Search

Dragonets are one of the dominant species in Tosa Bay, Southwestern Japan. However, until now, there is no baseline information on the conservation status of its species and populations. This study gathered genetic and ecological data and information to analyze and measure the historical conservation status of dragonets in the Bay. Quantitative values were converted into qualitative ranges to measures the conservation status of dragonet species. Eight dragonet species/populations were found to be in stable condition in the early 1990s, namely: Callionymus planus Ochiai, 1955; Callionymus lunatus Temminck and Schlegel, 1845; Callionymus curvicomis Valenciennes, 1837; Callionymus japonicus Houttuyn, 1782; Callionymus enneactis Bleeker, 1879; Synchiropus altivelis (Temminck and Schlegel, 1845); Repomucenus virgis (Jordan and Fowler, 1903); and Repomucenus huguenini Bleeker, 1858. Others were globally endangered and rare {Callionymus draconis Nakabo, 1977), locally highly vulnerable {Callionymus valenciennei Temminck and Schlegel, 1845; Callionymus beniteguri (Jordan and Snyder, 1900), locally vulnerable {Callionymus formosanus Fricke, 1981; Bathycallionymus kaianus (Günther, 1981)), and globally highly vulnerable {Callionymus sokonumeri Kamohara, 1936). The information gained in this study provided baseline knowledge on the historical species risk status of dragonets in Tosa Bay, which can be used as a basis for future studies. It also provided some scientifically-based options for managing biodiversity in a defined spatial management unit, which is applicable to e.g., marine protected areas, parks, bays, islands, lakes, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the need to investigate media's representation of mining issues in the Philippines, an unexplored linguistic field within Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). It focuses on referential strategies used in naming the social actors (SAs) involved in mining issues from 2012 to 2017 by three national broadsheets. A sample of 224 news reports was analyzed at the sentence level, and was validated by software and two inter-coders. The study found that SAs were commonly named by their unique identities mainly through nomination and categorization strategies. The valuing of the "elites" in the mining discourse is also traceable in the prominent use of nomination strategies, particularly formalization and honorification. While these strategies reflect the conventional linguistic features of the news genre which reinforces specificity, formality, and brevity, it is evident that they were seldom used to refer to the mine workers, disenfranchising them in the process. The tendency of the media to influence public perception through its construction of societal issues demands readers to be skeptical of what they read and to be aware of the machination which underlies the process of discourse production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The reticulated dragonet, Callionymus reticulatus, was originally described based on a single specimen, the holotype from Malaga, Spain, south-western Mediterranean, probably collected before 1831. The holotype is now disintegrated; the specific characteristics are no longer discernible. The species was subsequently recorded from several north-eastern Atlantic localities (Western Sahara to central Norway), but missing in the Mediterranean. Materials and methods. Specimens of C. reticulatus were observed and collected during two cruises in 2014 and 2016 in the Balearic Islands off Mallorca and Menorca. The collected specimens (8 females) have been deposited in the collection of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ). All individuals of C. reticulatus were collected from beam trawl samples carried out during the DRAGONSAL0914 in September 2014, and during the MEDITS_ES05_16 bottom trawl survey in June 2016, on shelf and slope bottoms around the Balearic Islands. Both surveys used a ‘Jennings’ beam trawl to sample the epi-benthic communities, which was the main objective of the DRAGONSAL0914 and a complementary objective in the MEDITS_ES05_16. The ‘Jennings’ beam trawl has a 2 m horizontal opening, 0.5 m vertical opening and a 5 mm diamond mesh in the codend. Trawls had duration of 1 to 3 min of effective sampling (bottom time) at a speed of 2 knots. Catches were sorted out to species and standardized abundances of callionymid species (individuals per 500 m2) were obtained by calculating the sampled surface (distance covered × beam trawl horizontal opening). Results. Callionymus reticulatus is recorded from the Balearic Islands for the first time; the specimens are described and illustrated. Conclusion. The new record confirms that the species is still extant in the Mediterranean. A key to Mediterranean callionymid fishes is provided to distinguish C. reticulatus from other species of the family in the area. The callionymid fish fauna of the Mediterranean now comprises 11 species, including three Lessepsian migrants originating from the Red Sea.

Une femelle reproductrice active du Dragonnet phaéton Synchiropus phaeton (Günther, 1861) de 22 cm de long, a été capturée avec un chalut de fond dans la zone portugaise de l'océan Atlantique. L'identification taxonomique est confirmée par des paramètres morphométriques et méristiques ainsi que du Barcode. Ce signalement est le plus septentrional dans l'Atlantique pour l'espèce et il documente une nouvelle longueur maximale pour l'espèce. L'examen histologique du tissu reproducteur chez S. phaeton révèle que cette espèce est un reproducteur par lots avec une organisation de développement ovarien asynchrone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callionymus vietnamensis sp. nov. from Vietnam, South China Sea, is described on the basis of five specimens collected with a trawl in 60-68 m depth southeast of the Côn Đảo Islands. The new species is characterised within the subgenus Callionymus (Calliurichthys) Jordan & Fowler 1903 by 4 dorsal-fin spines, 9 unbranched soft rays in second dorsal fin (the last divided at base), 8 unbranched soft rays in anal fin (the last divided at base), 8-13 antrorse serrae dorsally on the preopercular spine (additional to the main tip and a strong antrorse spine at the base), caudal-fin length in the male 0.8-0.9 in SL, in the female 1.1-1.2 in SL, preorbital length 2.1-2.5 in head, first to third spines of first dorsal fin filamentous in both sexes, second spine longer than third (male) or shorter than third (female), first dorsal fin without an ocellus in both sexes, distal four-fifths (male) or three-fifths (female) of anal fin black, thorax with a small heart-shaped dark blotch in male in male, posteriorly surrounded by ocellate lines which are reaching on membrane connecting pelvic fin with pectoral-fin base. The new species is compared with similar species. The subgenus Callionymus (Calliurichthys) Jordan & Fowler 1903 is reviewed, and a key to the species in this subgenus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Object] This study was conducted to explore the genetic diversity and structure of the wild Repomucenus curvicornis inhabiting Liaoning Coast, China. [Method] The mitochondrial COI gene and control region(CR) were PCR amplified from the wild R. curvicornis populations from the Liaodong Bay(n=22) and the northern Yellow Sea(n=18), sequenced and analyzed for genetic diversity. [Result] The contents of A, T, C and G of 624 bp COI gene were 24.09%, 31.04%, 25.28%, and 19.59%, and those of 460 bp CR fragment were 32.96%, 32.80%, 14.86% and 19.38%, respectively. The total number of variable sites, average number of nucleotide differences( k), haplotype diversity(H) and nucleotide diversity(π) based on COI gene were 38, 4.67,(0.96±0.02) and(0.007 5±0.004 2), and those based on CR fragment were 26, 3.35,(0.97 ±0.02) and(0.007 3±0.004 3), respectively. Based on mitochondrial COI gene and CR, the genetic diversity of Liaodong Bay population was lower than that of the northern Yellow Sea population. The AMOVA analysis based on CR fragments revealed almost significant genetic divergence between the Liaodong Bay and the northern Yellow Sea populations, while there was no significant genetic divergence based on COI gene. The results showed that CR and COI gene are effective molecular markers for detecting the genetic diversity of R. curvicornis population, while CR is more reliable than COI gene in detecting the genetic structure. [Conclusion] CR is an appropriate marker for genetic analysis of marine fish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The reticulated dragonet, Callionymus reticulatus, was originally described based on a single specimen, the holotype from Malaga, Spain, south-western Mediterranean, probably collected before 1831. The holotype is now disintegrated; the specific characteristics are no longer discernible. The species was subsequently recorded from several north-eastern Atlantic localities (Western Sahara to central Norway), but missing in the Mediterranean. Material and methods. Specimens of C. reticulatus were observed and collected during two cruises in 2014 and 2016 in the Balearic Islands off Mallorca and Menorca. The collected specimens (8 females) have been deposited in the collection of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ). All individuals of C. reticulatus were collected from beam trawl samples carried out during the DRAGONSAL0914 in September 2014, and during the MEDITS_ES05_16 bottom trawl survey in June 2016, on shelf and slope bottoms around the Balearic Islands. Both surveys used a 'Jennings' beam trawl to sample the epi-benthic communities, which was the main objective of the DRAGONSAL0914 and a complementary objective in the MEDITS_ES05_16. The 'Jennings' beam trawl has a 2 m horizontal opening, 0.5 m vertical opening and a 5 mm diamond mesh in the codend. Trawls had duration of 1 to 3 min of effective sampling (bottom time) at a speed of 2 knots. Catches were sorted out to species and standardized abundances of callionymid species (individuals per 500 m2) were obtained by calculating the sampled surface (distance covered × beam trawl horizontal opening). Results. Callionymus reticulatus is recorded from the Balearic Islands for the first time; the specimens are described and illustrated. Conclusions. The new record confirms that the species is still extant in the Mediterranean. A key to Mediterranean callionymid fishes is provided to distinguish C. reticulatus from other species of the family in the area. The callionymid fish fauna of the Mediterranean now comprises 11 species, including three Lessepsian migrants originating from the Red Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of dragonets (Gallionymidae) from the coastal waters of Khanh Hoa (Nha Trang and Van Phong bays) and Binh Thuan (Phu Quy Island) provinces, Vietnam, was conducted based on the samples of the author. In total, nine species were recorded, including three species indicated in the fauna of the country for the first time. In addition, geographic and bathymetric distribution of C. altipinnis, as well as morphological variation of several other species, was specified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dragonet,Synchiropus novaehiberniensisfrom off northern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of a male and a female specimen collected with a trawl in 74–92 m depth off Kavieng. The new species is characterized within the subgenusSynchiropus(Neosynchiropus) Nalbant, 1979 by a small branchial opening; head short (3.2–3.6 in SL); eye large (2.5–2.6 in head length); preopercular spine with a short, upcurved main tip, three curved points on its dorsal margin, ventral margin and base smooth; first dorsal fin higher than second dorsal fin, with four spines but no filaments, first spine longest; second dorsal fin distally slightly convex, with eight branched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with seven unbranched rays (last divided at base); 21–22 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate, distally rounded, slightly asymmetrical (upper rays shorter than lower rays); thorax, lower opercle and pelvic-fin base with small ocelli; back in male with four dark brown saddles; anal fin dark grey. The subgenusSynchiropus(Neosynchiropus) is reviewed and distinguished fromSynchiropus(Acommissura) subgen. nov. An updated checklist of the species in the two subgenera is provided; the new species is compared with allied species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgeneraSynchiropus(Neosynchiropus) andSynchiropus(Acommissura) subgen. nov. are presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AACA51E1-FBD6-412D-B09A-78540E7089B4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Seychelles dragonet Synchiropus sechellensis Regan, 1908 is reported for the fourth time from the Mediterranean and for the first time from Cyprus. This addition expands its distribution in the Mediterranean further from the Gulf of Antalya on the Turkish coast and the islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo in Southeastern Aegean, placing a question mark whether this species was accidentally introduced in the Mediterranean as initially hypothesized, or it actively entered from the Indo-Pacific through the Suez Canal (Lessepsian immigration) and may have been overlooked in areas closer to the Canal. The basic measurements of the specimen caught in Cyprus, as well as an updated list of all Lessepsian fish species reported from Cyprus are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of dragonet, Callionymus petersi from northern New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, is described on the basis of five specimens collected with dredges and trawls in about 181-207 m depth from off northwestern New Hanover and off Kavieng. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by a short head (3.9-4.3 in SL); eye large (2.1-2.3 in head length); preopercular spine with a long, slightly upcurved main tip, a small antrorse serra followed by two large curved points on its dorsal margin and a strong antrorse spine at its base, ventral margin smooth, slightly concave; first dorsal fin higher than second dorsal fin in the male, slightly lower than second dorsal fin (female), with 4 spines, first spine filamentous (male only); second dorsal-fin high, distally convex (male) or low, distally nearly straight (female), with 9 unbranched rays (last divided at base); anal fin with 9 unbranched rays (last divided at base); 18 pectoral-fin rays; caudal fin elongate (male), the two median rays unbranched, elongate but barely filamentous (male), or distally rounded, without filaments (female); pectoral-fin base with a large dark blotch; sides of body with a series of dark blotches, each of the anterior blotches broken into 2-4 vertical dark streaks; first dorsal fin with a large ocellated black blotch extending over the second and third membranes (male), or mostly confined to the third membrane (female); second dorsal fin pale (male) or spotted with grey; anal fin distally dark (male), with distal dark spots (female); caudal fin with a grey streak in lower section (male), or lowermost membrane black (female). The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid fish species of New Guinea, as well as of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrodraco fidelis sp. nov. is described from three specimens, which were collected on the southern Loyalty Ridge (New Caledonian EEZ) during the oceanographic cruise EXBODI. The species is characterised by: 14 rays in the second dorsal fin; 13 rays in the anal fin; first dorsal fin with the second spine elongate and filamentous in the male; second dorsal fin very low, without filaments in the male; opercular spine 1.8-2.4 in subopercular spine; body slightly compressed; body depth 7.4-8.5% of SL; body width 7.7-8.8% of SL; pectoral fin short, not reaching to anus when adpressed; pectoral fin length 9.9-11.8% of SL; male body colour pattern pale, with a single grey spot on the beginning of the lower lateral line; filament in first dorsal fin pale, fin with a large basal dark blotch; the male anal fin with three dark blotches. The new species is compared with allied species. A revised key to the genera and species of Draconettidae presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of deep-living dragonet Callionymus omanensis from Oman is described on the basis of a single male specimen collected in a trawl from 500 m depth off the coast of Oman. The new species is characterized within the subgenus Bathycallionymus by having a small branchial opening; head short (3·9 in proportion to standard length); eye large (2·4 in proportion to head length); preopercular spine with a long, upcurved main tip, with a small antrorse barb and a larger antrorse spine, and with a strong antrorse spine laterally at the preopercular-spine base, ventral margin smooth; first dorsal fin slightly higher than second dorsal fin (male); second dorsal fin distally straight; 17 pectoral fin rays; distal end of caudal fin slightly pointed, with two median unbranched rays bearing short filaments; first dorsal fin with basal black spot reaching from first to fourth membranes, third membrane with an ocellated distal black blotch; second dorsal fin with vertical dark grey bars; distal three-fourths of anal fin black; upper half of caudal fin with oblique dark grey bars; pelvic fin dark grey, second ray basally with a black blotch. The new species is compared with similar species. Revised keys to callionymid species of the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, as well as species of the subgenus Bathycallionymus, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of the callionymid fish genusDiplogrammusof the Red Sea are reviewed. Four species are recognized:D. gruveliSmith, 1963 from the northern Gulf of Suez and Suez Canal;D. infulatusSmith, 1963 from the western shores of the Red Sea and the entrance of the Gulf of Aqaba;D. paucispinisn. sp. from the eastern shore of the Red Sea;D. randalliFricke, 1983 from the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba.Diplogrammus paucispinisn. sp. is characterized by having three or four curved spinules on the dorsal margin of the preopercular spine, first dorsal fin with a filament in males but not in females, first spine significantly longer than first ray of the second dorsal fin in males, anal fin translucent in males with outer one-third black, no bluish lines on head and body in males. A key to the species ofDiplogrammusis presented; endemism of Red Sea fish species is discussed. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:848161AE-0E4C-456E-8743-E5E3F62AB507 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water, sediment, plankton, and blood and liver tissues of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) and mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri) were collected from six major rivers and lakes in South Korea (including Namhan River, Bukhan River, Nakdong River, Nam River, Yeongsan River and Sangsa Lake) and analyzed for perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was consistently detected at the greatest concentrations in all media surveyed with the maximum concentration in water of 15ngL−1 and in biota of 234ngmL−1 (fish blood). A general ascending order of PFAS concentration of water0.80, p<0.001) were observed between PFOS concentration in blood and liver tissues of both crucian carp and mandarin fish. This result suggests that blood can be used for nonlethal monitoring of PFOS in fish. Overall, the rank order of mean bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of PFOS in biota was; phytoplankton (196L/kg)

Abstract: Interferon-γ-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays a key role in the processing and presentation of MHC class II-restricted antigen (Ag) by catalyzing disulfide bond reduction, thus unfolding native protein Ag and facilitating subsequent cleavage by proteases. For this important function in the immune system, we cloned a GILT gene homologue from mandarin fish (designated mGILT), a kind of precious freshwater fish with high market value. Through reverse transcription PCR and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) strategies, we obtained the full-length cDNA of mGILT, which consists of 1008 bp with a 771 bp open reading frame, encoding a protein of 256 amino acids, with a putative molecular weight of 28.47 kDa. The deduced protein possesses the typical structural features of known GILT proteins, including an active-site motif, a GILT signature sequence, and 6 conserved cysteines. The result of real-time quantitative PCR showed that mGILT mRNA was expressed in a tissue-specific manner. In addition, the expression of mGILT mRNA was obviously up-regulated in splenocytes and kidney after induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recombinant mGILT fused with His6 tag was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified using Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid resin. Further study revealed that mGILT exhibit thiol reductase activity on IgG substrate. These results suggest mGILT is highly likely to play a role in the immune responses in mandarin fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We examined changes in the growth and reproductive traits of dragonet Callionymus valenciennei concurrent with decrease in stock size in Tokyo Bay. Stock size in mid 2000s decreased to 14% of that recorded in early 1990s. The minimum standard length at which dragonet attain gonadal maturation was smaller in 2000s (4.8 cm) compared to that in 1990s (6.0 cm). In addition, timing of the onset of the first spawning became earlier in 2000s (starting from spring) than that in 1990s (from summer). We also found significant changes in growth for both sexes from 1990s to 2000s; growth of dragonet after they attained sexual maturation showed a significant decrease in 2000s against that in 1990s. Changes in the life history traits may reflect trade-off for allocating available energy resource to reproduction rather than to somatic growth under limited prey abundance for enhancing a chance for stock recovery. However, these changes in the life history traits might have not led to the resilience of the population due to negative effects of hypoxia on settlement of larvae from the spring spawning season. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Megalocytiviruses are one of the most important causative agents in finfish industry in China, Japan and South East Asia. The viruses are mainly composed of ISKNV, RSIV and TRBIV genotypes. Among them, ISKNV genotype isolate is the most important causative agent in mandarin fish industry in South China. Since its first occurrence in mid-1990s in China, no effective drug has been developed to prevent and control this virus until our recent work. In this study, unusual RSIV genotype Megalocytivirus was validated as the causative agent in natural mass mortality of cage-cultured mandarin fish in an inland reservoir. One isolate was obtained using MFF-1 cells from natural mass mortality of mandarin fish and designated as Megalocyti-LJ2012. Based on two previous megalocytiviral isolates, formalin-killed cell (FKC) vaccines were prepared to immunize 2000 and 9000 cage-cultured mandarin in October 2011 and August 2012, respectively. As results, greater than 70% protective effects were observed in vaccination group in both individual field tests. Adjuvant-emulsified FKC vaccine provided even greater than 99% protective effect (N = 1000). In contrast, almost all fish died in non-vaccination group (N = 1000). Immuno-protection test under laboratory condition showed that 100% relative percent survival was obtained in surviving fish from vaccination group after challenge with Megalocyti-LJ2012 at 4 months post vaccination. Taken together, the present study shows that FKC vaccine is also efficient in preventing RSIV genotype Megalocytivirus in cage-cultured mandarin fish in two field tests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Des prélèvements, réalisés au chalut à perche le long de la côte de l'Estoril (à l'ouest de Lisbonne), ont permis la capture de quatre espèces de Callionymidae. Callionymus lyra Linnaeus, 1758, a été l'espèce la plus abondamment capturée. Celle-ci présente une préférence pour les zones les moins profondes et les plus abritées de la côte. C. reticulatus Valenciennes, 1837 a été capturé principalement près de la côte sur des fonds peu profonds. Au contraire, C. maculatus Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810 a été plus abondant dans les zones les plus profondes, situées à l'ouest de cette région. Enfin, C. risso Lesueur, 1814 a été l'espèce la plus rare avec seulement 18 spécimens capturés. La côte de l'Estoril est probablement la limite nord de la distribution de cette espèce. Une revue des captures de Callionymidae dans les environnements côtiers du Portugal est présentée et commentée. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut contents of 90 individuals of common dragonet Callionymus lyra were analysed, of which 76 contained prey, along with 100 corresponding benthic grab samples in order to assess the diet of C. lyra in relation to the availability of its prey in the environment. Forty-five prey taxa were identified in the diet from 350 potential prey taxa identified in the environment. Calculation of the index of relative importance ( IRI) found the main food components were crustaceans (% IRI = 86·3), mostly the porcelain crab Pisidia longicornis (% IRI = 43) and other decapods (% IRI = 18). Polychaetes played only a supplementary role in the overall diet (% IRI = 12·5). This study demonstrated that C. lyra is predominantly an opportunistic feeder that can modify its feeding behaviour to exploit alternative, more abundant prey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need to develop reliable biomarkers of environmental hypoxia exposure in marine organisms in order to assess the ecological impacts of the marked increase in coastal hypoxia worldwide. Full-length hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1α and HIF-2α cDNAs were cloned and characterized from dragonet Callionymus valenciennei , a representative epibenthic teleost inhabiting hypoxic areas in Tokyo Bay, to evaluate the potential utility of their transcript levels as biomarkers of environmental hypoxia exposure. HIF-1α and HIF-2α transcript levels in the livers of dragonet collected from hypoxic sites in Tokyo Bay were increased several-fold over those collected from nonhypoxic areas. Further, HIF-1α and HIF-2α mRNA levels were increased in dragonet livers after 7 days exposure to hypoxia in a controlled laboratory experiment, and they declined to control levels within 24 h of restoration to normoxic conditions. Our findings suggest HIF-1α and HIF-2α transcript levels are potentially useful biomarkers of environmental hypoxia exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The reproductive behaviour of the Japanese ornate dragonet (Callionymus ornatipinnis) was studied at the northernmost limit of its distribution at Usujiri in southern Hokkaido, Japan. Field observations confirmed that C. ornatipinnis reproduced at Usujiri, and this is the first detailed description of the reproductive behaviour of C. ornatipinnis. Males were observed to swim continuously in a sandy area where females were abundant, persistently approaching females and performing courtship displays. Courtship behaviour consisted of males spreading their fins in front of females. If a female accepted a male for spawning, the pair would then ascend upward 0.7–1.2 m from the sandy bottom and release their pelagic eggs. Spawning, which occurred daily at dusk for approximately 1 h and ceased when it became dark, was related to water temperature and was only observed when water temperature exceeded 19°C. The breeding season of this species at Usujiri spanned only the month of September, which is considerably shorter than that of other dragonet species inhabiting temperate waters. The short breeding season was probably attributed to the fact that the water temperature at Usujiri only exceeds 19°C in the month of September. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Abstract: The spatial distribution and diel vertical migration of fish larvae were studied in relation to the environmental conditions off NW Iberia during May 2002. Larvae from 23 families were identified, the most abundant were the Clupeidae, Gobiidae, Callionymidae, Blenniidae, Sparidae and Labridae. Sardina pilchardus was the most abundant species, mean concentrations 1 order of magnitude higher than the other fish larvae species. Larval horizontal distribution was mainly related to upwelling-driven circulation, resulting in an offshore increase of larval abundance while the vertical distribution was closely associated to the Western Iberia Buoyant Plume. Despite this general trend, taxon-specific relationships between the distribution of larvae and environmental variables were observed, and temperature was an important regressor explaining the distribution of most taxa. A comparison between ichthyoplankton samples collected alternatively with the LHPR and Bongo nets resulted in captures of larvae ≈1 order of magnitude higher for the LHPR, probably related to its higher towing speed. The spatial distribution and relative composition of larvae were also different for both nets, although the most frequent/abundant groups were the same. A fixed station sampled for 69-h showed diel vertical migrations performed by the larvae, with the highest larval concentrations occurring at surface layers during the night and most larvae being found in the neuston layer only during that period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The gene sequences of three different immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chains, namely IgM, IgD and IgZ, were cloned from mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) recently. In this study the distribution of these three kinds of Ig-producing cells in lymphoid-related tissues as head kidney, spleen, gill and intestine were investigated by using in situ hybridization, and their transcriptional changes were also analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR during 8 weeks after immunization. IgM-producing cells could be detected obviously and abundantly in all the tissues examined. A few numbers of IgD and IgZ positive cells were both detected in head kidney and spleen. IgZ positive cells could be detected in gill moderately while IgD showed negative results, otherwise no IgD or IgZ positive cells could be detected in intestine. After stimulated with bacterial pathogen Flavobacterium columnare G4, the transcripts of these three Ig genes exhibited quite different kinetics. Significantly increased transcription of IgM gene was observed in almost all the tissues examined especially in boosted group. In contrast with IgM, seldom strong increase was examined for IgD and IgZ genes. For IgD, it seemed that the first injection could stimulate the immune response easier, since in almost all the tissues significant increase was detected at 1 or 2 weeks after injection. For IgZ, boosted injection could not enlarge the up-regulation of gene expression of first injection. This is the first case to report the transcriptional kinetics of three Ig genes in teleost after bacterin immunization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During routine coastal Demersal Young Fish and Brown Shrimp Surveys (DYFS) in 2002, the reticulated dragonet Callionymus reticulatus was found in addition to C. lyra in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig Holstein, Germany, using a 3-m experimental brown shrimp beam trawl. The survey area extended from 7 to 9°E and from 53°30′N to 54°55′N. It is the first proven occurrence of this species east of Helgoland in the Wadden Sea National Park area and adjacent waters. Data from two other beam trawl surveys (in May 2002 on sole and in January 2003 on shrimp) were additionally used to cover a wider area of the German Bight and during different seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larval diet and feeding habits of the marine fish Callionymus sp. Arnoglossus laterna larvae, two species co-occurring in the Catalan Sea (May, 1992), were compared. For the Callionymus sp. larvae, the dominant prey were Oithona spp. Oncaea sp. copepodites, and with less frequency Paracalanus sp. copepodites. For A. laterna larvae, the diet was composed only of Paracalanus sp. copepodites. Copepod nauplii were not important in the diet of these two species, although they were the most abundant zooplankter in the area. As larvae of both species grew, the size and number of prey increased. This tendency was more obvious in Callionymus sp. larvae, which reflected a greater prey diversity during all their early ontogeny. An analysis of covariance showed prey size increased with larval size in both species, but the prey consumed by Callionymus sp. larvae was larger than prey of A. laterna, corresponding to the larger mouth size (p<0.001). The results of this study show that these co-occurring species have different feeding strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence of the dragonet Callionymus curvicornis. The total length of C. curvicornis mitogenome is 16,406 bp, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region. It has the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement. This is the first report of a complete mitochondrial genome in the fish suborder Callionymoidei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The length–weight relationships were determined for two fish species (Callionymus curvicornis Valenciennes, 1837 and Johnius fasciatus Chu, Lo & Wu, 1963) belonging to two families. Fish samples were collected using commercial trawls (mesh sizes: 70 mm) and the frequency of use three times during each sampling period from Sanniang Bay, China. Samples were collected quarterly from October 2016 to July 2017. The allometric coefficient (b) of length–weight relationship varied from 2.75 for Callionymus curvicornis to 2.92 for Johnius fasciatus. Length–weight relationships for these two fish species were determined for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]