dolphinfish, Coryphaena hippurus, are epipelagic predators and have a cosmopolitan tropical to warm-temperate (>20°C) distribution. We simultaneously obtained the ambient temperature and the foraging behavior (i.e., swimming speed, depth and tailbeat acceleration) of dolphinfish, using an acceleration data-logger in May, September, October, November 2007, June 2008, May and July 2010 for 8 individuals. Although the dolphinfish spent a mean ± standard deviation of 43.4 ± 27.7% of their time at the surface (0–5 m), dive excursions from the surface (DES) were observed in all individuals and maximum DES depths ranged from 50.1 to 95.4 m. DES events resulted dives below the thermocline for these dolphinfish, and there was a significantly positive relationship between the isothermal layer depth (ILD) and DES depth. Our results demonstrate that dolphinfish avoided the rapid thermal change beyond the thermocline, and their prey is most likely found in the upper layers of the thermocline. Gliding behavior during the DES phase was also observed and dolphinfish gradually descended to deeper waters with gliding. The gliding time was longer when the ILD was deeper, and fish tended to dive deeper. We suggest that dolphinfish adopt gliding behavior to search a broader range of depths for prey, while minimizing energy use.

Coryphaena hippurus is an economically relevant fish species that is highly exploited by commercial and sport fisheries throughout its geographical range. We tested a set of 30 primers derived from next generation sequencing and optimized conditions for amplification of sixteen polymorphic microsatellite loci. These were also tested for cross amplifications in the congeneric species C. equiselis. We registered high genetic variation among loci (mean number of alleles per locus = 9.42, SD = 6.01; mean HO = 0.67 SD = 0.24). These loci are expected to be useful for population genetic studies for both species and as reference for stock delineation and conservation plans.

Our research aims to identify longline fishing gear modifications that can improve fishing selectivity and reduce incidental capture of non-target species. Catch rates and anatomical hook locations (AHL) were compared when using a 14/0 standard “control” circle hook with a 0° offset and an experimental “appendage” hook in a Costa Rican longline fishery. With the appendage, the maximum dimension of the appendage hook was increased by 10% and the minimum dimension of the hook by 19%. A total of 1,811 marine animals were captured during five fishing trips. By taxonomic groups, sea turtles represented the largest total catch (27%), followed by sharks (26%), rays (25%), mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus) (12%), and tunas and billfish (10%). Non-target and discard species, such as rays and sea turtles, accounted for over half of the total catch. Catch per unit effort (CPUE; number of individuals per 1,000 hooks) was higher with control hooks compared to appendage hooks for all species’ categories except rays; appendage hooks caught 52% fewer sea turtles and 23% fewer tunas and billfish than standard hooks, which represents a significant reduction in bycatch of endangered and other species. No differences were found in the AHL for sea turtles, suggesting use of the appendage may not incur additional advantages regarding turtles’ post-release survivorship. Despite lower catch rates for marketable species, such as sharks and mahimahi, use of the appendage resulted in dramatic reductions in catch rates of sea turtles. The results suggest that large scale adoption of hooks with a significantly wider hook dimension could be an effective conservation measure to maintain marine biodiversity while allowing for continued fishing.

Pelagic fish that are distributed circumtropically are characterised by a low population structure level as a result of a high capacity for dispersion and large population sizes. Nevertheless, historical and contemporary processes, including past demographic and/or range expansions, secondary contact, dispersal, gene flow, and the achievement of large effective population sizes, may play a part in the detection of divergence signals, especially in the case of tropical pelagic species, whose distribution range depends strongly on the sea surface temperature. The connectivity and historical demography of Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Mediterranean populations of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) was studied using partial sequences of the mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1). AMOVA analyses revealed significant inter-oceanic divergence with three phylogroups located in the Indo-Pacific, Eastern Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea, the last one being the most divergent. However, it was not possible to clearly observe any genetic differentiation between the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic populations, as has been reported for most tropical pelagic species of tuna and billfishes. This supports the assumption of recent dispersal among basins facilitated by the actual continuous distribution of dolphinfish populations. Moreover, the lack of a divergence signal for populations separated by the Panamanian Isthmus reveals that genetic drift does not exert a strong influence on tropical pelagic species with large effective population sizes.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill coincided with the spawning season of many pelagic fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. Yet, few studies have investigated physiological responses of larval fish to interactions between anthropogenic crude oil exposure and natural factors (e.g. temperature, oxygen levels). Consequently, mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) embryos were exposed for 24 hours to combinations of two temperatures (26 and 30°C) and six concentrations of oiled fractions of weathered oil (from 0 to 44.1 μg ∑50PAHs·L-1). In 56 hours post-fertilization larvae, heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output were measured as indicators of functional cardiac phenotypes. Fluid accumulation and incidence of edema and hematomas were quantified as indicators of morphological impairments. At both 26 and 30°C, oil-exposed larvae suffered dose-dependent morphological impairments and functional heart failure. Elevation of temperature to 30°C appeared to induce greater physiological responses (bradycardia) at PAH concentrations in the range of 3.0-14.9 μg·L-1. Conversely, elevated temperature in oil-exposed larvae reduced edema severity and hematoma incidence. However, the apparent protective role of warmer temperature does not appear to protect against enhanced mortality. Collectively, our findings show that elevated temperature may slightly decrease larval resilience to concurrent oil exposure.

Stability of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) and sardines (Sardina pilchardus) of different fat content (lean and fatty sardines) during frozen storage and its suitability for cold-smoking throughout storage were evaluated in order to overcome seasonal and excess catches of these species. Dolphinfish showed a relative stability regarding protein functionality (protein solubility, apparent viscosity, water and lipid holding capacity), lipid oxidation and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) accumulation, which led to high acceptability ratings of the resulting smoked product throughout frozen storage (340 days). However, both lean and fatty sardines showed a marked loss of protein functionality, which coincided with the accumulation of oxidation products and TVBN. Freezing of raw muscle may become a valuable preservation method for the smoking industry to overcome the short caught period of dolphinfish in the Balearic Islands and to make use of excess catches of both, lean and fatty sardine. High quality smoked products may be obtained from the frozen muscle during approximately twelve, four and two months of frozen storage for Dolphinfish, lean and fatty sardine, respectively.

We examined diet, dietary niche width, diet overlap, and prey size-predator size relationships of blue marlins Makaira nigricans, dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus, yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares, and wahoos Acanthocybium solandri caught in the western North Atlantic Ocean during the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament (BRT) in 1998-2000 and 2003-2009 and dolphinfish captured outside the BRT from 2002 to 2004. Scombrids were important prey of blue marlins, yellowfin tuna, and wahoos; other frequently consumed prey included cephalopods (for yellowfin tuna and wahoos) and exocoetids (for yellowfin tuna). Dolphinfish diets included exocoetids, portunids, and conspecifics as important prey. Blue marlins and wahoos consumed relatively few prey species (i.e., low dietary niche width), while dolphinfish had the highest dietary niche width; yellowfin tuna had intermediate niche width values. Maximum prey size increased with dolphinfish size; however, the consumption of small prey associated with algae Sargassum spp. occurred across the full size range of dolphinfish examined. Most interspecific diet overlap values with dolphinfish were not significant; however, blue marlins, yellowfin tuna, and wahoos had significant diet overlap due to their reliance on scombrid prey. Prey types found in blue marlins, dolphinfish, and wahoos were more consistent among BRT years than prey found in yellowfin tuna. The prey of yellowfin tuna and wahoos collected during BRT years correlated with historic (early 1980s) diet data from North Carolina, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Bahamas. Based on principal components analysis, diets from several oceans clustered together for blue marlins, dolphinfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoos. Although differences were found, the diets of each predator were largely consistent both temporally (e.g., over the past three decades in the Gulf Stream) and spatially (among oceans), despite potential effects of fishing or environmental changes.

We assayed genetic variations at five microsatellite loci of dolphinfish captured at five sites in 2005 and eight sites in 2006 to detect genetic population structure of dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus in the Gulf of California and surrounding waters. Results show high genetic variation, similar to other pelagic fishes with large populations. Pairwise FST values and hierarchical AMOVA detected subtle but significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity, mainly in samples of 2005 and some of 2006. However, Bayesian assignment analysis failed to detect genetic differentiation, which was also supported by the Mantel test and gene flow estimates among the sampled sites. This suggests that, despite the slight heterogeneity detected in this region, the dolphinfish forms a single panmictic population with high genetic variation and gene flow.

The relationship between pelagic fish and ocean temperature is cited in many studies, the majority of which investigate correlations of pelagic species and sea surface temperatures (SST). While appropriate for surface-associated species, this may not be accurate for deep-diving fishes. A different way to examine this relationship is to model spatial autocorrelation of fish species and temperatures at an appropriate range of depths. Spatial autocorrelation, the distance at which data are interdependent, is a potential descriptor of the patch size of an organism. Here we modeled spa- tial autocorrelation for 5 pelagic species that inhabit different depths in the Gulf of Mexico: dolphin- fish Coryphaena hippurus, wahoo Acanthocybium solandri, yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares, swordfish Xiphias gladius, and bigeye tuna Thunnus obesus. Additionally, we modeled spatial auto- correlation for ocean temperatures at the surface, at 200, and 400 m. We hypothesized that autocor- relation distances will be greater for deeper water temperatures and for species that live at deeper depths due to greater homogeneity of deep waters over greater spatial ranges. Results show average distances of autocorrelation on the order of 55 to 60 km for wahoo and dolphinfish, 90 km for yel- lowfin tuna, and 135 to 145 km for swordfish and bigeye tuna; the same data for temperature were 75, 135, and 300 km for SST, and at 200 and 400 m depth, respectively. Autocorrelation distances of dolphinfish, wahoo, and yellowfin were correlated with that of of SST, while the autocorrelation dis- tance of swordfish and bigeye were correlated with that of temperatures at 200 m. Results suggest that autocorrelation distances may be useful as a proxy for habitat delineation.

We examined the feeding ecology and niche segregation of the ten most abundant fish species caught by longline operations off eastern Australia between 1992 and 2006. Diets of 3,562 individuals were examined. Hook timer data were collected from a further 328 fish to examine feeding behaviour in relation to depth and time of day. Prey biomass was significantly related to predator species, predator length and year and latitude of capture. Although the fish examined fed on a mix of fish, squid and crustacea, fish dominated the diet of all species except small albacore (Thunnus alalunga) which fed mainly on crustacea and large swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and albacore which fed mainly on squid. Cannibalism was observed in lancetfish (Alepisaurus spp.). Multidimensional scaling identified three species groups based on their diet composition. One group consisted of yellowfin tuna (T. albacares), striped marlin (Tetrapturus audax) and dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus); a second group consisted of bigeye tuna (T. obesus), swordfish and albacore; and a third consisted of southern bluefin tuna (T. maccoyii) and blue shark (Prionace glauca). Of note was the separation of mako shark (Isurus oxyrhynchus) and lancetfish from all other predators. Prey length generally increased with increasing predator length although even large predators fed on a wide range of prey lengths including very small prey. Overall, differences in prey type and size, feeding times and depths were noted across the range of species examined to the extent that predators with overlapping prey, either in type or size, fed at different times of the diel period or at different depths. Taken together these data provide evidence for feeding niche segregation across the range of oceanic top predators examined.

Critical gaps in our understanding of the distributions, interactions, life histories and preferred habitats of large and medium-size pelagic fishes severely constrain the implementation of ecosystem-based, spatially structured fisheries management approaches. In particular, spawning distributions and the environmental characteristics associated with the early life stages are poorly documented. In this study, we consider the diversity, assemblages, and associated habitat of the larvae of large and medium-sized pelagic species collected during 2 years of monthly surveys across the Straits of Florida. In total, 36 taxa and 14,295 individuals were collected, with the highest diversity occurring during the summer and in the western, frontal region of the Florida Current. Only a few species (e.g. Thunnus obesus, T. alalunga, Tetrapturus pfluegeri ) considered for this study were absent. Small scombrids (e.g. T. atlanticus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Auxis spp.) and gempylids dominated the catch and were orders of magnitude more abundant than many of the rare species (e.g. Thunnus thynnus, Kajikia albida ). Both constrained (CCA) and unconstrained (NMDS) multivariate analyses revealed a number of species groupings including: (1) a summer Florida edge assemblage (e.g. Auxis spp., Euthynnus alleterattus , Istiophorus platypterus ); (2) a summer offshore assemblage (e.g. Makaira nigricans, T. atlanticus, Ruvettus pretiosus, Lampris guttatu s); (3) an ubiquitous assemblage (e.g. K. pelamis, Coryphaena hippurus, Xiphias gladius ); and (4) a spring/winter assemblage that was widely dispersed in space (e.g. trachipterids). The primary environmental factors associated with these assemblages were sea-surface temperature (highest in summer-early fall), day length (highest in early summer), thermocline depth (shallowest on the Florida side) and fluorescence (highest on the Florida side). Overall, the results of this study provide insights into how a remarkable diversity of pelagic species spatially and temporally partition spawning within a region that is characterized by dynamic oceanography and strong habitat gradients.

1.This study compared the catch rates of targeted dolphinfish or mahimahi (Coryphaena hippurus), and sea turtles and other fish bycatch in a shallow-set Costa Rican longline fishery using 14/0 circle hooks with and without a 10° offset. The effect of hook offset on hooking location and injury in captured sea turtles, specifically if the hooking was external, in the mouth, or in the esophagus was also evaluated. 2.Results were compared from six trips totalling 33 876 hooks with squid (Dosidicus gigas) used as bait. In total, mahimahi catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE, expressed as number caught per 1000 hooks) was similar between hook types (CPUE∼52). 3.Olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) were caught on all 42 sets. In total, 640 olive ridley turtles were caught and released alive. There were no significant differences in the number of sea turtles caught between hooks with and without an offset (CPUE∼19) nor between hook type and anatomical hooking location, suggesting similar levels of injury for turtles caught on each hook type. 4.These data suggest that a 10° offset on 14/0 circle hooks does not confer any selective advantages over hooks with no offset with respect to capture rates of mahimahi, sea turtles, sharks, or pelagic stingrays in a shallow set pelagic longline fishery. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We report 125 parasites and associates of Dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus, and 28 of Pompano Dolphin, Coryphaena equiselis, including 8 new host records. We correct and explain problems in the literature in updating these checklists, including 64 confusions, 63 synonyms used, 51 omissions, 14 errors, 13 stomach contents called parasites, 9 incorrect species, 7 nomen nudums used, 7 incorrect higher classifications, 6 false hosts, and resolve the old controversy of Bathycotyle branchialis/B. coryphaenae preferred location in the gills, but not of its identity, the identity of Benedenia hendorffii, nor the mysterious rarity of Echinophallus lonchinobothrium and Plicocestus janickii. Most of the known parasites of dolphins actually rarely occur on these hosts. Dinurus hippurus, D. ivanosi, Floriceps saccatus, Metabronema magna, and Pennella sp. occur in limited geographic areas. However, 14 species of parasites occur commonly in the Dolphin and 5 in the Pompano Dolphin around the world. Charopinopsis quaternia i...

The barbugede Pampelfisk, Coryphaena apus Brunnich, 1783, long assumed to be a dolphin, is actually the senior synonym of the Black Pomfret, Parastromateus niger (Bloch, 1795) and the type host of Cymothoa eremita (Brunnich, 1783). Several early works synonomized C. apus with Stromateus paru Bloch, 1786; however, this form was confused with Stromateus (now Peprilus) paru Linnaeus, 1758, at the time and not associated with Stromateus (now Parastromateus) niger. Later, other works synonomized S. paru Bloch with P. niger, but the C. apus synonomy was apparently forgotten. The occurrence and abundance of two isopod parasites, Cymothoa eremita and C. stromei, and a copepod, Lernanthropus koenigii, conclusively demonstrate that Coryphaena apus is P. niger. Two other copepods, Synestius caliginus and Thysanote appendiculata, show S. paru Bloch is P. niger. The original common name of C. apus “bare-bellied pomfret” also identifies P. niger. Coryphaena apus, Cymothoa eremita, S. niger, and S. paru Bloch were all c...

Illnesses associated with seafood are an important public health concern worldwide, particularly considering the steady increase in seafood consumption. However, research about the risks associated with seafood products is scarce in developing countries. Histamine fish poisoning is the most common form of fish intoxication caused by seafood and usually presents as an allergic reaction. This condition occurs when fish are not kept appropriately refrigerated and histamine is formed in the tissues. Histamine levels of > 500 ppm usually are associated with clinical illness. We assessed histamine levels in fish from markets in Lima, Peru, with a quantitative competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty-eight specimens were purchased from wholesale and retail markets: 17 bonito (Sarda sarda), 16 mackerel (Scomber japonicus peruanus), and 5 mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). Seven fish (18%) had histamine levels of 1 to 10 ppm (three mackerel and four bonito) and three (8%) had > 10 ppm (three mackerel, 35 to 86 ppm). Fish from retail markets had detectable histamine levels (> 1 ppm) more frequently than did fish bought at wholesale fish markets: 9 (36%) of 25 fish versus 1 (8%) of 13 fish, respectively (P = 0.063). Higher histamine levels were correlated with later time of purchase during the day (Spearman's rho = 0.37, P = 0.024). Mackerel purchased at retail markets after 2 p.m. had a 75% prevalence of histamine levels of > 10 ppm. Mackerel purchased late in the day in retail markets frequently contained high histamine levels, although the overall prevalence of elevated histamine levels was low. Despite the small sample, our findings highlight the need to reinforce seafood safety regulations and quality control in developing countries such as Peru.

First and second generation (F1 and F2), laboratory reared juvenile Coryphaena hippurus were used in preliminary growth studies. Fish were stocked in circular tanks and fed a diet of chopped herring and squid. Initial size and age of fish used in these studies were as follows: 61 mm TL, 1.6 g, and 45 days old for F1 and 87 mm TL, 5.95 g, and 65 days old for F2. Mean size at 130 days of age was 560 mm TL and 1,305 g for F1 and 540 mm TL and 1,150 g for F2. Food conversion ratios were 3.05 and 2.9 4 for F1 and F2 fish, respectively.

Muscle tissue was collected for stable isotope analysis (SIA) from the main fish predators and their fish and cephalopod prey from oceanic waters off eastern Australia between 2004 and 2006. SIA of δ15N and δ13C revealed that the species examined could be divided into three main trophic groups. A “top predator” group consisted mainly of large billfish (Xiphias gladius and Tetrapturus audax), yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bigeye (T. obesus) and southern bluefin (T. maccoyii) tunas and sharks; with mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) the highest. Below this tier was a second group composed of mid-trophic level fishes including albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga), lancet fish (Alepisaurus ferox), mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippuris) and ommastrephid squid. Underlying both groups was a grouping of small fishes including myctophids, small scombrids and nomeids as well as surface fishes including macrorhamphosids. These groupings were based largely on mean animal size which showed a positive linear relation to δ15N (r2 = 0.58). Some species showed significant ontogenetic variation in either δ15N (swordfish, lancet fish, yellowfin and albacore tuna) or δ13C (mako shark). We also noted a consistent latitudinal change in δ15N and δ13C at ~28°S for the top predator species, particularly albacore and yellowfin tuna. The differences were consistent with a change from oligotrophic Coral Sea to nutrient rich Tasman Sea waters. These differences suggest that predatory fishes may have extended residence time in distinct regions off eastern Australia.

In the eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), dolphinfish (Coryphaena spp.) are caught incidentally by the tuna purse-seine fishery; therefore, the records of this fishery are a good source of information to analyze the distribution of dolphinfish. To determine the spatiotemporal distribution of dolphinfish and catch variability in the three types of tuna-fishing sets (on schools associated with dolphins or with floating objects, or on unassociated schools), statistical analyses were made of the 1998–2005 records taken by scientific observers on board tuna-fishing vessels. The incidental catch did not show a well-defined annual or seasonal distribution pattern. Two high catch areas were observed, the first located in Mexican offshore waters (15–25°N), with 15% of the total catch, and the second located in offshore waters of the central EPO (0–10°N), with almost 60% of the total catch. The incidental catch was significantly different among years and seasons (H7,780 = 54.6, p

Many species of tropical seabirds rely on subsurface predators such as tuna and dol- phins to drive prey close to the ocean's surface. We observed seabird foraging events from fishing vessels around the island of Oahu, Hawaii, to determine the prevalence and relative importance of different subsurface predators to seabird foraging. Sixty-nine seabird foraging events were observed, in 62 of which the presence and/or identity of subsurface predators could be determined. Of those 62, all but two involved subsurface predators and accounted for 99.8% of all foraging birds. Skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis were the predominant (81%) subsurface predator involved in seabird feed- ing events, with odontocetes Stenella attenuata and Pseudorca crassidens (8%), mahimahi Coryphaena hippurus (6%), and yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares (2%) being less common. Wedge- tailed shearwaters Puffinus pacificus and brown noddies Anous stolidus foraged in association with tuna schools more often than would be expected by chance alone. Red-footed boobies Sula sula, in contrast, did not associate with any subsurface predator in greater proportion than what would be expected by chance. Nine additional seabird species were observed foraging in association with sub- surface predators, but not in numbers large enough for statistical analysis. This study highlights the value of regional investigations able to uncover the variable nature of seabird-subsurface-predator associations. The finding that, in Hawaii, at least 2 species of seabirds showed tight dependence on tuna underlines the need for tuna fishery management to address the potential indirect ecological effects of fishing.